WHAT IS A SPIRIT-ANIMAL?

Answer: The concept of a spirit animal is based in ancient animistic, shamanistic, and totemistic belief systems of early Native American Indians, Australian Aborigines, and other indigenous cultures. Today, belief in spirit animals is promoted in various neo-pagan religious systems such as Wicca and New Age, and it is often associated with astrology. The internet has many tips and quizzes encouraging people to identify and contact their “spirit animals.”

The belief in spirit animals focuses on the idea that a human being can have a mystical connection with a benevolent spiritual guide, or spirit helper, which takes the form of an animal. In some cultures, the guardian spirit is thought to be assigned to the individual at puberty. So close is the personal bond between the human and the spirit animal that the human takes on some of the characteristics of the guardian animal. The spirit animal helps guide or protect the person who shares or embodies the animal’s qualities.

An idea related to spirit animals is that of “power animals,” a concept of shamanism that certain animals can either physically or psychologically empower human beings. Like the spirit animal, the power animal shares its wisdom, natural instincts, and other powers with humans in times of need and can help them accomplish goals or perform tasks.

Spirit animals, power animals, and all other kinds of spirit guides promoted in paganism are in truth deceiving spirits ruled by the powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil at work in this world (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 4:1). Whether the entity takes the form of a butterfly or a bear, it is what the Bible calls an “unclean spirit” (see Matthew 12:43, NKJV). Spirit animals are a demonic ruse and should have no part in a Christian’s belief system. Getting in touch with one’s spirit animal is the same as dabbling in witchcraft, which the Bible forbids in no uncertain terms: “And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 18:10–13, NLT).

The apostle Paul warned that those who practice the acts of the flesh, including witchcraft, will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19–21). Christians have been given everything they need to live godly lives through God’s divine power (2 Peter 1:3). They do not need to call upon spirit animals or power animals for help.

As the children of God, believers are to seek guidance from God’s Holy Spirit alone: “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14). The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26–27). The Holy Spirit empowers us to live godly Christian lives: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–25).

The Holy Spirit guides believers in what to say and how to witness (Mark 13:11; Matthew 10:19–20; Luke 12:11–12; 1 Corinthians 2:13). He guides us in ministry (Acts 16:6–7; 20:22) and knowledge of the truth (John 16:13). Our Helper is the Holy Spirit, who is greater than any spirit masquerading as a “spirit animal” (Matthew 10:1; 1 John 4:4). We desire to be more like Christ, not more like an animal.

Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back?

Answer: Matthew 24:36-44 declares, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” At first glance, these verses would seem to provide a clear and explicit answer to the question. No, no one can know when Jesus is coming back. However, those verses do not say that no one will ever be able to know when Jesus will return. Most Bible scholars would say that Jesus, now glorified in heaven, knows the timing of His return, indicating that the phrase “nor the Son” does not mean Jesus will never know when He will return. Similarly, it is possible that, while Matthew 24:36-44 indicates that no one at that time could know the timing of Jesus’ return, God could reveal the timing of Jesus’ return to someone in the future.

In addition, there is Acts 1:7, which states, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority." This was said by Jesus after the disciples asked Him if He was at that time going to restore the kingdom to Israel. This would seem to confirm the message of Matthew 24. It is not for us to know the timing of Jesus coming back. But there is also the question of which return these passages are referring to. Are they speaking of the Rapture or the Second Coming? Which return is unknowable—the Rapture, the Second Coming, or both? While the Rapture is presented as being imminent and mysterious, the timing of the Second Coming could potentially be known based on end-times prophecy.

With that said, let us be abundantly clear: we do not believe that God has revealed to anyone when Jesus is coming back, and we see nothing in Scripture which indicates that God will ever reveal to anyone when Jesus is coming back. Matthew 24:36-44, while spoken directly to the people in Jesus’ time, also contains a general principle. The timing of Jesus’ return and the end of the age is not for us to know. Scripture nowhere encourages us to try to determine the date. Rather, we are to “keep watch, because we do not know on which day our Lord will come” (v. 42). We are to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when we do not expect Him” (v. 44). The force of Jesus’ words diminishes if at some point in the future someone will be able to determine when He is coming back. If the date is discovered, we no longer need to “keep watch” or “be ready.” So, with the principle of Matthew 24:36-44 is mind, no, it is not possible for anyone to know the date that Jesus is coming back.

Despite this clear biblical principle, many throughout Christian history have attempted to prophesy the date that Jesus is coming back. Many such dates have been proposed, and all of them have been wrong. Most, if not all, of those who have predicted specific dates for Jesus’ return have had questionable, if not heretical, doctrinal positions on other issues. As it was said above, based on Matthew 24:36 and Acts 1:7, it is not God’s desire for us to calculate the day that Jesus is coming back. Anyone who undertakes such a task is, if nothing else, misguided.

The key points are (1) the Bible nowhere encourages us to attempt to discover the timing of Jesus’ return and (2) the Bible gives no explicit data by which the timing of Jesus’ return can be determined. Rather than developing wild and speculative calculations to determine when Jesus is coming back, the Bible encourages us to “keep watch” and “be ready” (Matthew 24:42-44). The fact that the day of Jesus’ return is unknown should motivate us to live every day in light of the imminence of Christ’s return.

