S1: Hello friends. It's time for the second hour of Open
S1: Line with Doctor Michael Dolnick Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America.
S1: We're talking about your questions about the Bible, God and
S1: the spiritual life. I'm Michael Ray Dolnick. I'm the academic
S1: dean and professor of Jewish studies and Bible at Moody
S1: Bible Institute. We're live today right here, right around the
S1: radio kitchen table taking your questions. So give me a call.
S1: The number is (877) 548-3675. Again (877) 548-3675. If you can't call
S1: just go to our website Openline radio.org. And there's a
S1: link there that says Ask Michael a question. Click on
S1: that and you'll be taken to a page where you
S1: can put your question there. Trish will put it in
S1: the mailbag. We'll get to it in upcoming weeks. I
S1: hope you have your Bibles open. I hope you have
S1: a second cup of coffee. We're going to talk about
S1: the scriptures in just a moment. I did want to
S1: tell you about something that's coming up here at Moody
S1: Bible Institute in just under a month, November 9th. It's
S1: the Moody Summit opposing anti-Semitism. I'm really grateful to God
S1: that Moody is hosting this together with Chosen People Ministries.
S1: We're going to have some very special speakers. Doctor Mark Jobe,
S1: who is the president of Moody Bible Institute and you
S1: know him on radio from Bold Steps, we're going to
S1: have doctor Don Sweeting, who is the chancellor, former president,
S1: but now the chancellor of Colorado Christian. He is the
S1: son of our former president, Doctor George Sweeting, who's gone
S1: on to be with the Lord. Uh, also, we'll have
S1: Doctor Mitch Glazer, who's the president of Chosen People Ministries,
S1: Chicago area listeners, Carl from Carl and crew. Carl Clawson
S1: will be speaking. Uh, very, very excited about this, uh,
S1: this event. I'll be speaking as well. Eve is going
S1: to lead a workshop. It's going to be a really
S1: great time to learn about this current problem and see
S1: what we can do as followers of Jesus, to oppose
S1: this hatred of the people whom God loves. And so
S1: don't miss out November 9th. It's a it's a very
S1: important day. Uh, join us for the summit. And I
S1: did want to let you know there's a there's a
S1: small registration fee, but when you register, if you put
S1: the words in Caps summit and then no space 20, uh,
S1: summit 20, uh, you will get a 20% discount for registration.
S1: So that would be a now is the time to
S1: go grab that registration, take care of it. If you
S1: want to get a link to the registration, just go
S1: to Open Line radio.org. There's a banner that says, uh,
S1: summit opposing anti-Semitism. Semitism. Okay, so that's how you can
S1: go to it. We're going to go right back to
S1: the phones now and talk with Pam in Cincinnati, Ohio
S1: listening on Wfxg. Welcome to Open Line. Pam, how can
S1: I help you?
S2: Good morning. Thank you for taking my call. I have
S2: a question. I've been trying to figure out the best study, um,
S2: for to connect the Old Testament with the New Testament. Mhm.
S2: And I've been, um, reading a recent, um, book from
S2: Rabbi Sobel, and I enjoyed his. But I gave it
S2: away before I was done. And I do have, um,
S2: Nehama Leibowitz studies the Pentateuch. And I wondered if that
S2: was a good set of books to have.
S1: Well, that's not going to be a book that connects
S1: you to the New Testament at all. So.
S2: And I found that out. Yeah.
S1: So, uh, you know, there are a number of books
S1: that will help you. Uh, for example, uh, some of
S1: them are a little more challenging than, than others, but
S1: they're still helpful. I would, first of all, recommend The
S1: Moody Handbook on Messianic Prophecy, because what that does is
S1: it goes through virtually everything in the Old Testament that
S1: points to Jesus and, and really helps you see how
S1: the Old Testament is foretelling the new. And that's a
S1: very good book, The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy. Uh,
S1: then there's another book that I wrote called The Messianic Hope.
S1: Is the Hebrew Bible really messianic? Uh, again, that's an
S1: academic academic book, but it's, uh, it's a, I think
S1: a helpful book. If you read slowly and write down
S1: your questions and call me back with them, and I'm
S1: happy to talk, you talk it through with you. Uh,
S1: then there's a book by Walt Kaiser. Doctor Kaiser contributed
S1: to The Moody Handbook, but he wrote a book called
S1: The Messiah in the Old Testament. That's a great book. Again,
S1: it connects to Jesus in the new. Very helpful book. Uh, and, uh,
S1: I think the, the there there's a lot of ways
S1: that we can connect the old with the new, uh,
S1: but that that's sort of the some good starters for you. Uh, they,
S1: you know, sometimes when you get books that are more popular,
S1: they have kind of a superficial connection. And so that's
S1: why I recommend these books that have a little bit
S1: more substance to get you connected to the new. Okay.
S2: Thank you. That's what I want.
S1: Thank you. Great. So glad you called, Pam. Thank you
S1: so much.
S2: Have a blessed.
S1: Day. You too. Okay. Bye bye. Uh, okay. We're going
S1: to talk with Kent in Urbana, Illinois. Listening to on WGN.
S1: Welcome to Open Line, Kent. How can I help you today?
S3: Hi, doctor. Mike. Um, in Jeremiah, he talks about the
S3: destruction of Babylon, and it will never be rebuilt again.
