Is there more to know about God than what the Bible says?

Will we ever know more of truth than the Bible reveals?

We must state clearly that in this life, no further truth will ever be known than what is revealed in Scripture.

However, we would have to say that additional truth will be unfolded while endless ages roll.

As to the present, the Bible indicates that God's total mind and will have already been revealed. 1 Corinthians 13:10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:10 shows that "sign gifts" were only required until the canon of Scripture, "that which is perfect," was complete. Thus when John, the last writer of the New Testament, completed his part of the inspired writings, God had no further message to give to this world.

Regarding the coming world (Ephesians 2:7)," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:7), the writer shows "that in the ages to come" fresh manifestations of our Lord Jesus Christ will ever be unfolded and never be exhausted. Another has well said, "When we arrive at our desired haven, we will never graduate from heaven's university."

S. Wells

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How can a couple balance a busy life and the care of their children?

How can a young couple balance a busy life and the care of their children?

The value the world apparently places on children differs from the Lord’s in Psalm 127:3" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 127:3: "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." A child is potentially the greatest heritage a couple will leave behind them. Viewing children in that light elevates the priority of nurturing them in God’s truth. Rather than a heritage of money or renown, parents whose child loves and lives God’s truth have left a wealthy heritage. The child has true riches; the coming generation is richer; the work of God prospers.

Personal interaction with a child in which the parent models God’s character and mentors the child in God’s truth is time well spent. Many things that clamor for our time will pass away unnoticed. This child is a God-given responsibility and opportunity.

Allowing a child to manage his parents’ time will likely spoil him. Providing time for a child’s spiritual, moral, social, and mental development will likely enrich him.

It may be a very trying experience for a couple if the Lord doesn’t entrust them with a child. It may involve deep trials and disappointments if He does. Nothing parents can do will guarantee a child’s salvation or spiritual enrichment, but a parent can increase the likelihood of these blessings. The best parents fail to some degree. How wonderful to be able to commit a child to God in prayer! We always expect the best from Him.

D. Oliver
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Is Rahab of Jericho the same person as is mentioned in

Is Rahab of Jericho the same person as is mentioned in “Ruth” and Matthew 1:5" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 1:5?

Comparing the dates, this would seem impossible.

We certainly believe in their identity. Only one person of the name is known in the Old Testament (the “Rahab” of Psalm 87:4," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 87:4, etc., being a poetical designation for Egypt); and Matthew mentions a person of that name, living at the same epoch, as the well-known woman, without further description, as though everyone would know who was meant. This seems to point clearly to Rahab of Jericho. In the book of Ruth only three generations are given—Boaz, Obed and Jesse—between Salmon, the prince of Judah, who married Rahab, and David. The story of Ruth does not come chronologically after “Judges,” but as v. i of chap. i. tells us, is embedded in its history—”in the days when the judges ruled.” Salmon may have married Rahab many years after the taking of Jericho. The 450 years of the judges begin at the partition of the land and go on to Saul (Acts 13:20)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 13:20). Possibly Boaz was the son of the old age of Salmon and we know he was himself elderly when he married Ruth. There are still serious difficulties, but no doubt if we knew all, all would be plain. Perhaps the desire to find a second Rahab is due to a feeling as to her antecedents. The other women mentioned along with her in our Lord’s genealogy had all some disability. At least Rahab and Ruth were trophies of divine grace; and what are we to say of the wicked men in the genealogy, Rehoboam, Ahaz, Joram, Jehoiakim, etc.? Indeed, of the best of the links in the chain we must say, “All these once were sinners defiled in His sight.” Not one was worthy to be an ancestor of our Lord. But our Lord, though truly man by virgin birth, was completely detached from any inherited taint of the sin of Adam, by the fact of His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. He was “that Holy Thing” from His mother’s womb. He knew no sin, neither was sin in Him. Let go that, and Christianity must go at once, as far as we are concerned.

W.H.

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When can a newly baptized believer be received into the fellowship of an assembly?

