Fruit Bearing

Dr. Couch, what is going on in John 15 and the issue of fruit bearing?



ANSWER: The context is about the believer being a branch in Christ who is, or who is not, bearing fruit. As a branch, if there is no fruit bearing the branch is removed from that position of being a branch. But notice, the branch is judged by "them," by "men" or by others and are burned, that is, they are judged by other people, even the lost, if no fruit is produced.

This is not about our position "in Christ" in regard to our salvation but it is about fruit bearing, not about redemption. In fellowship, all one has to do to bear fruit is "to abide in Him" (v. 5). (Present Active Indicative) "The branch who is continually sticking, staying with Christ."

This "abiding" means in Greek "to remain with" Him, stay with Him, "don't go away!" Notice that verse 6 says "they" meaning men, or people, gather them (the wayward) believer, and then men (these people) cast them into the fire (referring to a judgment) and they are burned or judged for lack of fruit bearing (v. 6). God is not casting the believer into the fire for judgment but "they" (others) are judging the believers for their lack of producing fruit.

Christians cannot bear fruit by themselves. Christ said "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides (sticks or stays with) the vine, so neither can you, unless you continually stick with, stay with" Him in a fruit bearing position (v. 4). This is not about positional salvation but about staying with Christ in order to bear fruit. Salvation is not the issue but good works is what the passage is all about!

Notice that the Father is glorified when we bear fruit. Salvation is not the issue. Bearing much fruit is what the Lord is looking for (v. 8).

I hope this helps.
—Dr. Mal Couch (7/11)

To Sanctify in Truth

Dr. Couch, what did Christ mean when He said "For the sake of [the disciples] I sanctified Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth" (John 17:19).

ANSWER: "To sanctify" means "to make holy, special, unique." By presenting Himself as sanctified, He is making them sanctified "in truth." By making Himself special He is then sanctifying them in truth. One's witness about oneself in court is valid as a testimony. Christ is speaking for Himself in order to set Himself out as one who is to be heard.

All believers are tied together, believers of all generations. We are tied to those who came before us. This is what is said in the following verses. Christ had concern for those who came along after the disciples, "through their word." Someone told us what they had said, etc., etc. "that they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they may be one, just as We are one" (vv. 20-21).


Thanks for asking,
-- Dr. Mal Couch (5/11)

Audience of Romans 7-11

Dr. Couch, is Paul writing to the Jews in Romans 7:1-11:12, and therefore, should the passage be read exclusively to the Jews?

ANSWER: No, not at all. He speaks about the Jews in this section in the third person, "they." He is addressing Gentile believers. He says in 11:13, "I am speaking to you who are Gentiles, inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry." And in 10:1 he says "My prayer to God for THEM (the Jews) is for their salvation."

He uses the illustration of God's election with the Jews but he also says "Who are you, O MAN, WHO answers back to God ..." (9:20). Election is personal and includes both Jews and Gentiles. Paul writes "Just as He chose (elected, "called out") us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" (Eph. 1:4-5).

Thanks for asking.
—Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)

Believers and Satan

Dr. Couch, can believers be possessed by Satan?

ANSWER: No, they cannot. Also, remember, he is not omni-present, that is, he is not everywhere, though he certainly may send his spiritual lackeys, the demons, to do his biding and mislead the believing community. Paul, James and Peter speak in many places about such deception.

1 Peter 5:8. Peter told the Christians to be sober and alert because their "adversary, the devil" prowled about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The word "adversary" is the Greek word "antidikos" meaning "the opponent in court." How can he so devour? First, the word devour means "to swallow, overwhelm." William Baker ties this to Romans 12:3 where Paul points out that many Christians, by their false pride, can lose "sound judgment" in the spiritual life. This means that Satan can worm his way into the life of believers and sell them on false views, like charismatic beliefs.

James 4:7. How can Satan trap believers? He can do this if they have not submitted themselves to God in full and complete trust. Therefore James say, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." What would he be doing that was causing the believer to be weak? James does not say, but certainly this would include certain false beliefs, or misplaced doctrines. "To resist" Satan means that he is influencing the Christian in doctrinal issues or in doing things that are wrong. In verse 8 James addresses the issue of having dirty hands, but also of being "double-minded" or "double-souled." This would more than likely have to do with what the Christian is thinking in terms of doctrine or beliefs.

