Question #1:
Hello. I’m intent on locating a post trib ministry online. Do you plan
on having open meetings that people can attend remotely? My desire is to
help expose the pre trib rapture lie.
Thanks,
Jude 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and
authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and
forevermore! Amen.
Response #1:
Good to make your acquaintance. Ichthys is definitely NOT pre-Trib, and there
are plenty of postings about that (e.g.,
"No Rapture").
But that's just a small part of the ministry. You might want to have a look at
the Coming
Tribulation series (here's a link to the home page for that, and here's
another link to the MP3
files for it).
I don't have meetings. There is an Ichthys forum where a number of prospective
pastors and other interested parties do have Zoom sessions. If interested, I
could ask the moderator to send you an invite.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Yes Bob please share my info as I’m craving to be around like minded
Christians. I’ve searched and searched for a Bible loving group of
individuals who know we must prepare for what is just up ahead.
Bob I’ve encountered so much push back being a Christian online. The
persecution is upon us; geemale for instance is not safe for a Christian
to use in these last days. I see some Christian groups freely talking on
zoom when in fact nothing we say is private online anymore, and Jesus
promised we would be hated in the last days. We must be diligent looking
for attacks, and the hatred for Christians has never been stronger.
I’m hoping to form a phone meeting where people call in. No recordings
of the meeting. Just a safe place to understand collectively that before
long we can count on being arrested for our faith.
Any referral would be greatly appreciated. I’m currently living in OR,
but at this point willing to travel anywhere to just be around people
who read and follow the Bible as it is the only reliable source we have
to make sense of the chaos and mayhem occurring (exactly as Christ said
it would).
Thank you.
Response #2:
I've sent an email to the moderator. I'm not on any of the forum options
so I don't know all the ins and outs. I think they do use Zoom, so
you'll have to see what is able to be offered you.
Re: "the Bible . . . is the only reliable source we have to make sense
of the chaos and mayhem occurring": Amen!
As to push back, the material at Ichthys is all available to access
anonymously so no push back here.
If you haven't already seen this, there is a weekly posting (at
the link). In terms of what is happening and what is about to
happen, I recommend the "Eschatology Issues" series of email postings (here's
a link to the latest one of these), Bible
Basics 2B: Eschatology, and the two main series dealing with end
times issues: the
Satanic
Rebellion and the
Coming
Tribulation.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Thanks Bob!
You know I am just a vessel though and all glory goes to God! Amen!
I have noticed that on both political sides there is rebellion now. Many
Dominionist deceivers are pushing the lie from the enemy (through John
Knox) on that "resistance to tyranny is obedience to God". Actually the
Bible is clear that it is actually resistance to OUR OWN SIN that is
obedience to God.
This false doctrine is really sweeping over your country fast and will
no doubt take the world by storm as it appeals to itchy ears. Churchill
said "a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get
its pants on." The sad fact is that the truth is with us now more
abundantly than it was in the past (through the complete canon of
scripture and the excellent ministry of the Holy Spirit.) They say "you
can't handle the truth" but maybe they just don't want it. So it's "eat,
drink and be merry for tomorrow we die." I really appreciate your
prayers for my ministry Bob.
Speaking of rebellion I thought I would share this article with you as a
sober reminder that it is always Satan we should associate with
rebellion, never God.
Disclaimer: (It does make the mistake of conflating Catholicism with
Christianity and shows a high Catholic bias but it still shows the
overall character of rebellion of the Revolution and we can see this
emerging character again but this time it is also done in the name of
faith not only against it)
https://www.iwp.edu/articles/2018/01/12/the-dechristianization-of-france-during-the-french-revolution/
In Jesus,
Response #3:
Thank you!
This will be a help to others too. There are so many lies about
nowadays and little enough truth that there's plenty of work to do for
anyone willing to enter into our Lord's vineyard (that's the way to earn
a good eternal reward;
link).
I'm praying for you to be able to find just the right niche to minister.
You certainly have a lot to offer!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
So apparently ancient Greek had a specific word for the idea of "demon"
Christianity has, that being "cacodemon". As far as I know, the Bible never uses
this in the original language. Another surprising thing is "demon" in ancient
Greek just meant any spiritual being that wasn't God/ a god. So why does the
Bible just call evil spirits "demons"? Would it not make more sense to go with
how the language at the time worked, or am I just thinking further back than the
version of the language the Bible was written in?
Edit on my last email, I think "cacodemon" just meant evil spirit in general and
not specifically the Hebrew idea of demon now that I think about it. I would
still like some clarification on this though.
Response #4:
The word you ask about is an adjective, not a noun, and it means anyone who is
cursed or beset by trouble. "Jinxed" is a pretty good English synonym.
The word demon comes from the Greek daimon which, in Classical times, was
a minor deity usually, not a theos (god), but something on a lower level
(demigod). Of course in classical Greek religion they saw things differently
from a pagan lens.
Demons are fallen angels. The terms are synonymous. Here's a couple of links to
where that is explained: "What's
the difference between a demon and a fallen angel?" and "Hierarchy
of fallen angels".
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,
In Angelology 1.1.1, you say that angels can only exist within creation.
This is a completely new concept for me. Your cites aren't convincing
since, at least in English, it could be one or both. If angels minister
to God the Father, they don't appear to be limited by time and space.
What else do you know that convinces you they are limited to time and
space?
Just seeking clarification. I pray everything is well up there in the
North. (Six legged neighbors are still with us down here:)
In our Lord Jesus.
Response #5:
It seems pretty straightforward to me.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:24-25 NKJV
Who is "the creature" here if not Satan? The devil was the most splendid of all the angels until his fall (link), and was most certainly created by the Creator:
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
Ezekiel 28:15 NKJV
God created everything through Jesus Christ in an instant (Gen.1:1); before that, there was no time and space, no place for angels (or any other creature) to exist. God does not need time and space, but we do, that is, His creatures do, angels included. They are subject to time and space as we are, although of course their capabilities at present far outstrip ours. They may be able to move where we cannot and much more swiftly, but they still have to move in space and in time to get from one place to another, so that they are clearly subject to it as all creatures are. If they were not, they would be "as God". That is what Satan desires, but despite his capabilities that is impossible. It only goes to show the blinding power of arrogance that he thought he might somehow overcome God who is all-powerful and has no such time/space limitations.
