Answers to difficult questions from the Bible...based on ancient Hebrew and Greek Manuscripts.
This will give you a better understanding of God's over all plan for our eternal salvation and life.

Many people doubt the accuracy...and historicity of the Holy Bible, but time and time again, an archaeological find will prove its truths. The recent discovery of the ossuary (bone box) of James, brother of the Lord Jesus, is just one of many such finds.To question the accuracy is one thing, but to deny the actual existence of Jesus of Nazareth is quite another...and, sadly, quite common in these end times. Those who do such are anti-Christ...and no less than. However, even those have been known to change their tune when they study the Bible deeply, and find that the history and the evidence is all there. With understanding, the Scriptures will open a whole new window on life...and God will give you eyes and ears to see His mysteries revealed. The knowledge of God's plan will literally change your life...and give you peace. There is a famine in these times for God's Word, which is why we are making every effort to share what we have learned...and not hide our light under a bushel. The following questions will, at the very least, stir your curiosity...and your mind and heart to push on harder for more truths. God's Word is the MOST PRECIOUS gift anyone can give...and it is our fervent hope that you, too, will share your gifts of knowledge with loved ones and friends. Some of these answers are not at all like what you have been taught...because, quite frankly...you haven't. They are revealing, astonishing...and Truth. They are exactly what our Heavenly Father wanted you to know and understand from the beginning. Upon completion of these questions and answers, we will recommend a Bible study that will take you even further into God's Word.

Was there an earth "age" before this one? YES. There are three earth "ages" (not earths and heavens) described by Peter: "For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men". II Peter 3: 5-7. When you read Genesis 1:1, it declares, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth". Period! Verse 2 states, "And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep..." The word "was" in the manuscripts is actually "became"...as the earth was not created without form and void. Millions of years passed between verse 1 and verse 2. After verse 1, God destroyed the earth "age"...and shook the earth's foundations to its core, causing it to go off it's axis...which is why there is no exact due North on a compass...and why we now have natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and the like. Everything moved from its natural place, which is why petrified remains of palm and fir trees (evergreens) have been unearthed in desert areas even in North America.

Why did God destroy the first earth age? There was a beautiful covering angel named Lucifer, who decided that he would be higher than God, whereby taking one third of the angels (sons of God) in his campaign. This, Satan's rebellion resulted in the katabole (Greek for "cast down", "over thrown", "utter ruin"). "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger". (Jeremiah 4: 23-26). God had no choice but to destroy that first perfect earth age which existed "before the foundation of the world"...often mentioned by Jesus. We, our souls, in perfect (spiritual) bodies, lived with God in that age. So, God then decided to create THIS earth age (same earth). Thus, Genesis 1, verse 2. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." So, today, we look just as we did then...in the first earth age...in our spiritual bodies....like the angels. Though not flesh and blood, spiritual bodies are of substance...because actual foot prints (like ours) have been found...and dated to millions of years ago...even near those of dinosaurs. This earth age is between 12,000 to 14,000 years old going back to the creation of this age. Though tools have been unearthed...no human (spiritual) remains have been found prior to that time....though scientists would have us believe that animal bones would suffice. It must be assumed that God took the souls from the earth before He destroyed it, for it goes on to say, "For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end".(Jeremiah 4: 27)

Are dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible? YES. The Book of Job describes the behemoth as a creature that could only be compared to a dinosaur...in size, strength, bones, etc. His tail is as a cedar...and he could easily drink up a river...including the Jordan. You can read of him in Job 40.

Did sin by man occur when Eve ate an apple? NO. That old serpent, the devil, Satan, was smarter than that. He wanted his own seed and generation to pass through this age to, once again, mess up God's plan. "And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat". (Genesis 3:13). The Hebrew word for beguiled is nasha...meaning seduced. The Greek word, exapatao, also means wholly seduced, as confirmed by the Apostle Paul in II Cor. 11:3. No apple caused them to be so ashamed! It is unfair and insulting to our intelligence to believe such a thing. Thus, Cain was conceived by Satan...and then Abel by Adam. Yes, twins. "And she again bare his brother Abel." The word "again" means continued...in labor. Cain is not found in Adam's geneaology. Jesus confirmed this fact when he told the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8: 44).

