Exploring the Word celebrates the birth of Jesus this Christmas

>> Jeff Chamblee: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Welcome to Exploring the Word. Merry Christmas.

>> Alex McFarland: Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, the birth of Jesus. That greatest gift beyond description, the birth of Jesus. And you know, to quote, the late Andy Williams, the singer, it's the, the most wonderful time of the year. At least we think it is.

>> Bert Harper: I listened to that song this morning, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: I, I love that song.

>> Bert Harper: I do too.

>> Caroline: I do too.

>> Alex McFarland: But.

Exploring the Word will have Christmas trivia on Fire Away Friday next Friday

Welcome to Exploring the Word. This is Friday, so our show today is Fire Away Friday. This is all questions, all the hour and we want to hear from you. And the number. I'm going to give that number. It's a toll free nationwide number anywhere you may call us 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. And if you've got a Bible question, we do our best to give you a good factual answer. But Bert, every day is a blessing. But we do love Fire Away Friday, don't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really do. And every Friday is real special. But next Friday is going to be real special. Going to do something a little different and we've done it at Christmas time. We're going to have our Christmas trivia special. Now what we do that means. Will have some questions along with Brent Austin, our producer. He's going to ask some questions and we're going to ask people to answer our Christmas questions but they also can ask us. And so we're going to do that the 12th. That's next Friday. So start getting your Christmas questions ready. It's kind of a fun day every, you know, we want to have a fun day and they do it on Trivia Friday, the day's issue. You, you're always on on Thursday, but they on Friday we have trivia and I'm on that as a, as a guest professor every so often. But we wanted to do that with Exploring the Word with Christmas and we're going to do that. That's the 12th. That's next Friday. So we're looking, we're looking forward to it and so looking forward, kind of looking forward to it.

>> Alex McFarland: And it might be a Bible question. It can be, yes, could be a song, could be a movie or. But anything Christmas related, it's up for discussion, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. So let's have fun and we do celebrate that, but that number that you can call in now and Bible questions and, we would love to hear yours. 888589 8840. And, So, Alex, we got people that have called in, but we still got room for more, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We do. If you want to call in on Fireway Friday, we welcome you.

Are the Temple and the synagogue the same? Walter asks. Walter, welcome. We're going to start out in Michigan

We're going to start out up in Michigan. Walter. In Michigan. Walter, welcome. I've got to ask, do you have snow on the ground?

>> Caroline: So we know that this is January.

>> Alex McFarland: Weather, Cold January weather in December, right? Well, welcome. what, what is your question for us today, Walter?

>> Caroline: According to Saturday is the only true day of worship. My question is, are the Temple and the synagogue the same? okay, Jesus and, the early church thought daily in them. You want the scripture for Luke 19:47, 2:46 x 17:17 x.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Alex, did you get all that? We were having a muffled. So go ahead, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: A couple of questions here about the Sabbath and Sunday. The early Christians worshiped on the first day of the week, Sunday morning, because that was resurrection day. And he asked, are the Temple and synagogue, are those words, synonymous? Let me say, very often when you in the Bible see the word Temple, you know, it's talking about in Jerusalem, because, you know, Solomon built a temple and it got destroyed. And then there was a second temple, sometimes called the Herodian Temple. And really the rebuilt temple, during Jesus's time would have been that one rebuilt by Herod. And, you know, some of the people lamented that it wasn't as nice as the one Solomon had built. But now the word synagogue, there were multiple synagogues. There's a synagogue at Magdala, there's a synagogue at Capernaum. And so, Bert, synagogue I would take to mean local Jewish congregations. Whereas Temple spoke of the Temple in Jerusalem. What do you say, Bert Harper?

>> Bert Harper: Well, synagogues were developed. You do not find the synagogue in the Old Testament. It's not even mentioned. But during that Temple period of time, when they were in Babylon and they were trying to worship God, now they did it in their home. But at least sometime during that period of time, the idea of the synagogue came about. And so talking about Jesus, it was a major part of Paul's missionary strategy. On his missionary journeys, he would make his way. And here's a trivia question. Which one of the letters that Paul wrote to churches that did not have a synagogue in its city? And, they. They met none of them, wasn't they? Yeah, no, some. Several. did But Philippi didn't. They met down at the creek bank. They did not have 10 adult men. To have a synagogue in a city, you had to have 10 adult men to. To be a part of that. And they did not have that in Philippi. And so he couldn't go to the synagogue there. But. But it was developed during this inter biblical period of time. The Pharisees were also developed that the Sadducees. So a lot of things that you don't find in the Old Testament, that you find in the NewSong Testament, they occurred and developed during that period of time. And the synagogue and the Pharisees and Sadducees, all those were major parts of the NewSong Testament, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: They really were. Walter, thank you for that. Really good question.

