Questions and answers
Deep biblical answers to the questions people ask—about faith, life, forgiveness, fear, and salvation. With quotations from Holy Scripture and Ellen White.
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What does the phrase "to the ends of the earth" mean in Acts 1:8?
The phrase "to the ends of the earth" in Acts 1:8 means the worldwide scope of Christian witness, not the end of time. Jesus commissioned His Church to carry the gospel from their nearest surroundings to all nations, cultures, and the farthest places of the world. The context of Christ's commission After the resurrection, the disciples asked Jesus whether He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Their attention was focused on the national future and […]
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What exactly does "and to the ends of the earth" mean in Acts 1:8?
The phrase "and to the ends of the earth" in Acts 1:8 means not the end of time, but the most distant places of the world where the gospel is to reach. The Bulgarian translation "и до края на земята" accurately conveys the thought of the Greek original: Christ sends His witnesses to all peoples and regions of the earth. In the Bulgarian Bible, Acts 1:8 contains the words "и до края на земята." […]
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Is the sea of glass in Revelation a boundary between the Creator and creation?
The “sea of glass” does not show an impassable wall between God and people, but the majesty, purity, and absolute peace of God’s presence. In the book of Revelation, this image emphasizes the distinction between the Creator and creation, yet at the same time shows that the redeemed may stand before His throne. Sometimes the sea of glass is interpreted as a symbol of separation between the Creator and creation. There is some truth in this: God is […]
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Where in the Bible does it say, "His eyes test the sons of men"?
The words "His eyes test the children of men" are found in Psalm 11:4 according to the Hebrew and modern international numbering, but in the Synodal translation this is Psalm 10:4. Therefore, the issue is not with the biblical text itself, but with two traditions of psalm numbering. The question mentions Psalm 11:7, yet that verse truly has a different meaning. To find the desired text, it is important to know which […]
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How is Ezekiel 1:22 connected to the sea of glass, and why is the expanse above their heads?
The crystal expanse in Ezekiel’s vision and the “sea of glass” in Revelation convey a related picture of God’s heavenly glory, but shown from different points of view. In prophetic visions, spatial words such as “above,” “below,” and “before” do not contradict one another: they depend on who exactly sees the heavenly throne and from which side the vision is being described. What exactly did Ezekiel see? In […]
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What does “God did not stretch out His hand” mean in Exodus 24:11?
The words "did not lay His hand" mean that God did not strike the Israelite representatives with death, although they were allowed into an extraordinarily close manifestation of His glory. This does not deny God’s holiness, but emphasizes His mercy and His acceptance of the people within the covenant. Exodus 24 describes the solemn confirmation of the covenant between the Lord and Israel near Mount Sinai. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, […]
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How do the 12 thrones of the apostles in Matthew 19:28 relate to the 24 elders?
The promise to the twelve apostles does not contradict the image of the twenty-four elders. In Matthew 19:28 Christ speaks about the special service of the apostles, while in Revelation the 24 elders most likely symbolically represent the fullness of God’s redeemed people. A special promise to the apostles Jesus addressed those who had left everything for His sake and promised them a specific role in the future restoration of the world, or “palingenesia.” “Assuredly […]
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Do the stone, Eve from Adam, and the Son from the Father prove a divine hierarchy?
Biblical images of origin may show an order in relationships, but they do not prove inequality in the divine nature of the Father and the Son. In interpretation, it is important to let the text itself explain the symbol, rather than turning every analogy into a diagram of the inner structure of the Godhead. The question about the stone, Eve, and the Son touches on an important issue: does “origin from” necessarily mean lower status? In the human and created world […]
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Is there in the Bible a concept of the personality of God and the three Persons of the Godhead?
The Bible does not use the modern theological word “person” with reference to God, but it clearly reveals God as Personal and shows the real relationship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The absence of a particular term does not mean the absence of the biblical truth that this term is intended to explain briefly. In the Hebrew and Greek texts of Scripture, there is no formula “God is three Persons,” just as there are no words […]
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What is the first SDA doctrine about Holy Scripture?
Holy Scripture is the highest authority for the faith and life of the Christian. The first fundamental doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church states that the Bible reveals God's will, leads to Jesus Christ, and is a trustworthy rule of truth. The first SDA doctrine is called "Holy Scriptures." It speaks of the books of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God. Through the biblical authors […]
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Do the titles Father and Son imply hierarchy and inequality within the Godhead?
The titles “Father” and “Son” show real, eternal relationships of love and order in God’s ministry, but not inequality within the Godhead. From the Bible’s point of view, the Father and the Son are equal in eternal divine nature, while in the plan of salvation the Son voluntarily submits to the Father. When Holy Scripture speaks of the Father and the Son, it does not describe two independent gods or the Creator […]
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What should the leader of the health ministries department do in an Adventist church?
Health ministry is a practical expression of God's love for a person. The health ministries leader does not control others, but with prayer, tact, and a good example helps the church care for body, mind, and spiritual life. The biblical understanding of health is holistic: the Lord desires good for a person in every area of life. Therefore, your new ministry is not limited only to recipes, weight […]
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