...We Answer
Not every answer might comply with everybody's way of seeing things. Then I kindly ask you to hold it with Paul, who said in 1 Corinthians 13 that we now see in part. All of us answering here, stick to the basic faith statements as defined in the Apostle's Creed, yet further to that we know that there are also Biblical topics not related to salvation itself, that different people understand and see differently. So please keep this in mind in case you "stumble" over a certain answer - we would like you to be blessed by the challenge of different aspects!
Answer Set 13
Question: In the Bible, what are the actual times of the day? Example: The ninth hour, sixeth hour, etc? Also, the years. Example: 70x7?
Answer from Polly: Ancient Greek and Roman days and nights were divided into 4 parts - 3 hours each part. The 1st hour = 6A.M. - The 3rd hour = 9A.M. - The 6th hour = 12noon - The 9th hour = 3P.M.
70 times a 7 day week = 490 prophetic days which in turn = 490 literal years.
Question: What does the Bible say about foolishness? Acting a fool? In general about fools?
Answer from Polly: The two main Scriptures about 'fool' is that we do not call anyone a fool or we will be in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:22b) and 'the fool says in his heart 'there is no God' (Psalm 14:1). Most anything you want to read about fools, being foolish and foolishness can be found in the Book of Proverbs; a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15); a foolish son is grief to his father (Proverbs 17:25); a fool's mouth is his destruction (Proverbs 18:7); a fool despises wisdom and instruction and hates knowledge (Proverbs 1:7, 22) and etc.
Question: Dear Polly, Good Morning! Recently, I heard that the church age has come to an end and you don't need going to the church because no more cure, there is no GOD's glory in the church, do not thrust or rely in preaching or preacher, no resurrection .... some thing like that. What does it mean? I am a bit confused! IS IT TRUE? What Bible is saying about fellowship? About church? End of church age and the like? Blessings, DerejeAnswer from Polly: The Church age has not come to an end and will not come to an end until Jesus Christ comes again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Church (all Christians from all ages) will be taken out of the world before the Great Tribulation and that will be the end of the Church age. Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we are still to gather together in Assembly (Church, Temple, Congregation) and worship God. These people that are teaching that the end of the Church age has come and that there is no more 'cures', salvation or God's glory are false Prophets, teachers and we are warned that 'they' will come into the world and try to dissuade and discourage people (1 Timothy 1:3-11, 4:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-9). We are still to have fellowship with God and with one another (1 John 1:3-6). Those who do not continue to do this will follow the false prophet and the devil into the fires of hell (Revelation 20:10, 12-15). Please do be not decieved by scoffers (2 Peter 3:3, 2:1-22), be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by evil men ... grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17-18).
Question: What does Jesus say about revenge?
Answer from Polly: God says but one thing about revenge! "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written; 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay', says the Lord" (Romans 12:17-20, Deuteronomy 32:35, Hebrews 10:30).
Question: What does Isaiah 54:17 mean? (no weapon formed against me shall prosper)
Answer from Polly: In the Millennium, the children (Israel; God's people) will be taught by the Lord Himself and will enjoy His peace. Righteousness will prevail and Jerusalemites will no longer fear for the Lord will protect Her from tyranny. In the Millennial Kingdom no nation will be allowed to defeat Israel because the Lord has so decreed. Nations rise and fall on the basis of His Word. In the past He allowed the destroyer (Babylon) to overcome His people but this will never again occur. Peace and safety are the heritage of those who trust in the Lord.
Question: Has Jacob already seen God? What is the meaning of Genesis 32:30? 'And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.'
Answer from Polly: The statement; no one has ever seen God (1 John 4:12) may seem to raise a problem. Did not Isaiah say; 'my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty' (Isaiah 6:5)? God in His essence is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17). He is One who no one has seen or can see (1 Timothy 6:16). But John 1:18 means, no one has ever seen God's ESSENTIAL NATURE. God may have been seen as an anthropomorphism (the attributing of human characteristics to a god or object), but His inner essence or nature is disclosed only to Jesus. Jacob most likely 'wrestled with' Christ, pre-incarnate in the Old Testament, since only Jacob called the 'man' God.
To further explain we can look at Moses (Exodus 33:7-23) where God spoke to Moses face to face. This does not contradict the fact that no one is allowed to see God's face, as 'face to face' is a figurative expression suggesting openness and friendship. Moses was allowed to see God's glory, goodness and His back but not His face; yet Moses or Jacob or Isaiah could not and did not look upon the person of God Himself for no one can do this and live (Exodus 33:17-23), for God is a Spirit (John 4:24). These men saw only the form of the Lord but even this was a privilege extended to no others. The 'form' refers to a likeness or a representative of the Lord, not the very shape.