Alex: Diana, welcome to Exploring the Word

we're going to go down to Texas, to Diana in Texas. Diana, thanks for holding. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Hello.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, you're on, Diana. Yes.

>> Caroline: Okay. I just wanted, to ask. My boyfriend was asking me, and I want to be able to answer him because I trust that the Bible is true, but I don't always have all the answers. And he was asking me about the ark and the flood and how he, finds it so impossible that they could get two of every animal in the whole world to come on that boat. And I just.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, let me start you off, Diane. That's great that you let me share the. I'm going to relate this, Alex. When I was at. At college at Mississippi State University, I was there for one semester. And, then I transferred to Blue Mountain as God was calling me into the ministry. But on my dorm floor, we had several discussions, and more of them that they had trouble with was Noah's ark. So, Diana, you're talking to a friend that a lot of folks have talked about that. And I remember answering it. Then, Alex, let me start it off. And then you carry it on out. before the flood, Diana, you did not have the continents. They were together. Now. Evolution calls it, you know, continental drift. No, it was a continental separation. Quick. And if it were slow, guess what the ocean floor would look like. It'd be smooth. And. But what is. What is it? The ocean floor is jagged and mountainous. And, so it was a quick thing. So geographical. It wasn't a problem, was it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: No, it really wasn't. And, this is a great question. I'm going to mention a book. well, I'll mention two things. For one, the website for answers in Genesis. they are friends of ours, Ken Ham, Dr. Terry Mortensen, and all of the, m. Mark Lloyd. Great, great people. AIG answers in Genesis. But then there was a fantastic book a few years ago, Noah's Ark. A feasibility study. And the author was an engineer named John Wood Morapp. W O o D M O R A P P E. Fantastic book. Now, here's the thing. The Ark of Noah, probably very likely the largest wooden ship ever built. They worked on it 120 years. Noah's Ark would have been an estimated, if we're measuring the biblical cubits and all that, 500 to 510ft long, at least 50ft tall, and 75ft wide. Now, now, think about this. and this is worth talking about, because all of the living creatures, well, the marine life, fish and such, they wouldn't have had to get on the ark, right? But of land animals, for example, there are 126 breeds of dog. But Noah wouldn't have had to have gotten all his dogs, just a male and female of that family. The, the canine classification. Equine, two horses, bovine, two cows, feline, two cats. Now, here's the thing. The. The Ark of Noah. And many, many people have put, pencil to paper to try to calculate. They estimate the ark would have had the capacity of about 569 boxcars. And yet, really, it's been estimated that have two of all those animals would have only taken the capacity of 125 boxcars. So, numerically, spatially, could it have been done? Absolutely. And Bert, I think that the ark encounter. I've been there probably half dozen times. Bert, have you been up there, too?

>> Bert Harper: I have. Yes, I have. And. And, yes.

>> Alex McFarland: And, I've even taken a couple of people up there that, when they came in the front door, they were pretty skeptical. And when they left, they were very convinced. So it's possible. But here's the thing, and I want to say this, and we'll get back to it. Here's the deal. If Jesus rose from the dead, Christianity is true. Now, people say, but what about the ark? What about did Judas hang himself or fall off a cliff? If Jesus rose from the dead, Christianity is true. And so while I love the Bible, the challenging passages, and I think there are great, very compelling answers, the thing that I like to really try to, keep people focused on when I'm trying to bring them to the Lord is the fact that Christ rose, and that proves that he is the Savior.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, great answer. And what you want to do, you do no matter what. You. You make a beeline for Jesus. No matter what the discussion is, give the name of that book.

Greg in Arkansas: Noah's Ark, A feasibility study is fantastic

Most of us know about the ark encounter and answers in Genesis, but the book might not be as commonplace.

>> Alex McFarland: This, is a fantastic book. Noah's Ark, Colon. A feasibility study. Feasibility means, you know, how did it happen? Noah's Ark, A feasibility study. The. The, author is, an engineer, and his last name. W O o D M M O R A P P E. John Wood Morapp. I know that's a long last name. W o o D M M O R A P P E. I think you'll not be disappointed that that book's pretty strong.

