Question #1:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Do you have any studies on the referenced passages of Ezekiel?
If you do, please let me know, so that I can review them.
The two children of God that I have bible study with are very interested
in the End-Times and participate a lot with questions and answers.
They are really good students, and enjoy the 3 hour sessions we have
each Sunday.
Just wanted to let you know, for I know you are praying, and I so
appreciate your prayers.
Blessings be with you always,
Your friend,
Response #1:
I talk about the cherubs (including these verses) at the following links (these are theme not verse organized so please be patient and read all the way through):
Great news about your Bible study! Keeping that – and you and your
family – in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Dr. Luginbill,
Thank you so much!
I cannot even grasp the amount of work and knowledge that God has given
you to have completed all these numerous teachings.
I am absolutely amazed beyond expression with what God has done in your
life.
I am the fortunate one that was blessed by God to make your kind
acquaintance.
I praise and glorify God for His guidance in leading me to your
ministry.
Blessings to you always,
Your friend,
P.S. I was just talking to __ about my desire to meet you in person and
chat with you for a good while.
Maybe, if we don't meet here on earth, we will meet in eternity, which
is much better.
Response #2:
Thank you!
Greatly appreciated, my friend.
I'm very pleased that you are sharing your knowledge and wisdom
actively. In that there is great reward. Keeping that Bible study of
yours in my daily prayers.
Re: "Maybe, if we don't meet here on earth, we will meet in eternity,
which is much better." Amen to all that! We will all stand together
as one in a unity we cannot yet fathom on the great day when we assembly
in New Jerusalem to praise the Savior who bought us and the Father who
sent Him.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Doc what's your view on abortion? I'm asking because recently a 10 year old girl who was raped was refused an abortion (which she pretty much needed because how is a 10 year old ready to give birth to let alone raise a child!?) because Roe v Wade was overturned. I believe it should be allowed in the cases of rape or if the mother will die if she doesn't, but only in those cases. You've admitted several times on your site that life only begins at birth, yes? I still say only in the case of rape or to save a life because we can't let this become an excuse to have sex without consequences.
Response #3:
It's clear that the Bible, which never actually mentions it, is not in favor of it. Here is one thing I have written and normally quote when asked about this after affirming that the Bible teaches God's implanting of the human spirit at birth and not in the womb (see the link):
This is not at all to imply that for this reason the fetus has no worth in God's eyes. Quite to the contrary, the unborn are highly valued in scripture (Ex.21:22; Job 10:8-12; Ps.139:13-16; Is.44:24; 49:4-5). Further we may note that in the Bible children are considered a great blessing (cf. 1Sam.2:1-11 and Lk.1:46-55), with infertility seen as a curse (Hos.9:14; cf. Gen.38; Lev.20:20-21; 1Sam.1:11), and pregnancy as a blessing and occasionally even a means of justification (cf. Num.5:11-31 and Lk.1:25). Whereas, on the other hand, the sacrifice of children is an abomination (Lev.18:21; Deut.12:31; 18:10; Ps.106:37-38).
We believers are responsible to the Lord to follow Him. What the
unbelievers do is not really our business. Getting involved in political
debates is always a mistake. This and any other hypothetical problem
probably doesn't actually concern us directly, so why are we getting so
upset? Does the Lord want us to take up arms – for one side or the
other? I assure you He does not. Our job is to live our lives to Him and
for Him. If some awful situation should arise for us, He
will provide the way of escape (1Cor.10:13). But burdening ourselves
with worries which are not even tangible because the things we're
worrying about haven't actually happened to us is exactly what the Lord
has told us NOT to do (e.g., Matt.6:26-34).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Oh, I'm sorry I actually care about the sufferings of others and truly want in
my heart to help them. It's just that this incident I brought up actually
happened and was so horrific that I'm disgusted with those who say there
shouldn't be a way out for women and girls in such a terrible situation. That's
not a bad thing is it?...I know you too well to think you would demonize such a
desire, but I know the heart is deceitful above all things, and even seemingly
legitimate desires can mislead people. As much as I begrudgingly do so...I can
accept it if God says so. I have a hard time believing this is truly love and
justice though, so it can't truly sit well with me...This more than anything
just stokes my doubts about the Bible, because stuff like this makes its
definition of love and justice seem shaky and almost arbitrary at times. I mean,
you're saying having a girl who's not even in her teens yet who was raped be
forces to give birth to and bear the weight of having a child is "truly good"!
But if it's what the God of all truly says...i guess I have no choice but to
redefine my own meaning of these things.
I say these things because in my heart of hearts, I'd rather keep believing but
accept things that don't sit right with my sense of right and wrong than follow
my own sense of justice knowing that I'm rejecting the God of all that could
ever be.
Response #4:
First, I think you may have misread my prior email.
Second, if I'm not mistaken, the girl did get the abortion, so in terms of
reality, there's nothing for you to be upset about. It makes no sense to me for
Christians to worry about injustices that MIGHT happen (however conceived).
We're specifically told not to worry about things that haven't
happened (Matt.6:25-34).
