Stupid Questions
They say there is no such thing as a stupid question. Well, there are not many but there are a few. Here are a few “stupid” questions. These are not meant to insult anyone but rather to look at the issue again, perhaps from a different angle.
Will the Church go through the Tribulation?
Many people try to turn this into a theological question or an issue of timing. Actually, it is a promise.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)
What does that mean? It does not mean that God is going to handcuff you to the devil and slap the both of you around for 7 years. Jesus explains.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matt 13:21)
Tribulation can mean persecution. Actually, there is no such thing as “The” Tribulation. This has been repeated so many millions of times that it has turned into holy doctrine. What is true:
A prophetic 70th week (Dan 9:24-27). This is a special period of 7 years where God deals with Israel and the governments of the world one last time.
Persecution because of Jesus which lasts through the entire Church Age.
A short period of the most intense and widespread Great persecution or tribulation.
About 10 of the original twelve apostles were slaughtered. Christians have had their homes and church building burned to the ground. Some have been beheaded recently. Will the Church go through the Tribulation? It is an insult to the memory of the martyrs, both ancient and recent. Of course, believers do not endure the wrath of their Father though they are promised persecution (tribulation).
Another “stupid” question:
Will we know each other in heaven?
Why would anyone asks this? It is because they believe something. Many people believe that God will transform us so completely that we will not have a memory. We will not have our former personality. In effect, everyone will be transformed into another person. This will be so far reaching and thorough that it will take an eternity just to figure out who everyone is. It will take several million years for me just to figure out who my mother is. Apparently, it will be sort of like a great reunion at an asylum with zombies wandering around heaven not remembering anything because of our memory wipe.
In part, this may have a root in reality. People are correct to realize that the natural things cannot be allowed to enter the Holy City or the permanent things of God. There does have to be a transformation. However, this promised transformation is dealing with the physical. It is our bodies which are scheduled for instant transformation someday, not our soul. The soul, with our minds and personality, has to be renewed or destroyed. It cannot enter into the holy things of God as it is naturally. God will not do the transformation in this area. He commands us to renew our minds (Rom 12:2).
Our last “stupid” question:
Which Bible translation is best?
Two men from Indonesia are transported to a book store in the U.S. As they find themselves surrounded by 900 English translations of the Bible they ask each other, Which one is best? None. They need the Scriptures in a language they understand, according to their level of education. The same would be true for a English reader. If they read a literal translation will they understand the idioms and figures of speech used? If they read a paraphrase will they be misled by the translators trying to use simple language so that it is helpful to the reader?
Is green better than blue? Is up better than hot? It becomes nonsense.
But even so, it is good to ask questions. Because then we get answers. If God sees that we stop to ask Why, then we position ourselves to receive more understanding and insight.
Sept 6, 2025