Ask Dr. Couch (#434)

Dr. Couch, does Proverbs 11:10-11 fit us today?

  ANSWER:  While the verses are speaking about a city, the principles certainly have to do with us today as a nation. The verses read:

When it goes well with the righteous,
   the city rejoices.
And when the wicked perish, there is the glad
   shouting.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
   but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

If a nation turns to unrighteousness, it will fail and be judged by the Lord. The people will suffer because of all the sin within its confines. America as a nation is suffering, and this suffering will increase even more. It is no accident. There is a price to pay when a people depart from Him, and from what is right.

   One of the advantages of being older is that one can compare the way things used to be. This is not to say that all things were perfect in generations past, but everyone knew what sin was, and what right and wrong was all about. Now, good is called bad, and bad is called good. And we have a generation that is so far from the Lord, in my opinion, there will never be a return to Him again! There is no doubt in my mind that we are now into the apostasy prophesied for the end times. Deception and evil mark worldwide this generation!

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#433)

Dr. Couch, the Gentile nations are in a terrible mess. The Jews were told not to go the way of the Gentiles. What do you say?

ANSWER:  The Gentile powers today are into terrible immorality. The Reformation for a time held back the sins of Europe, but finally, the Reformation no longer had influence. And this is why World War I & II came along. Germany, Poland, and Russia quickly moved away from the truth and terrible judgments fell upon those and other nations. We are now going back to such a departure. America is going the way of the Gentiles, into horrible sinfulness!

    This is why Leviticus 18 is a most important chapter. God said to Moses: "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'I am the Lord your God. You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes'" (Lev. 18:2-3).

   The Lord then lists the sins of Egypt. Egypt always stands as the epitome of Gentile sinfulness. The sins are listed all the way through verse 30. They include sodomy. "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination" (v. 22).

   By their sins the land would be defiled (v. 27). As well, the Jews were not to allow the strangers, the foreigners who come into the land, to practice such sins (v. 26). By the way, the sins also include putting on their bodies tattoos (19:28). Those who practiced the sins of the Gentiles were to be driven out of the land (18:29). By such sins the people not only defiled the land but themselves (v. 30).

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

Answers To Your Questions

What is Jesus talking about when He says “Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods?” 

 Jesus is quoting in John 10:34 from Psalm 84:6 where the psalmist is speaking about judges who are called “gods.” In Israel, judges were appointed to make life changing decisions concerning life in all matters of government including life and death. Listen to the first part of the psalm: “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods (Hebrew ‘elohiym). How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy” (Psa. 82:1-3). Just like the judges of old who favored the wicked, showing them favor while the poor got a bad deal, so was the Jewish leadership that faced Jesus. They did not care about the truth that faced them, nor the healing of the weak, they only cared about themselves and holding on to their power and position. They were unjust judges also. They accused Jesus of blasphemy, and because “You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33b).

Back in Psalm 82, the psalmist writes, “I said you [are] gods, and all of you [are] children of the Most High. But you will die like men, and fall like one of the princes” (Psa. 82:6-7). Psalm 82 and Jesus in John 10:34 are both dealing with those appointed as judges over Israel and have the power over life and death. In Jesus’ case they took up stones to kill Him (John 10:31) primarily for using the term “Father” to describe His relationship as the Son of God, a unique name for the Christ (10:24, 36), and even going so far as to say “I and My Father are one” (10:30). The Greek means, “one in essence, or nature,” you might say one and the same, or equal.

So it is, that just like the “gods” of Psalm 82 who will die and fall, so too, are the judges of Jesus’ day. They, too, will die in their sin because they are not Jesus’ sheep (10:26) and will not believe Him or His works.

As for the subject of “gods,” the word is used of the God of gods, rulers, judges, divinities, and objects of worship (idols). Context must be used to determine what is being spoken of, and “gods” in the sense of heathen deities are not good, not to be worshiped, and in fact are real only in the mind of their worshiper (1 Cor. 8:4). They are dumb and mute, incapable of anything (1 Kgs. 18:27; Isa. 44:9-20; Jer. 10:3-5). In this context, “gods” is used to describe judges of Israel who, just like God, have cases brought before them for the purpose of righteous judgment, but there is only one God who is righteous and just, who does not take brides and is impartial. You may notice from Scripture that followers of the true God are not called “gods,” and in fact, it is only the cults that use the term.

