What I'm concerned about is the direction of our nation of Christians. My wife and I have studied Esther and Daniel recently and read about how Mordecai resisted Haman.  Also, in Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; they resisted their king also.  In both Scriptures, these men stood up to the wicked leader and king because of their steadfast belief in God.

Do you think today that our church leaders should be teaching more about the end times, persecution of christians, and how to deal with the wicked government?

Sincerely,
Viva La Resistance

Dear Viva La Resistance,

The Bible is clear on what christians should do under all governments: pray for the leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2), honor rulers (1 Pet 2:17), pay taxes (Matt 22:21), and obey the laws (Rom 13:1-5).  All the examples you gave of rebellion against government were when the government asked righteous people to do something sinful.  Mordecai was asked to worship Haman (Est 3:2).  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were told to worship Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:12).  If the government ever asks christians to do something that is wrong – we must resist it.  When that happens, christians will be persecuted for their morals.  Preachers need to preach on those things, but it is important to know that wicked governments have always existed.  Corruption in a government is not a sign that the end of the world is coming.

Where in the Bible does it explain pre-creation events: fallen angels, rebellion, that sort of thing?

Sincerely,
Angelic Interests

Dear Angelic Interests,

The rebellion of the angels is not necessarily a pre-creation event.  The Scriptures never directly tell us when the angels were created – they may very well have been created during the six days of creation (Gen 1:1-31).  Having said that, the Bible gives very few details regarding the spiritual battle happening in the spiritual realm.  There is no one area of the Bible that addresses the topic.  Instead, we have a smattering of verses sprinkled throughout the Text that give us a glimpse into the heavenly realm.  Here are a few:

1. The devil has angels that follow him (Matt 25:41)
2. The devil and his angels have been banished from God’s presence by Christ’s sacrifice (Rev 12:9-11)
3. The devil’s angels are also called ‘demons’ (Lk 11:15-18)
4. Satan pretends to be an “angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14)
5. These sinful angels will not be spared by God (2 Pet 2:4)

Those are a few of the more noteworthy passages on the topic.  God gives us a minimal view into the heavenly battle over mankind, but what He does show us is exceedingly impressive.

What is the last book of the Bible?

Sincerely,
Counting Pages

Dear Counting Pages,

There are sixty-six total books in the Bible.  Thirty-nine books in the Old Testament, and there are twenty-seven books in the New Testament.  The last book of the Old Testament is Malachi.  The last book of the New Testament is Revelation.

Does fasting only have to do with giving up eating; can it also be giving up something you enjoy doing?

Sincerely,
Rumbly Tummy

Dear Rumbly Tummy,

The Greek word for ‘fasting’ is ‘naystaya’, and it simply means ‘to abstain from food’, and this is the only way the word is used in the Bible.  In fact, we get our word ‘breakfast’ from this idea.  Breakfast is when you “break” the “fast” of the night.  Although many religions have used the term ‘fast’ to include abstaining from anything, the word means simply to abstain from food.

Job 5:9-14 – explain to me what these verses really mean.

Sincerely,
One More Verse Please

Dear One More Verse Please,

Job 5:9-14 is an excerpt from Eliphaz’s rebuke of Job.  Eliphaz’s argument with Job was that all suffering is some sort of correction from God.  Eliphaz was wrong.  Job wasn’t suffering because he had done something wicked.  Job was suffering because he was righteous, and God was using him as an example of righteousness (Job 1:8-12).  Job 5:9-14 is a list of the great and mighty deeds of God – which are all true.  The only problem is Eliphaz was using them to try and prove his point that Job was wicked.