Who will be saved in the Great Tribulation?

Could those now familiar with the gospel be saved after the Rapture?

God has always reserved the right to establish deadlines in His offer of salvation: death, despite the uplifted serpent (Numbers 21);" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 21); the falling of judgment after God closed the door of Noah's ark; a closed door when the Son of Man returns to earth (Matthew 25:10;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:10; Luke 13:25)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 13:25). Similarly, the Scriptures point to a deadline enforced when the Savior returns for His Church. 2 Thessalonians 2:10" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:10 describes the deceivableness of unrighteousness operating in "them that perish" (same word as "lost" in 2 Corinthians 4:3)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:3). Note two important phrases: "that they might be saved"; "that they might be condemned." Failing to receive the love of the truth and be saved, they will believe the lie and be condemned. Such strong language underlines the danger of making sweeping statements about some not included in the passage. Failing to "believe" or "receive" the truth indicates a conscious failure to repent and receive the Gospel -more than merely living where Bibles are available or gospel meetings are accessible. However, publically implying that some in a Gospel audience might find salvation after the Lord returns is infinitely more dangerous. The evangelist's responsibility is to urge his audience to "Seek ... the Lord while He may be found."

E. Higgins

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How can I add the Online Bible Search to my website?

Online Bible Search on Your Web Site

If you manage a website or have a profile on MySpace, you can provide your viewers with a Bible search form like the one below directly from your page. Their search results will appear in a pop-up window so your web page stays on their computer screen. They can easily return to your site once their Bible search request is finished.

This is what the form looks like.

This is how you add it to your website.

Copy the following code and paste it into the HTML code for your web page. This will provide a link to the Online Bible.

<form action="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php" method="GET" target = "new">
<table width="160" border="1" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000" bgcolor="#F0DFB9" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC">
<td><font face="Arial,Helvetica"><b><font size="+1">Online Bible</font></b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p> <font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica">Show a passage: e.g. "<b>John
3:1-5</b>" <br>
<input type="text" size="25" name="passage" value="John 3:1-5" TARGET="_blank">John 3:1-5">
</font> <font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica"><br>
Search word(s) in the bible: e.g. "heaven hell"<br>
<input type="text" size="25" name="search">
<br>
Bible Version:
<select name="ver1" size="1">
<option value="kjv" selected >King James Version</option>
<option value="asv" >American Std Version</option>
<option value="bbe" >Bible in Basic English</option>
<option value="dby" >Darby Translation</option>
<option value="esv" >English Standard Version</option>
<option value="gfr" >The Gospels for Readers</option>
<option value="web" >World English Bible</option>
<option value="ylt" >Youngs Lit. Translation</option>
</select>
</font>
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="Search">
<br>
<font face="Arial,Helvetica" size="-3"><a href="http://www.gospelhall.org">Online Bible at GospelHall dot Org</a></font> </p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>

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How can I know what work to do for God?

How can I know what work to do for God?

What a valuable expression of devotion to the Lord!

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:10) teaches us God’s way of entrusting lesser responsibilities initially. In fact, lifelong willingness to do "that which is least" is becoming for bondservants (see Philippians 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 2:5). Mark 12:34," TARGET="_blank">Mark 12:34, "The Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who . . . gave . . . to every man his work," highlights the Lord’s manner: He desires to employ every hand and entrusts to each of us our personal responsibility. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10)" TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 9:10) advocates putting all our strength into what we do; that is especially appropriate for spiritual work.

Three factors may guide us in fulfilling our responsibility. First, our work will present itself to us. As part of living daily by the power of the Spirit, we should expect perceived need to encounter spiritual opportunity (Genesis 24:27)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24:27). Second, our work will not be disruptive. The Scriptures use a body to illustrate assembly functioning (Romans 12:5;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:27). If we assume we are a "thumb" and our functioning displaces another believer, we are either on the wrong hand (going about our work in the wrong way) or misdirected (doing the wrong work). Third, our work will have encouragement. Seeking others’ approval ought to be disappointing, yet the absence of encouragement should produce humble waiting on God. Work done for the Lord will eventually have His encouragement, perhaps in small, very personal ways, and the encouragement of respected believers. Only intimacy with God, however, can impart the essential awareness in the soul that a particular work, especially public service, is God-given.

D. Oliver
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Can a Christian believe in Evolution?

EVOLUTION
Can a Christian believe in Evolution?