S3: Then what? Babylon is being talked about by the Apostle
S3: John in Revelation 18.
S1: Well, I think in revelation 17 and 18, uh, what
S1: we have, there's two views. There's some people who think
S1: it's sort of a Babylon is used symbolically of Rome. Uh,
S1: and that could very well be sort of a rebuilt Rome,
S1: Roman religion, Roman state. And the and some people think that, uh, uh,
S1: I'm a little skeptical. You know, I have this. If
S1: the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense, lest
S1: it result in nonsense. I don't believe that the the revelation.
S1: I don't believe that Jeremiah 50 and 51 has been
S1: fulfilled in its complete way. That's described there. I agree
S1: with Doctor Charlie Dyer from the host of The Land
S1: of the book, who's written quite extensively about Babylon, that
S1: it will be rebuilt, and that revelation 17 and 18
S1: aligns with Jeremiah 50 and 51, and foretells the actual
S1: destruction at the end of days, destruction of Babylon. So
S1: that's what I think it is. Uh, maybe a book
S1: that you would find helpful is a moody publishers book
S1: called The Rise of Babylon by Charlie Dyer. So that
S1: might be helpful to you. Uh, we're going to. Thanks
S1: for your call, Kent. Hope that helps. We're going to
S1: talk to Louise in Chicago, listening online. Welcome to Open Line, Louise.
S1: How can I help you today?
S4: Thank you. It's Larissa, actually.
S1: Oh, Larissa. Larissa.
S4: Sorry. That's okay. Um, my question is, Second Corinthians. In
S4: the King James Version of the Bible. We are confident,
S4: I say, and willing rather to be absent from the
S4: body is to be present with the Lord. And so I,
S4: I've always I'm a little confused because I hear people say,
S4: when someone dies, oh, they're with the Lord, they're in heaven.
S4: But then I've also heard, um, I've read in like
S4: revelations that when, when we die, we're, we're we're actually
S4: sleeping in our graves, waiting on the Lord to come back.
S4: So that's just always been. I'm a little confused about it.
S1: Okay. Well, I think you got second Corinthians five nine, right?
S1: Therefore we are at home or away. We make it
S1: our aim. Uh. I'm sorry. Second Corinthians five eight. Uh,
S1: while we're at home, this is I'm going to begin
S1: with verse six. Uh, we are always confident and know
S1: that while we are at home in the body, we
S1: are away from the Lord. Verse seven. For we walk
S1: by faith, not by sight, and we are confident and
S1: satisfied to be out of the body when we're out
S1: of our body. We're home with the Lord when we die. Therefore,
S1: whether we're at home or away, we make it our
S1: aim to be pleasing to him. Okay, so, uh, clearly.
S1: And then in Philippians one, it's Paul talks about the
S1: potential for dying and what what he says is that
S1: he would rather be, uh, away from them and with
S1: the Lord. So when he dies, he anticipates going to
S1: be with the Lord. And, uh, and so this is
S1: what what he says, uh, uh, for me, living is
S1: this verse 21, Philippians one. For me, living is Christ,
S1: or living is Messiah, and dying is gain. If I
S1: live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me,
S1: and I don't know which one I should choose. I
S1: am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart
S1: and be with the Messiah, which is far better, but
S1: to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
S1: Sounds like Paul thinks that when he dies, he goes
S1: right to be with the Lord. The issue comes up
S1: in a passage like First Thessalonians chapter four, where it
S1: talks about the rapture and it talks about people, uh,
S1: in the church who have died. That's what they were
S1: concerned that they were going to somehow miss, uh, being,
S1: you know, missed the return of the Lord because they're sleeping.
S1: And so. Right. Uh, it says concerning those who are
S1: asleep and he's using the word asleep repeatedly. Uh, yes.
S1: For being dead. And the reason it's a euphemism when
S1: you look at a dead body, uh, if they're at peace,
S1: they look like they are merely asleep. And so he
S1: is using the euphemism for dead. Okay, So concerning those
S1: who are dead. Uh, and then he says those who
S1: have died through Jesus. Uh, and he says we have
S1: no advantage over those who are take away the euphemism
S1: instead of falling asleep. We have no advantage over those
S1: who are dead. That's what it means. Uh, okay. So.
S1: And and that's the reason I know that is he
S1: calls them the dead in Christ. So we know that's
S1: what it's talking about. So what what I think is
S1: happening here, and I think there's a little hint in
S1: the text and I'll show it to you. Is that
S1: when we die, our, uh, immaterial part, the soul or spirit,
S1: goes to be with the Lord. Our bodies are asleep,
S1: so to speak, physically as they decay in the grave. Right. Mhm. Mhm. Uh, decompose.
S1: And then, uh, when the resurrection happens we will, the
S1: people who have died in the Lord will return there.
S1: Their spirits will return with him and their bodies will
S1: be resurrected and resurrected and reconstructed. And and then they
S1: will become one with their new immortal body. Here's why
S1: I say that. Uh, if you look at, uh, it
S1: says concerning those who are asleep, those who have died
S1: don't grieve as the rest, who have no hope. Now
S1: look at verse 14, first Thessalonians four, verse 14. Since
S1: we believe that Jesus died and rose again in the
S1: same way, God will bring with him those who have
S1: fallen asleep through Jesus. So when the Lord Jesus is descending,
S1: who's coming back with him? Those who have fallen asleep,
S1: their immaterial part that has gone to be with the
S1: Lord all these years will descend with him, and then
S1: the dead in Christ will rise. And so those who
S1: have died, they're returning with the Lord. Their immaterial part
S1: is returning at the rapture. Their physical body is resurrected,
S1: and they're reunited as one. That's what it. That's what
S1: it's referring to.