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Isaiah 14:13-14 NKJV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,
My stumbling block us "limited by time and space." Later on in BB 2A,
you say the angels are summoned to God periodically. The cherubim that
surround God are also a part of creation and certainly don't seem to be
limited by time and space. To be fair, when creation ends, logically, so
would they. Which begs the question of, If we survive the end of
creation, why wouldn't they?
Maybe I'm straining at gnats but I can't resolve resolve the apparent
dichotomy.
Yours in our Lord,
Response #6:
Still having a hard time understanding your "stumbling block", my friend. I'll
have another go here, but don't hesitate to write back if I'm still missing the
point.
The cherubim are positioned around the throne of God the Father (cf.
Rev.4:6ff.). So they are in a specific place/space. They are described as doing
things such as praising the Lord and handing things to other angels (Rev.15:7),
so they act in sequence in time. So they exist in time and space. God, however,
is spirit, and exists outside of time and space as well as within it. He created
the third heaven, the areas under the earth, the heavens and the earth. He
existed before they did. The angels could not exist before there was somewhere
in which to exist. They were created, therefore, at some point after Genesis
1:1.
The third heaven is "not of this creation" in the sense of not belonging to the
present heavens and earth which will be replaced at the end of the Millennium,
but it along with Hades (and all of the compartments under the earth) were still
not in existence before God created them. See the link:
"The
Geography of Heaven and Hell".
Finite creatures what we are, it is really impossible for us to fathom existence
without time and space. Before there was a universe, there really was no
"before" either. We need a place to exist (space) and we need sequence to act,
think, etc. (time). Both of these will be different in the eternal state, but
there will still be time/space. God is light, God is love, God is spirit. He
existed before the world we see and what exactly that means is something we will
have to wait until we get to the other side to fully (or partially) understand.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Bob,
My problem was that I understood time and space as something that existed only
in the created universe and everything in the third heaven completely outside
time and space. Thanks for babysitting and clearing that up for me. The rest of
Angelology so far corresponds to what I understood and adds some new
understanding. This is my first time through BB. And it will be a long time
before I can finish since I can only read for short stretches before my eyes
give out.
I wish the happiest New Year for you and yours. According to the scan-by
headlines, something bad is supposed to happen in '24 though I have no idea what
they've planned and, quite honestly, couldn't really care much less. Besides, I
pay little attention to the "news" since it's nearly all opinion and I'm sure
you remember what's been said about opinions.
Thanks for your explanation.
In our Lord,
Response #7:
It's my pleasure, my friend. It's no small issue. I don't know how "big"
the Mormons' god is, for example, but he's not big enough to exist
outside of time and space (nor big enough that they all can't be on the
same level with their god down their twisted road).
I should have started with Genesis 1:1 and pointed out that the
"heavens" there means all three heavens, the third heaven included,
i.e., the entire universe seen and unseen (link). Thanks for bearing
with me!
On the Basics series, have you listened to the new reading voice(s) of
the MP3's that Chris B. has provided for us? They really are many
notches above the original sound files. That might be just the thing if
the eyes won't brook too much reading time.
As to something really bad happening this year, it'd be quite a pleasant
surprise if it didn't and the first time in many years by my reckoning!
The Lord will be back soon enough and will straighten everything out,
and we will get to be a part of THAT new administration.
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
You and yours are always in my prayers. I don't think there's any need to change
anything in BB Angelology. I was hoisted on my own assumptions. It's quite
reasonable that anything created must logically move in time and space. How else
could there be movement? I just never thought of it that way. Much to ponder
here. Thank you.
I have listened to some of the new MP3s -- and they're quite good. I had to
listen very critically for glitches and, truthfully, I was more interested in
the content. My hearty compliments to Chris and Angel. Having worked with text
to speech, a smooth rendition is very difficult. They've invested a lot of
effort in those MP3s. I hope other Ichthys correspondents appreciate their
efforts.
As far as new gods, we seem to have a surfeit of them. Taylor Swift appears to
be one on the top of the list. Why escapes me. I'm tired of seeing the
headlines. At this point, I'm just waiting for this to be all over.
Stay well and safe.
In our Lord,
Response #8:
Thanks !
Happy 2024!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Just wanted to share something with you that I never realized before.
Each night before I go to sleep I read the bible. This past Monday night
was special, and here is the reason why. I started again reading the Old
Testament, and when I got to Genesis 2 and verses 2 and 3, something
came into my mind. This was something I never realized or was able to
see, especially in these two verses. Because I took advantage of your
study material, I was able at this time to suddenly realize something I
never saw before.
Genesis chapter 2:
2By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He
rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3Then God
blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from
all His work which God had created and made."
These verses, to me, were indicative of the 7,000 year, especially at
the end of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ. I never realized this
before until Monday night. On Tuesday morning I was just lying in my bed
thinking about these two verses, and a number of scriptures came into my
mind. So, I will compose a small teaching from these verses and how they
relate to the End of Days, and the scriptures that go with it.
It was a marvelous revelation to me, that somehow, I never saw until
yesterday. Reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1.
I praise and thank our LORD for the revelation and thanks to you also
for your wonderful teachings. I would most likely, never have discovered
this. I would appreciate your great comments that you always provide me.
I want your opinion to see that I am correct or incorrect.
Thanks so very much for your teachings. I will never understand how you
have composed so many great teachings, and the time and effort it took.
Praise be to the LORD, for His mercy, grace, love and kindness, that He
allowed me to enjoy His precious Word thru the wonderful ministry He has
given you.
Blessings to you always, and may grace abound in you.
Your friend,
Response #9:
Good for you, my friend!
Yes, the seven days of God's reconstructing the universe after Satan's
rebellion are meant to foreshadow His plan for mankind in replacing
Satan. That is true of many of the details. This is written up at the
following link:
"Summary of the Seven Days" in SR 5.
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Dear Dr. Luginbill: Do you have any idea how much time there was between
the creation of the heavens and void and formless earth in Genesis
1:1-2, and the seven days of creation in Genesis 1:3?
