Berea Baptist Banner Forum Questions

April, 2025

Question #1 When will the lost hear the words "depart from me, ye that work iniquity"? (Matthew 7:23)

Before I make an attempt to answer this question, let us make an observation here. The elect of God will never hear these Words spoken by The Christ (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
   
This will be the most horrible, gut-wrenching, and most sorrowful day yet to come. Stop and think of the millions of people that have been deceived by religion and religious leaders “depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” There will be millions upon millions of people that belong to the Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, just to name a few. Now, to be clear, I am not saying that every single person who belongs to these religious organizations is lost but the number will be very high.
   
It will first be a very sad day for the lost when The Christ comes back for His elect and millions of people will be left behind because of false doctrine. If you dear reader have never come to the saving knowledge of Jesus The Christ, I pray that the Lord will save your soul.
   
There is only one way a person is saved, and it is NOT saying the sinner’s prayer, by opening up your heart and letting Jesus in, and going to the Alter in front of the church building because you are so full of human emotion. There is nowhere in the Bible that you will find any of these ways to be saved. If you are truly concerned about your lost condition dear reader, then read Romans chapter 8 and chapter 9 to see how Jesus saves the elect of God!
   
I believe the answer to the question is found in Revelation chapter 20, especially (vv. 11-15) (Revelation 20:11-15 KJV) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”


So, again, I believe at the “great white throne,” that the lost will hear these Words spoken by our Lord (Matthew 7:23 KJV) “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” right before they are “cast into the lake of fire” what a terrible, terrible day that will be!


I believe after this day God will wipe away all our tears once and for all (Revelation 21:4 KJV) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

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Question #2 Why do most Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Churches not celebrate Easter, Halloween, Christmas, etc.?

This is probably the easiest question I have ever had to answer, and probably will be the shortest answer I have ever given. The answer is very simple…these so called Christian holidays are not Scriptural! You may argue it, but it will get you nowhere.


The sad thing is many of our Baptist churches and their pastors find no harm in celebrating those holidays that are mentioned. I myself used to celebrate them all until God showed me the truth. Many will say, “we don’t celebrate them in the church, but at home, it’s for the children,” which is very pathetic, (Ephesians 6:4 KJV) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Those holidays listed in the question are ancient Babylonian religions that are of the devil and the Catholic whore developed religion that many of the Protestant harlot daughters took with them and that didn’t stop the practice after the Reformation (1 Timothy 6:11 KJV) “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

If you are one of these Pagan believers, I just have one word of advice…STUDY! (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

March, 2025

Question #1 Please comment on Romans 11:33-34

(Romans 11:33-36 KJV) “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

Because Romans 11:33-36 shows the majesty, grandeur, and wisdom of God's plan revealed in (vv. 1-32) caused Paul to burst out in praise. This doxology (a usually liturgical expression of praise to God) is a fitting response not only to God's future plans for Israel (chaps. 9-11), but to Paul's entire discussion of justification by faith (chaps. 1-11).
In (v. 33) we see Wisdom.

(Psalms 104:24 KJV) “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”

(Daniel 2:20 KJV) “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his.”

(Ephesians 3:10-12 KJV) “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

(Revelation 7:12 KJV) “Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

Then we see Knowledge again in (v. 33). God's omniscience, compare these next few verses:

(1 Samuel 2:3 KJV) “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

(1 Kings 8:39 KJV) “Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)”

(Psalms 44:21 KJV) “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

(Psalms 147:5 KJV) “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”

Next, Judgments. God's purposes or decrees, which are beyond human understanding (Psalms 36:6 KJV) “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.”

Lastly, God’s Ways. The methods God chooses to accomplish His purposes, again compare:

(Job 5:9 KJV) “Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:”

 (Job 9:10 KJV) “Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.”

(Job 26:14 KJV) “Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Verses 34-35 Paul is quoting from other passages of Scripture:

11:34 Quoted from (Isaiah 40:13 KJV) “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?”
 11:35 Quoted from (Job 41:11 KJV) “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.”
 11:36 See 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:28; Ephesians 1:23; 4:6; Hebrews 2:10. God is the source, the sustainer, and the rightful end of everything that exists (Revelation 22:13 KJV) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
After reviewing God’s gracious and wise plan for both Jews and Gentiles, is it any wonder Paul broke out in a hymn of praise to the Lord (vv. 33-36)!
All of us should express the same joy that Paul does here over the Wonders and Beauty of God! Praise His Holy Name!

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Question #2 Where is the Ark of the Covenant now?
 

“The Ark of the Covenant's location is unknown, as it may have been destroyed, captured, or hidden.” The only thing this preacher believes in that statement is that “The Ark of the Covenant's location is unknown.”

          The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church claims to have the Ark in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum.

          Some believe the Ark was hidden in a secret chamber beneath the Temple Mount.

          Some researchers believe the Ark is hidden in a cave in Jordan, possibly in the region of Mount Nebo.

          Some suggest the Ark was taken to Europe by the Knights Templar during the Crusades.

The 14th-century Ethiopian national epic, the Kebra Negast, says that the Ark was taken by companions of King Solomon and Menelik, Solomon's son. According to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, Menelik I brought the Ark to Ethiopia.

The Ark was destroyed when Babylon sacked Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Ark was hidden in a cave on Mount Nebo by the prophet Jeremiah.

