Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

>> 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. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

On Tuesdays, we take Bible questions and prayer requests

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome to Exploring the word in 2 Peter chapter 2. It's talking about those that turn away from the truth. And it says, says for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Well, maybe you've met people in that predicament. And we'll explain what that means and more on this edition of Exploring the Word. We're very honored that you're listening. This is the program where we do just that. We explore the word of God. And we are in second Peter chapter two. We also take your, your Bible questions and calls. And Bert, yesterday was a special day because on Tuesdays not only do we take Bible questions as we always do, but we take prayer requests as well. And that's always very special. It's kind of like the church service of the airwaves, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Every day it is. And the lady, and again, I do not remember her name or the state, she but last year when we were paying praying every Tuesday for the election that was going to happen and after it was over, she said, why don't you guys keep on praying on Tuesdays? And it has, through that suggestion, Tuesday has become our prayer day to that lady that God knows who it is. Thank you. It has, it has really made a difference in exploring the Word and strengthening people's lives and people praying. So thank you so much, Alex.

Alex Dela Rosa: Verse 19 talks about false teachers in Acts

As we get into verse two, as you've already said a second Peter, notice what it says in verse 19. You already read that. But verse 19 caught my attention as well. Talking about these false teachers. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption. Now you want me to tell you something? That slave cannot bring liberty to the ones they're teaching. Cause they're already enslaved. And what they do. Yeah, they are. And they bring people into their enslaved condition in places, setting them at liberty. what a contrast that is, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I know. And Jesus comes to bring freedom. Not just forgiveness, not just restoration, but, but true liberty. And we've spent a fair amount of time on this. But chapter two talks about the false teachers and they not Only do they not have the righteousness of Christ, that is, by grace, through faith, they live and they teach and they example Lawlessness yesterday, like in verse 17, famously a great word picture here. Wells without water, clouds, without rain. And so verse 19. Well, let me go back to verse 18 and we'll wrap up chapter two. When they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lust of the flesh, through much wantonness. Those that were clean escape from them who live in error while they promise them liberty. They themselves are the servants of corruption. For of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage. In other words, people reproduce what they are. And if somebody is in sin and enslavement and bondage, you don't want to walk their path. You, want a different path. But false, teaching, it gets sold to people. Bert, did you ever hear that old phrase, somebody was sold a bill of goods?

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: In other words, a list, an inventory list that's just not there. Great swelling words through vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh. I'm m going to set this up and throw it to you, Bert. If we're really honest about what the Gospel promises, yes, it is forgiveness and salvation and security in Jesus, a. Ah, home in heaven. But if you are really serious about being a disciple of Jesus Christ, your life may get very hard. And yes, you're saved, yes, you're walking with Christ. But if you're seriously living for truth and righteousness, you're going to be out of step with the world. You're going to be swimming against the tide. And, rather than promising, you know, a bed of roses, actually, the life of the disciple, it's like Spurgeon said, the via Dolorosa. the, the life of the disciple is the way of the cross, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And when you said that, I could not help but think about when Paul was saved. And then God told Ananias, said, paul's going to come to you and you need to baptize him. And, he said, have you not heard who this guy is? And he said he's been converted. But listen, what the Lord said to Ananias about the Apostle Paul. And I don't necessarily think all of this is just quote, the exception. I think it's pretty common. Go for he is a chosen vessel of mine. He shall bear my name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Now, again, the specific Gentiles, kings and The Children of Israel. that's pretty specific. But it's saying, bear my name before. Yes, we're going to bear his name. But listen to verse, 16. And again, this is Acts, chapter nine. I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. Alex, listen, the road Via Dela Rosa is a road of suffering. And so I agree with you. And I. I had someone to say to me, said, listen, you would do better off telling individuals what they're facing. Yes. You know, and so let's preach the whole thing. Notice here what it says here. They allure them, not win them. Allure them. it's a bait. The bait. And, you know, let me say, you.

>> Alex McFarland: Don'T want to be lured into something.

>> Bert Harper: That's right.

>> Alex McFarland: we want to present Christ and draw people to Jesus, but you don't want to be led and misled into something.

