Does Isaiah 45 Teach that God Created Evil?

Does Isaiah 45 teach that God created evil that is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why there we pray you had a wonderful weekend.

I'm Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

Our phone lines are open right now will be taking calls for the next 25 minutes and you can call us at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. Later we received a really nice letter a couple days ago and I wondered if you could share that with our listeners. Yeah, I was just stoked to read this letter this morning when I got in and I think will be an encouragement for you on this Monday isn't action. Individuals writing us from prison. He said I'm an avid listener of your program.

I've been tuning into this wonderful show since the beginning. Pastor Sanchez was still answering questions with Dr. Horton. I owe much of my spiritual growth to core Christianity. The questions answered gave me clear understand a clear understanding the Bible and practical ways to apply the truth to my life. This donation is nothing appeared in my appreciation for the program.

I pray blesses your ministry to help others hear their questions answered.

Wow, beautiful.

You know, I'm guessing we have more than a few incarcerated individuals who listen to this program on a regular basis. I you know I think so, though it isn't really such an encouragement to to receive letters and actually this individual went on to ask a question. He says I have a question. I hope you're willing to answer what do I tell someone who is a Christian yet believes that God gives people a second chance to go to heaven after they die. My friend thinks Judas could be forgiven after he died, but I don't think that's correct what you think about this.

Thank you for all the questions you answer Pastor Sanchez and God bless you and your family and that God bless you as well brother. I mean, in answering your question.

The first thing I think that you should assess this brother who is a Christian, but believes this is where you get your view from at the end of the day.

We want to make sure that whatever we believe about God is coming from his revelation, not from how we think or feel things should be and so I would ask him.

You know, is there something in Scripture that lead you to believe that because actually when we read the Bible is very clear what the author of the Hebrew said, and in Hebrews chapter 9 it is appointed for for man to die once and then what then comes a judgment in working on it were to stand before God and that judgment is described throughout Scripture today right now is the day of salvation. If if an individual is thinking well get right with God. After I die I will by then it's going to be too late and that's what the Bible teaches. And so you want to make sure that whatever it is that were believing about God is coming from what God has said in his word what God has revealed we could make this up as we go along, so III would ask your friend where it where he's getting this idea from, and then maybe take him to that text and in Hebrews chapter 9 that makes it clear that after after we die. And then there's the judgment.

And so not really just again appreciate this this letter and the encouragement that you've you've given to us in and as you were saying Bill I know that there are many people who listen to the program who are our incarcerated, who are in prison you know, brothers and sister Scripture tells us in Hebrews chapter 13 to remember those who are in prison.

Those were bound so we do want to do that and I just wanted take an opportunity right now to pray for our brothers for our sisters who work who are currently in prison and yet serving the Lord their father, thank you that your people are everywhere. Thank you God that you are at work all over the place, including in in in prisons Lord you draw people to yourself and that many people come to meet your son, Jesus, for the first time, even while they are behind bars.

I pray for our family for our brothers and sisters who are currently incarcerated, who are seeking to be faithful to you, Lord, would you strengthen them, would you fill them with your Holy Spirit. Would you give them resources Lord that are going to help them to continue to walk with you and to be faithful to you and to grow in in your word and I thank you for this letter.

Look pray that you be with this brother. In particular, who has encouraged us to learn that you would encourage him by the grace of your spirit asked these things in Jesus name amen man, you know, it really couldn't help but think for this gentleman about the thief on the cross, who never had a chance to go back and make things right. And I'm sure there are those who are in prison right now who regret their past actions and wonder, could God ever forgive me I could. I have no way of making amends, I've no way of making it right. But for that thief right there who you know, confessed his belief in Christ Jesus said today will be with me in paradise with no opportunity to to go back and make amends for what he had done yeah yeah I mean that that that's absolutely true. That doesn't mean that we we don't seek to make amends or write that which is wrong if if it's possible me a lot of instances not possible. When I talked to brothers who been incarcerated who they were. They were in prison for many years because of some crime, and even then it just felt like I had a no win that it wasn't wasn't enough.