Hebrews 13:9. Though the writer of Hebrews does not speak of Satan in this verse, he does say: "Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace ..." This could be translated as "by different colored and foreign (alien) doctrines." The writer then adds, "for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace ..." The heart or the emotions are being sidetracked. While charismania is not in view here, any strange and different teaching is! And this could certainly include the strange views of the charismatic folks.

On Hebrews 13:9 Nicoll writes: "These teachings were 'various,' inasmuch as they laid stress now on one aspect, now on another of doctrine. They were 'foreign' both as being novel and as being irreconcilable with pure Christian truth." Again, one cannot help but think of charismatic false doctrine! The BKC says this passage is speaking about those who hawked "strange teachings and tended to idealize these beliefs by their wilderness [wild] experiences."

Ephesians 4:14. Believers are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. Notice "every wind of doctrine" no matter what that doctrine or doctrines might be about!

On this verse the BKC well says: "blown here and there (whirled around, like in a violent swinging that makes one dizzy) by every gust of wind of teaching, by trickery (dice-playing)." And "moving toward a system of error. False teachers cause this kind of confusion regarding the truth in order to try to bring believers into their erroneous schemes." This is exactly what takes place in the charismatic teaching!

Galatians 5:20. The charismatic movement can also inspire "disputes, dissensions, factions." Satan would have to be behind this kind of confusion. He loves to split churches and bring about false belief systems. These last three words imply "quarreling, selfish ambition, and heretical sects." The charismatic movement often spawns what the BKC calls "self-aggrandizing" in attitude, working to get ahead at other's expense. There is a competition in the charismatic movement. "I am better than you," or "I know more than you." Satan certainly loves to fan such attitudes!

Acts 20:17-31. The Ephesian elders were going to depart doctrinally someday in the future, according to Paul's thinking. He warned the elders of this happening in their group. He said that "among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (v. 30). Notice that this would happen between elders, and the purpose was to cause some of them to be drawn away to higher teaching! "Perverse things" is a Perfect Passive Participle verb. The word "diastrepho" refers to a "twisted teaching," as with a misshapen potter's wheel, or a wheel that is "twisted, crooked."

With the Perfect Tense the idea is that this teaching took a period in which it came up to being twisted and distorted. It did not happen at once. This would absolutely be applicable to the charismatic teachings.

While Satan is not mentioned in all of the above verses he certainly likes to fan false beliefs. He does not sleep when it comes to confusing and sidetracking the doctrines of the believers in Christ.

—Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)

Physical Death or Eternal Separation

Dr. Couch, I have concluded that James 5:19-20 is about physical death and not eternal separation from God. What do you think? ANSWER:  Since the Bible clearly teaches the eternal salvation of the child of God, your conclusion is correct. The verses say that by correcting the brother in his sin, you save one from the error of his way, saving a soul from death. You are also correct to notice that "soul" can mean "life," saving a life from death. The Bible speaks several times of one losing his physical life by persisting in sin (1 Cor. 11:27-30).    In James 5:19 the Greek text puts it this way: "One can be caused to stray from the truth." And, we are to "turn back" that one in the right way. The one who strays is "among you," indicating that he is a believer. By so helping a believer, we are "covering a multitude of sins" (Prov. 10:12). Since the book of James is probably the first NT book, many believers were still trying to figure out how to live the Christian walk. This was a struggle. Thanks for asking. --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

Revelation 22:15

Dr. Couch, I recently heard of a strange view of Revelation 22:15 that says "the dogs and the sorcerers and immoral persons" out side the new city of Jerusalem has to do with carnal believers who are not allowed inside the new city and its gates. I know of "good guys" who hold to this view. ANSWER: The verse reads: "Outside [the eternal city of Jerusalem] are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying." As you well pointed out no Bible scholar worth his salt would hold to the view that this has to do with believers. While we take the Bible literally, it still has illustrations and metaphors to get across these literal concepts. I point out in my "Handbook to Revelation" that 21:27 is a key to understanding what is going on in 22:15. 21:27 reads: "Nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into [the new, eternal city of Jerusalem], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." This is called "a future of emphatic negation." 22:15 is also a form of hyperbole as well as a metaphor. The lost are in hell. But the point is that nothing sinful, unclean, or evil, even if it were not confined to hell, shall ever enter the new Jerusalem. This is a form of exaggeration in order to get across a point. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Christ the King

