Hello, friends. It's time for the second hour of Open Line with Doctor Michael Ray Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America, where we're talking about your questions, trying to answer your questions about the Bible, about God, about the Christian life. I'm doctor Mike Faber is filling in today for Doctor Michael Riedel, who happened to be the founding pastor of Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, California, who had the privilege of talking to actually one of our members there, Brett, who was our last caller in the first hour. I'm the Bible teacher that you'll hear on Focal Point Radio if you listen here to Moody Radio. And I hope that you do so many great programs here. And we've got some new times on the Moody Network. So if you want to learn more about Focal Point, the easiest URL and many of them point to it, just go to pastor pastor mike.com and that will give you our station lineup. We're in about 900 stations across the country and will give you the times that you're on. The times that we're on. And I'd love to meet you there on the air. Anyway, if you have a Bible question, it's time for you to call me. 877548367587754836. No. No. (877) 548-3675. I've got a few shows that I do with different phone numbers. Maybe one day we'll have just the same number. How's that? How's that going to work? I don't know, figure it out. You can send us questions to. And Trish will have to haul it in here in the mailbag. But we love talking about those because you get, uh, you get some great commentary from Trish as well. But just go to online radio.org Openline Radio.com. Look for that. Ask a question form, fill it out and we'll get it in the mailbag. So keep your Bibles open. As doctor Ray likes to say, get your second cup of coffee or whatever it is you drink in the morning to get going, and we're going to get back to the phones with more of your questions. Let's tackle line three here. Russell from Tampa, Florida. You're on the air with pastor Mike. How can I.

Hello, friends. It's time for the second hour of Open Line with Doctor Michael Ray Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America, where we're talking about your questions, trying to answer your questions about the Bible, about God, about the Christian life. I'm doctor Mike Faber is filling in today for Doctor Michael Riedel, who happened to be the founding pastor of Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, California, who had the privilege of talking to actually one of our members there, Brett, who was our last caller in the first hour. I'm the Bible teacher that you'll hear on Focal Point Radio if you listen here to Moody Radio. And I hope that you do so many great programs here. And we've got some new times on the Moody Network. So if you want to learn more about Focal Point, the easiest URL and many of them point to it, just go to pastor pastor mike.com and that will give you our station lineup. We're in about 900 stations across the country and will give you the times that you're on. The times that we're on. And I'd love to meet you there on the air. Anyway, if you have a Bible question, it's time for you to call me. 877548367587754836. No. No. (877) 548-3675. I've got a few shows that I do with different phone numbers. Maybe one day we'll have just the same number. How's that? How's that going to work? I don't know, figure it out. You can send us questions to. And Trish will have to haul it in here in the mailbag. But we love talking about those because you get, uh, you get some great commentary from Trish as well. But just go to online radio.org Openline Radio.com. Look for that. Ask a question form, fill it out and we'll get it in the mailbag. So keep your Bibles open. As doctor Ray likes to say, get your second cup of coffee or whatever it is you drink in the morning to get going, and we're going to get back to the phones with more of your questions. Let's tackle line three here. Russell from Tampa, Florida. You're on the air with pastor Mike. How can I.

Help? Can you hear me? Okay.

Help? Can you hear me? Okay.

Can hear you. Great.

Can hear you. Great.

Okay. Um, so the passage that I'm asking about is found in Luke chapter 12, and it goes down to about verse 41 to the end of the chapter, uh, or 49. I'm sorry. Um. It talks about, uh, when the master returns and finds his servant, uh, not doing his work, he could be beaten with many stripes, but the ones that didn't know wouldn't be beat with as many stripes. Keep in mind, I don't have my Bible in front of me right now. And I kind of want an explanation of this parable. Uh, and I want to give a little background, uh, just so you know where I'm coming from. I was raised in a what you might call a very legalistic church. And one of their teachings was they taught against eternal security. You can't that once saved, always saved. That's a false teaching. You can lose your salvation. And this was one of the scriptures that they would always point to. So I just wanted to get some commentary on this and see exactly what is being conveyed here in this message.

Okay. Um, so the passage that I'm asking about is found in Luke chapter 12, and it goes down to about verse 41 to the end of the chapter, uh, or 49. I'm sorry. Um. It talks about, uh, when the master returns and finds his servant, uh, not doing his work, he could be beaten with many stripes, but the ones that didn't know wouldn't be beat with as many stripes. Keep in mind, I don't have my Bible in front of me right now. And I kind of want an explanation of this parable. Uh, and I want to give a little background, uh, just so you know where I'm coming from. I was raised in a what you might call a very legalistic church. And one of their teachings was they taught against eternal security. You can't that once saved, always saved. That's a false teaching. You can lose your salvation. And this was one of the scriptures that they would always point to. So I just wanted to get some commentary on this and see exactly what is being conveyed here in this message.

Well, I'll give you a short summary, but I would love for you to listen to my sermon on this text. I called it The Fear of Responsibility. And you'll find it on pastor Mike. Com. It's. I mean, if you can jot this down, it's sermon 1604 1604. But in essence, what you have to do is distinguish between two different kinds of disobedient servants. Here one is the erring servant that gets killed and dismembered and assigned to a place with those who have no faith. Right? And the point is, he served himself. He was rebellious, and he was what we would call a fake Christian. And he's punished. Punished like we would say in revelation 22, in the afterlife. But then there's an erring servant that is beaten severely or lightly, right? He's alive and continues to serve the master, but he served poorly. He failed. He's what we would call a real Christian who gets disciplined in this life. So there's two kinds of lagging servants in this text, and I try to elaborate on that through the whole message. It's an hour long message where I try to deal with this text to make sure that we understand that you can be a real Christian and not serve very well, and you will be disciplined. You'll serve the master poorly, and you'll lose rewards and all the things that First Corinthians three talks about. So we want to serve him well. But then there's those that are like the weeds among the wheat, or the wolves among the sheep, or the goats among the sheep. They're not real, they're fakes, they're phonies. And the book of Hebrews talks a lot about it. So I understand these people that think you can lose your salvation. But the reality of this particular passage is talking about two kinds of disobedience. One is someone serving himself and one is serving the master poorly. And I go into great detail on this in that hour long sermon on this particular passage. So we do have discipline in this life. And Hebrews 12 says, every real Christian is going to have that discipline. But we also have churches filled not only with poor servants, but we have churches that also have many fake Christians, and there's no doubt about that. Jesus had his Judas not because he was bad at picking people because he wanted to remind us, we're always going to have people that are there for all the wrong reasons. And even the apostle John, looking back, I think it's chapter 12. He says, you know, look at Judas. He didn't care about the poor. He was pilfering money out of the treasury. Well, everyone thought he was most trustworthy enough at least to keep the money bag. And yet John looks back, takes the Excel sheet out and says, oh, you know, that's where all our money went. The guy was a cheat, so he was in it for himself from the beginning. But he put on a real thick veneer of being a disciple of Christ. So there's two different kinds of erring servants in that, in that sermon. And I think that gives me room to say, this is not talking about people that had it and lost it. It's about people that have been faking it through their Christian life. And there are many of those and Jesus talks about it often. Does that help, Russell?