>> Bert Harper: Well, listen, that number that people can call is 888-589-8840. We have lines open, but we got people waiting to ask their questions, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Greg in Arkansas. Welcome. Greg in Arkansas.

Alex: Will the temple be built during the tribulation time

>> Caroline: Yes, my question is from, Ezekiel. He spent a lot of time, talking about, the temple. And from what I understand, that temple.

>> Caroline: Has never been built.

>> Caroline: Will that be built during the tribulation time?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, you kind of like the.

>> Alex McFarland: Temple in heaven is.

>> Bert Harper: Sounds like it's that a vision. and again, when you're talking about the different prophecies, like we are in Isaiah in the same chapter, we'll be talking about the immediate, ah, that's going to happen to the judgment, but then it will jump to the future, the ultimate that will happen. Ezekiel's got some of that in it, doesn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: exactly. And you know, we write about that in the book 100 Bible Questions and Answers on, on prophecy and the end times. And I think it's going to be during the millennium. now, Ezekiel got a vision of it, but it won't happen till during the millennial years.

>> Bert Harper: Greg, thank you for that. We're gonna go to our break, and you can call in while the break's going on. 888-589-8840. Alex and I would love to hear from you today, but we'll be back with more of Exploring the Word right after the this break.

Preborn Network of Clinics offers free ultrasounds to women in crisis

>> Jeff Chamblee: it's so easy to politicize abortion, but the reality is there's a precious life at stake. And that little life doesn't have a voice. All that little life has is a heartbeat. And it can be heard as early as five weeks on ultrasound. That's where preborn steps in. Preborn is a voice for the little ones.

>> Alex McFarland: They do an ultrasound.

>> Bert Harper: And that's when everything changed.

>> Alex McFarland: Because when I saw my baby and.

>> Caroline: When I heard her Heartbeat.

>> Alex McFarland: That was it.

>> Jeff Chamblee: PreBorn Network of Clinics offers free ultrasounds to women in crisis while showering them with God's love. This powerful combination doubles a baby's chance at life and has helped to rescue over 300,000 babies. To learn more about predictions life saving work, call pound 250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound 250, baby or visit preborn.com afr all gifts are tax deductible.

>> Alex McFarland: Holy infant, so tender in my. Sleeping, heavenly peace. Sleeping.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I, knew better than to interrupt that. And Brent was over there waiting on me to say interrupt, all the time you needed.

>> Caroline: I liked it, too. Okay, good version.

>> Bert Harper: I appreciate that.

Brent asks if you gentlemen can speak on the immaturity of God

Hey, Alex, you know, we get questions sometimes at Word and sometime on Facebook. Brent tells us we got one on Facebook, so we're going to. Brent, would you ask that question and give it to Alex? Absolutely.

>> Caroline: this is from Will. he wants to know if you gentlemen can speak on the impassibility of God.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, great question. And you know, this relates to the nature or attributes of God. God is eternal. We know that. And God is perfect and righteous. We know that. Scholars often talk, and these two words sound similar, but there's a little bit of nuance they talk about. God is immutable. Now, something that is immutable doesn't change. And Malachi 3 and Hebrews 13 says that the Lord doesn't change. And that's wonderful. He was all powerful and all good. He still is and always will be. So God is immutable, but a little bit, nuanced is the word impassable. Now, this is from a Latin word that. And we get the word impervious to that. Okay, now hang with me. The word impassable means really incapable of suffering. So when scholars say God is impassible, it doesn't mean that God doesn't feel emotions, because God does feel emotions. In fact, like Ephesians 4:30 says that we are not to grieve the spirit of God. And the Bible says that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. but what impassable really means is that there is no emotion that is going to. Change, God force God, force his hand or anything like that. For example, we humans can we exploit and leverage each other. We give ultimatums. You, do this or else. And let me say this. God loves us. God is always advocating for our best. However, the impossibility of God means there's nothing we can do to give God an ultimatum. God is never going to be up in heaven saying, oh, my goodness, I know the Bible says, repent, but I better cave in or they're going to do this or that. So God, is not changed, or, leveraged or moved by pain or suffering. He is impervious. And that's a good thing. Last thing I'll say is this, folks. You don't want to. force God to do something or bargain with God. You want a holy God who, as the Bible says, always does all things well.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. Great. When you were doing that, I could not help but think about Jesus when he was here upon earth, and, you know, he wept. And also, the thing that really I thought about more was that what he wandered or marveled at. He marveled at the faith of the centurion. He marveled at the unbelief of the people in Nazareth, you know? And what moves God more than any is our faith, you know, and, put your trust in him. And that's what we're wanting you to do, Alex. Thank you for that. Answering that, I. I thought it might been a misprint of impossibility, but it's the impassibility. Thank you, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