Thank you for your work and God Bless,
Response #10:
Good to make your acquaintance, and thanks so much for your good words.
To answer your question, scripture doesn't give us any indication of 1) how long
it was after Genesis 1:1, God's perfect, immediate and ex nihilo creation
of the universe that He created the angels; or 2) how long after that it was
that Satan rebelled; or 3) how long after that it was that God rendered judgment
on the universe on account of that rebellion, "turning out the lights" and
subsuming everything with the universal deep (the tehom); or 4) how long
after that it was before God said "Let there be light!" and began the six days
of re-construction and the next phase of the plan, the one where we fit in.
Any one of these "gaps" could have been eons long. That is what the fossil
evidence seems to suggest for 2 and 3 in combination, but we also need to
consider the issue of apparent time. Science deduces much about the age of the
universe from studying "what now is", but we believers know that, in terms of
the universe at large, all the light now visible is only 6,000 some years old.
By faith we understand that the ages have been constructed by the Word of God, so that what we see (i.e., the material world) has not come into being from the things presently visible.
Hebrews 11:3
If science considered Adam and Eve in Eden on "day eight", it would conclude
that things had been around for a long time, possibly billions upon billions of
years, whereas all the life there was only a few days old and the age was only
apparent because God creates instantly and does not need to use any "process"
(such as evolution posits).
So this is a long way of saying that we can't really know the answer short of
heaven. Angels do not have the same time horizon or perspective that we mortals
currently labor under, so for them to have been around for a very, very long
time presents no theological problems.
Do feel free to write me back about any of the above.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Are you still actively updating the site?
What bible do you use that differs so much from the mainstream versions
that are available.
E.g. pale=green vs pale horse and the wording in Genesis 1:1-2 not in
niv nkjv or other versions I have seen.
Thanks
Response #11:
Good to make our acquaintance. As the time stamp on the
main landing page (link) and the email
response page (link) indicate, the
latest update for Ichthys was last Saturday. I put up a series of Q/As every
week for readers as I also work through the active series. Right now I'm doing
Hebrews (chapter seven coming soon;
link).
As to translations, since this is a Bible teaching site, naturally there will be
times when translations miss the mark for one reason or another in reflecting
precisely what the original Hebrew or Greek really say. In such instances, I
translate the passages myself. If there is no designation on a quote, you may
assume that is the case with the translations you are encountering. For the
methodology of translation used,
see this link. For a
listing of Ichthys translations,
see this link.
For my qualifications in the languages, see
this link.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Thank you.
I did notice the posting dateon my last visit but had missed it on
earlier times when I looked.
Let me rephrase the other question. If I want to buy a bible that has
the translation the way you noted it was, then what do I ask for at a
bookstore. I did find a bible site going down the internet rabbit hole
that listed a couple that had the pale-green verse. Could not find it
again to check if it had the one with the Genesis verse the way you had
it. So could not check to see what bible they were referencing. [They
had a long list of translations/printing/editions with the same verse]
I will be trying to find a website with that info, but so far they are
all more like my NIV and NKJV wordings.
new item: I have a reason (of sorts) to expect that either armageddon or
else the tribulation will not start until 2080 or later. Assuming that
2080 is armageddon's date, when would you then estimate the tribulation
would occur -roughly. {I expect to be dead by then but were wondering if
my remaining child might experience it}
regards,
Response #12:
Re: "If I want to buy a bible that has the translation the way you noted it was". I don't know of any version that translates it exactly as I do. ASV is pretty close:
And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2 ASV
I'm not sure from your emails where at Ichthys you found the Genesis
1:1-2 translation. The piece which explains my translation in the
greatest detail is:
SR 2: The Genesis Gap (at
the link). And there are many email postings which deal with the topic
(i.e.,
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers VII; link is to the most recent).
On green vs. pale green (Rev.6:8), the ancient Greek color palate is not
the same as ours and so it is often the case that a single English word
may give a false impression (there are books written on this topic). The
Greek word in context is chloros from which "chlorophyll", but
the word is used for the ashy gray of corpses (slight greenish tinge)
which is what the color is meant to express in Revelation 6 (and why
"pale" is a common translation).
On the date of the Tribulation, I have written a lot about this. The
interpretation advanced at the site makes use of the seven age-day
interpretation, wherein each age-day of God's plan for mankind, outlined
and foreshadowed by the seven days of recreating the world after Satan's
revolt, lasts 1,000 years. The millennium is a thousand years long by
definition and from the chronological information in the Bible we can
deduce that there were approximately four thousand years between Eden
and the birth of Christ. That would leave two thousand years for the
Church Age which started in the year of our Lord's crucifixion,
resurrection and gift of the Spirit. Best determination of that year is
33 A.D. That would make the Second Advent year 2033. Subtracting seven
years we get the start year for the seven year Tribulation. That is the
"super-short" version. For a longer discussion with the details see the
link:
"How certain a date is 2026?". For the main place where this is
discussed with all the details see the link in SR 5 under
"Specific Chronology of the Seven Days of Human History" at the
link.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Please answer on the site: you all said in item e. at
https://ichthys.com/Satans-Rebellion-Part5.htm#Science and the Bible
:
The Problem of Science and the Bible: For at least the last few
centuries, the application of scientific theories to the Bible has
provided stumbling blocks for many who would otherwise accept the truth
of the Word of God.
To which I say: I find that science and archaelogy helps; and that those
who do not understand science are misusing it because of their thinking
they know actually know what they are talking about wrt science.
Reading the NIV or KJV I see no gap or problem. To accept your
translation and interpretation it helps that we have discovered remains
of what appears to be much, very very much, earlier civilizations that
existed before the bible creation of adam in eden.
That does indicate the gap existed and what you say did happen.
Also, time is NOT constant everywhere. And it is currently speeding up
as the universe expands. Our clock time depends on gravity. That is why
satellites' clocks must run slower than earth time so that we can sync
communications with them. At black holes, time stops [that is our time]
completely. There may well be a master clock outside the universe that
is steady but we have no way to access it. And that is how the universe
can be 13.7 bn years old by our clock now, while some people think the
earth is only 6000 or so years old using their nonsense logic.Our clocks
would have moved zero during the extremely dense gravity at the
beginning. And then started slowly after millions of years. Until we
arrive to our current time now and its clock speed based on our local
gravity which is mostly from the universe and its current density.