Well, I'll give you a short summary, but I would love for you to listen to my sermon on this text. I called it The Fear of Responsibility. And you'll find it on pastor Mike. Com. It's. I mean, if you can jot this down, it's sermon 1604 1604. But in essence, what you have to do is distinguish between two different kinds of disobedient servants. Here one is the erring servant that gets killed and dismembered and assigned to a place with those who have no faith. Right? And the point is, he served himself. He was rebellious, and he was what we would call a fake Christian. And he's punished. Punished like we would say in revelation 22, in the afterlife. But then there's an erring servant that is beaten severely or lightly, right? He's alive and continues to serve the master, but he served poorly. He failed. He's what we would call a real Christian who gets disciplined in this life. So there's two kinds of lagging servants in this text, and I try to elaborate on that through the whole message. It's an hour long message where I try to deal with this text to make sure that we understand that you can be a real Christian and not serve very well, and you will be disciplined. You'll serve the master poorly, and you'll lose rewards and all the things that First Corinthians three talks about. So we want to serve him well. But then there's those that are like the weeds among the wheat, or the wolves among the sheep, or the goats among the sheep. They're not real, they're fakes, they're phonies. And the book of Hebrews talks a lot about it. So I understand these people that think you can lose your salvation. But the reality of this particular passage is talking about two kinds of disobedience. One is someone serving himself and one is serving the master poorly. And I go into great detail on this in that hour long sermon on this particular passage. So we do have discipline in this life. And Hebrews 12 says, every real Christian is going to have that discipline. But we also have churches filled not only with poor servants, but we have churches that also have many fake Christians, and there's no doubt about that. Jesus had his Judas not because he was bad at picking people because he wanted to remind us, we're always going to have people that are there for all the wrong reasons. And even the apostle John, looking back, I think it's chapter 12. He says, you know, look at Judas. He didn't care about the poor. He was pilfering money out of the treasury. Well, everyone thought he was most trustworthy enough at least to keep the money bag. And yet John looks back, takes the Excel sheet out and says, oh, you know, that's where all our money went. The guy was a cheat, so he was in it for himself from the beginning. But he put on a real thick veneer of being a disciple of Christ. So there's two different kinds of erring servants in that, in that sermon. And I think that gives me room to say, this is not talking about people that had it and lost it. It's about people that have been faking it through their Christian life. And there are many of those and Jesus talks about it often. Does that help, Russell?

That helps.

That helps.

Okay, we'll tackle that sermon and, uh, call me back. I have a show on different stations. Whatever you go to, pastor Mike. Learn about my schedule or talk to Doctor Riddell here. He'll go further with this as well. But listen to the sermon first and we'll see if that raises any other questions in your mind. Okay.

Okay, we'll tackle that sermon and, uh, call me back. I have a show on different stations. Whatever you go to, pastor Mike. Learn about my schedule or talk to Doctor Riddell here. He'll go further with this as well. But listen to the sermon first and we'll see if that raises any other questions in your mind. Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you. Okay, Russell, thanks for the call. Let's go to line ten. Roger, you're on the air listening on the Moody Radio app. That's great. Yeah. How can I help?

Thank you. Okay, Russell, thanks for the call. Let's go to line ten. Roger, you're on the air listening on the Moody Radio app. That's great. Yeah. How can I help?

Thank you for taking my call. Um, in witnessing to a person. You know, the Bible says if thou shalt believe in thine heart. So what is the clearest way to explain heart belief as opposed to intellectual belief?

Thank you for taking my call. Um, in witnessing to a person. You know, the Bible says if thou shalt believe in thine heart. So what is the clearest way to explain heart belief as opposed to intellectual belief?

Well, I think James chapter two, verses 14 and following, talk about that mental agreement with facts and saying, here's the way we tell the difference. One produces, uh, nothing but intellectual agreement, and the other one produces real fruit. And Jesus talks so much about that, saying, you'll know them by their fruits. Well, you'll know them. Well, who? Whether they have real heart belief or whether they don't. And that's the problem. Because here's what happens according to the Old Testament. Looking forward to the New Covenant. God says, if we're right with him and made right with him, we'll have a new heart, we'll have a new spirit, and the Holy Spirit will come within us and move us and cause us to keep his rules and his precepts. So we know that keeping the rules and precepts comes from the inside, organic internal change, and that eternal change is the work of God when someone is putting their trust in Christ. So we're going to see differences. We're going to see a trajectory. And as I like to say, it's not that we're going to be sinless from that point on, but we're certainly going to start to sin less, and we're going to serve God and start to do what second Corinthians 515 says. And that is, we're no no longer going to live for ourselves, but for him who died for us and rose again. So that's how we tell the whole book of First John is about seeing the evidence of how we can tell mental assent or mental agreement, mental belief, if you will, as the demons have, or whether we have real heart belief, which is, as you put it, there in Romans ten, we got to have that. It's got to believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. Does that help Roger?

Well, I think James chapter two, verses 14 and following, talk about that mental agreement with facts and saying, here's the way we tell the difference. One produces, uh, nothing but intellectual agreement, and the other one produces real fruit. And Jesus talks so much about that, saying, you'll know them by their fruits. Well, you'll know them. Well, who? Whether they have real heart belief or whether they don't. And that's the problem. Because here's what happens according to the Old Testament. Looking forward to the New Covenant. God says, if we're right with him and made right with him, we'll have a new heart, we'll have a new spirit, and the Holy Spirit will come within us and move us and cause us to keep his rules and his precepts. So we know that keeping the rules and precepts comes from the inside, organic internal change, and that eternal change is the work of God when someone is putting their trust in Christ. So we're going to see differences. We're going to see a trajectory. And as I like to say, it's not that we're going to be sinless from that point on, but we're certainly going to start to sin less, and we're going to serve God and start to do what second Corinthians 515 says. And that is, we're no no longer going to live for ourselves, but for him who died for us and rose again. So that's how we tell the whole book of First John is about seeing the evidence of how we can tell mental assent or mental agreement, mental belief, if you will, as the demons have, or whether we have real heart belief, which is, as you put it, there in Romans ten, we got to have that. It's got to believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. Does that help Roger?

Yeah. Um, but, you know, like when when we are witnessing.

Yeah. Um, but, you know, like when when we are witnessing.

Oh, I see, right. I forgot that part. Yeah. Here's what Paul did when he was talking to Christians. Right. He not only said, you need to repent, but he said, and you need to keep fruit. You need to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. So I want to tell people, not only you need to repent, put your trust in Christ, you need to have this penitent faith in Christ. But then I want to say, then you'll start working out your salvation. And if they say, well, I'll do that, but I don't want to do that. Right. Real conversion is going to be someone who is, as the Bible says, regenerate or born again, who's now going to say, yeah, I'm ready to put my effort into this, as Peter put it. Right. He's going to make every effort to add to his faith. And then he lists a long list of virtues. So I want to tell them when I'm witnessing to them. Hey, I want you to put your trust in Christ. And if you do, you're going to sense something internally that is going to shift. You're going to be alive to God and you're going to want to please him. Then I'm going to tell you to work hard at that because Satan's going to be against it. Your flesh is going to be against it, right? You're going to have all kinds of things in this world that are going to push against it, but you're going to have to work this thing out. As the Bible says, all real Christians will. So I want to I want to give that up front. That's what I think Romans are. Sorry. Luke 14 is all about. Start there in verses 25 and go all the way through verse 33, and you'll read in that section of Scripture how Jesus warns them, count the cost. Well, how am I going to count the cost of following Christ? Unless I'm thinking about what it's going to take to obey him? And I'm saying it's not the obedience that saves you, right? It's faith from our perspective that saves us, right? We're putting our trust in Christ, and his meritorious work on the cross is going to save us. But then it's going to be, I'm going to go out and I'm going to start living for the Lord. And I want to think about that. Am I ready? It's like your eight year old comes home and says, I'm going to marry a girl in my third grade class. You don't even understand what you're talking about, right? But if my 23 year old says that, I'm going to say, do you understand what you're talking about? This is a whole life thing. Count the cost. So I think we have to read what real belief in Christ looks like, and it's always going to look like a willingness to now say, you're right. God is God. Jesus is Lord. I'm going to live for him. So I think that's the important part of this. And we need to start saying that more in our evangelism, not just, hey, get the goodies by praying this prayer. It's a little different than that. Do you follow?

