Question #1:
Hi Bob,
I hope the week is going well for you too. I'm sure you have been overwhelmed as
the semester closes down. In two/three weeks you will be in the clear so that is
exciting.
You said, "the end times have been imminent in the sense of no unfulfilled
prophecy remaining after the resurrection of our Lord and until His return".
However, in Revelation chapters 2/3 I'd argue that we do have fulfilled prophecy
in the Church ages. What is your take on that?
I was wondering about the Church trends. These trends are clearly delineated in
scripture as a set chronology thus this makes me wonder about the principle of
imminency of the Tribulation for the past two thousand years. I know that you
teach that God can start the Tribulation whenever He wants because Jesus made
time so He controls it however He pleases. That makes a lot of sense. However,
the word of Scripture also cannot be broken (John 10:35). Considering that the
main application of the 7 churches Church may not be prophecy but they are
explicit trends how do we reconcile these two points (Trib can start whenever
vs. explicit church trends delineated in the future)?
In the Lord,
Response #1:
Scripture cannot be broken – but it is often not completely understood
(which is not at all the same thing). You don't believe in a pre-Trib
rapture but are convinced from scripture that the resurrection occurs at
the second advent at the end the Tribulation, right? So "imminence" – if
that were really a doctrine – would always have to be at least seven
years out following the commencement of the Tribulation, and even then
it could never be much off from seven years minus wherever we were in
the timeline of those last seven years. In fact, "imminence" is a
"rapture defense" concept that does not hold water when the scriptures
supposedly supporting it are carefully examined (please read the link
and get back to me if you have questions:
"Imminence").
It is very true, however, that our Lord could take any one of us home at
any time, so that from a personal point of view, we really do need to be
looking for the Lord, if not His return for us all, definitely for His
calling us back to be with Him.
Hope you are navigating all "this" OK. Keeping you and your plans in my
prayers.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #2:
[email regarding CV-19 forcing reexamination of worldliness]
Response #2:
We really do have to get to the place of "bidding farewell" to all we have (Lk.14:33), losing our lives for the Lord in our hearts and being willing to suffer whatever may come (Matt.16:24-27); but we can trust Him absolutely because He is absolutely faithful. We don't have to rely on ourselves, our smarts, our skills, our resources – in fact that's a mistake. We are here for Him, the plan of the Father in glorifying Him in our lives is perfect, and so we can rely entirely on His strength and provision to get us through, come what may.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2nd Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV
Those who apostatize during the Tribulation will the ones who care about
their lives and possessions in this present world more than they care
about the Lord. We who love Him more than our very lives have absolutely
nothing to worry about. He will see us through to that perfect end He
has for us, whether it be a death honoring to Him, or endurance to the
end when we see Him return.
Mara na tha for His return!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Wow man that’s a lot of great info! I also read somewhere that there are gonna be a bunch of natural disasters before the Tribulation. Is that true or is that just during the Tribulation? Thanks buddy.
Response #3:
You're most welcome.
There's no biblical prophecy of any specific events for the dispensation
we are in, the mystery age, the Age of the Church . . . before the
Tribulation. All prophecy looks forward to the Tribulation and beyond.
So there may or may not be relatively more or relatively less natural
disasters in the next seven years, but it's not in the Bible. We will
know when the Tribulation has begun, however:
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake [i.e., seen and felt worldwide].
Revelation 8:1-5 NKJV
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Professor,
Thank you for your reply and particularly for your prayers and
encouragement - and your wonderful Ministry, without which many of us
sheep would be left bleating in the cold.
Having looked at other preachers and teachers that those around me
recommend, I am so thankful for you devoting your life to the truth - it
really shows how diligent you are, and that you have the Spirit with
you. For us fellow believers in Christ, you are the best Bible resource
and this blessing is beyond measure. Together with you sharing all
things, I believe and know your teaching of the Coming Tribulation is
inspired to instruct and motivate all who will listen. It is so relevant
to our day now - that if I did not know better (from your teaching
also), I might have thought you were a prophet. How precious is a
devoted Bible teacher!
Special pains for summer - I hope that means you will be able to
recuperate and that you have “holidays” from the University.
God is good! Though I notice He does give you a lot of work. I am sure
your rest after this life will be glorious in our Lord.
Yesterday, overdid it trying to restart the chainsaw, and shifting the
cut wood from a fallen tree across a fence. At times I admit to wanting
to go to be with our Lord - everything is harder to do nowadays, and
what I used to enjoy doing, I can’t do as much, and what I do do, brings
pain.
Hoping to keep CV 19 free (particularly for my family) if I am back at
work next week.
Are you coming into a University holiday break?
I so much value your kind Ministry. No need for you to reply - I know
you are busy.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student and friend
Response #4:
Older age and faulty equipment are a bad combination. I hurt myself
quite badly (still may be damaged some) repeatedly trying to start an
old lawnmower that was most deficient. Never did get the thing started
but pulled something pretty bad in the process. I'm certainly hoping
that you can get back to work soon, my friend, and praying for that too.
Getting a pay cut here and also cessation of retirement contributions.
Many staff are being furloughed. Other troubles too, and that's just to
the end of this fiscal year. What happens in the fall is very much up in
the air, but I trust that the Lord will work it out for good. A lot of
"arrows flying by day" at the moment, but even though a couple have
whizzed by the ear pretty close, the Lord hasn't let me be hit.
Just ended up year #29 today as I put in my grades. Now trying to figure
out the summer research schedule without being able to count on the
library or being in my office. One day at a time.
Thanks for the good words and prayers, my friend. You and yours are in
mine every day.
Thanks for the update!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Dear Professor,
Re #29 and research - does that leave you only the online option? Just about
sounds like everything you do will be strung out online. Be nice to have a bit
more variety than just one option. (Covid causation)
I pray your bodily injuries heal quickly. I wonder whether your mower problem
was like my chainsaw - a dead generator. It wasn’t going to start, no matter how
many times I pulled the rope. I really value people who can do things -
especially when they also teach you how. This is also what you do on a spiritual
level.
It concerns me that you hurt yourself. I am picturing that the best Bible
teacher is entitled to have good neighbours to help with things like this - even
to lend you a mower. Any young ichthys followers close by? This bloke even
offered to come cut the fallen tree with his own chainsaw, but I am still a bit
stubborn ( he is 10 years younger than myself, but also has back and leg
problems), though I might have a rethink as there could be a possibility of a
limited return to school next week and that would have me in tired mode again
from the early get ups and winding roads, and so little light left at the end of
my workday. The daylight hours are getting shorter.
Thank you for your prayers. Please look after yourself.
Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Your student and friend in Jesus.
Response #5:
No worries. Remember:
"For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones."
Matthew 3:9 NKJV
NO ONE is irreplaceable in the plan of God – and anyone who reads too
much into their "press clippings" and begins to think so will soon find
himself replaced (Ps.115:1).
That mower is LONG gone. The one I have now is geriatric (one of the
wheels is about to fall off despite my best efforts with the sockets) –
but it starts very reliably. Hope to be able to get through this season
of unpleasantness without have to engage with the trouble of figuring
out how to buy a new one or the expense in uncertainty. It's also good
exercise. On that front, feeling some better. Did a jog today during a
break in the rain.
