1. Where do you stand on teaching Christ Atonement? Do you teach limited atonement or  Universal atonement? Do you follow the Calvinist side?   My view puts Calvin in his place. He was a theologian like Augustine and the rest.   I read them for insight, but I don’t call myself a Calvinist because I don’t want to be named after a man. I’m a Christian. Rather than talk about Calvinism  what I believe in is Biblical Predestination. I think that’s a higher view. I believe that predestination is based on God’s foreordination and foreknowledge. But not solely foreknowledge. I take my view from the Bible which I think I can support with Calvin’s writings. Many people instead of quoting Calvin they’re quoting Theodore Besa who when maybe further than Calvin did. What I see for instance in  I TIMOTHY 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.  In other words only believer actually benefit from Jesus Christ death, because they actually receive him.  I don’t buy into the Calvinist notion that well if He died for them that means they must be saved. No, I put money in the bank for everybody. But if there are people who don’t go to the bank for theirs, they don’t get the money. I don’t see the big conflict; I think that it is more semantics, if anything. But I think that there is a lot of merit to much that Calvin said. And I consider myself a Calvinist, but Calvinist looks at things a bit different. When you find the die-heart Calvinist that won’t accept any kind of view to it but the ones they hold. I believe in biblical atonement. I believe He died for everyone, but everyone is not going to benefit from it unless they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I don’t call that limited; I just call it biblical atonement.  Calvin had it more balanced in his teachings. But it was taking by some of his followers to the extreme view. See Norman Geisler book: “Chosen but Free” [taping 02/12/2010]
2. Was Jesus in a Glorified Body Continuously after his Resurrection? Yes. This is found in Luke chapter 24. The Jehovah Witnesses gets into this. They maintain that Jesus Christ did not rise in a resurrected body. They say his body was dissolved maybe into gases, so that Jesus did not rise in a physical body, but he rose as an invisible spirit creature. But Jehovah Witnesses have to account for the fact that he was seen by men, touched by Thomas, etc.  So what they say is that he appeared in body. In various bodies and that it had nothing to do with the body he was crucified in. One of the arguments that they use is that we know that this is true because Jesus was not recognized and they turn are to Luke to try and substantiate this. LUKE 24:15  And it came to pass, that, while they communed [together] and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  Notice it does not say his body was changed or that he came in a different body, or that he was unrecognizable. What it says is that their eyes was holden . In other word the disciples eyes were restrained that they should not know him. The Bible does not tell us the means that was used to restrained their eyes, but the focus was not on Jesus changing at all. The focus was on them; their eyes.  They were kept from recognizing him for God’s own divine purpose. God wants us to see Christ in his Word. Jesus fulfilled over three hundred Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament that predicts him.  LUKE 24:27    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. LUKE 24:30    And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. 31    And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. [taping 02/12/2010]
3. End-Times: Can we say that we’re living in the Last days? We are in the last days and have been in them for along time. Jesus shows us in his teaching of eschatology and the book of Revelation that things are going to get worst.  What we see now are not the actual tribulations, but the birth pains that come before it. I JOHN 2:18 ¶  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19    They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (Written about 56-60A.D.) [taping 02/12/2010]
4. Who is Daniel 9:27 referring to Jesus Christ or the Antichrist? Different commentaries have different takes on this. However I believe it is referring to the antichrist. DANIEL 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. The week we believe is a prophetic year. What it is talking about is what the antichrist is going to do when he comes into the rebuilt temple; stop the sacrifices from continuing and make the temple desolate. Some scholars say that it is talking about Jesus and I’ll be fair with their view; when it says “he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” they point to the fact that his death on the cross ends the necessity for animal sacrifices. But I don’t read that there. If we look at verse 26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come…”, it is talking about a prince that comes after Jesus Christ has been crucified. “that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;”  This happen under Titus Roman Army.  MATTHEW 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15    When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) [taping 02/12/2010]
5. Is all Sickness caused by Satan? Satan is not responsible for all the evil, pain and sickness that we suffer  in the world. This is not to say that are not things that he can do, but there are some things that he is not responsible. Lets look at sickness for instance, we know that some sickness can be due to natural causes. Example HOSEA 7:5 In the day of our king the princes have made [him] sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. The prince sickness was due to drinking to much wine, not because of demons.  Another example is going outside in the dead cold of winter with no hat or coat on. You’re going to pickup some bug and get a cold. It is not a demon of sniffles.  It is actually because of nature. In other words our world has been cursed by sin. God is the one that placed that curse on the earth because of sin. It won’t be done away with until REVELATION 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: There are some problems that will remain until we have the new heaven and the new earth like it says in REVELATION 21:1   ¶  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2    And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [taping 02/12/2010]
6. What is the Second Death?  The second death is defined in the Bible. It actually tells us what it is in REVELATION 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The first death is physical, the second death is the ultimate spiritual death where you’re separated from God in hell.  REVELATION 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Hell is the place of the future punishment call "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction. (see Matthew 18:9) [taping 02/12/2010]
7. Does Matthew 24 verse 22 refer to our day, the times we are living in now? MATTHEW 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  I don’t  believe so. The reason why I don’t is because from Revelation chapter 5 through  chapter 18 the focus is on the tribulation period. The last 7 years of the tribulation period when all these events will happen. The last judgment of God on the earth. In chapter 19 Jesus actually comes back to the earth.  In fact if we look at  Rev 8:12 we see when the shortening does take place: REVELATION 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. Right here during the tribulation period is where we see the shortness of daylight because the planetary objects that bring it are going to be stopped in a sense. [taping 02/12/2010]
8. Who were the Sons of God that saw the Daughters of Men? GENESIS 6:1     ¶  And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2    That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3     ¶  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4     ¶  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.

