Transcript

This is your chance to ask us your Bible question on Fireaway Friday

>> Jeff Chamblee: M. It's Fireaway Friday. Fire Away Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or visit facebook.com exploring the word. Exploring the Word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.

Fire Away Friday is a great way to get answers to your Bible questions

>> Alex McFarland: Do you know if you're a believer, you're a new person. Isn't that wonderful? You know, we've been in Ephesians and yesterday in Ephesians chapter 4. Let me share a couple of the truths From Ephesians chapter 4 that really minister to all of our hearts. I'm sure, verse 13 speaks about growing in the Lord. Listen till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man or a fully mature body of believers. And it says this. After that, you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4.

>> Caroline: 24.

>> Alex McFarland: If you're a believer, you are created by God in true righteousness and holiness. And that righteousness is of God's son, Jesus Christ. Well, this is Fire Away Friday. I'm going to go ahead and give the number. You can get in the queue, and if you call now, you will get through. And we want to hear your Bible questions. It's 880-858-98840. And, Bert, every day of the week is special on, exploring the Word. But I'm really partial to Fire Away Friday.

>> Bert Harper: It is a good day and we appreciate those who make it a better day. And that's those that are praying for us, those that call in and ask these questions. We appreciate it. Fire, Away Friday wouldn't be very, very good if people didn't call in and ask the. So make that call. 888-589-8840. Right before we go to the first caller and we have them being lined up.

Two great Christian leaders passed away today; we need to pray for them

I think we need to take time to recognize the homegoing of two individuals, Alex. one is the great actor Chuck Norris. Again, he represented so much for us far, as I could hear, hear his testimony. A follower of Jesus Christ. And man, what a, you know the television show. A lot of folks grew up watching that, Walker, Texas Ranger. Yeah, he, he became an honorary Texan and an honorary Texas Ranger. So, well, yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: And let me tell you something that impressed me on townhall.com and I guess this was eight or nine years ago, but it was near Christmas and he wrote an article and I was online and it said, you know, Chuck Norris, the real power of the universe. Now, as everybody knows, I'm sure there have been these Chuck Norris jokes and some are really funny because he was a, he was into martial arts, he was very athletic. In his movies, he was famous for the roundhouse kick. And they begin to make up all these jokes about how powerful Chuck Norris is. And they would say, like, how many push ups can Chuck Norris do you. And the answer is all of them. Yeah, well, Chuck Norris wrote this article and he said, it's flattering and it makes me laugh the outlandish things people say about, you know, how strong I am. But he's, I'll never forget. He said, let me tell you who has all the power. It's the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And he said, folks, you know, say very kind things about my athletic accomplishments and all that. He said, but the true power is in Jesus. And if you've never trusted Jesus, do that now. And I just remember, you know, I like Chuck Norris anyway, but when he was so vocal to share the gospel as he did, you know, praise God. And I never met him. Bert, you and I were at nrb, I don't know, seven, eight years ago. And I saw him from a distance. He and his wife were at the National Religious Broadcasters. But he, at 86 years old went to heaven today. But another great American Christian leader, had their home. They're promoted to glory today also, weren't they, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: They were. And that's Dr. Steve Gaines. Steve was the former pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church up in Memphis, Tennessee area. Followed Dr. Adrian Rogers. And I, I don't know anybody really want to do that, but Steve did and did it with grace and strength and power. He was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention and just served the Lord. And he and his wife Donna, they, two years ago he stepped down and was ministering. But again, Dr. Steve Gaines, we want to pray for he, for his wife and his family and Bellevue Church. Even though they have a new pastor now, they're still grieving and so we want to pray for them.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Well, let's do that right now, Alex. Is that alright? Then we'll go to lead us.

