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 FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 UNIVERSITY OF EXCELLENCE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are some reasons why people do not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit when they pray and ask God for it?

• Christ must be Lord [Acts 5:32]
  

• Unbelief
  

• Wrong motive (proper motive should be to do the work of the Lord … not just for a blessing)
  

• Association or participation in or with the occult [Deuteronomy 18:10-12]
  

          Why don’t we see many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in the churches today?

In Mark 16:17, Jesus shows us the power that believers have. These signs followed the believers of the early church. The reason why these do not operate completely today is due to the unbelief of modern Christians.

Because you don’t speak in tongues does not mean that you are not a born again Christian. It is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us, not whether we speak in tongues or not.

There is a difference between the "gift" of tongues and "praying in the Spirit". I Corinthians 12:8-11 describes the gifts of the Spirit and Paul includes the gift of tongues which is to be followed by an interpretation of the tongues. This gift is not given to everyone. However, everyone who is baptized in the Holy Spirit receives the manifestation of tongues, which is not followed by an interpretation, but is used to build up each believer. [See 1 Corinthians 14:2.] This is praying in the Spirit. [Also, see 1 Corinthians 14:4.] You see that praying in an unknown tongue edifies the believer, but if we go back to 1 Corinthians 12, we see that the gift of tongues, followed by an interpretation, edifies the church, or the body of believers.

Isn’t it selfish to want to edify yourself? And how do we know that speaking in tongues isn’t just a foreign language we’ve studied?

It is NOT selfish to want to build yourself up in the Lord. How can you build up others, or the church, until you’re built up? This is why Jude tells us (Jude 20) "But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." The Apostle Paul explains to us in 1 Corinthians 14:14 that "praying in the spirit" is the same as praying in tongues. "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." If Paul were talking about praying in a language he had studied or known -- such as Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, or Latin -- his understanding would have been FRUITFUL. Remember, Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than all of you." [1 Corinthians 14:18.]

Can Satan counterfeit the manifestation of tongues?

First, let us recommend a book:  The Challenging Counterfeit, by Raphael Gasson (published by Logos Publishers, Plainfield, NJ 07060). It is written by a Jewish man who was at one time a spiritualist medium, but thanks to God has since been saved, delivered from demons, and baptized in the Holy Spirit. The book shows many ways in which Satan attempts to counterfeit the Holy Spirit and how you can tell the difference.

To answer your question more specifically: If a person asks God in Christ’s name for the Holy Spirit, God will NOT give him or her a "false" or demonic tongue. Read Luke 11:5-13 carefully; note particularly verses 11-13. I have personally seen the use of a demonic tongue, but never in a Christian. It was either a case of witchcraft or narcotics; because the person willingly subjected their will to Satan. This is all the more reason that we as God’s people should seek the fullness of God’s Spirit. We need all the power we can have; thank God for the different gifts of the Spirit!

Remember, you never have a counterfeit unless there is something REAL to copy. In Lesson Eight (a two-part study on the Book of Revelation) of the Bible Studies, you will see that the devil even attempts to copy the Holy Trinity. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the initial manifestation of speaking in another language, gives glory to Jesus: it causes a person to LOVE Jesus more, and to hate sin more. It gives the person POWER to do God’s work … along with JOY in the Lord. Only God can do this! Please read 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 again.

How can a person receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

It is very easy. Remember that it is given to all those who obey God {Acts 5:32]; that God promised to give it to you if you ask Him [Luke 11:13]; and, that the promise is "to as many as the Lord our God shall call" [Acts 2:39].

Don’t wait for some feeling to pass over you … or for God to force anything on you. It’s just like being saved. We receive it by FAITH! Just quietly pray to God and ask Him for the Holy Spirit. Expect to receive it! Then, by faith (without waiting on any feeling or any strange sounds), just THANK GOD for baptizing you in the Holy Spirit. As you are thanking Him, simply start praying in another language. It will be your mouth, your tongue doing the praying … but since you have received the Holy Spirit by faith … it will be the Spirit praying through you.

Don’t worry about what it sounds like; God will understand it. You may think that it is just you, and not the Holy Spirit; but if you have just asked God for the Holy Spirit and have received it by FAITH (regardless of your feelings), then it will be the Holy Spirit helping you to pray.

"Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." [Romans 8:26]

Does the initial manifestation of speaking in another language have to accompany the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

The answer is in the Holy Bible. Read through the five (5) cases outlined in Lesson Four of Bible Studies. There are only five cases recorded in the Bible that we may examine (there is another case in Acts Chapter Four, but it was merely a re-filling of those who had been at Pentecost in Acts Chapter Two).

If we examine these five cases objectively, we see that in four of the five,  (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; Acts 9:17-18 with 1 Corinthians 14:18). In the fifth case (the case of Simon in Acts Chapter Eight), Simon SAW something that made him KNOW the Spirit had been given to them. It had to be some nce different than what he had seen before (he had already seen miracles - see Acts 8:13); he probably saw them speak in strange sounds.

For a long time, I taught and believed that one could be filled with the Holy Spirit without the initial manifestation of speaking in other tongues. After receiving this experience, I began to notice that the different gifts of the Spirit began to operate in my life. If one has received the Baptism in the Spirit, the gifts (one or more) as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12, will operate in his or her life.

Many fine Christians have the anointing of the Spirit upon them for witnessing and doing God’s work. They recognize from the scriptures that unless the Holy Spirit does the work, they cannot witness or win souls effectively. However, this does not necessarily mean they have received the "Baptism" in the Holy Spirit. This is why they do not experience frequent healings, words of knowledge, etc. -- that is, the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 do not operate through them.

Many Christians who have NOT received the Baptism in the Spirit will teach that 1 Corinthians 12:13 refers to the Baptism in the Spirit. But if you will examine this passage closely, you will see it is not so. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Holy Spirit is the AGENT, taking the believer at the instant of salvation and placing the believer into the body of Christ. Now, look at Acts 2:32-33. You will see that in the Baptism in the Spirit, Jesus is the AGENT, who pours out the Holy Spirit upon believers. As you will notice in the five examples previously discussed from the Book of Acts, the normal pattern is that believers received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit subsequent to their conversion (except in Acts Chapter 10 where it was simultaneous, as a result of conversion) … sometimes with the laying on of hands, sometimes without.

Can a person be anointed by the Spirit, and still not have the fullness of the Spirit?

Yes, a person can be anointed by the Spirit, and still not have the "fullness" of the Holy Spirit. Even when one has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is not the end -- that is, the person has not arrived at some spiritual plateau, or level, in his or her life. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of a great ministry for Jesus, and it is important that we walk close to Him everyday. Daily ask God to fill you and empower you with His Spirit!

Our daily walk with Jesus is so important! As we walk close to the Lord Jesus, and live by His Word. We will have the increased power in our lives. In Ephesians 5:18, the Holy Bible commands us to be "filled with the Spirit". This is NOT a "one-time" affair, but we are to be filled constantly -- day by day -- second by second. If we sin and grieve the Spirit, the power of God will not be as strong upon us.

"Be ye holy for God is holy." [1 Peter 1:16]

How does a person sin against, or blaspheme, the Holy Spirit?

"All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

"And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." - Jesus [Matthew 12:31-32]

Jesus Christ came to earth to save men; and even if they curse Him and lie about Him, He is willing to forgive them. That’s why He died for them: to forgive their sins. However, when a person blasphemes ((speaks evil, abusively, rails, or reviles) against the Holy Spirit, it is another matter. As to Christ’s teaching concerning blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (read the context in the case above) … anyone with the evidence of the Lord’s power before their eyes, who should then declare it (that power) to be Satanic, exhibits a condition of heart beyond Divine illumination and, therefore, hopeless! As to the Son of Man, in His humiliation upon earth at His first coming, there might have been misunderstanding, but not so with the Holy Spirit’s power demonstrated.

Is it possible to receive anything else but the Gift of Tongues?

Yes! Ask God for any of the gifts you desire in your heart. It is the Spirit that gives them as he wills, but God told us to desire spiritual gifts, especially that we may prophesy. [1 Corinthians 14:1.]

All (people) do not have the gift of tongues, but all who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues. There is a difference in the GIFT of tongues and speaking in tongues. The GIFT of tongues is a special gift given to bring a message to people gathered in church. It is (normally) accompanied by its twin gift, the gift of interpretation, which is the ability to explain to the people in the church what the message in tongues means. It is one way God has of speaking to the church. The Holy Bible says, "Let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he (himself) interpret." [1 Corinthians 14:13.] If he is not able to interpret, then someone else in the church should interpret who has the ability. If there is no interpreter, then he should keep silent. [1 Corinthians 14:27-28.]