___ pe, phd
Response #13:
As noted in the quote, it's the application of scientific
theories to the Bible which can be and has been problematic. Can science
be helpful in understanding certain things about the Bible? It's
certainly possible. One does have to follow "the rules", however. The
most important rule in this regard is that we believers believe
scripture – what it actually says and actually means (an important
caveat) – regardless of what anyone else says, science and scientists
included.
Case in point. The Bible is very clear that mankind was created directly
by God. Evolutionary science says otherwise. But we believe scripture.
That is fundamental. Anyone who puts more faith in science than in
scripture is a priore undermining their own faith. We all
understand that science is valuable and that it develops its knowledge,
actual and theoretical, from empirical methodology (or at least it
should). But that methodology makes certain assumptions about the world
that the Bible refutes. We know, for example, from scripture exactly how
the universe came to be, namely, from an immediate ex nihilo act
of the Creator (Gen.1:1, e.g.). But if science theorizes on the basis of
what can be presently observed, it is unlikely to come to this
conclusion or agree with it. If the world were today exactly as it is
but were actually created yesterday, it would have the appearance it has
today but we would be incorrect in surmising a long development back
countless eons in that case because in fact in the example it was
created yesterday.
This point holds true if instead of yesterday the point of creation is
pushed back however long. Things may appear one way and actually be
another when we are talking about a Creator of limitless power and
knowledge, far "bigger" than the present universe to an infinite degree.
We know, for example, that He reconstructed the present heavens and
earth in six days with cessation on day seven. If one met Adam and Eve
and examined Eden and all the flora and fauna therein on the eighth day,
one could be forgiven for positing a long process of development – but
in fact there wasn't one. Everything was created "as is" in that short
period. When it comes to the universe, creation was instantaneous. So
deducing processes and making judgments about time periods from
observation of phenomena is, while scientifically viable, biblically
flawed:
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews 11:3 KJV
We know this "by faith", regardless of whatever science may declare.
Re: "Reading the NIV or KJV I see no gap or problem." First, the
gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 is unmistakable in the Hebrew;
faulty translations of this passage are responsible for making it harder
to discern. But consider, even from these versions, Genesis 1:1 states
clearly that God created everything at once, "in the
beginning" (not the best translation for bereshith, but it will
do for our purposes here). But then, in verse two, we find that the
earth has suffered some sort of cataclysm. Either that, or we have to
accept that God creates things "ruined and despoiled". Whatever wrongful
massaging of the phrase tohu wa-bhohu is employed in an attempt
to make verse two harmonize with verse one, the disparity is still
there, again, unless we are dealing with a god instead of THE God.
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain (Heb. tohu), he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:18 KJV
Important to note about the verse above: 1) "vain" is the same word used
for "ruined" in Genesis 1:2 (tohu); 2) "created" is the creation
verb bara', the same word used in Genesis 1:1 for God's ex
nihilo initial creation. So that initial creation was perfect (not
tohu) but in verse two the earth is tohu. The ruination
comes in the gap between verses one and two. As mentioned, this is the
short description. Please see prior links for the details.
There weren't any civilizations before Adam and Eve in Eden because
human beings did not exist before God created them. That is fundamental
for believers to accept because otherwise we are putting our faith in
archeology's interpretation of relics rather than in the Bible (and
there are good reasons not to take anything archeology says about dating
without a hefty grain of salt; as explained in the link you ask about).
Re: "some people think the earth is only 6000 or so years old using
their nonsense logic", I would certainly agree that this is not the
case and could not be the case . . . based upon what scripture has to
say.
Satan did not come out of nowhere. His rebellion could not have sprung
up five minutes after his and the other angels' creation. All that
happened in angelic prehistory happened between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
Scripture doesn't give us any indication as to how long that interval
was, but the fossil evidence suggests that the time was quite long.
Since angels do not grow old, there is no telling just how long was the
time 1) between the initial creation of the universe and God's creation
of angels; 2) between that creation and Satan's rebellion; 3) between
that rebellion and God's judgment on the universe as a response to it;
4) and between that judgment and the seven days of re-constructing the
world outlined in Genesis 1:2 and following.
For believers, this is a bit of an academic question, namely, how much
of the apparent time in the world which we can observe is actual time
(by whatever measurement) and how much is the result of initial creation
in stasis. None of that is really important to figuring out what the
Bible actually has to say about important matters. The gap IS important
to understanding the satanic rebellion which in turn is important to
understanding much about our lives and God's purpose for us in this
world (Q.E.D. in the SR series;
see the
link).
I hope you find this of some help. Please do let me know if you are
having any navigation problems at Ichthys. It is a very large site and
can take some time getting to know your way around.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Bob,
There is no problem with the facts that science shows us. The problem is people
like fibbing Fauci who use them wrong. Ditto the bible. Not everything most
people claim as being true is actually in the bible. The problem is people
making bad assumptions, not the facts they have discovered. Look at how many
claim we go to heaven, when that myth was created by Origen who smooshed it into
the official doctrine at a much later date. The first century christians did not
believe that myth. The prots kept that nonsense when they split from RCC.
Darwin was a divinity school dropout who tried to disprove creation with
evolution. Open minds can see that evolution is impossible. Later atheists
decided to create life to disprove God exists. They failed. So they dropped back
to make a thinking machine as a step to their goal. They failed again. Now they
are doing AI and claiming it can think. They still fail. AI is just a fast
program trained on a lot of data so it can interpolate/extrapolate and hopes
correlation is causation. It is true that AI can be useful. But only as
Intelligence Amplification (IA), with people making decisions. And yes it can be
used in ways that are dangerous to help people create things which are false. If
you suddenly see Joe Biden being spry and quick witted with glibness then you
can wonder if the dems are using AI on us:)
Sorry but the Big Bang fits perfectly for the creation of our universe. Before
then was nothing but God, and anything he might have made that is not in this
universe. Science shows the correct answer is that God did it. And He sure seems
to have done it with the big bang. Nothing I see says He has to do anything
instantly, nor by our clock/calender, if He chose to let things develop
according to the plan He had for it and by his master clock/calendar.
