Questions On Bible Passages

Answer First, let me quote the two passages that you mention from Proverbs:

PRO 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

PRO 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

These are extremely important verses and they relate a principle to us that applies now as much as it applied to the Jewish people to whom it had been written. Simply put, the principle is that we, as human beings, can believe in a way of knowledge that we accept as true, but actually will lead us away from God and to destruction. The main application is to accepting false spiritual truth and in doing so, this will affect all areas of our life (family, job and so on), but especially our relationship with God.

From the beginning, God made us in such a way that we are given the choice as to what we will believe and how we will behave,either for good or for evil. The first couple, Adam and Eve, chose to reject the truth of God and believe Satan. Being deceived by Satan who said that their actions would not lead to death, they partook of the forbidden fruit and suffered the horrid consequences. From that point on, individuals have been faced with the same choices.

Although God allows us the choice of following deceptive ways, He has plainly told us what His will is and how we are to look to it above all else. As we look to and follow His word, this is how we please Him, not seeking to direct ourselves in deception but humbling ourselves before Him and seeking to know and follow His Word.

JOH 8:31 ś Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
JOH 8:32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "

ACT 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified."
ACT 2:37 ś Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
ACT 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
ACT 2:39 "For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself."
ACT 2:40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"
ACT 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
ACT 2:42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Contact Gary

Question 2.In the story of Jacob and Esau did God say that he hated anyone?

Answer The Bible does have something to say about God hating Esau. There are 2 references:

ASV Mal 1:3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and (gave) his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.

ASV Rom 9:13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

Please read the context surrounding each reference. In the first (Mal is Malachi, the last book of the O.T.), Malachi is speaking for God to Israel, describing his love for Israel and his preference for them even though they don't think God loves them. Israel is the name God gave to Jacob and his descendants after he fought with the angel (Gen. 32:28). Since God chose Israel to bless in fulfillment of his promises to Abraham, he did not favor Esau (Jacob's brother). Esau hated Jacob because he was blessed by Isaac their father more than he (Gen.27:41), so God hated Esau. The rest of the book of Malachi deals with Israel rejection of God, sinful dealing with others, robbing God. However, God will send one to turn the hearts of men to God (Mal. 4:5-6).

In the second reference Paul deals with the nation of Israel in his time, desiring to bring them back to God through Jesus Christ. He recounts how Israel was chosen to fulfill God's will, not Esau. Israel still needed to be conformed to God's will (Rom. 9:19-33) by righteousness which is of faith. Contact Larry

Question 3. In Genesis, the story of Noah said that one of his sons was cursed, and I believe this was HAM. Is there any proof as to who, what country, or race of people are from HAM?

Answer This event is recorded in Genesis 9:18-26. The statement by Abraham in verse 25 is not that of resentment or of ill will toward Ham and his son Canaan, but one of prophecy. Ham was NOT THE ONE CURSED. It was Canaan, his fourth son (Genesis 10:6). Ham was not the youngest son of Noah (verse 24), Japheth was. Canaan was the youngest son of Ham and in Hebrew son is sometimes used to refer to grandsons (Gen. 29:5; 31:55) so Canaan might be described as Noah’s "youngest son". (This phrase is used to describe Benjamin in Genesis 42:34; 43:39 and David 1 Samuel 16:11.) Origin quotes a tradition that it was Canaan that first saw Noah and went and told his father, Ham. Could it be that Canaan actually uncovered his grandfather and then went and told his father who added to the sin in looking and telling his brothers, Shem and Japeth? It was Canaan that was cursed, a statement of prophecy of what would happen to the Canaanites because of the behavior and attitude toward God.

Many derive the word "Ham" from a Hebrew word signifying hot, sunburst, and say these are the black race. And they connect Japeth with a word signifying to be fair and say these are the white race. And they say the Shemites were olive-colored and are the Jewish race. But Canaan represented only one-fourth of the Hamitic race and their descendants dwelt in Phoenicia and in the so-called land of Canaan or Palestine. (Genesis 10:15-20) "And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha."

It would take four generations for their iniquity to become full (Genesis 15:16). In the meantime we can see how corrupt they were before then, when God brought judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. By the time the Israelites came into Canaan under Joshua, the Canaanites, collectively called the Amorites, were ripe for judgment.

The curse of Genesis 9 looked forward to Genesis 12:1-3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Those that would accept the God of Abraham would be blessed through the promised seed, Christ, and those that would reject the God of Abraham would be cursed or condemned. And one would not be cursed because of the color of their sin, but because of sin which pointed back to Genesis 3:15-16. The problem in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is that of sin, not the color of one’s skin, or where one lives, etc. God has never been a respecter of persons, but has been concerned about the salvation of all races from the very beginning.

Read Leviticus 18 and 20 and you will see that not only was Canaan "cursed" but anyone that practiced the same things would also face the wrath of God. Read also Deut. 12:28-31 Contact Danny

Question 4. I would like to know what the seven seals are and when we will or will not see them.

Answer The seals that you refer to are introduced in Revelations 5. As with many things in Revelations the seals are figurative. Seals secured the book or scroll that was on God's right hand. The number 7 represents completeness; the seals completely sealed the book. Only the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was worthy to open the seals. The words "I saw" in Rev. 5:1 indicate that this is part of John's vision. The book that was sealed should most likely be interpreted as God's eternal purpose for man's redemption. As each seal is opened beginning in Rev. 6, the contents of the book is revealed in symbols of horses and riders and world upheaval.

It would be impossible for me or anyone to absolutely interpret the symbols represented, since no concrete reference is given in relation to the events or symbols revealed. Over-riding any interpretation must be Rev. 1:1, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, (even) the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified (it) by his angel unto his servant John. Notice that the things must "shortly come to pass." By this we must interpret these signs, not on 20th or 21st century happenings, but on the 1st or 2nd century. Also, this is a vision, therefore things that are impossible in reality can be presented as possible. For example, to open a seal of a scroll and relate some of the contents of it, then open another seal for more revelation does not happen in reality. All seals would have to be opened to reveal any of the scroll.

Homer Hailey in his commentary on Revelations gives the following interpretation of the seven seals. They are acceptable to me based on the restrictions of Rev. 1:1. First Seal. Rev. 6:1. White Horse and rider. Jesus Christ, victorious in carrying out God's plan of redemption through the gospel.

Second Seal. Rev. 6:3-4. Red Horse and rider. Bloodshed. Persecution that accompanied the gospel; possibly under Roman Caesar Domitian.

Third Seal. Rev. 6:5-6. Black Horse and rider. Grief, woe and mourning of the persecuted Christians who followed the gospel.

Fourth Seal. Rev. 6:7-8. Pale Horse and rider. Death judgement for the world of unregenerate people, but Christians suffer with the rest.

Fifth Seal. Rev. 6:9-11. Souls slain for the word of God cry out. They were told to rest a little time.

Sixth Seal. Rev. 6:12-17. Earthquake, sun black, moon as blood. Represents judgement for the world power persecuting Christians referenced above.

Seventh Seal. Rev. 8:1-5. (Chapter 7 assured the saints on earth of the welfare of the martyrs who had died in the faith.) Prayers rise to the Father for revenge and the response - judgement. Certainly there will be a final judgement of God when he sends his Son for the faithful. Please read: 2Th 1:6 if so be that it is righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, 7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: 9 who shall suffer punishment, (even) eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.

So it is imperative for us to be among those who obey the gospel. Please study Romans 6. Contact Larry

Question 5. Is it said in the Bible, where armageddon will begin? what part of the world?