Father, we thank you for men and women who love you, who serve you

Okay. Father, we thank you for men and women who love you, who serve you, those that are just witnesses of your grace and your mercy. And I thank you for Pastor Steve Gaines. Father, what a godly man. He was, how he served and how he loved you. And I pray, Father, that in his home going, that there's a celebration, but also be with his family as they're left here and strengthen them in Bellevue Church as well. For Chuck Norris, Father. For a hero that guys can look at and you know and say, man, yeah. That he. He's a good man, Father. Now, I know you say there's none good. He is a flawed man. But. But at the same time, Father, as Alex has said previously, he loved you and followed you and made it known. And I pray you'd be with his family as well, Father. Again, we thank you in Jesus name, Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

Bert Hope: I'm looking at the book of Exodus

>> Bert Harper: Well, let's go to the phone lines and let's go to Texas. And Barry, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Thank you for, taking my call. I'm looking at the book of Exodus and, referencing chapter, four and, starting at verse 20, 24. and it says here, at a lodging place on the way, the Lord met him. And this is Moses, and sought to put him to death. Now, obviously this has got something to do with his transgression with regard to, not circumcising his, his child. I think that's correct. But, what I'm interested in is his wife, Zipporah. she was a Midian, if I'm not mistaken. How did she know? Were they in fact Jews or were they not Jews? And how did she know to actually perform the circumcision?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, we know Moses was. Doesn't seem like Zipporah was, but there was some connection. And there's no doubt that she and Moses had been, you know, they had been, say, known one another for quite a while. And so she would know that. And Alex, I, think she kind of represents an intercessor. You catch one of them, I think. Do you see that?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly, exactly. And, you know, in the NewSong Testament, maybe if there's a NewSong Testament, counterpart to this, it would be the sin unto death. Do you remember how Paul wrote about how some are sick and sickly and some sleep as in the sleep of death. We're talking about believers here. Now, in Exodus 4:24, you know, the Lord, Yahweh, almighty God is at their encampment, meets Moses. And the word sought. let me talk about this word for a little bit. The way the Hebrew word renders, it doesn't mean like maliciously desired, but was, you know, in a way, planning. But here's here's one of the. And by the way, the Hebrew word B, A Q, A, S, H, ah Says make inquisition to possibly procure. Moses was being evaluated by God, really about whether his obedience or lack thereof would result in life or premature death. And that's right. Zipporah was, like you say, Bert, a bit of an intercessor. Here's the thing with, not only overt disobedience, but some, passive lack of obedience. Some people have had premature death, haven't they?

>> Bert Harper: They have. And let's say this. He's been away from, his heritage quite a while. Is he wanted to leave some of it behind, possibly. You know what I mean? there's some sadness in his departure. and so I think there is that of lack of obedience. But again, God's grace is demonstrated here. Alex, again, this is a very

>> Alex McFarland: unusual, especially to our modern ears or modern thought. In Exodus 4:25, Zipporah performs, ah, the circumcision. And the way the King James renders it, says that you are a bridegroom of blood. And we've had this question. It's been a little while. People say, what in the world does this mean? In a way, Bert, it's almost like Zipporah was saying, okay, there, you've been circumcised.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, yeah. You know, yeah, it is. And something that. Who should have done?

>> Alex McFarland: well, it should have been done because here it was part of the Abrahamic covenant.

>> Bert Harper: Right. Moses should have doing this. And so is she saying, I've done your job, you said? Yeah, it's done. It's kind of like, I've done your job, you know?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and let me say this. I realize this is a bit of an extrapolation, but, maybe not so much the husband and the father. The man that is the spouse of the wife and the father of the children is to be the priest of the home, really. And many a time godly women have done what men should have been doing.

>> Bert Harper: That's it. I think this is an example of it. I do hope that. Hope that helps. Barry, thank you for your good question. You always come up with some. That's interesting to us.