I'm strategizing about how to make the best use of the summer. I really
can't count on being able to go down to the office (where all my files
are), and the library isn't checking out books last I heard (and most of
what I would need is either there or would come through inter-library
loan), but I need to write something since I'm getting paid for it now
(I think; we'll see how fall develops).
*Prayers appreciated for everything going on here.
Your friend in Jesus Christ – forever.
Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear Bob,
Last two decades saw world embrace more evil than did many centuries before. Do
you think the coronavirus pandemic came as God's judgment on world ?
Thank you for always advising me on spiritual issues.
Blessings
Response #6:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
As to your question, I suppose I have a different appreciation of
history than you do. From my reading of it, the world has been embracing
evil ever since Cain slew Abel, and energetically so. In any case, God
is more concerned with believers than He is with the followers of the
devil. When He does judge unbelievers and unbelieving nations, it's
usually for the sake of His people: cf. Sodom vis-à-vis Lot, Egypt
vis-à-vis the children of Israel, and even the unbelieving Jewish
population of Europe vis-à-vis the Nazis in the last century.
Of course anything that happens can only happen if God allows it, but
remember that Job assumed God was judging him – unfairly – when in fact
the devil was persecuting him; God was allowing it for His own good
purposes. That may the case now too. Believers in the era of Laodicea –
our era, the last era of the Church age – have gotten WAY too
comfortable. The average Laodicean believer thinks he she is "wealthy
and in need of nothing" whereas in truth he/she is "wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, and naked" (Rev.3:17) – in spiritual terms. On top of that,
the average believer today thinks he/she will be "raptured" to safety
when and if the Tribulation does begin. That combination – of going into
the Tribulation blindly and being totally unprepared in a spiritual
sense – will mightily contribute to the Great Apostasy. So perhaps all
this is God's very gracious way of letting believers see that, no,
things are NOT secure in the world; there is NO security without the
Lord, but He does keep secure those who found their spiritual houses on
solid rock, not on sand.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
The consequences of all this dislocation may be grave, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Lord turns the situation around rapidly and all this turns out not to have been the magnitude of problem first thought. If so, what a gracious wake up call for believers who are lukewarm to finally get red hot! This particular trouble may only last a little while and may not have the catastrophic results original thought. But the actual Tribulation will last seven long years, and will be far worse than we can presently imagine.
"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be."
Matthew 24:21 NKJV
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Dear Bob,
Thank you for your prompt response quite explanatory. I thought LGBT
acts God abhors was a key factor as He did for Sodom & Gomorrah.
Incidentally, the nations prospered through prayer and now becoming
Godless seemed most affected. Judgment is not ours. I was trying to
figure out the situation in relation to Biblical references. Must start
thinking the way you presented it. Shall come back if further
clarification needed.
Thank you and blessings
Response #7:
I'm not saying you are wrong in your analysis (cf., Jude 1:6-8); it's more that
I wouldn't want to call any nations of the past godly on the one hand, and that
I wouldn't want to limit things to one area of sin and evil on the other. The
Nazis were evil. The Communists are evil. The RC church of the middle ages was
evil. There has been, as I say, plenty of gross sin and evil ever since
righteous Abel was murdered out of jealousy for doing what was right. Also, I
would say that the suffering and dislocation caused by, e.g., WWII was far worse
than what we are seeing at present (of course things could get worse).
One thing I DO know is that God's plan is perfect: He loves us more than we can
comprehend, having sent His One and only beloved Son to die in our place that we
might not be condemned with this wicked world (Col.1:13). He is working
absolutely everything out for our perfect good in every way. It may not seem to
us at the time that this is so, but most of us with any life-experience can look
back and see that disasters of the past were really God moving things and moving
us into just the right direction for where He wanted us to be and what He wanted
us to do.
We went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
Psalm 66:12b NIV
Keeping you in my prayers daily, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior.
Bob L.
Question #8:
Dear Teacher
How are you feeling now? I'm continuing to pray for your full recovery.
I keep thinking how much people have changed. Our world today is awash
with fear. I don't think it has ever been this bad. And people think
they're too good for the things that happen to them. I know that the
Lord will keep us come what may.
I am still trying to regain myself. It really feels like I'm barely
hanging on spiritually. I'm starting to get myself back into it, but I
sense that it will take a little time and quite a fight to get back to
where I was.
I have been talking with our friend to figure out what the realities of
some of my career ideas might be. I've also been doing my own research.
I feel like I'm getting the beginnings of a plan, but it is a long
stretch if I do pursue it.
If I could, I would prefer a career in research, preferably in academia,
but I'm keeping everything open. The time seems too short for me to be
making the sort of plans that I want to make, but we really only have
one day at a time, as the Scriptures say and you always remind me. I'm
hoping that the practice that I am trying to build will still be useful
for providing for myself and my fiancée eventually, but I don't know if
I will be able to handle something like that along with school. But it
seems to be the best way - maybe even the only way - that I can earn a
living until I finish schooling. Of course, the Lord could open a better
door. I am all for it, if He does.
Keeping you and your family in our prayers here, Sir
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #8:
I'm doing better – so thanks for those prayers! When it first happened, I was
concerned that possibly I had broken something, but it's clear now that it was
indeed just a bad sprain. I'm able to walk and even jog slowly now without it
hurting particularly. Still holding off on the sit-ups, however.
Yes, that's a good way of putting it. "Why me, God?!" is a typical unbeliever –
or weak believer – lament. As if we were here in this world purely for our own
amusement. As if the devil were not the current ruler. As if we were going to
live forever in these decrepit temporary bodies. As if God OWED us something. As
if the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in dying for our least sin of all was not
greater than the entire universe. And as if the plan of God were not absolutely
perfect and all-comprehensive, working all things together for good for those
who truly love Him.
It's easy to look to the left and focus on pleasures – pleasures of this world
which never truly satisfy anyone. It's to look to the right and focus on
security – houses and land and money and all manner of material things that are
actually just so much dust, incapable of sustaining our lives for a millisecond
longer than the Lord wants us here. And it's easy to focus inward – which is
really backward – and imagine "this" is all about us,
when in fact it's all about Jesus Christ (link). The hard thing is the good
thing, the strait and narrow road FORWARD towards the light of His glorious
presence and a reward that in its smallest part will be better than the entire
world at present – and that will have the benefit of being eternal instead of
laughably temporary.
I keep you in my prayers every day, my friend. In your planning and considering,
take pains to be confident in the Lord that He will do whatever it is you really
need to have done. Know that He is with you and that He is working everything
for your true good. Keep Him first in your thinking and first in your heart.
Don't worry about yesterday. It's done and gone and can't be changed. Don't
worry about tomorrow: today has enough evil to cope with on its own. Keep
walking with Jesus Christ TODAY, one step at time. You have seen Him work on
your behalf before, like a seed sprouting, and gradually growing, and eventually
coming to full stature and producing. You just turn around, it seems, and there
it is. That is His way with us too. Our job is to "hit it hard" every day, but
only one day at a time, in full confidence that the Lord will use those days to
bring about the good result He has in mind. It won't necessarily work out
exactly the way we planned or anticipated (that is my witness!), but it will
work out in His perfect way, a way that will delight our hearts beyond all
expectation (that is my witness too!).