When can a newly baptized believer be received into the fellowship of an assembly?

Baptism and salvation are indisputably linked (Mark 16:16;" TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19;" TARGET="_blank">Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:36-38)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 8:36-38), being like twins in the apostolic doctrine. Baptism is the first expression of a genuine believer's spiritual progress. The Spirit of God envisages only "baptized believers" in local testimony (Acts 18: 8;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 18: 8; 1 Corinthians 1:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:2). Salvation, baptism, and reception are a threefold cord (Acts 2:41)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:41). In the early church era work was genuine and therefore the steps following conversion were immediate. Today, wisdom would guide shepherds to observe a definite change in new converts, then to baptize and to prepare them for the privileges and responsibilities of the assembly fellowship by instructing them in assembly truth. Local teachers should teach such truth consistently as this is vital for new believers. The Bible-class is very valuable in this respect. The newly baptized believer should manifest a teachable, submissive spirit, desiring to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ (John 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">John 2:5). This will avert a prolonged waiting for months in the room of the unlearned (I Corinthians 14:16)." TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 14:16). When the believer requests to be in the fellowship, it is imperative that answers be given within a short period. This will preserve the young believer from discouragement and frustration. Negligence in these matters is serious and can result in stunted growth. Honesty, care and courtesy are essential. Having a care one for another (1 Corinthians 12:25)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:25), "let all things be done unto edifying" (14:26).

A. Hull

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Are the bread and the cup symbols or types?

Are the bread and the cup symbols or types?

Types point to Christ and to His coming kingdom. He fulfils the types. We no longer have the "shadows," but the "very image," the substance which those types foreshadowed.

When the Lord said, "This is my body" (Luke 22:19)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19), He did not indicate that the bread became His body, so that believers were eating His literal flesh. Nor was He intimating that the bread was a type. He did not say, "My body, which will be given." The bread did not point to a body in the future; the body of the Lord was present in that upper room. In addition, God communicated specific details about types, as He did, for example, in the meal offering (Leviticus 2)." TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 2). Luke uses the generic word for bread when He recounts the Lords instituting the Lords Supper. The Lord suggests nothing about its ingredients. He described neither the bread nor the contents of the cup as typical. They are merely symbols, or emblems that remind us of the physical body and blood of the Lord. As we partake of these, we express our fellowship, the communion of the blood and body of Christ (I Corinthians 10:16)," TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 10:16), and we declare the Lords death (I Corinthians 11:26)." TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 11:26).

D. Oliver
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Where was our Lord Jesus Christ between His death and resurrection?

CHRIST BETWEEN DEATH AND iESURRECTION
Where was our Lord Jesus Christ between His death and resurrection?

His body, as all four Gospels agree, was in Joseph’s new tomb; His soul, according to Acts 2: 27," TARGET="_blank">Acts 2: 27, 31 (with Psalm 16:10)," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 16:10), was in Hell (Greek = Hades; Hebrew = Sheol), a place or rather state, the significance of which in the Scriptures is much wider than in our present-day usage of that word.

The Revisers of the KJV, in their preface to the Old Testament, say that it means “the place of departed spirits,” and they warn the reader that although, in such passages as Genesis 37:35," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 37:35, they have left in the text the A.V. “grave,” yet it does not signify “the place of burial.”

Jacob (Genesis 37:35;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 37:35; Genesis 42:38)" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 42:38) expected to go there at death; Job (Job 14:13-15)" TARGET="_blank">Job 14:13-15) requested that God would hide him there until the time of resurrection would come; whilst in other passages (such as Psalm 9:17;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 9:17; Job 24:19," TARGET="_blank">Job 24:19, etc.) it is looked on as the portion of the wicked dead. We must therefore conceive of Hell as comprising two distinct regions or conditions, separated according to Luke 16:26" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:26 by an impassable gulf, the one containing the souls of the righteous, and the other the souls of the unrighteous. Probably it is the latter which is spoken of as “the lowest hell” in Deuteronomy 32:22" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 32:22 and Psa. 86:13; and doubtless it is the former which is called “Paradise” by our Lord in Luke 23. 43," TARGET="_blank">Luke 23. 43, when He said to the repentant and believing thief, “To-day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23" TARGET="_blank">Luke 23:
This last statement, taken with Acts 2:27," TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:27,31 shows that the Scriptural reply to our question, so far as the soul of the Lord Jesus is concerned, is that between death and resurrection He was in the region of Hell called Paradise, in which were also the souls of all saints who had died previously.

