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Steve Durkac

Hospice Chaplain on Dying, Grief, and Biblical Faith

 
 
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Category Archives: Bible Answers

Articles on answering questions on doctrine, objections, difficult passages, apparent contradictions, and awkward phrasing.

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Vaccine and The Mark of the Beast

Steve Durkac Posted on July 8, 2020 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

This afternoon our Psalms Bible study at CrossHope Chapel became a Q&A study on the mark of the beast and the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine. I want to share with all of you two important points when you hear others declaring the COVID-19 vaccine as being the mark of the beast. First, no one is going to accidentally take the mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged bible prophecy, end time, last days, Mark of the Beast, Revelation 13:17

The Law of Moses?

Steve Durkac Posted on June 4, 2020 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

I want to make some general statements regarding the Law of Moses, in hopes that I can shed some biblical light on the place of the law in our Christian walk. When the Bible makes mention of “the law” it sometimes speaks to a specific order of laws or general application as in when the Apostle John speaks of “commands” … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 10 Commandments, Grace, Law, law vs grace, moral law, Moses

1 Samuel 17:11 and Fear in the Camp?

Steve Durkac Posted on March 19, 2020 by Steve DurkacFebruary 7, 2025

You are familiar with the story of David and Goliath and today I want to point out the little known similarity to that account and our current coronovirus pandemic. It begins in 1 Samuel 17:11 where the Scriptures records that “Saul and all Israel…were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” The army of Israel and their King, Saul, were in fear over … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Samuel 17, coronoavirus, COVID-19, David & Goliath, fear

Psalm 91 and the Coronavirus?

Steve Durkac Posted on March 9, 2020 by Steve DurkacFebruary 7, 2025

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6 admonishes us to not be fearful about anything but to pray about everything. That includes the coronavirus. We ought to be praying that it will cease spreading, that it won’t befall us or our families, that we’ll all be spared if it continues to spread, and even that summer comes quickly to help end … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Peter 5:7, coronavirus, COVID-19, End-Times, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 91

The End is Near

Steve Durkac Posted on October 15, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

The marque sign outside of the United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama read: The End is Near!! Just Kidding We Don’t Know. That signed humored me because in my understanding of Christianity, the only way a church would not know that the end is near is if it does not open, read, or teach the Bible. The theme of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 2 Timothy 3:1-4, bible prophecy, Blessed Hope, end of world, end time, last days, Matthew 28:20, return of Christ, Signs of End, Titus 2:13

What About Unclean Foods?

Steve Durkac Posted on October 11, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Here are some things to consider on unclean foods… The Christian life is one of living by faith, and sometimes being obedient by faith is harder than being obedient by works (or law) because we feel accomplished by a behavior but uneasy by faith because it “is the substance of things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1). In Romans 14:2-3 we are counseled to refrain from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged clean, diet, food, Leviticus 11, Mark 7:14-23, Mark 7:15, pork, Romans 14:17, Unclean

John 10:10 and Political Contention

Steve Durkac Posted on September 28, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Americans tend to think of themselves as independent, being free thinkers who choose to exercise their own political decisions. When we side with one political view over the other we generally find ourselves accused of not being independent and not thinking for ourselves. It’s an argument that is not easily confronted because political views are often emotionally held. Unless, one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged election, John 10:10, politics, Trump, vote

Genesis 6:1-4 and Sons of God?

Steve Durkac Posted on September 24, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Are the Sons of God spoken of in Genesis 6:1-4 really fallen angels who had sexual relations with human beings? The passage in question says, “when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged angels, evil angels, fallen angels, Genesis 6, Nephilim, Sons of God

2 Peter 2:4 and Angels in Darkness?

Steve Durkac Posted on September 23, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Let’s look at the verse in question, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2 Peter 2:4). The word used here for “hell” is “tartaroo” which is a unique word and the only times it’s used in the Bible. I know that some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 2 Peter 2:4, abyss, angels, bible prophecy, bottomless pit, Earth, end time, evil angels, fallen angels, hell, Jude 1:6, last days

Romans 11:26 and Spiritual Israel?

Steve Durkac Posted on September 20, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

In Romans 11:26, Paul says “And so all Israel shall be saved” but doesn’t he mean spiritual Israel and not literal Israel? This is a key verse for those who believe all Jews will be saved by virtue of their being born into a Jewish family or literal Israel, because they also further believe that the Jews will be saved … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged church, Israel, Replacement Theology, Spiritual Israel

Luke 23:43 and Today in Paradise?

Steve Durkac Posted on September 9, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

The question is about Luke 23:43 and the thief going to Heaven that day, but we know that Jesus didn’t ascend into Heaven until 40 days later, so how do we understand this contradiction? Well, let’s begin with the actual verse of Luke 23:43 says, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Bible Answers, death, Ecclesiastes 12:7, immortality, Luke 23:43, Seventh-day Adventist, sleep, soul, state of dead, Walk by Faith, When We Die

10 Effects of Sin in Genesis 3

Steve Durkac Posted on September 8, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

This morning at CrossHope Chapel as we looked at Genesis 3, I had mentioned that I didn’t cover something that I had noted to bring out in our study discussion, and that was 10 effects of sin on humanity specifically mentioned in this chapter. So, here are 10 Effects of Sin in Genesis 3: Sin caused separation between Christ and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 2 Peter 3:10-14, earth made new, evil, Genesis 3, Heaven, return of Christ, Revelation 21:1-3, Sin

1 Peter 3:7 and Weaker Vessel?

Steve Durkac Posted on August 27, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Last Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we looked at Genesis 3:1-8 and the account of Satan approaching Eve, but not Adam. We talked about the probability that Satan had studied these new creatures, man and women, and apparently he saw reason to approach Eve first or at least initially. While I don’t exactly remember how it came up in that discussion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Peter 3:7, Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:1-8, Weaker Vessel, women

Lake of Fire and Loss of Consciousness?