Were all people created on the sixth day? NO. Man and woman were created on the sixth day. God rested on the seventh day. Then God realized he needed a man to till the soil, and to create a perfect generation for Christ to come through. Therefore, on the eighth day, he formed (not created) ha adam (the Adam)...meaning ruddy, reddish, or able to show blood in the face (to blush)...formed from the dust of the ground, given God's breath of life, and made a living soul. How do we know that other people had been created on the sixth day? How else could Cain have gone to the land of Nod...and taken a wife? God carefully protected Adam's generation through Noah until..."the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose....There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 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. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." Genesis 6: 2-6. The word for renown in Hebrew is shem, meaning shame. Then came Noah's flood, where two of every flesh would be spared on the ark. Either that flood did not cover the entire earth...or Satan made sure that his seed stowed away on the ark. The sons of God, men of renown were none other than Satan's own fallen angels...and God felt that they had to be destroyed. Notice that they were "mighty men which were of old"... (earth age). At any rate, they impregnated the daughters of Adam...and will come here to do so again, as Jesus warned...just "as in the days of Noe"...when the anti-Christ sets down on Mount Zion in Jerusalem...acting and seeming like God (Jesus).

What was God's purpose for putting us through this flesh age? God has to know who truly loves Him and will sincerely follow Him into His Eternal Kingdom. Many will continue to follow Satan...but God will NOT force anyone to love Him. He gave us free will. His Heavenly Kingdom will be perfect...after His return...and harvest. There will be no tares growing in His next field!

Did God know us from the first earth age? YES. God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations". Jeremiah 1: 5.

What does God look like? He is not a blob floating around in space somewhere. We were created in His image, and that of the angels. Therefore, He looks like we do, but with tremendous light (Shekinah glory) and power. God is very real...and supernatural (more natural than we are). He could walk through the Garden of Eden. He speaks. He has emotions...including jealousy. He is wisest of the wise. Though He can be angered, He is the most loving and patient Father we could imagine. He sits on a throne. Enoch walked with Him...and Abraham was His friend. He is fair and just...though we may not always agree. Jacob wrestled with God (in the form of an angel) , and declared, "for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved". (Gen. 32: 30). To Moses, God said, "Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live". (Exodus 33: 20). This is why flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. His glory is so great that flesh could not withstand it. Therefore, we must shed our flesh bodies (die) before we return to Him. God further explained to Moses, "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by; And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts; but my face shall not be seen". (Exodus 33: 22-23). God's glorious personality shines forth in that one! The most profound answer to what God looks like was given by Jesus to Philip when He said, "...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father". (John 14: 9). In Hebrews 1: 3, Paul described Jesus in relation to the Father as "being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...". Jesus demonstrated His Shekinah glory at the Transfiguration when " his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light". (Matthew 17: 2). For anyone believing in the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin...which is now seeming more and more likely through research, the image left on the burial cloth...by a light as great as radiation (Shekinah glory perhaps?)...would represent the only known actual photograph of Jesus. The Hebrew word, Shekinah or (Sh"kanyah), used only to describe God's glory, means "God was there" or the "presence of God". Could this be the answer to how the image was left on the Shroud...and by Whom? That is the only question that science has not been able to answer! Interestingly, the Greek word for "manifest by rays" is "phos"..and for "light" is "photismos"....from whence comes our word "photo"! The most important description of Himself, God gave to Moses, when He said to tell the children of Israel..."I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3: 14). Jesus reiterated that by stating, "...Before Abraham was, I am". ( John 8: 58).

