Text Q & As

Q & A 11.22.15

Host and Bible Teacher Chris McCann
November 22, 2015

Q.  RE: MORNING H7837
Why was Isa 58:8 overlooked during today's live Q&A examination of Isa 14:12?

Isa 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! H7837 how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Isa 58:8
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, H7837 and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

A.  When answering a question like this all of the Scripture is taken into account (like your verse in Isaiah) but only the pertinent Scripture (the Scripture that fits the Bible as a whole and helps our understanding) is shared.

The Hebrew word #7837 is found about 24 times in the Old Testament. Of those 24 about half (12) are related to a judgment of some sort. Several others appear neutral, and a few of its usages appear to be more positive (like the verse you shared).

The question today was (concerning Isaiah 14:12’s reference to Lucifer son of the morning): “who is being spoken of in this verse? Is this Satan? If so, why is he called the son of the morning?”

The response pointed out that in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 Satan is called the man of sin the ‘son of perdition’. And perdition means destruction.

It was also pointed out that the language found in the context of Isaiah 14 (of Satan seeking to be like God) was similar to the man of sin’s taking his seat in the temple as we read in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.

So, since the Hebrew word translated as morning in Isaiah 14:12 is not the usual word for morning; and since this word (#7837) is used several times (at least half the time) to picture some sort of judgment (or destruction), it was said that ‘Lucifer son of the morning’ was like saying ‘son of destructcion’ and is therefore equivalent to: ‘son of perdition (destruction)’.

Q.  Hi, Cris. The name Abaddon in the Bible is associated with death and the underworld, but not as to the Lord. What do you say about this?

A.  You’re referring to this verse:

Revelation 9: 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

The King of the locusts is also the ‘angel of the bottomless pit’. To be an angel means to be the messenger of the bottomless pit. Insofar as the pit is concerned, we find that it is Jesus that possesses the key and is the One opening the pit (Revelation 9:1,2,) or closing the pit (Revelation 20:1-3). He is the therefore the Messenger (Angel) of the pit.

The word ‘Abaddon’ as well as the word ‘Apollyon’ point to destruction. Abaddon, Strong’s #3 is a transliteration of the Hebrew word (Strong’s #11) for destruction.

Apollyon is the Greek equivalent. It is Strong’s #623 derived from #622 which means to destroy or perish.

The pit is the place picturing the wrath of God and the place of God’s destruction upon the sinner for their sins. God Himself is the destruction (our God is a consuming fire) that destroys sinners.  It is not Satan but God that is the King of destruction. Remember we are told to fear God for this very reason:

Matthew 10: 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Bible does not tell us to fear Satan because he can destroy (#622) us. But it does tell us to fear God for that very reason. God is the King of destruction. Almighty God is the One pictured by Abaddon and Apollyon in Revelation chapter 9.

Q. Hi Chris, what is the spiritual meaning of Luke 22:35-38?

A. Luke 22: 35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Jesus’ sending of the disciples forth is mentioned in this verse:

Mark 6: 7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

And also in Matthew:

Matthew 10: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city,...

The language of being sent without purse, scrip, or shoes points to the sending forth of the gospel during the time of the church age. Entering into a house as long as its worthy is language that ties in with remaining in the house of God while the Spirit of God is within it.

But now things have changed. Take a purse, and scrip, and obtain a sword.

Historically, the people of God’s stay within the nation of Israel was about to come to an end. It was time to leave that house (or corporate body). The things concerning Christ had an end. He was soon to be crucified and rejected by the leaders of Israel. This in turn would also relate to what would happen at the time of the end of the church age. The people of God would leave that house as well at the command of God.

Q.  Hi Chris can you please explain Genesis 4:7.
If thou doest well shalt not thou be accepted?and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him.

A. Very difficult verse (due to its wording). We can know that there is a relationship between this verse and a verse found in the chapter before it (since two of the words (desire and rule) are found in both places):

Genesis 3: 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

But I’m not sure how we can understand the statement in Genesis 4:7. I think since our Bible study in the book of Genesis will eventually take us there (Lord willing) that I will wait until the study allows us to do a more thorough review of the verse.

Q. Hi Chris, can you explain the serpent in Genesis 3? The verse states the serpent was more subtle than any 'creature'. Why is Satan typified as a creature of the field, and why did God curse the serpent if it was Satan? I always thought the serpent was used by Satan, or was possessed by Satan, like legion the demoniac. can you elaborate on the serpent? Is it a creature spirit? thanks

A. The word ‘beast’ is often translated as ‘living’ or ‘living creature’. When God adds the word ‘field’ the translators often translated it as ‘beast’. We know from one of Jesus’ parables that the field is the world. So this is the beast of the world. We find that the beast of the field is used in a similar way as ‘fowls of the air’. Here’s a couple places we find the word beast used:

Ezekiel 29: 5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.

Ezekiel 39: 17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

The beast of the field is the same as the living creature of the world. And that can identify with unsaved mankind.

The physical creature called the serpent was cursed because God’s curse came upon the entire creation. All animals are cursed since the fall of man into sin. Only God did not specify the effects of the curse with each one of the animals. But the animals began to behave much differently after the fall of man into sin than they did prior to the fall. We get to see the fall’s impact upon this creature (the serpent) because that’s where the Scripture’s focus was at that time. But certainly if the focus instead was on the lion that previously was herbivorous and had just turned carnivorous we would have seen the affects of the curse there also.