But the reality is the hope that we have in the gospel. It doesn't doesn't brush over our sins doesn't justify our sins but we do have genuine forgiveness in Jesus Christ because of what he has done so that even even even people committed crimes and have been beaten in prison to meet so many actually in the New Testament and the Old Testament as well were in shackles and chains and yet that didn't stop God from from extending his grace to them and also using them in mighty ways. So, what an encouragement that is meant your listing to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open right now. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Maybe something that's you stumble through when it comes to theology or doctrine. Or maybe you consider yourself an agnostic or an atheist and you have real doubts about the Christian gospel were open to your calls as well. Here's the phone number you might want to jot this down for future reference. It's 833 the core, you can just spell that out 833 the core which translates into 1-833-843-2673.

There's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Viola question about Isaiah 45 said it read on the light and create darkness and make peace and create evil.

I don't know. I do all these apps are sent. I'm just curious about what was it that God creates people not sitting well with me. Can you explain that thank you And Bill, thank you for that question MM reletting is a translation issue here that can kind of muddy the waters so that the word is translated evil there in in your version about the version that you're using can be translated other ways.

For example, I'm using the ESV and that same word is translated calamity.

Now the question is what the proper way to translate this particular Hebrew word words in the Bible have we sometimes call or refer to as a semantic range have a range of meaning and typically the meaning of a particular word is determined first and foremost by the context, should we translate this word as evil or calamity will we translate it is evil.

It seems to suggest that God is the author of evil that he's he's doing something wrong or or bad. Then of course that's that's something that the Christian churches rejected since the very being. God is not the author of evil. He is giving mankind freedom. We got our own way and because of what we've done. Sin is entered into the world and evil happens God. God may allow it. But God is not because he is not the one who's doing the evil that's us and were responsible for that. Hear what the prophet Isaiah is emphasizing his is the sovereignty of God in particular over this historical situation with a guy named Cyrus Cyrus was this mighty ruler who was going to be used by God for the benefit of his people. The interesting thing about Cyrus is. He's not a Hebrew. He's a Gentile and yet God is still going to use them is demonstrating his sovereignty, his power verse one of chapter 45 begins.

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, and to loose the belts of kings to open doors before him that Gates may not be closed. I will go before you and level the exalted places. I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron Edwards got us and I may use this ruler. This man Cyrus to accomplish Mike my purposes through what do war through the humbling of these nations do calamity and so the better way to translate that word in verse seven is is calamity betterment better than evil to me to be translated both ways. But again, the context has to determine for us how we should we should take it here and in this context I think that a better translation is calamity and what's being emphasized is God's sovereign power over the nations, and ultimately the fact that God cares for his people that he uses even this Gentile king to accomplish his purposes for the benefit of his people and so in that sense it can even be a great comfort to us today as Christians feel a thank you for your question and may the Lord bless you. Thanks for the clarification.

Israel pursued that this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We receive a lot of questions about heaven on this program and to answer those questions were offer you an excellent free resource today. Yeah, the resources called seven things you need to know about heaven and it is completely free. So get a hold of this and would love giving you guys resources content that is going to encourage you in your walk with the Lord and also help you to have no biblical understanding of these important concepts that we see in Scripture like heaven. And and and and what what the Bible has to say about heaven. Unfortunately, and I'm sure you've you've seen this, you know, there's also to confusion out there there people who will say I died and I went to heaven and in the right books about it and then sell all these books, we want to stick with the Scripture say, friends, and God gives us information in his word about heaven and we've put together at least some of that information in this resource again seven things you need to know about heaven and so head over to core Christianity.com to get a hold mystery resource that definitely will answer a lot of questions that you are maybe a friend or relative have about heaven and we encourage you to go to our website. Core, Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers a look for seven things you need to know about heaven, let's go back to the phone. Tim's on the line from Fort Wayne Indiana temperature question for atrial yes my question. Where is the rapture in the Scriptures.

I hearing people talk about it as the world seems to get more and more out of control and I've never told that's my question. Where where is the rapture at in the Scriptures.

Okay Tim, thank you for that question.