Oh, I see, right. I forgot that part. Yeah. Here's what Paul did when he was talking to Christians. Right. He not only said, you need to repent, but he said, and you need to keep fruit. You need to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. So I want to tell people, not only you need to repent, put your trust in Christ, you need to have this penitent faith in Christ. But then I want to say, then you'll start working out your salvation. And if they say, well, I'll do that, but I don't want to do that. Right. Real conversion is going to be someone who is, as the Bible says, regenerate or born again, who's now going to say, yeah, I'm ready to put my effort into this, as Peter put it. Right. He's going to make every effort to add to his faith. And then he lists a long list of virtues. So I want to tell them when I'm witnessing to them. Hey, I want you to put your trust in Christ. And if you do, you're going to sense something internally that is going to shift. You're going to be alive to God and you're going to want to please him. Then I'm going to tell you to work hard at that because Satan's going to be against it. Your flesh is going to be against it, right? You're going to have all kinds of things in this world that are going to push against it, but you're going to have to work this thing out. As the Bible says, all real Christians will. So I want to I want to give that up front. That's what I think Romans are. Sorry. Luke 14 is all about. Start there in verses 25 and go all the way through verse 33, and you'll read in that section of Scripture how Jesus warns them, count the cost. Well, how am I going to count the cost of following Christ? Unless I'm thinking about what it's going to take to obey him? And I'm saying it's not the obedience that saves you, right? It's faith from our perspective that saves us, right? We're putting our trust in Christ, and his meritorious work on the cross is going to save us. But then it's going to be, I'm going to go out and I'm going to start living for the Lord. And I want to think about that. Am I ready? It's like your eight year old comes home and says, I'm going to marry a girl in my third grade class. You don't even understand what you're talking about, right? But if my 23 year old says that, I'm going to say, do you understand what you're talking about? This is a whole life thing. Count the cost. So I think we have to read what real belief in Christ looks like, and it's always going to look like a willingness to now say, you're right. God is God. Jesus is Lord. I'm going to live for him. So I think that's the important part of this. And we need to start saying that more in our evangelism, not just, hey, get the goodies by praying this prayer. It's a little different than that. Do you follow?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's yeah, that's the, um, difference I wanted to, uh, have. I know when I got saved, I, my pastor gave me the plan of salvation and he said, now it's up to you. And I went down on my knees, but I feel that I was saved before my knees hit the floor. And that's that's.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's yeah, that's the, um, difference I wanted to, uh, have. I know when I got saved, I, my pastor gave me the plan of salvation and he said, now it's up to you. And I went down on my knees, but I feel that I was saved before my knees hit the floor. And that's that's.

I think you're right, I really do. I think you're right. Um, yeah. Because God, God does this amazing work in changing us from the inside. So I think you're on to it, Roger. Sounds like you're thinking rightly about this. I appreciate the call. All right. Thank you. So glad for the call. And if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life, give me a call. (877) 548-3675. My name is pastor Mike Faber. I'm sitting in today for Doctor Michael Riedel, who's on a stage right now, a platform passing out degrees. You're listening to Open Line with Doctor Michael Riedel, Moody Radio's Bible study Across America. My name is Mike Faber. Sitting in today. We hope to have more of your questions right after this.

I think you're right, I really do. I think you're right. Um, yeah. Because God, God does this amazing work in changing us from the inside. So I think you're on to it, Roger. Sounds like you're thinking rightly about this. I appreciate the call. All right. Thank you. So glad for the call. And if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life, give me a call. (877) 548-3675. My name is pastor Mike Faber. I'm sitting in today for Doctor Michael Riedel, who's on a stage right now, a platform passing out degrees. You're listening to Open Line with Doctor Michael Riedel, Moody Radio's Bible study Across America. My name is Mike Faber. Sitting in today. We hope to have more of your questions right after this.

Ever been reading your Bible and come across an unfamiliar name, place, or object that left you confused. Well, you're not alone. That's why we want to send you the Ultimate Bible Dictionary, a practical resource with hundreds of clear, accessible definitions, enhanced by colorful maps and illustrations that bring the Scripture to life. Get your copy of this handy resource today with your gift of any amount. Call 886447122 or visit openline. Radio org. Everyone has questions about God, the Bible and living out our faith and that's why we're here on Open Line. We take your questions and provide answers straight from Scripture. But we couldn't do this without you. When you become a kitchen table partner, you're not only keeping this program on the air. Every weekend, you'll also receive exclusive benefits like personal audio messages from me that offer biblical encouragement. Become a kitchen table partner today by calling 888644712 or go to Open Line Radio. Org.

Ever been reading your Bible and come across an unfamiliar name, place, or object that left you confused. Well, you're not alone. That's why we want to send you the Ultimate Bible Dictionary, a practical resource with hundreds of clear, accessible definitions, enhanced by colorful maps and illustrations that bring the Scripture to life. Get your copy of this handy resource today with your gift of any amount. Call 886447122 or visit openline. Radio org. Everyone has questions about God, the Bible and living out our faith and that's why we're here on Open Line. We take your questions and provide answers straight from Scripture. But we couldn't do this without you. When you become a kitchen table partner, you're not only keeping this program on the air. Every weekend, you'll also receive exclusive benefits like personal audio messages from me that offer biblical encouragement. Become a kitchen table partner today by calling 888644712 or go to Open Line Radio. Org.

Well, welcome back to Open Line with doctor Michael Riedel. I'm doctor Mike Faber sitting in for Doctor Michael. I need to tell you, I really like him. We are friends. I love his heart. I love what he cares about. I love his mind. Obviously, you love his program. I assume if you're listening today. And I just want to tell you that we're mutual. Uh, you and I both respect Doctor Michael Redlich so much. So grateful that he taps me when he is busy with very important things. The number. Love for you to call me this morning. (877) 548-3675. So dig deep into that pocket and pull out that little skinny thing that you usually use to text and check sports scores and all that. And it actually works as a phone. If you put in these numbers 87754836, seven five and you can get on the air with me. I should mention, because I had a long discussion during the break with Brett, who called in, who happened to be from my very own church in Orange County, and we talked more about that. I only had a line before, but I didn't blow him off. I didn't I didn't hit the dump button on him. I we talked a little bit about the difference between baptism and a Presbyterian tradition and baptism among most Baptistic style churches, and that is, we believe in believer's baptism, and I do here, and I know Doctor Riddell does. Uh, so it is not the equivalent of circumcision. We talk that through in the break just because he had to go. I wanted to hold him over, but he had something going on, uh, which I understand. Everybody in Orange County so busy. But anyway, we dealt with that off the air. But if you want to want me to go, go more on that. You just going to have to call me. And the number 87754856. What what did I say. 5483675. Man, I got to memorize this number. Doctor Radelet can say it in his sleep. His wife just bumps him in the night, and he says 8775, four eight, three, six, seven, six. But I'm not quite there yet. Let's go to line two. Terry from Indiana listening on WGN. You're on the air with pastor Mike Fabares. How can I help?

Well, welcome back to Open Line with doctor Michael Riedel. I'm doctor Mike Faber sitting in for Doctor Michael. I need to tell you, I really like him. We are friends. I love his heart. I love what he cares about. I love his mind. Obviously, you love his program. I assume if you're listening today. And I just want to tell you that we're mutual. Uh, you and I both respect Doctor Michael Redlich so much. So grateful that he taps me when he is busy with very important things. The number. Love for you to call me this morning. (877) 548-3675. So dig deep into that pocket and pull out that little skinny thing that you usually use to text and check sports scores and all that. And it actually works as a phone. If you put in these numbers 87754836, seven five and you can get on the air with me. I should mention, because I had a long discussion during the break with Brett, who called in, who happened to be from my very own church in Orange County, and we talked more about that. I only had a line before, but I didn't blow him off. I didn't I didn't hit the dump button on him. I we talked a little bit about the difference between baptism and a Presbyterian tradition and baptism among most Baptistic style churches, and that is, we believe in believer's baptism, and I do here, and I know Doctor Riddell does. Uh, so it is not the equivalent of circumcision. We talk that through in the break just because he had to go. I wanted to hold him over, but he had something going on, uh, which I understand. Everybody in Orange County so busy. But anyway, we dealt with that off the air. But if you want to want me to go, go more on that. You just going to have to call me. And the number 87754856. What what did I say. 5483675. Man, I got to memorize this number. Doctor Radelet can say it in his sleep. His wife just bumps him in the night, and he says 8775, four eight, three, six, seven, six. But I'm not quite there yet. Let's go to line two. Terry from Indiana listening on WGN. You're on the air with pastor Mike Fabares. How can I help?