S4: Oh. Oh thank you. That was, that was a great
S4: that that helps me.
S1: Great, great. I'm so glad. No soul sleep. We go
S1: to be with the Lord when we die. And then
S1: we will be resurrected physically to an immortal, glorious body
S1: that the Lord has made way for us. First Corinthians
S1: 15 he's he's the first fruits, but we get to
S1: experience it when we're resurrected, so.
S4: Oh my. Okay, well that is a blessing and we
S4: look forward to that. Amen. Thank you so much. I
S4: really appreciate it.
S1: Yeah. Great. Well thank you. Uh, Larissa, thanks for your call.
S1: Really appreciate it. And, uh, when we come back, we're
S1: going to take more of your questions. Uh, this is
S1: open line with Michael Ray Dolnick. The number (877) 548-3675. Stay
S1: with us. We're going to have lots of time in
S1: our Bible study across America. Uh, coming right back. Right here.
S1: My name is Michael Ray Dominic, and.
UU: This is Open Line.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. So glad to be with you.
S1: And so grateful that you're listening today. Uh, I did
S1: want to mention the the current resource that we're using.
S1: First hour, I had the great privilege of interviewing the
S1: author of 14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible. My
S1: friend Jim Coakley, who teaches here at Moody Bible Institute.
S1: This is a really great book. It will open your
S1: eyes to how to read the Bible. Uh, I really
S1: do believe the best way to understand the Bible is
S1: by reading it, but sometimes we read it superficially we
S1: don't really read for it's, uh, about for what it's saying.
S1: And this is a great way of stepping up our
S1: reading ability. It shows us how we are supposed to
S1: read the scriptures. I think you're really going to love it.
S1: It's very practical, easy to understand. Not a very long
S1: book either. It's less than 200 pages, easy to read,
S1: and really, really helpful. When the Christianity Today Book of
S1: the year award for Bible study, because it is so
S1: helpful in reading the Bible, I don't want you to
S1: miss out. It's yours as our gift to you. Our
S1: thank you gift when you give a gift of any
S1: size to open line. Uh, if you'd like to give
S1: a gift, all you have to do is go to
S1: our website, openline radio.org. And if you go there, we'll
S1: be happy to give you a copy of this book, uh,
S1: with your gift. Or you can call, uh, 88864471228886447122. Remember,
S1: ask for 14 fresh ways to enjoy the Bible. You're
S1: going to love this book. It is terrific. And let
S1: me just mention, there are some of you who listen
S1: all the time. I so appreciate it. But you've never,
S1: ever given a gift. This is a great time to
S1: give that first gift because you're going to love this book. Uh,
S1: 14 Fresh Ways to Read the Bible to Enjoy the Bible. Okay,
S1: we're going to go back to the phones now. Tracy
S1: in Chicago listening on Wmbi. Welcome to Open Line, Tracy.
S1: How can I help you today? Hey, Tracy, I can't
S1: hear you.
S5: Oh, hello. Can you hear me now?
S1: Now I can. Yep. Thank you. Okay.
S5: Sorry about that. Yes. Thank you for taking my call.
S5: And thank you for what you do. Um, my call
S5: is in relation to the last caller's, like, um, regarding
S5: people being absent from the body and being present with
S5: the Lord. Um, and the resurrection of those that are
S5: asleep in Christ. I want to know, how does that
S5: connect to Hebrews? Uh 927. Bit confused by that because
S5: it says it's appointed unto man every one to die once.
S5: What does that mean exactly? Is that a physical death
S5: in the body? Um. Or can that be a spiritual,
S5: natural death?
S1: Uh, it's talking about the context is, uh, the Messiah's death.
S1: So it's talking about physical death, and it says, okay,
S1: verse 27, just as it is appointed for people to
S1: die once, and after this, the next step before God
S1: is there will be a judgment. So also the Messiah
S1: having been offered once that's referring to his death to
S1: bear the sins of many will appear a second time,
S1: but not to bear sin, but to bring salvation. So
S1: it's saying is, uh, that Jesus isn't going to die again.
S1: That's the real point he's making. But he's saying, just
S1: as people die once it's appointed for man to die once,
S1: and then they stand before God, there's the judgment in
S1: the same way that people just die once. The Lord Jesus,
S1: when he appears again, when he returns, he's not going
S1: to die the second time, okay? He's going to appear
S1: as judge. And now the one thing is that people
S1: often say, well, if the Bible says people, all people
S1: die once. Uh, what about Enoch? He walked with God
S1: and he was no more. And what about Elijah, who
S1: apparently was translated, wait. What about everyone that's alive at
S1: the rapture will be translated instantly.
S6: So that was my question.
S1: Uh, so what you have here in verse 27 is
S1: a general rule for life. It is true that we're
S1: all going to die. I always say that, you know,
S1: one of the things that's hard for us to accept
S1: that when we're in denial that we're going to die
S1: one day, everyone's going to die. I hope to be raptured,
S1: but everyone's going to die if we're not raptured. That's
S1: a general rule of life. It doesn't mean there aren't exceptions.
