S1: Hello, friends. Welcome to the second hour of Open Line,
S1: Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America. My name is Michael Riedel.
S1: I'm the academic dean and professor of Jewish studies and
S1: Bible at Moody Bible Institute. So grateful you're joining me
S1: around the radio kitchen table for the second hour. Normally,
S1: what we would do is take your phone calls with
S1: your questions about the Bible, God, or the spiritual life.
S1: But today it's a little different. We have a live
S1: studio audience right here at Moody Bible Institute. A group
S1: of people were in the studio B at Moody Radio radio.
S1: And we've got people here and they're going to ask
S1: the questions today. We also have a few questions if
S1: you would like to email a question in and you're listening.
S1: The best way to do that is not just to
S1: send an email. Just go to our website, site open
S1: line radio.org. And there you'll find a link that says
S1: Ask Michael a question. And when you click on that,
S1: you'll be able to post your question. And Trish will
S1: add it to the mailbag. And we do have some
S1: mailbag questions this hour as well. And uh, joining me, uh,
S1: this first couple of segments of the program is the
S1: man who is responsible for me actually working, teaching at
S1: Moody Bible Institute, Doctor Joe Stoll, who was president when
S1: I came on in 1994.
S2: Michael, you were by far my best hire. No, no
S2: doubt about it.
S1: I'll give you the money later. Thanks. Uh, so I
S1: do remember joking around with you, uh, at the interview,
S1: which I was so nervous, I started making some jokes,
S1: and you laughed, and then that was it. I was okay,
S1: so I remember that.
S2: You've been you've been, uh, a rich blessing to Moody
S2: and to the people all over the globe. Michael. So
S2: thanks for saying yes To come to Moody.
S1: Thank you so much. Well, you know, I have to say,
S1: being at Moody Bible Institute, teaching the Bible, so many students, uh,
S1: and also being on the radio and people listening to
S1: Moody Radio. But when I think of the students in
S1: my classes and, you know, now over 30 years, I'm
S1: just so grateful to God, it is the greatest privilege
S1: that God has given me to teach the word uh,
S1: to to not just teach the word, but I teach
S1: Jewish studies, I teach things, I try and make everything
S1: biblically based. But, you know, I meet people all over
S1: the globe, former students of mine who are sharing the
S1: good news with Jewish people and those Jewish studies classes. I'm.
S1: So my heart goes pitter patter. I am so grateful
S1: to God that he gave me that privilege.
S2: Yeah, my highest joy when I served here was students. Yeah.
S2: You know, I didn't come for the paperwork. I actually,
S2: I did I did the paperwork to keep the job
S2: I loved. Right? Yeah, right. But it was the students
S2: that I knew were going to go out and wrap
S2: around the gospel around the globe. You know, like you say,
S2: that's the highest joy of Moody Bible Institute.
S1: People have been asking me how I like being Dean.
S1: I say I do because each year of being Dean
S1: is like a dog year. Seven years for every human year.
S1: You know, I'm actually only 39 and I look a
S1: lot older, that's all. But, uh. But anyway, that's. I
S1: agree with you. It's, uh, it's a great privilege. And
S1: I'm so glad, uh, Joe is now our global ambassador
S1: and assistant and wise, wise man and guide for our president,
S1: doctor Mark Jobe.
S2: Glad to be on his team. It's wonderful to be
S2: back at Moody again.
S1: Yeah. I'm so glad you're here. And, you know, we've
S1: traveled to Israel together. We've traveled to Greece together. It's
S1: so much fun. I love this job that you have. Uh,
S1: come with me, Joe. We're going to go to these places.
S2: Love to travel with you, because I get to sit
S2: under your teaching.
S1: Oh, yeah. Right. We both.
S2: Seriously.
S1: We both teach. It's fun, but. Okay. Uh, I, I
S1: we're going to go to, uh, questions now. We're going
S1: to start with one question right here.
S3: Hi, I'm Julie, I'm from Chicago. Um, I had a question.
S3: I've been invited to participate in a Passover seder before,
S3: but I wasn't sure if that was okay. Based on
S3: my reading in Exodus, Exodus 1248, which seems to indicate
S3: that Passover is meant only for the Jewish people and
S3: only circumcised males can participate, or similarly, Jewish observant females.
S1: Well, uh, Exodus 1248 says this. Uh, uh, I'll read
S1: you the verse because you're quoting it. If a foreigner
S1: resides with you and wants to celebrate the Lord's Passover,
S1: every male in his household must be circumcised, and then
S1: he may participate. He will become like a native of
S1: the land. That's what it's saying. now the what is
S1: that the purpose of that? I want to know what
S1: kind of Passover you've been invited to. Is it a
S1: messianic Jewish Passover? Is it as a more traditionally Jewish Passover?
S3: That's a great question. I think probably both. I think, um,
S3: actually through a church that I was attending. Okay. Um,
S3: I've been invited. I've also had friends that wanted to
S3: host a Seder. Um, and then I think Chosen People Ministries.