Yes. I would like to ask you a couple questions, if I could.

Yes. I would like to ask you a couple questions, if I could.

Sure.

Sure.

The first one. When Jesus was on the cross, he asked the father to forgive them. Did God forgive them?

The first one. When Jesus was on the cross, he asked the father to forgive them. Did God forgive them?

Only those who put their trust in Jesus Christ in the way that we usually think of forgiveness, that is, the forgiveness of sins and no condemnation. You're only going to get no condemnation for those in Christ. But here's the thing right now think about it today. Right now, we're in downtown Chicago right now, and there are a lot of people that are standing for all the wrong things, doing wrong things, living wrong lives. Right? In a sense, God is forgiving them. He's holding back his judgment on them. And if you think about the worst sin you could could create, I mean, it's bad enough to rob a 7-Eleven or whatever. That's terrible. But to to hang the Son of God on a cross, ridicule him, mock him. Right. Hang him up there, make fun of him, and to scorn that man. That's the worst sin ever. So. God. Right? If he were to do what is just at that moment would be to annihilate everybody in the crowd. But he doesn't. And in that sense, the forgiveness and love of God is extended to those people. And I think that's what this means. It doesn't mean God give them a blanket pardon like the Pope or something, saying you get a full indulgence here. That's not what's happening. He is saying something because the most egregious sin that has ever taken place is now taking place, and that is that guilty sinners are taking the creator and crucifying him. So I think that's what this has to do with not the kind of forgiveness we see, and that there's no penalty for our sins in the afterlife. So they weren't obliterated. And in that sense, God answered the prayer. But are they in the kingdom? No, not unless they put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the man on the cross standing next to him did. And I assume the Roman soldier that was standing there and saying, this surely was the Son of God probably did. And many in the crowd became followers of Christ, as we see later in the book of acts. So there's the difference. There's two kinds of forgiveness, right? There's the kind of forgiveness that says, like, we have to say, I forgive you, which means I'm going to trust the Lord to deal with you later. Right. It's not. I want God to punish you now. I'm not holding grudges. I'm not calling fire down from heaven on you. That's a kind of forgiveness. Then there's a kind of forgiveness where someone has sinned against me and they repent. They apologize, and I reconcile. There's no reconciliation in the answer to that prayer, only those individuals who trust in Christ. But there certainly was a withholding of God's wrath, which is a form of forgiveness. It's holding back what they deserve. Does that help?

Only those who put their trust in Jesus Christ in the way that we usually think of forgiveness, that is, the forgiveness of sins and no condemnation. You're only going to get no condemnation for those in Christ. But here's the thing right now think about it today. Right now, we're in downtown Chicago right now, and there are a lot of people that are standing for all the wrong things, doing wrong things, living wrong lives. Right? In a sense, God is forgiving them. He's holding back his judgment on them. And if you think about the worst sin you could could create, I mean, it's bad enough to rob a 7-Eleven or whatever. That's terrible. But to to hang the Son of God on a cross, ridicule him, mock him. Right. Hang him up there, make fun of him, and to scorn that man. That's the worst sin ever. So. God. Right? If he were to do what is just at that moment would be to annihilate everybody in the crowd. But he doesn't. And in that sense, the forgiveness and love of God is extended to those people. And I think that's what this means. It doesn't mean God give them a blanket pardon like the Pope or something, saying you get a full indulgence here. That's not what's happening. He is saying something because the most egregious sin that has ever taken place is now taking place, and that is that guilty sinners are taking the creator and crucifying him. So I think that's what this has to do with not the kind of forgiveness we see, and that there's no penalty for our sins in the afterlife. So they weren't obliterated. And in that sense, God answered the prayer. But are they in the kingdom? No, not unless they put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the man on the cross standing next to him did. And I assume the Roman soldier that was standing there and saying, this surely was the Son of God probably did. And many in the crowd became followers of Christ, as we see later in the book of acts. So there's the difference. There's two kinds of forgiveness, right? There's the kind of forgiveness that says, like, we have to say, I forgive you, which means I'm going to trust the Lord to deal with you later. Right. It's not. I want God to punish you now. I'm not holding grudges. I'm not calling fire down from heaven on you. That's a kind of forgiveness. Then there's a kind of forgiveness where someone has sinned against me and they repent. They apologize, and I reconcile. There's no reconciliation in the answer to that prayer, only those individuals who trust in Christ. But there certainly was a withholding of God's wrath, which is a form of forgiveness. It's holding back what they deserve. Does that help?

Yes. The other question is, did Jesus forgive Judas?

Yes. The other question is, did Jesus forgive Judas?

Well, there's no data on that. I don't have any information on that. But since he calls him in his prayer, the son of perdition, he says in the upper room that he is the son of punishment. I think, no, there's no eternal forgiveness for Judas because he's he's going to a place of punishment. And Jesus said, better for you. Were you not even born? So, no, I don't think there's any kind of forgiveness. Again, if we're thinking about the forgiveness that I want my friends, neighbors and non-Christian family members to get hold of, right? Which is to have your sins forgiven so you never have to face judgment. Uh, no, I don't think Judas received that because God was clear in the words of Christ that he is the child of punishment or the child of destruction. He would be punished eternally. And I think that's exactly where he is today.

Well, there's no data on that. I don't have any information on that. But since he calls him in his prayer, the son of perdition, he says in the upper room that he is the son of punishment. I think, no, there's no eternal forgiveness for Judas because he's he's going to a place of punishment. And Jesus said, better for you. Were you not even born? So, no, I don't think there's any kind of forgiveness. Again, if we're thinking about the forgiveness that I want my friends, neighbors and non-Christian family members to get hold of, right? Which is to have your sins forgiven so you never have to face judgment. Uh, no, I don't think Judas received that because God was clear in the words of Christ that he is the child of punishment or the child of destruction. He would be punished eternally. And I think that's exactly where he is today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, Terry, thanks for listening. Thanks for the call. My name is Mike Faber, sitting in today for doctor Ray Delic. Let's go to line one. Had a lot of line one calls here even though we have 12 lines here. But let's go to line one. Lou Ann you're on the air with pastor Mike. How can I help?

Okay, Terry, thanks for listening. Thanks for the call. My name is Mike Faber, sitting in today for doctor Ray Delic. Let's go to line one. Had a lot of line one calls here even though we have 12 lines here. But let's go to line one. Lou Ann you're on the air with pastor Mike. How can I help?

Oh, pastor Mike, thank you so much. And, Trish, thank you.

Oh, pastor Mike, thank you so much. And, Trish, thank you.

Um, Trish.

Um, Trish.

God bless her. Yes. God bless her. She looked up my verse. Um, I want to know. Yeah, because I didn't I wasn't sure where it was. I sad, but I'm in the car and I don't have, um, available stuff, so, um, anyway, when when the third temple is to be built. Yes. And I know there's some people that think that we are the temple. You know, we are the temple after all, so maybe it won't be built. However, it seems like it is built. But, um, my question is when that person comes in from the east and it seems to appear that that that is God or the Messiah, um, but then he gives sacrifice. He offers sacrifice as a bull, so it can't be. Jesus. We know he has no sin. There's nothing to sacrifice for him. Correct?

God bless her. Yes. God bless her. She looked up my verse. Um, I want to know. Yeah, because I didn't I wasn't sure where it was. I sad, but I'm in the car and I don't have, um, available stuff, so, um, anyway, when when the third temple is to be built. Yes. And I know there's some people that think that we are the temple. You know, we are the temple after all, so maybe it won't be built. However, it seems like it is built. But, um, my question is when that person comes in from the east and it seems to appear that that that is God or the Messiah, um, but then he gives sacrifice. He offers sacrifice as a bull, so it can't be. Jesus. We know he has no sin. There's nothing to sacrifice for him. Correct?

