What does the Bible say about Jesus’ return? How did His death on the cross truly purchase our salvation? On the Monday edition of Live the Promise Susie is joined by Bible scholar Ron Rhodes to tackle your questions about God, faith, and more.

Once saved, always saved?

Ron calls Hebrews 6 “one of the most controversial passages in Scripture.” He lays out three groups – those who believe this passage refers to Christians who fall away, those who believe this passage describes those who say they have faith but don’t possess it, or those who believe this passage refers to falling away from Christian maturity. Ron identifies himself as being in the third group, because of the first three verses in the chapter.

Singleness and marriage – which is more desirable?

“Paul had a reason for saying what he did [ in 1 Corinthians] – many of the people you met with may lose their lives due to persecution. Paul had in mind the temporality of this life – it made good sense [to call believers to singleness].”

On the other hand, Ron points out that both earthly institutions God designed – marriage and the Church – are intended to bless the people within them. Every earthly state is intended to bring us closer to Christ, and that is the ultimate desirable position.

Is depression demonic?

Ron says it can be, but there are also chemical components in the brain that we need to take into account. “Treat the whole person when dealing with this issue.”

What does it mean to be least in the kingdom of heaven?

“Those who are more faithful on earth will be given more responsibilities. Those who were less faithful on earth will be given lesser responsibilities.”

Where do the dead go when they die?

“The word ‘death’ carries the idea of separation – your spirit slips out of your body as a hand slips out of a glove.” For those who don’t trust in Christ, they go to a place of temporary punishment until the Judgment Day, when they face Christ with a physical body. For the Christian, the spirit goes immediately to be with the Lord.

What about purgatory? “There is no purgatory if in fact Jesus has purged me of my sins.” Ron says the question is this – did Jesus pay for our sins, or not?

Can we address God as female?

Ron cautions us against that – many cults today teach that the Holy Spirit is a woman and that opens the door to many unbiblical ideas. The key is always to recognize what Scripture teaches and submit to that instead of our own ideas.

Is there a Rapture?

To answer this question, Ron sets up a simple guideline.

“When the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you end up in nonsense. If you want to see how God will fulfill Scripture in the future, look at how He fulfilled Scripture in the past.”

Ron points out that most prophecies in the Bible are fulfilled literally; thus, it’s likely that Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians are literal and there will indeed be a physical removal of the Church.

Key Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 5:19; Jeremiah 17:10; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Featured Songs: Kingdom Coming by Worship Central; Guardian by Worship Central; Here I Am by Jeremy Camp; Same Power by Jeremy Camp

Highlight : Can we hasten the Rapture?

Bible answers: Atonement, heaven and the gospel of Mark

Bible answers: Hour 2