As I noted God's day initially was many millions of years by our clock here in
this universe. There is no problem there. The problem is people who twist the
bible to prove what they already believe. There is false faith, which way too
many people use for things like thinking people go to heaven when nobody
believed that myth until Origen came up with it and stuck it into the RCC
nonsense along with many other problems they created.
I do not read hebrew. The gap was a non issue as I could see how the NIV and
NKJV english version describes Genesis. But I was puzzled about the older
artifacts that were dated way before 4000BC by thousands of years. The gap
answers that conundrum very well. Nobody said the artifacts were human. Evidence
seems to indicate otherwise. Which still fits the gap theory quite well. Not by
using faith in archaelogy claims some people make. But using what they discover
when it is factual, if we can figure out what it means.
Thanks for pointing out the value of the gap. I was thinking it was just
academic when I first read about it here.
I can navigate the site better as I go. It is a huge and amazing site.
regards,
Response #14:
Re: "look how many claim we go to heaven" – not sure what you mean to say
this. Explain?
Re: "Sorry but the Big Bang fits perfectly for the creation of our universe."
Fits with what, exactly? Certainly not with Genesis 1:1 (under any
interpretation); certainly not with the gap explanation. God created the
universe perfect in an instant. Darkness is the result of judgment, partially
countered with His re-construction of the world for our habitation ("Let there
be light"), but opposed to the continuing darkness as long as this conflict with
the evil one continues (in eternity, there will be no darkness: Rev.21:25;
22:5).
Also, if I'm not mistaken, "big bang" assumes preexisting matter (ylem) and an
explosion from which all things expand outward over time. That is significantly
different in both aspects from (1) instantaneous perfect creation (2) from
nothing.
Thanks for your good words about Ichthys.
Happy to discuss the above as well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Bob,
Every church I have gone to claims people go to heaven if they are
saved; and the rest burn in hell. Some think it is immediately after
death too. My dentist's assistant thinks that and goes to a (Southern?)
Baptist church. I have heard a number of preachers talk about going to
heaven. Admittedly the ones I know of are mostly protestant, but I
suspect the catholics still use that lie Origen started. Note that
heaven and paradise are not synonyms. Eden was a paradise but was on
earth not heaven. Jesus himself said nobody but Him has ascended to
heaven. Some try to totally reverse what that verse says to try to twist
it to proving the lie that they believe. Many verses say we are all in
the grave until the resurrection.
Big Bang is a perfect match with Genesis. Not sure what you do not
understand. Or what you think you know, that is not so, wrt the big
bang. Before the big bang was zero nada zip zilch nothing. Although
atheists try to claim there was a vacuum before the BB and that some how
a magical fluctuation of the vacuum caused the big bang. [Already self
contradictory if they believe that expansion which is so obvious to
view. Turn the clock back and then continue and poof nothingness not
even a vacuum]. Clearly there was nothing, including a vacuum that could
fluctuate, even if that were possible; before God created the universe
using a big bang.
Our universe was created in an instant. But it has changed over billions
of years like many things do. Not sure what your problem with that is
unless you do not understand physics and what we can see and know.
Eventually, as things are going, it will grow so dark large and cold
that things will rip apart and very very tiny pieces will continue to
move away from each other so it will be an almost perfect vacuum with
only scattered (quantum sized, or smaller?) particles all alone, and
growing farther apart and alone as time goes on here with total darkness
and absolutely zero temperature.
That is unless, when God destroys this universe when creating a new one,
that also stops that projected ending from arriving to this current
universe. The actual ending is rather vague in the bible. But we can
count on a new universe and a new earth, and a new Jerusalem coming to
the new earth in the new universe; and God coming to dwell with His
people there (and not us with Him in heaven). And the old universe was
destroyed; but was it then also rebuilt into the new one or are they
separate universes?
Response #15:
Here's what I read in scripture:
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Romans 8:34 NKJV
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1 NKJV
. . . which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:20 NKJV
Beyond all argument, Jesus is in heaven at this moment. Put that together with these verses:
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
John 14:3 NKJV
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Philippians 1:23 NKJV
Our Lord has prepared for us to be with Him and Paul is anxious to depart this life so as to be with Him. We also actually do see believers in heaven also in these passages:
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24 NKJV
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Revelation 6:8-11 NKJV
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV
So I'm not sure what you're referring to in this regard. Believers
receive an interim body and are transported to the third heaven after
death at present (link).
After the resurrection, we will be here on earth during the Millennium,
and after that, on the new earth. "Heaven" thus is temporary, but it is
the place of God at present and that is where we will be blessed to be
if we pass on before the second advent of Christ and the resurrection.
I am no scientist, but I believe I am correct in stating that scientific
theories of cosmogony do not posit that creation was ex nihilo,
but rather from preexisting material (ylem). That is NOT what the Bible
teaches, so when you say "Before the big bang was zero nada zip zilch
nothing", certainly I agree. But that is not the viewpoint of
materialistic science in my understanding of things.
In terms of instantaneous creation, again, that is what the Bible
teaches. But it does not teach process creation. The original universe
was created instantaneously and perfect; the present situation of things
from which science deduces its theories only goes back to the
reconstruction of things some six thousand years ago. Five minutes
before "Let there be light!", the universe existed in a ruined state as
a result of God's judgment on Satan's rebellion. It was completely dark
and frozen, filled with the cosmic deep (the tehom), a situation
which endured for no one knows how long, but a state that prevented any
angelic manipulation of the world (all life was extinguished). Deducing
all these matters we're discussing from a perspective that denies these
things happened will of necessity get it wrong. The same is true in
terms of archeological dating techniques which assume not only "solid
state – things have always been as we presently see them" for the
universe at large but also for the earth in particular – but the great
flood changed things dramatically (e.g., there were no seasons before
that cataclysmic event;
link).