S1: Yeah. Okay. Well, you've you've seen seders here at Moody,
S1: haven't you? Yes. Yeah. Uh, I've had a I've led
S1: a a Seder here at Moody Bible Institute for 32 years. Uh,
S1: we have a new Jewish studies professor, Doctor Michael Gabizon,
S1: and this is on April 16th. He's going to be
S1: leading a seder here at Moody Bible Institute. It's my
S1: first time in my years here that I am not
S1: leading that Seder. So I've been doing it a long
S1: time here, and, uh, we never check any kind of
S1: personal areas as people come in for the Seder. That's, uh.
S1: That is not what that's about. What that is about
S1: is saying people may want to come in and live
S1: in the land of Israel, and they may still be pagan.
S1: They may still worship the gods of Egypt. And so
S1: they can't do that. They have to affiliate not just
S1: with the Jewish people. They have to affiliate with the
S1: God of Israel and identify with him. And that's why
S1: that's required. Now let me this is going to be surprising.
S1: Have you put your trust in Jesus, the Messiah?
S3: Absolutely.
S1: Okay. Well, if you have done that, if you believe
S1: that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, you
S1: actually have engaged with the God of Israel, you are
S1: a fully accepted by him. A lot of times people think, oh,
S1: the the the God of the Bible, he's not the
S1: God of Israel. No, he's the God of Abraham, Isaac
S1: and Jacob. He's the God of Israel. And the Bible
S1: says that you are related to him through the New covenant.
S1: And Romans 11 says that people who aren't Jewish are
S1: who believe in Jesus, are grafted in not to Israel,
S1: but into that new covenant relationship with God. Uh, Israel,
S1: those who believe they they're the natural branches in this
S1: image of an olive tree. They're the natural branches, if
S1: they believe. Uh, Gentiles who believe. People who aren't Jewish
S1: are grafted into that New covenant relationship. And, uh, it's
S1: contrary to nature because, you know, they're wild. Uh, olive branches.
S1: And yet, nevertheless, God does that. And so go, because
S1: it's a great way to learn about the significance of
S1: Jesus being the Lamb of God who takes away the
S1: sin of the world. Okay.
S3: Thank you.
S1: Yeah. Uh, so, uh, what we're going to do before
S1: we go to another question, I want to tell you
S1: about our current resource. Now, our current resource is a
S1: book that will really help you because people, you know,
S1: I hold up my Bible and papers fall out every time,
S1: but I hold up my Bible and I say, this
S1: is something that we need to read on a daily basis,
S1: and people usually agree with me, but then they'll say
S1: something like, but how did we get it? You know,
S1: how was this book inspired? How was it copied? How
S1: do we know we can be sure of it? That
S1: that it's without error. How do we know how it
S1: was transmitted by copyists? And how did they pick the
S1: right books and the canon? And how do which English
S1: translation is helpful? Well, those are the questions that our
S1: current resource answers. It's written by Doctor Carl Laney. It's
S1: called The Story of the Bible, and it takes you
S1: from inspiration all the way to translation and the English
S1: translations we have today. It's a really helpful tool to
S1: help you understand this book, not the contents of the book,
S1: but how we got this book. I think it's a
S1: great resource and it's yours if you give a gift
S1: of any size. We are so grateful for every gift
S1: that people give to Open Line. We want to say
S1: thanks by sending you a copy of this terrific resource
S1: by Carl Laney. The story of the Bible how to
S1: give Your gift. Just go to our website, Open Line Radio.com.
S1: Or you can go to. Call this number (888) 644-7122. So
S1: it's either open line radio.org. You can give your gift there.
S1: And then you can uh do that uh give there.
S1: Or you can give by calling (888) 644-7122. Now, Joe, let
S1: me ask you this. You were a pastor so many years.
S1: How often did people ask you questions about that? Not
S1: what does this verse mean?
S2: But I think that's always been a point of interest,
S2: hasn't it? Like, how did we get it and can
S2: we trust it? Yeah. You know, like it was written
S2: so long ago and it's been translated so many times.
S2: Can we really trust what we have? And I think
S2: the book you're offering is answering a very critical question.
S2: If you can't trust the Word of God, then you
S2: can't walk by its steps. And Satan will deceive you
S2: to other ways to walk and live. Right? But when
S2: you trust the authority of the Word of God, then
S2: you can confidently follow in its footsteps.
S1: Yeah. One of my favorite things I get to do
S1: on normal open line programs is I take about five
S1: minutes at the beginning of each program and I teach something.
S1: And two weeks ago I taught about the inspiration of
S1: the Bible. All Scripture is God breathed. And last week
S1: I talked about the inerrancy of the Bible, that the
S1: words of the Lord Jesus in John 17, your word
S1: is truth. Uh, and and those are, I think, so
S1: crucial Because it's like Jenga. Jenga? Is that the name
S1: that your kids grandkids play that game? It's these little things.
S1: Blocks one on top of the other. And my. And
S1: then they finally it falls over when it gets real tall.
S1: But my my little boy when he was, he's not
S1: so little anymore. But when he was little, he would
S1: pull one of the blocks out from the bottom and
S1: make it all tumble down. And that's what it is.
S1: If we take away biblical inspiration and inerrancy, everything falls.
S2: Exactly. And I think you were talking about truth, right?
S2: So we live in a world where I can make
S2: up my own truth for my own life. And that's
S2: always a dead end street I've learned a long time ago.
S2: My first instincts are usually wrong. Right? Seriously? You know.