Is there anywhere in the Bible that shows Jesus being seduced or tempted

Thank you, brother. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Steve. Steve, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: yeah, my question is, is there anywhere in the Bible that shows Jesus

>> Caroline: being seduced or tempted by a woman? And I'll hang up and listen for your response.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Steve, thank you for your call. There is none. Alex. None. Now, they've been people that's tried to make, with their false teaching, something with Mary, Magdalene. But in the Scriptures, no. Except what does it say over in Hebrews, in every point, he was what?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, in Hebrews 4. 15, it says that Jesus was tempted in every point, like we are, yet without sin. So Jesus experienced the full range of human temptations and he never sinned. So no matter what we might be going through, we can legitimately know Jesus understands. But I want to be as emphatic as I can. Nowhere in the Bible or even in early church history do we get not a shred of indication that Jesus was involved with a female. because, for one thing, that was just not his mission. He was here to be our Savior now. He forgave the woman caught in adultery. He saved men and women. And women, played a big role in Jesus's ministry, not the least of which is finding the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. So Christ was very affirming of women and their role in the church, but no scripturally nor historically. There's no evidence that he, had a romantic relationship with any woman, certainly not Mary Magdalene. though some people here in the 20th century, like to theorize about that. It might make for a big sale of fiction books, but it's just that fiction, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And what do you do with temptation? Listen, you dismiss it immediately with the word of God, and you don't entertain it. Do not entertain it. And, when you go and entertain it, you are, presenting yourself, going further and even to participation. So dismiss it with the power of the Holy Spirit. That number and we'll get Your call is 888-589-8840.

>>  : The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains.

>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick

>>  : up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.

>> Bert Harper: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves. Colossians 1, verse 13.

>> Jeff Chamblee: American Family Radio.

Bert and Alex invite listeners to share their testimonies on Fireaway Friday

>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. This is Bert and Alex, and we're on Fireaway Friday, where we take your questions and we have some lines open that we think we'll get to before this program over is over. And that number is 888-589-8840. But I want to give another number. Now this is not the number you call in for questions, but this is the number you call in for testimonies and praises of what God has done, using AFR as his instrument of sharing the good news of Christ, of information that we need to know the whole counsel in order to live in a world and share that testimony in godliness. And listen, Alex, that's what we're doing. That's what we hear, dear, in Sharathon. Yes, we, we get on the air and we promote it and we say, yes, we'd love to have you to call, but I want to tell you the ones that are the most effective are those that have been. Their lives have been changed. Their, their direction of their life has been put in order and they call in and say, this is what God has done. And if you have that testimony to that would last about a minute or two minutes, we would love for you to call in so it can be played at shareathon and others can hear what God has done. And they'll want to hear and also pray and participate financially. And here's the number that you want to call for this listener testimony. 8778-7688-9387-7876, 8893. Make that call and just praise the Lord for what he's done. Alex, we love to hear those testimonies, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We really do, folks. And it, it may you. You say, well, I've never done anything like this. Well, it may be a little out of your comfort zone maybe, but God will use it. And this really is a way to minister, share a listener testimony. And again, that number, 877-876-8893. And just tell us what AFR radio means in your life. Well, we've got questions. I'm not going to give the phone number again for a few minutes because I don't want to, you know, have too many numbers in people's minds. But do we have any calls on Holbert?

>> Bert Harper: We do, and it's Steve in Missouri. Steve, thank you for calling today. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Thank you so much for taking my call.

A Christian friend believes that the second death is the annihilationism

I have a friend, a brother at church who believes that, the second death, refers to your soul being cast into hell and as soon as you hit the flames, your soul dies. Now, I've been trying to convince him Otherwise. But I found Isaiah 66:24. And there it says, in my ryrie Bible, of all things, their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind. So. Does the worm refer to their spirit?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, in the NewSong Testament. Let me just start this off, Alex, and you complete it. In the NewSong Testament, one of the words that is referred to as hell is Gehenna. And Gehenna was the. Let me just say, the garbage dump of Jerusalem. And it was out there where waste. And by the way, this is where most folks think that they took Lazarus because they would take dead bodies out there. Not the Lazarus that was raised from the dead, but the rich man in Lazarus and just throw their bodies on the heap. And the worms was always active, would never die. In other words, it was continual. And so I think that may be a picture of that. Steve, Alex, what do you think?