So continue to be strong and courageous, my friend! And continue your good work
for the Lord.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10 NKJV
Know that I and many others are keeping yours in our prayers daily.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Dear Sir,
I am new to your site but not to the Scriptures. I have been walking with the
Lord for many years now and we have become one in our journey here on this
earth; with the mission to love the unlovable, serve the needy, and be a light
in the darkest parts of the streets of my city. [details of personal persecution
omitted].
My question is: Do you think, perhaps, the first wave of persecution of
believers in the United States may already be happening? Because I do. I think
that it is just not talked about or televised or talked about in the Church. I
think I am one of the believers that are being targeted and "practiced on" for
the days to come. Because you wouldn't believe the technology and expense and
lengths these "people" go to persecute me and to try to make my life a living
nightmare. But they have not succeeded! In fact, it has brought the joy of my
salvation back! I am stronger than ever in the Lord! I have learned that satan
brings me closer to God, so to speak! Ha! The enemy does NOT have the final say!
The cross did! But what are your thoughts on when the persecution of believers
begins in the United States? Thank you for your time!
In all honesty,
Response #9:
Dear Friend,
Good to make your acquaintance.
Beyond all doubt, intolerance for the truth and for anyone who embraces
the truth is at an all time high in this country. But I can assure you
that "you haven't seen anything yet". What we are experiencing lately is
merely a hint of what is to come. The recent pandemic insanity (they say
we are seeing "history in the making" but it seems more like "hysteria
in the making" to me), and the blow back against anyone who isn't
willing to pretend that the emperor has no clothes is mild compared to
what will happen in the Tribulation – and for that reason all "this" is
a good warm up or tune up for what will surely be so much worse when the
darkness falls.
For one thing, when the Tribulation begins, the Holy Spirit will end His
restraining ministry which is at present keeping much worse
tendencies and much worse satanic operations in check (see the link). As
our Lord asked, "if they do these things in the green wood, what will be
done in the dry?" (Lk.23:31). For another, the Tribulation will be the
most terrible of times, a time "such as has not been since the beginning
of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt.24:21).
So I commend your course of action to put the Lord first, and I remind
everyone that doing so requires consistent spiritual growth through
diligent attention to a solid, orthodox Bible teaching ministry. I
believe Ichthys to be such a place. I also highly recommend
Bible Academy.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Bob,
We are all doing fine. I may have told you this. I had a phone interview
for my 6 mth physical and the Dr. said I may be immune to the virus
because of my immune buildup to the allergies. Well I have felt mildy
sick for about a month now. But it has not slowed me down. I tried
running but I probably did more harm than good so back to walking.
Sorry to her about your coccyx. I think you are like me and just work
through the injuries the best you can. Not many older people mow their
lawns around here except me--too hot and too many lawn teams competing
for lawns.
Take care my friend.
In Him,
Response #10:
As to ". . . older people" – I'm sure I have no idea to whom you may be
referring.
More mowing tomorrow and other yard work. I finished e-teaching today. All
that's left is grades. Then I have to do that online class about how I've been
doing this all wrong, and of course then its on to research. That's a bit of a
dilemma. The campus is shut down. I do have a key to my building, but I'm not
sure they're going to be running the air conditioning this summer since summer
school is on line (also being down there regularly when it's not absolutely
necessary if frowned upon). You can't check books out of the library and all of
my paper files are in my office. I've brought home some key stuff, but writing
articles ends up being about footnotes and there is always something you need
from the files or from the library or a physical copy from interlibrary loan.
Guess I'll figure something out.
Sorry to hear you've been under the weather for so long! Guess that's better
than being fully clobbered by this bug. Sure hope you have developed an
immunity. I probably told you that we had very odd sore throats back in early
January. Hope that's what it was.
Things here in L-ville are weird. A very beautiful spring; dogwoods and red buds
and other flowering trees the nicest I've ever seen them, but most people
staying inside. Sure hope our local businesses can weather this storm. But as
bad as this is, we know that it's not the Tribulation or anything even close. A
wake up call, maybe.
Keep fighting the good fight, my friend.
Your pal in Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Dear Bob,
1. On Isaiah: when he refers to islands, I assume he's talking about the Aegean
and/or Eastern Mediterranean. I think I asked this once before but I couldn't
find it. Maybe lost in my last "technological event."
2. On preparations: I have been so richly blessed I would be feeling guilty if I
weren't so thankful. The worst I've suffered in this virus hysteria is
annoyance. I've had plenty of food, shelter and warmth (and even toilet paper,
though for the life of me, I don't understand that one.)
I learned from my grandparents who went through the depression and WWII. They
may have been a little paranoid but they always had enough summer produce canned
to get through the winter. They even preserved meat by canning and even older,
traditional ways like compotes and fermentation. I originally thought it was
just laziness or a deep reluctance to drive into town but I had plenty backed up
to avoid running out of anything important.
I wasn't really trying to hoard, but I suspect I had a divine hand involved.
Firearms have been most useful out here on the prairie and I've had enough
ammunition to dispatch rattlesnakes and varmints. Probably enough to harvest
some game, if need be, though I dislike killing. As a defense during the
Tribulation, I wouldn't last more than five seconds so I have no illusions about
that.
I think the current hysteria is only a sample of what will likely continue, so I
would suggest that those worried about that, back themselves up with staples and
let the Lord handle the Tribulation.
3. Odds and ends: I have lost my respect for government in general and some of
whom I would consider the enemy within. Revelation 21:8 gives me comfort. It
suggests that there will be few politicians from my generation being there. It's
also a warning to those in a panic over what they perceive the current threat to
be.
I worry sometimes that my dislike of my fellow man has kept me socially
distancing for a number of years. I wouldn't treat anybody differently than I
would want to be treated but I don't want to be around them, either. I know
there are good people out there, but I don't often encounter them. I suspect I'm
not called to be an evangelist though given Paul's example, who knows?
Unanswerable questions.
I pray you and yours are doing well and your tech trouble is easing.
Note: the only real question is about the islands and it's not a critical issue.
Please answer more pressing correspondents first. I know you're busy.
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Response #11:
I always appreciate your perspectives. Thanks!
As to your question, that's correct: the Hebrew word "islands" in the OT
means essentially "lands to the west on the seacoast", and refers, in
terms of biblical geography, to the western quadrant of the world
generally. This is talked about at the link:
"Probable identification of mystery Babylon".
Almost done with the semester, so I hope this is all "academic" going
forward. I personally see no reason whatsoever not to have summer school
in person (it will be all online, but I don't teach in the summer – that
is when I reserve time for research), let alone the fall. Still, I've
agreed to take a course on online teaching which will eat up a lot of
valuable research time this summer, in addition to having to catch up on
all the yard work and home repair / cleaning which has taken a backseat
to this present set of emergency measures.
