Julie Kelly

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The Moral Glories of Our Lord

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Joel Hovey

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Stephen Vance

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Fernando Medina

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 Woollen and Linen

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The R.V. of Psalm 68:11" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68:11: “The women that publish the tidings are a great host,” has been used in favour of public preaching of the Gospel by women. What is its real meaning?

Psalm 68" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68 is primarily connected with the bringing up of the Ark by David to the “resting place” (Psalm 132:8," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 132:8, R.V.) which he had, in accordance with his boyhood’s vow, prepared for it; though, of course, prophetically it looks forward to events far beyond that. It begins in v. with the words uttered by Moses on the occasions when the Ark was being taken up to move onward through the wilderness (Numbers 10:35);" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 10:35); and in its earlier verses it recounts in few words the bright side of Israel’s past history, as connected with what the Ark symbolised—the presence and power of God with His people. Their march through the desert; their arrival in the promised inheritance; and their victories over the nations that dwelt there, and those others that surrounded it; are pictured as won by the Presence of God with them. On various occasions these were celebrated in song, especially by their women-folk; and it is to such celebrations that the words quoted in the question refer.

See examples of them, in Exodus 15:20, 21," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 15:20, 21, after the Red Sea crossing; in Judges 5:1-3," TARGET="_blank">Judges 5:1-3, after Barak’s defeat of the host of Sisera; and in 1 Samuel 18:6, 7," TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 18:6, 7, after David’s own victory over Goliath. Also compare the rejoicing on this occasion of the bringing up of the Ark as described in 2 Sam. 6. 15-22." TARGET="_blank">2 Sam. 6. 15-22. It is worthy of note that in many respects our psalm may be compared with the above-mentioned Song of Deborah.  Those who advocate that women should do what in the New Testament they are forbidden to do, must be hard bestead for proof, if they have to come to Psalm 68:11" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 68:11 for it.

W.R.

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What is Deliverance Ministries

"Deliverance" ministers address personal problems in people that are believed to be caused by demons or Satan.  The routine for binding a demon is something like a psychiatrist practicing exorcism.
First the deliverance minister may ask a few questions about the person and his/her problems.  "How long has this been occurring?" "When is it most frequent?" etc.

It is assumed that the person needs deliverance from a demon to cure the problem whether it be unexplained pain or a bad habit such as alcoholism.  
The deliverance ministries approach then tries to begin a conversation with the demon trying to evoke a response from the demon.  If this begins to sound like a prohibited practice in scripture, then you are correct.  Notice a few verses from the Bible here:

Leviticus 19:31" TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 19:31  "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 18:10-12  There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer  (11)  or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead,  (12)  for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.

Leviticus 20:27" TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 20:27  "A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them."

1 Corinthians 10:20-21" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:20-21  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.  (21)  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

The minister of a deliverance ministry may then try to intimidate the demon through speaking loudly, commanding in an authoritative voice, invoking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

If there are not quick results, the practitioner may schedule future sessions to talk to the demons again.  
Other forms of deliverance may be in the attempts to bind Satan from entering into a new church or preventing him from attacking a house.

One may seriously question whether such practices border on the spells and charms that cults prefer to practice rather than praying to the Lord to protect and prosper.

If you are feeling the need of God's protection, pray directly to Him, not to Satan or to his demons.  The Lord's own example of prayer for the Disciples includes the phrases:

"lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:9-13)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 6:9-13)

Some verses for you to read for comfort include:

Psalm 139" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139 – the omnipresent, omnipotent God of the Universe knows you better than you know yourself.

Psalms 91:1-4" TARGET="_blank">Psalms 91:1-4  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  (2)  I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  (3)  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  (4)  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

The most important protection that God can provide is the salvation of your soul.  See other questions regarding salvation for eternal security.

I know Christ took our sins on the cross, but for some reason I'm not sure if I'm saved. 

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Alfred Corduan

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Should the word “sin” in Genesis 4:7" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 4:7 be “sin-offering” as some translators suggest?

The fact is that the same Hebrew word, "hattath”, may be rendered either “sin” or “sin-offering,” according to the context in which it occurs. In the Authorjsed Version it is given, “sin,” about 17 times, and as “sin-offering” about 120 times; while it is also in a few places rendered, “punishment” (for sin). All this is of interest, because it suggests that the sin, its punishment, and the offering which atones for it, are in a sense equivalent in value, since one word serves for all three.