Bert Rogers: Baptizing in triune names glorifies God

L.A. is where we have G.K. g.K. Welcome to exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: I appreciate taking my call. I've been listening to y' all for a long time, but this first time I've called.

>> Alex McFarland: We sure do appreciate.

>> Caroline: Concerning the, water baptism, I don't find anywhere in the Bible that it said to baptize using, a title. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Father's not a name. Son's not a name. Holy Ghost, not a name. That's titles. And it said in the name. It didn't say N, A, M, E, S. It said name, which is singular. And everywhere I find that anyone was baptized, they use the name of Jesus. So why does the church use the, title, Father, Son, Holy Ghost instead of Jesus? Name? Jesus is the one that died for.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, G.K. go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Alex, you need to look up Matthew 28:19. Go, ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded you. And lo, I'm with you always, even to the end of the world. G.K. i appreciate your desire to be, you know, accurate. We all want to be true to the word, you know, Bert, I believe the Trinity. and I've baptized a lot of people in the triune name of God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. But you could baptize in the name of the Spirit, or you could baptize in the name of the Father. You could baptize in the name of Jesus, because, God is inseparable. M. Am I right?

>> Bert Harper: You are exactly right, Alex. you know, we have talked about this, GK and when you see that, look how involved the triune God was involved. For God so loved the world, without God loving the world, he sent his only begotten Son, Son. That's involved. He paid the price. And then the Holy Spirit of God has been sent to convict the world of sin and draw us unto himself. So if you baptize in the name of either one or all of them, it's still glorifying the Lord. And so. But when you baptize the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Alex, man, just think of that. Our salvation from the Father, from his heart, through Jesus Christ, desiring to do the will of the Father and taking our place. And the Holy Spirit of God convicting. And then after we receive him, staying with us. I. I want to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. I agree with you could on any. Any basis. But man, when you look at that and divide it up for our salvation and what all is involved, it glorifies God, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It does. Hey, I want to give the number, then I got to share something. folks, the number. If you've got a Bible question, we sure would love to hear from you. It's 888-589-8840. Bert, we are way overdue for something. Do you know what that is?

>> Bert Harper: What is that?

>> Alex McFarland: An Adrian Rogers quote.

>> Bert Harper: We have not used it this week. I know, man. Alex, thank you for making a dip. Go ahead. I want to hear it. I'm ready.

>> Alex McFarland: This is 30 years ago at least. But, you know, I was listening to Adrian. And by the way, folks, familiarize yourself with Adrian Rogers. He's still on the radio. Honestly, one of the great preachers, I think, of the last 500 years. I would say, I'm not exaggerating.

>> Bert Harper: I would say for since the time of Christ. I mean, I agree with you, but he is that good. I agree.

>> Alex McFarland: And I, ah, was kind of a young believer, learning and growing, and this really impacted me. Adrian Rogers said it takes the whole trinity to make a Christian. The Father sent the Son, the Son paid the price. The spirit convicts, converts, regenerates. The Spirit draws us to Jesus, and the entire trinity is involved in the Making of a Christian. And when Adrian Rogers taught that man that just. I think about it to this day. That's powerful, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It puts iron in the blood. You're Talking about quoting Dr. Rogers, one of our friends that has an hour each morning, Jeff Schreve. He quotes Dr. Rogers about as much as we do. I tell you that. So. Hey, that's a good quote. Hey, thank, you, GK Hope that helps you, brother. We appreciate you, man.

>> Alex McFarland: CA In North Carolina, my home state. CA thank you for holding and welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you very much.

Stephanie: The animals going on to the ark were mixed

my question to you is comment. Ah, that was talked about earlier about.

>> Caroline: The, animals going on to the ark two by two.

>> Caroline: Were they referring to unclean animals and not the clean animals?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you had a mixture. You had a mixture a little bit, didn't you, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And they took animals for sacrifice.