Wishing you a good week ahead, my friend!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Dear Professor Luginbill,
How is your health? Personally, I feel age creeping up. But I am looking
forward to glasses; did you know they add like 30 points to your IQ?
Hey, when Revelations talks about the Dragon, did the Greek have a
different thing in mind than us? I was thinking about Chinese dragons
and some other versions, and was wondering..
Could I also ask: do you think there will be learning in New Earth? I
fancy the idea of studying things then, I assume we wouldn't be
omniscient. But perhaps we wont feel the itch, and will just be content
and not feel the pull to study things (such as about the new world).
I had an incident that showed me that I have been growing at least a
bit, too. My car stopped working, but this time, when I went through the
actions of calling in from work and having it towed and getting quarters
for the bus, I was calm and not stressed. It didn't possess my whole
day. That is new, but the Lord has always been and is trustworthy.
Thanks for everything,
Response #12:
A 'drakon' is essentially a huge snake in classical Greek. The
idea of it having wings and feet is a later development. Here's a link:
"Dragons in the Bible".
There's a great deal we don't know about eternity, but it is fair to say
that in our finite existence and experience we don't have a clue about
the infinite nature of God – God who created the entire universe in a
split-second. Even in resurrection, we are still going to be finite, so
I would imagine that eternity will not be long enough to learn
everything there is to know about God and His creation – and certainly
not long enough to sing His praises for what He has done for us in the
gift of Jesus Christ. We're not going to be bored, I guarantee it.
Good for you on your victory in applying the truth! It is usually the
case that we don't see the progress we're making – though others do – so
the Lord gives us these experiences to show us how far we've come.
I am doing well – and I hope you are too.
Keeping you in my prayers daily.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Dr. Bob,
Hi and good day Dr. Bob! I have 2 questions.
1. When the bible says *... a ressurected body of a believer in Christ
that cannot know pain, or sorrow, or decay*, does this mean the believer
won’t have any memories of a loved one in hell? Otherwise, that verse
won’t be fulfilled as the believer will be forever hurt or sad knowing a
loved one is forever condemned in hell.
2. I read an atheist asked why the bible was made with verses subject to
different interpretations and used by most preachers to brainwash,
struck fear and guilt in order to manipulate followers. Why not made
rules and laws simple for men to follow and please God and just need
bible teachers to guide them, just like in school, we are being taught
and guided and then we graduate and think for our selves, not being
dependent for the rest of our lives to the mysteries of the bible being
unlock piece by piece by “preachers”.
And because of this, I, myself, don’t join a religion, and I am forever
grateful to God for showing me your site Dr. Bob, here I see honesty, no
ulterior motives, just the purest intentions to teach the truths in the
bible.
May God bless you whatever you need to continue this mission and may God
keep you and your loved ones safe.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Response #13:
Good to hear from you!
On your questions:
1) There is no indication from scripture that we won't be able to
remember this present world. Here is what I do read in the Bible:
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4 NKJV
The former things are the things of this world; the fact that they will
have "passed away" when are enjoying New Jerusalem and each other and
our dear Savior means that they will no longer be important to us, and
that is a large part no doubt of the end of all crying and sorrow. In
other words, things will be SO MUCH different on the other side that we
will have no regrets or emotional pain at all, even if we do remember.
Until we experience this, it is hard to understand, truly. The best
example I can give you is to remember something which as a toddler
caused us great grief (a skinned knee, a broken toy) and how if
remembered now it is matter of mild amusement that we could ever have
seen things in such a childish way. This world is just dust, and on the
other side we will see things from God's point of view entirely, so that
joy outweighs any potential loss to an infinite degree.
2) I certainly would not sign off on what is said here. The fact that
unscrupulous individuals and unprepared so-called pastors manipulate the
truth is nothing against the truth – and if atheist got his way such
individuals would have not trouble twisting the simple things he prefers
(exactly as they are doing now). In truth, there is no contradiction
whatsoever in scripture. But it does take a willingness to pursue it to
find that out and to find out the answers to the questions one has. It
is not a short process and often not an easy process, but it is a
blessed process for all who embark upon it in the Spirit and in truth.
Individuals like atheist merely demonstrate by such statements that they
neither have any clue what the truth is or any desire to find it (cf.
Jn.18:38). For that reason alone the Lord has chosen to make the truth –
beyond the simple entry point of the gospel – not accessible
immediately, but instead requiring some effort and response to authority
on our part to get to it. In this way it is made abundantly clear who
belongs to the Lord and who does not.
Thanks for your kind words – I'll endeavor to be worthy of them.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I just finished reviewing your study of 1st Peter Chapter 1 Verses 3-5.
After my review I now understand the resurrection more clearly.
But, I had someone who asked me if we will still have a "free-will" in
heaven. I told her I would get her an answer. This is what I thought
about. We will no longer have the sin nature, so we will no longer want
to exercise any will but God's. Is that an appropriate answer?
I appreciate you help very much.
Your friend,
Response #14:
A good answer indeed! We will be in the position of Adam and Eve – but without any tree of knowing good and evil, and without any devil to tempt us, and in a perfect body with perfect knowledge and no sin nature so as not to be temptable in any case. We will have plenty to do, no doubt, and many wonderful things at that which have not been revealed (none of them even capable of being ungodly in any way):
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 NIV
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1st Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hello Brother Bob-
Have you a writing or some spiritual direction on our resurrection? If it is at
the second coming of our Lord (the Rapture), where are we till then if we have
passed through the shadow of death, and died (the first death)?
Thanks
Your Brother in Christ
Response #15:
There is a great deal on all this at Ichthys (the subject index is always a good place to check; link). I'll give you some of the main postings which will lead to many others:
The Resurrection (in Pet.#20)
The Resurrection of the Lamb's Bride (in CT 5)
Our Heavenly, Pre-Resurrection, Interim State.
You might want to read the last one first since it deals with status quo
at the present for departed believers.
Hope you are well!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Dear Bob,
The KJV renders Jesus' response in Luke 17:37 as "Wheresoever the body is,
thither will the eagles be gathered together." This made no sense to me. Raptors
hunt and kill their prey.
The NIV renders the same as, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures
will gather." This makes much more sense to me since vultures eat the dead/road
kill but only hunt for dead carcasses.
This suggests that when we are raptured we will leave our physical bodies
behind. Ergo, one of the two women grinding will suddenly see a dead woman
beside her.
This, if I understand correctly, means the current burial ritual is nonsense.
Contrary to the Methodist (in which I was raised) Nicene Creed we are not
resurrected in our earthly bodies.
Is this a correct understanding?
I still can't reconcile "...in that night..." with women grinding or men working
in the field.
Thanks.
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Response #16:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
Different cultures view thinks slightly differently. For us today,
eagles and vultures are two different categories of critter. But in the
ancient world they were considered
the same (see the link, Q/A #5).
You're correct that it's not good to get "left behind", so that the one
taken up is the believer. But the resurrection will take all believers,
the living and the dead. In the case of those departed, they will rise
from whence they died; in the case of the living,
their first body will be transformed into a resurrection body (see
the link). So nothing will be left behind of the resurrected believer.