>> Bert Harper: Bait is false. Right. It's something. There's a hook in it. Or it's a false, fault. It's not getting what you. The fish is not getting what that fish thinks it's getting.

>> Alex McFarland: I used to do a lot of fishing. I do love to go fishing, Bert. When I had more time back on the farm. And I guess by my late teens, I had a pretty impressive tackle box. And I remember after I became a Christian, I thought about that. I thought, you know, there's a lot of lures in the tackle box, but all the pretty lures have hooks in them. And, that's how the world of flesh and the devil can be as well. And, hey, listen, to be a Christian and to follow Jesus and to grow in the Lord, that is life's greatest blessing. It is. But, you know, like that Spurgeon quote, the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, is hard, dangerous, and it requires commitment. But Spurgeon said, the way of the cross is the safest way. Fear not to tread its thorny paths. That's what Spurgeon said about walking for Jesus, verse 22nd Peter 2. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus. And that's, you know, you. If you have Jesus, you've escaped the pollutions of the world. If you don't, you haven't.

Some of the hardest people to lead to Jesus are people that are religious

But it says to again become entangled therein, to the latter end is worse than the beginning. You know, it's bad enough to be lost, but it's even worse to have heard the truth, considered it, and then hardened your heart and turned away from Jesus back to sin. I'll tell you, some of the hardest people to lead to the Lord are people that are religious. But lost.

>> Bert Harper: Bert, you are exactly right. Now, what is this talking about escaped? I think you find the key in verse 22. I really do. To understand. The dog returns to its vomit. The sow, having washed, is wallowing in mire. Now, in other words, what happens to a dog? Well, this is pretty gross. But Peter meant for it to be bad. He meant for it to be visualized. The dog vomits up, he gets the, he gets the inside clean. But guess what he does? He goes back and takes it back up what he had vomited. Okay?

>> Alex McFarland: The toxin that he had been delivered from.

>> Bert Harper: And what they're talking about in verse 20, they escaped the pollutions quote. In other words, they'd clean themselves up. But the other one is the hog, the sow. You can clean them up on the, you know, outside, like Arnold the pig on Greene Acres. Okay, that's a throwback, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: I thought about that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, but you turn Arnold loose, guess where Arnold will go. He'll go to the mire. You can clean them up, you can train them, but they're still, they're still who they are. So what we're talking about here in verses 20 and 21, we're talking about individuals. Notice the word they. It's all, it's been connected all the way through. These are, false teachers. They look, they clean themselves up on the inside temporarily. Okay, yeah, I'm going to. But it's never been a change. and so Alex, I think 20, 21 and 22 is one of those scriptures. If you don't keep it on what it's saying, you'll think, okay, well, am I saved or am I lost? You know where it comes. But I think the consistency here is these people have never had an experience of grace through faith.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, by the way, second Peter to the apostle Peter, knew his Old Testament. By the way, this is a quote from Proverbs 26:11. And before we move on, I have to kind of go back to this because the quote about a dog returns to his vomit, that's from Proverbs 26:11, says, so a fool returns to his folly. and the Proverbs 26 that Peter quotes very accurately, it says, see, a man that's wise in his own conceit, there's more hope for a fool than of him. Do you see a man wise in his own Eyes. You know, there was a song by the Gershwin's many years ago, And Sammy Davis Jr. Made this song kind of famous in the 60s. It ain't necessarily so. And there's a line in that, very sarcastic. It says all the things that you're liable to read in the Bible. It ain't necessarily so. I've met people, Bert, that, they'll say, you know, guys will come up to me sometimes and they'll say, you know, the Bible's not really true. I'm like, really? Well, Jesus, affirmed that it was, but why do you say that? And they'll go off on some really empty objection, that they probably read on a website. And I always do my best to patiently listen and talk to people. And, you know, I had somebody say to me about a month ago, I was on the road traveling, and a guy, he said, well, you know, the Bible wasn't written till hundreds of years after Jesus lived. And I said, well, that's. That's not really true. you know, the Old Testament was written way before Jesus lived, and then the Gospels were written within just a very few short years. And much of the content about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, things like Acts 2 and Philippians 2, and other, what we call creedal statements are from within four to eight weeks after the cross. So the Bible is early eyewitness testimony. But, you know, when I read about the second Peter 2, 22, which refers back to Proverbs 26, you know, I think about these people that have, they've had just a little pinch of the Gospel. They really don't have a grasp on it. And they've got some, you know, wiseacre accusation against it. And Bert, we, we plead with them, we talk with them, we try to get their eyes open. But I'm telling you, when people think they're smarter than God, I mean, it's hard to get through to them.

