Where are we told in the Bible to confess our sins to God and not to a priest?

The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in either the Old or New Testaments. In fact, the New Testament teaches that all true believers are priests. 1 Peter 2:9-10 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood,” “a people belonging to God.” In the Old Covenant, the Jewish nation could only approach God through its priests who offered sacrifices to God for the forgiveness of sins of the entire nation of Israel. This practice is no longer necessary because of Jesus’ one time all-encompassing sacrifice, which fulfilled the Law, thus granting Christians direct access to God for forgiveness of individual sins through Jesus Christ. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

The New Testament teaches that the organization of Christ’s church would have elders, deacons (1 Timothy 3), overseers (Titus 1:6-9), and pastors (Ephesians 4:11).  There is never any mention of priests. Believers are told to confess their sins to God (1 John 1:9) and God is faithful and just to forgive sins as they are confessed to him. Although James 5:16 speaks of confessing trespasses to one another, this confession is in no way linked with God’s forgiveness of the trespass.

The Roman Catholic Church bases its practice of confession to a priest primarily on John 20:23, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Because Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, Catholics claim that that authority was passed on to their successors, i.e., the bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic Church. There are several problems with this interpretation. First, John 20:23 nowhere mentions confession of sin. Second, the scripture nowhere promises, or even hints, that the authority to forgive sins would be passed on to the successors of the apostles. Jesus’ promise was specifically directed to the apostles. Lastly, the New Testament nowhere states that the apostles would even have successors to their apostolic authority.

Therefore, should we confess our sins directly to God or do we need to confess them to a priest? We are to confess our sins to God.  He has the power to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) A priest does not have the power or authority to forgive sins. No man living on earth in this day and age has that authority. This fact does not negate the need we have as individuals to confess our sins openly to other believers. That practice is encouraged in James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Although God hears the prayers of the righteous, a righteous individual has no power to eradicate the sin of another. However, and most importantly, we Christians are admonished to always forgive others for transgressions against us. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Who are the “elect” in Matthew 24:22 and what is the purpose of shortening the days for their sake?

Just as Our Lord’s Great Prophecy (Matthew 24) applies now to the close of the Gospel Age, it also applied to the close of the Jewish Age.

Jerusalem was sieged by the desolating Roman armies, bringing about a time of intense distress on the people. The famine and internal anarchy of this bleak period are legend. An opportunity for flight came in A.D. 68 when Roman forces returned to Rome. However, flight required faith and a willingness to suffer the pains of a refugee.  Flight was the last and only remedy for the Jews. The flight was more difficult for those with children and those during the winter season (verses 19-20).  Those were days of great distress and affliction. Had not the Lord intervened, the opportunity for this difficult flight would not have come. But for the “elect’s sake” [the faithful Jews] (verse 22) he did intervene, so that they were not swept away in the carnage that followed.

If we relate these same verses (Matthew 24:19-22) to the end of the Gospel Age, we can see that the Lord is the refuge for the true Christian fleeing Christendom. The flight will be difficult. Pray that it be not in the wintertime but in the more favorable summer time of harvest. The original Greek text (Matthew 24:22) in Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott, reads, “And unless those days were cut short [cut off, amputated, Greek koloboo] No One could survive; but on account of the chosen, those days will be limited.” This translation implies that the Lord will cut the forces gathering for the last debacle.  He will “hold back the four winds” to allow the saints living at the very end of this age to make their calling and election, until their sealing is complete.

 Since we interpret Matthew 24:22 as meaning that there are still some “foot” members of the church on the scene during the very last days of the harvest who are in the process of working out their calling and election, the Lord will hold back the forces of Armageddon for their sakes or, on account of them, so that they can complete what they have started.

What is meant by Revelation 21:21 “the great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”?

The book of Revelation is highly symbolic. The entire 21st chapter of Revelation is about the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. We believe that the New Jerusalem represents an all-powerful religious government, composed of our Lord and his saints (the Church in glory) that will exercise a most blessed and lasting influence for good over the earth’s people. We derive this meaning from the declaration in Revelation 21:9-10, “’Come I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ . . . and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” 

 The walls of the city are living stones, such as the Apostle Peter describes (1 Peter 2:5); the foundation stones are the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. The coming of that City to earth is the symbolic representation of the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth, for a city is a symbol representing government or control.

 The verse you called to our attention, Revelation 21:21, describes part of the city.  “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made a single pearl.  The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.” Each gate is made of one global-like pearl. The pearl represents Jesus’ costly sacrifice. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46) 

Therefore, since each gate is a pearl, no person can enter the city without first recognizing Christ as his Redeemer. The street of the city was made of “pure gold” like “transparent glass” so that one could look with deep penetration into the body of the street and observe that there were no flaws. The street was perfect and clear as crystal: it contained no specks or impediments of any kind. 

This broad avenue paved with transparent gold was the one and only main street in the city. Gold is representative of the divine nature. The fact that the city was “pure gold” like unto clear glass, is indicative, we believe, that the glorified Church who are the symbolic City, are not only partakers of the divine nature, but are resplendent in their glory.

