Are we living in the last days; I mean, do you think that the world will end soon?

Sincerely,
I Don’t Like Surprises

Dear I Don’t Like Surprises,

If we were living in the last days… we wouldn’t know it.  The Bible specifically says that the Second Coming of Christ will come like a thief in the night (1 Thess 5:1-2).  Jesus will return when people least expect Him.  The apostle Paul warned all christians to live their lives soberly, so that they would be prepared whenever that great day might come (1 Thess 5:4-8).  Whether Christ returns in your lifetime or whether you die before you go and face the judgment, live your life so that at Christ’s appearing, you shall be saved (Heb 9:27-28).  If you don’t know what the Bible says about salvation, we recommend you read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”

You wrote in “Which Way Did He Go?” that when Jesus died, He went to Paradise.  If that's the case, how does the act of atonement for our sins work?  And why would Jesus Himself claim that the Father forsook Him?

Sincerely,
Checking His Itinerary

Dear Checking His Itinerary,

Jesus atoned for our sins by paying for them with the blood of Deity.  It is a common misconception that Jesus paid for our sins by spending three days in hell on our behalf, but that isn’t what the Scriptures say on the topic.  There are two ways to pay for our sins.  We can pay for our own sins by spending eternity in hell (Rom 6:23), or God can pay for our sins through His blood (Matt 26:28).  In the Old Testament, God taught Israel that all sin had to be paid for with blood.  He taught them this through the animal sacrifice system, but the blood of animals only taught them about how sin is paid for… animal blood was never sufficient to actually pay the price for human sin (Heb 10:4).  Ultimately, it was God’s blood that had the power to remove sins (Rev 1:5).

As for Jesus’ statement that the Father forsook Him (Matt 27:46), those words were uttered by Jesus as He hung upon the cross.  Jesus wasn’t making an all-encompassing statement about the Father forsaking Him forever.  Jesus was simply crying over the agony of being left alone to suffer for the sins of mankind.  It is a statement of suffering, not of literal abandonment by the Father.  Jesus even said that the Father wouldn’t leave Him (Jhn 16:32).

For every one day in Heaven that passes, one thousand days pass on earth.  How many days would have to pass on earth to equal one thousand years in Heaven?

Sincerely,
All About The Math

Dear All About The Math,

If we were simply doing math, the answer would be 365 million days… but this subject isn’t about arithmetic.  You have misunderstood 2 Pet 3:8.  That verse isn’t discussing a literal time-delay between Heaven and Earth; it is addressing the patience of God (as seen in the following verse – 2 Pet 3:9).  God is patient with mankind and is patiently awaiting the proper time to end this world (2 Pet 3:10) because He wants everyone to have the opportunity to obey Christ.

[This question is a follow-up to “There Can Be Only One”]

Why are all the other religions wrong?  Are 1.5 billion people going to heaven while 4.5 billion will burn in hell?  It almost doesn't seem like the fair and loving God I would worship.

Sincerely,
All-Inclusive

Dear All-Inclusive,

God is perfectly fair – we just aren’t very grateful for what He has offered us.  There is nothing unfair about God’s plan of salvation.  Everyone can be saved in Christ (Jhn 3:16).  Jesus opened a door to salvation that anyone can walk through.  Anyone that desires to have salvation through Christ can have it (Rev 3:20).  It isn’t His fault that many people spurn His invitation.  Which road we take is our choice (Matt 7:13).

Hi, preacher.  I have a question: I'm thinking about joining the army to help people in Iraq, and I know that the Bible says to love thy neighbor and not kill, but if I'm doing it for the greater good, would it be a sin if I were to be killed?

Sincerely,
In The Crosshairs

Dear In The Crosshairs,

There is nothing wrong with being a soldier.  The Bible is full of soldiers that were also very faithful people.  King David battled Goliath (1 Sam 17:48-50).  The first Gentile convert to Christianity was a Roman soldier (Acts 10:22).  Being a soldier and killing someone in battle is not the same as murdering someone in cold blood.  People don’t go to hell for being soldiers, but they do go to hell for being murderers (Rev 21:8).  If you died on the battlefield (hopefully that won’t happen), that would not destine you to eternity away from God.

We do recommend that you gravely consider the state of your soul and relationship with God before enlisting.  Being a soldier is a hazardous job, and it accentuates the need to be prepared to meet your Maker.  Please read “What I Must Do To Be Saved?” for more information on what God says we must do to receive salvation.