UFOs, Fallen Angels, and the Nephilim: Are the Weird Things in the Bible Associated with Paranormal Things Today?

The weird things in the Bible associated with paranormal things today that just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

We pray that you had a wonderful weekend. This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

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This is Linda my name is Linda and I have a question for you. I'd like to know if there are various definitions for the word righteous in the Bible.

I know that it's used many many times and I know that each and every one of us can the human race that I need a Savior I was reading last night about the angels in heaven singing for joy and rejoicing over one center who comes to know the Lord versus 99 righteous persons who need not repent, I was a little bit confused about that. If you could explain the differences or the meaning of righteous army that would be great. Thank you.

I love your show will thank you for that question, Linda. Excellent question, so I want to maybe just tackled the broader question of are there different definitions of the word righteousness in the Bible and the answer that I believe is yes and then also been honing in on Luke 15 which is the passage that you referenced to talk at what Jesus is speaking about their the word righteousness in the New Testament Greek word to Cairo soon day and it really has to do with justice.

Oftentimes it's used in the context of something being fair or just the judicial language. We also think of it in the context of the doctrine of justification right were declared righteous this this upright standing if you will, not on the basis of any inherent righteousness that we have a were justified as sinners.

As Paul says in Romans chapter 4 about God's declaration. His is his gift of righteousness that he gives us. It's also used at times and in the test with regard to moral quality so you think of uprightness, righteous living, living in ways that honor the Lord and so the context of a particular passage can help us determine how the word is being used in a given in a given section of Scripture and so it's important for us is why context is so important with regard to Luke chapter 15. I'm just gonna read beginning in verse one is only seven verses a but I think it helps us to understand what what what we mean or what Jesus meant there in this parable of the lost sheep.

When he talked about the righteous, and so Luke chapter 15 verse one. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him and the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying this man receives sinners and eats with them that's that's a really important background to the parables that Jesus is about to give so he told them this parable. What man of you having 100 sheep if he is lost. One of them does not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it, and when he is founded he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing when he comes home. He calls together his friends and his neighbor saying to them, rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost just so I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance on the context where the quotable righteous persons who don't need any repentance. I think this is a dig at the tax collectors and sinners were right there around Jesus in their grumbling there there upset with Jesus there grumbling because of the company that Jesus keeps this man receives sinners and eats with them and so he's highlighting look Jesus is highlighted look there.

There's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than people who think they're righteous and they don't need repentance. And so I think I think that's what he's getting at. There is you know people who are actually truly righteous before the Lord.

It's people who think that they are there self-righteous. You know that they think will were finding of the tax collectors to be the Pharisees and the scribes who believe that they have this right standing.thank you do not like other people right be that I'm good.

This is what they think when in reality they too need to repent and confess and so that's what we're getting at there and what Jesus getting at their Luke chapter 15 and again thank you for your call Linda, thanks for that and appreciate you listening to core Christianity. If you have a question for a drill about the Bible or the Christian life. Feel free to give us a call right now we are also open to questions about doctrine or theology or maybe something going on in your own Christian walk where you're trying to live it out in a culture that so somewhat hostile to your faith.

Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Don who is calling in from Kansas. Don what your question for a drill. Mike is good. We understand the Bible in a better way. If we knew more about their culture and in the history of the the order. It was written. For example, Matthew seven. I think it's 38, 39 were Christ says he who is looking for living water coming to me. Well you know apparently that comes from the fish. The tabernacle celebration, and so on so forth. Maybe you know more about that but I do. But, looks like crisis and ill get the real thing instead of a tradition type thing that make any sense, but no doubt it makes perfect sense and you're absolutely right that understanding the historical background the context of the passage of Scripture does illuminated for us and so I think it is important to utilize as were studying the Scriptures to dig deep now course, that doesn't mean that you always have to read the Bible with the commentary in hand. That's in a give you that historical background, I think it's it's it's good for us to get into a consistent habit of reading the Scriptures and and you know when we come across a passage or we have some questions.

Maybe then consulting commentary but but certainly that the more we understand the original audience the historical background it's really good at it. It's good to bring the Scriptures to life in a new way for us. Now let me just add the main thing that we need is the Holy Spirit we sometimes talk about the illumination of holy Scripture. That is when we approach the Bible as readers of the Bible we were coming to to receive God's word is God speaking to us but we need the help of the Holy Spirit to illuminate that word to us to our hearts so that we might receive it as we should, as the very word of God to us.

And so I always encourage people done whenever your your studying the Bible and if you're just reading the Bible. Make sure that your praying and you're saying, Lord, help me to understand. Fill me with your spirit. Give me insight and I think one of the ways that God sometimes does do that is to live through the means of the good commentaries and whatnot good and faithful Bible preaching you know we we we we need to make sure that were in churches where the word of God is being opened and explained and were getting some of that background that context and and then it's applied to us in our present day our own lives is all of that is is important and and I appreciate you just bring this up Don to remind us of the importance of reading the Bible in its context.

