Questions about Scripture

A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – January 15th, 2021

Question of the Week: What is the purpose of spiritual warfare?

Whenever the topic of spiritual warfare comes up, the focus goes entirely to the topic of warfare. In warfare, the focus is on understanding the nature of your enemy with the long term goal of victory against them. In the Bible, the focus of spiritual warfare is the complete opposite. Instead of fighting for victory, we fight from victory. Instead of focusing on the nature of our enemy, our attention should be focused entirely on the nature of our commander and chief. With these two proper perspectives in mind, we will avoid getting caught up in sensational and misleading doctrines about the unbiblical rituals we apparently have to fulfill in order to take a power away from the enemy he never had to begin with.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV)

This is the first key principal to grasp if we are to have a proper understanding of spiritual warfare. A disarmed foe is no longer a threat. If we treat the enemy of our souls as if he still has the power and authority taken away from him, then his goal in distracting us has been achieved. The Apostle Peter described the enemy as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8-9) With a further exhortation to resist him, he immediately clarifies what’s actually being resisted. Persecution, Hatred of the Gospel, and the suffering we experience in this world are all examples of the impact the enemy has on the hearts of those who don’t know the Lord. A state we were all once in according to Ephesians 2:1-3. If we base our understanding of the enemy on more information rather than less, and the best possible information rather than second hand experiences, we won’t buy into the enemy’s greatest tool. Don’t be deceived. He can’t possess you. 1 John 4:4. He can’t separate you from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39. He can’t even touch you. 1 John 5:18. It is from these facts about our enemy that the real goal of spiritual warfare becomes clear.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8 (NKJV)

The question isn’t whether or not we sin. It’s what we do with it that matters. 1 John 1:8-10 is our combat zone. The question isn’t whether or not we will experience opposition. The question is what is actually being opposed. Matthew 11:28-30 is our responsibility in this battle. The question isn’t if we’re in this fight. The question is how do we fight. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Hebrews 4:12, and Ephesians 6:14-18 are the weapons we fight with. Not kinetic tools, but a working and practical knowledge of the truth. That is how you respond to a liar. Not by acknowledging or focusing on the lie, but bringing it face to face with the truth. Any confrontation of the enemy on our end is pointless. That is why James gives as simple an explanation as possible concerning how we resist the devil. Draw near to God. If you want to destroy darkness, walk towards the light.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:5-7 (NKJV)

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

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

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What is the purpose of predictive prophecy?

Question of the Week: What is the purpose of predictive prophecy?

People that read prophecy often focus on one of three topics. The end of the world, the world coming to an end, or the things that will cause these things to happen. While the things told to us in scripture were for a reason, and certainly include these things, they are not the focus. Hysteria, the state of the world, and how it impacts us are not the reasons why God has told us what will take place in the future. The purpose of predictive prophecy is to point us to the power, person, and purposes of Jesus Christ.

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:9-10 (NKJV)

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’ ”
Isaiah 44:6-8 (NKJV)

In the Old and New Testament, prophecy is meant to bring the focus towards God. The Apostle John is shown a revelation of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and his focus goes to the Angel showing him these things. He is immediately corrected and told to worship God because of the purpose of everything he sees. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the future concerning the rising and falling of Syria, Assyria, Babylon, and Perisa before any of them had actually taken place. This isn’t to inform Israel about future military opposition so they could prepare their armies. They are being told about things before they take place to show the God who is talking to them is aware of and above these things.

Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.
Isaiah 46:9-13 (NKJV)

Notice how Isaiah concludes this prophecy. God makes a direct and literal statement about salvation being placed in Zion/Jerusalem. The purpose was for His glory. The recipients were those who were far from righteousness. The audience was those who weren’t listening to what He had to say. The point was to prove that God isn’t like anyone or anything else. He declares the end from the beginning. Ancient things in history that people have forgotten, He remembers. Things that haven’t yet happened, He knows about. What He decides will take place. This is the one in charge of Israel, and our, future. If He’s in control, then even predictions of destruction and chaos will produce hope and peace. Why? The one allowing these things to happen is the same one who provides salvation. That is the purpose of prophecy. The focus isn’t on Antichrist anymore than it was on Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar, or Sennacherib. God predicted all of these kings would reign to show He is worth trusting when He reminds us all that He will one day reign as well. That is our comfort and peace. God got those predictions of disaster right. Therefore, He can be that much more trusted when He says His reign is coming. And that is reign worth looking forward to.

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

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

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Is It Possible to Get Saved During the Tribulation?

Question of the Week: Will it be impossible for people to get saved during the Tribulation Period?

The common dodge for people who know enough about the gospel to come to a decision, but are still unwilling to commit their lives to Christ often say that they will receive Jesus later. The “later” is usually referring to their deathbeds, or during the Tribulation when all doubt has been removed in their minds. The appropriate response to the first option is the reminder that they aren’t promised a deathbed. There may be an accident, outbreak, or incident that doesn’t leave them enough time to come to a decision.