What do we know about the 144000 mentioned in Revelation?

Revelation 7:2-4, “Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: ‘Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.”

This is an end-time picture. Joel 2: 1,2,10 talk about “the day of the Lord…a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness,…the earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining…” During the period of our Lord’s second presence, Jesus shall judge the national, social (earth) and religious systems (heavens). However, before our Lord destroys this present evil world (Galatians 1:4), he will seal a class of 144,000 in their foreheads.

What is a seal? In ancient days, people would use a seal to imprint their identification marks in hot wax. When the seal was removed, the wax would bear the designated image of the owner. So, pictorially, this imprint of God is formed in the forehead. We know our foreheads represent out minds and thoughts. Therefore, this class bears the holy mark of God in their minds. Their thoughts and ways are clearly manifest to all as the seal is shown on their faces. This holy group of people radiate the mind of Christ.

What people have Christ’s mind? I Cor. 2:7, 16 states, “…we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God,…none of the rulers…understood this,…But we have the mind of Christ.” We, the faithful followers of our Lord, have the mind of Christ. Those who are of this unique class are but a “little flock.” Our Lord specially rewards those who are transformed into Christ’s likeness. He permits them to reign with Christ in His kingdom. Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Referring back to Revelation 7, the final, armageddon phase of God’s judgment doesn’t start until the 144,000 of spiritual Israel have proven faithful, have the seal of God in their foreheads, to reign with Christ (see Revelation 20).

Why were women asked not to preach in church?

The questioner may have the following scriptures in mind when asking this question.

1 Timothy 2:11-13 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (KJV)

There are many brilliant women among the Lord’s people, well studied in scripture, and quite able to present, so why would there be a prohibition on women being permitted “to teach” in the church? We do find a clear hierarchal order laid out for us in the Bible. One instance of this can be found in the following text.

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV)

This represents a top down order of authority, God, Jesus, man, woman. The fact that many women would be quite capable to be teachers, yet not permitted to teach, must indicate that there is another lesson that God wishes us learn. These lessons would include; obedience, submissiveness, and humility. These are basic principles that every Christian must learn. (Even Jesus was so proven.

Hebrews 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. (NAS) While Jesus was always obedient, the test he faced was to maintain perfect obedience under suffering.)

Respecting this order of authority must have been so important for us to learn that God decided to exemplify it in this manner, in the everyday activities of life. This should serve as a constant reminder for Jesus disciples, that God is above all, and we are all under Jesus as our head.

In the case of the Corinthian church the circumstances may have been somewhat unique. This was a church that needed some strong restraints placed over them due to the social setting and typical behaviors that they were accustomed to. That said, if we look at the words “to speak” from 1Corinthian 14:34 we find the following definition.

Strong’s Dictionary on "to speak" #2980  laleo (lal-eh'-o); can have the meaning of “an extended or random harangue.” So Paul is not saying a woman cannot say a word, but rather that the women in Corinth must not take a leading role over the men. Why? Again this would be disruptive to the order of authority that God has established in His creative wisdom.

One final point that should be noted. While there are established hierarchal roles in our earthly lives, the high calling to be members of “the Christ” carries forward no such roles in the resurrection. In other words, once we have finished our earthly life as male or female, if we are found faithful in our walk, and are raised to be with Jesus, there will be no such gender distinctions that carry over from this life.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

This is teaching us that any that are “called of God” can “run the race for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Observing these Biblical principles is one of the many ways that we can exercise obedience to God.

What is really the Lords Supper and its significance to the new convert?

The last evening that our Lord was with his disciples (the day we would term Thursday) was the opening night of the fourteenth of Nisan (first month of the Jewish calendar).  This would be the last meal that our Lord would eat with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion.  It was so important that he spoke of it in Luke 22:15: “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:” Jesus knew that he would not be able to eat the Passover meal on the next evening because by then he would have been offered up as a sacrifice (crucified).  He became the Passover lamb for the world as it says in 1 Corinthians 5:7,  “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”  In the scriptures below Jesus gives a new command to his disciples.

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29)

“Now as they were eating (the Passover), Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Our Lord took bread and brake it as he explained that it represented his body that would be broken for them.  He then gave it to his disciples to eat with a gentle command “do it in remembrance of me” and likewise after supper he took the cup, gave thanks  and explained that it symbolized his blood that would be shed for them. 

We know that there is no power in merely eating bread and drinking wine as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but it is the remembering of the sacrifice he willingly made not only on our behalf but on behalf of the whole world.  The significance to the new convert is to remember that we as disciples are to celebrate the memorial of Jesus’ death.  When we annually commemorate his sacrifice, we should do it with those of the Christian faith who with heartfelt love and appreciation for the greatest sacrifice known to man, give thanks in memorial to our Lord. 

Is God calling me?

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” Eph. 1:18.   If you are truly looking to follow Jesus and serve God, God will manifest Himself to you through 1. opening your understanding of the Bible, 2. answering your prayers, 3. providentially directing your experiences, and 4. deepening your longing to walk with Him.