As mentioned above, not all (people) have the GIFT of tongues, but all (who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit) can speak in tongues. The GIFT is for a message to the church, but just speaking in tongues (praying in the Spirit) may be done by a person when he or she is simply praying to God. Read 1 Corinthians 14:14: "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." If you pray in English (or your mother-tongue) you understand; that is, your understanding is fruitful.

But if you pray in a strange language, you don’t understand it. But God does! ! Corinthians 14:2 tells us, "For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaks mysteries (secret truths). When you pray in the Spirit (speak in tongues), you are praying to God in secret truths by His Spirit.

There are several reasons for wanting to speak in tongues:

• It is a supernatural way of praising God (see Acts 10:43-46).
  

• It is a supernatural and sure way of praying according to the will of God (see Romans 8:26-27).
  

• It is a rest and a refreshing (see Isaiah 28:11-12).
  

• It is a way of edifying (building up) oneself (see I Corinthians 14:4 and Jude verse 20).
  

As soon as we are saved, we are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). That is, the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Christ, the universal church of all believers. But this is NOT the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" where Jesus as the BAPTIZER pours out the Spirit upon believers (see Acts 2:33). You are already in the Body of Christ if you know Jesus. Now, ask God for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit so you will have the POWER to serve Him!

I have asked God to baptize me in the Holy Spirit … I did not receive the language. Why?

Sometimes there is a misunderstanding as to what speaking in tongues really is. The Holy Bible says, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." In other words, you … or your mind … won’t understand it. So don’t worry about what it sounds like, or whether you can understand it. Just release your tongue in faith and speak as the Holy Spirit guides you.

See Acts 2:4: "And THEY … began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." YOU do the speaking -- use your mouth, your tongue, your throat -- and because you have prayed to God in FAITH, confessing Jesus as your Lord, you know that what you speak will be from God … but YOU do the speaking! As you praise God in your new language, you will be speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit [1Corinthians 14:2]. Luke 11:13 tells us " … how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" If you ask God in FAITH for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, he is NOT going to give you a false or demon tongue!! Read the next section below.

Concerning 1 Corinthians 14:22, aren’t tongues just for a "sign" to unbelievers?

That’s just ONE of the purposes for tongues, as mentioned earlier.

There are many people today who have received Christ as a result of hearing a Christian speak in their heavenly language (tongues), when the speaker did NOT know the language he was speaking. I personally know a wonderful brother (who was a millionaire for over 35 years), a medical doctor and an engineer, who heard a brother in Christ that I know speak in Arabic. My friend did NOT know Arabic. This doctor became a mighty servant of God!

There are thousands of people today who are receiving the Bible experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is for us today! Acts 2:39 says: "For the promise (see verse 33) is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." There is a great revival in our land, and it is growing every day. God is pouring out His Spirit and the GIFTS of the Holy Spirit are operating in and through many Christians. Many unbelieving Christians try to teach that the GIFTS of the Spirit were just a "crutch" to help the early church get started. The idiocy of that argument is obvious by observation and by history: If the early church needed a crutch with all the miracles performed and people saved … how much more does the church today need the GIFTS?!

When I pray in tongues it sounds "strange" to me. Why?

That’s what the Bible says: "otra linguas" … other tongues … strange languages! At a place where I ministered frequently a Philippino man kept saying one word over and over. He thought God didn’t want to baptize him in the Spirit. However, what he was saying was a word for "Lord" in a language an Egyptian friend of mine spoke. He kept repeating "Lord, Lord, Lord!"

Sometimes this happens when a person receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Just pray and thank God for the Holy Spirit. Then continue to pray and praise God with these new sounds … your NEW language. You will probably begin to experience a fuller release of a distinct, but different language. When I received the Baptism in the Spirit, it was like a flock of heavenly doves flying out of my mouth. I spoke in tongues off and on for hours. It has now been almost 30 years and I still can’t praise Him enough in my new language. What a merciful God … I used to teach people NOT to seek the Baptism in the Spirit. God forgive me!!!

Two good books you might like to read are: They Speak With Other Tongues, by John and Elizabeth Sherrill, and The Spirit Himself, by Ralph Riggs.

I think there is too much emphasis on speaking in tongues.