>> Alex McFarland: Do you know, in the mark 9:48, where it says where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched, the word for worm in some ancient Greek literature was the word. I'm, not being, graphic here, but it just is what it is is maggot. and so, you know, Jesus is quoting Isaiah 66:24 to speak. And the word purr, which is always the word for fire. the fire of hell in Luke 16 in Revelation is the word for fire. Like in Acts 28, where Paul was near a fire on a beach when they were shipwrecked. I want to say this, that annihilationism is not biblical. The idea that, once, if a person dies and goes to hell, their soul gets extinguished, that. That's not biblical. And in Revelation 20, verse 14, it talked. It says death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Now, what, quote, the second death is in Revelation 20:14, is eternal separation from God. And it is. Berta. I remember early in my Christian life, I was reading a lot of, you know, commentaries and some of the old doctrinal statements. Ah, a statement of biblical truth. It said, true Christianity believes in the everlasting, conscious blessedness of the saved and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost. So the idea that the unsaved just gets snuffed out or annihilated, I mean, that might be wishful thinking, but that is not scriptural truth, is it?

>> Bert Harper: It is not. And when you look at all of it and you look at it together, it is horrible. I know the flame is bad, the memories are horrible. But the worst part is separation. And the two things that it describes this place is one where the, you know, the gnashing of teeth, gnawing and gnashing teeth sound. And the other one is called a bottomless pit. Chilled babies that are born, they have two fears when they're first born. The others are mostly. But one is loud noises and the other one is the fear of falling. That's the reason you hold them close. And so those two fears that man has in his ev, in the creation, they're continual. And just that sound and then the falling. So listen, those of you that are contemplating coming to Jesus, this guy that's talking to you was saved on a Tuesday night in August, with a pastor, preacher was preaching concerning and describing hell. God had convicted me already and I just needed to say, okay, Lord, I'm yours. And I did. That night I asked the Lord to come into m. My life. He changed my life completely. So I just say, you don't want to go to hell, come to Christ and do it now. Don't wait. Ask him to save you. Ask him to be Lord of your life as you trust him with all your heart. I pray you would do that. Well, let's go to Texas and it's John. John, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Good afternoon brothers. Good to talk to you. I've been a longtime listener, first time caller and way to go.

Paul: I've got a question about Herod's role in Jesus' birth

Yeah, got a Sunday school class I'm teaching Sunday and I've got a question. Herod the Great, according to history, he died in 4 BC so if he died in 4 BC how could he order the slaughter of the innocents when Jesus was maybe a year and a half, two years old?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, the, the numbers on these, I just want to tell you I've been looking at them now for over 50 years. When I was in Blue Mountain Christian, University and ah, we'd talk about. Okay, is it BC he wasn't born on one? the numbers there have a hard time putting them all together when all that began. Am I off base there? Have you got it down pat?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I don't know that anybody actually knows the exact date. I have, I've seen it like of Jesus's birth.

>> Bert Harper: Right?

>> Alex McFarland: I, I've seen it as early, I mean as far back as like 6 to 7 B.C, 2 to 3 or 5 B.C. so I, I don't know. But Herod, you know I, I do believe in what the Bible says about Matthew two, verse 16, that Herod sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under. Now here's the thing. the word Herod was really a house of people. I mean there was Herod the Great, but Herod, had sons too. So you know, even if, one of the older, you know, Herod the Great had died, there still was, you know, that family name, if you will, that. But you know, I, I think that the last year or two of Herod's life and the birth and the, the months immediately following Christ's birth, they had to have overlapped.

>> Bert Harper: I do. And John. Yes. When you start looking at that and looking at the history of it and it is, to me it has been okay, there's some little bit, I'm going to use the word discrepancy in the dating of man, dating it, not God. I want to make sure, understand that. And so we hope that helps and praise the Lord. By the way, we've got lines that you can call in if you got a Bible question. Triple 858-98-8840. We'd love to hear from you. Let's stay in Texas and talk to Paul. Now this is pretty good, Paul. Wait just a second before you start talking. We've gone from John to Paul so we're, we're really in biblical names here. So we need a Peter to call in, maybe a Philip or a Bartholomew. You know, wouldn't that be good, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: That would be awesome. we'll keep to the biblical name.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Go ahead, Paul. Hey, I'm having a little fun. It's Friday. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: No, that's great. Hey, I just wanted to real quick tell you guys that I'm a first time caller, longtime listener, but before I get to my question, I just wanted to say that listening to you guys every day and just seeing what you do, leading people through the Bible chapter and verse and answering questions definitely convinces me that your guys steps are ordered of the Lord. And I love listening to you.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Paul. Listen, Alex and I will say a word of testimony. Alex and I are amazed at what God does, who he uses and how he blesses. And thank you for, for sharing that, Paul. Go right ahead, man.