Steve Durkac Posted on August 15, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we looked at Genesis 2:7 and the composite of man which the King James explains as “dust” plus “breath” equals “soul.” We later went into overtime when I couldn’t refrain from answering a question about the Lake of Fire and the loss of consciousness following the second death. Actually, I was asked what my thought was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged hell, immortality, Judgment, Lake of Fire, mortal, Punishment of wicked, resurrection, second resurrection, unquenchable fire

The Millennium: A Sequence of Events

Steve Durkac Posted on July 31, 2019 by Steve DurkacMay 5, 2024

If one looks at the sequence of events regarding the 1000 years of Revelation 20 through an Historicist view, these 17 points would explain its progression: Jesus returns for His as promised in John 14:1-3 and detailed in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The saints who have died in Christ will be resurrected. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1000 years, bible prophecy, Dispensationalism vs Historicism, end time, first resurrection, Heaven, last days, Millennium, New Jerusalem, Return of Jesus, Revelation 20, Thru Revelation, timeline

Matthew 10:28 and Destroying the Soul?

Steve Durkac Posted on July 31, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

What does Jesus mean by destroying the soul in Matthew 10:28? Let’s start by looking at the text, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28 ESV). The Greek word used for soul is “psuche” and it is more often … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged difficult text, hell, Matthew 10:28, soul

Creation Time and 1000 Year Days

Steve Durkac Posted on July 24, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

In my last post, Days of Creation, I addressed the contextual evidence for literal 24-hour days of Creation. In this post I want to address a theory about “Creation Time” rendering of the days of Creation in Genesis 1. I thought to add this to my article on Days of Creation, but decided it would make it too lengthy. Part … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1000 year days, 2 Peter 3:8, Astrology, Creation Time, Days of Creation, Genesis 1, hermenuetics, literal 24-hour days, numbers, Numerology, Psalm 90:4

Days of Creation

Steve Durkac Posted on July 22, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Sunday as we wrapped up Genesis 1, I found myself out of time to talk more about the literal days of Creation, but below I have listed out 7 things that I believe need to be considered about the literal days of Creation. • During the 6 days of Creation, God specifically concludes “And the evening and the morning were … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 24 hour day, creation, Days of Creation, Genesis 1, Wayne Grudem, yom, yowm

The Blessed Hope?

Steve Durkac Posted on July 16, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Why does the Bible refer to the return of Jesus Christ as the blessed hope? Titus 2:13 says that believers are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” We ought to be looking more for that appearing and less at the difficulties that often assail us. Years ago I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, bible prophecy, Blessed Hope, end time, Isaiah 25:9, last days, Revelation 22:20, Titus 2:13

The Schemes of the Devil?

Steve Durkac Posted on June 17, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

As an introduction to the armor of God in Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11; ESV). Whether you like it or not, the devil is scheming against you – if you sided with Jesus Christ. He can not … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged bible prophecy, end time, Ephesians 6:11, last days

Amir Tsarfati and Michael the Archangel?

Steve Durkac Posted on June 11, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

Last week Amir Tsarfati, whom you know from Jan Markell’s Prophecy Conference, got a lot of blow back on a teaching he did about recognizing the preincarnate Jesus in the Old Testament. In the video teaching, Amir mentioned Michael the Archangel as likely the preincarnate Jesus along with other examples like the Angel of the Lord references. Unfortunately, his followers … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged Amir Tsarfati, Angel of the Lord, angels, Daniel 10:13, echad, Jude 1:9, Matthew 4:14, Michael the Archangel, Zechariah 3:1-2

War in Heaven?

Steve Durkac Posted on May 27, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

War was first known in Heaven, not because it is holy, but because sin is so unholy. Revelation 12:7 says “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” The chapter also gives us the account of Satan bringing war to earth against God’s people. The history of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged America, bible prophecy, end time, Exodus 15:3, last days, military, Question, Revelation 12:7, Satan, Sin, Thru Revelation, war

2 Peter 2:6 and Hell Fire?

Steve Durkac Posted on May 20, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

The question is, What does 2 Peter 2:6 mean by Sodom and Gomorrah being an example of what will happen to the unsaved? This can be a puzzling verse for most Christians who have a picture of the unsaved burning throughout eternity in hell when the saved are enjoying the glory of heaven. However the verse and it’s parallel passage … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 2 Peter 2:6, difficult text, eternal fire, hell, hell fire, immortality, Jude 1:7

1 Timothy 2:12 and Women Teaching?

Steve Durkac Posted on May 15, 2019 by Steve DurkacFebruary 4, 2024

1 Timothy 2:12 is the proof text for teaching that women ought not to be teaching or preaching if men are present. It states, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”  Allow me to bullet point some considerations when seeking the proper interpretation and application of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Answers | Tagged 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Timothy 2:13-15, difficult text, women, women in ministry, women teaching

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