S1: It doesn't mean Enoch and Elijah didn't die. I mean, uh,
S1: had to die. No, they didn't die. They were translated
S1: in the same way. The church alive at the return
S1: of Jesus at the rapture will be translated into his presence.
S1: Those are the exceptions. But what's the general rule? Uh,
S1: generally speaking, Tracy, I'm going to die. You're going to die.
S1: Everyone's going to die. Unless now we get raptured. So.
S1: And I long for the rapture. I want it to
S1: be in my lifetime. But, you know, we have to
S1: be ready to die. Every one of us needs to
S1: be ready to die. And the best way to be
S1: ready to die is to believe in Jesus today and
S1: live your life for him. Uh, today, the we have
S1: to believe if we're going to spend eternity with him
S1: so we're ready to die. We have to believe that,
S1: you we all do things wrong, but Jesus died for
S1: those wrong things. He took the punishment we deserve. He
S1: was raised again, proving that he can take the punishment
S1: that he is God. And now he's going to come back.
S1: But what we have to believe is that he took
S1: the punishment for our sin by his death and was
S1: raised again. We just have to trust that. That that's
S1: sufficient to establish a forever forgiven relationship with God. Okay, Tracy.
S1: So I believe you know that. But if you're listening
S1: and you're wondering, I'm not ready to die. Ha! The
S1: first step is not to go and get your, uh,
S1: a grave set up and buy your coffin. And that's
S1: a great thing to do if you want to do that.
S1: But that's not getting ready to die. Being ready to
S1: die starts when we put our trust in Jesus. Then
S1: we never have to fear. We can go right into
S1: his presence. And I'll tell you what there's this great
S1: benefit is he gets he comes into our lives. We
S1: he transforms our lives today. So as long as we live,
S1: it's whether we live or die. We're living for him.
S1: And it's a glorious life. Okay, Tracy.
S5: Okay. Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. I'm still just
S5: slightly confused, though, with the rapture portion. What are you
S5: confused about? No one. Well, it seems as though if
S5: everyone dies, then who's going to be raptured?
S1: No, no, everyone is going to die. Except. Well, that's
S1: a general rule that all people die. That's all I'm saying.
S1: It's a general rule. All people die. Sooner or later,
S1: we're all going to die. However, if we are alive
S1: at that time when the rapture happens and we're followers
S1: of Jesus will be translated, it will be an exception
S1: to the rule. That's all I'm saying.
S5: Mhm. Okay.
S1: Okay, good. Okay. Thank you so much. Sure. Thanks for
S1: your call. Uh, we're going to speak with Mike in Russellville, Arkansas,
S1: listed on Moody Radio. Welcome to Open Line. Mike. How
S1: can I help you today?
S7: Uh, good morning, doctor. Thank you so much for taking
S7: my call. Sure. Uh, actually, I'm listening to you on
S7: the app. Okay, great. Have a station close. But, uh,
S7: my question comes with regards to Isaiah 37 four. Uh,
S7: and then also in verse 20, it's the use of
S7: the word uh, your God and in our God. And
S7: in verse four there, uh, Hezekiah has sent Eliakim and
S7: Shebna and the elders to Isaiah. And he says, it
S7: may be that the Lord your God will hear the
S7: words of the Rebekah. And then in verse 20, this
S7: is where Isaiah is praying. Wait a second.
S1: The and will rebuke him for the words that the
S1: Lord your God has heard, right? Yes, yes.
S7: And I'm just curious, because it's also I've seen that
S7: in Nehemiah, uh, chapter eight, verses Versus nine and it
S7: uses your God. And then in verse ten it says hours.
S7: So I'm just curious as to why they would not
S7: use our all the time as a vote, you know,
S7: in that in those.
S1: Well.
S7: Instances.
S1: Uh, do you have, uh, is the Lord Jesus your Messiah?
S7: Absolutely.
S1: He's mine too. Yes. But I might say to you,
S1: your God, when I talk with you. I've listened to
S1: a lot of preachers. I always want to tell them
S1: use the first person. But a lot of preachers say
S1: your faith, your your decision, your walk. You're this your God. Uh,
S1: they're just talking to people because he is indeed the
S1: God of Israel. So when Hezekiah talks to Israel, to Judah,
S1: he he says, your God. However, he recognizes that he's
S1: part of Israel. And then in verse 20, he talks
S1: about our God because he's one of them. That's all.
S1: It's it's recognizing the same thing. And I might do
S1: the same thing talking with you about your Messiah. Make
S1: Jesus your Messiah. He's our Messiah. You know, it's the
S1: it's the same deal. Don't read more into that than
S1: it ought to be read. He's talking to them, and
S1: then he includes himself with them. That's the same thing
S1: that that I do when I talk with people as well. Okay. Right. Okay.
S1: Very good, I appreciate it. Great. Thanks for your call, Mike.
S1: Really appreciate it. Uh, have a blessed day. Okay. Jonathan
S1: in Cleveland, listening on Wkjf. Welcome to Open Line. Go
S1: ahead with your question. We're up against the break, so
S1: just ask your question.
S8: Yes. Good morning. Um, I'm a new Christian, and I'm
S8: not sure. Do I have to be baptized to participate
S8: in communion?
