Is Israel ever going to be removed from it's land again?

Does the Bible teach that Israel will never again be removed from its land?

The promises to Abraham concerning the Land make it clear that it will be Israel's forever. The Scriptures show that this promise will be made good when Christ returns in glory and the Spirit is poured out on the nation (Luke 21:24;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 21:24; Matthew 24:31;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:31; Isaiah 32:15-20;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 32:15-20; Jeremiah 30:4-11; 31:31-37; 39:25-29;" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 30:4-11; 31:31-37; 39:25-29; Micah 4:4-7;" TARGET="_blank">Micah 4:4-7; Joel 3:20;" TARGET="_blank">Joel 3:20; Zechariah 8:3-8)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 8:3-8). The Land's being theirs eternally does not necessitate its being theirs permanently now. They have returned in unbelief. The recovery mentioned in Deuteronomy 30:1-6" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:1-6 is dependent upon confession and restoration. The recovery of Isaiah 11:11" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11:11 is simultaneous with "that day," mentioned earlier in the chapter. Neither condition has been fulfilled in the current "regathering" of Israel to the land, therefore this may not be the prophesied regathering. A principle of prophecy is that God gives foretastes of a fulfillment before the actual fulfillment.

Israel must be in the land to fulfill the terms of Daniel's 70th week, but we have no Scriptural authority relating this to those currently there. Believers should not be shaken if Israel were driven into the sea, as the Arab nations have long threatened.

A. Higgins

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Am I accountable to the Lord for my thoughts?

Am I accountable to the Lord for my thoughts?

Eventually, the Lord will manifest our thoughts at the Bema, for Paul says, -Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who... will make manifest the counsels of the hearts" (I Corinthians 4:4)." TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 4:4). Presently, we are likewise accountable because our thought life molds our actions; eventually that defines who we are (Proverbs 20:11; 23:7)." TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 20:11; 23:7). In addition, God appreciates right thoughts, even though a believer cannot do what he was thinking (2 Chronicles 6:8)," TARGET="_blank">2 Chronicles 6:8), but inappropriate thoughts grieve God, even though a believer does not do what he was thinking.

We are accountable for our response to God's Word, which includes l Peter 1:13, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." In Bible times, when a man was going to walk or work, he would "gird up" his robe with a belt, holding the flowing ends of his clothing so they would not hinder him. Our thoughts, like the flowing robes, naturally go in many directions. If we do not bring them into control, they will hinder us in divine things now and will cause us loss when we stand before the Lord.

D. Oliver
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When an unmarried, cohabiting couple with children is saved, what should they do about marriage?

When an unmarried, cohabiting couple with children is saved, what should they do about marriage?

The presence of children complicates this situation. A physical relationship apart from the life-long commitment of a legal marriage is sin. For the couple’s testimony and spiritual progress, they must end their physical relationship. Two other factors influence the issue of whether or not they continue to live separately, but under the same roof: the gospel’s testimony may suffer damage if the community perceives that it "breaks up families"; the children may suffer emotional distress through the sudden absence of one of the parents.

Although the presence of children increases the pressure on the couple to choose marriage, they, too, should evaluate whether their past relationship is a sufficient foundation for marriage. If their relationship in the past has been psychologically damaging to the children or has involved physical abuse, is there now solid reason to believe that making their relationship permanent will not compound the damage the children or partner have suffered?

If the couple decides to marry, the best advice is to marry quickly and normalize home life as soon as possible. They will need continued scriptural and emotional support.

D. Oliver
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Why is the issue of homosexuality important to Christianity?

Biblically speaking, why is such teaching important?

We are facing what every generation faces. The world will always challenge the authority of Scripture. The skill with which the enemy engages the battle constantly increases.

At issue are foundational truths. Is God the Creator or are we cosmic accidents? Does morality exist? Does society or does a wise God determine ethics? Are social institutions a Creator’s design or merely human expedients for survival? Is headship an outmoded tradition or God’s design for the honor of His Son as Savior and Superintendent of every divine purpose? Is marriage merely one possible way of experiencing gratifying emotions or is it the design of God to portray the beauty of His eternal purpose for His Son and the church?

Valid scientific studies show the human benefits of these traditional values; inevitably, other studies purport to contradict this. Ultimately, the authority of God’s Word is the bulwark of these and all truths.

If we understand the subtlety, boldness, and vigor of the attack, we must respond. Positive teaching that establishes these truths is primary. We cannot assume that affirming these truths is superfluous. Clearly, defining the nature of the sin of homosexuality is not an overreaction.

D. Oliver
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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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How many cups should an assembly use at the Lord's Supper?

HOW MANY CUPS?
Is it not as much a departure from the scriptural practice to use two or so cups at the Lord’s table, as it would be to use fifty-two?