W.R.

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Are Christians supposed to be ambassadors for God?

To whom does "we" refer in verse 20: "We are ambassadors . . ."?

Paul uses the first person singular pronoun (I, me, my, mine: see v 11, for example) because he is the writer, but he includes at least Timothy (1:1) and Silvanus (1:19) with himself.

Before this verse (5:20), Paul uses the first person plural pronoun (we, us, our) about 120 times. About one fourth of those uses could include the Corinthians, but the context indicates that all but one refer to Paul and his associates. That one time, Paul includes the Corinthians by using the word "all": "We all with open face . . ." (3:18).

In a unique sense, the Lord had directly entrusted to Paul ("He hath given unto us") - and Paul graciously includes his associates - a "ministry of reconciliation" (5:18). That makes it likely, then, that in verse 20 Paul means that he - and those with him - were ambassadors for (on behalf of) Christ.

Some will point to the next verse and ask if being "made the righteousness of God in Him" is exclusive to Paul. In the context, Paul is referring to "us," meaning himself and his associates. He is emphasizing the blessings that constrained them in their labors. All will have to agree, though, that we have received the same blessings that Paul received through the work of Christ. Further, we have a responsibility to declare "the word of reconciliation" to sinners. More than that, in our declaration, we should be no less conscious than Paul was that we are speaking on behalf of God or Christ (1Pe 4:11)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 4:11).

We have a work to do and we do not need "ambassador status" to do it. For us, failing to do this work would be what Paul calls (6:1) receiving "the grace of God in vain."

D. Oliver
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Will there be regrets in Heaven for believers?

Will Christians who waste their lives feel regret in Heaven for all eternity? Yes.

The key passages on the rewards of the believer at the Judgement Seat of Christ is found in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:11-15 and in the parables of reward mentioned in Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 and Matthew 25." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:11-15 teaches security for a believer as well as losses that occur when a believer's work is evaluated by God as worthless…

(11) For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- (13) each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (14) If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. (15) If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Observations about the Judgment Seat of Christ:

The foundation is Christ. A believer doesn't worry about building his salvation or collecting enough good works in order to enter heaven.
The works are judged, not the person. The believer is not going to pass through fire or suffer torments of hell to purify him. In the day of reckoning God will look at motives and actions that one has done on the earth and those actions will be put through the fire, not the person himself.
The person whose works are shown to be worthless will be saved even though it will be like escaping from a fire with nothing but the bare necessities.

"He will suffer loss" is the key phrase that answers the question about regrets in heaven. Believers will lose out on something great. But what is the loss? Matthew 25" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25 and Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 tell us what is at stake.

Luke 19:11-27" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19:11-27 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. (12) He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. (13) Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.' (14) But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' (15) When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. (16) The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' (17) And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' (18) And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas.' (19) And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' (20) Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; (21) for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' (22) He said to him, 'I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? (23) Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' (24) And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' (25) And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten minas!' (26) 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (27) But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'"

Observations about the parable:

The servants are waiting in faith that their master will return. The kingdom is coming and the master of the house will be calling his servants to account for how they acted while he was away.
Each servant was given the same amount of money – one talent. A talent is a measurement of weight, 125 pounds to be exact. It was a sizable amount of wealth that he entrusted to each servant. The equal amount of wealth is similar to the things we all have equally – one life, one reputation, one family, one set of friends etc.
Each servant brought different results. The most diligent earned 10 times the original amount.
Each servant received further authority in the Kingdom of God directly proportional to the results of their work. In the age of the Millennium, Christ will reign over the earth and his saints will reign with him (Revelation 20:4)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:4). 1 Corinthians 6:3" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:3 states simply "we will judge angels". Clearly, we will share the job of ruling with Christ Himself.