In terms of burial, it doesn't matter
what happens to the first body (see the link). Adam and Eve's
bodies unquestionably turned to dust long before the great flood, and
their atoms would have scattered about worldwide by that event. But
their spirits are in heaven in
an interim body along with all other departed believers (see the
link), and they will be resurrected along with all of the rest of us
believers at the second advent, rising from the place where they died.
Burial was the custom in Israel, and it has always been the preferred
custom for believers because, no doubt, it represents this hope.
However, cremation or obliteration (through some disaster or event of
war) cannot prevent a believer from being resurrected. I certainly would
agree that current practice in burial contains much which I personally
find offensive (not to mention unnecessary and misleading).
Luke 17:34 speaks of two "in bed", but the next verse does not mention
"night" and need not be inferred. The resurrection will take place at
the same moment around the world, and of course while it will be
daylight hours some places, it will be night time hours other places.
Also, the day of the second advent will be "a unique day—a day known
only to the LORD—with no distinction between day and night. When evening
comes, there will be light" (Zech.14:7 NIV). So the description in Luke
chapter seventeen works however parsed.
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Bob,
Thank you once again. You pointed me in the right direction. I never
related Luke 17:37 to the invitation to the birds to dine on the corpses
at Armageddon. The disciples, after all, asked "where?" In that context,
Jesus' response makes perfect sense. I related the "where" question to
the previous discussion of the resurrection.
Jesus' response also verifies that it will be an actual event.
Otherwise, how would all that rotting flesh be cleaned up? An elegant
solution, I think.
Is this the correct understanding?
I apologize for the wasted bandwidth. I searched for eagles, vultures
and 17:37 and came up dry. I didn't think to search for birds.
Thanks.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Response #17:
You're very welcome, my friend, and no need to apologize. Ichthys has too much
material in too many formats to be easy to navigate. There is a
new expanded index that you might want to try (courtesy of Peter V., at the
link). It does have "eagles", however, it doesn't have this passage (and no
"vultures"). Another trick is to plug site:ichthys.com: into Google and then
type in your search term [*note: Google has changed the way this works so I too
am presently having trouble finding things I used to get to by that method; I'll
have to figure something out]. I tried this with "vulture" and got the results I
wanted.
In terms of the meaning of the passage, I take it to be a reference to the
resurrection as the context suggests. The disciples ask "where?" in regard to
where these taken will go/be, and the Lord uses the analogy of eagles gathering
around a body wherein we are represented by the eagles and He is represented by
the body. It is true of course that there will be a great deal of the literal
flocking together of literal eagles/vultures etc. as a result of Armageddon
(Rev.19:17-21).
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Dearest Dr. Bob,
Good to hear from you again. There is absolutely no speck of doubt that
the materials on Ichthys.com can help anyone seeking quality study
material. Lord The Holy Spirit is the one behind your works. That is
evident in every single sentence you write, this has been my continued
personal experience. I have been recommending the website to everyone
along with specific links to topics and it has been my good pleasure
doing so as I can never explain it better than you. I recently was on
the phone for 2 hours with a Brethren preacher and brought up the soon
coming tribulation and he from an old school view quickly said no that
is not for the church and that the judgment seat of Christ is before the
tribulation and no need to talk about any date setting as it has always
proven otherwise.
Finally, my arguments hit home and he said brother you are telling me
things that nobody has in all my years in the ministry and I realize
your intent in preparing the sleeping church. I then sent him the links
and he said he would certainly be willing to discuss more. He said
brother every true believer in Christ will automatically be ready should
the church go through tribulation or otherwise and what if I died before
the tribulation, I said it is not about you and I standing firm, its
about the now sleeping brethren being awoken and equipped to stand firm
if the church indeed passes through Jacob's Trouble. & God made you a
preacher for nothing?. He said that is true.
I also am leading two of my Hindu ex-coworkers to Christ on Facebook,
these guys I haven't met them in some 20+ years. I prayed that Lord The
Holy Spirit would open their hearts and minds to the Truth of the Bible
and the coming judgment, both are devout Hindus, please pray for them.
I apologize for not updating you on the health of my family, they are
all doing fine in The Grace of The Lord. Thank you for your continued
prayer support. I appreciate them very much. Please pray about our
situation. [details omitted: prayer request for moving, for business
situation and for children's education situation]
CONGRATULATIONS! on getting past year #28! That's about 3 decades wow.
God has been good to you Dr. Bob. Guess you are getting busy finishing
the repairs, I pray for that too.
I will stop with this as I know you are very busy. We will always pray
for you and the ministry Dr. Bob until we get to heaven. WE ARE FAMILY!
God Bless and Keep you until I hear from you again.
Please take good care of your health. GOD is with you ALWAYS Brother.
In Christ our All,
Best Regards,
Response #18:
Thanks for the update. I'll say a prayer for your two acquaintances (I put this
on the website too), and also for your move out of the city and for your
business.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Lord and the Word of God, my friend! And
also of course all of your very kind words.
Will keep your kids and their education in prayer as well.
Always great to hear from you!
Your friend and brother in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Dear Teacher
Thank you for the most recent installment of the answers, Sir. They are, as
always, extremely helpful. Thank you also for the precious encouragement.
I have been rereading CT 5. It just occurred to me that the Millennium might
begin with a population made up entirely of believers. It seems to me as if that
may be partly what the parable of the wheat and tares was teaching. Obviously,
believing parents do not necessarily produce believing children, so as new
generations follow, unbelief would also follow and increase. Furthermore, as
time passes, even those who started out believing at the Second Advent may very
well fall away, as some do after memories of God's judgments fade and their
hearts grow merry from the blessings that they enjoy.
What do you think of that, Sir?
Also, do you have any thoughts about how the Lord Jesus would be visible to
everyone on earth at the point of His Return given the shape of the earth? I am
sure that He will be, but I can't imagine how.
Response #19:
On the Millennium, we can expect – there's no reason not to expect –
that children below the age of accountability who have not gotten to the
point of believing will constitute a disproportionate number of those
who enter. On the one hand, they will not have taken the mark of the
beast (because of their age), and so will not be subject to the "baptism
of fire" where all surviving marked individuals are summarily destroyed.
On the other hand, they also will not have participated in the
Armageddon campaign. It is also true that a great many Jews are
prophesied to accept Christ when they see Him return – that means by
definition that 1) they have survived the Tribulation, and 2) they were
not believers during that time.
I take the kingdom referred to in the parable of the wheat and the tares
to refer to the end of the millennial kingdom inasmuch as immediately
after the believers are resurrected and the unbelievers are thrown into
fire.
How is the Lord visible? Well, everyone sees the sun during a 24 hour
period, so it depends in part on the angle and time of His return; and I
don't see anything preventing Him from circling the earth; and it's also
true that God can do anything: refraction of light seems a small miracle
compared to all the others. We shall see.
Question #20:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I studying your teaching on Christology again and noticed the following:
In the Verse quoted, it says in the NIV:
19Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long."
Exodus 14:19-20
In some other translations the word "it" is used to describe the cloud.