Third, if you watch the news, any news, there will always be things to get upset
about – if you allow yourself to become upset. Instead of allowing yourself to
be manipulated by the devil (because that is what this is), why not rather
remember that nothing happens in the plan of God without God's
perfect oversight? Getting overly concerned about political policies and
devoting oneself to political solutions as a result is one of the fastest ways
to commit spiritual suicide I know of. That attitude and approach will shut down
your spiritual growth pronto, and lead you into all manner of dark alleys. Just
look how emotionally distraught you are about this. Why not put the matter in
God's hands instead? Why not pray a prayer for someone about whom you hear,
about whom you are concerned? Please know that one prayer in the Spirit from you
is worth more than a thousand of "you" being distraught and acting on that
politically.
There are plenty of ways to shoot oneself in the foot, spiritually speaking, and
Satan is always right there looking for ways to convince you to do just that
(not him personally, but one of his very numerous subordinates). Politics and
political actions is one of the best ways for him to do so – meaning one of the
worst ways for us. That has always been true, but in the soon-to-come
Tribulation, antichrist will appeal to anyone and everyone who is concerned
about perceived injustice, whether directed towards themselves or others, and
unite the world under his satanic banner.
Anyone who has been around the block a few times understands that there is
always "more to it" (whatever "it" is) in any news report we may chance hear,
and that if we had any personal knowledge of "the situation", we would see
immediately that things are a good deal more nuanced than is obvious from a
thirty second news spot. As it says in Proverbs, "the first to speak seems
right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines" (Prov.18:17 NIV). That is
a fundamental principle of justice – or should be – but don't expect this under
the beast's one world rule. Antichrist will tell everyone (everyone willing to
follow him) that "their cause is righteous", merely to gain control over them,
just like the devil did in attempting to replace God (see
the link), just like Absalom did in preparation for trying to murder his
father David:
Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”
2nd Samuel 15:2-4 NKJV
Better not to be deceived. Better not to get upset by things totally outside of
our control. Better not to get involved in politics in any way. Better not to
worry – but to put all concerns before the Lord in prayer . . . and move on with
what IS our job down here: spiritual growth, progress and production for Jesus
Christ.
In Him,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Sorry if I failed to trust God again with my last messages...how do I
get over the worry about perceived injustices so I don't end up falling
for the Beast system?
Read my last email too, how should we address trans Biblically?
Should we respect the pronouns of trans people or not?
Response #5:
There are plenty of ACTUAL injustices in this world. The thing is, we
believers are not able to solve them. Even if you were appointed king of
the whole continent tomorrow, ferreting out injustice would not be so
easy. It would be very easy, in fact, to do wrong in the cause of
purported good. It takes much wisdom to be a good judge in general and a
good judge of difficult matters in particular. In any case, you and I
have next to no power to do anything about injustice, even if we really
knew 1) what it was specifically, categorically and in detail, and 2)
what the correct solution might be to each case in particular and to
whatever "problem" in general. Just a smidgen of humility ought to tell
any believer that. It is truly amazing therefore how so many people
think they know what precisely is unjust about all manner of things in
this country today and not only that – they think they know precisely
what should be done about it. On top of that, they are VERY emotional
about it – but anyone should know that judging and acting out of anger
or sympathy is one of the quickest ways to render an unjust verdict.
The other issue you ask about is just one of innumerable many evils in
our day. All you have to do is read down a news feed or open up a
newspaper and virtually every article will present just such a "problem"
to be addressed.
This is a trap. First, the "game" is being run by the devil. He is
ultimately behind all of the actual injustice in the world. But more
importantly, he is behind all of the putative "solutions" – which always
involve human good and evil which in the long run are far more
destructive than the sins and crimes and social ills these policies
purport to solve. Only a person of supreme wisdom could hope to engage
with this process of trying to solve societal problems with human means
and not get trapped – and I'll tell you when I know of someone like that
(hasn't happened yet). The beast will present himself as just such a
solution, THE person who can solve things – the [false] Messiah (that is
what anti-Christ means: not just "against" Christ but also "substitute
for" Christ).
The only way believers can really effect all the things in society which
grieve us is by putting things in God's hands – rather than wrenching
them away from Him and trying to do it ourselves. DIY never works in the
plan of God (just as is true in our personal lives: we need to trust
Him). Ironically, therefore, believers who are grieved by this or that
societal ill and go "all in" trying to solve them end up taking
themselves out of the true spiritual combat wherein they might have made
a difference. If we become "saltier salt" by growing, progressing and
producing spiritually for our Lord, our prayers become all that more
effective on the one hand (Jas.5:16-18), and God blesses our nation all
that much more on the other (cf. Ps.106:23). But by trying to DIY it, we
only ruin our own spirituality without having any true effect on the
problem . . . unless it is to make things even worse through our efforts
by way of fostering wrong solutions.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Thank you Doc. I need to trust God with it.
Response #6:
Amen!
Question #7:
This is beyond demonic.
Turns out in Japan, a lot of companies, in fact this means most middle class
workers suffer from this, try to make the company and the work their employees
entire lives like, 16 hour work days are a common minimum. And the culture of
the work is so brutal on anyone who underperforms for legitimate reasons or even
wants a social or personal life outside their work, it actually causes some
people to literally DIE from being overworked...not sure if that's what actually
happens or it pushes them to suicide. Marriages are torn apart, children are
left without a working father figure, ironically, because he's so consumed with
his work life. I don't care if this can't be fixed before the Beast arrives...I
want you to pray this insanity beyond insanity will STOP.
Speaking of which, these horrible work conditions over there remind me of the
coming Beast system somehow...I don't know why or what it is but it just
does...and that's something I NEVER like being reminded of, since I'll have to
go through its utter brutality towards Christians unless I'm lucky enough to
shed this mortal coil before the Trib...either way, read my last email and pray
that it'll stop.