(3) Keep this foremost in your mind: in the end times cynics will ridicule [the truth], acting out of their own selfish lusts (4) and saying, "Where is that 'return' He promised? Everything is the same now as it was since the beginning of the world, since the time our forefathers passed on." (5) But it escapes their notice in asserting this, namely, that there were heavens long ago too, and an earth, which was [re-]established (Gen.1:2ff.) out from under water (i.e., the "waters below") and through [the midst of] water (i.e., the "waters above") by the Word of God – (6) [and that it was also] through these two [sets of waters] that the world of that time (i.e., in Noah's day) was deluged by water [from above and below] and destroyed. (7) Now the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire by that same Word (of God), preserved for the day of judgment and the destruction of godless men (i.e., at the end of history). (8) Let not this one fact escape your attention then, beloved, namely that one day is like a thousand years in the Lord's eyes, and a thousand years like one day (i.e., the final "day" will span a millennium). (9) The Lord is not delaying in the fulfillment of His promise as some think; rather He is exercising patience for your sake, being unwilling for anyone to perish, but desiring all instead to come to repentance. (10) For the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, a day in (i.e., over the course of) which the heavens will depart with a roar (i.e., at the end of the Millennium), the very elements will ignite and dissolve, and the earth and everything which has been done upon it will be laid bare [for the Lord's inspection] (i.e., the last judgment). (11) Since then all these things are destined to disintegrate in this way, [consider] what sort of [Christians] we ought to be, [devoted to] holy and godly conduct, (12) as we wait with apprehension and eager expectation the advent of the Day of God (i.e., the 2nd Advent). For on that day (i.e., at the end of it) the heavens will burst into flame and dissolve, and the elements will catch fire and melt. (13) But we are awaiting new heavens and a new earth just as He promised – [a world] where [only] righteousness dwells.
2nd Peter 3:3-13
Scripture is quite clear about what happens "at the end". There is a good deal
of information about that: in a nutshell, after the Millennium, Satan is
released and institutes a revolt among the millennial population. This is
quickly quenched and the devil finally cast into the lake of fire. At this
point, the entire world is destroyed, not an atom will remain (as the passage
above makes clear). There follows the judgment of the sheep (millennial
believers) then of the goats (all unbelievers of all time), then all rebels are
cast into the lake of fire. Then God creates the new heavens and the new earth,
New Jerusalem comes down to earth, and we believers and the elect angels will
rejoice before the Lord forever therein. Again, this is the very short version.
There is an entire part of the Coming Tribulation series devoted to this (part
6 at the link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hello,
I just finished Part 1 and Part 2 of The Satanic Rebellion. First off, I
really like how you have constructed all of this and it is very helpful
in my Journey. I have always wondered about the timeline of events
because of my love of Geology and Paleontology. I currently have a 10th
grade son who aspires to be a Paleontologist, as in it’s not just a
faze. I, as a father, need to also be able to communicate to him where
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit fit in concerning the fossil record. Can
you elaborate more on where you mentioned “the fascination with
reptiles” in regards to Satan. What are your thoughts on why God
destroyed his first Earth which contained dinosaurs/prehistoric
creatures due to something Satan and his minions did. What specifically
do you think happened. I know reptile worship was a big thing for
ancient civilizations and want to make sure that mine and my son’s
fascination with dinosaurs and ancient Earth aren’t some sort of worship
in itself. Young-earthers suggest death was only introduced into the
world from Adam. How would you refute that statement?
Thanks,
Response #16:
Good to make your acquaintance, and thanks for the encouragement! As to your questions, I've fielded some similar ones before. Here are some links:
In terms of "what happened", we know that the earth was the original
Eden/paradise (link),
abandoned by God after Satan's revolt. Instead of rendering judgment
immediately, God allowed Satan to rule the earth for an unknown period of time.
This is the time-frame where I place the dinosaurs, genetic experiments on the
part of Satan and his followers in my opinion. After letting this go on to the
point where it was clear to all that the devil was not able to make good on his
promises to those whom he led into rebellion, God rendered judgment on the world
of that time, plunging it into darkness.
We don't know how long that pre-judgment period lasted, nor how long the world
lay in darkness before the seven days of re-creation commenced at Genesis 1:3.
Given that angels are different from us in respect to mortality and materiality,
time is no doubt a different experience for them. If geological science were to
turn out to be correct on the age of things, while that would surprise me
greatly, it wouldn't change a thing about the interpretation, because we are not
told the precise length of these periods by scripture.
A couple of things to keep in mind in terms of the chronology are 1) the fact
that the great flood wrought massive changes to the earth and its geology – and
science refuses to accept it as reality; 2) most of the methods used to
calculate time are dependent upon a theory of stasis from the beginning, while
of course blacking out the universe and subsuming it in the cosmic deep (the
tehom), and then the great flood are events that would require massive
recalculation on science' part if accepted as true (and of course they are
true).
As Hebrews 11:3 says, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at
God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Here
are a few links on this:
In terms of the devil's interest in these creatures, he chose to possess the
serpent in Eden in order to tempt Eve after all, and scripture often describes
Satan as a serpent and a dragon (which in the Bible is a great serpent: Is.27:1;
Rev.12:3-17; 13:1-4; 16:12; 20:2).
Serpents are God's creation. Even in the re-creation God brought them back as
part of the restored fauna – otherwise we wouldn't have them today (although of
course their appearance has changes on account of the fall: Gen.3:14-15).
It is true that pagan religions do have serpent idols et al., but they
also have idols representing all manner of creatures such as "birds, and
fourfooted beasts" (Rom.1:23 KJV). We wouldn't deduce from this that there is
anything wrong with ornithology.
Simply put, Geology and Paleontology are indeed fascinating subjects and I, for
one, find nothing wrong in studying these fields – or any other scientific
discipline. Of course, that does not mean that I "buy into" all of their various
theories they may develop (such as evolution; see the links
"Evolution
I" and "Evolution
II").
As with many other things, neither blanket condemnation nor blanket acceptance
seems appropriate. As parents, we naturally encourage our children's legitimate
interests, even as we seek to limit damage from any or all misguided obsessions.
And as Christian parents, we always try to share the godly perspective on
everything as well – just as you are doing!
