Where do the eastern religions fit into "mystery Babylon"?

Where do the eastern religions fit into "mystery Babylon"?

Current events may cause us to broaden our thinking about the ways in which God will fulfill His Word. We must be cautious, however, not to read prophecy through the lens of current events. Prophecy is interpreted by consistent, biblical principles.

Because Babylon’s roots are so ancient and reach beyond Christian times and regions, it seems to be a reasonable conclusion that "Great Babylon" will embrace forms of belief beyond Christendom. What that will mean and how it will be accomplished arouses our curiosity. Venturing into what has not been revealed is outside the realm of biblical interpretation. We can be certain that "Great Babylon" will exert her influence and control over "peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues" (Rev 17:15)," TARGET="_blank">Rev 17:15), which appears to embrace all the Gentile nations. God has not revealed the specifics of what "faiths" that will include during that future seven-year period.

D. Oliver
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Is Bible prophecy literal or figurative?

What starting point enables us to put prophecy into perspective?

The prophets "searched diligently" to understand what "the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify" (1 Peter 1:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:11). We also need to search diligently to know who is speaking, what is spoken, to whom, and for what purpose. The time frame of the fulfillment is also vital. Prophecy has three themes: Christ, His suffering and glory; Israel's future and the nations' destiny.

The New Testament is an infallible guide in the way it interprets Old Testament prophecy. Two facts are plain: Christ is the Key to all prophecy (2 Corinthians 3:14)," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 3:14), and interpretation is literal. A virgin did bear a Child in Bethlehem, who grew up in Galilee, was rejected, spit upon, His hands and feet pierced, His face and form marred. He died for sin, but His body could not see corruption and He rose from the dead. These are only ten of hundreds of literal fulfillments. We have no authority to allegorize prophecy; it is to be taken literally.

N. Crawford

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Should I help match my friend with a girl friendl?

Is matchmaking helpful, wise, and Scriptural?

No. Cultural means of bringing a man and woman together differ widely. Our Western ways wouldn’t countenance a father’s sending his servant to find a wife for his son, as Abraham did for Isaac. As different as that scenario was, the common denominator is in the servant’s words, "I being in the way, the Lord led me" (Genesis 24: 27)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24: 27). The most important factor in bringing believers together is God’s leading. Matchmaking is God’s work. He is much wiser and more able in this work than we. Better than parents and closest friends, He knows what matching personality will most effectively contribute to His plans for each one.

Well-intentioned matchmakers may injure one or both of the "matched" individuals. The more God-honoring approach is to pray faithfully for both the man and woman involved.

D. Oliver
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What is Palm Sunday?

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday commemorates the day that Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The people cut down branches from nearby trees and laid them on the road as he entered. It is assumed that the branches were from palm trees, probably because palms are a common tree in the regions around Jerusalem. Jericho, for example, is known as the city of palms. The people also placed robes on the pathway before Jesus. This event is recorded in Matthew 21:7-9" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 21:7-9

"They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!’

This Triumphal Entry is one of the events in Jesus’ life that was prophesied in the Old Testament in the book of Zechariah 9:9" TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey”

Another significant fulfillment of prophecy regarding the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday can be seen in the prophecies in the book of Daniel. Daniel chapter 9 specifies 70 weeks, which are “weeks” of years or 70 groups of 7 years. There were 69 weeks of years between the edict to rebuild Jerusalem and the day that Christ entered into Jerusalem. The 70th week of Daniel is yet future and will be fulfilled during the great tribulation. You can read a detailed description of this 69th week and the calculations of the historic dates in the book “The Coming Prince” by Sir Robert Anderson. You can also read about the 70th week of Daniel in the book “The Future”.

Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times

Daniel 9:25." TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:25.

Just a few days later on the Friday of the crucifixion of Jesus, the crowd had a very different desire – “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” they shouted when Pilate the governor asked what should be done with Jesus who is called Christ.