>> Bert Harper: It is one thing we want to finish up. Maybe we can start chapter three. When we come back, we'll see if there's anything else. But notice it's dogs and hogs. Not sheep. Not sheep. These are people that have not. When he talks to us as animals, it's sheep. And, so listen, know Jesus, serve him, love him, and just let him live through you. We're going to return to Exploring the Word right after the break. We appreciate you listening and if you get time, tell someone about the program even while we're going on with it.

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Operation Christmas Child is a great ministry that touches the world

>> Alex McFarland: At the name of Jesus Every m knee will bow and every tongue confess so let it start right now before you come back, Lord, before the rocks cry out I will lift my praise.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Start right now praising Jesus don't wait. Do it now. Alex, I've got a question for you. You ready?

>> Alex McFarland: I'm ready. I hope.

>> Bert Harper: Have you ever heard of something called occ?

>> Alex McFarland: Occ? Now, down where I come from in North Carolina, sometimes we call that Operation Christmas Child.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, okay. That's what it is. Operation Christmas Child.

>> Alex McFarland: Also known as the shoebox.

>> Bert Harper: Shoebox man. Those red and green boxes, they get the attention of so many people. But what's fun is when they're opened up in the countries all over the United States to hunt down. Not the United States, in the world. 170 countries and territories, and they're going to open up 12.6 million boxes. That means 12.6 million children. Open those shoe boxes. Find out what's in there along with telling them about Jesus Christ. I think that's pretty good myself.

>> Alex McFarland: I think it's wonderful. You know, almost everywhere I go, at churches and Christian schools or sometimes Christian bookstores, you'll see the shoeboxes. And this is a great ministry by Samaritan's Purse and Franklin Graham and his incredible staff. They're beloved the world over. And I just think about how many millions of children very much impoverished. They don't have anything hardly. And yet it brings a smile to their face, brings joy to the life of a little child. And it brings the message of Jesus and we, our family for years and the church where Angie and I go and just everywhere. We love OCC and we want people to get on board because this is a tangible way to participate in the fulfillment of Christ's great commission.

>> Bert Harper: It really is. The Collection week is November 17th through the 24th this year. November 17th to the 24th. So they have collection places all over the United States. A lot of churches, they'll get their material and they'll take it to these places. And then if you want to know more about it, you can go to this website, samaritanspurse.orgocc that samaritanspurse.org occ and you can find out what kind of toys should be there, which one should not. There's some, they say, no, don't, don't send those. And there's reasons behind it. And so, be sure and do that and be a part of that. You know, afr, we are a big partner with occ so it's afr, occ. All those initials. Those are good initials on those.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and you know, it brings Christmas and Jesus Christ to so many people. And you know, being in North Carolina and being near Charlotte, I have met so many people that, you know, maybe As a child, 6, 7, 8 years old, they, they ask Jesus to come into their life maybe on some far flung continent. And then they wind up in, they end up working with the Billy Graham ministry or Franklin and Samaritan's Purse. And it's just, it touches the world, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It does. And we'll, we'll have somebody, that's been touched by it that we'll interview. We don't know exactly. We know a good bit about it, but we're working on it still. And then on the pro other program that I do, exploring missions, we'll have a. Who committed to that. So we're looking forward to that and we hope that you're participating your church and you'll get involved. And again, if you need to know more about it, go to samaritan's purse.org occ and you can find out all the information that you can. Alex, go ahead, Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: In second Peter three. You know, I just, I've said this a time or two. I just love the Apostle Peter and I love first and second Peter because you've got discipleship, you've got apologetics, you've got, warnings about false doctrine and those that peddle it. But in chapter three, you've even got eschatology, you know, end times things. So, he says, this second epistle, beloved, I now write to you. So he references that there was a first Peter, and, you know, second Peter three. One is kind of a little nod to the fact that this is Second Peter. and he says that I'm stirring up, your pure minds by way of remembrance, your sanctified mind, purity of mind. That's a lot like Romans 12, the renewed mind through God's word. That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior. Bert, let me just say this. This ties New Testament to old. You know, when. When they're talking about the holy prophets, the readers, they would have known, of course, of Daniel and Isaiah and Ezekiel, but us, the. The apostles who were the. The. The 12 disciples and those that had seen the risen Jesus. So I really think that he's making a bridge here, showing, at least on some level, he understood that he was writing scripture and that the writings of the apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, first and Second Peter, James, this was on par with the scriptures that you and I would call the Old Testament. I think that's a key, recognition that the New Testament is every bit as authoritative as the Old.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Alex. It really is. And those that want to just take the New Testament and throw away the Old Testament know they're divinely connected and we don't need to try to disconnect.