Thank you for your honest comments. You will see that we agree with you in Lesson Ten of the Bible Studies. The Holy Bible says to set your heart on the more important gifts. Best of all, however, is the way of LOVE [1 Corinthians 13]. Strive for love and desire spiritual gifts. Set your heart especially on the gift of speaking God’s messages … but do NOT forbid the speaking with strange sounds. See 1 Corinthians 14:1 and 39.]

Does it say anywhere in the Bible that coffee and tea are stimulants and that you shouldn’t drink them?

Nowhere in the Holy Bible does it say that coffee and tea are bad. I do not drink coffee, but just because I don’t drink coffee doesn’t mean that somebody else should not. Always ask God to show you what he would have you to do, and not to do. [See James 1:5]

It’s wrong for me to judge others. What am I supposed to say when I’m asked to give an opinion of someone?

When you’re asked to give an opinion of someone, always look for something good in their life about which you can share. Try to lift people up, and not to tear them down. However, there may be times when you may have to give an objective appraisal of someone. In that case, do what the Bible says. In Matthew 7:1 we are instructed by Jesus, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Never judge a person’s inward motives … that is, the reason for which they do certain things. However, in the same chapter (Matthew 7), Jesus tells us, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit … you shall know them by their fruits." [Matthew 7:16-20] You can know a person by what they do outwardly … or by what issues forth from their life. Finally, judge production … not motives.

How can I witness for Christ?

There are many ways. You can call people on the telephone -- just go through the phone book and pick out names. Call them and tell them about Jesus. You can write people letters. You can take your Bible to the nearest shopping center, or street corner, and start talking to people or preaching about Jesus. Give your testimony … you know what God has done for you! And If you only know one verse of scripture, like John 3:16, you have all the information you need to get started! If you don’t feel the liberty to preach, then you can always hand out some Gospel literature. You may want to buy or bake a cake or pie and take it to your neighbor, a sick person, a homeless person, or a rich person … and tell them about Jesus!

Whenever you go to talk to someone about Jesus, always pray first and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare their heart. Ask God to fill you with his Spirit and give you the words to speak. Remember to tell them that God loves them and He sent Christ to die for their sins on the cross. Tell them Jesus is alive and will save them NOW if they ask Him! Sometimes you will be able to pray with the person right there and lead them to Christ. You can lead them in a short prayer and have them ask Christ to forgive their sins and save them.

What is the real importance of prayer; why do people talk about "spending time with God"?

Concerning prayer, time spent with God is very important. The more we seek God in prayer, the more of his nature, grace, and power will he endow to us. However, just the fact that we say we take time to be with God, doesn’t mean we are seeking him. Sometimes it may be more advantageous to just sit (or stand) and talk to him … and then listen to him talk back. It may take some time -- maybe a few minutes, maybe a few hours -- for us to really wait on him to be able to communicate. Other times, it may be more to our advantage to really get down to business and PRAY for only a few minutes. But the important thing is that we start every day alone with God in prayer … and end the day in the same manner. Study "Listening to the Spirit" by Prince Handley.

Throughout the day, pray without ceasing by mentally praising God, seeking his face for wisdom, talking to him … all of this interspersed with praying in tongues.  If you do not pray in tongues during these times, there will be:

1.  No opportunity for the Holy Spirit to override your prayers (in case they are wrongly directed or have error in motivation);

2.  No opportunity for the Holy Spirit to initiate prayers of his own through you… which YOU may not or would not do.

Finally, ask God to make you a person of prayer, fasting, and his Word. He will ... because you will be praying according to God’s will. Fasting will keep the anointing fresh in your life. If for no other reason … do these things for other people who God wants to reach through you. "The world is the field."

Why do I need to keep on praying for some things even though I believe I have it?

Read and study Lesson Two: How To Talk To God in the Bible Studies. There are some things we pray for which require persistent prayer. Not all things … but some things. One reason may be that we have not truly prayed in the manner prescribed in one of the first five doors (see Lesson Two). For example, maybe we have not really believed by faith that we have received it already (Door 5), and so we need to keep praying until God answers.

Another reason may be that it just happens to be something for which God wants us to keep on asking. Maybe God wants to see how sincere we really are. This is where many people give up. Think of some examples of when you were a child; how there were some things you wanted for which you had to keep asking. Look up the following cases in your Bible where people prayed to God persistently:

Genesis 32:26 - 1 Samuel 15:11 - Esther 4:16 - Matthew 15:21-28 - Luke 6:12 - James 5:17 - 1 Kings 17:19-22 - 1 Kings 18:42-44.

