Question: Who is the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7?

This passage is a fantastic one in the Old Testament for clarifying the Trinity regarding the distinction between the Father and the Son. Without assuming anything, read the text plainly. A glorious figure is seen sitting on the throne and worshipped by angels. So far so clear. This is God because only God is worthy of worship. Especially the worship of angels. Then after the Ancient of Days is introduced, a separate figure described as “like a Son of Man” approaches the throne and is worshipped the same way as the Ancient of Days. This is where some clarification is needed. The term Son of Man is used to describe humans. It’s not necessarily a divine title, unless the context suggests otherwise. This individual that looks like a human is worshipped as God, yet distinct from the Ancient of Days. Hopefully it is clear that the Son of Man is Jesus. And with the process of elimination applied that leaves the Father and the Spirit. Going to other passages in the Old Testament for clarity, we see that when the Spirit is mentioned as a deity, there are no examples of titles apart from the Spirit or Spirit of God. If we also compare this to the New Testament, we see in Revelation 4 that a similar picture is shown to John the Apostle that he identifies as the Father. Therefore the Ancient of Days in this passage would most reasonably be identified as the Father, since the Spirit isn’t mentioned and the Son is recognized by another title separate from this Ancient of Days yet still worthy of the worship that only belongs to God.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

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Question: Do you have to believe in the Trinity in order to be saved?

This question sounds more complicated than it is because of how it is asked. If we believe in Jesus and through Him have salvation from our sins, we need to make sure it’s the right Jesus. If we are going to say anything about who Jesus is and how He is different from/relates to the Father and Holy Spirit, it needs to come through His written Word. With all of that said, where does the concept of the Trinity come from? It comes from the exact same place we get our understanding of salvation from. It would be inconsistent to believe in God’s definition of salvation but reject His description of His own nature. And in that the answer to this question is found. When the man who was crucified with Jesus recognized Him for who He was, that was all He was held accountable to in order for his salvation to be “legitimate.” Likewise, the Pharisees knew more about the Messiah than most pastors do today, yet consciously chose to reject it when it was being fulfilled right in front of them. Knowing information didn’t save them any more than the man on the cross. It was what they did with it. To whom much is given, much shall be required. If you enter eternity only aware of who Jesus is and what He did for you, then you’re only going to be held accountable for that. If you are aware of what scripture teaches about the nature of God and consciously choose to reject it in favor of a more popular position socially, then you’re going to be held accountable for that as well. This is the salvation issue. God won’t hold you accountable what you don’t know, but rejecting what you should.


A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

Email your questions:

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Question: If Jesus was born sinless and unique from the rest of mankind, why did it have to happen biologically through Mary?

When Jesus was physically born, it happened in a specific place and a specific time for specific reasons. From the time of Genesis, God promised that from the Seed of woman a male child would be born who would crush the serpent’s head. In the context of Genesis 3, this was referring to taking away the only power Satan’s kingdom has. Separation from God. When this child would be born, very specific prophecies were made by people who were publicly tested and confirmed as speaking for God regarding where this male child would be born. Micah gives us the location 700 years before it happened. Isaiah gives us the details of His conception 800 years before it happened. But most importantly, David and Nathan gave us the details regarding His biological family. That is why both of Jesus’ parents have their family histories mentioned as tying back to David’s family. Joseph’s genealogy is given in Matthew 1 informing us of Jesus’ legal right to claim He was this promised male child. And in answering the question, Luke 3 gives us Mary’s genealogy to confirm Jesus’ biological claim that He was who He claimed to be.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

Email your questions:

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Question: What does the term “Lord of Hosts” mean in the Bible?

The term, Lord of Hosts, or YHVH Sabaoth in Hebrew, is referring to God as a God who has armies behind Him. This is a title used for God 261 times in scripture and always in the context of displaying His power. However, power in of itself doesn’t explain intentions. In modern 21st century terms, the only time armies need to be mentioned is when a threat is being made against an enemy. Scripture tells us a different story. A good example of this name for God is during David’s confrontation with Goliath. In the 10th century BC, Israel had just exited the time of the Judges and a time when there was a constant threat of invasion and enslavement from the nations Joshua hadn’t driven out of the land. When the first king of Israel came to power, it was a sigh of relief for the people because there now was a man with an army behind him who was going to use it for their protection rather than oppression. At this moment in Saul’s career, his army was shaking in their boots at the sight of Goliath. David wasn’t daunted by this, because he knew that God not only had bigger armies than Saul behind Him, but He of Himself could handle any threat that Israel would ever face. It’s in that context the name Lord of Hosts is meant to be understood. As the song lyrics go, “The God of angel armies is always by my side.”

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

Email your questions:

questionsforhope@gmail.com

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4H

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Question of the Week: Where did Jesus literally say the words, “I am God?”
Verses: John 8:58, Exodus 3:13-15,

Asking for exact words in any argument is absurd. Firstly, Jesus didn’t speak English. He spoke Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. Secondly, He wasn’t a 21st century American. He was a 1st Century Jew living in Roman occupied Judea. If He had said the words, “I am God” as we do today, it would have been confused as comparing himself to a local figure of authority or one of the many generic pagan gods. That’s why when Jesus made claims to deity, He did so through actions as much as through the implications of His claims. If Jesus said the sort of things about Himself that only the True and Living God of Israel specifically could say and not be lying/insane, then He was claiming to be God. None were so significant and well understood by His audience than claiming the same name for Himself that the God of Israel introduced Himself to Moses as. The I Am. Jesus made this claim multiple times to hostile and friendly audiences as the greatest affirmations of His deity. For more examples, please watch the video below.