Alex: Bert, this is a wonderful outline for a sermon or a lesson

And, Alex, I want to give an outline. Okay? I. I'm an outline preacher. I. I just, I got to put the skeleton to it. That's how I do it. When I develop a serm. Then I put the muscle and the sinew. Those are the sub points, how I do it. But here in chapter three is a wonderful outline for a sermon or a lesson. Notice what it says in chapter three, verse one, Beloved. Okay, what does he tell them to do in verse two? Be mindful. So he says, beloved, be mindful. The second time you find the word beloved is in chapter eight, Beloved. And it says here, do not forget, don't you forget. I'm reminding you and reminding you again, but guess what? You'll find beloved down in chapter 14 as well. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things. Be diligent, Beloved. Be diligent. Be mindful. Do not forget. Be diligent. But it's not through look at verse 17. And he says, you therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware. So you have an, automatic. You can go over chapter, Now we're going to do it in more detail, but you could go over this chapter with those four points about. To be mindful, what is it about the Lord's return. Do not forget that his promise is good, no matter how long you may have to wait. And until then, you be diligent, looking forward to those things that I'm going to bring about. And finally, be, beloved, beware lest anyone, try to. Try to take you aside. Stay steadfast. I just wanted to throw out that outline, Alex. It's just too good not to pass on.

>> Alex McFarland: Brother Bert, that is great. You get an A plus, brother. I'm inspired. This is just really, really powerful.

>> Bert Harper: That's called homiletics. For those of you that's not had to go to seminary or Bible. It's the study and, and that. It just blessed me to see that.

>> Alex McFarland: Bert, may you are a blessing. I'm going to tell you, but you know, backing up a little bit to verse three, knowing this verse that there shall come in the last days, scoffers walking after their own lust and saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. By the way, you know, one of the worldviews that they used to try to defend Darwinian evolution is a word called uniformitarianism. Uniformitarianism says, hey, the way the world is is the way things have always been. But it's not that way, because there was the global flood. And, one of the keys to understanding the topography of the world and fossils and the layers of sediment is to understand the global flood, which we learn of in the pages of God's Word. So in the last days, there will be scoffers, and we've seen that, and there are those that scoff at God's word even as we speak. But it says in verse five, they're willingly ignorant. And there's the. A reference to the flood there. And the world perished. and it says, but the heavens and the earth, which are now, they're kept by the word of God's power, are reserved under fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Bert, there will not be another purging or judgment by flood. The next will be by fire. But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as A thousand years and a thousand years as a day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to us word not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Bert, we could talk about time. You know, the God of eternity. What we think is a long time is not a long time. But here's the thing. God tarries, his coming because he wants people to be saved. Yes, he is. He is long suffering, patient, not willing that any should perish. And let me just say this folks. the Bible says whosoever will may come. I believe that who whosoever will. And I know people get hung up on who's elect and who isn't. I'll tell you how you can find out. If you're one of the elect, you pray and accept Jesus and you're saved. God is willing, whosoever will may come.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And he the heart of a merciful Savior, that all would come to repentance. Now, not all will. Sadly, many reject the salvation that they could have had if they had put their faith in Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Alex. Well said.

