What are the four things saints will be doing in heaven?

Sincerely,
Looking Up

Dear Looking Up,

The Bible doesn’t say all that we will be doing in heaven.  We know that we will worship God there (Rev 22:3), and we will have our tears wiped away (Rev 21:4).  We know that heaven will be far better than here (Php 1:23), but the details won’t be revealed until eternity.

     I understand this is a debated question, but is Abbadon/Apollyon (the destroyer from Revelation) an angel or a demon?  I've heard from numerous preachers that it is either an angel, a demon, or another name for Satan.  Any insight is appreciated; thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Demon Debater

Dear Demon Debater,

Rev 9:1 begins by talking about the star fallen from heaven – that star is Satan (Lk 10:18).  Satan was given the key to the pit in Rev 9:2.  Without getting into the details of what is going on in this chapter, since Satan has the key to the pit, Satan is in charge of the pit.  This makes him the “king of the abyss”.  Satan is the angel named Destroyer who is mentioned in Rev 9:11.  If you would like a complete understanding of the book of Revelation, feel free to download our class series on the topic here.

     Is it okay for a Christian to participate in a yoga exercise class or even see or become an acupuncturist?

Sincerely,
Ouch!

Dear Ouch,

It all depends on how you do it.  Yoga, tai-chi, and some forms of holistic medicine can have a religious element to them, but they don’t have to.  If a Christian takes yoga purely for the exercise, they are just fine (1 Tim 4:8), but if a Christian begins delving into the spiritual elements such as karma, Hinduism, etc. – that is wrong.  There is only room for one God and one guide in our lives (2 Cor 6:16).

     I've recently become aware of my backsliding, and I've decided to fix things in my life to make myself closer to God.  I have a band that is secular, and it's definitely my livelihood at twenty-two years old.  I don't sing about Satan or bash God or anything of that nature, but I have used swearing and talking about killing posers (in a playful manner; I play Thrash Metal, so it is an aggressive form of music).  However, I do have a lot of songs about the realities of nuclear war, sci-fi movies, etc.

I don't know what to do.  I want to get right with God, but I'd hate to see my band end over it (I know that sounds very selfish saying it or typing it out).

I've had a very bad history with religion.  I abandoned my faith as a teenager and did just about every kind of blasphemy and obscene and irreverent living you can think of.  When I was seventeen, I came close to dying from alcohol poisoning, and it made me realize that I needed Jesus back in my heart.  I struggled for YEARS... yes, YEARS, in agonizing fear of being unforgiven for all the horrible things I did out of rebellion... I worried about God hating me or not forgiving me.

Anyways, I've gotten carried away; I'm just concerned.  What's your opinion?

Sincerely,
Giving Myself A Thrashing

Dear Giving Myself A Thrashing,

Can you still play and cut out all swearing? Swearing is a sin (Eph 4:29).  Can you clean up the content of your music?  All that we say and dwell on should attempt to be pure and honorable (Php 4:8).  Is the environment that your band puts you in conducive to long-term faithfulness, or will it slowly tear you away from the Lord?  God tells us to watch the company we keep because it can corrupt us (1 Cor 15:33).  You said that you are backsliding – is the band environment part of the problem or part of the solution?

If you can faithfully ask yourself those questions, you will have your answer.

     I love animals, and spirit guides have always intrigued me.  A spirit guide is an animal specific to you that can answer or lead you.  I am a strongly devoted Christian, and I understand the value of praying and asking God for guidance, and I do not feel that I would be worshipping a spirit guide in any way.  By obtaining a spirit guide, is it wrong?  Animals are all God's creation anyway.  If I am wrong, could you direct me to where in the Bible it states this, so I can right my wrong thinking?  Thanks and God bless!

Sincerely,
I Love Animals

Dear I Love Animals,

A “spirit guide” would be considered idolatry.  God should be the only guide for our souls (Jhn 14:6).  By definition, a spirit guide is a guide for your spirit.  Spirit guides are a Native American tradition and a definite form of idolatry.  Rom 1:23 warns against giving animals the glory that belongs only to God.  The Bible is the guide for our lives, and it contains all the instruction that we need for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).  God designed the Bible to lead our spirits and discern our character (Heb 4:12).