S2: You know, I don't quickly forgive people who have offended me.
S2: That's not. But the Word of God is an external
S2: truth that is always true. And it's not something that
S2: I just experiment with. So the the solidarity of having
S2: an external truth that is always true, that I can
S2: trust in, is a great gift from God. And it's
S2: in this book.
S1: Yeah. And that's that's why we have Open Line actually,
S1: because that's it's people have questions about the word. How
S1: does it apply to my walk with the Lord? How
S1: do I understand God? I really do try because of
S1: this book being so dependable, so trustworthy. That's where we
S1: try and get our answers from. So, well, we are
S1: going to a break right now and when we come back,
S1: we have more questions from our live studio audience, more
S1: answers from Doctor Joe Stoll. That's what a what a
S1: great thing to have.
S2: What do you think about that, Michael?
S1: Yeah. What do you think? We're going to be right back.
S1: This is open line with Michael Redlick. Stay with us.
S1: More questions straight ahead. Welcome back to Open Line. I'm
S1: so glad to be with you today with our live
S1: audience asking the questions today. And joining me for this
S1: segment again is Doctor Joe stole my, uh, you know, now, uh,
S1: my neighbor we exactly. Yeah. We've got a place near
S1: near each other.
S2: You moved in and nobody said there goes the neighbor.
S1: Oh, no. That's good. They actually, they may have said that.
S1: We don't know. Not a chance. It's great. Anyway, uh,
S1: we have someone here to ask a question. Go ahead.
S4: Hi, I'm Courtney from Ohio.
S1: And we're in Ohio.
S4: Um, Stowe. Stowe, Ohio.
S1: Stowe, Ohio. I my very first congregation that I led
S1: out of seminary was in Columbus, Ohio.
S4: About two hours south.
S1: Yep.
S4: Yeah. So my question is, if you can talk about
S4: the Millennial Kingdom a little bit and the thousand year
S4: reign studying revelations 20 and 21 this week. It's all
S4: clear as mud to me right now, and I'm wondering.
S4: It says we'll reign with Christ. So are we there
S4: in immortal bodies, while there are also people there in
S4: mortal bodies coexisting together for that time period?
S1: Yeah. This is one of the things that gets kind
S1: of confusing to people. But first, before anything else, uh,
S1: what do you think about the number 1000? Do you
S1: think it's real?
S2: Well, actually, I do think it's real. I think it's
S2: a literal statement. I think that's the best reading sometimes
S2: you get in Scripture. Like, there could be multiple readings
S2: and you say, well, which is the best? Maybe not.
S2: Like I'll die for this, but. So I think it's
S2: the best reading.
S1: I agree. You know, this is one of the reasons
S1: why I, you know, because nowhere else. It talks about
S1: the messianic kingdom, a literal, physical, earthly kingdom that the
S1: Messiah will reign over. You can read about that in
S1: Isaiah 11 and lots of places, but it never says
S1: it's a thousand years except in revelation 20. So some
S1: people say it's just a long time, but every other
S1: number in the book of revelation is a literal number.
S1: You know, there are really seven bowl judgments. There really
S1: are seven. Seal judgments and seven trumpet judgments. And there
S1: are a lot of numbers in the book of revelation,
S1: and they are all real numbers. And so that's why
S1: I think a thousand years makes the most.
S4: They will need to repopulate correctly. So they do need
S4: that time span.
S1: Okay. So here I'm going to try my best. And
S1: this is one of those questions that I know Joe.
S1: Joe had a Founders Week that he led in the
S1: year 2000. And I don't know if you remember it,
S1: but it was, uh, about prophecy. And it was the
S1: first time he ever asked me to speak at a
S1: Founders Week. He said, oh, it's about prophecy. Get ready
S1: in there. So that was it. So. But, uh, So anyway, the, uh,
S1: the the very first thing is, I believe the next step,
S1: the thing that we're waiting for is the rapture. Now,
S1: there are people who have views that the rapture or
S1: the the, uh, Great Snatch is what I like to
S1: call it from first Thessalonians 413 through 18. Uh, that
S1: when the Lord snatches the church up. Some people think
S1: it happens in the during the tribulation near the end
S1: of the tribulation, after the tribulation. And you know, we're
S1: not going to go to war over this. Some people
S1: don't even believe it happens. But here's the thing, I
S1: believe it. I think it happens before a future seven
S1: year period where there's going to be all sorts of
S1: pressure on Israel and all sorts of political domination by
S1: a future world ruler. Uh, the prince who is to come,
S1: he's called. He's called the beast. Uh, some people call
S1: him the Antichrist, and he's going to do all these
S1: terrible things. And what will happen is the pressure on
S1: Israel become so great as the wrath of God comes
S1: on the earth. But this future false Messiah is going
S1: to put so much pressure on Israel that it will
S1: cause Israel, ultimately, at the end of this seven year period,
S1: to call out for Jesus. This is from Matthew 23,
S1: verses 37 through 39. It says, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how
S1: I would have gathered you as a mother hen gathers
S1: her chicks, but you were not willing. And then he says,
S1: now your house is being left to you desolate. How
S1: long the Jerusalem is going to be destroyed? The temple
S1: will be destroyed. But for how long? Until you say,
S1: blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
S1: And so Jesus says to Jerusalem, I'm not returning until
S1: those are words of welcome in Hebrew. Baruch Hashem, Adonai,
S1: until you welcome me back. I am not returning. So
S1: that's why God puts the pressure on Israel to turn them.