In other scripture references regarding rewards, the symbol of authority, the crown, is the reward of a believer. The believer who is faithful here will be given more and greater work to do for Christ in the future. James 1:12" TARGET="_blank">James 1:12 says that those who endure trials will receive "the crown of life". 2 Timothy 4:8" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 4:8 says that Paul is expecting a "crown of righteousness" 1 Peter 5:4" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:4 says that shepherds who faithfully guided the flock will receive an "unfading crown of glory". Revelation 2:10" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 2:10 says that faithful martyrs will receive a "crown of life". Rewards are not mere medals that decorate uniforms; the reward is a position of responsibility, to be trusted by God to carry out his will.

5) The loss of promotion for the final servant left him completely empty in the coming kingdom. We lose what we don't use. "From the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (v.26) Comparing the phrase in 1 Corinthians 3:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:15 "He shall suffer loss" with this parable shows that the loss is further work to be done for the Lord. The cup of cold water will not be forgotten. Neither will the lazy Christian who wasted his life.

Matthew 25" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25 contains a similar parable to Luke 19," TARGET="_blank">Luke 19, but with a few notable differences.

Matthew 25:14-30" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:14-30 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. (15) To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (16) He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. (17) So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. (18) But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. (19) Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (20) And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' (21) His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' (22) And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' (23) His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' (24) He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, (25) so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' (26) But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? (27) Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (28) So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. (29) For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (30) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Differences in the two parables:

The servants in this parable receive different initial amounts. This shows that some of us have natural advantages such as more money, better parents, special skills or abilities etc. In regards to punishment of the wicked, Christ said "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. " (Luke 12:48)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 12:48)
The servants who were pleasing to their master doubled their money. Each fulfilled his responsibility to what was expected although the actual quantities were different.
The final servant is much different in this parable. His actions proved that he was a "slothful servant", unworthy of even being in the kingdom. He was cast into outer darkness, words used to describe the fire and abandonment of Hell (see also Matthew 22:13;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:13; Matthew 3:42, 50;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 3:42, 50; Matthew 24:51)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:51) The lazy servant did not lose his salvation, but rather, through lack of good works he showed that he never was a true believer.

One might ask, "Can a person be called a believer who doesn't do anything for God?" The true believer will always show fruit in his life, even if it is a small amount. "He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (Matthew 13:23)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13:23).

Other verses

Other places in scripture give us more understanding on the loss of rewards for the believer:

1) Believers can receive both bad and good for their rewards.

2 Corinthians 5:10" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2) Wages are given to the believer for his labor. Heaven is not the reward for the faiththul, but the faithful will be rewarded in Heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:8" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

3) God is a fair judge. He will not miss any single work done for him.

Hebrews 6:10" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

4) Rewards, even though given for service, are not really deserved in the sense that a paycheck or wages are deserved. Good works of a Christian are the expected results of someone redeemed by God.

Luke 17:9" TARGET="_blank">Luke 17:9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? (10) So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

5) Rewards are given for things done with a good motive, without thinking of the reward itself.

Luke 6:35" TARGET="_blank">Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

6) Some have suggested that tears mentioned in Revelation 21" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 21 refer to the end of a time of sadness after the Judgment Seat of Christ. However, the verse refers not to sad events in heaven that cause tears, but the results of sin on earth that caused sadness. Death, mourning, crying and pain are all earthly emotions that will cease when God creates a New Heaven and a New Earth (Revelation 21:1-5)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 21:1-5).