The Mormons, for example, believe they will be gods of their own planet. The Mormon doctrine of eternal progression goes like this: as man is, God once was, and as God is, man may become. This is the same heresy that Satan used when he fell. The first sin is the sin of pride, of self-exaltation, as Satan sought to exalt himself above God. Ezekiel 28:17 says, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” Isaiah 14:12-17 lists five “I will” statements that speak of Satan’s sin: (1) I will ascend into heaven; (2) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; (3) I will sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; (4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; (5) I will be like the Most High.

This self-exaltation is described by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:6 as the sin of pride (Greek tuphoo “to rise up smoke, to blind with pride or conceit”). Dr. Chafer summarizes his sin as “seeking to rise above the sphere in which he was created, and above the purpose and service assigned to him. This, it will be observed, is the essential character of human sin, as it is of the angels.” (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systemic Theology, vol. 2, p.47)

Thanks for asking.
Dr. John Pappas (7/12)

New Book: The Hope of Heaven

Dr. Mal Couch has written this book to give courage to all who put their faith in Christ as their Savior. The Word of God tells us that we will be with our Maker for eternity. Almost from the very beginning of the Bible the after-life is spelled out for our edification and comfort. In fact it can be said for certain that the Scriptures tells us more of heaven and eternity than any other religious writing. 

And the Bible gives us near complete information on the subject. No one can read the Word of God and not be encouraged along this journey of life. Pass this book on to friends and those who are confused about eternity and heaven. We will someday see our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, face to face.

 

The Hope of Heaven is a book that is important for all pastors, the layman, and also the student in seminary. It gives the major priciples we all need to be reminded of as to what heaven is all about. Dr. Couch sets forth the great truths about heaven. While the book has much to say about what we need to know, it is written in easy language so that anyone can grasp the subject. You may wish to order additional copies for friends and those who love the Word Oof God and who are looking forward to eternity with their Creator. It will give them assurance when reading their Bible. 

$8 per copy. Send donation checks to: Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634. This offer is only applicable in the U.S.A.

GOVERNMENT COMING AFTER CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

The Federal government is going to force ministries to offer birth control medications to all women working for Christian ministries. However for a short time this will exclude churches, but we know that soon they will force the same thing in churches as they can get away with it. It is only a matter of time. This reminds us of Nazi Germany that slowly began to take control of all religious institutions in that country.


Some ministries are beginning to fight back. Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College (where I graduated from), is filing a brief against the government opposing this move and take over by the feds. Other religious institutions are joining with Ryken in a legal brief.


We knew that such a move was not far off! We have already lost many of our freedoms and more will be scheduled to go on the chopping block soon. 

America is gone! It is not the same place morally nor spiritually. Prepare for more intent persecution. 

Warn your congregations. We will see even more things coming upon us that we have never imagined.

Ask Dr. Couch (#432)

Dr. Couch, I was driving through South Texas and caught your Sunday morning radio program from Waco. You were dealing with Bible prophecy and how such passages of Scripture were believed and understood by premillennial Christians and the orthodox Jews. As a committed Christian I have made a deep study of the "last days" using OT books, and looking into the book of Revelation as well. I was fascinated by your additional witness from the Jewish brothers. I'd never heard any of it before and am always interested in learning. Do you have transcripts or audio recordings? I listened to several teachings that day on the road but yours stood out as my favorite! – J. H. Dallas, Texas

ANSWER:Thank you for your kind words. You can listen to past radio shows of Bible Answers. Also available are Bible Studies taught at Clifton Bible Church. Tell others to "tune" in also on this website.

God bless. Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#431)

Dr. Couch, in Romans 11:13-25, is the church, the Gentiles, being placed into the natural branches, Israel? I hear confusing things about this passage.

ANSWER:  Of course not! And that is dumb, de dumb, dumb! It is the sorry view of the covenant guys who do not have the ability to read! Remember, they want what they want, when they wants it! They have a theological agenda, and they do not allow the Bible to speak for itself!

   From the root or trunk of blessing, the Jews who were the natural branches, were broken off, and the Gentiles, who were the wild olive branches were grafted into the place of blessing (vv. 19-20). The natural branches were broken off because of unbelief. The wild olive branches, the Gentiles, were grafted in to the place of blessing, the root.

