How large was the Ark of Noah, and how did it compare with modern vessels as to size and capacity?
The Bible (`Gen. 6:15`) gives the dimensions as follows: Three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits broad and thirty cubits high. The length of the cubit is variously estimated. The modern cubit is 18 inches, linear [...]
If Noah was a just and respectable old gentleman of some 600 years of age, how is it that we find him getting intoxicated – becoming drunk – as recorded in Genesis 9:20?
Genesis 9:20-27 describes an unfortunate incident with Noah and his sons. Noah planted a vineyard and became drunk with the wine of its grapes. Noah's intoxication was after the Flood was wholly unintentional. The Flood [...]
We hear of so many great fires these days, I wonder if the Bible shows that the earth will be destroyed by actual fire?
An improper conception of the Scriptures has led to many ludicrous conclusions concerning the destruction of the earth by fire. A man in western Pennsylvania became so thoroughly imbued with the thought that the world [...]
What kind of fire must that be which is to burn up the earth at the end of the world, when it is written of that very time, "There shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before?" Isaiah 47:14
The Scriptures in many places refer to the time of destruction in the end of the present order of things under various symbols or illustrations such as "fire," "earthquake," "whirlwind," etc. The literal earth or [...]
How can I get faith when I do not have it naturally?
Faith may be cultivated as any other mental quality and is increased in proportion to knowledge and reliance upon that knowledge. To have faith in God, we must learn His character, plans, and purposes. Our faith grows as we study [...]
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said to his disciples "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Could one have faith to remove a literal mountain?
The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is very important to a Christian. It links us to God and Jesus, brings [...]
Why does God the great creator who has all power and wisdom permit the reign of sin and evil in the earth? When we see all of the sorrow and misery existing in the world because of the evil we wonder that a just and loving creator would permit these things when he has the ability to put an end to them at any time?
This is a very important question and one that thinking minds have pondered by using a fact of history to illustrate the matter. In ancient times during the reign of a just and wise ruler [...]
Where did evil originate? Is God the author of evil? (`Isa. 14:7`; `Amos 3:6`.)
The word evil in the texts cited has the meaning in the Hebrew language of adversity. These evils or calamities were sent upon the Jews as chastisements for their violation of the terms of the [...]
Please explain, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever." (Revelation 20:10) "And the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever, and they have no rest day and night which worship the beast and his image." (Revelation 14:11)
These two separate passages are scripturally connected. Before directly examining these passages, it is helpful to explore the use of the term “beast” in Scripture. Studying passages where the meaning is clear will help to [...]
Please explain `Rev. 20:10`, particularly the last clause of the verse which reads: “and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
All Bible students recognize that the expressions of this chapter and verse are highly figurative. Where it is stated that a "beast and false prophet" are to be cast into the "lake of fire and [...]
Does the statement of our Lord as to the “Rich Man” and “Lazarus” teach that the wicked go to eternal torment at death?
There is not a single word in this much discussed parable about the Rich Man being a wicked man or the Poor Man being a good man. Therefore, in answer to the question, it could [...]
The scriptures state that God created the Earth not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited (Isaiah 14:18). And also that the earth abideth forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4). This seems to imply that the earth will be populated forever. If this be true, where will they get their supplies from, such as coal, minerals, timber, etc. when the present sources are exhausted?
The earth is composed of different elements. These elements, while they may change their forms and disappear from mortal vision, always remain the same elements. No instance has ever been known of where one element [...]
Are we to understand from the words of St. Peter (`2 Pet. 3:10`) that the earth is to be burned up at some time or other? And what is the meaning of the expression–“the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
The symbolical earth of St. Peter's prophecy doubtless refers to the social order of things or organized society, represented in the various forms of government now existing. In referring to the last times or the [...]
How can we reconcile Ecclesiastes 1:4, which says the earth “abides forever,” with scientific claims that the solar system is slowly running down and that the earth may one day become cold and lifeless?
Ecclesiastes says that “the earth abides forever,” and this statement can be harmonized with scientific projections without any contradiction. Even if some scientific models suggest that the solar system will eventually run down and the [...]
In 2 Kings 20:11, we read that Isaiah the Prophet cried unto the Lord; and He brought the shadow of the sun ten degrees backwards, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. Does this record teach that the Lord reversed the motion of the earth upon its axis?
The possibility of such a miracle has been questioned by many, who have insisted that it would involve not only stoppage of the motion of the earth upon its axis, but an impossible retrograde movement, [...]
Can we say that Jesus is divine and yet not worship Him as deity?
The Logos is designated "The Only Begotten Son" of God. The thought conveyed by this expression is that the Logos, the Lord Jesus, is the only direct creation or begetting of the Heavenly Father, while [...]
Do the words “everlasting” and “forever and ever” as applied to the punishment of the wicked, mean an eternity of misery, and torment, or merely punishment for a season?
Let no one be deceived regarding the duration of the punishment of the wicked, as it is repeatedly put forth in the scriptures that it is for eternity and not merely for a season. However; [...]
What is the meaning of the word "Armageddon"? Also, what is signified by "the battle of Armageddon"?
The name is found in Revelation 16:16, and means literally "The Mountain of Destruction." It references the place where the Lord destroyed Israel's enemies before the Israeli armies of Gideon, and of Jehoshaphat. On both of these [...]
I have just lost a dear little girl who never was baptized. I am about mad with grief and sorrow. Some people tell me that she is lost to all eternity and may possibly now be writhing in eternal torture. I have called in our minister and he only shakes his head in doubt. I have also talked with ministers of other denominations and can get no consolation.
We appreciate your sorrow and anxiety. Many mothers have been comforted by the Lord's word found in `Jer. 31:15`. "Thus saith the Lord, A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping [...]
Kindly explain the last part of Ecclesiastes 11:3, "In the place where the tree falleth there it shall be."
We find this scripture to be in harmony with the remainder of the Bible and as particularly expressed in the ninth chapter of this same book of Ecclesiastes-- "for there is no work nor device, [...]
In 2 Kings 22:20, we read "Behold, therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shall be gathered into thy grave in peace." Then in 2 Kings 23:29-30, we are told that Josiah was killed at Megiddo. Please explain and harmonize.
The promise which the Lord made to Josiah in 2 Kings 22:20 was because of the splendid work of reformation. King Josiah had inaugurated and was prosecuting against the false and idolatrous religious systems in the land. While [...]
Who are the dead who die in the Lord, and how can a dead person die? – “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence forth.” `Rev. 14:13`.
There are three kinds of death mentioned in the Scriptures--the Adamic death; the sacrificial death, as death of Christ; and the "second death." The Adamic condition of death, passed upon all the human race because [...]