Dr. Couch, is Christ the "king" over the church, as might be hinted at in Revelation 1:6? ANSWER: This passages says that the church believers are "a kingdom, priests to [Christ's] God and Father." We are "a" kingdom but not "the" kingdom, i.e., the Millennial earthly reign of Christ over the nation of Israel! As priests, we represent God to others, and others to God. But this does not make Christ our King as He will be when He rules and reigns over the kingdom of His earthly father David. This idea leads some to say "He is king in our hearts," a concept the Bible does not bring forth. I have practiced in my interpretative life to try to speak only where the Bible speaks and not to make a leap to something that it does not put forward. Where the Bible speaks, I speak; where it does not speak, I don't speak! Over domestic relations Christ is the head of the husband, and the husband is the head of the woman (1 Cor. 11:3). Christ is said in several places to be Head of "all things" (Co. 2:10; Eph. 1:22) and He is head of the church (4:15; Col. 1:18). But the Bible does not say He is the king over the church. The idea of a king has a specific picture in mind. It implies a certain kingship rule that is not seen in the idea of "the body of Christ" with Him as its Head! I care less what the Covenant theologians think; I am not out to impress or to placate them. I am not out to compromise with them on their view of the kingdom. I will not do what they do, and that is, leap to an idea where the Word of God does not leap! Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Tolerance and Truth

Dr. Couch, tolerance seems to be the word for today. No one can speak the truth with strong conviction as the apostle Paul in the NT. What do you say? ANSWER:  Paul comes out swinging with strong words in his epistles against sin and its consequences. For example, in 1 Timothy 1, he makes it clear that evil is thoroughly evil and must be addressed. He says that the law was righteous but it was given for those who were unrighteous and rebellious (1:9). He adds, the law was "for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted."    Paul is saying that the gospel, and its indictment against the sins he has just listed, is to be applied to the culture and the society, not just for the acceptance within the church. These are sins that the gospel and the Word of God speaks against. Whether the culture likes it or not, these are sins that must be spoken against first by the Bible, and then by believers who are living in this world.    We presently have congressmen and judges in high places who are homosexuals and we should be able to speak out against them with the authority of the law of Scripture, that seems to be what Paul is saying in these passages.    We have been far too silent and passive. And I believe that we are all too afraid to address head-on the sinful state of our society. We have become quiet and do not have the ability to be vocal when the time arises.    Because of this silence, we will pay the price of seeing our nation sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of evil. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Ephesians 6:23

Dr. Couch, what is going on in Ephesians 6:23? ANSWER:  The verse reads: "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."    The "Peace" and the "love with faith" both come from the Father and from the Son. Paul means that love is associated with faith. Love connected with trust, faith, bathes the relationship of the believers. And this is coming from the Father and the Son. We are not to have just simple love, but we are to have love that is bound together with Christian trust. This is not plain love. Thus, it is Godly peace and love! It may read "peace and love" with Christian faith both come from the Father and Son.       Believers are not to have ordinary peace and love. "Faith is presupposed as being the believers" bestowed by the Father and Son.--Alford    This makes Christianity unique!    Thanks for asking.    --Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

Audience of 1 Peter

Dr. Couch, to whom is the book of 1 Peter written? Some say it is written to the Gentiles though the first verse says "to the alien scattered." ANSWER:  The book is clearly written to the Jewish "diaspora," that is the Greek of the word "scattered." The word "alien" means "the strangers." This is how the Jews were described who were driven out of Israel. In the case of verse 1, it is speaking about the Jewish believers who were part of the diaspora. The word diaspora is two words: dia=through, thoroughly, and spora=seed. "To scatter the seed" is the way it described the scattered Jews.    2:12 also proves that Peter is writing to the scattered believing Jews. The verse reads: "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles," proving that Peter's audience is not Gentile but Jewish. The answer to your question is really simple. I don't know how anyone came up with the idea that the audience was Gentiles!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (8/10)

Classes of Believers

Dr. Couch, is not 1 Peter 4:11 speaking about two classes of believers in the church, or two levels of workers in the congregation? ANSWER:  Yes, that seems to be what is happening here. There are not different levels of rewards being mentioned but of work taking place in the assembly. This is a great passage of Scripture that reads: "Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterance of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."    First are those "who speak" or teach "the utterances of God." This would include the speakers, the elders and/or pastors. Then there are those who serve "by the strength which God supplies," so "that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."    Some have great abilities in teaching and others in serving in the assembly. This makes for a perfect balance of believers. Both classes are carrying out what the Lord wishes to take place. You need workers and you need those who give biblical instruction and direction from God's Word.    Thank for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Apr., 10)