Bert says people still living by their own lust. And he says, do not forget that

Now I want to go back to something that really got my attention. In verse three. The scoffers will come. Why? Because they're still living by their own lust. Okay, if you live now, when you talk about lust, you're not talking about just physical, sexual. It can be power, it can be money, it can be control, the whole thing. It's your lust, that inner over action of your life. And when you have that operating in your life, you won't see things clearly. You're always looking at things, in an unequal way. You're, you're not looking at it squarely. And so that's the first thing in verse five. They willingly forget. In other words, they do it purposefully. you know, when they go so far, the further they go in this lust living, the more they want to justify their lust living. And therefore they're walk willing to forget what is the past and that's going on and it makes them, deny that. Okay, the Lord coming back. No. And so, but God is at work in those. And he says, do not forget that. And Alex, I love what you went through that. And it says the Lord's not slack concerning his promise. Now let's, let's take talk about that just one minute. Listen, when the Lord makes a promise, it is going to be fulfilled. Now again, we don't know when all it will happen. He's going to return. But he is not slack. He's not going to forget. He remembers it. He is going to bring it about. On whose timetable?

>> Alex McFarland: On his timetable.

>> Bert Harper: So it's not our timetable that we dictate to him on anything and say, God, I want you to do this and do it now. Okay. People say, oh, man, that's great faith. I'm not sure that's great faith. faith is Lord, I trust you. You're the Lord of my life. You are in control. I desire this to be done right now. But God, if you so choose to wait, I'm still in your hands. You catch my drift there, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Bert, that is so powerful. And I think about Abraham and Sarah, and look, Lord knows I have run ahead of God. You know, I don't know that I've lagged behind too much, but I have run ahead of God sometimes. And, you know, Abraham and Sarah had Ishmael through Hagar. And look at, ah, and listen, God loves the Arabic people and they can be saved. But, if, you know, look at the violence and all that's gone on in the Middle east because of Islam, that came about through the line of Ishmael because two believers ran ahead of God. And so, folks, the promises God has made to Israel will come to pass. The promises God gives all of us in his word will come to pass. And I think one of the, One of the wisest things, one of the hallmarks of Christian maturity is the. The ability to patiently wait on God because he keeps his word. As you said Bert does.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. He answers prayers. If I understand, there's three ways. Yes, no, and not yet. Yeah, you know, not yet. Looking back on my life, Alex, there are some things that I was praying for that I thought God right now would be a great time. and sometimes it's been in finances, sometimes it's been other things. And you know what? Later on, something came through the mail, and it was a greater blessing when it came on God's time rather than on my time.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Think about Lazarus. If you had have been here four days late. No, no. Hey, now's the time. And, and so, Alex, let's, let's close this out.

Telling our listeners they can depend on God's timing

Telling our listeners they can depend on God's timing.

>> Alex McFarland: You can depend on God's timing. Oh, my goodness. You know, I, I just look back over my life and God is so faithful. And I, look back and I, I've, had to learn and, and praise God for his merciful, way of teaching. But yes, God is so faithful, isn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He is faithful. And we want you to have trusted him as Lord and Savior. If you haven't right now, you can ask him. Lord, I'm a sinner. I'm, lost. I. I have nothing to offer. But I know you died on the cross for me. I know who you are. And I'm trusting you. I give you my life. I pray that you will have done that. Hey. We want to answer your questions. If you have any Bible questions, call us 888-589-8840.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Every day, AFA offers biblical insight on issues that others aren't willing to touch in the hopes that you'll become a world changer. That's why we're offering an in depth worldview training course called Activate. Thirteen different professors teaching eight different sessions, all available online, including a printed workbook to help you apply what you've learned and one year access to AFA streaming content to give you even more resources. Find out more about Acctivate and sign up today at acctivate.afa.net now.

>> Alex McFarland: I won't sink in the river drown Watch me walk on Jordan's ground All.