S1: How long have you been a Christian?
S8: Uh, maybe five months.
S1: Five months? Uh, well, I think it's time for you
S1: to be baptized. Yes. What do you think?
S8: I for sure. Um.
S1: That's the. That's the real question. The real question is,
S1: why aren't you baptized yet? That's the real question.
S8: The church that I go to, um, has set up
S8: every like 90 days or so, and I accepted Christ
S8: in between those times. And I'm not sure why they
S8: haven't had that.
S1: Okay, well, you talk to your pastor and say it's
S1: time for time for me to be baptized. Let me
S1: know about that. And then the other thing is, do
S1: they have a rule that you have to be baptized
S1: to take the Lord's Supper?
S8: Yes, I believe the congregation does.
S1: Well, I, I, I think it's within their right to
S1: establish a rule like that. That's totally fine. You know,
S1: when I was a pastor, I didn't have that a rule.
S1: As a rule, uh, in my church, my congregation, what
S1: I believed was the best thing to do was, uh,
S1: if you were a follower of Jesus to participate in
S1: the Lord's table, that was what was acceptable. However, I
S1: really do believe different congregations can have different rules about that. Jonathan.
S1: And if your congregation has that rule, just respect it
S1: and then talk to your pastor about getting baptized. Okay.
S1: I hope that's okay. We're going to come back with
S1: the mailbag in just a moment. This is Michael Ray Dolnick.
S1: You're listening to Open Line. Uh, and we'll be back
S1: with more of your questions, so don't go away. Welcome
S1: back to Open Line. I'm Michael Ray Dolnick. I'm so
S1: grateful for you listening today. And also I'm so grateful
S1: to Far Eastern Broadcasting Company. They partner with Open Line
S1: to bring you the weekly Febc mailbag. And Far East
S1: Broadcasting Company is a terrific Horrific organization. They bring the
S1: good news to people. They use media, but they also
S1: use personal touch. And I appreciate that so much. You
S1: should check out their podcast. It's called Until All Have
S1: Heard It features editor cannon. And to find that podcast
S1: just go to FBC org. That's fbc.org. Well joining me
S1: right now is uh, the troublemaker in charge. Is that it.
S9: I don't sure.
S1: She keeps asking me questions. I don't know the answer
S1: to that.
S9: That part is true. Yeah.
S1: That's Tricia McMillan. I'm so glad that you're here. Uh, hey, Tricia. Uh,
S1: one of the things I loved about being on that cruise.
S9: Last month when. Yeah, it was.
S1: A it was a lovely cruise and bus trip and
S1: all that. We saw the journeys of Paul. We saw
S1: great sights. But what I love most is I met
S1: all these people and they'd say, I'm a kitchen table partner.
S1: I'm a kitchen table partner, I'm part of the open
S1: line team. And it meant so much to me to
S1: to get to know people who are kitchen table partners.
S1: And it's because they so they were so encouraging because
S1: they really believe in the value of this program. And,
S1: you know, sometimes I forget you lose track. I bet
S1: you don't because you keep track of everything, but you
S1: lose track that people are listening and growing. And I
S1: met people who said that they grow so much because
S1: of this Bible study that we're doing, and they became
S1: kitchen table partners. And I just appreciated that so much.
S1: And I want to let people know that if you
S1: listen and you find this a really encouraging, helpful program,
S1: if you're walking closer with the Lord, you may have
S1: even given a gift occasionally to get a resource. But
S1: you'd like to say, hey, I'd like to formalize that
S1: into becoming a kitchen table partner. We'd so appreciate you
S1: considering doing that. We'll send you a Bible study moment
S1: every other week. It's a Bible study designed exclusively for
S1: our kitchen table partners. You'll also get the whatever the
S1: resource is Periodically.
S9: They have to request. They have to request it. Okay.
S9: But you can request that.
S1: You can request it and get the resource whenever it changes.
S1: And so so grateful for that and just really, really
S1: grateful for those kitchen table partners. And that's what we
S1: want to do. When you do become one is to
S1: get that Bible study moment to you, get you the
S1: possibility to get the resource. I think you even get
S1: a Tumblr when you become a kitchen table partner.
S9: Yes you do.
S1: Yeah. So it's I.
S9: Think it's a mug. It's an online kitchen table partner mug. Okay.
S1: That's what it is. Good. I'm so glad. Well, anyway,
S1: if you'd like to become a kitchen table partner, all
S1: you have to do is call (888) 644-7122. That's (888) 644-7122. Or
S1: go to open line radio.org. And what have we got
S1: in the mailbag Tricia.
S9: All right. Well a question.
S1: That I've called you so many things. Queen of the.
S9: Questions. Yeah.
S1: Malka. That's the word.
S9: Queen in Hebrew. Yeah.
S1: And now troublemaker.
S9: In charge maker. Yay! there we go. Well, our first
S9: question came in today. Um, I think after hearing your
S9: opening word in the first hour, uh, Yasmin wants to know,
S9: as Christians who have received Jesus as our once and
S9: for all atonement, should we refrain from doing any activities
S9: on this day, like your kids activities in order to
S9: observe this day as holy? Today is Yom Kippur. Um,
S9: and you had talked about that and what Jewish people do.
S1: Yeah. Well, I'm a Jewish person. Yeah. I think this
S1: is the first time that Open Line has. I've hosted
S1: Open Line on on a.