 As far as this writer is concerned let the Scriptures speak about the whereabouts of “The Ark of the Covenant.” The last mention of “The Ark of the Covenant” in the Old Testament is found in Jeremiah 3:16 wherethe LORD (Yahweh) tells Jeremiah “there shall be no more occasion for The Ark of the Covenant, because they shall have a pure spiritual way of worship in which the whole ceremonial law shall be set aside, for Christ” (read v. 16 carefully) (Jeremiah 3:16 KJV) “And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.”

  So, what this writer believes (with many others I might add) taking Jeremiah 3:16 in account along with Revelation 11:19,  (Revelation 11:19 KJV) “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail” “The Ark of the Covenant” is in heaven in the temple of God, because God himself removed it from the earth. The reason for this (in my opinion) is because men would worship “The Ark of the Covenant” instead of the LORD (Yahweh), so He removed it from their sight and their mind Jeremiah 3:16!

 
February, 2025
Question #1 When did God create hell and for what purpose?

(Matthew 25:41 KJV) “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

    The above Scripture is proof that Jesus himself tells us hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. Where the word “prepared” is should read “which has been prepared.”
   
So, the question is when did God create hell? I believe the answer is found in John 1:1-5. Mainly (vv. 1-3) (John 1:1 KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Hell was created in the beginning. Other than John 1:1-3 I do not know of any other place in Scripture that gives the answer to this question.
   
Matthew 25:41 tells us what the purpose is. I also believe that hell (the lake of fire) will be the final destination for all the lost (unregenerated). All those who reject Christ as their saviour will spend eternity in the lake of fire. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells us the current place (hell) where all of the unregenerated people are, again all those who have rejected Jesus The Christ. These folks will remain there until the final judgement which is the Great White Throne Judgement that is told us in Revelation 20:11-15.
   
The most important question is not when hell was created but how to avoid it. Those who have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit will not be affected by the second death (Revelation 20:6). To avoid hell, cast yourself upon the mercy of Christ, the One who died to pay for the sins of all who would trust in Him.


If you have not come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus The Christ then you are doomed and it will not matter “When did God create hell and for what purpose?” I pray that God has chosen you before the foundation of the World where you might have life in Christ!
   
One last thought, we know people are dying and going to hell everyday because Isaiah tells us that hell has enlarged herself (Isaiah 5:13-14 KJV) “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” And it’s because the sin of the people who will not obey God and believe in His only begotten Son!

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Question #2 Please expound on "falling away" referred to in II Thessalonians 2:3
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In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “the falling away” refers to a significant departure from the Christian faith, often interpreted as a widespread apostasy or “great falling away” that will happen before the return of Christ; the Greek word used here is “apostasia” which directly translates to “falling away” or “defection.”

So, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “the falling away” I believe is meant to be apostasy. The day of the Lord cannot occur until a deliberate abandonment of a formerly professed position, allegiance, or commitment occurs (the term was used to refer to military, political, or religious rebellion). Some have suggested, on questionable linguistic evidence, that this refers to “departure” in the sense of the Rapture. Context, however, points to a religious defection, which is further described in v. 4. The language indicates a specific event, not general apostasy which exists now and always will.

So, again I believe Paul has in mind the apostasy that will yet occur. This is an event which is clearly and specifically identifiable and unique, the act of rebellion, an event of final magnitude. The key to identifying the event is to identify the main person, which Paul does, calling him the “man of lawlessness”
Some texts have “man of sin,” but there is no real difference in meaning since sin equals lawlessness (1 John 3:4 KJV) “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

This is the one who is called “the prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:26 KJV) “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” and “the little horn” (Daniel 7:8 KJV) “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”, whom John calls “the beast” (Revelation 13:2-10, 18) and most know as, the Antichrist.
The Scripture clearly identifies a real person in future times who actually does the things prophesied of him throughout the Bible. He is also called “the son of perdition” or destruction, a term used of Judas Iscariot (John 17:12).

This “apostasy” is the abomination of desolation that takes place at the midpoint of the Tribulation, spoken of in Daniel 9:27; 11:31 and Matthew 24:15. This man is not Satan, although Satan is the force behind him (v. 9), and he has motives like the desires of the devil (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Paul is referring to the very act of ultimate apostasy which reveals the final Antichrist and sets the course for the events that usher in the day of the Lord. Apparently, he will be seen as sympathetic supporter of religion so that God and Christ will not appear as his enemies until the apostasy. He exalts himself and opposes God by moving into the temple, the place for worship of God, declaring himself to be God and demanding the worship of the world.

In this act of Satanic self-defecation, he commits the great apostasy in defiance of God. For the first three and a half years of the Tribulation, he maintains relations with Israel, but then stops (Daniel 9:27 KJV) “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”, and for the last three and a half years, there is great tribulation under his reign (Daniel 7:25; 11:36-39; Matthew 24:15-21; Revelation 13:1-8) culminating with the day of the Lord.

Of course, the true born-again Christian, the church, and the Holy Spirit will be taken out in the Rapture.

At this point, I would like to make a statement! For those who believe that the true Christian will live through the Tribulation period or part of it does not know their Bible as they should and should dig deep into the Book, led by the Spirit of God of course and Study, because you are wrong and I’m speaking mainly to my Baptist Brethren. And I am not being arrogant here, but I have been around a long time and I am old enough to recognize a departing from the faith and this is a warning from me to you. And those who know me, know me well enough, that this is not open for debate. If you disagree, so be it, but if I were you, I would be very afraid to teach and preach such things!

Also, much of the answer to this question was from other sources, I do not take the credit for it all, but truly believe it to be the truth!