   But someday, the wild olive branches will be broken off from the place of blessing. "For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you (Gentiles), or leave you in the place of blessing" (v. 21). The Jews, the natural branches, will also "if they do not continue in their unbelief, be grafted back in (to the root of blessing); for God is able to graft them in again" (v. 23). 

   The Gentiles who come from a wild olive tree, "were grafted in contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these (Jews) who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?" (v. 24). You Gentiles, "do not be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (v. 25).

   The root or the natural tree trunk represents a place of blessing. It does not represent Israel. It is not Israel being a natural branch "of Israel." That does not make sense. Israel, the Jews, were by nature part of the natural olive tree, but were cut out because of unbelief, and, the wild olive branch, the Gentiles, were grafted into their place to receive the sap of blessing, whereby they received for a time salvation. The Jews will someday be put back in their rightful place, and the Gentiles, the church, will lose its place of blessing.

   I do not know how much more clear this can be! But the covenant guys want the church to somehow be Israel. That won't work! They need to learn how to read!

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#430)

Dr. Couch, what is going on in Exodus 23:20-21? Is this about Christ?

ANSWER:  The Lord said through Moses, "I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him."

   This is very similar to Judges 2:1 where the angel of the Lord speaks a word of rebuke to the Israelites. "I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, 'I will never break My covenant with you.'" In Exodus 23:21 the angel the Lord is sending is the Angel of Jehovah who is the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ. Unger agrees with this. Moses is told "to obey Him,' that is, this Angel. This would certainly make Him the Messiah! Because of the depth of the sins of the people, He will not pardon their transgressions. Only God could pardon sin; therefore, this one is not simply another angel, but the Angel of Jehovah, Christ, who has the ability to pardon, or not pardon!

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#429)

Dr. Couch: I understand there is a different translation on the word "Friend" in Matthew 26:50. What does the word mean?

 ANSWER:  Judas brought the Jews to the Garden of Gethsemane in order to arrest Christ while He was there with the other eleven to pray with Him. When he came up to the Lord and said "Hail, Rabbi" and kissed Him, Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." The word friend is not a good word to use. It is not the Greek word phileo. The word is hetairos. And though it is translated as friend, this is not the best rendering. The word is used only in Matthew: 11:16; 20:13; 22:12; 26:50.

   The better translation is "comrade, mate, partner, fellow." Judas was part of the contingency of the apostles who were to witness or confirm who Christ was, but he did not have fellowship with Him as one who was close and intimate in the spiritual work of the Lord. From the very beginning he was a turncoat and one who would betray Jesus. 

   Judas' betrayal was even prophesied in Psalm 41:9: "Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." "Close friend" is not a good translation either. It is better translated "the man of my peace." It is a strong idiomatic expression in Hebrew for the man with whom I was at peace. And this is true of Judas. Alexander notes that "Our Lord applies this verse expressly to Himself and Judas (John 13:18), which shows that Judas was really included in the class to which the psalm relates." But Judas with his betrayal would kick at Christ with his heel in turning his back against the Lord.

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

JULY SUMMER BOOK SPECIAL

Special special for July: Scofield's Commentary on the book of Daniel, written by Dr. Paul Benware, only $5.50! 

 

An outstanding study that explains the book like no other commentary! By check only to: Scofield Ministry, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX. 76634. This offer is applicable in the USA only. 

 

Perfect for a gift or for a Sunday school study. 

 

"Daniel gives a panorama, a sweep, of the most influential nations of world history." --Dr. Mal Couch

 

 "Many of the conclusions in the book are helpful with graphs and charts." --Dr. Thomas Ice

 

You will not be disappointed!

Newest Audio Files

Scofield Prophecy Studies is releasing several new audio files to choose from.   Invite someone to listen.

 

Topical - Dr. Mal Couch

• What Does It Mean to be Baptized?
   

Book Study - Dr. Mal Couch

• Philippans (5 files)
   

Guest Teacher: Dr. Robert Lightner

• The Centrality of the Cross of Christ
   
• A Short Word to Fathers
   
• Christ is the Healer of Broken Hearts, John 14
   

Guest Teacher: Dr. Jobe Martin

• Ruth (2 files)
   

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, who are the “brothers” in Romans 10:1? Are these Jewish brethren or Gentile believers?