It is sad to think that anyone “naming the name of Christ” should forsake the clear testimony of God’s Word for the fable of “Evolution”— “Science falsely so-called.” The former declares that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1; see also Hebrews 11:3)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:3). Later we read, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light” (v. 3); “Let the waters bring forth abundantly” (v. 20); “Let the earth bring forth the living creature” (v. 24); “God created man in his own image” (v. 27); and in chap. 2. 7, we have the detailed account of this; “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Of course the most cursory reader of Gen. i, can see that God’s method in Creation was one of progression, from—the inorganic to the organic,— vegetation, fish, fowl, beasts, and lastly, man. We know, moreover, by experience of the things around us, that there is room within the species for the most wonderful variations (e.g., men, dogs, pigeons, etc.).

Ill-informed persons confuse this with “Evolution,” and they profess to be “evolutionists” because of such facts, which are undisputed. But “Evolution” properly so-called is supposed to account for the development of new species of plants or animals, either by mutation or by minute modification. Its teaching is that everything organic began with a cell (possibly more than one, but perhaps only one), and evolved by minute variations, into the myriads of “species” in the world, brought about by “natural selection,” securing “the survival of the fittest” during the course of “a struggle for existence.” Can anything be conceived more wildly improbable? It is only one more proof of “the Fall,” that otherwise sensible men can be found gullible enough to believe it. For such a process has never been proved to have taken place in nature.

Now, Science is something known, so that it is very unscientific to be an Evolutionist, seeing that evolu- tion is not something known; it has not even attained to the dignity of a theory, but is a mere hypothesis. The late Lord Kelvin, perhaps the greatest scientist since Newton, said in one of his last addresses, “I marvel at the undue haste with which teachers in our universities ‘ and preachers in our pulpits are restating truths in terms of Evolution, while Evolution itself remains an unproved hypothesis in the laboratories of Science” (my emphasis). Not only is Evolution a direct attack on the Creatorship of God, negativing the Scriptural account of the origin of things, but it denies the fall of man, and so inevitably the need of atonement and also, logically, the work of Christ. Shallow thinkers may profess to be able to believe the Scriptures and Evolution, but intelligent believers subject to the Word, and clear-headed agnostics, like Huxley, see clearly that the two are mutually incompatible. Evolutionists in the meanwhile continue to utter discordant cries hardly agreeing upon a single point, except that their pet hypothesis is true. Our choice simply lies between God as Creator and His Word for it, or everything its own creator and man’s word for it.

William Hoste

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Are the demon-possessed responsible for being in that condition?

Were those of whom we read in the New Testament that they were demon-possessed responsible for being in that condition?

Certainly not in every case. In that of the boy in Mark 9:20-22," TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:20-22, his father in reply to the Lord’s question said that he had been thus from childhood. What was true with regard to the other miracles of healing wrought by Christ was probably true of the demon-possessed also, that in some instances the trouble was due to sin on the part of the person concerned, and in others not so. Contrast the warning to the impotent man in John 5:14," TARGET="_blank">John 5:14, “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee,” with the words spoken of the blind man in John 9.3," TARGET="_blank">John 9.3, “Neither hath this man sinned.”

W.R.

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How can I consistently learn the truths of God's Word?

How can I consistently learn the truths of God's Word?

First, carefully read the text. To Timothy, Paul said, "Give attendance to reading" (1 Timothy 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:13). Admittedly, this was public reading, but the principle applies. Again, "Consider what I say (AV), for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things" (2 Timothy 2:7," TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:7, JND). The understanding will be from the Lord by the Holy Spirit, but not without careful mental application on our part. Second, meditate on the text (Joshua 1:8)." TARGET="_blank">Joshua 1:8). This was the constant exercise of the fruitful man in Psalm 1:2." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 1:2. Jeremiah spoke of finding God's words and eating them examination and assimilation (Jeremiah 15:16)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 15:16). Third, have a prayerful spirit. Psalm 119," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119, which celebrates the supreme delight of an Old Testament saint in God's Word, is saturated with prayer. As we listen to God speaking to us, we in turn speak to Him. Fourth, submit your will to God. The Lord Jesus said the secret to knowing doctrine was a willingness to do His will (John 7:17)." TARGET="_blank">John 7:17). Bible study that is merely technical is not enough. The secret of knowing more is to practice what we already know. Such techniques produce ready scribes like Ezra, who "prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach" (Ezra 7:10)." TARGET="_blank">Ezra 7:10).