Response #7:
I read this in scripture:
If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:8-10 NIV
The world is a rotten place and inherently unjust and corrupt, as the
verses above affirm. And in case you didn't know, there are plenty of
such career tracks in the US, business and military, for example, where
similar sorts of pressures apply. We are always better keeping to our
own knitting rather than setting ourselves to right the wrongs of the
world. The people you are concerned about made their choice. What about
the people in, e.g., China, who are actually and literally enslaved and
being forced to work even harder and longer without any recompense for
it?
I make it a habit to pray for the deliverance of believers who are
suffering such things around the world. Unbelievers, however, need to
come to the truth in the first place. Because, after all, whether a
person lives a life of ease or one of torture, in the end, without Jesus
Christ, all go to the same place.
Which brings us to the point of being upset by anticipating events. God
can give you peace in the midst of any trouble, even the midst of a
fiery furnace like the Tribulation – just as He did for Daniels three
friends. So the solution is spiritual growth – of course. Drawing nearer
to Jesus Christ day by day through belief in all the Words of God and
getting better at applying them is the only real preparation for what's
coming (please read CT 7 at the
link).
For those who revere God before all else, there is nothing whatsoever to
fear in this life.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 118:6 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Thanks Doc. I guess I was just prideful, trying to size up God as if anyone
could really do such a thing...really I was just trying to not be in error about
His nature. Anyway, I hear the republican party in my country, the one I trusted
and followed for so many years before finding your site, is planning a bill that
if passed will possibly turn this nation inside out...they want to abolish the
IRS. I know everything that happens is in God's plan, but there's a very fearful
uncertainty that comes with such things regardless. Knowing that Jesus tells us
to not worry about tomorrow helps, but I don't want this life of comfort I've
lived my whole life to come crashing down like this, if the consequences of this
bill are really as bad as I fear. Still, the sudden spike of prices for food and
gas I first heard about from you hasn't really affected me or my family at all
since we're relatively high income, so maybe it won't be so bad for us. And
really if I have to lose everything I own or something like that it's probably
for the better of my spiritual growth.
That's all for now, thanks for always responding to me in such love and
patience.
Response #8:
I'm just happy to hear that you seem to be more at peace – in spite of politics and political concerns. Regarding which, I would pay such things very little mind. God can provide for you no matter what. But for plenty of people who "have it all", we have to remember that this never lasts (e.g., Lk.12:15-21; regarding such "Myth-happiness", see also the link in SR 4: "The Vanity of Life").
People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49:12-20 NIV
Riches do not endure. No one lives forever. But the Word of God is eternal.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
1st Peter 1:23-25 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Doc, I know if your predictions are true this almost certainly won't happen, but the majority of Americans expect a civil war to break out fairly soon...is there anything in the Bible about this?
Response #9:
First, I don't make predictions. Only prophets know the future and there
is no one on earth with that gift at present (I suspect you are
referring to the interpretation at the site about the
nearness of the Tribulation:
How certain a date is 2026?).
Also, the "majority of Americans" are usually wrong about everything, so
I do concur that "this almost certainly won't happen". This close to the
Tribulation, that seems not in the interest of anyone, including the
forces of evil – which would certainly rather present antichrist with a
Babylon intact rather than being at war with itself. For many other
reasons I find this possibility unworthy of my precious time in thinking
about.
In terms of the Bible, we do have these verses:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:1-7 NKJV
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1st Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1st Peter 2:13-17 NKJV
See also:
What does the Bible say about War, History, and Politics?
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Paul speaks of not being yoked with unbelievers. And of not allowing
people chasing sin into the church. But Jesus allowed Judas to stay in
His inner circle, knowing he would never change his heart. I'm having
difficulty reconciling those two things.
What got me here: my 19yo daughter, who had been raised in a Bible
believing church and home, with two godly parents, told us in November
that she was pursuing a trans lifestyle and in a relationship with
another girl. We told her that we couldn't support that and told her
what things would have to change in her life. She chose to walk out of
our house that night and hasn't been back. What is my duty as a
Christian? Do I need to take another believer to her and confront her
sin, as she still maintains that she's a believer? Or, should she want
to come home, do I welcome her in to watch, as Jesus did Judas (I have
two younger daughters)? Or do I keep reaching out but maintain that she
can't be a part of us until she stops pursuing a sinful lifestyle?
I know the Word doesn't contradict itself but I'm confused and it feels
contradictory. Can you help clarify this for me?
Thanks for what you are doing!
Response #10:
Good to make your acquaintance.
First, I very much sympathize with you in what you are having to go
through with this. Let me assure you that you are very much not alone in
having to deal with this particular problem. Because of the way our
society is devolving under the aegis of the evil one, very many young
people are getting caught up in this terrible set of lies.
Second, I can't give you any direct biblical advice since this – i.e.,
how you are attempting to cope with the development – is an area of
application; that is to say, it's up to individual Christians to make
the best, godly decisions they can in many situations where the Bible
does not give us a play-by-play set of instructions.
Third, it is certainly within every parent's right to demand basic
adherence to their reasonable authority on the part of children living
under their roof. Requiring them to refrain from grossly sinful behavior
certainly falls under that rubric. So no one can fault you for the tack
you took – even though of course it always breaks a parent's heart when
our children stray and rebel and put themselves outside of our guidance.