S9: Saturday, Yom.
S1: Kippur. Um, uh, I usually get a guest host, but frankly,
S1: we've got so many things happening in the past. And
S1: coming up, I couldn't be away. Yeah. And so, uh,
S1: I do believe that this is holy work because I'm
S1: teaching the Bible. That's when I led a messianic congregation.
S1: What did I do on Yom Kippur? I taught the Bible.
S1: And so I'm grateful that I have this great privilege
S1: to teach the Bible, uh, even on a holy day. Uh,
S1: as a Jewish person, I identify with the Jewish people,
S1: and I usually take this day as a day of
S1: I'm still doing this day of personal reflection, prayer for
S1: my people. All that is still happening for me today,
S1: but I don't think I'm obliged. There's no obligation to
S1: do it, which is why I could be here today. Uh,
S1: a very unusual thing for me. I bet you were surprised.
S9: I was, when I realized I was like, wait, I
S9: don't think he's he's not normally here for this one, but.
S1: Yeah. Yeah.
S9: I mean, I'm glad to see you, but.
S1: Yeah, but it's it's surprising.
S9: It is. Yes.
S1: It was the most surprised was Eva. She said you're
S1: doing what. So. But that's just me, you know, that's
S1: that's my, uh, personal conviction. I don't think anyone should
S1: have to feel that obligation, particularly if someone's not Jewish. If,
S1: as a Jewish person, I identify with my people completely
S1: on this day, and I will even fast. But my
S1: fasting isn't for atonement of my sins. I fast for
S1: my people to find atonement in Jesus, and I use
S1: my my meal times to pray for my people. So.
S1: And then we we celebrate with other Jewish believers when
S1: we break fast. And that's always a fun thing to
S1: do to celebrate our mutual faith and confidence in our forgiveness,
S1: our assurance of forgiveness. So I would say up to you,
S1: follow your conscience. Don't, don't in any way think that
S1: there's an obligation, but there's an opportunity if a person
S1: wants to do that.
S9: Okay. All right. Thank you. Thanks for that question, Yasmin.
S9: Our next question is from Gary in Indiana. Uh, he's
S9: in a study on the Gospel of John and wants
S9: to know how do we harmonize? John? Um, looking at
S9: John one, um, starting in verse 35, it says again,
S9: the next day, John was standing with two of his
S9: disciples when he saw Jesus passing by. He said, look,
S9: the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him say
S9: this and followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and noticed them
S9: following them, following him, he asked them, what are you
S9: looking for? They said to him, Rabbi, which means, teacher,
S9: where are you staying? Come and you'll see, he replied.
S9: So they went and saw where he was staying, and
S9: they stayed with him that day. It was about ten
S9: in the morning. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of
S9: the two who who had heard John and followed him.
S9: He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
S9: we have found the Messiah, which means anointed one, and
S9: brought him brought Simon to Jesus. So how do we
S9: harmonize that with, um, saying that these two disciples had
S9: followed Jesus the day after Jesus's baptism with the other gospels,
S9: which would be Matthew, Mark, and Luke saying Jesus fasted
S9: and was in the desert tempted by Satan, and then
S9: chose his first disciples.
S10: Um.
S1: So, for example, you have Luke five. Uh. which is
S1: the first disciples, right? So they're on the Sea of Galilee,
S1: Lake Gennesaret, and they can't. These are the worst fishermen ever.
S1: They never can catch anything.
S9: It does seem that way. Yeah.
S1: And I think it's because they always had to mend
S1: their nets. Because their nets were so big. The fish were. No, no,
S1: that's not really true. But they spent more time mending
S1: nets than actually using them, it seems like. Uh. And
S1: the Lord does a miracle for them. And then what
S1: does he do? Uh, he says, don't be afraid. From
S1: now on, you'll be catching people. And they brought the
S1: boats to land and left everything and followed him. So
S1: I actually think that what you have in John one
S1: is them first meeting Jesus and kind of becoming a
S1: general follower of Jesus, then you have them following him more, uh,
S1: being called actually to be part of a closer knit circle.
S1: So it's a second event, not the same event.
S10: Okay.
S1: Uh, and then what you have is like, for example,
S1: in Matthew ten, where he, uh, summoning his 12 disciples,
S1: he gave them authority, and then they became the 12 apostles. Uh,
S1: so what you have is a gradual, uh, a movement
S1: of them to becoming called into the inner circle, so
S1: to speak. Okay. Uh, and that's so it's not the
S1: same event in John one as in Luke five.
S10: Okay. So, okay. And Matthew.
S1: Ten.
S9: Even so, it does, though I think the what we
S9: find that the Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called
S9: the synoptic Gospels because they have a lot of similar stories. Um,
S9: and then there's John.
S10: Kind of John tells.
S1: It much later.
S10: Yeah. Okay.