There is also the issue of assuming that if you spent your entire life putting off Jesus, what makes them think that they’ll suddenly make Him a priority then when they’ve spent their entire lives making Him secondary? This is the appropriate response to the first dismissal of the gospel. Hebrews 3:15 confirms this and it is in no way conflicting with other areas of scripture.

Where things become inappropriate is the reactionary doctrine that has been formed to the second option the non-believer has made available to themselves. A very loose interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 is presented as evidence that people will not be able to receive salvation during the Tribulation Period. Although well intended, this response isn’t biblically supported. The assumptions behind it are all true. You shouldn’t put off getting saved if God is calling you right now. (Hebrews 3:15) You can’t get saved if the Holy Spirit doesn’t draw you. (John 6:44) And the Holy Spirit will be taken away from this world in a sense during the Tribulation. The question is in what sense will the Holy Spirit withdraw Himself and will it include giving mankind a capacity to be saved during this time?

The first obstacle to this position being biblically supported is that we have biblical evidence against it. We have direct citation and reference to people being saved during the Tribulation in the book of Revelation and ending up in Heaven as a result. If people will be saved during the Tribulation, then interpreting 2 Thessalonians in a way that contradicts that statement is an improper handling of scripture.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:9-17 (NKJV)

The second problem with this view of 2 Thessalonians is that if the Holy Spirit is being withdrawn in His entirety from this world, the result would be more catastrophic to mankind then handing them over to believe the enemy’s lies. According to the book of Job, the removal of the Holy Spirit would cause all life to return to the dust. This ability to create and maintain life in all creation is not only one of many reasons we consider the Holy Spirit to be divine, but also removes the possibility of the Holy Spirit being removed from the earth in this sense during the Tribulation.

If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.
Job 34:14-15 (NKJV)

The question remains, in what sense will the Holy Spirit withdraw Himself from this world during the Tribulation? Given the process of elimination, we have concluded the following; It isn’t in His entirety or life would cease to exist. It isn’t in His drawing people to Himself for salvation or Revelation 7 wouldn’t mention unenumerable people from every culture coming out of the Tribulation and going to Heaven. It is only mentioned that His restraining of the rise of the Antichrist will be removed to allow the rising of the Antichrist. Therefore, that should be all we conclude from the passage. It in no way invalidates anyone for salvation during the Tribulation.

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:

[email protected]

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4HFollow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucson
Watch our Frequently Asked Questions on YouTube.

A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – November 20th, 2020

Question of the Week: Does God ever use things like sickness, mental disorders, or pain to strengthen our relationship with Him?

When discussing the reasons why pain takes place in the life of a Christian, we need to tread carefully lest we come to conclusions that the Bible simply doesn’t support. For example, God using pain doesn’t mean God caused the pain. God allowing pain doesn’t mean He is the reason the pain is there in the first place. God not taking pain away doesn’t mean that He’s to blame for your suffering. These are conclusions that our emotions can lead us or others into if we try to explain too much. The reality is that there is pain. The question is who God is and what He’s doing in the midst of that pain.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.
Psalm 119:67 (NKJV)

This first example of how God works through pain was an observation made by King David in relation to his love for the word of God. In the text, we need to recognize what is said and what isn’t being said. David only acknowledges an affliction took place. His response to that affliction was to now keep God’s word. The only time God is mentioned as a part of David’s affliction was who he turned to after the affliction ended. God allowed David to experience affliction. This hard lesson taught David that keeping God’s word was a better option than the things that caused his affliction. He bears responsibility for the affliction in this context. Then he goes on to share what he learned from the experience. A lack of keeping God’s word caused affliction. Now that he’s keeping God’s word, he’s no longer being afflicted in the way he was. That was the conclusion he came to and should be the same we should as well. To read into the passage a precedent that God inflicts pain to teach us to keep His word is inaccurate. The only conclusion he comes to and the only statements he makes are a contrast between him living life according to the world’s word and living life according to God’s word.

You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Psalm 119:65-72 (NKJV)

The second example of how God works through pain is taken from Paul the Apostle’s observation about an affliction he was dealing with that God did not take away. Just like David’s observation before him, it is important to note that God isn’t given credit for giving him the thorn in the flesh. If anything, the credit is given to the enemy since this thorn in the flesh is only described as a messenger of Satan. Instead of removing the pain, Paul is comforted and strengthened with the ability to endure it and see it as a reminder of God’s grace. God was seen as his greatest comfort in the midst of his pain. Not the reason for it.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NKJV)

The third and key example of how God works through pain is also an observation from Paul in the same book he describes his response to his own pain.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NKJV)

Notice that God is never credited for those tribulations. His only participation in that process is one of comfort. The reason for that comfort is explained. We are comforted so we can comfort others. It is also noted that the sufferings of Christ are the kind of pain we are enduring. Jesus is the model for how we handle pain. The reason the pain is happening is never mentioned, and therefore shouldn’t be assumed.

