God created man with a mind to think. Sometimes questions are used to stimulate the mind to do so. Questions often make people think about important things. At times we find great lessons being taught and grasped by asking questions. Every time a question is asked in the Bible, whether by God or by an inspired man, a great lesson is taught.

In this article, we want to examine some of the great questions of the Bible so as to assist us in better understanding what God would have us to know.

“WHERE ART THOU?” – GENESIS 3:9 – God’s first question to man was a serious one. Adam and Eve were now in sin, trying to hide from God. He saw them, and the condition they were in. The question here is not just a question of where they were physically, but where were they spiritually. Men have been trying to hide from God since that time. Hagar said, “Thou God seest me” (Genesis 16:13). We would be well off to remember this at all times. There is no place where we can hide from the “all seeing eye of God” (Hebrews 4:13). We need to be aware that our sin will find us out (Numbers 32:23).

“AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?” – GENESIS 4:9 – This is the first question asked of God. The background for the question reveals the sin of Cain (Genesis 4:1-8). It is important to realize that we are our “brother’s keeper” (Romans 14:7-21). We should always think what effect our words and actions will have on others (Philippians 2:4).

“IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN?” – JOB 14:14 – Job was interested in this question. He was in misery, and it seemed that death was at his door. Over time, this question has lost none of its interest. Thanks to God, the question is plainly answered (John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14). Our life here will determine our life beyond the grave (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED . . .?” – MATTHEW 16:26 – Christ asked this question. By looking at it, we see that it is a two-in-one question. Actually, I know of no answer to it that could be seen as a positive one. It is unanswered, and is unanswerable, as there is nothing but loss when one puts aside the spiritual for the physical!

“WHO THEN, CAN BE SAVED?” – MATTHEW 19:25 – After Jesus’ lesson about a rich man’s difficulty in going to heaven, the question was asked by the disciples (Matthew 19:23, 24). Over the years, many answers have been given by men that have been in error. However, the Bible answers the question in no uncertain terms. Hell will be filled with people who did not intend to go there (Matthew 7:21-23). Many rational people intend to obey the gospel but neglect to do so. They forget that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). They forget the brevity of life (James 4:14). Life’s brevity and uncertainty makes this question one of great importance.

“WHAT SHALL THE END BE?” – 1 PETER 4:17 – For those outside of Christ, certainly not salvation (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). For those who refuse to remain faithful, a condition that is worse than their previous one outside of Christ is all that remains (2 Peter 2:20-22). For those who were “once enlightened,” but who have “fallen away” and are remaining in that condition there is no hope (Hebrews 6:4-6).

“WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?” – REVELATION 6:17 – All will be examined in view of God’s Word (John 12:48). Who will be able to stand as righteous in the sight of God? (Mark 13:13; Revelation 2:10; 22:14).

“AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU?” – ACTS 22:16 – This question was asked by an inspired preacher of a praying, believing, penitent Saul. Because of his desire to please the Lord, when he was told what to do, he did it (Acts 9:18).

These, and other questions similar to them, cause us to carefully consider what God would have us to do. We conclude with one more question, “What will you do with Jesus?” (Mark 15:12).From: Brown Trail School of Preaching Website, http://browntrailschoolofpreaching.com/

-Submitted by Jerry D Sturgill

In the book of Acts, we read of Paul’s missionary journeys.  It is fascinating to learn of the spread of the Gospel through the evangelistic efforts of this great apostle.  Distinct features of the Roman Empire in the first century made these travels possible which, in turn, helped spread the borders of Christ’s kingdom.

With this great growth and expansion, it seems puzzling at first why God would want to curtail Paul’s traveling and allow him to be imprisoned at Rome.  During Paul’s travels it was his intention to visit Rome to preach the Gospel to them (Acts 19:21; Romans 1:10-15).  It certainly was God’s plan for Paul to go to Rome (Acts 23:11), but he arrives there as a prisoner bound in chains (Acts 28:16).  God had sent his angel to break Peter out of prison before (Acts 5:12-19).  Why not do this with Paul?  What good was it to have him at Rome if he is imprisoned?

The answer lies in God’s wisdom of knowing what influence Paul would have at Rome by means of his incarceration.  Paul was allowed to teach in his own hired house for two years (Acts 28:30-31).  This was how Onesimus heard the Gospel and obeyed (Philemon 10).  This oral teaching was not all Paul did; he also wrote letters to congregations and individuals during his incarceration.  We have four of these preserved for us in the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  In each of these epistles Paul mentions his bonds.  Paul asked the brethren at Ephesus to pray for him that he would be bold in his proclamation of the Gospel while he was in bonds (Ephesians 6:19-20).  Philippians seems to be the latest of the prison epistles Paul wrote.  By the time the words of this letter were penned, Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel had penetrated the palace of Caesar and his household.  Notice Philippians 1:12-13, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.” The salutation of Philippians 4:22 gives weight to this fact as well, “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”  God had evidently opened a door of opportunity in the city that ruled the world.  Paul was placed there for a reason: to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel of Christ to the influential personages at Rome.

We may wonder why God has allowed certain things to happen to us.  A situation which looks dark to us may hold an opportunity that we never imagined.  Often what occurs in our lives is far different from what we have envisioned.  One thing that we can count on is God’s providential care of us to use us in ways we never imagined and see us through to the very end.