>> Bert Harper: They did. They did. So they had some more. But for his re. Let me just say this. Reproduction purposes and God's plan for. Not just then, but for the future. When you look at those animals coming on the ark, you see God's purpose and plan for the future. And that two by two makes that statement of how important that is. Just like in the garden, Alex. you know, multiply. And he wanted the animals as well. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. This is In Genesis, 7:15. excuse me. Every beast after its kind. And it says they went in two by two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And that's interesting because, you know, I've had people ask me a lot about this. obviously, like I said, the fish and the marine life, they could have swam out the flood. Verse 16. They that went in, went in, male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in. I think it's important. These are. We're talking land animals in verse 15 of Genesis 7, in whom was the breath of life? And, you know, I realize that Noah's ark and the flood is, I think it takes faith to believe it, but it's absolutely plausible. it could happen. I think it did happen. Just like the word of God says, let's, go to Texas. Stephanie. Stephanie, welcome.

>> Caroline: Hi. God bless you both. I listen to you every day. Thank you for hearing me.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

Alex: I recently became a little interested in the Great Deception

>> Caroline: I recently, became a little interested in the Great Deception. it talks about it in, Thessalonians or 2nd Thessalonians 2. Nine through eleven is the verses. I kind of pulled out, and I was watching a video With Jimmy Evans interviewing La Mazzulli. And they talked about the great deception and how it could involve, what we on earth would think we're aliens, but it actually would be the devil or demons or something like that. So I was just kind of wanting to know what you guys think about that and if you heard any. Heard about that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me read that passage in Second Thessalonians. I think it sets it up, for. For some understanding. Starting verse seven again, chapter two of Second Thessalonians. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed. And the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming. Now here it is coming up just sec. Next two verses. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love. Love of the truth, that they might be saved. Let me make one real quick. I know what you're asking, but if you do not receive truth, then deception becomes easier. That's the one of the reasons there we have in rewriting history in these days. Because if we don't understand our past, Alex, it makes us easier to be misled for our future doesn't really does.

>> Alex McFarland: And let me say, I'm hesitant to say what I'm about to say because, look, focus on Jesus and God and his truth. I think it's a little, cautionary when Christians get very, very enamored with things like UFOs and aliens and things like that, and even the devil.

>> Caroline: C.S.

>> Alex McFarland: Lewis warned about an unhealthy interest in the devil. But I will say this, and I think this is fascinating. We're talking about the great deception. And Burton and I write about this in our book, 100 Bible questions on Prophecy. I think this is fascinating. There is a long, long history of UFOs and in previous times, before the 20th century, UFOs would appear in a way that the people could kind of almost relate to. Now we think about flying saucers in the 1950s and now, you know, aircraft that. But do you know there are accounts of UFOs in the 17 and 1800s that look like, very, very advanced airships and dirigibles and balloons. And it goes on back. And it's almost like Satan, the great deceiver, appears to People in a way most conducive to lure them in to turning away from the true God. And I think the great deception of the tribulation, I think AI very well might play a part of it. Computers that have apparently God like qualities and omniscience. Here's my point. To be inoculated and safe from the deception and the mark of the beast. Get saved. Renew your mind with the word of God. Romans 12. Be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. And you will not be deceived.

>> Bert Harper: Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever sows to the flesh of the flesh shall reap corruption. He that sows to the Spirit will the Spirit reap everlasting life. So Alex, great answer. What we're looking at, we're saying, it's like those people that, you know counterfeit bills, the people who are expert in counterfeit bills, they don't look at all the counterfeits. They look at the real thing now they're marked differently now. So it's a good bit of difference you can identify, but still there, they concentrate on the real thing. When you know what the real thing looks like, it puts you in a position to recognize that which is deception and false. So that's why make much of Jesus in every way. Isn't that right, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Make much of Jesus. Focus on him. Well, hey, we've got another big segment. The number triple 858-9884. Stay tuned. A brief, brief break and exploring the world will continue on the American Family Radio Network.

>> Caroline: Afa.

>> Jeff Chamblee: action takes attacks on the family seriously. The enemies of the family constantly employ new tactics to try to sneak past our radar. They know if we stand together, their evil plans will fail. Your gift to AFA action allows us to stay vigilant against their onslaught. And if you give this month, you'll receive access to the Cultural Institute video When youn Faith is Illegal by Frank harbor on AFA Stream. As our thanks, you can make your gift [email protected].

>> Bert Harper: Foreign.