These would possibly be both Jewish and Gentile believers because Paul speaks of the Jews in the third person. They are the “them” in the passage who Paul is concerning about. He wants them to be saved (v. 1). 

Good question and thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, to whom were the gospels written?

By the language and the internal content we have come up with a pretty good idea who the audience was for each book. Most scholars seem to agree on this. Having translated all the gospels from the Greek text, I concur that we have it down pretty well.

  Matthew was written to the Jews to prove that Christ was the Son of David and of course a descendent of Adam.

   Mark was written to the Romans because it is a letter short and to the point and meant to explain to them the efficiency of the Lord as a Leader. This would appeal to the Roman mind.

   Luke was written in almost classical Greek by physician Luke. Check out my Luke commentary that I wrote in my commentary series. It was written mainly for the Greeks and shows that Christ was the Son of Man, or of Mankind.

  John was written to the Gentiles in a wide and broad way. He explains many words and ideas that would help the Gentile under Jewish issues and geographical locations. The book is easy reading and perfect for explaining to the Gentile world the nature of the Savior.

  Thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, what does it mean in Revelation 2:10 where the church of Smyrna is to have tribulation for ten days?

There are two interpretations: (1) the ten days represent something that we don't know about. So the meaning is “real” it's just that we don't know the context. (2) the great NT scholar William Ramsay says that it is a period which can be measured and that it will come to an end. The persecuted church “will live through it and survive, and has therefore no reason to be afraid of it.” Ramsay adds that it must be taken in a figurative or symbolic sense. 

   I take the first interpretation and meaning. We just don't know what the ten days are about but the period is real. When numbers, names, or figures of speech are given this usually means that they represent something that is actual and was known by the recipients. Actual numbers, names, or figures, when given, had to do with something that was known. 

   This ten days would be terrible for John goes on and says: “be faithful until death,” implying that some may die during this time. But John then adds that Christ says: “I will give you the crown of life.” This crown could be the same mentioned in 3:11: there is an hour of testing that would come upon the whole world (v. 10), “to test those who dwell upon the earth.” “But no one can take your crown” (v. 11). That is, you will not lose your eternal life.

   What is said to one church is applicable to all churches and the believers who are the congregation and assembly. If this is salvation, all believers will be blessed with this fact of an unending life of blessing.

   Thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

DISPERSION AND REGATHERING OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

Dr. Mal Couch and Dr. Tom McCall are finishing three CDs on the dispersion of the Jewish people over the last two thousand years. The set will include the history of the regathering of Israel and where they are presently with the ongoing conflict of the Arabs. 

   Both Drs. Couch and McCall have together over forty trips to Israel and the Middle East. With their experiences and educations this is a must set for understanding what is taking place in our times! Make your donation check out to Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634.  This offer is only applicable in the USA.

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, is Jerusalem today the capital of Israel?

Yes, God has not changed its status one bit since the time of the OT. Note these verses:

The City of David was part of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 15:1). God determined that the ark would have a place—Jerusalem. “David, you will bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it” (v. 12). All citizens of the land would go up to Jerusalem, David captured the stronghold Zion (that is, the city of David) (11:4-5).

In the future the Lord's King (the Messiah) would be installed upon Zion, the Lord's holy mountain (Psa. 2:6). Jerusalem is the city of our God, His holy mountain, Mount Zion, the city of the great King (48:1-3). 

Thanks for asking.

Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Ask Dr. Couch (#428)

Dr. Couch, there seems to be a difference in the land promised to the Jews for the Kingdom, from Genesis 15:18 and Ezekiel 47:18. In Genesis, the extent of the land goes "from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates." But in Ezekiel, it only mentions "the land of Israel, shall be [to] the Jordan. … This is the east side." Why the difference?

ANSWER: The full extent of the land runs all the way to the Euphrates river in present day Iraq. But notice what is going on in Ezekiel 47:13-23!

The issue in Ezekiel is the inheritance of the "occupied" area during the 1,000 year Kingdom reign. The occupied land area just goes out to the Jordan to the east. It is the "inheritance" to live on. It is for the "occupied boundary" that would be inhabited during the Kingdom reign! It is to be "measured" out to the north, south, east, and west ("to the eastern sea": the Mediterranean).

