The Berean Call Podcast

<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>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><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>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>

<p><br></p><p>Question: In his book, George Mueller tells how God uses trials to increase our faith. Such an interpretation would have to be read into the [biblical] text. Abraham’s life (for example) proves that notion wrong. Otherwise, God would be a child abuser!</p><p><br></p><p>Response: You seem to think that no Christian should face any trials; or that if they do come, they could only be from Satan. But was it not God who commanded Abraham to offer Isaac? Was Job wrong when he said submissively, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). Paul clearly says that God gave him a “thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,” and he explains why: “lest I should be exalted above measure.” Paul also rejoices in the blessed result: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor 12:7,10).</p><p><br></p><p>Surely, if anyone was in God’s perfect will it was Christ himself. Yet He endured many trials and was a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Is 53:3). Indeed, He learned “obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb 5:8). And Christ declared that Christians would likewise suffer for His sake: “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20).</p><p><br></p><p>There was no greater apostle than Paul, yet he suffered “in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep...in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen...In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst...in cold and nakedness” (2 Cor 11:23-27).</p>

<p>This is number 216 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>MALACHI 2:3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.</p><p><br></p><p>MATTHEW 25:24-30 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou </p><p>hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not </p><p><br></p><p>strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</p><p><br></p><p>LUKE 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.</p><p><br></p><p>ACTS 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.</p><p><br></p><p>ACTS 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.</p><p><br></p><p>ACTS 5:10-11 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.</p><p><br></p><p>ACTS 12:21-23 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.</p>

<p>Tom: Thanks, Today and next week, I’ll be talking with Mark Dinsmore, who’s on our staff here at The Berean Call. We’re going to be discussing extra-biblical movements, beliefs, and practices that have grown popular – very popular – within Christendom. And they claim to be spiritual – mostly they’re healing programs and teachings that supposedly will solve the issues of the person’s life that are inhibiting him or her from their spiritual growth.</p><p><br></p><p>Mark and his family are now living in the state of Washington, yet through today’s communication technology, we are in communication daily, right Mark? Mark, again, welcome to Search the Scriptures 24/7, and I’m blessed that you’re part of our staff.</p><p>Mark: Yeah, thanks, Tom. Great to be in the studio with you, as always.</p><p><br></p>

<p>*Our Q&A section is primarily pulled from the Dave Hunt archives. Although some references may be dated, we believe there is timeless value within the messages.</p><p><br></p><p>Question: You justify God for sending people to hell because He has provided salvation for them in Christ [but they won’t receive Him]. That won’t do. Millions and probably billions will still spend eternity in hell.... God knew that. How could a good God create anyone who He knew would suffer eternally?</p><p><br></p><p>Response: God wants no one to go to hell. He has provided salvation for all in Christ, whom He sent into the world “that the world through him might be saved...” (Jn 3:17). He is not “willing that any should perish” (2 Pt 3:9), but desires “all men to be saved” (1 Tm 2:4). Those in hell have only themselves to blame for rejecting the full forgiveness of sins and eternal life offered to all as a free gift of God’s grace through Christ’s payment of the penalty for their sins.</p><p><br></p><p>Why would God create those He knew would reject the gospel? Why didn’t God, who knows all in advance, create only those who would believe the gospel and leave uncreated those who would reject Christ?</p><p><br></p><p>The human race can’t be so divided. Those who reject Christ are the parents or children, cousins, aunts and uncles of those who believe. Not to create unbelievers would also eliminate believers.</p><p><br></p><p>God will be glorified by those in hell [see TBC, April 2001—<a href="https://bit.ly/41s5isx" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/41s5isx</a>] because He did not back down from His desire to bless billions in His presence for eternity; nor did He go back on His Word and compromise His justice by unjustly forgiving those who rejected the salvation He freely provided. There is no way to fault God for creating mankind. He loves all and wants to bless all eternally.</p>

<p><br></p><p>This is number 215 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 spiritual guidance.</p><p><br></p><p>A believer’s life in Christ is fully dependent upon his or her understanding of the Word of God and the guidance and enablement of the Holy Spirit.</p><p><br></p><p>1 THESSALONIANS 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.</p><p><br></p><p>2 THESSALONIANS 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.</p><p><br></p><p>HEBREWS 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.</p><p><br></p><p>JAMES 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.</p><p><br></p><p>JAMES 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.</p><p><br></p><p>1 PETER 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [conduct] received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,</p><p><br></p><p>2 PETER 1:13-15 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.</p><p><br></p><p>2 PETER 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. </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 the husband-and-wife team of Dennis and Rauni Higley to discuss their outreach ministry to Mormons. Now, along with his guests, here’s TBC executive director Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary! Today we’re continuing our conversation with Rauni and Dennis Higley, and, folks, if you missed part one, you just have to go there - even right away, because this isn’t on live radio. We have this archived, and we have it at places where you can check it out whenever you want to. But the reason I’m saying that is because both Dennis and Rauni gave us their testimony, and, well, Gary will tell you, I had…what? three words to say? I didn’t even want to interrupt myself to interrupt them. It was really - it demonstrated how God works in our lives even before we come to know Him. And it was just a tremendous testimony of God’s graciousness, of His mercy, how He orchestrates our lives. It was just wonderful.</p>