Let me challenge you to be in church every Sunday of December

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. You heard those sleigh bells. Let me challenge you to be in church every Sunday of December. Christmas is coming. One present you could give the Lord is to be faithful in the house of worship every Sunday. We encourage you to do that. Well, we, we are going to try our best to get every question in. So Karen in Texas. Karen, thanks for holding and welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Hi. Hello.

>> Alex McFarland: Hello. Welcome.

>> Caroline: Thank you.

Alex: I don't see that angels have omniscience

my question was about like the angels and they have like all the eyes all over them. And I was like, where the, where the eyes meanings come from? Because isn't there like evil eyes and then like angelic eyes and which ones to be like, to know which ones are good or bad? And then I guess just why so many eyes on there?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, is this found? You remember exactly where that description is found?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, in, Isaiah 6.

>> Bert Harper: That was the one I thought of.

>> Alex McFarland: Seraphim that have six wings. Now, in the book of Revelation, when it's talking about the vision of Jesus, you know, it talks about multiple, multiple eyes. I wanna be clear. Biblically, angels have power and, they are really ministers for God all around the world. But I don't see that angels have omniscience. Now all those eyes, in the book of Revelation, when it's talking about Jesus, who had. A, beard of white and lightning coming out of his, his, eyes, I think the multiple eyes speak of his omniscience, that he sees all and knows all the Lord does. The angels, while they are powerful and they're on assignment for God, they don't have omnipresence nor omniscience, do they?

>> Bert Harper: They do not. And again, they have assignments. When you look at it, you'll find out certain, I would say angels, they have their area of ministry, they have their individuals of ministry. And so they're powerful, but they're not God. They're creation from God, and they're limited. and so I think that's the right answer, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: thank you, Karen.

Exploring the Word welcomes John to our podcast

Let's go to Arkansas. John, welcome, to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Oh, thank you, guys. God bless you. I love listening, you guys. listen, I just wanted to share a little encouragement of something that happened to me yesterday that, God allowed me to be a part of.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man.

>> Alex McFarland: Did we lose him?

>> Bert Harper: John? Try again. Oh, man.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, try again, please.

>> Bert Harper: John. If John, open, up the line. John, try to call back. We want to get you on because, the call dropped. Yes, it did, but we're gonna right.

Robert believes that God slowed down the rotation of the Earth

>> Alex McFarland: Now try for Robert in Ohio. Welcome, Robert.

>> Caroline: Hello, this is, this is Robert in East Overpull, Ohio. I've been listening for quite a while to your program. I really appreciate it. what I wanted to ask is about the sun. That, doesn't move. I mean, it. All scientific evidence is that the sun does not move. But yet the Bible has it moving in different, areas. Different, scriptures. And I just wonder why that is.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: In Joshua, chapter 10, verses 12 and following. Joshua prayed, sun, stand still upon Gibeon, and you moon in the valley of Ayalon. And do you know what? I read a very in depth, essay by the late Dr. Henry Morris. Now, Henry Morris was a PhD from the University of Virginia, and he was the editor of a very, very fine apologetic study bible. Dr. Henry Morris. His stuff is really good, but he believes that God slowed down the rotation of the Earth. I believe that the sun doesn't move now during the tribulation period. The whole solar system's gonna get shaken up, but the Earth orbits around the sun, but the sun standing still, quote, unquote. It's not an error in the Bible. That was Joshua's language. But the way God achieved that long day so they could win the Bible was to slow down the rotation of the Earth. Bert, what do you say?

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you. Now, when you talk about the sun moving, we, we're probably moving through the whole universe somewhere now. You know, Alex, what I mean before, is the sun moving in. In our solar system? No, it's the fixed position. The moon rotates, the earth rotates and different thing. But, that's, that's how I've read That too, from Dr. Morrison. It gave a significant, as you said, research to get to that point. I agree with you. Hey, John got back in, didn't he? Go ahead, John.

>> Alex McFarland: Are you back with us, sir?