D. Gilliland

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How can I help to make our assembly Bible Readings edifying?

How can I help to make our assembly Bible Readings edifying?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16-17). This text should be the evaluator of all our Bible Readings. Each believer in assembly fellowship is committed to the profit of the assembly. May I suggest three things to help the character of our Bible Readings:

   1. For all: pray daily for brethren responsible to teach the Word; also, become acquainted revealed in the with the passage to be considered.
   2. For those responsible: learn the context of the passage by repetitive reading and prayer. Teaching the meaning and sense is true edification and, when applied to the need, will produce scriptural, intelligent action.
   3. For overseers: distribute the responsibility of opening the discussion. This encourages responsibility and development. It also enables responsible brethren to discern potential ability (2 Timothy 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:2). This avoids a stagnation of exercise fostered by one man's monopoly.

Bible Readings are a pasture for the flock. Shepherds who learn to feed as did the Chief Shepherd will edify a happy, healthy flock being led in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

J. N. Smith

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Who decided the books that make up the Bible?

Who decided the books that make up the Bible?

Some "Church councils" have served some important and beneficial ends. Constantine convened the first official council at Nice in 325, but that council was to decide its issues by the Scriptures. The council did not decide the Canon (the books recognized as the authoritative rule for Christian living - the inspired books). It was to act on what was already recognized as the Christian Scriptures. Church councils did not decide the Canon. Long before 325, post-apostolic Christian writers referred to various writings as the Scriptures; in total, they referred to the 27 New Testament books we recognize today. Those men didn’t make them canonical, but recognized that they were part of the Canon.

In the New Testament itself are instances where writers recognize other current writings as Scriptures. Paul in 1 Timothy 5:18" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:18 Paul treats Deuteronomy 25:4" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7" TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:7 equally as Scripture. Peter places all of Paul’s epistles on a par with "the other Scriptures" (2Pe. 3:16)." TARGET="_blank">2Pe. 3:16). The Spirit by inspiration is beginning to make the NT Canon clear. Those who were born of God recognized the authority and quality of the inspired writings.

D. Oliver
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What is the meaning of

What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 3: 33: “Died Abner as a fool dieth?”

Probably the thought is: “Did Abner die like an inexperienced fool, who knew not how to defend himself?” And the intended answer is, “No, he fell victim to a deceitful wicked plot.” Compare verse 27, in which the unsuspicious nature of Abner stands in marked contrast to the suspicions Joab had expressed concerning him in verse 25. Notice, too, that he was slain in the last place where it might have been expected he would be, in the gate of Hebron which was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7)," TARGET="_blank">Joshua 20:7), as well as being the residence of king David at that time.
Yet there is no doubt that Abner did really act as a fool on an earlier occasion, when he made the unwise choice of chap. a. 8, 9 for Ishbosheth and against David, and did so deliberately though he well knew (see chap. 3. 9, xo) what the mind of God in the matter was.

W.R.

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What basic books would you recommend for Bible study?

What basic books would you recommend for Bible study?

Accurate study of the Bible involves several principles: the meaning of a word in the original Hebrew and Greek (1 Corinthians 2:13);" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:13); the context of the passage (since words may have more than one meaning, the context even determines their meaning) (words: Galatians 3:16;" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3:16; passages: Romans 4:9-13);" TARGET="_blank">Romans 4:9-13); related truth as revealed in the rest of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20)." TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 1:20). For studying the Bible by these principles, the following books give assistance with word meanings: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words; Unger's Bible Dictionary (more like an encyclopedia); Strong's Exhaustive Concordance or Young's Analytical Concordance (preferably both). These commentaries will help with context and related truth: The Collected Writings of W. E. Vine; What The Bible Teaches; Believer's Bible Commentary, W. MacDonald; Synthetic Bible Studies, J. M. Gray; Systematic Theology, A. H. Strong; Egypt to Canaan, J. Ritchie; The Tabernacle in the Wilderness, J. Ritchie; The Tabernacle, H. Soltau; The Holy Vessels and Furniture of the Tabernacle, H. Soltau. This is a very brief list and could easily be lengthened to include several hundred excellent commentaries and books on Scriptural subjects.

A. Joyce

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Online Bible Search on Your Web Site

This is how you add it to your website.