That, of course, has never been uncommon. What is "new" is this
particularly destructive and evil influence which is being proclaimed by
the powers that be as something "good" and "normal" . . . when it is
anything but. So of course we also grieve for them as well as for
ourselves, because we know that they are running the risk of damaging
themselves greatly – and even of destroying their spirituality if they
are believers.
In situations like this the general guidance I usually give is to do
everything reasonable and godly to keep the lines of communication open.
As I often remark, my maternal grandfather used to say that "every young
person has to go over 'fool hill' at least once to find out that there's
nothing good over there". So making it easier for your daughter to come
back when/if she realizes her mistake would be a positive thing to do.
Also, it is possible to be loving and forgiving – and at the same time
unbending in terms of one's own beliefs and the expression of them. We
can strive to have good relations with estranged loved ones, doing
whatever is reasonable to help them "come back", and at the same time
making it clear that we have not changed our thinking about what we know
is right and what we know is wrong.
It's not easy often to be gracious and loving and at the same time make
it clear that we are not pronouncing their mistakes/errors/sin "OK"; and
it's similarly also not easy to welcome them back with open arms when/if
they do see the error of their ways and not "rub their nose in it". If
we can stake out a middle ground between these two extremes, that is
usually the best policy and the one most likely to have success (cf.
Eccl.7:18).
With respect, I don't think the "unequally yoked" passage applies since
that is speaking of voluntary associations where a person has a choice
but here we are talking about your daughter – and she is your daughter
no matter what. Also, the example of Judas is probably also best set
aside. That was a unique situation and our Lord chose him at least
partially for reasons of fulfilling prophecy (Ps.41:9; cf. Jn.13:18).
We have to remember that every single human being has the image of God,
the free will to exercise faith in whatever they choose. When it comes
to our loved ones, we strive to have them put that faith in Jesus Christ
and live a life faithful to Him. However, everyone has to make their own
decisions and we can't make those of others for them – even though we'd
dearly love to on occasion where our children are concerned (especially
when they are making terrible mistakes).
Finally, one thing we CAN do is pray. Our Lord tells us that if we pray,
believing, nothing will be impossible for us – nothing (Matt.21:21-22).
He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knew of this and every
problem and trouble we would ever face before He created the world. He
has already made provision for us, already decreed our deliverance in
eternity past. Our job is to trust Him that this is so, to keep faith,
to keep praying, and to persevere in the spiritual growth, progress and
production to which we have been called. If we do, we may find that
"weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning"
(Ps.30:5).
I promise to say a prayer for you and for your daughter.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Thank you so much, dear brother, for your words of wisdom and
encouragement. It is a very hard road, finding the middle ground between
condemning the actions and accepting the person (and even harder for
this generation to understand that concept, I think, as well).
I have held fast to the parable of the persistent widow and am praying
continually. The hardest is knowing whether I should Be Still and Know,
or if I should do...something (James 5:16-20). My daughter has, at this
point, declined to respond to my email requests for getting together or
celebrating her birthday or anything else. So I guess all I can do is be
still, pray, and keep sending notes to tell her that she will be welcome
whenever she changes her course.
I've also been in agreement with your grandfather's phrase for many
years myself. It does seem to be the way of most people. My biggest
prayer is that God show himself to be real to her. I also grew up in the
church and the stories were so over-familiar that it was almost like
just another storybook. Our family life has been very calm and pleasant
up until now and maybe she's been too sheltered to really see God
working?
Anyway, thank you again for your encouragement.
Response #11:
You're more than welcome.
For what it's worth, I think you are handling this exactly right. Not
that this probably makes you feel any better. When we are on the outs
with our children, it never "feels good". We just have to trust the Lord
that He knows our hearts, hears our prayers, and is working everything
out for good. Our problem is that we have to wait while our hearts may
be breaking. But I can testify from my own experience that He DOES work
things out for good . . . even if we are waiting longer that we would
like. That's part of the test (just ask Abraham).
It's hard not for children to be sheltered these days if they live in
loving households. And with the pandemic et al., there has been a real
lack of interaction with the real world. Interaction with the real
world, of course, is much over-rated. But learning to cope with reality
and the school of hard knocks we all have to face sooner or later is
always an adjustment, even for those who've had a better than average
inoculation to it through various engagements with it in our youth.
I'll be keeping this in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,
I decided to have a little staycation at home break and have a look at a
free course on Coursera about classical music and musical theory (from
the University of Edinburgh).
Before I started the course there was a sort of disclaimer about the
course on musical theory. The disclaimer warned me that musical notation
is racist and comes from a 'eurological' mindset that is inherently
white, male and ablest. Whist reading the disclaimer I could actually
hear pairs of hands wringing in the background!
At the end of this missive I was reassured that I could pull through the
trauma of this course and that I was welcome to 'resist and transform'
everything that I will learn from it.
Thankfully at the end I was told that I could happily throw away
everything that I learn at the end but I was also entitled and welcome
to 'choose to learn this' (white, male, ablest) way.
Once I have done with the smelling salts I may actually sit up to study
this course.
Can't imagine what this is doing to real education at real universities.
Do you have to have therapists on hand in case people develop CPTSD from
the act of learning about the past at all?
I have attached the rest of the document for both your amusement and
displeasure..
Hoping that you don't have to do so much hand wringing where you work!
In Him,
Response #12:
Thanks for this!