First, you will begin to understand deep Bible truths more clearly. People cannot comprehend God’s word because these doctrines are foolishness to the natural man. “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!…the world would never know him through human wisdom…” 1 Cor. 1:18, 21. Only God can open your eyes to spiritual truths.

You will find your prayers are being answered. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” The answers may not be when and what you expect, but you will know when you receive an answer.  And you will feel His tender care.

You will find doors opening and closing which will help you to choose the right path. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psa. 37:31. Righteous opportunities will unfold in your life. Doors to poor choices will shut. God will use His Word (the Bible) and other Christians to help you comprehend His loving and wonderful leadings in your life.

Finally, you will experience a deep yearning to walk to God. Those worldly pleasures you once enjoyed will lose their appeal. When you participate in fleshly activities, you will feel a longing for the righteous, the holy, the pure. And when you hear God’s word and have holy fellowship, you will feel uplifted and satisfied. “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8.

Then you will need to decide if you want to commit your life to God or not. If you choose to commit to God, you must commit fully. Your walk will be very challenging but very, very rewarding. Jesus said, “If  any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) A Christian’s walk is one of self-sacrifice. But if you faithfully commit yourself to prayer, study, and service to others, you will find truth and be transformed into Christlikeness. Ephesians 4:1-3 tells us that we must “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Additionally, God will help you every step of the way with His Holy Spirit. John tells us in John 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper, that He may be with you forever.” And in Hebrews 13:6, “So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What shall man do unto me?’”

I want to know the meaning of Revelation 7:1 -8. Does it mean that only Israelites are chosen to be the 144.000?

The full number of the elect church could have been from the nation of Israel. (Exod. 19:5, 6), but Rom. 11:7 tells us that the nation failed in their faithfulness. “What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened…”

The call to be in the Church was opened up to the Gentiles. Rom. 11:25-33 elaborates on this, “…I do not want you to be ignorant…my brothers (in Christ),…Israel has experienced a hardening  in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in…” 

The book of Revelation is full of symbols, and this passage is no different. Here, the twelve tribes of Israel are symbolic of the complete Church class. You will find this to be consistent throughout the book of Revelation.

I do not understand what or who the bride of Christ is. Can you please explain?

The symbol of a marriage is applied to the union between Christ and the body of overcoming believers. The Bible refers to these overcoming saints as the “bride, the "Church of the living God", the "Little Flock", " the First-fruits", "the Firstborn", " a Royal Priesthood", "the Elect", "the Called, Chosen and Faithful”, the "Saints", "the Anointed", "Living Stones", and "the Lamb's wife", among other titles.

The purpose of preparing a bride for marriage to Christ is to bless mankind in the Kingdom of God. “And I John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband …  and God (through Christ and His bride) 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.” This bride is a "help-mate" to assist Jesus in this great work of bringing all mankind back into harmony with God during the resurrection.

In the Old Testament, the opportunity of betrothal was offered to the nation of Israel – "I will betroth you to me forever… in righteousness and justice… in loving kindness and mercy…in faithfulness and you shall know the LORD" (Hosea 2:19-20). All they had to do was to be faithful and obey.

John 3: 29 announced the arrival of the bridegroom, Jesus. Our Lord promised his betrothed that "In My Father's house are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2, 3).  

When Israel did not recognize the bridegroom Messiah, the opportunity to become the bride of Christ was opened to the gentiles. 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:24-27 described Paul's hopes for the church-bride "… for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ".  He understood the requirements as a member of that bride reminding the early church "…Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish".

During this present life, the betrothed church is encouraged to develop all of the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22, 23) They are to bear each other in love in Ephesians 4. When the marriage takes place, the bride, the overcoming saints, is rewarded with the divine nature, “…ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” 2 Peter 1:4. Then there will be a time of great rejoicing in heaven, “…the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6,7   

When should a church participate in the Lords communion?

1 Corinthians 11:26 tells us, "For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

Some have taken this text and believe that it does not matter when or how often they partake of the bread and cup. They believe the more they do this, the better it is.

We think there is a deeper significance to these words. 1 Corinthians 5:7,8 say, "…Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast…" Jesus is our Passover or Pascal lamb. This partaking of the cup and the bread, called the Lord's Supper by the Apostle, is a replacement of the Jewish Passover. How often did God have the Jews celebrate the Passover? Luke 2:41 tells us, “…went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover."

The Passover was always eaten on the 14th of the Jewish month Nisan. We are so told in Leviticus 23:5 "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover."

We know that some partake more often or at a different time than we believe the scriptures above show. While we may not agree with them on this point, we note the context of the whole book of Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22 "Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord’s Supper. For when it is time to eat, everyone proceeds with his own supper. One is hungry and another becomes drunk. … Or are you trying to show contempt for the Church of God by shaming those who have nothing? … I do not praise you for this!”). The Apostle is not emphasizing the details and the correct time. His emphasis is on the heart attitude of reverence for our heavenly Father and love and appreciation for our Lord Jesus, and the family of God that we are privileged to share this with. This should also be our emphasis. Yes, we want to do things exactly as our Father has designed, but we mostly need to be humble and love all, even our enemies, especially our brethren.