Alex Duomo: There are a lot of free Bible apps out there

>> Caroline: Well, my question is just as I, work my way through, reading the Bible again, but I don't know if you've heard of the Bible app Dumo and while it boasts a, lot of great things about it, I just wanted to know what your opinion of that might be, if you've heard of it or what you might know of it.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, go ahead. You're the Bible app guy. You know a lot more than I do about it. I still read books, man. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay. There's this Bible. I do, too. I love books. And, you know, John, Wesley. They say that John Wesley said those who read lead. So we're a big proponent for building a Christian library. So there's this Bible app, D U O M O Duomo. this Bible app. I think one of the big criticisms is it's, it's by paid subscription. And the cancellation process is not always easy theologically, though, which is, I would assume, is the main import of the college question. You know, as far as I know, it's good. you know, I've never heard anything necessarily bad about it, but, you know, I'm just saying, there's a lot of free apps, and one of them. And I'm not. I'm not against. Hey, I'm a capitalist. And if. If people are creating a good resource and making money, I'm not necessarily against that, but two, of the things that are free that I found very helpful. One is Bible Gateway.com Bible G A T E W A Y Bible Gateway.com. and the other that I just love is called Bible Hub, H U B. And there's Hebrew and Greek resources and Charles Spurgeon. And, you know, maybe, free doesn't have as much, you know, graphics or things as some of the paid apps, but, you know, hey, when you can get something good for free with no real static, maybe, that's a better way to put your toe in the water of digital commentary and apps like that.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

Paul from Texas calls to talk about abortion and Preborn Network

Now, when I. Paul, thank you for calling. And when I said this, it doesn't mean somebody that doesn't have a Bible name doesn't need to call, but I want to say our next caller is Thomas, okay? And Thomas is from Texas. Thomas, go right ahead. Brothers, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey.

>> Caroline: Hey, Brother Bert. I did that for you. they call me Tommy, but my first real name is Thomas.

>> Bert Harper: Way to go, man.

>> Caroline: M. Anyway, God bless y'. All. I don't know if y' all remember me. I had the street ministry in Houston, and y' all prayed for me a few times.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, I do remember.

>> Caroline: I haven't called in so long, but I, was at a Bible study the other night, and Alex and Bert, please tell me the truth. On this, and I didn't want to, you know, correct the man. It was his Bible study. But it was on the prodigal son. And he said the brother was, Jesus. And I about fell out of my chair. You know, the man knows the word really good. And, I just wanted to, you know. And am I guilty for not saying anything? So those other four men weren't. Didn't get to hear the truth, and I let them leave without knowing who the son was. Was I wrong for that?

>> Bert Harper: And, Thomas, let me just share with you. Well, I heard you start. Alex, you go first, and I'll give my opinion afterwards. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I would have to fully disagree, with. Okay. Luke 15 is the very famous, very lovely story of the prodigal son. And, you know, one son wants his inheritance, and he goes away, and he. He squanders his life almost to the fullest. But he comes to himself and he says, I will arise and go to my father. Now, the other, the brother, is the older, obedient son who stayed home and worked in the fields. And when his prodigal, kid brother comes home, he's angry, he's envious, and he won't participate in the celebration. I don't think you could possibly construe that the older brother was Jesus for a lot of reasons. For one thing, Jesus is teaching the parable of the prodigal son. But the other thing is, Bert, if you're gonna. If this is like some allegory, who's the prodigal? was he saying it was Israel, but then Jesus was making himself guilty of being angry and envious. So. No, that is. With all due respect, that is not the correct handling of that parable, Bert.