As they used to say in my old Jewish neighborhood in Chicago, "Oy vey!"
Maybe we should laugh and cry at the same time: laugh, because it is so
very ridiculous; cry, because some people actually believe this horrible
tripe.
Recent "Babylon Bee" headline: "Indiana Jones Changes Name To 'Land
Stolen From Indigenous Peoples Jones' ". Funny, but you might easily
mistake it for an actual headline these days.
With all the redefinition of reality and adulation being given to it by
those who have "drunk the Kool-Aid", the scene painted in "1984" looks
tame by comparison. No doubt this is all prepping the ground for
antichrist's movement.
From the historical angle, it's also interesting to note that in
Thucydides' treatment of the melt down in Corcyra during the
Peloponnesian war the two sides in the internal conflict likewise
changed the meaning of words to fit their political slant. The end
result of this "stasis" was the mutual annihilation of virtually
the entire city state.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,
Regarding VPN troubles, there are several reasons for connecting issues
[details omitted].
Which leads me to government and politics. I've watched politics and
government since I was draft age. In all those years, nothing has
changed the slow degeneration of the country. It makes no difference
who's elected or the oath all government officials are required to swear
(much like you and I swore.) Previously it was sworn before God but
recently on comic books -- which seems fitting. Since the Gulf of Tonkin
"Incident" which was proven to be a lie, I've not trusted a word I've
heard or read from government -- it's routed to /dev/null. I quit voting
in the '90s because it was a waste of time. Today, I see little
difference; our two parties most resemble the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.
Neither honor their oaths and act about the same. If I correctly
understand what a soviet is, we are living in a soviet today.
I do believe there are good people who try to make a difference in
government but are eventually corrupted by the system. I can't bring
myself to pray for government today. My country is my neighbors and the
people I care about. Those are the ones for whom I pray. Government
still annoys me. That's hard to get away from.
My curiosity is, if the Lord establishes governments, are evil
governments punishment or a test?
Enough ranting.
Yours in our Lord,
Response #13:
Thanks for this guidance on the VPN. I confess most of it is over my
head, but I'll pursue it if it keeps on being a problem. The main thing
I'm concerned about is readers not being able to get through to the
site, and the problem of the person on the posting seems to have been a
temporary "one off" so no need to panic (plenty of time for that later).
Interesting question. I don't think it's either or. In our contemporary
situation, no doubt this does constitute a punishment for those who are
straying from even fundamental human decency (Rom.1:18-32); a wake-up
call for those who might yet turn and be saved (or for believers who are
merely growing weeds); and perhaps also a test for those who are doing
what we are supposed to be doing. God has the ability to deliver those
who are trying to follow Him closely from the consequences of even the
worst government. Lot was not destroyed along with Sodom – and he turned
out to be the only righteous one there (not ten as Abraham had hoped:
Gen.18:32).
Of course this doesn't mean that the righteous are not subject to the
difficulties which divine discipline brings on. There is "blessing by
association" but also "suffering by association", and in our case there
is already some of the former and a lot of the latter in play in my
reading of the situation.
As to "That's hard to get away from", this is true both emotionally and
physically. Physically speaking, Lot could have left Sodom and linked
back up with his uncle Abraham (he had more than one opportunity to do
so, especially after he had been rescued by him after being taken
captive along with the other inhabitants). I'm not sure where believers
in this country today could escape to at the present moment. Every
alternative seems worse and even more dangerous than staying put. If
that is a legitimate analysis, I'm sure the Lord takes that fact into
account in His dealing with us. Emotionally speaking, I do think the
sooner we get around to dis-investing from any heart connection to
incipient Babylon, the happier we shall be.
Nevertheless, I do find this in scripture:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1st Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV
So it's in our self-interest to keep praying. Consider also:
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive (i.e., Babylon), and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV
As interesting as things are, they are on the verge of getting a good
deal more so.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob.
Keep in mind the reasons for connectivity problems may be conditions over which
you have no control. Without digging in, there's no way to tell.
Amen. "I'm not sure where believers in this country today could escape to at the
present moment."
Escaping! I once had plans of retiring on a tiny Aegean isle where I could sip
ouzo hollering "Opah!" That didn't work out. And then I thought of retiring in
Mexico until I learned American expats were hostile to American expats who
didn't agree with them. So, I've put my stick in the mud here. It's clear to me
there is no escape.
For the time being, none of the cruft from the border invasion has come here.
There are no social services to speak of out here and one of the neighbors is
shooting at something nearly every day -- which terrifies Austinites,
Californians and New Yorkers. Needless to say, I'm happy and peaceful here. In
all the time I've been here (8 years+,) I've had no problems at all and only
good experience.
One of the benefits of age is realizing you have no control of much of anything.
So - don't fret over the connectivity issues. If it happens again, ask your ISP
to investigate. Make sure you get support who knows what they're doing. It seems
that many in "support" are clueless.
In our Lord,
Response #14:
Thanks for the info, my friend.
Yes, I do believe that with all its warts, incipient Babylon is likely to be the
safest haven there is (to the extent that those words even apply) during the
Tribulation. It's not the 17th century anymore.
Re: "I've put my stick in the mud here": God is good. It's good to have a
stick and some mud to stick it in, after all.