Well, remember that a lot of the sacrifices, if you think about the high priestly sacrifice, was a sacrifice on behalf of the nation. So just because someone sacrifices, right. It says in the book of Hebrews, they have to sacrifice first for their own sin, and they sacrifice for the others. So I don't think that necessarily excludes him from that. And remember the sacrifices that are going on in that temple, which I do believe is going to be built, because he sure went to a lot of of detail about the measurements. If this is just symbolic of the church. So I believe it's literal, as Doctor Riddell would often say. But here's the deal, right? These are all about ceremonial uncleanness. These are all about having done the right regulations to be in sync with the people on the Temple Mount and all the rest. So I do think it's possible that this could be Jesus. And, um, you know, there's a lot about this that we're going to have to wait and see how it plays out, even the role of David and all of this, because it talks about him being a part of it. So I'm not sure. Uh, but I don't think just because there's a sacrifice administered by a priest that that particular sacrifice couldn't be done by a holy one, because it is often done for the sins of others, as is spelled out even in the book of Leviticus. Does that help?

Well, remember that a lot of the sacrifices, if you think about the high priestly sacrifice, was a sacrifice on behalf of the nation. So just because someone sacrifices, right. It says in the book of Hebrews, they have to sacrifice first for their own sin, and they sacrifice for the others. So I don't think that necessarily excludes him from that. And remember the sacrifices that are going on in that temple, which I do believe is going to be built, because he sure went to a lot of of detail about the measurements. If this is just symbolic of the church. So I believe it's literal, as Doctor Riddell would often say. But here's the deal, right? These are all about ceremonial uncleanness. These are all about having done the right regulations to be in sync with the people on the Temple Mount and all the rest. So I do think it's possible that this could be Jesus. And, um, you know, there's a lot about this that we're going to have to wait and see how it plays out, even the role of David and all of this, because it talks about him being a part of it. So I'm not sure. Uh, but I don't think just because there's a sacrifice administered by a priest that that particular sacrifice couldn't be done by a holy one, because it is often done for the sins of others, as is spelled out even in the book of Leviticus. Does that help?

Yes. Where Scripture in Leviticus should I look?

Yes. Where Scripture in Leviticus should I look?

Well, uh, you know, I'm thinking, first of all, even at the beginning, in chapter one, verse four, it talks about the worshiper coming and and the priest making him lay his hand on the head of the animal, and it being accepted for his sin. So the priest there is accepting a sacrifice and administering the sacrifice on behalf of the sin of the person bringing the animal. That's Leviticus one four. That's how the whole book starts. And I do think that is the picture. Often, even though Hebrews points out, you know, sinful priests in human priests at least are sinful and have to sacrifice for their own sins as well as the sins of the people. So it starts immediately with one example of someone taking a sacrifice, administering the sacrifice, but doing it for the one sin who has come and worship. Does that help?

Well, uh, you know, I'm thinking, first of all, even at the beginning, in chapter one, verse four, it talks about the worshiper coming and and the priest making him lay his hand on the head of the animal, and it being accepted for his sin. So the priest there is accepting a sacrifice and administering the sacrifice on behalf of the sin of the person bringing the animal. That's Leviticus one four. That's how the whole book starts. And I do think that is the picture. Often, even though Hebrews points out, you know, sinful priests in human priests at least are sinful and have to sacrifice for their own sins as well as the sins of the people. So it starts immediately with one example of someone taking a sacrifice, administering the sacrifice, but doing it for the one sin who has come and worship. Does that help?

Excellent. Oh, absolutely.

Excellent. Oh, absolutely.

All right, Lou Ann, love you. Yeah. Thank you so much for listening out there in Indianapolis. You ever been to the race out there, that big car?

All right, Lou Ann, love you. Yeah. Thank you so much for listening out there in Indianapolis. You ever been to the race out there, that big car?

Who hasn't?

Who hasn't?

Who hasn't? Well, I haven't. I guess if I live there, I. Well, you have me out and I'll go watch those cars go in circles all day.

Who hasn't? Well, I haven't. I guess if I live there, I. Well, you have me out and I'll go watch those cars go in circles all day.

You know, I would.

You know, I would.

That'd be fun. All right, let's go to line three. Bill from New Lenox, Illinois. You're on the air with pastor Mike Fabares. How can I help?

That'd be fun. All right, let's go to line three. Bill from New Lenox, Illinois. You're on the air with pastor Mike Fabares. How can I help?

Hi. Thank you for taking my call. Um, I've always had the thought that it's about a timeline where the Bible says that, um, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. My question is, when that happened, nobody knows when it happened, but when it did happen, there should not have been an earth to throw them to. If the creation was when God created the heavens and the earth, um, meaning maybe they they were on the earth way before God created the heavens and the earth or or created the earth for human beings. So that would be okay.

Hi. Thank you for taking my call. Um, I've always had the thought that it's about a timeline where the Bible says that, um, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. My question is, when that happened, nobody knows when it happened, but when it did happen, there should not have been an earth to throw them to. If the creation was when God created the heavens and the earth, um, meaning maybe they they were on the earth way before God created the heavens and the earth or or created the earth for human beings. So that would be okay.

I think there's a conflation of a few ideas here, because Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 talking about the fall of Satan and the statement in revelation 12, verse four, about the third of the angels being swept out and thrown down to earth. I think what's going on in revelation 12th May talk about the number of demons, but it doesn't deal with the ancient casting out, or at least the fall of Satan, I don't believe. I think it has to do with them no longer being able to come before God at that particular point in the tribulation. And you think about job. Of course, even Satan himself is coming before God in this divine council or whatever you'd like to call it. I call it a heavenly board meeting. And sometimes the enemies come to this board meeting. So I don't think that it necessitates that the fall of Satan is taking place when the earth is built. Although most people, I think, would believe that when I'm asked the question, I think I'm not sure when it all took place. Here's what some people would say it had to be after the earth was made, because God said it's all good all the way through, you know, the sixth day. And so if he's saying it's good, it's good, it's good, then, you know, Satan couldn't have fallen. Well, I think he's talking about creation itself. So if and here's why some people are looking for a timeline that gives us some prehistoric Historic past that is built into the story about an Earth is usually because they're looking at paleontologists and geologists that are saying, oh, these rocks are billions of years old, and these dinosaurs lived on the Earth years, you know, eons ago. And so this kind of gives Christians some hope that maybe we can harmonize with the geologists and paleontologists are saying with what the theologians are saying, and I'm not buying that, and I don't I don't want to go there because everything that God creates, right, he creates mature. And everything we see in Jesus's ministry, he creates things that have an, a, a, an appearance of a history and age they never had. Right? I believe that Adam and Eve were were made, and when they were five minutes old, they looked like they were, whatever, 30 years old. So I don't think it's any problem to have, for instance, parent isotopes in Iraq and daughter isotopes in Iraq. If you want to get down to the molecular structure of these rocks, that they have to be this old, because look at the balance of the way this atomic decay works. I just don't think that's how it is. I don't think I have to say Iraq is this old. I think God creates rocks. that are ready to be rocks right out of the box. So here's the. That rhymes I didn't, I didn't I didn't anticipate that. So here's the thing. What I'm doing as a Christian is looking at the biblical data and some things I think I don't know when it happened and I really don't know when Satan fell. It could have been after creation of the world. It could have been. And some people think that because they say Satan is jealous of what's going on with this new creation, I don't know. I think he's a little more complicated than that, but I don't know. I don't really have a good answer, but we'll find out one day about that. And I think dinosaurs fit into human reality. I think it comes to the pre-flood world, where we had a world that was much more conducive to life. That's why they lived to be over 900 years old. Human beings did, and I think we could have a world that could sustain with the kind of tropical universal world we had, you know, animals like dinosaurs. And that's not the world we had after the flood, because people started to die at 100 within a matter of generations, and dinosaurs went away, and there in the catastrophic strata of our rocks that came, I believe, from the flood. Does that help, Bill?