Thanks. By the way, we have a great Bible study on this topic. It's called how to read the Bible you can find that by going to our website at core, Christianity.com/studies again. Core, Christianity.com/studies look for how to read the Bible. If you got a question about the Christian life for doctrine and theology. Maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith were always open to people who maybe are searching. Maybe you consider yourself to be an agnostic or an atheist and you're not really sure about this whole Christianity thing in the claims of Jesus and what the Bible says hey were open to your questions as well.

Here's the number 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 will be taking calls for the next 15 minutes or so. So now is the time to call what we do receive a lot of questions about spiritual gifts on this program. Speaking in tongues and things like that and we've got an offer of free as resource would like to offer you today on that very topic. Gather resources called six things you need to know about spiritual gifts and I'm glad that you mentioned, we do get a lot of questions on the broadcast about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Are they still around the miraculous gives are they still around for today. If not, why not you know how should we understand the idea of speaking in tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We see these things in the Bible, but it's so important for us to understand them again.

This seems to be a theme on the broadcast today and in their proper context. And so we want to help you to do that with this free resource.

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We think this will really be helpful to you in those discussions again. It's called six things you should know about spiritual gifts. You can find that by going to core Christianity.com/offers. Well, if you have a question for us. You can call 24 hours a day and leave us a voicemail at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833. The core do our best to review our voicemails each day and one from one of our listeners name Paco Shea. Is there any correlation to disclosure may describe the thought of all the following ankle area in question is bringing up that all he believes that the following ankle were an ally and that's really the last piece of the puzzle waiting for much yes I mean boy. So many people concerned about the end times right now and and questions like this.

I appreciate that you brought this up UFOs right of that is that is that what Jesus is getting at in Matthew chapter 24, where he says it is can be like the days of Noah.

Now, of course, sounds like your friend takes on an an interpretation on the net for limb there in the Old Testament prior to the flood.

These these these creatures if you will. And in this building their fallen angels that are having relations with people in creating this sort of hybrid species if you will that there there are a few different interpretations. I think that are valid interpretations that have been held by Christians throughout the history of the church. The focus there in that passage in in Genesis is on the wickedness that had increased in the world.

And so it in once in something when Jesus and be like the days of Noah. That's that's one of the things he's getting up at in the context of his words in Matthew chapter 24.

It really is the fact that that the judgment is to come, and people are and to be ready.

There there there gonna be just sort of living their lives like normal and then the judgment comes in is a catch them offguard slowly just read the text and I think that'll help you understand it.

Matthew 24 verse 36 but concerning that day and hour Jesus said, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son but the father only for as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man and here's how he explains it. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the son of man is of the focuses in on on the Knoefler and the focus is is given. Even necessarily on the increase in wickedness. The focus is on the fact that Jesus is coming as a thief in the night that there are many who are caught off guard, who aren't ready who aren't prepared and that's precisely again what he's going to go on to say verse 43 but know this, if the master of the house had known what part of the night the thief was coming, he would've stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect and so that's that's the focus there when Jesus brings up the days of Noah. It's we need to be vigilant. We need to be watchful.

We need to be ready for the coming of the Lord. Thanks for your? You this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez you have an a question for us.

You can email us anytime at questions at core, Christianity.com here's one from one of our listeners name Chad interesting question. It really says is it wrong to be content with a comfortable life with a nice job and a family in a house is it bad to enjoy these things to the same degree as nonbelievers do when we should be looking ahead to our home in heaven with God. What a great question. And we know we ought to cultivate in our own lives.

Contentment I believe. But is it bad to enjoy worldly possessions, things that God gives to us. I would say absolutely not, and I think that's one of the ways that we give thanks to God.

If you've been blessed by the Lord with with something it is that they can all boy who died. I just can't really derive any joy from this. Otherwise, you know my heart might be carried away. No, no, no, I think.

I think we do rejoice in God's good gifts and we share them with others. Now here's what Paul told Timothy in first Timothy chapter 6 verse 17 as for the rich in this present age. Charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything get this to enjoy wow God is so generous. God is so good. God richly provides us with everything white to enjoy they are to do good to be rich in good works to be generous and ready to share.

Thus, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is truly life and CCed that the balance there. It's not putting your hope in riches and worldly possessions in your home in these these things that God has blessed you with because you realize that they're not ultimate it's not being haughty and arrogant proud look at what I've built what I've done, like Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament. It's receiving these these good things as gifts from the Lord for you to enjoy and to delight in and to be sure that your rich in good works that you realize that the Lord has blessed you with these things so that you might also do good to the people around you, but you don't have to feel bad for enjoying those good gifts. I think that's a part of how we give thanks to the Lord. Thank you for that question. What about cardio sodomy. Can you enjoy it too much pride I die, Bill. I know that this question comes up often and I feel like yours.