Is it likely that Jesus, in fact, had long hair? YES. In many Jewish sects of two thousand years ago, men did wear their hair long. In opposition to a recent "computer generated" Jesus in the media, not only is there an ancient document lending authenticity to the physical appearance of Jesus, but the Bible as well gives us some insight...again proving that present day analysts should refer to the Scriptures and related literature for accurate answers. An ancient writer, Hegesippus, who lived not long after the Apostolic age (180 AD)...wrote in his "Commentaries on the Acts of the Church", of James, the brother of the Lord. According to Hegesippus, James was a high priest of the Jewish Temple and was allowed into the Holy of Holies. James the Just was so loved by the people, that it was said to be his martyr death, after proclaiming that Jesus was, indeed, the Christ, that the Jewish revolt began in 66 AD. Hegesippus documented that James "drank no wine or other intoxicating liquor, nor did he eat flesh; no razor came upon his head...". Being that he was Jesus' brother, it seems plausible that they practiced the same customs. At least some...as it was also reported that James never bathed. However, our Lord was criticized for not washing His hands before eating. Jesus of Nazareth was called the Nazarene, and there may very well be a link to what, in the Old Testament, was referred to as the "vow of the Nazarite". This vow was open to both men and women, from God, to "separate themselves unto the LORD". (Numbers 6: 2). No wine or strong drink was allowed...nor even grapes...and the LORD decreed that "All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head; until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow". (Numbers 6: 5). Jesus did partake of the fruit of the vine...perhaps because He WAS the "Vine". It is interesting to note that there is another writing, fragments of a LOST GOSPEL called the "Gospel According to the Hebrews", translated by and quoted by St. Jerome in 392 AD, describing the post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus to James : ..."after the resurrection of the Savior: And when the Lord had given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, he went to James and and appeared to him. For James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the cup of the Lord until he should see him risen from among them that sleep. And shortly thereafter the Lord said: Bring a table and bread!...he took the bread, blessed it and brake it and gave it to James the Just and said to him: My brother, eat your bread, for the Son of man is risen from among them that sleep". Not only did James suddenly believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but this gospel also clearly mentions a "linen cloth" that was directly related to the Lord's burial and Resurrection! The actual translation states that Jesus gave the cloth to Peter and John, both of whom had seen the linen cloths lying in the empty tomb...from whence John "saw and believed". It is accepted by many scholars that the "Gospel According to the Hebrews" is probably the earliest of the gospels...and was the source of the Gospel of Matthew. This ancient Jewish-Christian gospel was mentioned by name most frequently in the early church and is the only gospel who's original title remains from antiquity. It has also been compared to the "Gospel of the Nazaraeans", who according to St. Jerome "are wont to read" ... from Jerome's "Commentary on Ephesians 3". It is believed to go back as far as the early church writer named Papias, who died in 130 AD. Therefore, this lost gospel carries a lot of weight as to the truth of God's word as taught by Jesus Christ ... and the events surrounding the Resurrection of our Lord. It lends even more credibility to the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin...and the actual physical appearance of Jesus. Simply because certain gospels and writings were not canonized in our Bible in 325 AD under Constantine, does not mean that many are not accurate... and historical truth.

Was Jesus born on December 25th? NO. That was determined under Constantine around 325 AD, based on a pagan holiday. Most scholars believe, according to the Jewish months, and high holy days, Jesus' actual birthday would have been in September...around the 29th. Also, shepherds would not have been abiding in the fields in the Winter. Many believe that the actual Divine Conception took place on or near December 25th.

Was Jesus from a poor family? NO. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 8: 9: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich". It is strongly believed by many that the very wealthy Joseph of Arimathea was great uncle to Jesus...as he was, by Roman law, kinsman redeemer...and allowed to take the body of Jesus for burial after the Crucifixion. This also ties in with the Legend of Glastonbury....a question and answer to follow.

Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? YES. He had four brothers....James, Joses, Jude, and Simon. He had at least two sisters (un-named). Luke states very clearly that Jesus was the eldest of Mary's children. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes...." ( Luke 2: 7). This confirms that there would be more children to follow Jesus. Remember, there are no divisions nor denominations in God's Word. Matthew verifies that Joseph "knew her not til she had brought forth her firstborn son ; and he called his name JESUS". Matthew 1: 25. Jesus' Divine Conception and birth were prophesied in Isaiah 7: 14 "...Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name "Immanuel"....hundreds of years before the fact.