>> Caroline: Yeah, Yes, I am. I hope I don't, I hope I don't drop you again. But to pick up where I was at, you know, there's people out there. There's got to be somebody that is, just kind of felt this call that God is leading you to do something. He's calling you to do something. And you might be a little scared, to just kind of step out, take that little step of faith and, just kind of take God by the hand and just let him lead you. I just kind of hope this gives you a little encouragement. And, I'm. Again, I give you the abridged version on this. I'm going to try to make it through this without crying if I can. Last night, our association. My wife and I were supposed to be at a Christmas party for pastors and, their spouses. I'm a pastor of a small country church in Arkansas. anyhow, we missed, that last night because we were at, the piano recital, of our piano player at our church. after that we went and ate dinner. dinner. We were headed Home. And I'm following my wife. My wife and daughter were ahead of me in my wife's truck. Anyway, we were on our way home, and we were going through the middle of town, and we passed a young boy, about 8, 10 years old, in a T shirt and a diaper. and the Lord was just like he was, you know. My wife called me and she said, did you. Did you. Did I see what I think I said, yes, you did, honey. That's. That's what she said. You think we need to go back? And at first I was kind of hesitant. I looked in the mirror and I said, well, I see another vehicle that has stopped and turn their. Their flashers on, and they're rendering aid. And we talked about it, and my wife said, you know, I just. I just can't. We need to go back. And so we turned around, we went back, and as we approached, there was a couple other vehicles that were pulled over. There was a couple of ladies that were, that had pulled over and had their flashers on. They were out. And I rolled my window down, and I heard one of the ladies talking to another couple, sitting in their vehicle. And she had made the comment that this was the third house that this kid had went up to. So at that point I knew, okay, I need to step in and try to see if I can help in some way. Once I got out of the vehicle, I came. I walked up into the yard, and it was very evident that this young. This young man was, completely, mentally, handicapped. he could not speak, his language was just noises, clicks, things of that nature. There was no talking, no whatsoever. and we were, trying to keep him from running back out into the street. Anyhow, the police showed up. And, you know, we were just trying to. Not really scare him, but just trying to kind of calm him down so we could figure out what was going on. And for some reason, I found myself on one side of the carport of this house he was at, and luckily nobody was home. So we didn't have the distraction of a homeowner trying to figure out what was going on. but I made my way around one corner of the carport, and this young child come over to that corner of the carport, and I was able to reach out. And when I reached out to him and just kind of assured him, hey, it's okay. Nobody's gonna hurt you. We're here to help you. This young man, he reached out and he took my hand, and when he took my hand and he just kind of, he felt of my hand and then he just pulled himself to me. And I was able to just wrap my arms around this young, this young man. One of the ladies that was there, she brought a blanket up and I just kind of knelt down and we wrapped the blanket around him. Hm.

John says he held the young child until his mother got there

And I set him on my lap and I just sit there and just held on to this young child as he was clicking and making his noises. And we're in, you know, and in this whole thing I was just thinking to myself. I'm glad I wasn't at the pastors thing. As much as I miss the fellowship, I'm glad I wasn't there because I shared with one of our pastors today. I said, if I would have been there, who would have held that little boy last night. Comforted him and wrapped him in a blanket and held on to him until his mother got there so that I could give him back to his mother, you know. And through the whole thing, you know, I just, you know, there were so many thoughts that came to my mind. You know, you people think, you know, a lot of people would think, where did, how did he get out? How did he get so far away from home? All that kind of stuff and all these thoughts kind of come to my head. But I just kept coming back to. I, thank God that I was, that he would allow me to be a vehicle of love and grace to this young child, you know, and so if, you know, I just wanted to encourage somebody that if you feel that even in the moment, if you feel God, is calling you to do something, as Abraham Hamilton always says, God called us for this moment. Let's not miss our moment.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. John, you did not miss your moment. thank you, brother. man, what, a joy.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you for being available and willing.

>> Bert Harper: Does that make you think of the Good Samaritan? You know, I know I don't know how many people passed him by, but him missing the pastor and wife fellowship, going to that. And now God uses. John, thank you man. would you stay online, put him on hold and want John's number? Richard's going to get your number after they put you on hold. John, I may not can get do it today, but I got your name on my desk and number and I'm going to call you back probably next week. We're going to talk a little bit, brother. Thank you, man.

>> Alex McFarland: let's go to Dennis in Mississippi. Welcome Dennis.

>> Caroline: Welcome. Merry Christmas. God bless you gentlemen. I love you to death.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Dennis.

Alex: I had a question about any references to salvation for the Gentiles

>> Caroline: God, I had a question about, any references to the, salvation for the Gentiles in the Old Testament. I know there was Zacharias. Didn't he make a proclamation that he'd be a light unto the Gentiles? Is that one example?