The Old Man

Dr. Couch, some people say we no longer have the old man working on us because he has been crucified when we trusted in Christ. What does the Bible say? ANSWER:  Romans 6:6-7 gives to us clarification. While it is true that the old self ("the old man," anthropos) has been crucified (our Position), we still must "consider" or "calculate" ("logizomai," Aorist Infinitive) ourselves to be dead to sin (v. 11). That is, in the "Experience" of the Christian life, we must reckon ourselves to be dead to sin. We must consider the fact that the old man has been judged, though he can still influence us in our Christian experience.    Notice how Paul uses the Greek tenses. Old man crucified (Aorist T., v. 6), ("we should not be slaves to sin" Present T., v. 6), "He has died to sin" (Aorist T., v. 7), "We have died with Christ" (Aorist T., v. 8). The old man has to do with Adam. Kroll writes: "We are free now to live in Christ as we once lived in Adam." "The death of our Lord completely removed the guilt and penalty of our sin." The old man has not been eradicated, his influence is still around, though Positionally, the old man has been judged.    To consider ourselves to be dead to sin "is the first principle in the process of our sanctification," Kroll writes. Christians will still struggle with the influence of the old man. That is what Romans 7 is all about. Paul says, "If I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me" (v. 20).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Tithing

Dr. Couch, is tithing for the NT believers today? ANSWER:  Tithing was commanded for the Jewish people. The tithe was to be taken to the "storehouse" which was located in the Temple grounds. There was a series of "tithes" so that actually, the Jews gave more than a simple ten percent of their income. The tithe was given for food for the house of the Lord. Much of the tithe was used to feed the priests. To not give the tithe was "robbing the whole nation" of Israel (Mal. 3:9).    If the tithe was given from the right heart attitude the giver was blessed. It was a distinct element in Israel's faith and a continual reminder that the Israelites were the Lord's people and that they belonged to Him as their Creator and Redeemer. This is of course true of us today but the body of Christ is distinct from the nation of Israel. And, the Lord looks at us in a more personal way than how He responded to Israel.    The tithe was part of the Mosaic Law and binding, this is not the case of the NT saints. The NT saints are not under the Law of Moses, nor is the local church the counterpart of "the storehouse." Unger points out that in this church age, giving is not done by Law but through grace, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The believer today is to give "as the Lord has prospered," and that could be more than a 10%, or under dire cases, it may be less than a 10%.    A tithe, or 10%, may be a good guideline for giving today, such giving is not under the guidance of the principle of the tithe. For example, I could brag if I gave only a tithe, and I could feel that I had done my duty and did not need to do more. I could argue about how spiritual I was because I had given a tithe! To get all of this straight you need to study 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15. This gives for us today the principle for NT giving.    Since most believers today do not understand the dispensational nature of the Word of God, they remain confused about this issue. They mix OT and NT together and come up with misleading directives concerning tithing.     Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Feb., 10)

Saints of the Highest One

Dr. Couch, who are the saints of the Highest One in Daniel 7:22 who "take possession of the kingdom"? ANSWER:  This is made clear in verse 18. The Highest One is the Messiah, and the saints would be the saved Jews who take possession of the fifth Kingdom, which is His Kingdom here on earth. The saints are the saved Jewish remnant that will pass through the Great Tribulation. They take ("receive") the promises made to Israel in connection with it. This would also include the resurrected Israelites (Dan. 12:2), the Jews who are the believing Jews of all generations. Unger adds: "It is significant that the designation of God as the 'Most High, possessor of heaven and earth' (Gen. 14:18-22) is employed of the time that the Messiah will come to make good that title in His Kingdom rule."    The one thousand year temporal reign of Christ will merge into the eternal state when Christ, after His reign on the earth, will deliver up "the kingdom to God, even the Father. ... that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:24-28).    The Jewish Rabbis understand Daniel 7 more than one thinks they do. They write on His "coming with the clouds of heaven": "If Israel is worthy, the Messiah will come riding the clouds; if not, He will come in the guise of a poor man riding an ass." Actually, He came first on the donkey, and His second coming will be in the clouds!    And, the Rabbis write, on "The Son of Man" mentioned in verse 13: "According to verse 27 it refers to the regenerated people of Israel. Rabbinical exegesis applies it to the Messiah." Verse 27 reads: "Then, the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him."    The Rabbis speak of the "regenerated people," and that is exactly what Christ says. He mentions the "regeneration" that takes place "when the Son of Man(kind) will sit on His glorious throne" (Matt. 19:28). Here, Christ is speaking of the "regenerated" nation of Israel when the Kingdom begins and He is ruling over the Jewish people.    In so many places, the theology of the orthodox Jews is the same as our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Feb., 10)