"And he (Jesus) spoke a parable unto them to this end,that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." [Luke 18:1-8]

How can I be free "forever" from condemnation feelings around certain people?

First of all, man was created in the image of God. Adam sinned and your fellowship had to be restored to God through the shed blood of his son, Jesus Christ. Now that you are restored, you are no longer under condemnation.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus …" [Romans 8:1]

You’re somebody! You are very important!! To God, to yourself … and to others to whom God has assigned you!!! Ephesians 1:4 tells us, "Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through Christ; (he decided then) that we should be holy and without fault (standing) before him (covered) in love."

If God says you don’t have a fault (the word "fault" here means "blemish"), and if you are COVERED with his love, then you can learn to love yourself … in spite of what someone else thinks about you; even in spite of what you think about yourself!

Since you are FREE, and since God enjoys you, why not enjoy yourself?

Why does the Bible sometimes talk about the bad things people have done?

The Holy Bible is a very honest book. If people had written the Bible, instead of God, it would probably tell all the nice things about men and women. (See Jeremiah 17:9 and Romans 3:23.) The Bible tells it as it is; but thank God it also gives us an answer. The only answer to our problems: Jesus Christ.

Why does God allow Satan to stand before him and accuse the brethren?

There’s a lot of things about God that we don’t know; but everything we need to know is revealed in the Word of God. Why God allows Satan to be an accuser of the brethren, we don’t really know [Revelation 12:10]. But what we do know is that Satan’s nature is: deception, pride, accusation, theft, murder, destruction, fear, and hate! Just the OPPOSITE of Jesus! It doesn’t matter how much Satan tries to accuse you, or any Christian, because the shed BLOOD OF CHRIST has not only defeated Satan, but it has CLEANSED and LOOSED you from your sins!

The devil is the most frustrated being in the universe today. He runs "to and fro seeking to devour whom he may" [1 Peter 5:8]. He knows his time is running out, for the Bible says " … 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 forever and ever." [Revelation 20:10] Satan can never do anything unless God allows him to. Everything the devil does, or has done, fits into God’s plan. God can turn around even the bad if you will release the situation(s) to Him in faith. Faith and forgiveness are "twins" that will turn around any situation!

Make sure that you don’t accuse God’s people, the brethren. For then, you would be doing something that God won’t allow the devil to do: and that is going beyond the BLOOD OF JESUS! One of the names for the devil actually means "slanderer". We should never slander another Christian … or anyone, for that matter! To slander another Christian … even if what we are saying is true … is to do something that God won’t even let the devil do. Satan may accuse you … and the brethren … but it is to no avail, because Jesus is defending you at the Father’s right side. He is your attorney, as well as your judge. Remember, your Judge is your Righteousness [2 Corinthians 5:21]. You have a PERFECT Savior … and a PERFECT salvation! Satan and his accusations can NOT pass beyond the BLOOD OF CHRIST!

Note: For a full description of Job’s trials and victory, study Health and Healing Complete Guide to Wholeness.

I am a corrupt person, and I think I am predestined to go to hell. Also, I cheat a lot. Can you help me?

Thanks for writing me. Please excuse me for taking so long to answer. I’ve been away serving God but have been praying for you. Today I preached in a large high school and several were saved. When you said in your mail that you are a corrupt person, it made me think of what the Word of God says: "There is none righteous, no not one." [Romans 3:10] God says we are all corrupt, and that is why he sent Jesus to die for my sins and your sins on the cross [see Romans 5:8].

Even though you don’t go to any Bible studies or church, you can still read and study God’s Holy Word by yourself. Anytime you need help or want to talk, contact our E-mail mentorhelp@gmail.com; Prince Handley, or someone who loves the Lord, will be happy to talk with you.

You do not have to worry about being predestined to go to hell, because the Holy Bible says: "The Lord is … NOT willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." [2 Peter 3:9] If you really want to be saved, God will save you! Just believe what he has told you in his Word. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

God has never sent anyone to hell. If a person dies and goes to hell, it is because that person refused to receive Christ as their savior. God sent Christ so that we could be saved if we want to. "Whosoever will may come."

I don’t understand about "predestination" and "freewill"; don’t they contradict each other?