But naturally the above fact makes it diflicult in a few passages to decide which rendering into English is the proper one. In Gen. 4." TARGET="_blank">Gen. 4. 7 the Newberry Bible gives, “sin offering” in its margin; and this rendering well agrees with the verb “lieth” which follows, for this, as the New- berry margin also points out, is a word used of animals “crouching” or lying down. It is the same Hebrew word that occurs in Genesis  49:14 of an ass crouching down under its load, and in Isaiah 17" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 17: 2 of flocks lying down to rest.

Of course, the distinction between the various kinds of offerings was not made known at that early time as it was afterwards in Leviticus. Yet God’s act in clothing Adam and Eve with coats of the skin of some animal was doubtless an object lesson to them of the necessity for blood- shedding, as pointing the way to remission of sins. Probably most of the sacrifices offered in times prior to Leviticus took in more aspects of truth than the one, and might be considered from different points of view.

If the verse be taken in this sense, the meaning would be, “If thou art a well-doer shalt thou not be accepted? but if not, a lamb or other animal is readily available, lying as it were at thy very door, to be made use of in offering for thy sin.”

On the other hand, in Cain’s previous “gift-offering” there was no acknowledgement of sinnership on his part. He had assumed the place of a “well-doer,” without having a right to it.

An interesting point which would follow on this view of the passage is that Cain, instead of shedding the blood of the readily available animal, that it might cry for mercy on his behalf, went out to shed his brother’s blood, which cried for vengeance on him (v. 10).

W.R.

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Why did our Lord, though not partaking of the bread when instituting His supper, drink of the cup?

Can there be some spiritual truth hidden in this?

We think the idea that the Lord partook of the cup (as above) is based on a misunderstanding of the accounts of the Institution, and on a false inference. The misunderstanding arises from the position of the words, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,” in the Matthew and Mark accounts, and the false inference, from the idea that the Lord had necessarily that moment drunk of the cup in question. It is clear from the Luke 22" TARGET="_blank">Luke 22: account that there were two cups, that in the 17th verse which was the passover cup, and the other the cup of the new supper, the memorials of His body and blood. It was to the former (see v. 18) that the Lord’s words, above quoted, refer. The Lord did not Himself partake of the emblems of His death in either kind, as Luke’s account shews.

W.H.

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SAINTS
Will you please explain the meaning of the term “Saints”? Does It apply to all believers?

A saint is one who is sanctified and the root meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words, translated “Sanctify,” is to set apart for a particular Purpose, the nature of which is not specified. It may be good, it may even be bad. Perhaps Psalm 4:3" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 4:3 is one of the best definitions of scriptural sanctification: “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. The word, “godly”, being a descriptive title of  the people of God—those who belong to God. Compare Psalm 50:5" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 50:5:
“Gather my saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” This includes all the people of God. Holiness of conduct is clearly the end in view, but we must not confuse the way and the destination. We get into great confusion if we forget this distinction, that sanctification does not in itself denote a change of character or conduct, but that in some cases it leads to that.

(1) Thus, “sanctify”, is applied to inanimate objects, which cannot experience a change of character—e.g., the gold sanctified by the temple and the gifts by the altar (Matthew 23:17-18)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 23:17-18).
(2) It is applied to unconverted persons, whose character presumably remains unchanged. The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and unconverted children by the parents (1 Corinthians 7:4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:4).
(3) It is applied to the Lord who never needed a change of character. “Say ye of Him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world.” “For their sakes I sanctify myself” (John 10:36;" TARGET="_blank">John 10:36; John 17:19)." TARGET="_blank">John 17:19).

Progressive sanctification is the continued response of the believer, whom God has set apart, to His purpose for him. Joseph was set apart by Pharaoh to rule Egypt, so he did not go back to the prison but gave himself to the work. Paul was set apart for God’s service and he was “not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” If God has sanctified us at the moment of our conversion, it is for us to sanctify ourselves, and this will undoubtedly shew itself in our conduct. It is a very sad thing when believers can talk of sanctification and yet are but little sanctified in their ways. True sanctification consists in conforming our ways to what God has revealed in His Word for us. The Scriptures meditated upon are a great means in the hands of the Spirit for sanctifying the people of God (John 17. 17)." TARGET="_blank">John 17. 17).

W.H.

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Is Satan responsible for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, mudslides or tornadoes?

Every time there is a major disaster such as the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the earthquake in Japan in 2011, Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana in 2005, the earthquake and following tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand in 2004, we invariably ask the question – where is God? Is Satan responsible for causing natural disasters?  Does God permit natural disasters?  