Why don't the translators use the words "The Christophany" to describe
the one who moved? They must know that it is the Divine person of Jesus
Christ who is being referenced. Instead, they call the "cloud" an it. Is
not this the same "Cloud" that came down in the Tabernacle in the Holy
of Holies.
Also, we had a discussion this morning in our Bible Study session on the
Biblical reference stated above. We only talked about Matthew 24:37-41,
but never came to a conclusion on the meaning of these verses. I just
read Luke 17:22-37 which included the reference to the Days of Noah, but
nothing about the days of Lot, etc. I have read some different
interpretations of Matthew 24:38-41, but don't have a clear
understanding of these verses. Is the talk about one taken the other
left, referring to Armageddon or ? Can you clarify please.
Can you also provide a clear explanation of the reference in Luke 17?
The question also came up that if all the believers are gone, and all
the unbelievers are taken for judgment, then where do the people from
the nations come from in Revelation 20:8, who are these people?
I know you probably have a study concerning these topics, so I would
appreciate a reference to those and any other comments or elucidation
you may have on these subjects.
Thank you so very much,
Blessings to you always,
Your friend,
Response #20:
On your Exodus question, in the Hebrew, it literally says "the pillar of the
cloud moved". In terms of interpretation, you are correct; in terms of
translation, that would be injecting the interpretation into the translation.
Using "it" is incorrect, however, because there is a subject expressed which
must be taken with the verb directly.
As to "one taken" and "one left behind" in Matthew 24:38-41, it's never good to
be "left behind". This all happens in conjunction with Armageddon because the
resurrection of the Church – to which this phrase is referring – happens just
prior to that; it's all part of the cluster of prophecies fulfilled at the
Second Advent. Luke 17 is Luke's rendering of the same session; so "taken" is
also resurrection of believers, whereas "left behind" is non-resurrection of
unbelievers.
At the Second Advent, believers are resurrected; unbelievers are not. After
Armageddon – where all the beast's participants are killed by the Lord – there
does follow a string of judgments, one of which,
the "baptism of fire", does remove any and all who have voluntarily taken
the name of the beast or his mark (see the link). So the Millennium will begin
with a very small number of people relative to the current population of the
earth, maybe only tens of millions – but that will be more than enough since we
started with only two, and two thousand or so years in re-started again with
only eight.
As to Revelation 20:8, this takes place at the end of the Millennium when I
would guess that the population of the earth will be much larger than today –
after a thousand years of perfect environment, no crime, no disease, very little
death, and the most perfect rule in all of human history; we will be playing a
part in that, my friend! So keep running your wonderful race; that's the way to
earn a great reward and share in Christ's rule.
In our dear Savior.
Bob L.
Question #21:
Re: are there two different judgements for the dead and are they on earth?
Response #21:
No, there is only one "Great White Throne" judgment (Rev.20:11-15); this
is the same as the judgment of the goats in Matthew chapter twenty five
(the "sheep", the Millennial believers, have their own prior judgment).
The "last judgment", as it is often called, takes place in an interim
space after the destruction of the present universe but before the
creation of the new heavens and the new earth (Hades and the third
heaven are not part of "this 'kosmos' " and are not destroyed).
Here is the link to where all this is described in great detail:
"The Last Judgment" in CT 6.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #22:
Dear Professor,
Thank you for your succinct scriptural evaluation of my dream question.
I wonder if I might get back to a bit more of my knitting?
A friend asked me to read Jeremiah and I realised I had tried to read it
once before and found it very difficult to understand. Searching your
site I see you have quite a few references to Jeremiah in your Index and
I was going to read them all to help me understand this book. Then I
thought, why not start at the beginning, Genesis, and create another
offline index I can use and perhaps I could post a copy to you.
It would take some time as I tried this sample longhand, retyping your
translations, as I do not have a system to cut and paste from Ichthys.
Then follows finding the pages in PDF and Word.
Before I “rediscovered” your above Index I was about to troll through
all your works for references to Jeremiah, and that WOULD be a forever
job.
I will probably not get going properly for a few weeks at least as I am
losing my accountant this year and need to tackle heaps of “that
knitting” before he retires in a few months.
As always I am grateful for all you do, especially when I imagine what
an enormous amount of spade work you have dedicated to building faith
and encouraging believers to persevere in following our Lord.
Bit of update. This “flu” now has me thinking that I might be
experiencing similar symptoms I had a few years ago when I ended up in
hospital with pneumonia. I hated being in hospital so I have been lax
about seeing a doctor. Might be time for me to see one and get a script,
though they might go for another x-ray or ultrasound (can’t remember
which) that revealed my last bout with pneumonia. Hard to imagine
surviving the Tribulation when now one sometimes struggles while the
going is good.
I do trust our Lord looks after us and it will be for our best
interests. I have wondered at times what our eternal status would be if
we simply died during the Tribulation, that is, not from Martyrdom or
jailing, but from such things as I am suffering now, or old age. I am
supposing, that as long as we are faithful we are saved no matter how we
leave this mortal world.
During that hospitalisation I was concerned about my family’s temporal
welfare, and now, in addition, I am also more aware of their need for
spiritual preparation, though some of them are not preparing well.
I do appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I also always pray for
you and your family’s welfare.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student
Response #22:
The new index format is great (links:
OT;
NT1;
NT2)! It would be very time consuming to have it reflect every time
I've commented on a passage (that would be wonderful), and every time
I've CITED a passage would be impossible (and not particularly useful).
The translation index at Ichthys is for the main or first time I've
translated a passage myself and posted it, so there are lots of passages
commented upon elsewhere which are not in that index.
I'm praying for your health, my friend. Sure hope you don't have to take
any serious steps.
I think everyone (every serious Christian, that is) wonders about the
Tribulation. Personally, I hate being uncomfortable or inconvenienced or
having to suffer annoyance (not that I haven't had plenty of all of the
above in my life), so I doubt I'll be enjoying the Tribulation, should I
make it that far. I'm not sure in any case that this ministry will long
endure once it begins, but one never knows. I'm sure that many of our
brothers and sisters who've been wondering about their particular
calling to ministry will find plenty to do once the balloon goes up,
helping all the Laodicean lazies get up to speed when those folks
realize they were mistaken about the "rapture". Don't know if that goes
for me since I'd be in my 70's at that point. I do know that the Lord
has a very specific plan for us all, and that we don't have a sliver of
a chance of figuring out the details ahead of time. That's true in
"predictable times", and I'm sure much more so in the Tribulation.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Hi Bob,
I have a couple of Biblical questions:
– In your comprehensive description of the church of Laodicea, you say
that the wealth enjoyed during this 144 years is a product of the
Philadelphians. However, this description tripped me up a bit because it
lines up with the prosperity gospel. And I know how you feel about the
prosperity gospel. You made an analogy such as grandchildren enjoying
the fruits of the grandparents thriftiness. Can you clarify this one for
me?
– In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven". Is he referencing humility here and a
propensity for one to confess their sins? Also are the "pure in heart"
people who have taken in the word and have therefore purified their
hearts?
Your student in Christ,
Response #23:
On the prosperity gospel, I'm on record many times completely rejecting and refuting this false doctrine (see the link which will lead to others). I assume that this is the passage in CT 2A to which you are referring?