Re: "One of the benefits of age is realizing you have no control of much of
anything." Very true. And one of the benefits of being as close as we are to
the end is a similarly clarifying and liberating realization: the Lord has all
this in hand, and the time is short (Rom.13:11-12; 1Cor.7:29-31; 10:11;
Heb.10:25; 10:37; Jas.5:8; 1Pet.4:7; 1Jn.2:18; Rev.22:10).
My ISP is not the worst, but it is difficult to get quality help. One has to
persevere through the first several layers in one foreign country to arrive at
an expert in another foreign country who understands the issue (and enough
English to communicate about it).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,
The 1 Corinthians cite hit home. I'm in the process of getting
everything ready for __ to inherit everything. And Bob, I'm telling you,
I'm looking forward to going home.
Your description of IT support is accurate but much more refined than
mine. Many war stories surround my low attitude about IT support staff
from large corporations to small local ISPs. Quality IT support is an
oxymoron.
I'm having trouble digesting your notion of the incipient Babylon being
the safest place to be. (Until the ending fireworks, I suspect?) It was
safer being a combat troop in Vietnam than a tourist in New York or
Chicago today. Or for that matter, than being under a doctor's care
since the past couple of years. I don't expect that will improve in the
next few years.
Yours in our Lord,
Response #15:
"I'm looking forward to going home". Amen! Swing low, sweet chariot! However, that is not a decision we get to make.
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 1:23-24 NKJV
We have no set DEROS. We are in this fight until our Commanding Officer relieves us. The when and the how are up to Him. And we have no way of knowing ahead of time just how He is meaning to deploy us in the meantime. Peter DID get a warning order:
I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
2nd Peter 1:13-14 NIV
Absent something like that, we may be getting tired, but that doesn't
mean that the Lord doesn't have something for us to do.
You are a blessing to me. I would hate to see you go.
Re: Babylon: We know from scripture that as antichrist's home country
Babylon will be spectacularly blessed during the Tribulation. Just read
the description of her in Revelation 18 (and elsewhere in the book and
in scripture:
link to Mystery Babylon). So it stands to reason if
Babylon is rich and privileged at the point of her destruction in the
last half year of the Tribulation, she has enjoyed a special status
previously. This may not be a protection for believers therein, but such
prosperity doesn't sync well with the violent disruption which would be
necessary to eliminate all the believers here – and there are believers
left just before that time because otherwise there would be no need for
the command to "Flee Babylon!" (link).
There is some historical precedent as well. Jews (in part) within
Germany were some of the last to be deported and murdered. But the Nazis
got "right to it" when they invaded Russia, e.g.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Bob.
"We are in this fight until our Commanding Officer relieves us." Sadly,
I realize that. As it turns out, in spite of my frailties, I'm still in
reasonably good health. My eyes are going, my back is shot. but I can
still walk (down to 1/2 mile a day, now,) I can still drive. I'm not on
death's door and I don't think Charon is waiting for me.
As it turns out, curiously. my neighbor, that I've mentioned before is
having some serious angst about the future. She's married and has four
kids and is an example of Paul's warnings about marriage. They seem to
be a happy family but are concerned about much more immediate
considerations. She leans on me when the going gets confusing and I try
to reassure her. I don't hear anything for awhile until the stress gets
to her again. I sometimes wonder if I'm here to strengthen her and her
family and friends by extension.
Bob, there's so much I don't know. There was a time when I thought I was
in control, had the world figured out and understood exactly what was
right. Now, I don't even know why things are the way they are or if
there will be a next Tuesday. Perhaps another result of age?
Your explanation of Babylon rings true from what I understand of
scripture, but that doesn't mean we'll be OK. From what I think I
understand from history, things weren't good for Christians until
Constantine (and then it got worse when he elevated the Bishop of Rome.)
I can't help but believe that, if politicians are now calling for the
destruction of Christians and our commander in *hief calls us the
greatest threat to "democracy," that it won't continue to intensify. If
it wouldn't be getting much worse for us, why would we be ordered to
flee? Is it just the incipient destruction?
Thanks for your good thoughts.
In our Lord,
Response #16:
I'm happy to hear that you are hanging in there, my friend. And also that the
Lord is giving you some fruit to bear.
That's right. We control nothing. People are always clamoring for the ear of the
important, influential and powerful, but we rely on the Lord (Prov.29:26).
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
Re: "but that doesn't mean we'll be OK", Amen to that. We do see from scripture, however, that while one third of believers apostatize during the Tribulation and while one third are martyred, one third will make it through to be resurrected while still alive at our Lord's return (see the link). There are many in this number as this verse seems to suggest:
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
1st Thessalonians 4:17 NIV
No place will be "safe" during the Tribulation, but in relative terms, since we know that Babylon will be the one place on earth where there is excessive luxury, it's not out of the question that we believers, the one's not arrested / martyred, will be allowed to "eat from the scraps that fall from the table" until our Lord's return. Not one is promising anyone a rose garden here.
"For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Matthew 24:21-22 NIV
In terms of fleeing Babylon, that command is issued just before the beast orders Babylon's destruction, so we are encouraged and helped to get out so as not to suffer along with the unbelievers who were previously privileged by antichrist.
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues".
Revelation 18:4 NIV
Thanks for your prayers as always, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Just who or what really is Abaddon? There's heavy debate it seems whether it's a place or a being, and if it's a being, is he an evil being (most likely demon) on the side of the devil, or even the Antichrist himself, or is he actually on God's side?