I think there's a conflation of a few ideas here, because Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 talking about the fall of Satan and the statement in revelation 12, verse four, about the third of the angels being swept out and thrown down to earth. I think what's going on in revelation 12th May talk about the number of demons, but it doesn't deal with the ancient casting out, or at least the fall of Satan, I don't believe. I think it has to do with them no longer being able to come before God at that particular point in the tribulation. And you think about job. Of course, even Satan himself is coming before God in this divine council or whatever you'd like to call it. I call it a heavenly board meeting. And sometimes the enemies come to this board meeting. So I don't think that it necessitates that the fall of Satan is taking place when the earth is built. Although most people, I think, would believe that when I'm asked the question, I think I'm not sure when it all took place. Here's what some people would say it had to be after the earth was made, because God said it's all good all the way through, you know, the sixth day. And so if he's saying it's good, it's good, it's good, then, you know, Satan couldn't have fallen. Well, I think he's talking about creation itself. So if and here's why some people are looking for a timeline that gives us some prehistoric Historic past that is built into the story about an Earth is usually because they're looking at paleontologists and geologists that are saying, oh, these rocks are billions of years old, and these dinosaurs lived on the Earth years, you know, eons ago. And so this kind of gives Christians some hope that maybe we can harmonize with the geologists and paleontologists are saying with what the theologians are saying, and I'm not buying that, and I don't I don't want to go there because everything that God creates, right, he creates mature. And everything we see in Jesus's ministry, he creates things that have an, a, a, an appearance of a history and age they never had. Right? I believe that Adam and Eve were were made, and when they were five minutes old, they looked like they were, whatever, 30 years old. So I don't think it's any problem to have, for instance, parent isotopes in Iraq and daughter isotopes in Iraq. If you want to get down to the molecular structure of these rocks, that they have to be this old, because look at the balance of the way this atomic decay works. I just don't think that's how it is. I don't think I have to say Iraq is this old. I think God creates rocks. that are ready to be rocks right out of the box. So here's the. That rhymes I didn't, I didn't I didn't anticipate that. So here's the thing. What I'm doing as a Christian is looking at the biblical data and some things I think I don't know when it happened and I really don't know when Satan fell. It could have been after creation of the world. It could have been. And some people think that because they say Satan is jealous of what's going on with this new creation, I don't know. I think he's a little more complicated than that, but I don't know. I don't really have a good answer, but we'll find out one day about that. And I think dinosaurs fit into human reality. I think it comes to the pre-flood world, where we had a world that was much more conducive to life. That's why they lived to be over 900 years old. Human beings did, and I think we could have a world that could sustain with the kind of tropical universal world we had, you know, animals like dinosaurs. And that's not the world we had after the flood, because people started to die at 100 within a matter of generations, and dinosaurs went away, and there in the catastrophic strata of our rocks that came, I believe, from the flood. Does that help, Bill?

That helps a lot. Thank you very much.

That helps a lot. Thank you very much.

Well, there's the music, and that means I can't keep talking. That's how it works around here. We got a mailbag segment coming up. Trish is going to come in and tell us what's on the mailbag. What's in the mailbag. This is open line with Doctor Michael Riedel on Moody Radio I'm Mike Faber sitting in today. And we'll be back right after this break.

Well, there's the music, and that means I can't keep talking. That's how it works around here. We got a mailbag segment coming up. Trish is going to come in and tell us what's on the mailbag. What's in the mailbag. This is open line with Doctor Michael Riedel on Moody Radio I'm Mike Faber sitting in today. And we'll be back right after this break.

We're so glad that Febc partners with Open Line with Doctor Michael Redlick, bringing the Febc mailbag every week. Learn how Far East Broadcasting Company is taking Christ to the world at febc. Org on their weekly podcast. Until all I've heard with Ed Cannon, you'll hear stories of lives changed by Messiah all across the globe. Again. You can hear the podcast when you visit Febc. Org. That's Febc. Org.

We're so glad that Febc partners with Open Line with Doctor Michael Redlick, bringing the Febc mailbag every week. Learn how Far East Broadcasting Company is taking Christ to the world at febc. Org on their weekly podcast. Until all I've heard with Ed Cannon, you'll hear stories of lives changed by Messiah all across the globe. Again. You can hear the podcast when you visit Febc. Org. That's Febc. Org.

Welcome back to Openline. I'm doctor Mike Fabares filling in for Doctor Michael Melnick today. And I got to tell you, Febc, you just heard that commercial great ministry doing great things. You should hear some of the stories, which I get to hear, which even go beyond what is broadcast on the on the radio. They're just doing amazing things, getting the gospel all over the world. It's a great ministry. I hope you pray for them. I know Doctor Riddell loves what they're doing there at Febc and so do I. Anyway, it's mailbag time and that's when Trish the getting shouts shout outs everywhere. Today you're helping people find verses in the Bible. What an amazing person this is. Trish McMillan is here with me and we got the mailbag. So what do we have in the mailbag? This segment.

Welcome back to Openline. I'm doctor Mike Fabares filling in for Doctor Michael Melnick today. And I got to tell you, Febc, you just heard that commercial great ministry doing great things. You should hear some of the stories, which I get to hear, which even go beyond what is broadcast on the on the radio. They're just doing amazing things, getting the gospel all over the world. It's a great ministry. I hope you pray for them. I know Doctor Riddell loves what they're doing there at Febc and so do I. Anyway, it's mailbag time and that's when Trish the getting shouts shout outs everywhere. Today you're helping people find verses in the Bible. What an amazing person this is. Trish McMillan is here with me and we got the mailbag. So what do we have in the mailbag? This segment.

All right joy is our first one from Illinois. She listens to WNBA and has taken us to revelation 22, verse 15, which says. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. So this is in the New Jerusalem. Um, and so she said, shouldn't there be. No, there's no curse on anything in God's living with his people. He himself is their source of light. So where are these immoral, these sorcerers, murderers, idolaters coming from? That they'll live outside the city. I thought that old things were all made new. Um, what are these things, and why are they there?

All right joy is our first one from Illinois. She listens to WNBA and has taken us to revelation 22, verse 15, which says. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. So this is in the New Jerusalem. Um, and so she said, shouldn't there be. No, there's no curse on anything in God's living with his people. He himself is their source of light. So where are these immoral, these sorcerers, murderers, idolaters coming from? That they'll live outside the city. I thought that old things were all made new. Um, what are these things, and why are they there?

Yeah. Well, when you get there, you get Zillow right away and get, get don't get anywhere near the walls because the housing prices.

Yeah. Well, when you get there, you get Zillow right away and get, get don't get anywhere near the walls because the housing prices.

Location, location, location.

Location, location, location.

That's right. You don't want me near the wall. Okay. I know that's how we envision it. We read that passage, we think, oh, it's right there. Right. I'm going to look out the window of the walls of the New Jerusalem, and I'm going to see all these people scratching at the wall. That's not it. Uh, outside means outside. Let me put it this way. Way outside. Even think about the fact that Jesus says he is the light. We don't even need sun because Jesus is there, illuminating the whole place. Well, Jesus said, if you're lost, you're going to go into outer darkness where there's weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, as it says in Second Thessalonians one. I think it's verse seven. You're away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power. You're nowhere near it. You're outside. But outside is a relative term. How far outside are the lost? Way, way, way outside. They're in isolation. They're not anywhere near us. They're outside. So outside just means outside. Which I think should mean this, that there's none of these people there. That's the whole point. The New Jerusalem is filled with glorified saints, glorified Christians, glorified people, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And as it says in Psalm 16, think about this verse 11, right in the presence of God, there's fullness of joy right at his right hand. There are pleasures forevermore, so you're not going to be looking out the window of your of your home thinking, I'm near the wall. I'm looking over the wall here in my high rise condo, and I'm seeing all these non-Christians out there begging to get in. That's not how this is. There an outer darkness. We are in light. They are in away from the presence of the Lord. Way far. And so you're not you're not going to see them there, trust me.