What does the Bible mean by 'dying to self'?

Answer: The concept of “dying to self” is found throughout the New Testament. It expresses the true essence of the Christian life, in which we take up our cross and follow Christ. Dying to self is part of being born again; the old self dies and the new self comes to life (John 3:3–7). Not only are Christians born again when we come to salvation, but we also continue dying to self as part of the process of sanctification. As such, dying to self is both a one-time event and a lifelong process.

Jesus spoke repeatedly to His disciples about taking up their cross (an instrument of death) and following Him. He made it clear that if any would follow Him, they must deny themselves, which means giving up their lives—spiritually, symbolically, and even physically, if necessary. This was a prerequisite for being a follower of Christ, who proclaimed that trying to save our earthly lives would result in our losing our lives in the kingdom. But those who would give up their lives for His sake would find eternal life (Matthew 16:24–25; Mark 8:34–35). Indeed, Jesus even went so far as to say that those who are unwilling to sacrifice their lives for Him cannot be His disciples (Luke 14:27).

The rite of baptism expresses the commitment of the believer to die to the old, sinful way of life (Romans 6:4–8) and be reborn to a new life in Christ. In Christian baptism, the action of being immersed in the water symbolizes dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. Baptism identifies us with Christ in His death and resurrection, portraying symbolically the whole life of the Christian as a dying to self and living for and in Him who died for us (Galatians 2:20).

Paul explains to the Galatians the process of dying to self as one in which he has been “crucified with Christ,” and now Paul no longer lives, but Christ lives in him. Paul’s old life, with its propensity to sin and to follow the ways of the world, is dead, and the new Paul is the dwelling place of Christ who lives in and through him. This does not mean that when we “die to self” we become inactive or insensible, nor do we feel ourselves to be dead. Rather, dying to self means that the things of the old life are put to death, most especially the sinful ways and lifestyles we once engaged in. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). Where we once pursued selfish pleasures, we now pursue, with equal passion, that which pleases God.

Dying to self is never portrayed in Scripture as something optional in the Christian life. It is the reality of the new birth; no one can come to Christ unless he is willing to see his old life crucified with Christ and begin to live anew in obedience to Him. Jesus describes lukewarm followers who try to live partly in the old life and partly in the new as those whom He will spit out (Revelation 3:15–16). That lukewarm condition characterized the church of Laodicea as well as many churches today. Being “lukewarm” is a symptom of unwillingness to die to self and live for Christ. Death to self is not an option for Christians; it is a choice that leads to eternal life.

Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Answer: Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, wildfires, and other natural disasters? Tragedies cause many people to question God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow a tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why does God allow hurricanes to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

WHAT PETER SAW ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION

Peter spoke spontaneously, that is, without editing or conscious command of his speech. The scripture says,

Luke 9:28-33

 About a week after he had said these things, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a hill to pray. While he was praying, his face changed its appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in heavenly glory and talked with Jesus about the way in which he would soon fulfill God's purpose by dying in Jerusalem.  Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and the two men who were standing with him.  As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, how good it is that we are here! We will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (He did not really know what he was saying.)

You see that? The bible records that even though Peter said those words he did not really know what he was talking about. In other words Peter’s speech was akin to prophecy. And Peter is absolutely not the only one to have uttered unconscious realities. It is very important for me to understand that my words are testaments; they’re seeds, prophecies. Think about this fact; words form in our mind before they roll out the tongue, right? Every word! What I’m saying is where do the words that form in our minds come from? Before you say, ‘I love you’, you must have first thought to say it. The shape of our thoughts is a reflection of the shape of our human spirit. Even before you sincerely say to God, ‘You are almighty’, the words must have formed in your heart before they roll out your tongue. Even now, try it. In certain situations people say that their mind blanked out resulting in them not knowing what to say. It just means that the mind could not raise the fitting words that reflect or express what they feel in their hearts. Words are prophecies testifying and validating the condition of the human spirit. One day Peter confessed that Jesus is the messiah to which Jesus replied that only God could have given Peter such revelation (see Mathew 16:16-17). In our opening text we read about three disciples who saw Jesus chatting with Moses and Elijah. We have to remember that none of the disciples knew what Moses or Elijah looked like. Moses and Elijah were prophets who lived thousands of years before any of the disciples were born! But in the presence of the penetrating power of the glory of God Peter blurted out divine mysteries he had no way of knowing about.  It’s real! Peter rattled out the exact names of the apparitions that were chatting with Jesus. How could Peter have known that? The Bible says he did not know what he was talking about. There are times you could say things that astound or make people flinch because you may have said something that seems to them you could read their minds or that you know things about them that should have been secret. You see, Peter’s words were striking prophecies that evidenced the condition of his spirit at that moment. Something had happened to him in the presence of such glory were heavenly beings were having a chat! The scriptures teach the people of God to subject themselves to the transformation of their spirits by constantly renewing their mind in the word of God. The shape of the spirit determines the shape of the thoughts which ultimately determines the shape of your words. In turn, your words determine the direction of your life. No wonder the Bible says from the heart comes the issues of life. The spirit of a person who isn’t born again is in a sorry state. For this cause it’s easy to see why their thoughts are perpetually godless and crooked. The Christian must treasure the word of God not just for knowledge but because like David said, ‘IT’S BETTER THAN LIFE’.