Palm Sunday Calendar Dates

April 17, 2011
April 1, 2012
March 24, 2013
April 13, 2014
March 29, 2015

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Is the Lord present only in the meeting of the Lord's Supper?

Do you consider that there is a deeper significance in the presence of the Lord at His table on the first of the week than when the saints meet for prayer or a Bible reading?

Perhaps it is not quite clear what the questioner means by “a deeper significance.” The Lord’s words, “Where two or three are gathered together in (or unto) My Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20), apply primarily to the Prayer Meeting (v. 19). Perhaps the Lord’s presence is often more real to the saints at His table, because they are more occupied with Him there, than with their needs. Besides, there is often more real exercise of soul before going to the Lord’s table, than to the Prayer Meeting or Bible Reading. “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat.” We get what we go in for. But the prayer eeting and Bible Reading ought not to be neglected, as is too often the case, by the majority of the assembly, or treated lightly even sometimes by those who attend. Surely there would be a greater spirit of prayer poured out and more edification in the Bible Reading if all went in a spirit of soul preparation and waiting upon God.

W.H.

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Why did God create Satan if He knew that Satan would sin?

Why did God create Satan if He knew that Satan would sin?

Firstly, God did know in advance that Satan would sin. God has perfect foreknowledge. He is omniscient or all-knowing. See Job 37:16;" TARGET="_blank">Job 37:16; Psalm 139:2-4, 147:5;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139:2-4, 147:5; Proverbs 5:21;" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 5:21; Isaiah 46:9-10;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 46:9-10; and 1 John 3:19-20." TARGET="_blank">1 John 3:19-20.

The “why” part of the question is not directly answered in any particular Bible verse except that it is not always proper to ask the creator a “why” question.

Romans 9:20" TARGET="_blank">Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"

However, when we seek to understand God rather than doubt him, we can explore the scriptures with an honest heart. If God knew that Satan would sin against him, but created him anyway, then it follows that God must have planned to use the sin of Satan as a way to complete his will.

The fact that Satan sinned does not mean that God caused him to sin or that God wanted him to sin. The Bible says that God does not cause sin (James 1:13)." TARGET="_blank">James 1:13). However, God is able to take a bad situation and use it to fulfill his plans.

Looking at how God will bring all things together under him at the end of time, it can be said that God will bring more glory to himself by saving and redeeming a lost human race than if he had just enjoyed a peaceful world for eternity. The Lord redeemed mankind through the sacrifice at the cross, showing his generosity to undeserving sinners. To Satan, he contrasts his actions, bringing only justice to Satan through condemnation.

The cross has always been the plan of God (Acts 2:23)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:23). Christ himself spoke of the predetermined nature of his death (Matthew 20:28)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 20:28). The cross is God’s way of making Satan’s rebellion and following fall of man into a blessing that lasts for eternity.

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Does Christ Jesus still have marks on his body from the cross?

CHRIST’S GLORIFIED BODY
Does the Lord still bear in His glorified body the marks of the Cross?

Most certainly. In Revelation 5:6" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:6 John was granted a vision of the Lord in ascension on the throne of God, and He was seen as a living Lamb, standing, and yet as having been slain, that is, as plainly bearing in His body the sacrificial marks, or in other words, the scars, of Calvary. Besides, how could we admit for a moment that the marks in His resurrection body to which He made appeal again and again to prove His identity, have been removed since? How, moreover, could such appeal be real, unless the marks were something more than temporary and indeed an essential part of His spiritual body? It would be like some one appealing to imitation scars, to prove identity with someone who had received real wounds. We should lose, too, antitypically in a very serious way were we to admit the possibility hinted at in the question. For then how explain the blood on the live bird let loose into the open field in the day of the leper’s cleansing? (Lev 14:7)." TARGET="_blank">Lev 14:7). Or what would there be in the Heavenly temple to correspond to the blood on the earthly mercy seat, if the One on the throne no longer bore the marks of Calvary? When the Lord arose He had the same body that was crucified and slain, but under new conditions, that is, it was now a spiritual body. Again in ascension He had the same body as before, but once more under new conditions, for it was a glorified body, but still bearing as its highest glory the scars of Calvary.
It is indeed the presence of the Lord on the throne, which gives it its character as a throne of grace, and how appropriate then that He should retain His scars of atonement!