These passages and others form the framework for a biblical understanding of pain. To blame God for the text is an assumption made outside the text rather than within in. The examples given of Jeremiah, Job, and others being afflicted by God ignore the context of each historical example.
Jeremiah voices his feelings about his circumstances and blames God for deceiving him into believing something He never actually said. Jeremiah 20:7-18 details the poor response on the part of Israel to the things God was telling him to say. The people causing his suffering had many names, but none of them were God. People rejecting the truth and hating him for sharing God’s word was something Jesus warned us would happen. Not because He would cause it, but because people don’t like to hear things they don’t want to. John 15:18-25 details the proper perspective we are to have in that context.
Job is also a poor example of God causing someone to experience pain because Job 1-2 both detail that every loss and hardship Job endures in that book came from Satan, his wife, and his friends. None of those people were God. God allowed the suffering to take place, but his only action in this book was the restoration of everything Job lost at the end of the book once Job’s character had been fully demonstrated.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

The point is hopefully clear. If I assume something about God that the text doesn’t say, I’m either attributing motive or making a false accusation. The Bible doesn’t say that God causes those who love Him to suffer. The world does. The enemy does. Our sinful nature does. God is only explained in the midst of these things to be our place of refuge, comfort, and hope. Blaming the solution for the problem isn’t productive.

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:

[email protected]

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4HFollow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucson
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A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – November 13th, 2020

Question of the Week: Why is the Deity of Christ an Essential belief in Christianity?

There are certain things we can disagree agreeably about among fellow Christians because those positions don’t undermine what it actually means to be a Christian. If a fundamental doctrine of Christianity is disagreed upon, then it’s not a disagreement among Christians. The person who rejects that core doctrine has demonstrated their opposition to the definition of Christianity itself. The nature of Jesus is one of those non-negotiables. Jesus of Nazareth made claims about Himself and acted in ways that were exclusive traits of the God of the Old Testament. This is what sets Him apart from any prophet in Israel’s history. This is also what elevates Him in the eyes of those who take His claims seriously to the level of the True and Living God. To reject Jesus’ claims and how He supported those claims is to reject the reason we consider Him worth following in the first place. The only thing that remains in making this case legitimate is where and how Jesus made claims and performed deeds that could only rightly apply to the True and Living God.

The first and clearest example of Jesus’ claims to divinity was His ability to forgive sins. When speaking to the Jewish audience that determined their understanding of who God was through the Old Testament, He claimed the right to forgive sins. This is something that anyone can say, but only God could rightfully do.

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:5-12 (NKJV)

The audience that witnessed this miracle rightly concluded that God alone could forgive sins. This understanding of God’s nature came from a Psalm of David where he acknowledged that his adultery and murder were ultimately violations of God’s standards. Therefore, ultimate forgiveness needed to come from Him.

Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
Psalm 51:4 (NKJV)

Jesus went on to verify His words with an observable miracle. If Jesus was blaspheming, then God wasn’t going to work through Him. If Jesus was telling the truth, then the God of Israel was verified to be the One working and speaking. He is the only one with the right to forgive sins in the Jewish mind, and demonstrated that ability to a Jewish audience. Not as an agent, but the one acting in His own name.

Another example of Jesus making the sort of claims that only God could rightly say is taking a divine title for Himself used exclusively of God in the Old Testament.

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV)

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys ofHades and of Death.
Revelation 1:17-18 (NKJV)

The prophecies of Isaiah mention an exclusive trait and title for God as “The First and the Last.” His eternal nature is unique to Him apart from anything else and could only be rightly spoken about the One who existed before time itself. Jesus claims this title for Himself as he is speaking to the Apostle John, who knew this Old Testament reference as an ethnic Jew. This title is applied to the individual who was dead and is now alive forevermore.

A very significant example of Jesus’ exclusive claims to divinity was the nature of the miracles He performed in the sight of His disciples.

He alone spreads out the heavens,
And treads on the waves of the sea;
Job 9:8 (NKJV)

Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
Mark 6:47-52 (NKJV)

It is worth noting in this passage that the translation of “It is I” spoken by Jesus as He’s doing something only God can can do is the phrase “I AM.” This is the same way God introduced Himself to Moses in Exodus.

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’“
Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)

These are only a small handful of examples that are found throughout Jesus’ entire earthly ministry. With a working knowledge of the Old Testament, there is no room for doubt concerning the sort of claims Jesus is making about Himself. If you are saying the sort of things only God can rightly say, and doing the sort of things only God can rightly do, then you’re either God or lying. If you disregard the claims of Jesus and don’t consider Him a reliable source of truth, then it doesn’t matter how highly you regard Him. You aren’t a Christian. This is why the divinity of Christ is so essential. It is the natural conclusion of the things He did and said. If you reject those statements and actions, then you’re rejecting Him as a fraud and a liar. That doesn’t sound like the sort of claims that a believer in Jesus Christ should be making.

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NKJV)

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:

[email protected]

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4H

Follow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucson
Watch our Frequently Asked Questions on YouTube.

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A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – January 15th, 2021

What is the purpose of predictive prophecy?

Is It Possible to Get Saved During the Tribulation?

A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – November 20th, 2020

A Reason for Hope Question of the Week – November 13th, 2020

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