>> Bert Harper: Those ways won't lock me me down.

>> Alex McFarland: I will stand on the rock I found My praises go up to the.

>> Bert Harper: Highest.

>> Alex McFarland: Our praises go up to the highest indeed.

Alex and Bert welcome you back to Exploring the Word

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert, so honored that you're listening. We're going to kind of hit the pause button on Second Peter, chapter three. And right now we're going to take telephone calls. Now, here's the number. If you have a Bible question, it's triple 858-98-8840. That's triple 858-9840. And by the way, let me just mention, I'm going to be in Somerset, Pennsylvania this weekend, Living Hope Church Pastor Roy, Burkett and his staff. This is, about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, but I'll be there all day Saturday the 25th. We've got about four sessions. It's going to be morning and evening, and then I'll be preaching in the services Sunday morning. But if you happen to be near Somerset, Pennsylvania, it's kind of. Bert, It's a biblical worldview weekend and we're going to be talking about family and parenting and just, being. Being a disciple in the 21st century.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. What a day to have a biblical worldview and exploring the word afr. That's one of the things that is our goals. And, we pray that we have helped you and if you're up in that area or you can drive there to Somerset, I want to tell you, you'll be blessed as Alex will help and strengthen you. And, and he does it with, with great energy. And you, you just love it. So Alex will be praying.

Alex: Question comes from Chris from Texas. Chris, thank you for calling

Well, you ready to go to the questions on the callers? Let's go to Texas. Chris, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Oh, yes, sir. I just had a question about the Old Testament. I believe it's in Leviticus, but I'm not sure. And it says, do not tattoo or mutilate yourselves as the pagans do. My question was, of course, I know a tattoo with pagan symbolism would be a sinful tattoo, but it's just, say, artwork. Does that apply to the New Covenant tattoos?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Chris, Alex, do you think it's a matter of choice on that in our day?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, you know, this is Leviticus 19:28, and a lot has been said about that. I really do think that since we're under grace, not under law, that, it's a matter of Christian liberty, really. And, and I've said, and I say it kind of loosely because I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. You know, I, I'm not really, I don't have any tattoos. And, you know, whenever I've been a youth pastor and youths have asked about this, in all honesty, Leviticus 19:28, talks about not making marks on your body, but, but in a way, like the. Some of the modern translations render it, that it was gashes or cuts or marks that refer to, commitment to some false God. You know, and in a way, cutting and intentionally inflicting harm on oneself was like those, the prophets of BAAL on Mount Carmel. They were cutting themselves and trying to inflict pain to appease a false deity. And, and I realized that that's not what people today are doing when they get a tattoo. And I know many Christians, they'll get a Bible verse tattooed on, on themselves. you know, I, I think it's a matter of Christian liberty and grace, though I have to say, I myself, I, you know, I, I've not done it. I don't really recommend it, but I'm not going to fault brothers and sisters that have chosen to get one.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Chris, that's a question. we get ever so often, and, we've been consistent on that. I have friends and they have tattoos, and they say, man, mine's a witnessing tool. It will be where it can be seen across or a Bible verse. And, they'll say, what about that tattoo? And they do use it that way again. but we. It is at Christian liberty. Chris, Hope everything goes good for you, brother. Let's go to North Carolina.