The (relative) political stability, material prosperity, and scientific progress which followed in the wake of the era of Philadelphia was, from the standpoint of opportunity, a blessing, for it provided heretofore unheard of possibilities for individual Christians. In no other era have Christians collectively had as much time, as much freedom, and as much availability of necessary materials (everything from scriptures in original languages, opportunities for education, books, pamphlets, and potentially well-trained teachers) for spiritual advance. But as so often happens in the secular realm, the "prosperity test" is a difficult one for most human beings to handle, and followers of the Lord are in no wise immune.
Jeshurun grew fat and kicked – [Yes,] you grew fat and heavy and were sated – so that he abandoned God who made him, and considered foolish the Rock, His Savior.
Deuteronomy 32:15
The "prosperity test" is something altogether different from the
"prosperity gospel"; the latter suggests that the plan of God is like a
slot-machine with the more you give to some so-called church, the more
chance you have of a big material payola (this is a lie); the former is
a biblical observation (backed up by the verse quoted above, for
example) to the effect that when things are going well, many forget God
– and forget that He is the source of all they have.
Beyond all question, many people in the west, regardless of spiritual
status, have been better off in terms of opportunities to pursue the
truth in the era of Laodicea (which is why Laodicea proclaims "I am
rich!"; Rev.3:17). However, it is also a fact (born out by the
description of Laodicea in scripture) that most Christians in this era
have failed the test and have not used the bountiful opportunities
provided during this last era of the Church to do what the Lord wants:
pursue spiritual growth, progress and production.
If you'll read the quote above carefully, you'll see that I don't
attribute the [relative] material prosperity of these times to
Christians or to Christian activity or to God's blessing based on giving
(or to anything else). I'm just noting that things in the modern world
are more prosperous than they were in, say, the 18th century, and that
this has provided spiritual opportunities unheard of before – which have
by and large not been exploited by the Christians of this era so blessed
to have them. Welcome to Laodicea.
If you had another passage in mind (or have further questions about this
one), do feel free to write me back about this.
As to the beatitudes, here our Lord is contrasting the way the world
looks at things with the way God looks at things. In other words, this
discourse is an excellent refutation of the prosperity gospel. Those
coming in for praise, are told they should be "happy" (a better word
than "blessed" because the latter word has picked up non-biblical
connotations) by the Lord because God is pleased with them for being
believers and for acting as believers should act. And this is true in
spite of poverty, persecution and the reproaches of the world. It's far
better to be under God's grace and favor, even if that entails ostracism
and suffering and persecution in this life, than to have only the
approval of this world and its material blessings. The latter are
temporary and will not prevent a trip to the lake of fire; the former
are eternal and result in blessing in eternity that will last forever –
as well as the great spiritual blessings believers experience in this
life in spite of sharing the sufferings of Christ.
So even though materially poor, "spiritually" speaking believers should
be happy / consider themselves blessed because they will have eternal
life in the kingdom (Matt.5:3). And those who are thinking correctly in
their hearts – those who have responded to God's command to accept His
truth in Jesus Christ – are pure in God's eyes, justified by their faith
(cf. Gen.15:6), and will indeed see God face to face in life eternal . .
. and that is definitely something to be happy / feel blessed about
(Matt.5:8). The entire discourse revolves around this same theme of
those who are genuinely following God being in truth blessed by
belonging to Him (even if suffering materially in this world) because of
all the wonders to come which far exceed whatever material blessings of
"prosperity" a person might somehow get in this life.
Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life? For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Matthew 8:34-38 NET
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #24:
Hmm, that makes a lot of sense. I am skeptical about the moon landing. I
just don’t know why they would feel the need to fake one. So do you
think all of these “sightings” could be angels/fallen angels? I know
Catholicism has some Exorcism book too so I’m sure they believe in
demons showing themselves & possessing people. I don’t like Catholicism
too much though because they seems to do things that aren’t in the
Bible. I’ve never really heard of any other denomination performing
exorcisms & that is a little worrying. I don’t affiliate myself with any
I don’t think. I just simply read the Bible & pray. I don’t know if
there is a name for that. What do you think? I’ll definitely check out
that link though. Seems very interesting.
You said “So I doubt that any serious space travel is going to take
place in the next 14 or so years before the Lord returns.” and it made
me think of the Tribulation. I know there are a lot of people talking
about the last days & a possible apocalyptic future recently. I don’t
really believe in a rapture because I haven’t seen it in Scripture.
Maybe I’m not looking hard enough. Is it true it will begin in our
lifetime? On your website I believe you say it starts in 2026 or 2028.
Is that an educated guess or does the Bible really support that? It’s
very confusing to me. Anytime I think one way I find something else that
says I’m wrong.
Anyway, thanks for all the help so far. This has been very useful & I’ve
shared some of your words with people I know. Especially the medication
thing. Have a good day.
Response #24:
I know a very good lawyer who told me one time, "In my experience,
people lie". That is certainly true as anyone with any life-experience
knows. The ancient Greeks had a proverb: "learn to swim . . . and not to
trust". That sums up what you needed to know in ancient Greece as a
prerequisite to survival, because it was (and is) a country of coasts
and islands where you were always going somewhere by boat – and they
tended to sink, especially in storms; and Greeks were (and are) quite
persuasive and talkative by nature: if you believed everything someone
told you, you'd be in trouble in a heart-beat. And of course there is
that wonderful sign I always quote: From a rural Texas convenience
store: "In God we trust – all others pay cash".
If it is true that people will lie to you (and they will), then what
about stories that are second and third hand? In other words, what you
are hearing reported might not even have too much relationship to what
was originally said. Here's a good link on all that:
"Third
Party Testimony I". This is very important because Christians tend
to be good-hearted in all ways and want to assume the best about people.
That is a mistake – not the good-hearted part but the making assumptions
that other are too part. Our Lord told us to be as wise as serpents –
even as we are to be as harmless as doves (Matt.10:16). That's the right
perspective. Love the Lord and love others – trust Him, but not them
(unless and until they've proved themselves).
On top of that, even if I were to see something with my own eyes that
did not comport with what I knew to be the case from the Bible, I would
believe the Bible rather than my own eyes.
You are correct about the Roman Catholic church. It is a religion of
works-salvation which has nothing to do with being born again, born from
above through simple faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.
On exorcism, while anyone reading the gospels can see that demons can
and do possess unbelievers (not believers – we have the Holy Spirit
within us), no one today has the power of exorcism (our Lord did of
course, and so did the apostles, but those special gifts and powers have
now ceased: 1Cor.13:8-11). What passes for exorcism today is play-acting
– and dangerous play-acting at that. It is beyond dangerous to even
pretend to have anything to do with demons and the occult (cf.
2Pet.2:10-11; Jude 1:8-9).
No, there is no "rapture" of believers before the Tribulation. You are
absolutely correct that it is nowhere to be found in the Bible; only by
inventing it and distorting some scriptures and ignoring many others has
this "doctrine" been "discovered" (here's a link on that:
"Dangers of the pre-Trib rapture teaching").