As to "young-earthers", in my opinion they are not much different from "flat-earthers"
or any other silliness which is so silly on the face of it that much comment
seems unnecessary. Also, this is a Bible teaching ministry, not an apologetic
one; that is a separate gift and type of ministry so that I generally leave
detailed refutation of false theories to those so gifted and charged (otherwise
I would be doing nothing else with all the falsity out there nowadays). However,
since you ask, I will say that this conclusion you mention is obviously based
upon Romans chapter five where it says . . .
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Romans 5:12 KJV
It seems beyond obvious to point out that the death here is the death of human
beings and further that it is spiritual death (which does result in physical
death; Gen.2:17;
link).
God's concern is with us human beings in this world; this world was made for us,
to seek Him out, if only we are willing to do so (cf. Acts 17:27). That is the
plan of salvation in Jesus Christ.
To extrapolate from a misinterpretation of Romans 5:12 or other scriptures that
therefore there could not possibly have been flora and fauna on earth which
perished in that earlier judgment is not indicated anywhere in Bible. That is a
deduction fraught with many a logical fallacy produced by wishing to prove their
theory (i.e., the exact reverse of proper exegetical methodology).
For more on this, read through the following links (n.b., the subject is
dealt with in later questions not necessarily the ones at the head of the
files). These will lead to more links as well:
Do feel free to write me back about any of the above.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Good morning Dr. Luginbill,
Thank you so much for your timely response! I’ve already navigated through the
links below and began condensing down the Q&A’s to just reflect your responses.
It makes it easier for me to reference. I’m sure I’ll have many questions as I
progress, but I need to do my due diligence in thoroughly reading your work
before firing off a ton of them. However, I can’t leave this email without
asking a few because 1) I value your insight and 2) your responses help with my
Journey:
1) Is there a Bible you recommend that has the Hebrew language, with the
pronunciation, as well as the English translation? I know it won’t be perfect
because of the differences between the two, but I need something as close as it
gets. My current Bible collection is as follows: KJV, NKJV, RSV2E, NASB and
NIV(I’m sure I have another somewhere as well)! That’s why I reference it as “My
Journey”.
2) My limited understanding is that Satan was cast into the Abyss prior to Adam;
if so, then how was he in the Garden?
3) I respect and understand your position on science because of how it is being
used to deny God’s work, however, I’m stumped on two things after reading your
work, and as mentioned before my (I’ll refrain from using the word fascination
now) curiosity gets the best of me:
A) How/Why would Satan have been give power to create life?
B) Would he have been “trying” to create something he had seen previously, or
possessed the knowledge, and just failed? Hence, the demonic appearance of
prehistoric creatures?
C) Because the Megaladon and Crocodillians look very similar to modern sharks
and crocodiles/alligators, is it possible that God created those two to sort of
“clean up/eliminate” Satan’s creations (in those times/eons) while also
“recreating” them in Genesis? I apologize if that sounds outlandish.
Lastly, I’ll also apologize if my grammar usage or punctuation is not correct! It’s been several years since high school and my college days plus I never scored high in the subject. If any answers to my questions are just a link away, or are covered in my future readings, then you can just put the link down. I value your time.
Response #17:
Good to hear back from you. As to your questions:
1) I'm a little unsure of what you're looking for here. Hebrew Bibles
are, of course, in Hebrew, and anyone who knows Hebrew can see how to
pronounce the words (the Bible especially because it has the nikud
or vowel points, where as most MH does not). If you're looking for a
Bible with transliterated English (like 'elohiym for the Hebrew
word for God), I've never seen anything like that (doesn't mean it
doesn't exist, but it would be easier to learn the Hebrew orthography,
it seems to me). Please write back if I'm misunderstanding your
question.
2) There is no record of what was done to Satan and his rebel angels
after God rendered judgment on the universe, the event that brought
about the destruction evident in Genesis 1:2 and requiring the seven
days of re-creation in order to make the earth habitable for the
creation of mankind. But there is nothing in scripture to suggest that
he or any of his were thrown into the Abyss at that time. After the
Genesis six attack, many demons were incarcerated there (1Pet.3:18-20;
Jude 1:6), and Satan will be thrown into the Abyss at the Second Advent
(Rev.20:1-3), only to be released for a short time at the end of the
Millennium (Rev.20:7-10).
3A) All angels have abilities to manipulate matter in ways that defy
human comprehension. I wouldn't call it "creating life". Spiritual life
is the only life that really matters. Human beings only have spirits
because the Lord creates them. If, after manipulating the genetic makeup
of certain creatures, God chose to give them a spirit at birth, that was
His choice. He is the life-giver. But we don't know that dinosaurs had
spirits the way other creatures which are part of God's creation do.
3B) I'm not understanding this question either. There were flora and
fauna on the prehistoric earth. But there was nothing in existence
before original creation in Genesis 1:1. There's no record in the Bible
of the devil and his followers attempting any such thing after the
creation of mankind. From then on, their fascination is with human
beings, not animals (except to possess the latter for certain tactical
purposes).
3C) The destruction of the original earth and heavens was complete; it
was blacked out, subsumed in the great cosmic deep (the tehom)
and thus frozen solid. No physical life survived; but of course this did
not destroy the fallen angels as they have no physical bodies as we do.
No apologies necessary!
Feel free to write back any time.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Thank you for this, Bob.
I do have another question. Im presently reading the “problem of science and the
bible” and it’s very concise, and helpful. I also have been reading a book by an
author by the name of Caspian Sarginson “ Flat Earth - what the bible actually
says”. His claim throughout is that the earth isn’t a heliocentric sphere, but
rather more a domed disc that is stationary.
As I’m a recent believer, I find the world now full of lies and deception and
the scientific community, one that once respected, is now so flawed and corrupt
that I can hardly believe anything they say.
I feel the Bible supports his claim of being fixed, stationary and having a
firmament surrounding its vastness.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Response #18:
My pleasure!
Of course, we believe the Bible regardless of anything or anyone else, even in
place of what we may see with our own eyes or hear with our own ears. However,
on "flat earth", I read the Bible in Greek and Hebrew daily (and teach Greek for
a living), and I've never seen the Bible "teach" that, so I'm not sure where
correspondent feels that the "Bible teaches" this dangerously wrong concept.