>> Bert Harper: It is. You're fully right. And I'd say this, Thomas. you know, when you're like that, you hesitate. I would not necessarily say, wait, wait, don't do that. But if you have another opportunity, I would correct it as best I can. That number, 885-898-9840. Give us a call. We'd love to talk to you today.

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>> Alex McFarland: They do an ultrasound.

>> Caroline: And that's when everything changed.

>> Alex McFarland: Because when I saw my baby and when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.

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>> Alex McFarland: Nothing else before you, except for hearts in high.

Alex McMarland: Revival is building. I think it's coming

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Welcome back.

>> Caroline: Ah.

>> Alex McFarland: We're going to resume calls in just a moment. If you have a Bible question, the number is 888-589-8840. Triple 885-89840. Hey, I hope you're planning to be in church on Sunday. Being in the house of God this weekend, I've got the great prayer privilege. I'll be in a church called Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea, and it's near Wilmington, North Carolina. Pastor Clay Olson and a longtime friend of ours, a great missionary named, Pastor Robert Cornegie, he's there, too. Now, tomorrow night, seven o', clock, I'll be teaching on Bible prophecy. Then I'll also be preaching Sunday morning, Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea. But next weekend, a week from today, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I'll be over in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a church. I haven't been there in a few years, but Pastor Keith Davis at Zion Hill Baptist Church. It's near Greenville, near Spartanburg. So, all of my travel dates are on my own website, which is alexmcfarland.com and, Bert, it's always a blessing everywhere I go, and I praise the Lord for this, but I meet people all over America who love the Lord and they love the ministry of American Family Radio. And I want to tell you. And please pray about this, folks. Revival is building. I know the world is not in a great place right now, but the spirit of God is moving. People are being saved. And I really think the church is beginning to pray and intercede, and a move of God is beginning to happen. Bert.

>> Bert Harper: Well, let me just tell you, if you look at the great revivals, it always came at difficult times, hard times, and so we're perfectly set for that if God's people who are called by his name will seek his face, and turn from their wicked ways. And, listen, Alex. Yes, revival is possible. I think it's coming. Let's pray.

Philip calls from Greenville, South Carolina ahead of South Carolina trip

Well, let's go to South Carolina and It's Philip. Philip, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Hey guys. Y' all doing all right today?

>> Bert Harper: Doing well, man, doing well.

>> Caroline: Good.

>> Caroline: I'm actually in Greenville, so just a stone's throw over to Spartanburg.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, way to go. Love Greenville.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Love to see you next weekend.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir.

>> Caroline: I think I'll, I'll make it over there. I'll be that really tall bald guy.

>> Alex McFarland: I'll be the short, dumpy guy.

Question: At the end of a thousand years, Satan will be loosed

>> Caroline: Okay, so this is going to be a strange question, so just feel free to shut it down at any point in time. My question is at the thousand year reign, Christ, the enemy is loosed on earth again to go and take, you know, some people that aren't following Christ at that time. So my question would be, could this be like children or people with, mental issues that have passed away, that were not at the age of accountability to accept Christ and during this thousand year reign, they need to accept Christ and some of them won't? Or would this be more of the people that go through the tribulation, make it through and still are able to have kids, and then it's their kids that then don't accept Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, answer. We got other callers, so you will make you answer them all unless I need to throw something in. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, thank you for this great question. We go into a fair amount of depth on this in our most recent book on Bible prophecy in the end times yet, Revelation 27:10, at the end of the thousand years, Satan has released for a little while. And the bottom line is this, that there are, at the beginning of the millennial, reign, you know, only believers are going to be alive. and children are born because the believers that live through the tribulation and they're born again, but they are mortals, so they enter the millennial era not in a glorified body. And I mean as deep and complex as this sounds, Christ will be here physically. There will be people on earth in a glorified body, mortals that are saved. And so children will be born. And here's the thing about Satan being loosed. And some people, even with the highest amount of revelation of any group in history, scripture, Christ is physically present. And yet that's the deceit of the fallen sinful heart. There will be some. In spite of all of this objective, vivid revelation, some will choose to disbelieve and follow Satan.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Adam and Eve, perfect environment. Guess what they did. Yes, we are prone to wander. Let's go to Louisiana. Is it angel? Go Right ahead.