Conclusion

Believers are saved by grace, through faith, not of works. But from the moment of salvation to the end of life, God is watching for spiritual growth and service done with a good motive until the day he calls us home. He will then test the works of every believer by fire. That which remains will result in greater service in the Kingdom. Those who waste their lives here will suffer the loss of being what God designed us for. The person that God is molding me into will become the person I will be for all eternity.

Shad David Sluiter
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How were people saved in the Old Testament?

How were people saved in the Old Testament?

Did people in the Old Testament get saved by performing sacrifices? Were they saved because they were Jews? If not, then how could they be saved if they had never heard of Jesus, the cross or the resurrection? Some people say that God credits salvation to people who are sincere in their understanding of regardless of what they believe as long as they are faithful. They extend that thinking to the saints of the Old Testament who were saved because they believed what God had revealed up to that time which excluded the knowledge of Christ dying for sins on the cross. Let's see what the Bible says about people in the Old Testament in their salvation.

Works vs Grace

Some mistakenly believe that salvation in the Old Testament was based on keeping the law, doing sacrifices and doing good works. This is refuted multiple times in the Bible.

"It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins?" (Hebrews 10:4)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:4).

"By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight?" (Romans 3:20" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:20 ).

Those activities, though God-honoring, are not the manner in which a believer was ever, or ever will be saved.

Salvation through Christ

Every sacrifice and prophecy ultimately points to Christ and his work on the cross. The people who believed in Christ in the Old Testament had less information about the ultimate sacrifice, but had the faith to believe that God eventually would resolve the problem of sin.

Romans 3:25-26" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:25-26 teaches us that Christ died for sins of all time, including those of the Old Testament. Christ was foreordained to be the Lamb of God since before the world began. Revelation 13:8." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 13:8. Isaiah 53:6" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:6 tells us that "the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The salvation that God imputed to Old Testament believers was based on the death of Christ, which in the mind of God was as good as accomplished even before the creation.

Salvation through faith in Christ

The greatest example of salvation through faith was Abraham. "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... ...But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:3, 5)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 4:3, 5). Abraham didn't earn salvation, it was accounted to him for his faith.

But what exactly did Abraham believe? Some would say that Abraham simply believed that God would multiply his seed like the stars of the heaven. That is the immediate context of Genesis 15:6." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 15:6. But Christ tells us that Abraham believed something more about the Seed that would be multiplied. "Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56" TARGET="_blank">John 8:56 ). Abraham knew that the Messiah was coming and trusted God to work out the matter of salvation at a future time. Abraham was saved by faith in Christ.

Job knew that "my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25" TARGET="_blank">Job 19:25 -26). Obviously, Job didn't know how or when, but he trusted God to take care of his redemption.

Moses also trusted in Christ many years before Christ came. Hebrews says Moses "...esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt ; for he looked to the reward" (Hebrews 11:26" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:26 ).

Although we look back to Christ's life and death, we don't know all the details, only what God has chosen to preserve in His Word. The Old Testament believers didn't know all the details about the Messiah either, but they trusted Him for their salvation. They looked forward to Christ who was coming. We look back to Christ who has come.

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In what ways can a husband help his wife spiritually if she is afraid of telling her family she is s

In what ways can a husband help his wife spiritually if she is afraid of telling her family she is saved?

Of first concern is the fact that this will hinder her spiritual progress (Hos 6:3" TARGET="_blank">Hos 6:3a). Perhaps the problem is deeper than fear of her family. Is it a fear of losing some financial benefit? Is it the result of being manipulated by fear in her previous interactions with the family? Is there some inconsistency her family has noted in other family members who claim to be saved? Several other possibilities may exist and each requires a different response. The simplest general answer, however, is for the husband and wife to join together in continuing prayer for the salvation of those family members. As the Lord deepens the burden of both the husband and wife, He may also give her (and her husband!) the needed strength to do what is possible to see those prayers answered (comp. Mat 9:38; 10:5)" TARGET="_blank">Mat 9:38; 10:5) and those loved one delivered from perishing eternally.

D. Oliver
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Will there be regrets in Heaven for believers?