Response #17:
The locust of Revelation 9:1-12 are demon possessed insects and their commander (Abaddon-Apollyon) is a high ranking demon commander. All of these demons are imprisoned in the Abyss at present but will be released at this point in the Tribulation. This is all covered in CT 3A at the link. Here's a footnote from that section that explains part of it.
69. While it is true that Abaddon-Apollyon is called a "king" here, it is probable that his rank in the hierarchy of fallen angels is that of "prince", the demon equivalent of archangel. The Hebrew word for this rank, sar, is translated at least once in the Septuagint as "king" or basileus (the Greek word in context here). Significantly, this commander is also called "the angel of the Abyss", though we know from our context and other passages (e.g., Jude 6 and 2Pet.2:4), that there are many angels in the Abyss. In the one other scripture where "angel" means more than just some generic angel, 1st Peter 3:22, the phrasing is indeed shorthand for "arch-angel". See Bible Basics: Part 2A: Angelology, section II.9.6.3, "Princes".
Question #18:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
I hope you are doing well and having a good week.
I have been reading through your Peter series and I feel like I have been
learning a lot. Yesterday I was in lesson 35. I never really realized that Jesus
was able to accomplish His death for everyone's sin through the power of the
Holy Spirit. I guess I just thought that "Jesus is God, so obviously He could do
that, He's strong enough". It makes perfect sense though that Jesus had the Holy
Spirit.
I do have a question on the section "By Means of this Same Holy Spirit". My
understanding after reading this, is that all pre-cross believers in Jesus are
in heaven now, since Jesus took them with Him in His ascension to the Father.
When a believer dies today, do they go straight to heaven to be with the Lord?
Are all believers who have passed away, pre-cross and after the cross, in heaven
right now? Not in another waiting place? A little backstory, I was talking with
someone about this concept, specifically what happens when you die as a
believer, and I want to understand the subject more. I was thinking that when
you died a believer today, you went straight to be with Jesus. Is this correct?
Also, how do pre-cross believers fit into the Scripture in 1st Thessalonians 4,
about the dead in Christ rising and then those who are left alive rising. I know
they work together, I just want to understand how.
Thank you in advance,
Response #18:
Good to hear from you. As to your questions:
1) "When a believer dies today, do they go straight to heaven to be with the
Lord?"
Correct.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 NIV
2) "Are all believers who have passed away, pre-cross and after the cross, in
heaven right now? Not in another waiting place?"
Correct.
(1) "Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God [the Father] – believe also in Me. (2) There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there were not, I would have told you. For I am going in order to prepare a place for you.
John 14:1-2
3) "I was thinking that when you died a believer today, you went straight to
be with Jesus. Is this correct?"
Correct.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far
Philippians 1:21-23 NIV
4) "Also, how do pre-cross believers fit into the Scripture in 1st
Thessalonians 4, about the dead in Christ rising and then those who are left
alive rising?"
The pre-cross believers are, after all, "believers". So they are part of
Christ's church . . . which started with Adam and Eve and not at Pentecost (as
some evangelicals erroneously and dangerously seem to believe). The Church AGE
started at Pentecost in Acts chapter two, not the Church itself which is
composed of all believers from the beginning until the second advent. So "the
dead in Christ" include Adam and Eve, and Paul and the Thessalonians, and some
of us today who will not still be alive when Christ returns.
Main links for the resurrection at Ichthys:
The Resurrection (in Peter #20)
The Resurrection of the Lamb's Bride (in CT 5)
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi again Bob,
We got the water back on but the day after I experienced three shots
across the bow in rapid quick succession that left me dazed all day (but
have recovered again today..)
I was thinking of something. We shouldn't be overly fazed by this war we
are in..
1) we know our enemy
2) we know the enemy's devices
3) we know the battle
4) we know the terrain
5) we learn which front to fight on
6) we know the outcome (God wins)
7) we know the duration of our fight until Tribulation and then the
duration of the Tribulation (unless we go home first)
8) we have spiritual weapons
9) we have an excellent and faultless commander (Jesus Christ)
10) and greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
Jesus' victory is already assured we just have to do our bit while it is
still today!
Amen!
Think of all the human wars of history and how one side of a war would
feel if they already had all of this intel when going to war!! How
confident they would be! How assured of victory they would be going into
battle! We should be this assured of victory should we? When I think of
it like this I am spurred on to keep on fighting the good fight and it
helps me to overcome my fears. Amen!
In Jesus,
Response #19:
What a great perspective!
This is how we should all be thinking – and pretty much how we will all
be needing to think in just a few short years. Meanwhile, whatever flak
we are getting is good training, even if it makes us uncomfortable and
forces us to aggressively snap into this divine perspective you
represent here so well. No one enjoys being under fire, but believers
can learn to take it in stride precisely because we are looking at a
much bigger picture.
See the link: in SR 4:
"Strangers in the Devil's Realm".
Well done!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
Jesus tells us , Luke 21: 28 and when these begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
There are many topics that are hard to comprehend, much scripture to
study in depth. Jesus answering the Disciples is plain and direct . A
child could understand these instructions. Christians are looking
around, seeing the the very things unfolding rapidly around them, and
they don’t look away, they don’t look up with anticipation, excitement,
joy, hope, and peace that surpasses all understanding. How are people
who need HOPE, going to find HOPE if they see no HOPE in us.
I know, there are a select few news anchors who are appalled at the evil
going on, the injustice, the pure out evil of the rulers in this world,
and they are sincere, they too need to look UP. Donald Trump is not
going to save us. JESUS is.