The essential point here (6:4)  is do not be unequally yoked believers with unbelievers. This is what God was showing in the passage that it was not suppose to be this kind of mixture. It was not suppose to take place or happen.  Regardless of whether you believe is men or fallen angels. Either way compromise was taking place. Our calling card is II CORINTHIANS 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? So that is what should be the focus of Genesis 6:4.  There is definitely division about this, but there can be good discussion, approaching it as theologians. Looking at biblical data on each side. We can debate and not divide over, thank God. There are some things we won’t know for sure until we get to heaven. 

MARK 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

LUKE 3:38 Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.

JUDE 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

What we learn is that angels fell from their first estate, as did man (verse 6-8) even Adam.

See The Big Book of Bible Difficulties and Hard Sayings of The Bible  [taping 02/13/2010]

9. Hebrew 2:14 – What does it mean  when it says “the devil has the power of Death? HEBREWS 2:14     ¶  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil In what sense does the devil have the power of death? Probably the chief sense in which he has this power is in demanding death. It was through Satan that sin first entered the world. God’s holiness decreed the death of all who sinned. So in his role as adversary, the devil can demand that the penalty be paid. ^[1] There is no suggestion in Scripture that the devil can inflict death on a believer without the permission of God (Job 2:6), and therefore he cannot set the time of a believer’s death. Through wicked men, he is sometimes permitted to kill the believer. But Jesus warned His disciples not to fear those who could destroy the body, but rather to fear God who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). ^[2]

Destruction here means the lost of well being rather than loss of being. It means nullify or to bring to nothing. Satan is still actively opposing the purpose of God in the world,  but he received a death wound at the cross. His time is short and his doom is sure.  He is a defeated foe. (See. Believers Bible Commentary)

REVELATION 20:2   And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,   3    And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

REVELATION 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

REVELATION 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

GREEK LEXICON -- STRONG'S NUMBER 2673 Destroy

 1) to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative; to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency; to deprive of force, influence, power

 2) to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish; to cease, to pass away, be done away; to be severed from, separated from, discharged from, loosed from any one; to terminate all intercourse with one.