S1: His book is much later, and he tells it from
S1: his perspective alone. They all do what they are. People
S1: think of the gospels as biographies and they're looking for
S1: why is there any kind of difference? But they're more, um,
S1: Apostolic memoirs is what I would call it. Uh, a
S1: memoir is like when someone goes to work in the
S1: administration as secretary of defense or the chief of staff
S1: or whatever they do, speechwriter and then they leave whatever
S1: presidential administration, and they write their memoir, and then we
S1: don't get the memoirs out and compare what the chief
S1: of staff wrote compared to the the the counsel to
S1: the president. Why do we do that? We don't. Why
S1: don't we compare? Because they each had their own experience,
S1: and they're writing it from their own perspective, and they
S1: can harmonize, but they aren't necessarily the same experience. And
S1: so I think that, uh, John is thinking about when
S1: he first met Jesus. Okay. And and the disciples and
S1: the Synoptics, or particularly the different gospels, are also doing,
S1: having a different purpose, different plan. So as a result,
S1: they're not exactly the same. And they have to be harmonized,
S1: but they're not the same. And sometimes you might read
S1: A Life of Christ like A.T. Robertson did A Life
S1: of Christ, where he takes all the passages and harmonizes them.
S1: There's other life. Live other books called The Life of
S1: Christ as well. But A.T. Robertson is most famous.
S9: Or even a harmonization, like I have, um, a harmonization
S9: of the Bible book, which just takes all of the
S9: scriptures and sticks them in.
S10: Harmony in.
S9: Chronological like these happen at the same time. And this
S9: happened first. And then this passage from John will be
S9: slipped in and that kind of thing.
S10: Exactly.
S1: And so, uh, I like to read each gospel on
S1: its own merit.
S10: Okay.
S1: But, uh, to help people understand that they're true. It's
S1: good to harmonize them, but for understanding their meaning, stick
S1: to each one individually.
S10: Okay. Okay.
S9: So is it kind of.
S10: Like.
S9: My family goes on vacation and then we come all
S9: together and we say, here's what my vacation was like.
S10: Yeah. Everyone has a different story.
S9: Got a different story. And some of you were there for.
S9: And others you heard second hand or you heard. Yeah.
S9: You know, like my sister told me this story, that
S9: this is what happened.
S10: Yeah. She was.
S1: At the beach and this and.
S10: This happened, and I.
S9: Wasn't there, but I. This is what she said. And
S9: so I can include that in the vacation stories. Okay.
S1: Exactly. That's a good way of doing it.
S10: Okay. So yeah those vary.
S1: They do vary, don't they?
S10: Like you.
S9: Did what? Where was I?
S10: Where was I? You were cooking. That's it.
S9: Okay. All right. Thank you for that. Um, I think
S9: I think that's it.
S1: That's it. We're gonna take a break here.
S10: Let's take a break. Thank you.
S1: Tricia, for bringing those questions. I hope that helps people
S1: understand the gospels and get yourself a good harmony of
S1: the Gospels. And that will answer a lot of those questions. Uh,
S1: when we when we come back, we're going to take
S1: more of your questions, so don't go away. That was
S1: Tricia McMillan. She's producer and the troublemaker in charge. That's it.
S1: That's her new title. I'm Michael Ray Dominic. We're going
S1: to be right back with more of your questions. Stay
S1: with us. Welcome back. I'm Michael Ray Dolnick. So glad
S1: to be with you. Thank you for listening today. Really
S1: appreciate all of you who are calling. We're going to
S1: try and get to some of the questions you've posted
S1: as fast as I can do. Sort of a quick
S1: answer for things just to get to as many of
S1: you in before we do that, I do want to
S1: tell you, uh, Chosen People Ministries is offering a terrific book.
S1: It's called A Small Book, but it's called The Portion.
S1: It's a weekly devotional based on the portion of the
S1: Pentateuch or the Torah that's read by Jewish people around
S1: the world. As you read this encouraging weekly Devotional, you'll
S1: discover how the Torah lays the foundation for the rest
S1: of Scripture, even gives us guidance for our lives. Today.
S1: You're going to love this book. It's for your free copy.
S1: Just go to our website openline. radio.org. Scroll down. Click
S1: on the link that says a free gift from Chosen
S1: People Ministries, and that will take you to a page
S1: where you can sign up for your own free copy
S1: of the portion. Also, I want to remind you again, uh,
S1: the Summit on Opposing anti-Semitism coming up right here at
S1: Moody Bible Institute on November 9th. People from all over
S1: the country are already planning to come. If you're an
S1: open line listener, you get to have a discount. It's
S1: just a really it's actually a minimal fee for the registration,
S1: but you get, uh, 20% off. Go to open Line radio.org,
S1: click on the summit, uh, opposing anti-Semitism banner. And when
S1: you sign up, uh, make sure to put a code
S1: Summit 20 in summit 20. And then you'll be able
S1: to get a 20% discount on the registration. Hope you
S1: will join us. Okay, we're going to talk to Kylie
S1: in Fishers, Indiana, listening on the Moody Radio app. Welcome
S1: to Open Line. Kylie. Go ahead with your question.
S11: Hi. Thank you for taking my call. Um, I feel
S11: like I have kind of a silly question, but I
S11: am in a season of life with little children, and
S11: I can't tell you how many times we've read, you know,
S11: the story of Jonah. And so I have this question
S11: that I think about when we read this story of
S11: why did Jonah not just, I guess, like, throw himself
S11: off the boat in the storm and instead, you know,
S11: he knew he was the cause of the storm. And
S11: he said, if you throw me overboard, you know, the
S11: the storm will calm. Maybe I was just.
S1: Maybe he was afraid to commit suicide, which is what
S1: he would be doing, I guess, uh, I wouldn't want
S1: to jump into that. But he knew he had to
S1: get into it and get off the boat. So he
S1: asked them to throw him. Uh, or maybe, uh, because,
S1: maybe maybe it was. You know, I've been on these boats.