Now course were talking here about that. The study here. The doctrine of the last things sometimes referred to as eschatology love the last things, and in particular the coming of Jesus Christ. Now there are differing opinions. There are some who believe that Jesus is going to come to rapture his church away and then there's gonna be a period of tribulation and then he's going to come again to judge the world. After this, this time of judgment and that's what's going to usher in essentially the eternal state. There are others so II don't think that there are two separate distinct comings of Jesus, but that there is one coming the second coming and that that's what we we see reflected in the New Testament. Now this isn't one of those issues that should cause us to say oh you know you have a different view than me. You must not be a Christian.

I like to say that because oftentimes people will we know will get into these debates or discussions about eschatology and it can be really uncharitable. We don't we want to do that.

This isn't what we might call core Christianity. The essence of the Christian faith.

But people who do argue for a rapture. What they'll do is so go to places like first Thessalonians chapter 4, where the apostle Paul talked about being caught up together with the Lord in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and to be with the Lord in the word that's used. There is a word that means to be snatched away or to be caught up and solicit this. It's it's the word rapture and in Latin. And so that's where it is in the Bible. Now, again, there are there differences are there others in this is kind of the that the side that I take to say will actually this is probably just a reference to the second coming, because in first Thessalonians chapters 4 and five. It's very clear that the focus is on the coming of the Lord the power to see that the revealing envisages the word that means you no revelation or revealing the coming of the Lord and and in particular with with regard to his second coming effect in chapter 4 verse 15 it says for this we declare to you by the word from by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive and who are left until the coming of the Lord will not proceed. Those who have fallen asleep and then in chapter 5 he goes on to talk about the day of the Lord. That is the day of the day of judgment, the final judgment with ushering in the, the resurrection of the dead, the life of the world to come.

And so that that that's the text you're going to want to go to and that many people will go to in these discussions and so I would encourage you to meditate on. First of Thessalonians, chapters 4 and five and Jesus is teaching in the Gospels and and you know, pray for guidance, prefer, pray for wisdom and, ultimately, let me just say you know throughout throughout the Scriptures when when the discussions had about the coming of the Lord know what we called to do were not called to speculate about it, were called to be ready to be vigilant not to be surprised by it, and what you find is your reading first Thessalonians 5. In particular, that's exactly what the apostle Paul says is a walk in the light.

Continue to honor the Lord and to be vigilant as you look forward to his coming. The revelation of Jesus Christ his appearing and so that's that's what I would say brooch of those passages and may God bless you and grant you wisdom as you open up the Scriptures and one of the things you've mentioned before, this program a drill is that throughout church history. There was not really a view of a of a rapture that was one coming. One second coming of the Lord and that's more about a recent phenomenon and in the church. I mean that's just it is a true historical note and and of course, just because something wasn't in history doesn't mean that it wasn't true ultimately want to go to the Scriptures to determine whether or not something is true or not true, but I think it is. It is helpful to look at how you know believers, faithful men and women have interpreted the word of God for the last 2000 years in and see okay what did they see and what can we learn from that and do and that should help to illuminate our own understanding of Scripture is as we learn together in in the country, sloth, local church, but also you know, taking into account the wisdom of so many who have gone before us who have sought to honor God through his word. Your listing your core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Our phone lines are open for another five minutes or so. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You can call us right now and 833-843-2673 or you can spell that out. It's 833. The core 833 the court let's go to Lori in Newport, Arkansas Lori, what's your question for atrial hello hi Lori, yeah, nowadays, had a habit of the church is not another language and what the appendix speaking in tongues. You can even understand what they're saying isn't biblical a Lori, thank you for that for that question. Of course in Scripture. You do have some phenomenon rises speaking in tongues, but it seems like an in your picking up on this. We look at places like acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost and even Paul's discussion in first Corinthian's 14 that this gift of tongues, which was given by the Holy Spirit to individuals was the ability to speak in real languages that had never been learned.