>> Caroline: Uh-huh. It's on, yell.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, go. Okay.

>> Caroline: I had. I had originally thought of a different scripture. Can I give you a.

>> Bert Harper: Go ahead. Go ahead with your question. Go ahead.

>> Caroline: Okay.

>> Caroline: In Thessaly, in First Thessalonians 4:14, where it says that God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. That's the spirit, right? That the spirit of man that have passed away, not the flesh, because the flesh can't enter heaven.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, regenerated spirits. You know, it says, we do not want you to be uninformed or ignorant about those who are asleep. but it says, even so, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. And so I believe it will be raptured Christians and the saints of old that are in a glorified body, and they follow 10,000 times 10,000. When Christ comes back on a white horse, he's followed. And 10,000 times 10,000 is really a euphemism for a number, a multitude without number. And these are believing saints of all the ages.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. thank you so much. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Jacqueline. Jacqueline, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Praise the Lord.

Alex: Can you give me some scriptures on dealing with demonic spirits

I just wanted to ask a question. This is not my first time, but I enjoy listening to you every day religiously at three demonic spirits. Can you all at least, Alex or Bert, give me something on how do you deal with that and scripture to let people know it is real? And through the Holy Spirit, we can have the spirit of discernment to let others know. But can you just give me scriptures so I can study more to be able to explain it in ways that they. It is real.

>> Bert Harper: It is real. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, let me say, yes, demons are real. And, you know, I don't talk too much about this, Bert, because, for one thing, I don't want Christians to be, like, paranoid or fearful. But, John 8, 8:44 says, Satan is a deceiver. 2nd Thessalonians 2, verse 9 says that he can disguise himself as, like, an angel of light and do all kind of, activities and powers. And so the demons that are loose in the world are the fallen angels. Lucifer became Satan. The. The, you know, one third of the angels that followed him became demons. and that's why. And. And, Bert, you feel free to weigh in on this. I. I want to say in the strongest possible terms, folks have nothing to do. Have nothing to do with Ouija boards or seances or Tarot cards or fortune telling, because they, on some level, they give Satan a foothold in our life. Now, if you've come to Jesus, just say, in the name of Jesus, I renounce that I am delivered in Jesus name. And the demons will not have any legal right to harass you or anything like that. But, Bert, I think Satan, Satan is very territorial. I think in the drug industry, illegal drugs, the pornography industry, sex trafficking and prostitution, and yes, even, you know, false apostate religion, I think there are people in this world and they are, they are pawns, operatives of Satan, and they don't even know it.

>> Bert Harper: Bert, you're right. Give him no room. he takes up vacant space. Just remember that, Alex, that's the reason you want to stay in the word. Stay with accountability to those around you in church, those around you, those of you that can't go physically because of illness and other reasons, you still need that area. And, so I hope that helps.

Let's go to Georgia and talk to James Tifton

Jacqueline, let's go to Georgia. And it's James. James, Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Good. Good afternoon. I call just to, kind of help you fulfill your.

>> Bert Harper: Way to go, James.

>> Caroline: Amen.

>> Caroline: Wait there. But wait, there's more. My first name is James. My second name, middle name is Matthew. James Matthew.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Your parents, your parents really put it on you, James. You got a live up to, man. Go ahead. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: forgive me, James. Hold that thought. But I want to say, if we have a Mephibosheth listening, I will send you a set of all the books I've ever written. But James. Matthew. Welcome, sir.

>> Caroline: My knee hurts.

>> Bert Harper: Hey, James. Thank you, brother. Hey, what part of Georgia are you from?

>> Caroline: James Tifton.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. I'm going to be down in Rochelle, Georgia. That's on April 3rd for a good, you know, Good Friday service. Looking forward to being with those folks in that area of Georgia. But James, way to go to James. Matthew. Thank you, brother. Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to Keith. Keith, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Howdy, fellers.