>> Bert Harper: Abraham even goes all the way back to that, doesn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: It does in Isaiah 2. Isaiah. not, tw o. But Isaiah also references that the redeemer of Israel is the light to the Gentiles. And so. Yeah. And then, of course, you know, there's examples of, Gentiles like Rahab following the true God, probably Nebuth, Ruth. Ruth, the, Moabitess.

>> Bert Harper: And we're talking about them being in the lineage of Jesus and maybe Nebuchadnezzar.

>> Alex McFarland: Too, before he died.

>> Bert Harper: I think you're right. And listen, God, I just got to get this in. It won't take me to a second. Their purpose was missional, if you look at anything. Okay, yeah, God called them missionally. They were calling. Geographically, they were missional where three continents come together. That every way. The Israelites, the Jews were to be missionaries to the whole world about the Messiah coming. But in other words, how great God is. And, yeah, some of them did it right. Some of them didn't. But I praise God for those like Simeon and Anna when they were waiting on the real Messiah. They knew him, didn't they, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: They did.

>> Bert Harper: They did.

>> Alex McFarland: Dennis, thank you for that. We're going to try to get every call in Liz in Arkansas. Liz, thanks for holding.

>> Caroline: Yes, hi. I love your show.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

Alex has a question about Jacob wrestling in Genesis 3224

>> Caroline: I had a question, passage that has always confused me a little bit, and it's about Jacob wrestling in, 3224 of Genesis. And it says about 26. I don't want to read the whole passage. But, then he said, and it's a little H, not a big age, let me go, for the dawn is breaking.

>> Caroline: Then it said.

>> Caroline: But he said, which means, I guess, jacob, I will not let you go unless you bless me. So he said to him, and it's still a little age. What is your name? And then they said, Jacob. And then it says, on, 28. Then he said, with a capital H meaning, God, your name shall no longer be Jacob. So it seems to me that why would God have to say, let me go, for the dawn is breaking?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex. Thank you, Liz. Alex, go ahead. We don't have a lot of time. Going to try to get to Ken In Arkansas, but go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, at this point, Jacob didn't really realize who he was wrestling with, did he?

>> Bert Harper: Not at the beginning.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And so also, you know, God is going to change his name to Israel. and it says that you have power with God, with men, and has prevailed. And it's interesting. you know, tell me your name. And in verse 30, he says, I've seen God face to face. So, listen, it wasn't that God couldn't have, wrestled loose, and gotten loose in verse 25 and 26, but God had a point. And let me say this. God will get hold of all of our lives if we'll let Him. You know what I mean?

>> Bert Harper: He wants us to be tenacious when it comes to knowing Him. I'll put it that way. Not in our stubbornness, no. But in our desire to know Him. We need to be tenacious. And yes, in that way.

>> Alex McFarland: I want to try to get Ken in. Ken, if you don't mind, quickly, sir, what is your question?

Alex: Baptism gets me thinking about the Trinity. And first John 5 talks about the water

>> Caroline: Just the guy talking about the Trinity.

>> Caroline: And baptism got me to thinking of a verse I was wrestling with in.

>> Caroline: first John 5, starting in 6, talking about the one who testifies. And then it talks about the water.

>> Caroline: The blood, and the spirit, and that they're all in agreement.

>> Caroline: And so there's three there. But I'm after.

>> Caroline: I thought about it for a while. I'm thinking it means that the three.

>> Caroline: Were all in Jesus and he's all in one. I don't know.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that, that first John 5, 7 is a wonderful verse. I would encourage people to read and ponder on that. You know, Psalm 19 says, the heavens and earth bear witness to the glory of God. God is triune. And we are spirit, soul and body. We are triune, even time itself, past, present, future. there's a lot we could say about the triune nature of God's created world.

>> Bert Harper: In salvation. Yes. In his person, in his creation. It is try. It's amazing how consistent our God is. Well, Alex, it's been great to be with you. Hope you have a great weekend. And as Alex and I say to individuals, find yourself in church on Sunday and worship him. And worship him in spirit and in truth. And come back Monday ready to go through more of the book of Isaiah. thank you for listening to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

It's Fire Away Friday for December 05, 2025 

 

 

✍️ Episode References

Answers in Genesis
https://answersingenesis.org 

The Ark Encounter
https://arkencounter.com 

John Wood Morapp
https://noahsarkfeasibility.com 

Adrian Rogers
https://www.lwf.org 

2 Thessalonians
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians%202&version=NIV