The Berean Call Podcast

<p>Gary: Welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7, a radio ministry of The Berean Call featuring T.A. McMahon. I’m Gary Carmichael. We’re glad you could join us. In today’s program, Tom welcomes Matt Ferguson, youth pastor at Calvary Chapel here in Bend, Oregon. Now, along with his guest, here’s TBC executive director, Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. On our program today, I’ll be having a conversation with Matt Ferguson, and we’ll be discussing a religious cult that most people are aware of because they—well, they seem to show up at everyone’s door. And some weeks ago we addressed the followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who take the same approach in trying to attract converts, but this week and next week we’ll be talking about Jehovah’s Witnesses.</p>

<p>Join Dave and Tom as they engage in an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel of John. We hope you will be challenged and convicted as you listen to these insightful, exegetical discussions compiled from nearly four years of Search the Scriptures Daily radio programs. Open your Bible and get ready for an edifying pilgrimage into God's Word.</p>

<p>Question: The pain and suffering caused by crime and sickness is bad enough. Christianity, however, creates worse suffering by threatening mankind with hell for having broken God’s laws. An irrational fear of eternal punishment haunts those who come under Christianity’s destructive influence. The world would be a better place without such delusions!</p><p><br></p><p>Response: Contrary to your suggestion that Christianity creates an irrational fear of eternal punishment, it alone delivers from such fear all who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. No one lives in fear of God’s judgment for one’s sin who believes that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty. Christ promised that all those who believe in Him have eternal life and they will not “come into condemnation” but have “passed from death unto life” (Jn 5:24). All who believe that promise are thereby delivered from the very fear which you blame upon Christianity.</p><p><br></p><p>Nor do those who have heard and rejected that gospel worry very much about God’s judgment. If they were truly concerned, they would have accepted His offer of mercy. Take a poll of those who were once under Christian influence but who rejected the gospel and you will find individuals who have little if any fear of judgment because they don’t believe in it.</p>

<p>Originally published April 1, 1993</p><p><br></p><p>Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel...for IT is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth [IT].</p><p>—Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16</p><p><br></p><p>What is the gospel and from what does it save us? We must begin in the Garden. Persuaded by Satan that God had lied to her, and seduced by the appealing promise of godhood, Eve rebelled against her Creator. Not wanting to be separated from his wife, whom he loved more than God, Adam, who was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), deliberately joined in her disobedience. Thus "by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men [and women], for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Death not only ends this short earthly life, but it separates the sinner from God forever.</p><p><br></p><p>In His infinite foreknowledge, wisdom and love, God had already planned what He would do to reunite mankind with Himself. Without ceasing to be God (an impossibility), He would become a man through a virgin birth. Only God could be the Savior (Isaiah 43:11; 45:21, etc.), thus the Messiah had to be God (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 45:15; Titus 1:3-4, etc.). He would die for our sins to pay the penalty demanded by His justice: “’Tis mystery all, the immortal dies!" (Charles Wesley). Then He would rise from the dead to live in those who would believe in and receive Him as their Lord and Savior, giving them forgiveness of sins and eternal life as a free gift of His grace.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Gary: Welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7, a radio ministry of The Berean Call featuring T.A. McMahon. I’m Gary Carmichael. We’re glad you could join us. In today’s program, Tom welcomes Matt Ferguson, youth pastor at Calvary Chapel here in Bend, Oregon. Now, along with his guest, here’s TBC executive director, Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. On our program today, I’ll be having a conversation with Matt Ferguson, and we’ll be discussing a religious cult that most people are aware of because they—well, they seem to show up at everyone’s door. And some weeks ago we addressed the followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who take the same approach in trying to attract converts, but this week and next week we’ll be talking about Jehovah’s Witnesses.</p>

<p>Join Dave and Tom as they engage in an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel of John. We hope you will be challenged and convicted as you listen to these insightful, exegetical discussions compiled from nearly four years of Search the Scriptures Daily radio programs. Open your Bible and get ready for an edifying pilgrimage into God's Word.</p>