That's right. You don't want me near the wall. Okay. I know that's how we envision it. We read that passage, we think, oh, it's right there. Right. I'm going to look out the window of the walls of the New Jerusalem, and I'm going to see all these people scratching at the wall. That's not it. Uh, outside means outside. Let me put it this way. Way outside. Even think about the fact that Jesus says he is the light. We don't even need sun because Jesus is there, illuminating the whole place. Well, Jesus said, if you're lost, you're going to go into outer darkness where there's weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, as it says in Second Thessalonians one. I think it's verse seven. You're away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power. You're nowhere near it. You're outside. But outside is a relative term. How far outside are the lost? Way, way, way outside. They're in isolation. They're not anywhere near us. They're outside. So outside just means outside. Which I think should mean this, that there's none of these people there. That's the whole point. The New Jerusalem is filled with glorified saints, glorified Christians, glorified people, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And as it says in Psalm 16, think about this verse 11, right in the presence of God, there's fullness of joy right at his right hand. There are pleasures forevermore, so you're not going to be looking out the window of your of your home thinking, I'm near the wall. I'm looking over the wall here in my high rise condo, and I'm seeing all these non-Christians out there begging to get in. That's not how this is. There an outer darkness. We are in light. They are in away from the presence of the Lord. Way far. And so you're not you're not going to see them there, trust me.

So for someone who's listening, who's like, oh no, I don't want to be in that outer darkness.

So for someone who's listening, who's like, oh no, I don't want to be in that outer darkness.

Yes.

Yes.

Um, how do I make sure I'm in that city?

Um, how do I make sure I'm in that city?

You should pay attention to Moody radio is what you should do. Because we're going to tell you in every different way we can. You've got to admit. Number one, the bad news. You're a sinner. You do not qualify. No one does. The best person you know does not qualify. Don't tell me you're going to heaven because you're a good person. Because Jesus said there is no one good except God alone. Read Romans chapter three. All of us are sinners. Then read Romans chapter four. The only way to get right with God to be counted as righteous, is to put your trust in the finished work of Christ. He lived a perfect human life in your place. He died on a cross to absorb the penalty of your sin. Trust him. He rose from the dead to prove that it all worked, and you need to put your trust in him. So let Mike Fabares paraphrase of the gospel be the trigger right now in your heart to get down on your knees and to say, God, I'm a sinner. I see the problem, I need you. Throw yourself on his mercy today as a sinner and you will get off your knees justified. So do that. And that's how you get a place in the kingdom.

You should pay attention to Moody radio is what you should do. Because we're going to tell you in every different way we can. You've got to admit. Number one, the bad news. You're a sinner. You do not qualify. No one does. The best person you know does not qualify. Don't tell me you're going to heaven because you're a good person. Because Jesus said there is no one good except God alone. Read Romans chapter three. All of us are sinners. Then read Romans chapter four. The only way to get right with God to be counted as righteous, is to put your trust in the finished work of Christ. He lived a perfect human life in your place. He died on a cross to absorb the penalty of your sin. Trust him. He rose from the dead to prove that it all worked, and you need to put your trust in him. So let Mike Fabares paraphrase of the gospel be the trigger right now in your heart to get down on your knees and to say, God, I'm a sinner. I see the problem, I need you. Throw yourself on his mercy today as a sinner and you will get off your knees justified. So do that. And that's how you get a place in the kingdom.

If if that's something you're interested in, more information, or you've been talking with a friend and you want to get them more information, if you go to our website, our website, openline radio Dot, and then the top right corner, um, on on a computer or it's in the drop down menu of the little three hamburger thing on the on a mobile app. Um, click on Know Christ. And that will take you to a page where there's a lot more information and you can, um, get some information sent to you. And, um, it's laid out with verses and different things that you can look at. So open line radio.org and then find the link in the top right corner that says Know Christ. And we'd love to get you some more information. If you have questions or you have done that today and made that decision. Our next question is from Sue in Illinois, who was reading Matthew and started thinking about God talking. Uh, so Mary and Joseph being the earthly parents of Jesus, and where God's talking to Joseph about where to go, why he had to leave. Um, when Herod goes to kill all the babies and the angel comes and says, you need to leave. Um, would Mary and Joseph not have known about the prophecy about Herod and him wanting to kill Jesus from the Old Testament? So this is Matthew 217 and 18, which says, then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled. A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be consoled because they were no more.

If if that's something you're interested in, more information, or you've been talking with a friend and you want to get them more information, if you go to our website, our website, openline radio Dot, and then the top right corner, um, on on a computer or it's in the drop down menu of the little three hamburger thing on the on a mobile app. Um, click on Know Christ. And that will take you to a page where there's a lot more information and you can, um, get some information sent to you. And, um, it's laid out with verses and different things that you can look at. So open line radio.org and then find the link in the top right corner that says Know Christ. And we'd love to get you some more information. If you have questions or you have done that today and made that decision. Our next question is from Sue in Illinois, who was reading Matthew and started thinking about God talking. Uh, so Mary and Joseph being the earthly parents of Jesus, and where God's talking to Joseph about where to go, why he had to leave. Um, when Herod goes to kill all the babies and the angel comes and says, you need to leave. Um, would Mary and Joseph not have known about the prophecy about Herod and him wanting to kill Jesus from the Old Testament? So this is Matthew 217 and 18, which says, then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled. A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be consoled because they were no more.

Well, we have to remember, Matthew is not only giving us prophecies that are fulfilled, that are clearly understood in the day as a messianic prophecy, but he's also tying things together that I sometimes would call a messianic prophecy. Category two there are things that fit and there are things that work. And he's tying them together. Because obviously, in retrospect, yeah, this fits. I don't think anyone in the first century ever interpreted Jeremiah 31 as a messianic prophecy. Matthew is writing to a very different audience than Luke. Luke doesn't do this kind of thing, right. He may talk about prophecies in Luke chapter one and two, but they're always about things that are clearly messianic. Here we have something that is of a different category. And Matthew loves to do this. He's tying in things that fit and just like that historic situation. Jeremiah 31 fit what was going on. Then it also fit what was going on under Herod. So no one would read that and say, oh, of course we know that right now in the first century, they're going to try to kill Jesus. And we better get out of here because all the babies are going to be killed. No. It fits. It fits the weeping. It fits the the per the prophecy. But it wasn't one that you'd say. If that didn't happen, Jesus wouldn't be the Messiah. Look at it that way. Right? Is it a a true what I call first category messianic prophecy? Would Christ still be Christ if those kids weren't killed? And we would say, well, sure, because this isn't one that says the Messiah has to have this happen, but it is one that fits. And because it fits right. I don't know how Doctor Redlich would put this, but I have to see two different kinds of messianic prophecy, and the ones that fit are beautiful, right? The things in the tabernacle, the things in the temple, they fit right. But it's not because I'm looking at the Tabernacle description and saying, well, that's Jesus right there. And if I know the Messiah is coming, it's going to be that he's going to be the bread of life. I don't know, I wouldn't have known that. I've got to look back on it and see it. I've got to read John six before I can make the connection to the showbread. So, um, yeah, that's what Matthew is filled with, those kinds of allusions and references. Do you follow? One is a predictive prophecy. Another one is a retrospective prophecy. And I'm just creating categories here. I'm going to put that in my in my systematic theology book, Retrospective Prophecies.