-Mark Day

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Physically looking backwards may result in a stumble or fall but looking back spiritually can be life-threatening. One who spiritually looks backwards, resorts back to their sinful past (Heb. 10:35-39). Once we obey the Gospel of Christ, we are a new creature, forsaking the old man of sin (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 3:9-10). Before one is baptized into Christ, they ought to consider that they must stop living in sin. No one is perfect and we all sin (Rom. 3:23), but a “Christian” continuing to sin is not faithful (1 Jn. 1:5-2:2; 3:4-9). When a Christian looks back, they long for the fleeting pleasures of sin they gave up when they first came to Christ (Heb. 11:23-27). As Jesus stated, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62). Let us examine the dangers of looking back instead of forward to Christ.

Lot’s wife is a great example of someone looking backwards spiritually. While escaping the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angels instructed Lot and his family not to look back on the city (Gen. 19:12-25). What we must understand is that Lot’s wife looking back was because she did not want to let go of her physical possessions. What mattered more to her, the home and possessions she left in Sodom or following the commands of God? Notice, when commanded by the angels to flee, Lot and his family lingered. They lingered to the point that the angels had to physically grab their hands and lead them out of the city (Gen 19:14-16). Why would they desire to remain in such a sinful city (Gen. 19:1-7)? It is a sad reality that most people will endure rampant sin all around them because of the riches a location like that offers (Gen. 13:10-11). Lot’s wife was not looking back out of curiosity to view the destruction, but she looked backwards because of what she left behind (Lk. 17:28-33)! Her home, possessions, and riches were destroyed and these things mattered most to her. Do riches and possessions cause you to look back instead of focusing forward? Lot’s wife laid up riches on earth, where are yours (Matt. 6:19-21)?

The Israelites in the wilderness were rarely looking forward, focusing on God as they should have. Instead, they looked backwards at their former lives in Egypt and wished they were still there (Ex. 16:3). Did you catch that? The Israelites, who were mistreated slaves back in Egypt (Ex. 1:9-16; 3:7-9), wanted to return back to servitude. They looked back at Egypt several times while wandering in the wilderness. In their minds, slavery with a full belly trumped being free and trusting in the Lord who delivered them (Ex. 17:1-3; Num. 14:1-4; 20:2-5). Though their physical bodies left Egypt, spiritually they remained behind. Their desire to return back to Egypt was such an issue, God had to command when a king of Israel arose, he was not allowed to send the people back to Egypt to obtain more horses (Deut. 17:14-16). God even issued a warning to Israel that if they did not obey His law, He would send them back to Egypt as slaves (Deut. 28:58-68). It is clear from the Old Testament that Israel did not keep the commandments of God and the Lord sent them into slavery to the Assyrians (Hosea 11:5). The real reason Israel desired to return to Egypt was because they feared the unknown and did not fully trust in God to provide for them. Even after Israel conquered Canaan and a few centuries passed by, the children of Israel still trusted in Egypt’s might more than they did God’s (Is. 31:1-3). Does God have your complete trust, or do you look back and place your trust in the things of this world (Col. 3:1-7)?           

-Brandon Foresha

Jesus spoke several parables to illustrate the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 13). Many of these highlight the separation of the righteous from the wicked at the end of the world when the Lord returns—the wheat from the tares (Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43), the good from the bad fish (13:47-50), the wise from the foolish virgins (25:1-13), and the sheep from the goats (25:31-46), just to name a few. The Christian age, (often called the “last days” in the Bible), is the period of time from Christ’s establishment of His kingdom in the first century (Mk. 9:1; Rev. 1:9) to the end of the world, when He brings those in His kingdom home to heaven (Mt. 13:39-40, 49; 28:20). We presently are in this last period of time, but so were those on Pentecost day following Christ’s resurrection, according to Acts 2:16-17. The Lord has been longsuffering for 2,000 years, allowing individuals time to repent (2 Pet. 3:8-9). He provides the opportunity to be part of His kingdom by being baptized/born again into His kingdom, the church (Mt. 16:18-19; Jn. 3:3-5; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Col. 1:13). He may return today or a thousand years from now; however, no one knows the time of His coming, so we must be watchful (Mt. 24:36-51). His coming will be unexpected (Mt. 24:44; 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10).

In these last days, Christians must remain faithful in a world filled with people who are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:2-5). Yes, some will act like they are righteous people, but in reality, they guide others away from God. Sadly, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). However, our lives and teachings must be according to God’s word, if we will be saved and save others (1 Tim. 4:16). We must continue to preach God’s word (2 Tim. 4:2), even when others depart from the faith in this last age (1 Tim. 4:1). We must be watchful in all things and endure afflictions (2 Tim. 4:5), even when others heap to themselves false teachers that deceive them and make them feel good in their sins (2 Tim. 4:3-4; Rom. 16:17-18; Jude 4). First-century Christians had to patiently endure tribulations, such as Jerusalem’s destruction, and so must we today, possessing our souls by patience (Lk. 21:19; Acts 14:22).

When the Lord returns, it will all be worth it (2 Cor. 4:17). If we are faithful to the Lord Jesus, we will receive a crown of righteousness in the last day (2 Tim. 4:7-8). The wicked will finally be dealt with once and for all, and the righteous will be saved from sin’s ruinous influence. The wicked will be weeping and gnashing their teeth (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 13:28), but the righteous will have all tears wiped from their eyes, for they will no longer experience death, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:4). Instead, they will have healing, living among the tree of life, basking in the light of God, and serving Him forever (Rev. 22:1-5). Be sure you remain faithful and watchful, so that you are separated on the right side when the Lord returns. 

 -Mark Day