>> Bert Harper: Good to hear from you, man. Howdy.

>> Alex McFarland: Howdy.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, Texas, we want a howdy. We got it. Go ahead.

>> Caroline: That's right.

>> Caroline: Howdy.

>> Caroline: Howdy. And my first name is James was James Keith. When I get in trouble, James Keith.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, go ahead.

>> Caroline: James Keith, real quick.

How is it that Judas was able to betray Jesus

Yeah, just a real quick question. something that's pretty, important, but you never really hear anybody talk about it. How is it that Judas was able to betray Jesus? I mean, what was the legality for him to say hey, arrest this guy. I don't, I've never heard anybody really talk about that of how it was, how he was able to turn him over or what was, or how did he, you know, what was the, like I say, legality of that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you had some people involved. I'll say this and turn it over to Alex. Time wise we want to. But you had the ones who arrested Jesus in the garden was the temple guards. and then he would be turned over to, to Pilate and then the Roman soldiers were. So you had two different I would say forces, law going at it, didn't they Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: They really did. And in a way the 30 pieces of silver, Judas basically was saying, look, I'll take you to him, I'll help you. and here's how you know you'll get the right one. It's going to be after dark, a lot of Jewish men with beards, but the one I give a kiss on the side of his face. So, Judas basically was willing to identify and put Christ in a place where he would get apprehended and arrested. And Judas basically said, hey, for a fee I'll make sure you get him.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, you got to go back to his bargain that he was making with a Sanhedrin. he was making this and he was used. And I think he knew, but he didn't know all the consequences out. You know what I mean? He knew what he was doing. It wasn't like he was. But he was had a demon from the very beginning. And listen, that's the reason we said earlier about the issue of warfare. Give Satan no room, you know, and that's a dangerous thing. So. Okay, Brent is hoping for a Melchizedek call. We hadn't gotten one yet. He's still waiting. Keith James. Keith, thank you for calling. Let's go to Alabama and talk to Frank. Frank, thank you for calling.

Alex Martin: Lent is based on when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness

>> Caroline: My question is about Lent. I can't find anything in scripture about it. Is it a man made tradition and why are Catholics and Methodists are all about it?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, it is, you know, something of man made, but it's recognizing. Trying to recognize some of biblical. But Alex, I don't see it. It's not in the Bible, is it?

>> Alex McFarland: No, it really though is based on, you know, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days and he overcame. Well, you know, Lent is leading up to Easter for a number of weeks, usually 40 days. it comes to us really from in fact originally it Was it was more than 40 days because they counted, Sundays and what people during lent. Now it's 40 days leading up to Easter. in some ways, it's trying to identify with what Christ did in the wilderness. Now, it's not realistic for most people to fast for 40 days now as Jesus did in the wilderness. But, you know, to give up something, let me just say this and make a little bit of a difference between, discipline for growth and, and what's called sacramental value. the only sacrament you really need is the new birth. and the word sacrament means a conveyance of grace. Now being a part of the church, taking the Lord's Supper, marriage, I mean, all of those things. Prompt holiness, and really, I guess we would call it, sanctification. But spiritual discipline, yes. Read, study, pray, do things to grow spiritually, but understand the grace of God and forgiveness in Christ's righteousness only comes through the new birth.

>> Bert Harper: There's no other way. When Jesus said, I am the way, he meant it. And matter of fact, they would say members of the. Of the way. You know, that's one of the ways to talk about believers. So make sure those who, you who are listening, that you're on the way with Christ Jesus, not some other way, not ritual, but in Christ and Christ alone. Alex, hope you have a good time preaching there close to Wilmington, and

>> Alex McFarland: hope it goes Good Isle Chapel by the sea.

>> Bert Harper: And I'll be at Ozark Baptist Church up, close to Marietta in man here in northeast Mississippi. Have a great, great weekend and especially Sunday.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of

>> Bert Harper: the American Family association or American Family Radio.