Was Jesus forsaken by God while on the cross? NO. When Jesus, about the ninth hour, cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"....He was doing a most amazing thing. He was teaching, during His suffering, and confirming Himself as Messiah...by quoting the 22nd Psalm...which begins with those very words. It describes His crucifixion in detail...one thousand years before the fact! Please... read Psalm 22 for yourselves, and see just how accurate the prophecy was. It is also a fact that Jesus NEVER addressed God by any other name but Father!

How long has Jesus Christ been away? Two days! Peter tells us: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day". (II Peter 3: 8). Therefore, it took God eight thousand years (our time) to fulfill creation (ha Adam). So, it is but moments to Jesus that He will return to us. He has been patient, and long-suffering to us-ward. It is time to get our souls in order.

What are angels...and what are they really like? They are the "sons of God" that were with Him from before the foundation of the world. We were them in the first earth age. They look like us, but in spiritual bodies...and are considered as "messengers". They, like us, do not have wings. There are good...and bad angels. Every angel has been depicted as male...and the bad ones, who left their habitation, were able to procreate with the daughters of Adam. Jesus explained how we will all be at our own resurrection in Mark 12: 25: "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven".

Where is Heaven...and what is it like? Heaven is wherever God is...in a different dimension which we cannot see. According to Jesus, there is a side of light and joy...and a side of darkness and regret. This is in the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16: 19-31). The dark side was called "hell", and Jesus mentioned a great fixed gulf dividing the two sides, over which no one can pass. This does not mean that all will remain on the dark side, for the great judgment is yet to take place. It appears that both sides are as a "holding place" for souls...even those who "sleep in Jesus" who await Christ's return to earth on the Lord's day. He will bring many of them with Him. His thousand year reign will be a time of teaching and discipline, giving most a chance to learn the things of Him that they should have done while they were here. Paradise, as Jesus promised to the thief while on the cross, is "paradeisos" in the Greek, and is described as like a park...an Eden...a place of future happiness. Lazarus and the rich man were very much conscious and aware...as was Abraham...and retained memory of life on earth. Lazarus was comforted, and rested in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man was deeply remorseful. Since the final judgment had not yet taken place, there would not be a flaming torment, as not all have been properly taught of God's Word...as they will be in the Lord's day. There is only ONE unforgivable sin...and that is to refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us when we are delivered up to the false Christ....during that tribulation. We must not premeditate what we will say to him! The souls who are already in God's presence will not have that burden of sin. All other sins, including murder, are forgivable by God at the Great White Throne Judgment...but that is entirely up to God...and between us, individually, and Him. Now is the time to repent of sins...though murder cannot have forgiveness in the flesh. But, remember our Lord's words from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". (Luke 23: 34). Yet, they murdered Him. Only God knows if evil is truly in our hearts, or if an act was committed out of ignorance or fear.

Where are our departed ones? They are where God is...on one side or the other. Paul taught us in II Corinthians 5: 8, that "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the LORD". Just as we are changed, "in the twinkling of an eye" at the Lord's second coming, so it is at death. Our soul is who we are...who God created to inhabit our spiritual bodies. Our spirit is the intellect of our soul. Both are with us in these flesh bodies...with our remembrance taken away of our former life with God. At death, we simply shed these obsolete bodies, and re-clothe ourselves with our original spiritual bodies...and our spiritual intellect is called to remembrance...along with our earthly recollections. No one is waiting in a grave...or an urn for resurrection! "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it". (Ecclesiastes 12: 7). We instantly return to the Father at death...helped by angels (often loved ones) in the transition. Our loved ones have simply gone home...some to a holding place of joy...others to a holding place of regret and contemplation. But, in God's time, it goes by quickly for them. We were put through this flesh age for testing. Some of us (the elect) fought for God in the first earth age and, if we continue, we will be priests and teachers in the millennium...the Lord's day...thousand year reign. But, even the elect can be deceived by Satan...the anti-Christ. Do NOT let that happen! That is why knowing God's Word is so important...and why He gave It to us! Remember this: When you see a Christ-like being coming in the clouds...if you pinch yourself...and feel physical pain...it is NOT our Lord, Jesus Christ! We will be instantly changed at His arrival...and will feel no pain. He knows who are His...and is not coming to hurt us...only the ungodly.

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