Deborah: Seminary class had a question about Ruth last night

Deborah, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Okay. Hi, this is Deborah. last night in my, seminary class, Bible college, we had a question about Ruth. And, the instructor was explaining to us that when he. Well, he had asked us what was the meaning of Ruth being in Boaz when she went to Boaz and to lay at his feet. And I said, oh, well, maybe that was humility. And, you know, I just thought it was, you know. And I was saying that this is what her mother, in law told her to do. This is their tradition. because, you know, he was a kinsman, redeemer to redeem the property, etc. So the instructor states that know that she was actually, I guess, actually had sex with him. And her reward for the sex was, you know, I guess, the. The food that he gave her. So I said, well, are you telling me that she operated in prostitution? It was like a prostitute, you know, he would say she was promiscuous. I mean, he was just saying all this negative. And I told him, no, I'm not going to agree with that. I'm agreed that she was a virtuous woman. I said, because the Bible would actually tell us, you know, if she was that type of woman. So I need some clarity because, you know, I'm thinking, okay, I hope all these Bible teachers are teaching these students this. And then now I know why God had me go to Bible school. Probably to correct Deborah.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you for calling. And this is great. You stood up correctly. Let me just tell you. Naomi knew what the customs were. And Alex, you take it away when I got one or two more things. Ruth. Ruth did not know the customs there of Bethlehem. she was a Moabite. And this was a custom to show themselves. yes, it was a move on their part to say, yes, I am willing for you to proceed in, relationship. But it wasn't sexual, was it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: No. You know, I've read several commentaries and thank you for this really, really good question. And I think this is one of those examples where the wording of Scripture, it might seem unusual to our 21st century Western way of thinking, but, literally in the language, it meant that she, laid at the place of his feet. Now what did that mean? It meant, to a degree, submission and humility. but it also meant helplessness, and vulnerability. Because what she was essentially saying was, you know, I am, without a husband. You're the near kinsman. If you were willing, you are able to be my kinsman redeemer. And, I don't believe the text or the context implies anything illicit or immoral. Certainly, you know, Ruth, being, a godly woman, this was nothing immoral or anything implied like that, but it was. Let's. I. I humbly come before you. May we have a conversation. And that. That's really what it was about, wasn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. To read the other into. It is misusing, scripture. Honestly, he, Boaz was an honorable man himself. Look what he has done all the way up through it. There's honorableness all the way through and integrity. And so, Deborah, you were standing on solid ground. I don't know who that teacher is, but, they need to look at it, better than that to discern scripture. Thank you, Deborah. And keep on listening. And, you know, always go with truth. And you did. Appreciate it.

Let's go to Kansas and talk to Ruth. Hey, Ruth, did you hear the previous conversation

Let's go to Kansas and talk to Ruth. Hey, this is something.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: What. What a combination. Hey, Ruth, did you hear the previous conversation?

>> Caroline: Yes, I did. And I said, I think you're quite correct.

>> Bert Harper: Well, let me ask you, is your husband named Boaz?

>> Caroline: No.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, okay. I was just taking a stretch, Eric. Go ahead, Ruth. I'm sorry. my humor comes out sometimes. Yeah, go ahead.

Alex: I don't quite understand the correlation between Rachel and Beth

>> Caroline: Well, my question is about Raechel. I don't quite understand the correlation between Raechel and Beth. Bethlehem, because they say Raechel crying for her children, but Raechel was not from Bethlehem.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, you got the question.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Raechel, weeping. this is, a reference to what was called the slaughter of the innocents, wasn't it? Now, Raechel was. Wasn't she buried in Bethlehem?

>> Bert Harper: That's what I understood. That's what I. When. When Ruth started talking about that, I thought that was the case, if I remember correctly.

>> Alex McFarland: yeah, you know, for one thing, the. The slaughter of the innocents. and this was a prophecy about when Jesus was born and Herod had the babies two years and younger, killed. you know, because Herod was trying to do what he could to see that there was no Messiah that would threaten his rule and rain. And so there was, It says There was Jeremiah 31:14. There was a voice heard. Raechel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted, for they are not. Or in other words, they've died. So, this prophecy of Jeremiah 31, Raechel, was buried in Bethlehem. And centuries later, in the aftermath of the birth of Jesus, there would be crying in that region of those that the children were killed by wicked Herod, who was trying to really extinguish the possibility of a messiah. Because see the, the wise men had come and said, where is he that is born King of the Jews? And remember it said when the wise men came, all of Jerusalem was troubled and Herod too.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Ruth, thank you and appreciate you call. Let's go to Kentucky. Susan, thank you for calling.

Bert Harper: I think AI is a fairly benevolent tool right now

Hello.

>> Caroline: I had, I just wanted your opinion about I work at a big company and they're wanting to get into AI Big, Big Gallons. What's your biblical response to that?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, is that answered in a book that's come out recently?