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
Isaiah 40:22 NKJV
The "circle of the earth" is the "vault of the heavens", described that way by
scripture because indeed the night sky in particular dotted with stars has the
appearance of the inside of a ball in terms of its shape – and projecting that
shape results in understanding that the earth is an orb. That is how the Bible
describes things in terms of the shape of the earth wherever the concept comes
up (e.g., the raqiah or "firmament" in Genesis chapter one; see the link:
"Does
the Bible ever Describe the Earth as being Round?").
In terms of the question itself, i.e., not how the Bible describes
things but whether or not the earth actually IS flat, that is beyond obvious. If
the earth were flat, then sailors on the sea could see other ships into the
infinite distance; as it is, they can only see the tips of masts of other ships
coming up from beyond the horizon: if the earth were flat, there would be no
horizon. If the earth were flat, it would be impossible to, e.g., drive to San
Francisco, then fly to Beijing, then take the train to Moscow, then fly to
London, then take a boat to New York. In other words, it would be impossible to
circumnavigate the globe if the earth were a table top because one would get to
the edge – but people do this all the time. If the earth were flat, it would
have to "come to an end" somewhere on the map.
I have had some questions on this before. Here are some links where this false
teaching is discussed:
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers V
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
I came across your site while asking questions about the Millennium. My
first question about which feasts of the Lord would be celebrated, was
answered. The other question I had was this: Of the two feasts that are
specifically talked about being celebrated (Unleavened bread and Sukkot),
is Sukkot the only one that is given a severe punishment for the nations
if they are not celebrated. I know that Sukkot has a warning that if not
celebrated, God will withhold rain from them. Is there a punishment for
not celebrating Passover as well?
We have just discovered the amazing prophetic implications of the feasts
in the past ten years.
Thank you for your time in reading my email and I anticipate your
answer.
Response #19:
Good to make your acquaintance.
Yes, this is what Zechariah says:
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
Zechariah 14:16-17 NKJV
Here is what I say about this in CT 6:
The feast of Tabernacles is significant in this regard because it is the festival which looks forward to the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah (for the Israelites will dwell "in booths" when they re-enter the land, just as that first generation in the promised land had done). Therefore this feast will be a memorial and a celebration of the Messiah's reign (and of Israel's return to the land – God having fulfilled all of His promises to them in this regard). As far as other nations are concerned, failure to be represented at this festival will constitute a grave offense for suggesting by their absence that, in effect, they are displeased with the King's rule (cf. Lk.19:14; 19:27).
Passover and its seven day feast is enjoined at Ezekiel 45:21-24, as is
Tabernacles at Ezekiel 45:25, but no mention is made there of
Firstfruits, and there are differences in the descriptions given in this
passage and what we find in the Law – which goes to show that Ezekiel is
speaking about and looking forward to the new millennial regime. Nothing
is said in this context about mandatory gentile participation. Instead,
allowing individual gentiles to participate in all of the sacrifices and
festivals is what is new (along with the mandatory attendance of
representatives of all nations at Tabernacles). This represents their
full inclusion into the family of God (Is.56:3-8; Ezek.45:13-46; cf.
Ps.106:4-5; Is.60:7), now that the enmity has been removed by the cross
(Eph.2:15-16).
The continuation of all sacrifices during the Millennium will then have
the purpose of memorializing the sacrifice of Christ rather than
anticipating it (as was the case before the cross).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Dear Bob L,
Wow! Thank you so much for your reply. That is a great help in answering
my question. I looked up all the references you put in and it gave me a
better understanding. I think it is so interesting that Sukkot is
commanded for the gentile nations because it is the one that Jews are
supposed to invite us to celebrate with them even now. At first it
seemed burdensome to me, but as I studied Galatians, I realized how much
freedom we have in Jesus. Now I see it, not as a burden, but as a way to
learn more about what Jesus did and will do. So amazing!
I remember the first time that I read about the sacrifices being brought
back during the reign of Messiah. I thought that was such a weird thing,
since Jesus already fulfilled the sacrificial system. As I contemplated
it, it came to me that the reason why especially the Passover is
reestablished may be because there is so little death for that 1000
years and so people begin to not understand the significance of what
Messiah Jesus did on the cross. So the sacrifices are made as a reminder
of His death to a culture that doesn't experience much death. I don't
know, it was just a thought.
We have been invited for quite a few years to celebrate Sukkot with a
family of Jews that are friends of ours, but it was just this year that
I began to better understand Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. I didn't
realize how much significance they have in the Revealing of Jesus'
coming. We are so excited about learning bit by bit.
Thank you again. I'm sure I will be visiting your site more now that I
know about it.
P.S. Also the eighth day of the Sukkot Feast is interesting. Does the
eighth day possibly represent eternity - and the new heaven and new
earth creation? I can hardly wait to see that day!!!
Response #20:
My pleasure!
Re: "So the sacrifices are made as a reminder of His death to a culture that
doesn't experience much death" – I think that is an excellent observation.
As far as symbolism of the eighth day, you are correct; here is what I write
about that in SR 5:
8) The Sacred Assembly (Lev.23:36; see also Num.29:35-38): Finally, directly following the feast of Booths, though not technically a part of it, is the Sacred Assembly on "the eighth day". This final event of the Jewish ceremonial calendar comes at the conclusion of the feast representing the Millennium, and therefore occurs symbolically at the end of human history's seven millennial days. It is the "closing assembly" [Hebrew עצרת, 'atsareth], indicative not only of finality but also symbolic of God coming to be with mankind forever (cf. 1Ki.8:2's description of the dedication of Solomon's temple at the time of this festival, and the resultant filling of the newly consecrated temple with God's glory: 1Ki.8:10-11). The Sacred Assembly therefore represents the eternal state, the Kingdom of the Father that will be brought in at history's end when the present heavens and earth melts away and the New Jerusalem descends from heaven to be the dwelling place of God and all who love Him forevermore (Rev.21-22).
We have only wonderful things to look forward to indeed!
In Jesus Christ our dear Savior,
Bob L.