<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: What will happen to your column when you leave East Texas? A: I've stopped counting how many people have asked this. I talked with Newsboy publisher Willis Webb; he has yet to make a final decision. The Sunday paper is intended to focus on local issues; after I'm no longer "local," I may not be a part of the mix. The internet column will continue, although it will be a few weeks after I move before it is up and running. Once Mr. Webb makes a final decision, I'll let you know. If we move to internet-only, I'll give subscription information for those online who choose to continue our weekly get togethers. Q: What are the names of the Four Horsemen in Revelation? A: The fourth horseman, Death (Plague), is the only one explicitly named in Revelation. Some call the first Oppression, the second War, the third Famine. Other scholars think that the first mentions Christ and that the next three riders and their steeds are evil's attempts to retaliate against his conquest of Satan. Instead of talking about human or demonic oppression over the earth, these words would be proclaiming the Gospel message of freedom through Christ: "Behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)" Q: Why is the number forty used so often in the Bible? A: According to my sources, forty is often used in circumstances in Scripture which indicate the number as suggesting probation, separation or judgment, e.g., Matt. 4:2; Acts 1:3; Heb. 3:9, 17. Among the occurrences that would support such a thought are the following instances of Forty Days: Of rain, at the time of the flood, Gen. 7:17; of flood, before sending forth the raven, Gen. 8:6. For embalming, Gen. 50:3. Of fasting: By Moses, Ex. 24:18; 34:28; Deut. 9:9,25; Elijah, 1 Kin. 19:8; Jesus, Matt. 4:2. Spies in the land of promise, Num. 13:25. Of probation, given to the Ninevites, Jonah 3:4. Christ's time on earth after the resurrection, Acts 1:3. Symbolical, Ezek. 4:6. There are also listings of Forty Years: Wanderings of the Israelites in the Wilderness, Ex. 16:35; Num. 14:34. Peace in Israel, Judg. 3:11; 5:31; 8:28. Egypt to be desolated, Ezek. 29:11; to be restored after, Ezek. 29:13. This is only a partial listing of all the significant forties in Scripture. Q: I understand that because of my religious upbringing I did not need a dramatic experience with God to make me Christian but this also means that I have to have the kind of faith that trusts absolutely in God's Word. As we see in Thomas' case, this is not always easy. Sometimes I feel my religion is too intellectual and is lacking real, physical experience with God. Do you think I have to "see" one of these miracles so that I can say that I am not just following my upbringing or tradition because I happened to be born in a Christian society? Must I have something I can put my finger on and say "this must be God"? Or do you think I am looking at the wrong place to strengthen my faith and I should not look for miracles? A: Your belief in God, your trust in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, your being part of the household of faith are part of a huge miracle! We who have such "boring" Christian lives are indeed among those who are "blessed," not seeing yet believing. Satan would have us focus in anything else. The world entices us to believe only in the physical, here-and-now. Our own sinful flesh wants us to believe above all else in ourselves. Yet you and I and countless thousands others cling to the simple, effective promises of Scripture: Our sins are forgiven in Word, water, and Lord's Supper; we know that he will never leave us nor forsake us; he has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us. These and so many words are, by the work of the Holy Spirit, part and parcel of our beings. So look again and always to the Word, especially to the forgiveness of the Gospel. Receive the absolution, eat the body and drink the blood (another wonderful miracle), and return to God's baptismal promises, that your Old Adam daily be drowned and die in God-created contrition and that a new believer daily rise up to serve the God who called him out of darkness into the wonderful light. In water, bread and wine, and the touch of a forgiving pastor's hand, God gives you the physical, here-and-now contact you crave, as well. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1999 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.