<p><br></p><p>Question: The idea that the Antichrist will be resurrected from the dead by Satan seems to be the prevailing opinion among evangelical pre-Trib teachers. I would appreciate an expression of your opinion in a future issue of The Berean Call.</p><p><br></p><p>Response: This popular idea comes from Revelation 13:3. For example, in his book, The Prewrath Rapture of the Church, Marvin Rosenthal states, “According to the Word of God, the Antichrist is a man who lived before. He ruled one of the seven great empires which directly impacted Israel. He will literally be raised from the dead. Concerning this raised ruler...the Word of God has much to say. ‘And I saw one of his heads as though it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed...’ (Rev 13:3).”</p><p><br></p><p>Note, however, that it is one of the beast’s seven heads, not all of them, that is affected. Furthermore, the head (much less the beast) is not killed but appears “as though it were wounded to death.” Seemingly, the beast could have died from this wound, but verses 3 and 12 declare that its “deadly wound was healed.” So we have a healing, not a resurrection. I believe it is referring to the Roman Empire which has indeed suffered from a deadly wound but has never died and is being revived before our eyes.</p><p><br></p><p>Only God can raise the dead. Satan has no such power. At best he might pull off a “fake death and resurrection” of Antichrist.</p>

<p>This is number 221 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with The Heart.</p><p><br></p><p>The heart addressed in this series is not the physical organ within our body but rather the non-physical aspects that pervade humanity, which is at the center of our spiritual and mental life. Only God knows our heart and from Him alone comes our only true insights.</p><p> </p><p>DEUTERONOMY 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.</p><p><br></p><p>DEUTERONOMY 30:15-17 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 10:9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 10:26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 13:13-14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.</p><p><br></p><p>1 KINGS 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)</p>

<p>This is number 221 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with The Heart.</p><p><br></p><p>The heart addressed in this series is not the physical organ within our body but rather the non-physical aspects that pervade humanity, which is at the center of our spiritual and mental life. Only God knows our heart and from Him alone comes our only true insights.</p><p> </p><p>DEUTERONOMY 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.</p><p><br></p><p>DEUTERONOMY 30:15-17 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 10:9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 10:26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 13:13-14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.</p><p><br></p><p>1 SAMUEL 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.</p><p><br></p><p>1 KINGS 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)</p>

<p><br></p><p>Gary: Welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7, a radio ministry of The Berean Call, featuring T.A. McMahon. I’m Gary Carmichael, thanks for tuning in. In today’s program, Tom continues his visit with Dr. Don Chittick, author and speaker on the topic of origins and earth history. Now, along with his guest, here’s TBC executive director, Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. My guest today is Dr. Don Chittick. We’re in the second session, talking about his book The Puzzle of Ancient Man. Don’s an author and speaker on the topic of origins and earth history. His PhD is in physical chemistry, but for us non-science people, Don just lays it out very simply, very clearly, so those of us who have a little problem in that area – we can get it, and we have...last week’s program - if you haven’t listened to it, I highly recommend that you check it out.</p><p><br></p><p>Don, I want to pick up where we left off last week. We were talking about the pyramids, particularly the early pyramids. Now, why would I say “early pyramids”? I’m talking about the Great Pyramid at Giza as opposed to some of those that were…should have been better, should have been of higher quality from what they learned on the early ones, but why do you think that didn’t take place?</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. My guest today is Dr. Don Chittick. Don’s doctorate is in physical chemistry. He’s an author and a speaker on the topic of origins and earth history. Don, welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7!</p><p><br></p>

<p>Join Dave and Tom as they engage in an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel of John. We hope you will be challenged and convicted as you listen to these insightful, exegetical discussions compiled from nearly four years of Search the Scriptures Daily radio programs. Open your Bible and get ready for an edifying pilgrimage into God's Word.</p>