Satan is not in control of the world.  Anything he does has limits placed upon him by God.  Being a powerful angel, although fallen from his original position, he has been given great power.  But Satan is not infinite.

The clearest example of natural disaster being caused by the Devil is found in the book of Job.  The first chapter of Job is quoted in the paragraphs below.  God permitted Satan to attack Job but only to the extent that God allowed.  Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life.  However, Satan stripped Job of every posession and loved one.  You will see in the following verses that the events were attributed to a group of raiding warrior (15 and 17), the “fire of God” (17) and wind from the wilderness (19).  Job is never told from where his troubles were coming from.  He is unaware the Satan is involved, but he recognizes that God is in control of it all.  The rest of the book deals with his mental anguish at being tried by God.

Job 1:9-22" TARGET="_blank">Job 1:9-22  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?  (10)  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.  (11)  But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."  (12)  And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.  (13)  Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,  (14)  and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,  (15)  and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."  (16)  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."  (17)  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."  (18)  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,  (19)  and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."  (20)  Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.  (21)  And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."  (22)  In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Natural Explanations

It is clear from scientific study of the earth that there are natural explanations for every kind of natural disaster.  Warm water in the oceans creates conditions suitable for massive windstorms.  The shifting of the earth’s plates causes earthquakes where tectonic plates come together.  Underwater earthquakes cause tsunamis.  While we may know the immediate natural cause for disasters, we still credit the ultimate hand of providence to God.  Insurance companies won’t cover property damage in times of war or because of “Acts of God”.  Did God design the world to be full of suffering?

God is in control

Colossians 1:16-17" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:16-17 says that Jesus Christ is in control of the universe:

Colossians 1:15-17" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:15-17  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  (16)  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.  (17)  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

It was Very Good

The way in which God created the universe has been affected by sin.  At the close of the week of creation we read that the creation was “very good”.  Like a work of fine art, God was satisfied that what he created was beautiful and perfect.
    

Genesis 1:31" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:31  And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Shortly after finishing the creation, Adam and Eve sinned, bringing a curse onto the earth.  Romans 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:12 tells us that death came into the world through sin.

Romans 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:12  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--

The curse extended to the earth.  God caused the earth not to yield its full potential in growing food.  

Genesis 3:17-19" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 3:17-19  And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  (18)  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  (19)  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Later in the Bible, the “whole creation groans” under the curse of sin.  The world still suffers under the influence of the curse from the first sin.  It can be concluded that the “groaning” of creation can be seen in the suffering that randomly visits us as well as the beings of the world.

Romans 8:18-22" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:18-22  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  (19)  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  (20)  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  (21)  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  (22)  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Does God judge us through natural disasters?

There are some occasions in the Bible when God utilized nature to bring judgment directly against a group of people.  However, like all miracles in the Bible, these events are exceptional occasions when God was lifting up a prophet (Moses, Elijah) or bringing an end to an era of wickedness.  There is nothing in the Bible to indicate that we should try to interpret weather, earthquake, plague or any other naturally occurring disaster as a sign from heaven.  The following examples are all accompanied by the message of a prophet sent by God.  The prophet carried with him special authority to control these events, not merely explain them.

Elijah, a prophet of God, caused a terrible famine to strike the land of Israel for the sin of the king and the people.

1 Kings 17:1" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 17:1  Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Through Moses, God caused terrible plagues to fall against Egypt.  Most of the plagues have similar events that occur in nature, but God caused these plagues to fall at the command of Moses and at a much greater severity than anything in the history of Egypt.

Moses and all the people of Israel watched as Korah and his rebellious followers were swallowed in a disaster like an earthquake or a giant sink hole.

Numbers 16:29-33" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 16:29-33  If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me.  (30)  But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD."  (31)  And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart.  (32)  And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods.  (33)  So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.

In the judgments against the earth in Revelation 6" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 6 to 18 tell us about massive hailstones, earthquakes, comets falling from the heavens and water turning to blood.

Revelation 16:21" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 16:21  And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Revelation 8:8-11" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 8:8-11  The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.  (9)  A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.  (10)  The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.  (11)  The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

But why does God allow suffering to continue?

The explanation from the verses above answers the questions as to “where” does the suffering come from – from sin.  However, the questions still remains “Why doesn’t God stop it?”

Two other questions that are closely related to this are

Why does God allow me to experience trials?

Why does God allow suffering to continue?

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