The Holy Bible shows that man has a free will. There are many verses which tell us this. For example, Romans 10:13: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Whosoever will, may come! But the scriptures also show that whoever comes to Christ and receives him has been elected (or, predestined) by God. The Bible tells us in John 6:44, "No man can come to me (said Jesus), except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." It is God who draws us by the power of his Holy Spirit to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

For centuries men have tried to explain how man could still have a free will if it is God who draws him (that is, if God is the one who determines his election). But don’t let this bother you. We can never figure out God’s ways. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord … so are my ways higher than yours." Someday when we get to Heaven, maybe the Lord will explain to us this great mystery. But for now, we can be thankful that the Lord has brought us to himself.

To man, truth has to be one way or the other. That is, man likes to have an answer in one category or another: like "freewill" or "destination". But to God, some truths may be "parallel" … He is the TRUTH! One thing we know is that God didn’t want us to be robots; otherwise he would have made us that way! He wants people who love him and worship, serve, and praise him of their own volition. Anyone who wants to be saved can be saved.

God gave you a FREE WILL. One day you exercised this free will and decided to give your life to Christ. Even though you exercised this free will which God has given you … there was a time when God looked FORWARD (even before he framed the world into existence) … and he saw (ahead of time) that you would make a decision to let Christ be your Lord. So even though God gave you a free will, you were ELECTED before the world began! God loves you and want the BEST for you!

I hear people, and Bible teachers, say that the Jewish temple must be rebuilt. Why?

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:4. The "man of sin" (the "anti-Christ", or "false Messiah") will go sit in the temple, showing himself as though he is God. Therefore, the temple MUST be rebuilt in the future.

God’s prophetic time clock runs in relation to Israel. Notice that in Daniel 9:24-27 there are two main time periods mentioned. One is a period of 69 weeks (Hebrew "heptad", or weeks of 7 years each), and the second is a period on one week, which is the 70th week (seven years). The 69 weeks ended when Christ died on the cross (see Daniel 9:26).

The Messiah was "cut off" but not for himself; and God’s prophetic time-clock stopped. It will NOT start again until the start of the 70th week, or the period of time known as the seven year tribulation. The last half of the seven years … the last 3.5 years … is that period of time known as the great tribulation: the time of "Jacob’s trouble" [Jeremiah 30:7]. It is in the middle of this 70th week that the anti-Christ goes into the rebuilt temple [see Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4]. This last 3.5 years of the 70th week Daniel talked about will be a time of worse persecution for Israel and the Jews than they have ever known: exceedingly more terrible than Nazi Germany! Many Jews will turn to the Messiah during this time.

For a detailed study of the Jews and the end-times, including signs of the times, and future events, study the book by Prince Handley titled: Israel and Middle East: Past Present Future.

Does the rapture of the church start God’s time-clock "ticking" again?

There are different views among scholars as to when the rapture is. Some feel it is before, at the start, of the seven year tribulation. Some feel it is at the middle of the seven years. And some feel it is at the end of the seven year tribulation. These are known as the "pre", "mid", and "post" tribulation rapture theories. I started studying all of these views in depth, not only in graduate schools of theology, but also on my own, over 35 years ago. The word "rapture" is not used in the Holy Bible in this sense; however, the "catching away" or gathering of the saints in the air to meet Christ when he returns is a scriptural fact as declared in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.

It seems that God’s prophetic time-clock will start at the beginning of the seven year tribulation. The important thing is to be ready … to be looking for and loving the return of Christ to earth (his 2nd coming) … no matter what happens or when it happens. Don’t ever let whatever view you hold, or feel is correct, ("pre", "mid", or "post) keep you from fellowship with other Christians who may hold another view. The basis of all fellowship is the fact that Jesus bought us with his BLOOD!

When the Bible talks about days, does it mean literal days?

Wherever possible, and where the context gives evidence, take the time mentioned as a literal unit of time. That is, when the Bible mentions a year, it usually means a year. When it mentions a day, it usually means a day. There are certain construction of grammar, especially in Hebrew, which sometimes show us that it should be other than literal. This happens to be the case in Daniel Chapter Nine. In Genesis Chapter One, however, it seems the days are literal 24 hour days (evening and the morning); when the Hebrew word for day ["yom"] is connected with a number (as in "and the evening and the morning were the third day"), it usually has reference to a literal 24 hour day.

I don’t understand what the "transgression of desolation" is in Daniel Chapter Eight.