<p>Knowing that we are in the last of the last days, with an imminent Rapture a very real hope, our thoughts often (and indeed should) turn to the signs that Christ said would herald the nearness of His return. The signs that are most widely cited include “wars and rumours of wars...[when] nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...and...famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes...these are the beginning of sorrows” (Mt 24:6-8).</p><p><br></p><p>Unquestionably, these specific “sorrows” have been both prominent and accelerating since Israel again became a nation in 1948. Since that time, the intensity and frequency of these signs have increased like the birth pangs of a woman approaching her time of delivery, exactly as Christ foretold. However, the first sign that Christ gave has been largely overlooked and His solemn warning neglected:</p><p><br></p><p>* And Jesus answered and said...Take heed that no man deceive you.</p><p>* For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many....</p><p>* And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many....</p><p>* For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Mt 24:4,5,11,24) [Emphasis added.]</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: I know that false faiths abound, but I don’t find edification in focusing on error. Show me in the Word where false doctrine is explained. It seems to me that the Bible addresses Satan’s lies without going into detail of the actual practices.</p><p><br></p><p>Response: We at TBC take no pleasure in exposing and documenting false dogmas and practices. We do so only to expose error out of deep concern for souls. Yes, there are many kind, compassionate, and self-sacrificing Muslims who oppose terrorism. Yes, the Roman Catholic Church was the major charitable institution during the Middle Ages, often promoting morality and education. Most Catholics today do not know most of Rome’s official dogmas, but they still rely upon that Church and its clergy to get them out of “purgatory” and into heaven. Yes, many Mormons and Moonies espouse “traditional morals.” We do not oppose individuals but the largely false gospels they preach.</p><p><br></p><p>You ask for biblical support concerning the exposure of evil and false doctrines. The Bible gives much insight concerning Satan’s fall (Isa 14:12-15; Ezk 28:12-18), the details of his temptation of Eve (Gen 3:1-7), and of his attempt to destroy Job’s trust in and relationship with God (Job 1:1-2:7). There are too many accounts of idolatry and pagan practices and warnings against them to list all the verses (Lev 19:31; 20:1-6; Deut 18:9-14; Isa 47:8-13, etc.). The Bible goes into great detail concerning the apostasy of Israel, telling the sins of its kings and people, from the golden calf (Ex 32:1-28) to the Queen of Heaven (Jer 44:15-23); and again, there are too many references to list.</p><p><br></p>

<p>This is number 213 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 spiritual guidance.</p><p><br></p><p>A believer’s life in Christ is fully dependent upon his or her understanding of the Word of God and the guidance and enablement of the Holy Spirit.</p><p><br></p><p>1 CORINTHIANS 4:18-19 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.</p><p><br></p><p>1 CORINTHIANS 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but if the Lord permit.</p><p><br></p><p>2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-13 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.</p><p><br></p><p>GALATIANS 1:16-19 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.</p><p><br></p><p>GALATIANS 2:1-2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me <a href="http://also.and" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">also.And</a> I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.</p><p><br></p><p>PHILIPPIANS 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:</p><p><br></p><p>PHILIPPIANS 3:15-16 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [mature], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.</p>

<p>“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”</p><p>—John 14:1-6</p><p><br></p><p>I believe that the great miracle that the unsaved world wants to see today is not the healing of a leper, not giving sight to the blind or hearing to the deaf. The great miracle that the unsaved want to see today is the miracle of a transformed life—people who've been saved from sin and defilement and corruption. They're new creatures in Christ Jesus, and they're really different persons! “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). And we're going to come to that just a little bit later in the chapter.</p>

<p>Christ's birth and the details of His life, death and resurrection were foretold centuries before by the Hebrew prophets. No such prophecies preceded the births of Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, et al. Biblical prophecy fulfilled is the most powerful persuader we have. Paul used it in converting the lost and turned the world of his day upside down. So should we.</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 continues his visit with author Ray Yungen to discuss the impact of the New Age movement on today’s evangelical church. Now, along with his guest, here’s TBC executive director Tom McMahon.</p><p><br></p><p>Tom: Thanks, Gary. My guest for today’s program—this is the second part in a series I’m doing with Ray Yungen, and we’re dealing with Eastern mysticism. We’re going to major in this session—well, not major, but we’re going to deal with something that has infected the church in just a heavy way, and that is yoga—not just the church, but certainly the US. It’s incredible the growth that that’s had.</p><p>Ray is the author of two very valuable books, in my opinion: one is For Many Shall Come in My Name, and by the way, [his] name—if you’re looking for Ray’s books, you spell his last name Y-u-n-g-e-n, so you’re not looking for a Youngen or whatever. So the other book is A Time of Departing, and again, very valuable books dealing with issues that have infected Christianity in our day.</p><p><br></p><p>And Ray, again, welcome back to Search the Scriptures 24/7.</p><p><br></p><p>Ray: Glad to be back.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><br></p><p>Question: I understand that you believe that Jesus died on the cross on Thursday, not Good Friday. Why do you say that, and does it matter?</p><p><br></p><p>Response: Scripture reveals the answer. Through the writings of Jeremiah, Daniel learned that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years (Dn 9:2). God had commanded that each seven years the Hebrew slaves should be set free, debtors forgiven, and the land given a one-year sabbath of rest (Ex 21:2; Lv 25:2-4; Dt 15:1,2,12). For 490 years Israel had disobeyed this precept. In judgment, the Jews became slaves of Babylon while their land rested for 70 years of sabbaths.</p><p><br></p><p>Daniel confessed this sin, pondering and praying, and was given the revelation that another period of 490 years (70 weeks of years) lay ahead for his people and for Jerusalem (9:24). Then all of Israel’s sins would be purged, all prophecy fulfilled and ended, and the Messiah would reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem. These 70 weeks of years were to be counted “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem” (v. 25). That crucial date is given to us in Scripture.</p><p><br></p><p>Nehemiah tells us: “in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king” (2:1), he received the authorization to rebuild Jerusalem. When the day of the month was not given, the first day was intended. There were several Artaxerxes, but only one, Longimanus, who ruled more than 20 years—from 465-425 BC. Thus we have the key date from which this incredible prophecy was to be calculated: Nisan 1, 445 BC.</p><p><br></p>