So, for example, on the day of Pentecost there speaking in these these new languages that they never learned in their declaring the wonderful works of God up there praising God in these new languages and as a result they get the attention of all the people that are there gathered together for for the feast and then Peter has the opportunity to preach the gospel powerfully and many people come to faith. Similarly, and in the book of first Corinthians chapter 14 it seems to me that these tongues that were being spoken were real languages and pulses, you know that the person speaking in income should pray that they're able to interpret because it if other people hear this and they understand what's being said there's no way they can say amen you can say amen you can't join in on the giving of thanks and so there needs to be an interpreter to legislate it in terms of the way the New Testament talks about this. It was done decently and in order. It was a real let and in order. It was a real language often interpreted in the context of the assembly so that others could say amen. Now it seems to me then and this is just your sound like your observation like what happens in a lot of places today when people talk about speaking in tongues doesn't look like that at all, no interpretation, you know, kind of, you know, maybe the repetition of of these sounds, but not that the language per se, and so I think it's it's okay to be suspicious of that. Of course you know we we want to take everything is as I often say to the word to the Scriptures and effort for my bargaining but my sense is that ordinarily in the life of the church God is not giving these miraculous sign gifts today on that that was a part of the early preaching of the gospel as that the that the word of God initially was going out through the through the ministry of the apostles in those early churches that they planted and it was confirming in a very powerful sense that the that the ministry of the apostles, the word of the apostles, the preaching of the gospel and and that's what was was happening that is me that God can't work miraculously today.

It just ordinarily, my sense is that God is working through the preaching of his word and faithful church ministry growing in understanding of the Scriptures, and that's we want to be committed to. That's what I'm committed to is as a pastor, can II believe that that's what really helps people grow in their spiritual life and so yeah them. First Corinthians 14 and a acts chapter 2 do seem to indicate that these were real languages not just sort of babbling and that they were for the edification of the people once interpreted, God bless thanks that I drill this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder we have that wonderful free resource available to you today on heaven.

It's called seven things you need to know about heaven and you can find that by going to core Christianity.com/offers.

Again, that's core Christianity.com/offers go to Kyle in West Plains, Missouri Kyle what your question for atrial yeah I was.

As your thoughts on your new ride and be saved and become an end it all away from cry. Is it possible to lose your salvation, a Kyle, thank you for that question.

I do not believe that it's possible for a genuine believer who has been united to Jesus Christ by faith regenerated born again that if that person were to were to follow it. I don't think that they can lose their salvation now genuine believers can sin, and sin grievously and come under the discipline of God, but ultimately I believe that God keeps and preserves those who are his own. Now there are people I think who profess faith in Jesus Christ and are in the church for a while and maybe even exhibit yet you know the characteristics of a Christian. Seems like they have peace and it seems like they're doing good deeds and in serving the Lord and then all of a sudden in an end. Maybe you've seen this in your own life. I I've seen in a you know somebody who's seems like they're faithfully walking with Jesus and then they just deny everything and they walk away from it. I did that person lose their salvation or do they prove that they were never genuinely saved to believe with that's that's kind of the debate.

I would say I think that person demonstrates by their departure.

They really didn't ever fully grasp the gospel they never fully apprehended by faith. You can understanding the cognitive way and still not not put your trust in Jesus Christ.

Now I think there's evidence for for this view in the New Testament. You know John when he's writing in first John is writing to a group of Christians who had just experiences a schism in the church.

A number of people that were there in that church that John is writing to had left had had abandoned the church and so this is question what would happen to them.

Listen to what John says in first John chapter 2 verse 19 they went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us, but they went out that it might become plain that they all are not of us. In other words, their apostasy there, leaving the faith, abandoning Jesus revealed that they were not of us. Do you remember what Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 27 my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My father, who is given them to me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the father's hand. I am the father are one. We have brothers and sisters, a kind of security as believers in the security is not in us. It's not, and how faithful I am in and of myself to keep myself perfect and free of sin. Every day we sin against God and thought, word, and indeed our security, our Hobart anchor is Jesus Christ is the fact that no one can snatch us from his hand and that he holds onto his sheep and that he doesn't lose his sheep. Now that doesn't mean that there again aren't people who profess faith who maybe are in the church for a while and then walk away and and demonstrate that they never fully understood or embraced of the gospel, but the fact of the matter is that I believe that as a Christian united to Christ, regenerated, justified that you will be kept in that God will preserve you for your own good and for his glory and namesake. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us.

Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together