Social Apostasy

Dr. Couch, I am being persuaded in what you say about a social apostasy coming upon the world. Can you explain a little more? ANSWER:  Yes, what I mean is that the culture, that in some places, to a large degree, has been blessed by biblical Christianity, will turn and be even more evil that previously. And this is exactly what happened in Europe some decades back, and has now happened in America during my lifetime. Christianity held back sin to some extent but now the roof has collapsed and sin is becoming more sinful!    And, the church then is becoming more like the world and the culture! We have some verses that I believe point this out. For example, 2 Timothy 3:1-2.    "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money ..." The verses speak of "in the last days difficult times will come." Paul is not in those verses talking about church apostasy but about cultural apostasy and evil growing worse and worse. The Greek reads "Time of stress, fierce, savage times." Paul uses the Future Tense of the "to be" verb. "It will be this way ..."    Then in verse 2 he does not speak of the church folks, but of "the men" of the world, using the Greek word, with the article, "hoi anthropos." This will happen when "the time" (kairos, chronology) will come, and grow more savage, when the change happens in the culture. Paul connects this thought with 4:3 when he writes: "For that 'time' (kairos, chronological period) will come (Future Tense) when 'they' (supplied by the translator) 'will not endure healthy doctrine ... '" Paul here is not talking about true believers but about those in the culture who apostatize from what little they know of truth.    He is not talking about true"possessing Christians" in 3:13, as some think, but again, he is talking about the lost in the culture, when he writes "But evil men (poneeros anthropos) ... and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." These are the lost men of the society, the culture, not those who are Christians (though the true believers will be deceived.). Indeed, the evil men are "impostors" (goees). This is the only place in the NT where this word is used. It's often translated "seducers." This is a better translation; they will be seducing and leading astray those who are professors, and who are taken down the wrong path, who go into apostasy and join them in their worldly sinfulness! "Goees" can be translated "a juggler, enchanter, one who uses incantations to deceive." This is happening and going on today. The church is getting like the culture.    "They will proceed" (Future Tense) is from the Greek word "prokopos" meaning "they will go forward, go forward hammering (as a smith hammers metal)," "promoting further" their evil agendas. And nothing will stop them; it will get worse and worse, as the apostasy takes over the culture even more!     The Bible Knowledge Commentary seems to agree with my thoughts on the passage. Several times it mentions "the people (the lost), when they the world will see terrible times of societal degeneration."    I believe we are now in religious, spiritual, and social degeneration and this is the sign that we are in "the last days."    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Worshiping Mythological Figures and Idols

Dr. Couch, what causes people to worship mythological figures and idols? What about secret organizations, do they intentionally deceive the masses, and their followers, on the lower levels? ANSWER:  Secret societies certainly can deceive but far more follow after idols and mythological characters because of the ongoing work of Satan in the culture. Believing in other gods, and idols, was one of the main sins and early responses of the world to the religious work of Satan. He loves to see people fooled and misled by idolatry.     In the NT we find many believers being fooled by idolatry. Many struggled getting out of cultish religious worship, though they were still saved. Idolatry is a sin just like all sin! And since believers can "do" all sins, they can be idol worshippers.    Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "We should not crave evil things, as they also craved (the Jews did in the wilderness). And do not be idolaters, as some of them were" (1 Cor. 10:5b-6). James said he wrote to the Gentile Christians "to abstain from things contaminated by idols ..." (Acts 15:20). John warned the Christians "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).     Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