<p>Question: Aren’t you making the gospel too complicated by saying that Catholics are not saved even though they believe in the crucified and risen Christ?</p><p><br></p><p>Response: It is the Roman Catholic Church that has complicated the gospel. Anyone who truly believes the simple gospel that Paul declared (“that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…”—1 Cor 15:1-4) is saved.</p><p><br></p><p>But to the simple gospel Rome has added baptism, good works, penance, the sacrifice of the Mass, prayers to Mary and the saints, suffering in purgatory, Mass for the dead to get them out of purgatory, extreme unction (last rites), holy water, candles, rituals, etc. These are all means to salvation according to Rome. It would be very unlikely that a Roman Catholic would not believe in at least some of these heresies. Anyone who believes to any extent in anyone or anything whatsoever for salvation in addition to Christ’s finished work on the cross has rejected the gospel, which “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16) and is not saved.</p><p><br></p><p>Our main website: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Store: store.<a href="http://thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Download our app: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/app" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/app</a></p>

<p><br></p><p>This is number 220 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with The Heart.</p><p><br></p><p>The heart addressed in this series is not the physical organ within our body but rather the non-physical aspects that pervade humanity, which is at the center of our spiritual and mental life. Only God knows our heart and from Him alone comes our only true insights.</p><p><br></p><p>Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth</p><p>.</p><p>Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 30:1-2 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; </p><p><br></p><p>Deuteronomy 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. </p>

<p>Gary: Welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7, a radio ministry of The Berean Call with T.A. McMahon. I’m Gary Carmichael, thanks for joining us. In today’s program, Tom welcomes Dr. Don Chittick. Don is an author and speaker on the topic of origins and earth history. Now, along with his guest, here’s TBC executive director, Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. My guest today is Dr. Don Chittick. Don’s doctorate is in physical chemistry. He’s an author and a speaker on the topic of origins and earth history. Don, welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7!</p><p><br></p><p>Don: Thank you!</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Now, I’m excited, Don, about the topic that we’re going to discuss, and I’m also happy for myself and perhaps some of our listeners that it won’t be about physical chemistry. Now, if that were the case, Don, you’d be doing a monologue, with me throwing in a clueless nod every once in a while, and they can’t see that, of course, on radio, so…. Anyway, my point here is science has never been my strong suit. Nevertheless, your degree in science gives me confidence that you have scrutinized the origins and earth history according to true science, checking out the evidence for creation in keeping with the scientific method.</p>

<p>Join Dave and Tom as they engage in an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel of John. We hope you will be challenged and convicted as you listen to these insightful, exegetical discussions compiled from nearly four years of Search the Scriptures Daily radio programs. Open your Bible and get ready for an edifying pilgrimage into God's Word.</p>

<p>Question: In the September 2004 Q&A, you responded to criticism of your claim that Adam was the only one created in God’s image. Could you please clarify this: 1) Are you saying that Eve was not created in God’s image; 2) How do you explain 1 Corinthians 11:7 in light of Genesis 5:3? Are we ALL created in God’s image or were Adam and Eve the only ones created in God’s image? What is God’s image? What does it mean?</p><p><br></p><p>Response: We can only go by what the Bible says. We are told, “So God created man...in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gn 1:27). “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul…. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam...and he took one of his ribs, and...the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (2:7, 21-22)...</p><p><br></p><p>Our main website: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Store: store.<a href="http://thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Download our app: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/app" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/app</a></p><p><br></p><p>In-depth research on a variety of Bible topics: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/topics" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/topics</a></p><p>Sign up for our email updates: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/subscribe" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/subscribe</a></p>

<p>This is number 219 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with The Heart.</p><p><br></p><p>The heart addressed in this series is not the physical organ within our body but rather the non-physical aspects that pervade humanity, which is at the center of our spiritual and mental life. Only God knows our heart and from Him alone comes our only true insights.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Exodus 4:21 And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.</p><p> </p><p>Exodus 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the Lord thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 6:5-6 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:</p><p> </p><p>Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Our website: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Store: store.<a href="http://thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thebereancall.org</a></p>

<p>Today we’re going to be picking up where we left off in an interview with a young lady who’s involved in Christian ministry at the college level. Her name is Emily Rand, and she’s a part of the leadership of CCF, which is the Collegiate Christian Fellowship, which is a ministry of First Baptist of Eugene, and it’s directed at the students of University of Oregon, but even more, young people that attend the church at the college level or others that have been won to Christ through their evangelizing, so it’s an excellent organization.</p>

<p><br></p><p>Question: We have a rare difference of opinion concerning your assertion that Old Testament saints are a part of the Church resurrected at the time of the Rapture. Certainly, they are saved by faith alone in the shed blood of Christ…. However, they are, as John the Baptist described himself, “friends of the Bridegroom” (John 3:29). The Church, Christ’s bride, was born on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). At the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, He will have many “friends” in attendance.</p><p><br></p><p>Response: I appreciate your position, but there are serious problems with it. Old Testament saints could only be resurrected at the Rapture:</p><p><br></p><p>Our main website: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Store: store.<a href="http://thebereancall.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thebereancall.org</a></p><p>Download our app: <a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/app" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/app</a></p><p><br></p><p>In-depth research on a variety of Bible topics: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/topics" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/topics</a></p><p>Sign up for our email updates: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/subscribe" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/subscribe</a></p>

<p>This is number 218 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with a godly deterrent.</p><p><br></p><p>Sin has destructive consequences, and it never pleases God who loves those whom He created to see them sin. Therefore He has orchestrated ways and means to deter people from turning to sin as an option for the choices they make in their lives.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 12:5-8 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 12:9-11 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 12:26-29 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.</p><p><br></p><p>JAMES 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.</p><p><br></p><p>2 PETER 2:5-6 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.</p><p><br></p><p>REVELATION 2:21-23 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her unto a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.</p><p><br></p><p>REVELATION 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.</p><p><br></p><p>REVELATION 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. </p><p><br></p>

<p>On our website: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/content/t-mcmahon-emily-rand-part-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/content/t-mcmahon-emily-rand-part-1</a></p><p>More topics on our website: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/topics" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/topics</a></p><p>Free eBooks: <a href="https://davehunt.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://davehunt.org</a></p><p>Download our app: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/app" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/app</a></p><p>Follow us on Social Media: https://<a href="http://www.thebereancall.org/social" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thebereancall.org/social</a></p><p><br></p><p>Today and next week, I’ll be interviewing a young lady who’s involved in Christian ministry at the college level. Her name is Emily Rand, and she’s a part of the leadership of CCF, Collegiate Christian Fellowship, which is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Eugene to the students of the University of Oregon.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Bitchute: https://<a href="http://www.bitchute.com/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.bitchute.com/thebereancall/</a></p><p>Brighteon: https://<a href="http://www.brighteon.com/channels/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.brighteon.com/channels/thebereancall</a></p><p>Gab: <a href="https://gab.com/TheBereanCall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://gab.com/TheBereanCall</a></p><p>Rumble: <a href="https://rumble.com/user/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://rumble.com/user/thebereancall</a></p><p>Odysee: <a href="https://odysee.com/@TheBereanCall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://odysee.com/@TheBereanCall</a></p><p>Vimeo: <a href="https://vimeo.com/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/thebereancall</a></p><p>Youtube: https://<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBereanCall/videos" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/user/TheBereanCall/videos</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Facebook: https://<a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/thebereancall/</a></p><p>Freetalk45: <a href="https://freetalk.app/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://freetalk.app/thebereancall</a></p><p>Gab: <a href="https://gab.com/TheBereanCall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://gab.com/TheBereanCall</a></p><p>Gettr: <a href="https://gettr.com/user/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://gettr.com/user/thebereancall</a></p><p>Instagram: https://<a href="http://www.instagram.com/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/thebereancall/</a></p><p>Mewe: <a href="https://mewe.com/i/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://mewe.com/i/thebereancall</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/thebereancall" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/thebereancall</a></p>

