What does it mean that Jesus carried our grief? Who are the 144,000 believers mentioned in the book of Revelation? On this edition of Live the Promise Bible scholar Ron Rhodes is back for our monthly edition of Bible Answers with Ron Rhodes. We field your questions and dig into the Word of God on a range of issues and topics:
Being born again
“The word ‘believe’ occurs in John’s gospel almost 100 times. It’s by faith in Christ that we become born again, or ‘born from above.’ That puts you into God’s eternal family. Just as a physical birth places a baby into a new family, so a spiritual birth places us into the family of God.”
The place of the Old Testament Law in the life of a believer
The foretelling of the birth of Jesus and the star over Bethlehem
There’s been a lot of discussion over the star that the wise men saw. Ron weighs in.
“Many biblical scholars believe that this was actually a manifestation of the Shekinah glory.” Ron also points out that the text doesn’t tell us there were three wise men – indeed, we don’t know how many there were!
Interpreting Genesis
Ron says, there are many statements in fact in Genesis that would be best to take literally. “When we read about the fall of man in Genesis 3, it sure does explain some of the things that have gone wrong in our world. He also points out that Moses uses many “propositional statements of truth” in its telling of the creation account. In Ron’s words, “When the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you end up in nonsense.”
Fighting sexual sin
Ron says you are forgiven. Now, run to the Word. “The word of God has a reviving effect on your soul.” As you continue to depend on the Holy Spirit, you will find that God has the power to defeat that sexual sin in a way that you can’t. Ron points out that the Greek phrase “It is finished” that came from Jesus’ lips on the cross can also be translated another way – “Paid in full.” Take heart, Christian. Jesus’ death paid for your sexual sin, and His resurrection ensured your eternal relationship with God.
Key Scriptures: 1 John 2:1; John 3:1-5; Hebrews 11; Micah 5:2; Ephesians 4:30; Psalm 119
Theme Song: Word of God Speak by MercyMe