What is Going on in Revelation 21:24-27

Dr. Couch, what is going on in Revelation 21:24-27? What does it mean that the nations are walking by the light of the new, eternal city of Jerusalem in the eternal state? And what about the kings of the earth who bring their glory into the new Jerusalem? ANSWER:  This is all hyperbolic language used by John to describe the importance of the new Jerusalem in the period of the eternal state. The people of the nations, and their rulers (their kings), are being honored as they enjoy the new Jerusalem. On earth presently, kings and rulers are given special honor as world heads of state. That will continue in the period of eternity. There is no question that the people of the nations, and the kings described here, are all saved and redeemed! They are believers who are then enjoying the blessings of salvation, but too, there are certain things in eternity, that are still honored in the blessed period of redemption. Kings who were believers and faithful servants during history will still be recognized in glory!    What throws us is that the language is somewhat similar to what we would say today. This tells us that some things will continue in this new state, this new situation, during eternity! Hindson adds: "God's servants shall reign forever and ever" (22:5). Do not imagine heaven to be a place of inactivity or lazy self-indulgence. We who are even now positionally seated with Christ in 'heavenly places' are destined [to be] joint-heirs with Him (Eph. 1:3, 20; 2:6)."    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Oct. 2009

Christians Need More Wisdom

Dr. Couch, should not Christians have more wisdom and not be so duped and gullible in their thinking? Or is this part of His sovereignty, to allow evil to run its course, and too, in life He hands out divine retribution, even on believers? ANSWER:  While God is sovereign and taking His world where He wishes it to go, there are still natural processes at work. We cannot fathom how all of this works. It is a "both and ..." when we try to reconcile His sovereignty and human responsibility!    As the Lord builds His church we find Paul writing: "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you being rooted and grounded in love ..." Peter also writes: that we should "grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). We have to grow because we're not there yet! I have the same argument when discussing the physical and mental growth of a child. It takes at least 20 years for one to become mature! So in the Christian life—it is a growth process—we do not mature instantly!    Paul adds: That we should no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, etc. ..." (Eph. 4:14). This is why most of the epistles were written—to strengthen, to support, to mature out believers by the process of learning. Natural processes are at work! But so is the Holy Spirit! God is working with what He has in believers. We are changed by His steady working on us!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Contradiction of 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 7

Dr. Couch, I understand from 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 that the lost will believe a lie during the tribulation period. But then in Revelation 7, it speaks of the Gentiles coming to Christ during the tribulation period. Is there a contradiction? ANSWER:  No this is not a contradiction. It is a both/and not a neither/nor! Revelation 7 reads, "I saw a great multitude, … from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, … crying saying: 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb'" (vv. 9-10). Who are these folks? "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (v. 14).    Many multitudes during the tribulation will believe the lie of the anti-Christ who is driven by the lie of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9-12). They are deceived and "do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved" (v. 10). Thus, God sends them a deluding ("leading astray") spirit so that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness" (vv. 10-12).    Yet, thousands will believe the truth during the tribulation! Not all are deceived. Those who come to Christ during this terrible tribulation period will suffer, and die as martyrs. But many survive and enter the messianic kingdom when Christ comes.    Those who believe in Christ during the tribulation ("those who are beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus," Rev. 20:4), will "come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years" (v. 5). They are the ones who are "Blessed and holy and who have a part in the first resurrection" (v. 6). This "first resurrection" is the resurrection that takes place as the kingdom period begins. These resurrected ones are the tribulation believers and martyrs. They "will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years" (v. 6b).    Who are "the rest of the dead" who do not come back to life until the thousand years are completed" (v. 5)? They are the unbelieving dead who are resurrected for the Great White Throne judgment. The lost are resurrected and "judged from the things which were written in the books (scrolls) according to their works" (v. 12). "The dead were judged every one of them according to their works" (v. 13). "They are thrown into the lake of fire, anyone whose name was not written in the book of life" (v. 15).    It is not difficult to get all of this straight, that is, if one studies by context and takes the Bible at face value. Don't dump all of the Bible verses into one big bucket and mix everything together. Keep things where they belong!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (August 2009)

Seduced by Idolatry

Dr. Couch, can believers be seduced by idolatry? ANSWER: You bet they can! Not so much today, but during Paul's day many of the Gentiles were tempted again to serve idols. Paul warns believers about this. He told the Corinthians, "Do not be idolaters, as some of" the Jews were in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:7). He added, "My beloved (the believers), flee from idolatry" (v. 14). And then John wrote: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21 ).    We forget that believers can act fleshly or carnal and live just like the world. Paul warned: "You are not able to receive solid food, "even now you are not yet able. … are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men (the lost)?" (1 Cor. 3:2-3).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch