Where is hell, and who created it?
The so-called "orthodox hell," of a vast furnace of fire and brimstone, manned by fire-proof devils with pitch forks in their hands, who are busily engaged in jabbing and tormenting the billions of poor unfortunates--all [...]
Is it a biblical fact that Christ descended into hell after his crucifixion and before his resurrection? 1 Peter 3:19
Jesus died as a human and his body was put in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60). Jesus prepared his apostles for the fact that he would die and no longer be physically with [...]
Does Peter have a higher position than the Lord Jesus because Peter has the keys to heaven, whereas the Lord Jesus has the keys to hell?
A "key" in the scriptural symbolism is representative of the opening power vested in the one who has been duly authorized to act, just as how we might say today something like, "He holds the [...]
Please explain why the Scriptures refer to the special care of God over the fatherless and the widow and says nothing about the widower and the motherless? It seems to me that where the wife and mother is taken away it is much sadder than where the husband and father is removed from the family circle.
In many places in the Scriptures the expression "fatherless," in the original language in which the Bible was written, has the significance of bereaved or orphans. The thought is that the Lord's special care and [...]
If God is omniscient, knowing the end from the beginning, how could He repent of His course in creating man? – Genesis 6:5,6
Genesis 6:5,6: (KJV) 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented [...]
If God is a God of love, as the Bible tells us, how can we understand His command to the children of Israel to utterly destroy their enemies, men, women and children?
The Land of Canaan belonged to the Israelites as it had been given to Abraham and promised to his seed as an everlasting possession. The Philistines, Amorites and others who inhabited the land at the time [...]
I heard a man the other day say that there are some things that God cannot do. Is that so or not?
In the very nature of things there are some things that it would be impossible for God, the great Creator, to do. Some say that it would be impossible for God to create two hills [...]
Are angels mortal?
The definition of “mortal” is a state or condition of being liable to death, not a condition where death is unavoidable, but a condition where death is a possibility. The definition of “immortal” is a [...]
Are we to accept a literal flood, or do Genesis chapters 6, 7 and 8 give an account of a spiritual flood?
Scientific thought is coming more and more into harmony with the Scripture teachings as to the occurrence of an actual flood at about the time indicated in the Genesis account. From the latest investigations and [...]
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 [...]