S1: And it says in Zechariah 1210 they look upon the
S1: pierced one and they mourn for him as one mourns
S1: for an only son, mourning of repentance because of all
S1: the years of rejection. And, uh. And then so these
S1: Jewish people, like Paul, talks about all Israel at the
S1: end of this time, they believe, and they're saved. They
S1: enter the kingdom, but they do not have glorified bodies
S1: because they're just going to go right into the kingdom.
S1: Who enters the kingdom with glorified bodies? Those of us
S1: who have been translated, the raptured, those who have died
S1: and been resurrected, those of us that the Old Testament
S1: saints will be resurrected. It says in Daniel 12, I
S1: think right at the beginning of that earthly kingdom. So
S1: there'll be people there who are glorified, resurrected bodies, and
S1: then these Jewish people will enter the kingdom, and they
S1: will not be glorified. They will be believers, but not
S1: yet glorified. Also, Matthew 25 deals with the judgment of
S1: the sheep and the goats. Now people say, well, who
S1: are those sheep and goats? Well, if you read the text,
S1: it says in Matthew 25 that this is the judgment
S1: of the Gentile nations, when at the return of the
S1: Lord there will be mostly Gentile nations that are oppressing Israel,
S1: but there will be people who, because they are believers,
S1: they will oppose the anti-Semitism of that future false Messiah.
S1: They will protect Jewish people. And that's why the Lord
S1: Jesus says to them, uh, inasmuch as you have done
S1: it unto the least of these, my brothers, my physically
S1: Jewish brothers, you've done it unto me. Enter into the joy.
S1: Enter the kingdom, and they will enter the kingdom. These
S1: believers who protected Jewish people during the tribulation period. These
S1: people will enter the kingdom without glorified bodies. So how
S1: does the Millennial Kingdom get populated by both Jewish and
S1: Gentiles who love the Lord Jesus and enter that kingdom,
S1: and then will be there raining over them does that.
S4: So they're living mortal bodies and marrying and having children. Yes,
S4: but believers will not be. So how is that raining?
S4: Is that a different? We're living together.
S1: Yeah. We'll be serving the Lord there. Yeah, I think so.
S2: Yeah. What does Michael the raining aspect so.
S1: Well, for example, the 12 apostles are going to rain
S1: over Israel.
S2: Mhm.
S1: Over the 12 tribes. We know that from Matthew 1928,
S1: because they are the faithful remnant of Israel, and that
S1: was what was promised to them. So there's going to
S1: be and I don't know, raining that, you know, kiss
S1: my ring or anything like that. I think we'll be serving, uh,
S1: as representatives of the Lord in various you know, there's
S1: going to be I don't think it's right to call
S1: it the deep state in the messianic kingdom, but there
S1: will be an administration of government and we will serve
S1: in that, it seems like to me.
S4: Thank you.
S1: So yeah. Okay. We have another question coming up. There
S1: we go. Stepping up. Get real close to that microphone.
S5: My name is Olivia Bird, and I'm from Glen Ellyn.
S5: And my question is why is Jesus's death and resurrection
S5: resurrection told in four different perspectives instead of only being
S5: told once?
S1: Oh, there we go. Do you want me first? Okay. Well,
S1: I think that. Here's what I would compare it to
S1: when people serve. I remember this during the Reagan presidency
S1: of Ronald Reagan, haven't you? Yeah, yeah. Good. Okay. I'm
S1: glad they still teach him something in school. Uh, I
S1: remember when President Reagan became president, there were all these
S1: people who left private service. You know, they were in
S1: the private world, business and things like that. And they
S1: entered his administration. And then after serving for several years,
S1: they left. And this is what's so interesting. They all
S1: seem to write memoirs, and I think the Gospels should
S1: be read much more like apostolic memoirs than as biographies. Uh,
S1: they're about their engagement with the Lord Jesus and what
S1: they experienced so that other people could experience that as well.
S1: And so they wrote apostolic. That's because they were apostles,
S1: sent ones apostolic memoirs. And it was what did I
S1: encounter when I met the King? What was it like? Uh,
S1: how I saw him do these marvelous miracles. This confirms
S1: he really is who he claimed to be. Uh, he
S1: really did heal, uh, the blind, the lame. Uh, uh,
S1: he did teach this, uh, and and they each have
S1: a different perspective. All true, but a different perspective. And so,
S1: you know, sometimes people will need to hear a message
S1: from one person one way, and then another person needs
S1: to hear it a different way. So for example, Matthew
S1: is writing for Jewish people and he shows how Jesus
S1: fulfills the prophecies. But Luke's writing for the Greco-Roman world,
S1: and they need to hear about how Jesus is the
S1: Son of man, that he's the perfect representative for God.
S1: And so everyone needs to hear it differently. And so
S1: we have four stories that present the same truth from
S1: different perspectives. And that's why we have four apostolic memoirs.
S2: Yeah, I think that spot on that like if four
S2: people see an event and then the one person tells
S2: you about it, they tell you and the next person
S2: tells you, the next person tells you something that they
S2: saw that the other person forgot to tell. Right. So
S2: what you get, Olivia, is four different perspectives of the
S2: same thing. And each perspective is rich in its own.
S2: Because the first person. Oh, yeah, I should have said
S2: that because. And you get a much better, broader picture
S2: of it because all four of them kind of see
S2: the whole thing and all the details, whereas just one
S2: person may not have told all those details. So I
S2: think we get a richer, fuller picture of Jesus.
S1: You know, there's a how old are you?
S5: Um, 14.
S2: That was a that was a personal question there, Michael.
S1: Well, I when I see someone who's under 18, I'm.
S1: I'm allowed.
S2: Don't ask my wife that question.
S1: I would not I would not. But a teenager, I
S1: think I can ask. Uh, the reason I'm saying that is,
S1: as you get a little bit older and you come
S1: to Moody Bible Institute as a student, one of the
S1: things that I would encourage you to do. Are you
S1: thinking about coming to Moody?
S5: Yeah, it's one of my options, probably.
S1: Yeah. I hope you'll really consider it. I think it's the.
S1: No matter what you do in life. Going to Moody
S1: was the best foundation for life for me. I have
S1: friends who are lawyers and bankers and all sorts of things. Uh, but.
S1: And some in ministry. But we all went to Moody together,
S1: and it gave us a great foundation. But one of
S1: the books that you'll maybe read if you ever came
S1: to Moody is a book by David Alan Black. It's
S1: called Why Four Gospels, and it is a wonderful, helpful book,
S1: maybe a little bit beyond you right now. But when
S1: you're a freshman at Moody or a sophomore, the perfect
S1: time to read it. Why four gospels and, uh, or
S1: you can try, you know, make your make your dad
S1: buy it for you. You know, that's, uh, I don't
S1: get any commission on that, but it's a really good book,
S1: and it really is helpful for explaining the question that
S1: that you had. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. And, you know,
S1: if you're listening and you're thinking, what do I do
S1: with my son's life? My daughter's life? My grandkids recommend
S1: they check out Moody Bible Institute, come to one of
S1: our experienced Moody's. It's one of the best places to
S1: get a great foundation for all of life. This is
S1: open line with a live audience. Joe Stoll, Michael Ray
S1: Zelnick we'll be right back with more questions straight ahead.
S1: Stay with us. Welcome back to Open Line. It's time
S1: for the Febc mailbag. The mailbag is something that Febc
S1: partners with us to bring you every week. You can
S1: send your questions to Open Line by going to Open
S1: Line radio.org clicking on Ask Michael a question. Febc then
S1: makes it possible for you to put your question there.
S1: Trish puts it in the mailbag, but I am so
S1: grateful for febc a ministry that reaches people through media
S1: and personal contact. It's a marvelous ministry. Check out their
S1: podcast called Until All Have Heard by going to Febc.
S1: And there's Tricia. I've got two. This is really kind
S1: of interesting. Tricia is the producer of Open Line. Here
S1: she is.
S6: Yes, here I am. That's right.
S1: I heard her voice on Moody Radio the other day.
S1: There was an announcement about this program. This Saturday I
S1: was listening to Moody Radio, and it's my voice saying,
S1: join us this Saturday. And then Trish's voice comes in
S1: at the end with the call letters of the station
S1: and all that.
S6: And what time to listen, you know, so I know
S6: when to listen.
S1: Oh, this is so much better than when I used.
S6: To do that.
S1: I just love that. And then also joining me right
S1: now for these questions is Eva Rydell, who is my
S1: real partner in life, uh, for.
S7: Uh, yay, these many years.
S1: Oh, yeah. Many, many years. We've been married, uh, since
S1: we were both children, it seems like. Because we were.
S7: So go back to moody days.
S1: Yeah, back to moody days. Yes. Uh, anyway, uh, now
S1: this is important. I always talk about how there's a
S1: real partnership in what we do here on Open Line.
S1: I talk about everyone all the time, whether it's Omar
S1: or Tahira or Trisha or Eva usually texting me the
S1: answers to questions. It is it is a real partnership.
S1: And there are other partners, people who listen. When I
S1: first started on Open Line, I thought, no one's going
S1: to listen to this program. Why would they listen to me?
S1: But Eva would listen, and I'm grateful for every listener.
S1: I am so grateful. And then not only that, there
S1: are people who commit to give to open line. Sometimes
S1: people will just give one time, I really appreciate that.
S1: But also there are other people who will give monthly.
S1: There are kitchen table partners. They sit around the radio
S1: kitchen table every week. They are listening, and they help
S1: keep us on the air every week by giving monthly.
S1: And we so appreciate that. And when they do that,
S1: I send a Bible study moment every other week and
S1: it's an audio Bible study. Trish produces it and we
S1: get it out to people. And it's just a few
S1: minutes in the word to encourage you. I hope that
S1: if you're listening and you'd never thought of maybe, uh,
S1: turning your occasional gift into that monthly gift that you
S1: would consider today, become a kitchen table partner. If you'd
S1: like to do that, all you have to do is
S1: call (888) 644-7122 or go to open line radio.org. Appreciate it
S1: if you would. Okay let's let's hit some questions for Eva.
S6: All right Lauren is in Indiana listens to what is
S6: your interpretation of revelation 316. I heard an explanation that
S6: refers to the church of Laodicea as an example of
S6: the types of water that they could get. A source
S6: that was cold but came from six miles away, and
S6: another source that was hot, and then they were both
S6: lukewarm by the time they arrived. Saying that the people
S6: were like that water. Um, what is God actually saying
S6: in this verse? So let me read it real quick.
S6: It's I'm going to start at verse 14, right to
S6: the angel of the church of Laodicea. The Amen. The
S6: faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation, says,
S6: I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold.
S6: I wish that you were cold or hot. So because
S6: you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I'm going to
S6: vomit you out of my mouth. Yeah.
S7: Well.
S1: Let me just start.
S7: Okay, good. Go ahead.
S1: Some people think, well, there were hot springs and cold
S1: springs in Laodicea, and that's the background. And it very
S1: well may be that the church at Laodicea, Laodicea would say, huh?
S1: It's like these cold springs and hot springs, but you
S1: don't need that to understand it. Uh, right. First rule
S1: of biblical interpretation. In order to understand the Bible, we
S1: need to read it. And just reading it, here's what
S1: we know that some things are either hot and we
S1: like them, and some things are either cold and that's great,
S1: but tepid lukewarm, not so good.
S7: Yeah, I think that's the big idea. I mean, you know, geographically,
S7: whether there were these springs or not, um, is not
S7: the point of the, of the text. I think that
S7: the point is, is when you're sitting at your counter
S7: in the morning and you think, I'm going to take
S7: that last sip of coffee and it's lukewarm. You just think, well, you.
S1: Spit it right out.
S7: Or on a hot summer day and you think, man,
S7: I just I'm so. I'm so hot. I just want
S7: some of this good iced tea. And you reach over,
S7: and it's been on the counter for an hour and
S7: a half, and it's not iced tea anymore. It's lukewarm.
S7: You don't want it. I think that's the point.
S1: Yeah. So it's saying the message to them is you
S1: have to be what you are called to be. Uh,
S1: which is, uh, either. Cold. Not meaning cold and heart,
S1: but like iced tea. Uh.
S7: Refreshing cold water? Yeah.
S1: Refreshing cold water or hot coffee? That's nothing better, I think,
S1: at about six in the morning. You know, black hot coffee, steaming,
S1: burning my tongue. I love that. Okay. That. But this tepid,
S1: not caring, not anything that's that demonstrates a lack of faith.
S1: And it's that church would be spat out. Uh, and
S1: it it it happened. There is no church there now. Uh, really, uh,
S1: from what was there in, in the first century.
S6: Okay. All right. Our next question is from David in Florida,
S6: listens to R&B in Luke 1818 to 20. Jesus answers
S6: the question from the rich young ruler, but he only
S6: recites a portion of the Ten Commandments. I'm curious why
S6: he skips the first ones. So this says a ruler
S6: asked him, good teacher, what must I do to inherit
S6: eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus asked him.
S6: No one is good but one God. You know the
S6: commandments do not. Oh, by the.
S1: Way, don't you? Don't you think this guy had no idea?
S1: He's talking to God in the flesh. Yeah. You know,
S1: I think that's he's not denying his deity there. He's
S1: just saying no one is good but God. Why are
S1: you calling me good? Do you know who I am?
S1: You know, he had no idea. No. Yeah.
S6: So Jesus says, you know the commandments do not commit adultery,
S6: do not murder, do not steal. Do not bear false witness.
S6: Honor your father and mother. Why does he just recite
S6: this portion and not the rest of the Ten Commandments?
S1: Yeah. Like, uh, the beginning. You shall have no other
S1: gods before me. Right. Uh. That's a good question, Eva.
S1: I was waiting to hear what you had to say.
S7: I think that's a good question. Uh, you know, I
S7: think maybe he reminded him of the things that were
S7: the most crucial to this man's life. You know, these
S7: maybe these issues were the ones that were the most
S7: telling in his. In his life. Um, and, you know,
S7: the point is that, um, what is you know, what
S7: is the point? What is his. What is big? What
S7: is his big point when he talks to the man
S7: about this? What does the guy do? He turns away
S7: sorrowful because he didn't want to make it sold out. Obedience.
S7: His superficial obedience. Okay. Sold out. Not so good.
S1: Yeah. I think it's so interesting that we always expect
S1: if Jesus is going to going to quote the Ten Commandments,
S1: he can't just quote a selection. And I think it's
S1: because when you look at the ones that he just
S1: picked a, a segment of them, but he picked the
S1: ones about interpersonal relationships. I think that's so interesting. Maybe
S1: this guy was very strong at worship, you know, and
S1: but not so strong at interpersonal relationships. We've never met
S1: anyone like that. Right. And so maybe that's exactly what
S1: he was saying, that that's that's what he pointed out.
S1: So I think it's just selective. Are we going to
S1: have another question from our audience here? Nope. We're going
S1: to take a break here. And what we're going to
S1: do is when we come back, we're going to do
S1: our best to get as many questions in that we
S1: can for our live studio audience. It's going to be
S1: really easy because Eve is very good at answering questions.
S1: That's Eve or I don't think that was Joe stole before.
S1: Now it's Michael right here talking. We'll be right back.
S1: Stay with us. More questions on open line. Straight ahead.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. And Eva Reinicke is joining
S1: me for this last segment. She did last segment. Eve
S1: has taught at Moody for as long as I have. Uh,
S1: she has taught, I think, more courses than anyone I
S1: know and also contributed to the Moody Bible Commentary. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Lamentations.
S7: I went for the upbeat books.
S1: And also contributed to The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy
S1: and other books as well. And so I am grateful
S1: when I joke around and I say that Eve is
S1: texting me the answers. Not so much of a joke. Uh,
S1: I'm really glad that she's here. Uh, when when when
S1: it stumped Michael. Then the answer comes in on my phone.
S1: I'm really grateful for it. Uh, chosen People Ministry is
S1: one of our partners. Is offering a book that's really timely.
S1: It's called a Passover, a time for redemption. It's really
S1: about how this Passover season, which teaches about from the Bible,
S1: from the book of Exodus, the redemption of Israel through
S1: the Passover lamb, how that foreshadows Jesus, the Messiah, the
S1: Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
S1: And if you're interested in that, I think it's a
S1: great resource. What you could do is go to our website, openline. radio.org.
S1: Scroll down. You'll see a link that says A free
S1: gift from Chosen People Ministries. You can click on that.
S1: It takes you to a page where you can sign
S1: up for your own copy of Passover, A time for redemption.
S1: And we're going to start with questions right now.
S8: Okay. My name is al from Grand Rapids. And my
S8: question is what is the difference between Amillennial and premillennial?
S1: Okay. So I have to say this. It's really important
S1: that Amillennial and Premillennial both believe in the return of
S1: the Lord Jesus. And what I think is most important
S1: is to believe that when Jesus said he's coming back,
S1: that we believe he's coming back. Uh Amillennial believes. Well,
S1: Premillennial believes that the Lord Jesus will return before the
S1: Millennial Kingdom. There will be a messianic kingdom on earth
S1: for a thousand years. That's why it's called the millennium.
S1: And the Lord Jesus returns and establishes that kingdom and
S1: reigns from Jerusalem. Okay. On earth. And then after that,
S1: there's one last rebellion. And then after that rebellion is
S1: put down. Then what happens is that there's the world
S1: to come. The new heavens and the new earth, the
S1: new creation that's going to be made where we serve
S1: God forever and ever and ever. Amillennialists believe that the
S1: new creation and the forever and ever and ever happens
S1: right when the Lord returns. And there isn't that 1000
S1: year reign.
S8: Okay.
S1: So some believe in a pre millennial before the millennium,
S1: and some people believe in no millennium, just the forever.
S8: Okay. Thank you.
S1: That's good.
S2: Hi. I'm. I'm Charles. I'm from West.
S9: Plainfield, California. Oh, really? Which is near, uh, Davis, California.
S9: You probably heard of that town?
S1: Yeah, UC Davis.
S9: Sure. Thank you. Um, there's a lot of good Bible
S9: teachers out there, and it's interesting that, uh, many of
S9: them have widely differing, um, vantage points on what you
S9: would call, um, end times theology. Sure. You have pre-tribulation
S9: and amillennialism and, uh, mid mid-trib wrath and all these
S9: other things. And, and some of these arguments are quite compelling.
S9: So my question for you is for 2025 and all
S9: of us that believe right now, how important is it
S9: that we take a stand? Or is it important at
S9: all that we take a stand on one of these points?
S9: Because some of these teachers are very passionate about this.
S1: Well, I think the reason that some of them differ
S1: is they haven't heard Eva explain it well enough. Yeah. Uh, no,
S1: I think that there's a and this is important. There's something.
S1: When we read the Bible, we read it for the
S1: plain sense. Right? Uh, everyone says they do that, but
S1: there are people who, when they read, uh, about the
S1: plain sense that God has a plan for Israel and
S1: the restoration of the Jewish people to the land and
S1: the promises that God made to Israel, they say, well,
S1: if a plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense.
S1: But that doesn't make sense. God's done with the Jewish people.
S1: And so they they then say, that's the church. And
S1: all of a sudden it changes their whole end of days, uh,
S1: Plan that they understand. Uh, and so it's important to me, uh,
S1: in this sense that I think that God keeps his
S1: word and that the proof that God is going to
S1: be faithful to Israel. Why is that? Such an important
S1: proof is because at the end of Romans eight, Paul says,
S1: nothing is going to separate us from the love of God.
S1: And you could just see everyone saying, wait a minute,
S1: what about Israel? God separated from them. And then Romans
S1: nine through 11 comes to vindicate God, to show no,
S1: he's going to keep his promises to Israel. And and
S1: so I think, uh, that leads me to think it's
S1: important for those of us in the church to have
S1: confidence in God's faithfulness by, uh, by believing that God
S1: will keep his promises to Israel. And that leads me
S1: to taking a much more literal understanding of those end
S1: of days events than some of my brothers. Now, I'm
S1: glad they believe in a literal return of Jesus. Now
S1: you want to add anything about that?
S7: Well, you know, this is sort of like theological systems
S7: and and like Michael said, we need to look at
S7: all of the scripture all together. Well, John Stott said this.
S7: He says theological systems are certainly illegitimate and even necessary
S7: academic discipline. But God did not choose to reveal himself
S7: in a systematic form, and all systems are exposed to
S7: the same temptation, the same danger, namely, to trim God's
S7: revelation to fit our system instead of adapting our system
S7: to accommodate his holistic revelation.
S1: Yeah. So I think I try to be as, uh,
S1: faithful and true to the text and even interpret prophetic
S1: matters literally as best I can. I recognize there are
S1: symbols and things like that, but there's a literal significance
S1: to it, and that's why I turn out the way
S1: I do. Uh eschatologically. Does it separate me from people?
S1: Do I say, no? I can't have fellowship with that, brother? No, no, no.
S9: How important is it for us to take a stand?
S9: You take a stand. You're an educator?
S1: Well, I think I'm a teacher, but I'm a student first.
S1: I think anyone that wants to understand God's word should
S1: do their best to understand it. Because you're going to
S1: teach someone. So there you go. That's what I think.
S1: Understand it as best you can. Teach it to someone else.
S10: Yes. Thank you. I'm Kyle from Carmel, Indiana. And as
S10: I've listened here just during this, I've been taught what
S10: a dynamic duo are. I had no idea of your background. So.
S10: So as I asking this question, it's just kind of morphed.
S10: But in in light of God being not only my
S10: God as a Gentile, but the God of the Jews.
S10: And in light of NDEs, as you mentioned here in
S10: this country, I watch world events and I watch bombing
S10: of the Houthis over in Yemen and, and you know,
S10: be be coming over here Monday and all this and
S10: I'm like, okay, how do how do I speak to
S10: my fellow saved or unsaved Jewish or non-Jewish friends and,
S10: and and reconcile all this kind of thing?
S1: Mhm. Well, I would say, for example, the bombing of
S1: the Houthis right now, the United States is involved in
S1: a serious bombing campaign. It is not for Israel. The
S1: Jewish people have not made Donald Trump do that, though.
S1: That's what people who are anti-Semitic will say. Uh, Jewish
S1: people don't have that much influence. But the the reason
S1: that is happening is because shipping. Our ships have been attacked.
S1: Our shipping has been attacked. The United States in the
S1: the Red sea. And that's why that is being ordered.
S1: Because it is our shipping. In fact, you know, the
S1: United States Navy began under Thomas Jefferson because of the
S1: Barbary pirates.
S7: Yeah, the Mediterranean pirates. That's where our navy began.
S1: Yeah, that's to protect our shipping lanes. And that's why
S1: this is happening. It's not happening because of Israel. Israel
S1: is handling the Houthi missiles with with the defense systems
S1: that they have. The Iron Dome is protecting them. But
S1: the it's the the United States shipping that's under attack.
S1: And our military vessels in the Red sea are being attacked.
S1: That's why we are doing this. It's in the interests
S1: of the United States of America, not for Israel. And
S1: I want to be really clear about that. Wow. Why
S1: is Bibi coming here? Because it is in the interests
S1: of the United States and Israel. Both of us are.
S1: We're allies, uh, to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
S1: And I think that that I'm not sure of it,
S1: but I think that's what that is about. Why? Why
S1: that's happening.
S10: Okay.
S1: Yeah. Do you have a follow up?
S10: Yes I do. I have, uh, Jewish clients back home,
S10: and I'm always concerned about calling them because I don't
S10: want to interrupt their calendar and, ah, their days off
S10: limits to to their calendar that I shouldn't ever dare call.
S1: Depends on the observance level of your Jewish friend. You know,
S1: Jewish people where we are a very varied people. Yeah. Right.
S1: Some Jewish people are very observant. Don't call them on Shabbat.
S1: It doesn't matter if you call them on Saturday because
S1: their phone's off. They're not going to pick it up anyway.
S7: But there's very not a big orthodox community. Really? Yeah.
S10: I see, because I have talked to in the past
S10: and they'll they'll look at one another and say, well,
S10: we've got such and such. Let's. So I'm like.
S1: Yeah, don't call him the first night of Passover. They're busy.
S7: Right. Don't call on Yom Kippur. Otherwise you're pretty safe.
S1: Yeah. Pretty safe. And usually what they'll what my what
S1: I do is I turn my phone off when I
S1: don't want to get a call. So do your Jewish friends. So. Yep. Hey, everyone.
S1: Thank you for being here. That's the program for the
S1: week and thanks for listening and thanks, all of you,
S1: for having the boldness to ask questions right here on
S1: the radio. Thank you so much for that. Thanks for
S1: the Open Line team. Uh, Trisha and Omar and Joel
S1: and Tara. I'm going to forget someone, but I appreciate
S1: and thanks Joe and Eva for joining me. Keep in
S1: touch with us by going to our website, Openline. radio.org.
S1: It's got all the links you're looking for, including how
S1: to get our current resource and also how to become
S1: a kitchen table partner. Keep reading the Bible. We'll talk
S1: about it next week. Open line with Doctor Michael. Radio
S1: mic is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of
S1: Moody Bible Institute.
S11: See you next.