It is interesting to compare Daniel Chapter Eight with secular history. There has already been a "transgression of desolation" in the Jewish temple; however, it was just a "type" (an actual happening that symbolized another future similar happening … a symbol of a future occurrence). If you will notice Daniel 8:1-12 describes: 1) a ram with two horns; and, 2) a he-goat. Also, verses 15-27 give the interpretation of the same, which was a vision that appeared to Daniel. Notice in verse 20, the ram with the two horns represented the two kings of Media and Persia (this empire lasted from 536 BC to 333 BC). In Daniel 8:21, the he-goat was the King of Greece (Alexander the Great, who conquered that part of the civilized world in 333 BC).

Notice in this vision which Daniel had, verse 8 tells that the he-goat had a great horn on his head which was broken, and then four (4) other notable horns came up. The interpretation in verse 22 tells us that these were four kingdoms which stood up (arose) out of that nation (the Grecian empire). These were: Syria, Egypt, Macedonia, and Asia Minor. Now notice verse 9 says that out of one of the four notable horns cane forth a little horn. Verse 11 tells that the little horn took away the daily sacrifice out of the sanctuary … and there was a transgression of desolation following.

Who, or what, was the "little horn" mentioned in Daniel 8:9?

This "little horn" was Antiochus Epiphanes who was the king of Syria. He, the "little horn", was a type (or, picture) of the "other" horn [out of the ten horns] spoken of in Daniel 7:20-25, the SAME as the anti-Christ (or, anti-Messiah) of Revelation Chapters 13 and 17. Now I will give you some historical facts to show you what Antiochus did when he came into Jerusalem about 170 B.C.

• He sacrificed a sow (female pig) upon the altar of burnt offerings; and then made a broth from it and sprinkled it over the entire building.
  

• He corrupted the young people with lewd practices and obscenity.
  

• He changed the Feast of Tabernacles to the feast of Bacchus.
  

• He auctioned off the priesthood.
  

• All true worship was forbidden.
  

• Idol worship was introduced (especially to Jupiter Olympus).
  

• The city was devastated; 100,000 Jews were massacred.
  

Notice that Antiochus was a type or picture of that man of sin who will appear in the future and shall magnify himself against the Prince of princes, Jesus Christ (see Daniel 8:25); notice that he (the man of sin) will be "broken without hand"! I Have gone into detail on this to show you how some prophecies have a partial, or even complete fulfillment; but the initial fulfillment is just a type of that which is to come. You can usually tell this in these types of prophetic passages by the clear wording applied to the portion yet to be fulfilled.

Remember, that in Daniel 9:27 the anti-Christ shall confirm a covenant with the children of Israel for seven years. Also, the ten horns in Daniel 7 and in Revelation 13 and 17 show a ten nation confederacy in the end time. The nations, along with Russia, Ethiopia, Libya, and Persia (Persia being the partial confines of modern day Iran and United Arab Republic) coming against Israel are the things to watch for right now.

If a person really wants to commit sin (inside themselves) … I bet they still commit the sin.

Yes, if a person really desires to sin, they probably will; however; a person who loves the Lord Jesus and wants to serve him can successfully can resist Satan no matter how great the temptation. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Notice the first condition is, "Submit yourself to God."

In James 5:14-15, the "elders" are the seasoned leaders of the church, or local place of worship. In the early Christian church such designations as elder, presbyter and bishop, if not strictly synonymous, were interchangeable (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5-7). Elders cooperate with the apostles in the government of the church (Acts 15 verses 2, 4, 6, and 22, and Acts16:22). They had the spiritual care of the congregation. You can see this in 1 Timothy 3:5, 5:17; Titus 1:9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4.

I think you really want to know: Why are we to live holy? We are to live holy because our Father in Heaven is holy! Holiness is his very nature, and if we have been saved and are God’s children, then we, also, should have the nature of God in us. We should also want to live holy to PLEASE God. In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul said, " I beseech (or plead with) you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

To PRESENT your body means that you give God a PRESENT; that is, a presentation … a GIFT, if you will. And Paul is saying here, "I beg you to give God a present: your body as a holy sacrifice which he can accept; seeing that God has been so merciful to you, by granting you salvation that you didn’t deserve. He gave the BEST He had … his only Son, who died a cruel death for you, to pay for your sins … now give your BEST to Him! Show God you’re thankful, and give Him your body, HOLY, so that he may accept it." If we are NOT God’s children, but still belong to Satan, then we will not have a desire to live holy. This is one way we can check to make sure we are saved!

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