Q. Hi Chris
The city of Tyre in Ezekial 27 is the world? Perhaps it typifies both - the apostate churches (Babylon) and also the world - which are the same at the end? Thanks

A. In the beginning the garden of Eden was the place of God’s blessing. And the people of God dwelt therein. Just as Israel was in the promised land of Canaan and the churches also became a place representing God’s kingdom on earth. God says this of the king of Tyrus:

Ezekiel 28: 12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone wasthy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

The language only fits the description of mankind before the fall into sin (perfect in thy ways from the day thou was created till iniquity was found in thee). But the language may also apply to other corporate entities (such as Israel/N.T. church) since Tyrus represents mankind that had a relationship to God similar to the relationship Israel had with God in the O.T. and the relationship the churches had with God in the N.T.  

Q.  Chris, in Acts 13:38-41, the context is focused on the time salvation was still available.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, ***lest that come upon you***, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for ***I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe***, though a man declare it unto you.

Salvation is the work that is being spoken of in verse 41. And the unbelief thereof is what verse 41 is referring to. This was taken from Habakkuk 1.

5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, ***to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's***.

The work being spoken of in these verses are the works Jesus worked while it was Day, therefore when night time came (judgment day) God's worked ceased (no man can work).

My question is just to verify that Acts 13:41 was speaking of the time before May 21, not after. Thanks

A. Acts 13 is warning Israel of the events that were unfolding concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of National Israel as the representatives of the people of God at the time the New Testament church was forming.

Likewise, Habakkuk’s reference to performing a work they would not believe was tied to the raising up of the bitter and hasty nation of Babylon. Spiritually that points to the end of the church age at the hands of Satan and his forces (Babylon). So Acts 13 is speaking about salvation that would be available via the churches as God brought judgment on Israel. And in turn it would point to the salvation that was available in the churches until God brought judgment upon them (the work of judgment upon them that both Israel and the corporate church refused to believe).

Lamentations 4: 12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

It is speaking of the time prior to May 21, 2011. Although it is not getting into specific details.

Q.  Hi Chris, JOHN 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

JOHN 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

I know these verses relate to the time when GOD was saving. I was wondering do these same verses have any relation as to how GOD created this world? Is this the reason why GOD ends with "and the evening and the morning was the first day....six day"? Does GOD give us an example from the very beginning that his work of creation each day ended before even was come? Thank you.

A. Let’s look at the order of creation laid out for us in Genesis chapter 1:

Genesis 1: 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

First God created a world in darkness. He then made the light.

This explains why at the end of each day of creation the Lord said:

“And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

God put the evening (darkness) first followed by the light.

The nation of Israel even until this time starts their day in the evening.

Q.  A young man from Bailundo, Angola writes: "I still doN't know which day l should go to the church."

A.  First of all you should be aware that we are living at the time of the end of the church age. God established the churches in 33 AD and worked within the churches for 1955 years until 1988 AD. But in that year God came to visit the churches to see if they were being faithful to the Word of God. They were not. And as a result God brought judgment upon all of the world's churches:

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

The judgment of God meant that the Holy Spirit came out of the midst of all churches (everywhere in the world) and the spirit of Satan entered in. It was a terrible judgment that lasted for 23 years until May 21, 2011. But even today the effect of God's judgment remains. The Holy Spirit is not found in any church of the world.

God commanded His people to come out of the churches and never to return.

Now regarding which day is the Lord's day. The day God is to be worshiped (in a special way unlike the other days of the week) that day is Sunday.

In the Old Testament time (until Christ rose from the dead) the Sabbath day was Saturday (the 7th day). But once Jesus rose from the dead early Sunday morning (the 1st day) the day was changed to the first day of the week. It has remained the first day of the week throughout the New Testament era. Sunday is the Sabbath day. Today, it is a day for studying the Bible. For praying. For sharing Bible truths with others. A day for spiritual activity at home or outside the church. But it is no longer a day for going to church. The church age is over.

Q.  A man from Lokoja, Nigeria asks:

"Pls i need help. The book of revelation 12 tell us about woman who was pregnant and when she want to give birth, there was a dragon who want to devour the child. But she later gave birth to a male child, who will rule all nations with an iron scepter. And the child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
I want to knw if u can help.
(1) How come about woman in heaven because we as christain beleive that everything about heaven are of spirit. Because our souls both male and female as no organ
(2) can i knw about that male child that will rule all nations by iron scepter born by that woman?
(3) is there places in heaven like desert where some people or angel live? To take care of that woman for some days (1260)."

A.  You're referring to events recorded in Revelation chapter 12:   Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.  The woman is not an actual woman. She is a figure of the body of God's elect (the bride of Christ). This is why she is clothed with the sun (the sun typifies God Himself who is our covering for sin).   The man child is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary but in sense He was also brought forth (born) of the line of the believers (the woman in view in Revelation 12). We do read of Jesus ruling with a rod of iron elsewhere in the book of Revelation (in Revelation 2:27 & Revelation 19:15).   Again, the woman is a type and figure of the true believers (God's elect) and after Christ's birth she (the believers) was still on the earth after He had gone back to heaven. The 1260 days is a figure God has pulled from the book of Daniel. 1260 days is a period of 3 1/2 years. It is the last half of the 70th week (seven) of Daniel chapter 9. The wilderness is this spiritually barren world. After Christ returned to heaven God spiritually nourished the body of believers in this world for 3 1/2 years (1260 days) or throughout the New Testament era as the last half of Daniel's 70th week takes us to the time of the end.