All of this scrambling around is useless. The Government is not on our
side. All Government is corrupt. We can’t vote in peace and prosperity.
The government can’t stop God. I’m not un American, because I don’t want
false peace set in place for a year or 2 , just to have to live through
hell on earth again.
People are angry, appalled and out raged at the sick evil of leaders,
teachers, parents, preachers, etc... God our Father is more out raged
than we are. He is not going to sit by idly and let parents and doctors
change the gender of children. I’m appalled at the parents who trust
Satan with their children.
I’m thankful that we have a pastor who tells the congregation every time
we are together, that things aren’t going to get any better. It’s been a
prayer answered to have a pastor to speak truth. Truth once accepted
will set the captive free. Once free , we don’t need to become entangled
in this world again.
I will turn all of this into a question. Do you think A loving God is
going to hear the prayers of delaying judgment on this world?. I almost
cry at the thought of people having to live in this world much longer,
as it is only going to get worse. It’s hard to imagine, much more
offense to God than what is happening to innocent children right now. It
would seem most cruel to make things better , only for them to get much
worse. Time and time again. God is merciful, God is patient, God will
not be mocked. God is Love.
It would be cruel to fix this world , full of sin, time and time again.
God is not cruel. God is just. God is truth. Time is truly running out.
Time shall be no more.
Thank you for all the time you have taken to encourage us in the truth.
May God continue to bless you for these next few years.
Please continue to pray for my grandson. He still hasn’t professed that
he got saved. He lives like he has. I guess we would like confirmation
from him. He has always said he wanted to be saved but God hadn’t dealt
with him. So it’s very frustrating and scary. I pray for him to get the
victory and assurance, but, his parents and I may be the ones that need
it. He will soon be 14 Lord willingly.
Response #20:
An excellent application of the Word, my friend! We all need to be
carefully evaluating our orientation in these trying times to make sure
that we are "looking up", as you put it, and not instead letting our
hearts be troubled and our thoughts monopolized by these horrible events
over which we have absolutely no control. But God is in total control.
There is no fixing this world and nothing can stop the Tribulation from
arriving right on schedule. Politics and politicians are false hopes
indeed. Everything that is happening is happening for a reason in God's
perfect plan. "Righteous Lot" was tormented by what was going on in
Sodom (2Pet.2:7-8), and we can identify with that. And Sodom was soon
destroyed while Lot, the only righteous inhabitant therein (in spite of
what Abraham had hoped: Gen.18:32), was spared by direct divine
intervention (Gen.19:15-22).
In terms of delaying judgment, that does sometimes happen. We think of
Jonah preaching (reluctantly) to the Assyrians of Nineveh. They repented
and the Lord relented (which distressed Jonah who despised them as
Israel's most dangerous neighbor). We think of Ahab who put on sackcloth
and humbled himself before the Lord so that the judgment against him was
delayed until after his death (1Ki.21:29). We think of Amos entreating
the Lord and the Lord relenting in bringing judgment on Israel (Amos
7:1-6). On the other hand, we also find this in scripture:
"Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals, even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD. Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate. Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass throughout the land,’ and I kill its people and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved. Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath on it through bloodshed, killing its people and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness."
Ezekiel 14:13-20 NIV
The difference is the critical mass of "salt" in any given country
versus the evil it is counterbalancing in the just evaluation of the
Lord. No three believers, no matter how amazing, are able to prevent
judgment upon a country which has gone to the devil (literally). Lot was
not able to save Sodom either, nor was Abraham who personally intervened
with the Lord for that foul place out of concern for his nephew. The
only mitigating factor the Lord considers when evil gets to a fever
pitch is the remnant of believers therein and the quality of that
remnant. The more salt, the more the preservative value; and the saltier
the salt, the better. But what if the salt has lost its savor? Then its
value is naught for preservation purposes (Matt.5:13; Lk.13:34).
So when believers in this country stop looking UP for solutions and
start looking down and around instead, perversely they are actually
hastening the day of judgment and bringing about by their actions (in
running after Baal, in essence) and inaction (in becoming distracted
from spiritual growth, progress and production, which things alone are
capable of preserving and improving their savor) the very things they
dread and fear.
It's always better to be walking close to the Lord, no matter what is
transpiring in our environment. We cannot change the plan of God; we do
know that the last terrible phase before our Lord's return will be
shortened "for the sake of the elect" (Matt.24:22).
The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the instruction of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: ‘You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.” ’ “Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”
Jeremiah 45:1-5 NKJV
We cannot expect for the Tribulation to be comfortable, but we can have every confidence that if we are doing what the Lord wants us to do now, and are willing to do whatever He wants of us then, then we will have no regrets whatsoever when we stand before Him to receive our reward.
"If anyone [is marked] for captivity, he is going into captivity. If anyone [is marked] for death by the sword, by the sword [he must] be killed. Therefore endurance and faith [on the part] of [my] sanctified ones is [called for]."
Revelation 13:10
[But in contrast to those who receive the mark of the beast and worship him], the saints have perseverance, [even] those who in this way (i.e., by refusing to receive the mark or worship the beast) keep God's commandments and [retain] their faith in Jesus (viz., even though it may cost them their lives).
Revelation 14:12
I've said a prayer for your grandson and put a prayer request up on the
site.
Thanks for the good words!
In Jesus,
Bob L.