W.H.

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Does a christian ever become "dead" to sin?

What does Romans 6:11," TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:11, "dead indeed unto sin," mean.

To understand the meaning of this challenging phrase, carefully consider the immediate context. These verses indicate that what we are in Christ positionally, we must now live practically. "For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God" (Romans 6:10)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:10). Thus, we are judged as having died to sin, but as having now been made alive unto God in Christ Jesus.

This is sobering truth for the believer to contemplate, as the wider context of Romans 6" TARGET="_blank">Romans 6 reveals. The believer who understands that God has made abundant provision in Christ for his daily living is enabled to live his life to the glory of Christ, and to the blessing and enrichment of his own soul. In this section of Scripture, the believer is viewed as being permanently set apart (sanctified) in Christ Jesus. This is displayed in his baptism, when he is identified with Christ in death and resurrection, having already been justified through grace. Since the believer is in this condition positionally, he must ever reckon (consider, calculate) practically that he is dead to sin, but alive to God. Obviously, there is no response to sin in a dead person! Therefore, a believer should have nothing to do with any form of sin in this sordid world; rather, he must live a life of holiness to God.

S. Wells

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How can I help my child choose a career?

How can parents advise children regarding their choice of a career?

Parents are responsible to provide guidance for their children (Proverbs 22:6)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 22:6), while allowing for the child’s individuality and responsibility in making choices. Since a child is a stewardship entrusted by the Lord (Psalm 127:3)," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 127:3), a parent seeks the Lord’s, rather than his own, will for that child’s life. A child’s suitable development outweighs a parent’s wish to continue the family business. Positive incentives may help, but self-serving demands or pressure to fulfill a parent’s frustrated dreams don’t.

Modeling and discussing (Deuteronomy 6:7)" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:7) the value of responsibility, serving others, and honesty are part of "child training." Countering society’s idolizing of money, self-serving superstars and glamor queens, and amoral heros is important and most effectively achieved by directing attention to historical, global, and local individuals who model Christian ethics.

Parenting is a growing relationship of communication, mutual respect, and love. Such a relationship will guide a child proactively, rather than reactively. In a child’s early years, his unique and useful capabilities should be recognized and encouraged. Without pressuring a child to make decisions beyond his maturity or unnecessary for his age, parents can encourage discussions of these matters. Parents don’t need to squelch a child’s imagination, creativity, personality, or capabilities while helping him to be realistic in his goals.

D. Oliver
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Is it ever God's will for a Christian to marry an unbeliever?

Is it ever God’s will for an assembly Christian to marry an unbeliever or a believer who is not in assembly fellowship?

Because God is the same (Hebrews 1:12; 13:8)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:12; 13:8), His will today is the same as when He inspired His Word (2 Timothy 3:16)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16). God’s will is never contrary to His Word. He teaches, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthhians 6:14), which clearly includes marriage.

For believers, the Lord places this restriction: "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:39). The New Testament distinguishes between the expressions "in Christ" and "in the Lord." "In Christ" relates to our union and position in relationship with Christ. "In the Lord" expresses our submission in responsibility to the Lord. Marriage in Christ would involve marriage to another Christian. Marriage in the Lord involves the marriage of two believers who are willing to submit to the Lord. Full submission to His lordship includes gathering to His name (Matthew 18:20)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20).

Admittedly, some who gather to His name are not fully submitted to His lordship and some who do not gather to His name submit to His lordship to a greater degree. A believer who receives the Biblical teaching of gathering to His name and doesn’t submit to it (or only "submits" to it to gain the hand of a partner in marriage) is not submitting to His lordship. Marrying such a person is not "marriage in the Lord."

Marrying an unbeliever or marrying a believer who does not submit to the Lordship of Christ violates God’s Word and cannot be His will.

David Oliver
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