GREEK LEXICON -- STRONG'S NUMBER 2904 Power

Click here to view all verses that use this Greek word.

1) force, strength

 2) power, might: mighty with great power; a mighty deed, a work of power

 3) dominion

By death, Christ literally renders the devil powerless and released men the devil had kept in fear and subjected to life long bondage.  Christ death was of such a nature that it freed men from the guilt of their sin and their consciences from the dread of its consequences (see Heb9:14, 10:22). (See Layman’s Bible Commentary)

The devil is being “reduced to inactivity” because of the death of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:8 (raised from the dead)

Christ has “rendered death inactive” for the believer. 1 Timothy 1:10 (abolished death).

The adversary has a stronghold on sin, and its wages is death “the fear of all men.”  (Romans 6:23; Luke 13:16)

Satan, God’s adversary introduced sin into the world;  he was a murderer from the beginning.

Paul tells us that anyone who was baptized unto Christ Jesus  was baptized unto his death, bury with him, and raised through the glory of the Father . Our old selves were crucified with him. We are no longer a slave to the devil (sin), we have been freed from the power of sin (devil). (See Romans 6: 1 – 8)

REVELATION 1:18  I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Before the cross, the fear of death held men in lifelong servitude.^[3]  Jesus alone can free us from eternal bondage to Satan. Jesus alone has the power and authority to set us free from (the devil’s) sin’s control. We no longer have to fear Hades or death, because Christ holds the keys to both.

Summary of Heb 2:14-15: The purpose of Jesus (Son of God) being a partaker of Human Nature (Flesh and Blood) was that by death (what was done at the Cross) He (Jesus) might reduce the devil’s activity (restrain) and rendered death inactive (destroy) for the believer.

1.      The murderer (tempter) caused man to sin by deceit (Gen 3:1-5,13-14John 9:44).

2.      Man’s wages for sin is death, which entails separation from God (Rom 6:23).

3.      However, Jesus atoned for all sin at the Cross (1 Cor 1:17-18, Rev 12:10).

4.      Thereby, Jesus removed the caused of spiritual death; at least for the believer (John 3:16).

5.      It as been well said that the two terrors from which none but Christ can deliver man  are “guilt of sin”  and “fear of death.”  The latter is the offspring of the former (The Expositor’s Study Bible, KJV, Jimmy Swaggart)

A person on this planet that does not believe in Jesue Christ is spiritual dead:

I TIMOTHY 5:6   But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

REVELATION 3:1 ¶  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

HEBREWS 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

We learn that Jesus really came under temptation in the way that any child of Adam is confronted with temptation, for He was made like his brothers in everyway.

1.      He would not have been made like His fellow man if He had not been capable of yielding to temptation.

2.      There has to be a deliberate decision to reject what has attractiveness and appeal of some sort to the person attacked by temptation.

3.      When man is tempted, he must be confronted by something that requires him to choose between compliance or refusal.

4.      Therefore, we must conclude that Jesus Christ had the ability to give in to temptations that Satan directed against Him. Otherwise He would not have been tempted “like his brothers in every way.”

5.      Heb 4:15 tells us “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are – yet was without sin”  (NIV).

6.      IT IS NO SIN TO BE TEMPTED, but it is sin if we yield to temptation.

7.      If Christ had been utterly incapable of sin, even as the Son of Man, then it is hard to see how He could have felt sympathy for the sinners.

8.      However, there is another sense in which may say that Christ was incapable of sin, and that is in the psychological sense.  Example: when a patriot says “I could never betray my country to its foes,” or “ I could never be unfaithful to my dear wife,” he is speaking not of a physical inability but of a psychological inability.

9.      He has no personal desire to commit the evil he is being solicited to do; in fact, he finds it repellant and distasteful,  not so much the act in itself, but the evil consequences that  would ensue from the act.

10.  Because, Jesus was completely in love with His heavenly Father, He could never have brought Himself to grieve  Him or go counter to His will.

(Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Gleason L Archer Jr.)   [taping 02/20/2010]