S1: It's a little hard to get to them to the
S1: place where you would do. It's not like an easy
S1: way to jump off. So maybe he just maybe for
S1: the sake of ease, he would have him throw him overboard.
S1: I don't know what the answer is, but probably it's
S1: one of those. Okay. Okay, great. Thanks for your call.
S1: Appreciate it. We're going to talk to Lucy in Holland, Michigan,
S1: listening on Wndb. Go ahead with your question, Lucy. Yes.
S12: Hello. So this has to do with lying. And in
S12: two verses particularly, it seems that the Lord has folks lie.
S12: One is having Samuel lie to the elders of Bethlehem.
S12: Why he is there. He's saying that he's there to
S12: sacrifice when actually he's there looking for the next king.
S1: And then. But did he sacrifice too?
S12: Did he sacrifice too? Yes.
S1: Okay, so he just didn't give him all the information.
S12: Well, yeah, but still it wasn't. You know, the whole
S12: point was that he was fearful.
S1: I'm going to I'm going to answer your question.
S12: In a minute.
S1: But but okay.
S12: And then. Okay. And then the second one is Exodus 318,
S12: where the Lord has Joseph and Aaron lie to Pharaoh,
S12: asking to let his let the people go for three
S12: days so that they can sacrifice to their Lord, when
S12: actually the intent was to get everybody out of there completely.
S1: Actually, it might have been a that actually might have
S1: been true, but Pharaoh resisted. So then it expanded to
S1: a complete exodus. That might have been just like preparatory
S1: for what would have later been the Exodus. And then
S1: when Pharaoh wouldn't do it, then they just went ahead
S1: with the Exodus, so that that could very well have
S1: been a true statement, not a lie. But I find
S1: it interesting when you see people like in Exodus one,
S1: the midwives lie. Uh, right. And it says, verse 20,
S1: so God was good to the midwives. And the Hebrew
S1: is very clear. It connects the blessing of God to the,
S1: the dishonesty, the lie of, of the midwives. Same thing
S1: with Rahab. God blesses her. She's called a woman of faith.
S1: What does she do? She lies about the 12 spies.
S1: She lies right? I think that what the. What? The
S1: truth of it is, is that there are certain circumstances, uh,
S1: where you have to choose the greater good. So, for example,
S1: with the midwives and with Rahab, they were. Saving a
S1: life is superior to truth telling. All things being equal,
S1: always tell the truth. But when you have two commandments
S1: in conflict with each other, like preserving life versus uh, uh,
S1: telling the truth. You choose the greater of the two,
S1: the greater good. And so as a result of that,
S1: it's sort of like. I'll give you the illustration. What
S1: if you, uh. Are you married? Do you have kids?
S12: No. I'm not.
S1: Okay, well.
S12: I know I don't.
S1: Uh, my wife is married to me, and we had kids.
S1: And when we were driving to the, uh, to the doctors,
S1: I was very careful for the. When she was giving birth,
S1: when she was in labor, I was very careful to
S1: stop at every light. However, if she were really close,
S1: I'll tell you what I'd have done. I'd have gone
S1: to those lights. I would have checked both ways, and
S1: then I would have driven right through. Right. I would
S1: have broken that traffic law. Why? Because of, uh, for
S1: the greater good of my wife. And if the police
S1: had stopped me, I would have said, my wife's in labor.
S1: She's giving birth. They'd have said, follow us. And they
S1: would put their, uh, sirens on their headlights and their
S1: their flashing lights and taking me through. Uh, right. So
S1: what what it is is it's it's following the greater good,
S1: and then you're exempt from the lesser commandment. It's not
S1: that you get to break it and and have to
S1: confess it is. You're exempt from it. And so when,
S1: when there's a greater and again, all things being equal,
S1: always tell the truth. But when telling the truth, you know,
S1: are you just think about the Nazis. Are you hiding
S1: any Jewish people in your house? Uh, yeah. Here they are.
S1: You know. No. You want to preserve life, you know? Right?
S1: You know, the you know, you let them in, don't
S1: you know, and let them search because you've hidden them well,
S1: but don't, uh, you might even tell a lie. No.
S1: No Jews being hidden here. Uh, that's that's a really
S1: important principle that we learn that the greater good is
S1: to preserve life. And. And then you're exempt from the
S1: truth telling commandment. Okay. Does that help at all?
S12: Samuel then? Well, it does help. But in the case
S12: of Samuel, there's really not life.
S1: Well, the great, the greater good was not to stir
S1: up the killing of David and his family. Uh, which
S1: would have happened by. By Saul if they had announced.
S1: I'm looking for a new king. So.
S10: Okay.
S12: Yeah, I get it.
S10: Good.
S1: Thanks. Appreciate it. Lucy. Thanks. Thanks for listening. That's the program.
S1: I can't believe how quickly the program is over, but
S1: it is over. And, uh, when we come back next week,
S1: we'll take more of your questions. Uh, check out our
S1: web page during the week. Open Line radio.org has all
S1: the links you're looking for. The Bible study across America
S1: will continue next week. Keep reading the Bible. We'll talk
S1: about it then. Open line with Doctor Michael Rolnick is
S1: a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.