<p><br></p><p>Question: Increasingly I’m hearing the “call to take back our land.” For example, on September 2, [2000], there was a large gathering in Washington, DC called “The Call DC.” It was advertised as follows: “THE SUMMONS IS OUT. MULTITUDES HAVE HEARD THE CALL TO FAST AND PRAY IN DC. Two generations will stand and take back our land. Now that’s revolutionary.” I saw this ad in “Global Prayer News” from Colorado Springs. Can you comment?</p><p><br></p><p>Response: First of all, I don’t understand the phrase “take back our land.” America is not the promised land of Israel which God gave to His chosen people. There is no scripture declaring that God gave America to the American Christians or Germany to the German Christians, etc. Nor is there in the entire Bible any encouragement, much less command, for Christians to take over any land on earth. Thus, if Christians ever possessed this land in the past, it was without the sanction of God. We know, however, that Christians never possessed America. Many settled here in the attempt to find freedom of expression and worship, but there were also many non-Christian settlers. It is quite clear that many who signed the Declaration of Independence were at best deists who referred to “providence” but did not have in mind the one true God of the Bible, nor did they know Christ as their Savior.</p><p><br></p><p>I have not seen the literature of which you cite merely the headlines. However, I have seen similar material. Usually its call to “take back the land” is based upon applying to the church today the promises God gave Israel. When He said, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you…” (Jos 1:3), He was speaking specifically to the Israelites about the land of Israel. He was not speaking to Americans about America, and it is improper to attempt to apply that scripture in such a way.</p><p>Yes, God said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chr 7:14). However, “my people” specifically meant Israel, and “their land” meant the land of Israel. While we may learn general lessons from this scripture about prayer and repentance, it is absolutely unbiblical for Christians today to attempt to apply this promise specifically to themselves and the land in which they live.</p><p><br></p><p>Consequently, marches on Washington (or elsewhere) and prayers intended to aid in taking America “back” are unbiblical and will not be honored by our Lord. Rather, one ought to pray for revival in the church and the rescue of souls from judgment. The US has had professing Christians as president and in many other high offices, without overall progress toward godliness in this country. What lost Americans need is the gospel, not coercion toward a godly lifestyle characterized by “family values” and “traditional morals.” If all Americans could be persuaded to live by such values and morals, they would still be on their way to the lake of fire and perhaps would be even harder to reach with the gospel because of self-satisfaction with their good lives.</p>

<p>There is a growing movement among professing Christians towards universalism: the belief that everyone will finally be saved. One can empathize with those who hold this opinion. Eternity is forever. No matter how just the penalty, endless punishment seems cruelly excessive. The very thought of the Lake of Fire being the eternal abode of any creature, no matter how evil, is humanly repugnant.</p><p><br></p><p>Could God who "is love" (1 John 4:8) really sentence anyone to eternal punishment? Would He not find a way, somehow, for all eventually to be saved? The Bible must be our guide. But does the Bible in fact teach that those who leave this life without Christ are lost forever?</p><p><br></p><p>Jesus warned of hell repeatedly, referring to it fourteen times. Peter refers to it three times, James once, and the four times it is mentioned in Revelation make up the balance of the twenty-two times the word "hell" occurs in the New Testament. Jesus referred to hell as a place of torment in a "fire that never shall be quenched" (Mark 9:43-48). That sounds like eternal punishment—but for whom?</p>

<p>his is number 217 in our series of “Get Biblical Understanding.” In this session we’re reading many but certainly not all of the biblical verses that have to do with a godly deterrent.</p><p><br></p><p>Sin has destructive consequences, and it never pleases God who loves those whom He created to see them sin. Therefore He has orchestrated ways and means to deter people from turning to sin as an option for the choices they make in their lives.</p><p><br></p><p>1 CORINTHIANS 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon who the ends of the world are come.</p><p><br></p><p>1 CORINTHIANS 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord’s body. </p><p><br></p><p>2 CORINTHIANS 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.</p><p><br></p><p>2 THESSALONIANS 3:14-15 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.</p><p><br></p><p>1 TIMOTHY 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.</p><p><br></p><p>TITUS 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.</p><p><br></p><p>TITUS 1:13-14 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 3:17-19 But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.</p>

<p>Join Dave and Tom as they engage in an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel of John. We hope you will be challenged and convicted as you listen to these insightful, exegetical discussions compiled from nearly four years of Search the Scriptures Daily radio programs. Open your Bible and get ready for an edifying pilgrimage into God's Word.</p>