Though the unity of the cup is not insisted upon in the Scriptures in the same way as that of the loaf, which in 1 Corinthians 10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10: represents the one indivisible Body of Christ, nevertheless it is always “the cup” that is spoken of—the unique receptacle of that which represents the blood of Christ. But even in the case of the loaf, as each member present partakes, the outward unity of the loaf is not preserved. Indeed, even before that, as the brother who gives thanks, breaks the loaf, and for convenience places the portions on different plates, the figure of the unity of the body is in no way affected, as it would be were the loaf originally cut up in in bits. No more would the unity of the cup be, even though it stood on the same ground as the loaf, by being poured into different glasses or cups, for convenience of distribution. It is still “the cup,” each being filled from the one original receptacle. But by the introduction of what is called “the individual cup” for each “communicant,” the receptacles are multiplied and the identity of the wine in them is completely lost and the thought of fellowship hindered. As we practise it, though there be two or more cups, for purposes of distribution, all are filled from the original receptacle and still constitute “the cup”—the communion of the blood of Christ.

W.H.

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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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If a husband does not fulfill his responsibilities, does his wife have the right to leave him for a

If a husband does not fulfill his responsibilities, does his wife have the right to leave him for a time?

No. Apart from threats or abuse that give justifiable concern for her physical well-being, separation is not an option. Paul writes about a mutually agreed separation so that a couple may more fully give themselves to spiritual pursuits (1 Corinthians 7:5)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:5). Even in this, he warns of the danger of temptation because of the separation. It is only "for a time."

A wife is not responsible for her husbands fulfilling his responsibilities; she is only responsible to fulfill hers before the Lord.

Separating to resolve problems not only opens both partners to temptation, but it moves them further apart emotionally and may reduce the motivation to resolve the issues in the fear of the Lord. Too often, a couple may end a separation in order to avoid temptation and in their rush, fail to actually resolve any issues. The net result is to more firmly entrench the bad habits that create the problem.

The wifes (or husbands) first resource is prayer, and a first step of progress is a mutual agreement to pray together for the help of God and for grace to be changed by Him. If there seems to be no resolution of the difficulties, seek the help of a trusted, trustworthy, wise, spiritual believer (or couple) who can effectively bring the Word of God into the circumstances.

D. Oliver
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What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?

THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Some hold that there is a difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, and that only those who are born again are in the former, while all who profess are in the latter. If such be the case, how can they explain Matthew 5:20" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:20 and Matthew 18:3" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:3? I was under the impression that both were the same, and that conversion and regeneration also were the same. Am I correct?

Some, I believe, maintain that the Kingdom of God is the real thing and the Kingdom of heaven inclusive of all profession. But does not the first Beatitude seem to refute this? “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5. 2)." TARGET="_blank">Matt. 5. 2). A comparison of Matthew 13" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13: and Luke 13" TARGET="_blank">Luke 13: shows that in the two chapters the same parables—of the mustard seed and of the leaven—are referred, in the former to the Kingdom of heaven, in the latter to the Kingdom of God. This would seem to indicate that the difference cannot be vital. In the one phrase, the seat of the authority exercised is emphasised. It comes from “the heavens”: In the other, the one who exercises the authority is the predominant thought—it is God Himself.

I believe both are real. How could it be otherwise when both belong to God? It is dangerous, however, to shuffle Bible terms. But in the Kingdom of Israel remnants of the Canaanites, e.g., the Gibeonites remained, but were not subjects of the Kingdom. In the Kingdom of this land, foreigners, enemy spies, alien communists, ever hostile to our king, may live and lurk; they must recognise the law of the land, but they are not recognised as British subjects and they can be repatriated at the will of the Sovereign. So there are doubtless some who profess the name of Christ who are not really subjects of the Kingdom. They will be purged out, but it does not follow they were ever included in the Kingdom.

As regards the terms, “conversion,” and “regeneration,” they may coincide and I believe do, but they are far from being synonymous.Conversion is the turning of the sinner to God and represents the man-ward side of things; regeneration is the new-birth wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit, when conversion takes place. This represents the God-ward side.

W.H,

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To whom can believers go if the elders seem unapproachable?

To whom can believers go if the elders seem unapproachable?

This perception may not be true. Try to approach them! Otherwise, we are responsible to notice the log in our own eye before noticing the speck in our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:1," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7:1, ESV). In interpersonal problems, first check your own "eye." Is it possible that you have contributed to this alienation? If so, confess the fault (James 5:16)" TARGET="_blank">James 5:16) - even the slightest contribution - and seek to remedy the situation.

But, supposing that the log is in overseers’ eyes, two possibilities exist. The first is a primary resource and the second is a possible resource. The primary resource is prayer, whether or not the overseers are unapproachable. This is not a resource of last resort! The possible resource is some other Christian brother or sister who has earned your respect and the respect of other (and perhaps older) godly believers. In seeking their help, refrain from speaking evil of your overseeing brothers (James 4:11;" TARGET="_blank">James 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13)," TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13), and do not allow this to produce factions in the assembly.

D. Oliver
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