I feel like when you assess it's almost like you're trying to expose me because you know that I have this this problem where I just see it all.

Can't get enough of it and so I do confess my my idol of kindness out of the good stuff right like I have to I have to really be on guard and watchful, and so anything you know you were joking, right but but truly any good gifts that God gives to us, we can sinfully because our hearts are corrupt, we can we can take those good gifts and make them ultimate end and abuse them in and treat them as you know the meaning of life. Now if you're doing that with kindness out of Horseneck to have a conversation but we did that with many with many good gifts we need to be vigilant and watchful, but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy them that we shouldn't enjoy them know. In fact, we should, and God has given them to us so that we might enjoy them. And that's precisely what Paul told Timothy in first Timothy six good counsel. Thanks for that.

I drill this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez were still taking your calls for the next five minutes or so.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life doctrine theology, you name it we love to hear from you. 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to everyone who's calling in from Florida at the lecture question for a drill and will agree to speak with you. Got a question concerning the problem message and how that applies to pastors that are teaching about biblical theology and doctrine and other things, something we can go through the leadership and really focusing on people's past, and overemphasizing that compared to Gosplan and I just wanted to get your thoughts on if this is a distraction for the church or is this actually something that the church should be addressing, and what you think. Man I love this look.

Pastors are charged with preaching the word. First and foremost know that were preaching to Leno in a mixed audience to a broad audience and in the people in our churches have had experiences traumatic experiences and so I think it's important for us to be sensitive to that but but the goal of preaching is not necessarily therapy it's raising the dead through the proclamation of God's word. I just was quoting from first Timothy six if you go to second Timothy in second Timothy chapter 4 verse one. The solemn charge that Paul gives to Tim Timothy, I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and by his kingdom preach the word be ready in recent in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. So I think first and foremost we need to be devoted to the faithful proclamation of the word of God from the pulpit and as pastors who know the people in our churches. The things that they wrestled with that might that might inform and shape the way in which we apply the truth of God's word to the people in our pubis. Certainly, you know, in the context of pastoral counseling when you're sitting down with solicitors. It is helpful to know this history that does shape an individual's life and viewpoint and and so on and so forth. But I think there there are probably some ministries and where where it can become a distraction so that the focus is no longer on faithful Bible preaching, but on trying to unpack you know every every individual sort of history and background and and and it becomes very therapeutic, which is not again. Not necessarily a bad thing. But the question is what is our job was my job as a minister of the gospel and just a follow-up because it you know, different people have different experiences are using something specifically I went in the church that is causing you concern with regard to this I don't want to dive in it.

If you don't have a path of Santos, but there is a minister I was involved with. I'm sorry just got cut out there little bit and you're involved with the ministry go head yes sir, I was involved in ministry here in Florida and the ministry was focused on those that were covered were all are in the process of recovery from addiction and the pastor was very focused on just talking about trauma and to be honest, there was never a clear presentation of the gospel and since then I've come across several pastors, not any the ones that are really all that are teaching biblical sound doctrines like this JOHN MacArthur and others and is just I don't know if there is yellow flags laminate, some white and red flags were not preaching heresy, but it's just I don't know. There's just something about it that it doesn't seem to be focused on the truth of the gospel now.

Thank you and II do think as pastors we need to know kind of our Lane and again it's not to say that helping people deal with trauma and getting care and therapy is a bad thing.

I think that those things are are and can be really good things and really important things. Especially for those who've experienced severe trauma. Our job, though, is to apply the truth of the gospel to the life of of the individual to bring God's truth to bear to declare the message of the forgiveness of sins which relates to. I think our emotional health are our mental health. All those things as well and so I thought I would also be considered if they know if there was a pastor or ministry, and then the focus was really not the gospel at all but but just sort of dealing with this stuff more therapeutically, then I would say will maybe it is not that that's a bad thing but is that your primary calling is a minister the gospel and that's where I think things can get sort of confusing but I appreciate your your calling in and I may God help us all to be faithful to his word and to care for those who have experienced severe trauma Lesson. Thanks for that. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez have an email question here from Jenny a drill and she says what will it be like to see someone who has hurt me in heaven while they I mean you think of that the challenges in even within the body of Christ. There is nurse heard there's pain were a family of sinners and of course were called to reconcile and to work together and to seek peace this side of things, but often that doesn't happen.

To the extent that it should and working to spend eternity with each other and so what what is back in the look like is there going to be a grudge. No, I don't think so. In heaven there is perfect love, perfect love in the end that's what were going to have and give to one another and so and so what's it going to be like. I think it's going to be amazing. I think it's going to be wonderful. I think that that that the grudges that we held more the issues that we had somehow through the grace of God are going to melt away completely and we are going to be so fixated on God on the throne on the Lamb of Jesus Christ. It that everything is going to be eclipsed by that love and worship God bless thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in 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