It is this portion, over to the Jordan river, that is "divided by lot for an inheritance among yourselves and among the strangers who stay in your midst, who bring forth sons in your midst." These strangers (Gentiles) or foreigners "shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel" (v. 22).

The majority of the Kingdom population will reside in the core of the land, that just goes over to the Jordan river, though the full territory designated the Kingdom land will be all the way over to the Euphrates.

An illustration: I live in the country on an acre and a half piece of property. But our house and yard are confined to just about one third of that space. We do not mow or garden on the front one acre. Our entire land is just one and a half acres but we only live on a third of that!

I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#427)

Dr. Couch, what is your understanding of 1 Timothy 4:10, where Paul says that God is the Savior of all men, especially of believers?

ANSWER: This verse, along with about eight other passages, destroys the hard Calvinists' doctrine of Limited Atonement. Christ died for all but His sacrifice is applied only to the elect. The Limited Atonement guys say He died only for the elect.

The verse reads: "We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers." Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for all but applied only to the elect. All men can not, and will not, come to Him as Savior. This is the doctrine of Total Depravity. No one by himself can come to Him. And only the elect are drawn to Him in a sovereign way.

The word especially is the Greek word malista which should be translated "particularly, most of all, above all." Alford writes: "His will is that all men should be saved, and He has made full and sufficient provision for the salvation of all; so that, as far as salvation stands in Him, He is the Savior of all men. And it is in virtue of this … salvation offered by God, that we have rested our hopes on Him and become saved, especially them that believe, God has provided, become actual, He is the same Savior towards all; but these alone who believe appropriate His salvation." This is of course done by His sovereign election.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#426)

Dr. Couch, if the Jews were expecting the Messiah based on Daniel's Seventy-Week timeline found in Daniel 9, how could they reject Jesus?

ANSWER: Good question. But it must be remembered that not all the Jews were looking for His coming. And, I'm quick to point out that they were looking for "the season" of His appearance. Only the pious and Godly Jews were looking for His arrival and the promised Kingdom. They did not know the exact time of His coming, but I believe that some, not all, the Rabbis has done some basic calculations and felt that the Kingdom period was close.

I'm basing this on the Gospel of Luke. It is said that Simeon "was a righteous man and devout, looking for the consolation (the Kingdom) of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him" (Luke 2:25). Also, Anna (was among) "all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (v. 38). The only indication they could have would be a calculation of Daniel's Seventy Week prophecy. Since ancient people did not have detailed calendars, they would have to estimate some of the facts from that prophecy. They could not be absolute in their figuring.

To accept the Lord was a spiritual matter. Never mind what they could have calculated. Only the Godly would have been ready for His appearance. We read the Jewish leadership said "If we let Him go on like this [in His miracles], all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation" (John 11:48).

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#425)

Dr. Couch, I agree with you as to what is happening today in our world. It is indeed growing more evil and deceitful. Can you give some additional verses of Scripture?

ANSWER: Isaiah 26:10 is a great verse of Scripture. God "shows favor to the wicked" but His grace and patience rarely changes things. The wicked "does not learn righteousness. He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness." In other words, he destroys what is good. That is what is happening in America, though the righteous cannot simply blame the evil person. We are responsible for our lethargy and our own sins of omission and commission! There are national corporate sins and individual sins. And there are cultural sins. By importing in a wholesale manner other cultures into America, we are weakening our Reformed, European heritage. But again, we are not innocent. We have allowed what is now going on. All individuals are equal before God, but not all cultures are equal.

I should know. I have been in every Central American country and most of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. All nations and cultures are not the same!

Every believer in Christ, and many, many people who are not Christians, all see the same things happening. And they are agreeing that we now have a nation divided between those who are conservative and want to hold on to strong principles, and those who are leaning to socialism. One European who came to the States recently said, "I'm from Europe and America has now moved into European socialism."

Isaiah 26:10 closes with: "The wicked does not perceive the majesty of the Lord." He just does not get it! The wicked does not understand God and will destroy the nation in which he resides, and that is attempting to honor Him!