Well, we have to remember, Matthew is not only giving us prophecies that are fulfilled, that are clearly understood in the day as a messianic prophecy, but he's also tying things together that I sometimes would call a messianic prophecy. Category two there are things that fit and there are things that work. And he's tying them together. Because obviously, in retrospect, yeah, this fits. I don't think anyone in the first century ever interpreted Jeremiah 31 as a messianic prophecy. Matthew is writing to a very different audience than Luke. Luke doesn't do this kind of thing, right. He may talk about prophecies in Luke chapter one and two, but they're always about things that are clearly messianic. Here we have something that is of a different category. And Matthew loves to do this. He's tying in things that fit and just like that historic situation. Jeremiah 31 fit what was going on. Then it also fit what was going on under Herod. So no one would read that and say, oh, of course we know that right now in the first century, they're going to try to kill Jesus. And we better get out of here because all the babies are going to be killed. No. It fits. It fits the weeping. It fits the the per the prophecy. But it wasn't one that you'd say. If that didn't happen, Jesus wouldn't be the Messiah. Look at it that way. Right? Is it a a true what I call first category messianic prophecy? Would Christ still be Christ if those kids weren't killed? And we would say, well, sure, because this isn't one that says the Messiah has to have this happen, but it is one that fits. And because it fits right. I don't know how Doctor Redlich would put this, but I have to see two different kinds of messianic prophecy, and the ones that fit are beautiful, right? The things in the tabernacle, the things in the temple, they fit right. But it's not because I'm looking at the Tabernacle description and saying, well, that's Jesus right there. And if I know the Messiah is coming, it's going to be that he's going to be the bread of life. I don't know, I wouldn't have known that. I've got to look back on it and see it. I've got to read John six before I can make the connection to the showbread. So, um, yeah, that's what Matthew is filled with, those kinds of allusions and references. Do you follow? One is a predictive prophecy. Another one is a retrospective prophecy. And I'm just creating categories here. I'm going to put that in my in my systematic theology book, Retrospective Prophecies.

I like that.

I like that.

I've just coined that. Write it down and put a TM next to it. I've just trademarked that little phrase.

I've just coined that. Write it down and put a TM next to it. I've just trademarked that little phrase.

So would that be similar to how we we would the retrospective prophecy where we could see something and say, um, oh, this is how this applies to my life. Like, is it more of an application or. No, it's a separate category.

So would that be similar to how we we would the retrospective prophecy where we could see something and say, um, oh, this is how this applies to my life. Like, is it more of an application or. No, it's a separate category.

Yeah. Here's a line that C.S. Lewis wrote in a little book called reflections in the Psalms. He talks about somebody who was in a bathhouse in the ancient world and said, is your water hot enough in this bathhouse? He said, well, it'll be hot, hot soon enough. And then that night, the bathhouse burns down. And I'm recalling a 25 year old memory of reading this book. But he says, is that true? Yeah, well, it is hot enough when it burned down, right? All the water was boiling. But that's not what he meant. Does it fit? It fits. And I think some things, particularly in the Psalms, are messianic. Only looking back at them and saying, oh, this fits. So I don't think it's the way we want to read scripture for our lives, right? We want to read Scripture for our lives knowing that Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation, not just the disciples, but all of us, or there'll be glory in the church, right? Ephesians three to all generations we can see what applies to us. Now do some things fit? You may have brothers that don't like you, and you say, it's just it's like me and Joseph, okay? But it's not a prophecy that all of us are going to have an experience like Joseph had. But it fits your life, right. And I think a lot of things were written that way in Matthew. And a lot of the messianic Psalms that are quoted in Matthew are those kinds of, uh, what did I call it? Retrospective, prospective.

Yeah. Here's a line that C.S. Lewis wrote in a little book called reflections in the Psalms. He talks about somebody who was in a bathhouse in the ancient world and said, is your water hot enough in this bathhouse? He said, well, it'll be hot, hot soon enough. And then that night, the bathhouse burns down. And I'm recalling a 25 year old memory of reading this book. But he says, is that true? Yeah, well, it is hot enough when it burned down, right? All the water was boiling. But that's not what he meant. Does it fit? It fits. And I think some things, particularly in the Psalms, are messianic. Only looking back at them and saying, oh, this fits. So I don't think it's the way we want to read scripture for our lives, right? We want to read Scripture for our lives knowing that Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation, not just the disciples, but all of us, or there'll be glory in the church, right? Ephesians three to all generations we can see what applies to us. Now do some things fit? You may have brothers that don't like you, and you say, it's just it's like me and Joseph, okay? But it's not a prophecy that all of us are going to have an experience like Joseph had. But it fits your life, right. And I think a lot of things were written that way in Matthew. And a lot of the messianic Psalms that are quoted in Matthew are those kinds of, uh, what did I call it? Retrospective, prospective.

Prophecy. I wrote it.

Prophecy. I wrote it.

Down, right down. I won't like that. You ask him. He's he's the brainiac. He'll say, I don't think that's quite right.

Down, right down. I won't like that. You ask him. He's he's the brainiac. He'll say, I don't think that's quite right.

But.

But.

I think it's right.

I think it's right.

All right. Thank you for that question, Sue. And for the answer. John in Indiana listens to, uh, Deuteronomy 32 eight. So we're going all the way back, uh, says when the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel. Um, often the footnotes can help us understand passages better. They'll give, you know, definitions for names or or how how much weight something was for, for a thing that we don't way we don't use anymore as a measurement. Um, in this question, John says the footnote for number, the people of Israel, number of the people of Israel, um, says one Dead Sea scroll reads number of the Son of God. And the Septuagint says, which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament reads number of the angels of God. What do these variants mean, and what is the correct translation of this phrase.

All right. Thank you for that question, Sue. And for the answer. John in Indiana listens to, uh, Deuteronomy 32 eight. So we're going all the way back, uh, says when the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel. Um, often the footnotes can help us understand passages better. They'll give, you know, definitions for names or or how how much weight something was for, for a thing that we don't way we don't use anymore as a measurement. Um, in this question, John says the footnote for number, the people of Israel, number of the people of Israel, um, says one Dead Sea scroll reads number of the Son of God. And the Septuagint says, which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament reads number of the angels of God. What do these variants mean, and what is the correct translation of this phrase.

Well, I read a book called The Dead Sea Scrolls and Modern Translations. And when, of course, it only applies to the Old Testament. But there are some very interesting things that after the mid part of the 21st century, 20th century, rather, when we found the Dead Sea Scrolls, we saw readings that matched the Septuagint. Now the Septuagint predated Christ, right? This is Alexander the Great, Hellenized, the ancient world. He had his scholars translate all the important books to put in the Library of Alexandria. And of course, the Bible was going to be a part of that. So the 39 books of the Old Testament were translated into Greek. Now, that's an early testimony to what the Jewish text of the pre first century Jewish texts look like. Well, the Masoretic Text that most of us have followed because the Jews had scribes that were professional and they had very careful, fastidious rules of translation. Our earliest extant manuscripts of that are, generally speaking, ninth, 10th century AD so there's a thousand year gap, 1300 year gap may be as much as between the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text, at least the existing manuscripts that we can look at in museums. Well, then you have the Dead Sea Scrolls that are found, and they go all the way back to before the time of Christ, at least a century or two before the time of Christ, when they were written. And those Dead Sea Scroll discoveries are in Hebrew. And so we think, okay, well, that may be more reliable than some Greek scholar who translates it in the third or second century BC. But when those two agree with each other, it certainly makes scholars say, wow, I wonder if there is any way there might have crept in. A variant among the Masoretic texts that we have in libraries and museums now to the ninth, 10th, 11th century A.D., because it's a much earlier set of witnesses. And this and this is one passage, by the way, uh, where most modern translations say, I do think it's the sons of God, which means angels. That was a long explanation. And I know we got to take a break, Trish, because you're so long winded. But but here's the thing, right? I do think it probably relates to angels. It looks a lot like what we see in Daniel. And apparently we got angels overseeing nations. And with that, we're out of time. Thanks, Trish, for the mailbag. My name is Mike Fabares. We got more questions coming up sitting in today for Doctor Michael Riddell on Moody Radio. We'll be right back right after these messages.