>> Alex McFarland: actually two weeks ago these two guys, Bert Harper and Alex McFarland, released a book, one, hundred Bible questions and Answers on Prophecy and the end times. And we talk a fair amount about that. We've got some, what I think is some pretty fresh research about the end times and computers and AI, Artificial intelligence. Do you know, let me say at this point AI remains fairly simple and tame and innocuous. Well, not simple, but here's what happens. I mean it's like all the computers that have all this data stored, you could, you could do a question, or a query and ask A.I. you know, what is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world. And in a matter of seconds, you know it, the the search would go through and come back and give you the best or the most popular chocolate chip cookie recipe. I think AI is a fairly benevolent tool right now. It's basically the search engine of all search engines. I do think, and we write about this in the book, which I would encourage people please support this book. it's a great book. It's a very evangelistic book. I think it's certainly one of the most recent Bible prophecy books written. And we think it will help you and it would be a great gift. You can find it anywhere you buy Christian books or you can get it straight from American Family Association. But Bert, I do think that the beast, and the image of the beast during the tribulation period that will deceive people because the, the search capabilities imagine people have the mark of the beast. And your medical history is in a chip under the skin. Your financial history, the, the image of the beast, which probably will be some sort of computer driven robot, will appear to have godlike intelligence.

>> Bert Harper: Right?

>> Alex McFarland: But it's a. It's a fraud. It's a masquerade. That's why the Bible says it could deceive the very elect if that were possible. Fortunately, it's not. But let me say we're living in a time. I'll say this, I'll throw it back to Burke, where it seems like the, the surveillance, the cameras, the, it. We. We just are living in a digital police state almost. And so the technological technology makes many of the. The book of Revelation, chapter four through 20. I mean, the technology makes all that stuff possible.

>> Bert Harper: It really looks like it. Let me just say this. Not yet on a. But you haven't seen it, the rest of the story. And that's, putting it simply, that is true. It's what they're going to do with it. And I agree with Alex. And, so thank you, Susan, for that good call.

One more call for the day. It's from Steve in Kentucky. Steve, go ahead. Steve? Steve. Are you there

One more call for the day. And it's Steve in Kentucky. Steve, go ahead. Brother Steve in Kentucky. Are you there? Okay, we.

>> Alex McFarland: Steve?

>> Bert Harper: Steve. I don't know if he walked away or what, but that's okay. We got two or three minutes.

A United States missionary pilot was kidnapped in Niger by Islamic militants

And I really did want to save this time because I've got a prayer request. I know yesterday was a prayer request, but I was searching and seeing what all was going on in the news. We try to do that before we come on so that we'll have a little bit of knowledge. And on one of the news sources, it says a United States missionary pilot was kidnapped in Nigeria. Now, Niger is in central part of Africa. It is where Islamists are very, active. The president was overthrown about two years ago by a military leader. And, this pilot was working, with. Serving in mission. And they've got a lot of folks there in Africa. One of their missionaries was killed just not too long ago. And Alex, we. I wanted. Don't know his name, did not have that information, but he is a US missionary pilot and our State Department is aware of it. And I understand they've already contacted, the people there in Niger. So I wanted to bring this up as a matter of prayer. Brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, let's take time and do prayer for this. And I want to say, our friend and colleague, Reverend Mark Walker, who is Donald Trump's international ambassador for religious freedom. And of course, the State Department itself is working on behalf of this. But, Bert, do I have time? May I pray for this?

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead. We got. We got a minute. Go right ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's pray. Father, we thank you for the freedom that we have here. In America. And, Lord, when we hear of tyranny and, people being incarcerated and abducted for preaching the gospel, Lord, we cry out to you. And, Lord, this American missionary in Niger who, Islamic militants have abducted this person. Lord, please intervene. Please keep this person safe. Give them comfort. And, Lord, we pray, whether it be China, Niger, just all around the world, Lord, make the world free for the proclamation of the gospel. Intervene. And, Lord, please keep America free for your glory as well. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Pray for him. God will hear your prayers, and we're lifting it up to him. And tomorrow be back and we'll finish second. Peter.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in.

>> Bert Harper: This broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.