Psalm 7:11 points out that God is a righteous Judge, "and a God who has indignation every day" against evil. But His grace is held back for a time. And then His wrath falls upon that evil nation. Even though we are in the dispensation of grace, God still brings judgment upon the world. This is why there are wars and judgments that fall upon the evil countries of the world. It is now building up on America. We are starting to get ours! It will finally tumble in upon us in a rush. It has already begun! One can hear the rumbling as we get closer to the abyss!

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

OUTSTANDING WORD STUDY TOOL

Drs. Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter have done a tremendous job in giving us a Hebrew Old Testament word study volume on key words in the older text of our Bible. 

This 2138 page volume is keyed to the Strong's numbering system which makes it a handy work in giving us definitions and usages to aid the student of the Old Testament. No one who likes to exegete or teach from the Word of God can do without it. 

I find myself using it two or three times a week since I love to study the great highlights from Genesis to Malachi. This study tool is perfect for Hebrew scholars but simple to use for anyone who has not had the biblical Hebrew language. (1) each word is pronounced, (2) given an English equivalent, (3) defined in a Hebrew verse and passage, and then (4) described in its usage. One wonders how it has been possible to go so long without such a handy help when studying the Scriptures! 

There is no way to “over endorse” this work. Again, whether a Hebrew teacher or scholar, or just a driven Sunday school teacher, “The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament” (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers) is a must on your library shelf. Both writers hold advanced degrees from various graduate schools including Faith Theological Seminary. --Mal Couch, Ph.D., Th.D.

Ask Dr. Couch (#424)

Dr. Couch, I know you've been doing a series on awards. What about 2 Timothy 4:8?

ANSWER: Yes, that's a great passage. Below is a translation of it that really brings forth what Paul is talking about in terms of awards.

Finally, there is right now (presently) laying up for me the crown (stephanos) of righteousness (how I lived rightly) which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will (in the future) give forth (award) to me, on that day, yet not only to me, but to all the ones who have been loving (Perfect Tense) the appearance (the coming manifestation) of Him.

God already has the crown prepared, laid up, that has to do with how we live the Christian life. He will in the future bestow it upon us! It will reflect how we have been, in an ongoing process, loving Him. And that loving produces in us a desire to live rightly for His sake. If we have not been going through our walk progressively loving Him and the fact of His return, we will not be desiring to do what He says! The appearance has to do with His coming for His own—the rapture of the church saints up to meet Him in the clouds, in the air, just prior to the wrath that falls upon a wicked and wayward world.

This is a powerful passage!

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch (#423)

Dr. Couch, thank you for your most excellent and in-depth answers to Bible questions. I need to have things compute. A thorough knowledge of Scripture combined with original language skills, enables you to clear up any confusions. Your resources should be a part of every Bible student's toolbox.

ANSWER: Thank you for your kind words. I was blessed in graduate school to be thoroughly trained in the biblical languages. However, when I graduated, that institution, and some of the others I attended, started downgrading the training in Hebrew and Greek. I had one recent graduate tell me he could not really exegete the Scriptures because he did not receive enough course work in these languages.

When we lose our exegeses, we will lose our sharpness in doctrine and interpretation. Because the churches no longer want teachers, most of the seminaries are downplaying language training.

But I have learned long ago, that there is no turning things around. This is our generation and it is marching to the drums of the apostasy when strong doctrine will no longer be taught.

Again, thank you for your kind thoughts.
Dr. Mal Couch

GOD HAS A PURPOSE …

The Lord has a purpose and a time-frame for everyone. He works within in order to accomplish his tasks. Lewis S. Chafer, the great Bible teacher, said he wanted to go as far as the Lord wanted him to in his ministry. And that he did. He died while on a teaching tour just as he pledged to do!

   Of John the Baptist it was said: “While John was completing his course, he kept saying … 'One is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie'” (Acts 13:25).

   And of David: “After he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers, and underwent decay” (v. 36).

  Paul said: “I have fought the good fight [God laid out for me], I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

   And: “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course [He gave me], and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

  David added: “Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (Psa. 119:54). Peter went on: “Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon the earth” (1 Pet. 1:17).

   David also said: “I am a stranger in the earth” (Psa. 119:19).

  

 We all have to realize we are just passing through!

  Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)