On
2026, as I always remind anyone who asks about this, this is an
interpretation of scripture and not a prediction. The interpretation is
based upon a number of postulates which are laid out at the link (read
down to the bullet points). Here's the short version: 1) there are seven
1,000 year periods in human history; 2) we know this because of a) Psalm
90:4 and 2nd Peter 3:8; b) the seven days of re-creation which are
models for how human history would play out; c) because the Millennium
is a thousand years long and is the seventh day of human history; 2) the
chronological information given in the Old Testament adds up to circa
4,000 years between the fall of man and the birth of Jesus Christ; 3)
this leaves 2,000 year for the Church Age (which matches the prior 2,000
each for the Age of the Gentiles and the Jewish Age); 4) adding 2,000
years to date of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, most probably 33
A.D., gives us 2033 as the likely date of the Second Advent; 5)
Subtracting seven years gives us the likely start of the Tribulation.
There are a few other variables which you will find discussed at the
link. But I think any Christian with eyes open can see that things
cannot go on as they are for too much longer.
Thanks for your good words and for sharing the site, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #25:
Dear Bob,
While reading Corinthians, it struck me that Paul was writing to us! So, I went
back to Genesis to reread the whole Bible as if it were addressed to me
personally and to us generally. That should
have been an obvious approach from the beginning, but I'm getting slow on the
draw in my old age.
Leviticus 26 lists the "if you do" benefits for the Israelites and the "if you
don't" punishments. We appear to be well into the punishment portion. Moses
later expanded on that, more harshly, just before the Israelites entered the
promised land. I realize we are not Israelites, but if we are grafted on the
vine, are we not subject to the same rules? (Does Acts 21:25 absolve us of those
promises?)
Or is this, perhaps, the outline for the decline and fall of nations? If I
remember my high school history, we are about the same as 2nd century AD Rome.
Do I misremember?
Should we expect the rest of Lev. 26 fulfilled in the US before the Tribulation?
After reading this week's emails, I have been richly blessed. Please address
those with pressing concerns first. If you can send links where you've addressed
this before, that would be much appreciated,
[Repeat] After reading this week's emails, I have been richly blessed. Please
address those with pressing concerns first. If you can send links where you've
addressed this before, that would be much appreciated, [End Repetition]
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Response #25:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 NIV
So I agree that the entire Bible is a great gift from the One who is the
Gift of life Himself, and we are to read and ponder and treasure it all.
Interpretation is another matter. Just because the Bible is ours and
written for us does NOT mean that we are allowed to keep slaves, for
example, as long as we follow biblical rules for doing so; NOR does it
mean that we can have multiple wives, just because many great believers
did, as long as we don't disobey the inheritance provisions of the Law.
One could go on at length.
It does make a difference that we are now in the time of light and truth
in the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world and in His successful
victory at the cross, having expiated the sins of all, then having been
resurrected, seated at the Father's right hand and glorified. It does
make a difference that the Law has been abrogated in terms of its
specific provisions and that we have all been baptized into Christ
Himself with the Holy Spirit and that we now have the Spirit residing in
our bodies.
There are wonderful applications to be made from everything in the Old
Testament; there are also commandments and guidance which is still in
force; there are also prophecies which have not yet been fulfilled.
Sorting these things out is important to be able to do. This comes as
all things scriptural do with time and effort applied in the right way
through the process of spiritual growth in the Holy Spirit.
In terms of nation states, it's important to distinguish on the one hand
between Israel of the past – the one nation in the history of the world
created specifically by the Lord to be His special possession and to be
governed by Him directly – and every other nation on the other. We, the
USA, are not special in that sense. All Israel was supposed to be
composed of believers only and follow the Law whole-heartedly. Of course
she never ever came anywhere close to that. That will take the
Millennium and Christ's direct rule.
So I would say that many of the principles in scripture which apply to
how nations should govern themselves are good to consider. Of course
there is nothing whatsoever that individual believers can do about that
– if we are talking about politics. In fact, if we get involved in
trying to change our nation in any way, we are really only playing the
devil's game. A nation gets the leaders and the treatment it deserves –
based upon where it is at spiritually. If believers want to help, the
only way to do so – and the wonderfully blessed way to do so – is to "be
salt". The more dedicated believers there are in any country who are
actually growing spiritually, progressing in their walk with the Lord
day by day, and ministering to others to help them do so as well, the
more favor that country has in the Lord's eyes – because of His being
pleased with the believers therein. But it's no good to try to fix
things from the top down – just as we can't fix things personally from
the outside in. Just as individual spiritual change has to come from the
heart in response to God's truth, so any national change would have to
come from the true heart and soul of any nation: it's believers through
their growing closeness to the Lord.
Given that most Christians in this country are lukewarm – and that this
trend seems to be if anything intensifying (precisely as one would
expect in this era of Laodicea) – I'm not sanguine about any positive
changes going forward. Indeed, we seem be getting set up perfectly for
the not too distant Tribulation.
As to your other question, as Shakespeare said, "a rose by any other
name would smell as sweet"; meaning in this context, it doesn't really
matter what it's called. Anyone who wants a relationship with the Lord
will avoid and turn away from things He finds abominable -- whatever the
name society places upon it.
From a practical point of view, and in light of what I wrote to you in
the beginning of this email, it's not possible for individual Christians
to change societal trends and dangerous to try. We speak the truth to
anyone who is interested in the truth. But as far as all others are
concerned, these verses definitely seem to me to apply today:
Since truth is lacking, he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.
Isaiah 59:15
When the righteous exult [in victory], it is most beautiful [to behold], but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.
Proverbs 28:12 (cf. Prov.28:28)
This trend and all associated and other evil trends are likely to
continue – and accelerate as we approach the end.
Thanks for your good words, my friend!
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question
#26:
Dear Bob,
I sometimes wish we could sit down over coffee and have a long talk. I learn so
much from you and you can shine light on a question from a different angle that
helps me clarify my thinking. (Which can be somewhat murky at times.)
Leviticus jumped to mind this year because of the hurricanes, flooding across
the corn belt, fires in California and the absolute abominable farming and
gardening results in Central Texas – including my garden with the plague of
grasshoppers. (The Lord, though, provides. I have garden spiders all over the
place that catch and eat grasshoppers. I love them.)
Your cites from Isaiah and Proverbs rang my bell. For the most part, I have
little contact with the outside world. A weekly trip to the grocery is about it.
I seldom see many Christians and few
people, so in effect, I am in hiding.
I don't often pray for something specifically for me but I did pray for good
land with reasonable well depths and I was led here. As comparison, most Central
Texas land is mostly limestone with well depths that range from 500' to 900'. My
prayer was answered with deep soil and no large rocks down to a well depth of
180'. Because of that, I believe this was where I was meant to be. Either I got
my reward here and now or I'm being protected for a purpose I don't understand.
But I asked and received. It took five years, but I received beyond my
expectations.
As far as politics, I haven't voted since electronic voting has been used except
for one time many years ago. Electronic voting machines are easily hacked and
voting security is abominable. I
see no point and it's a waste of time. Those elected will swear the same oath as
you and I did once and as near as I can tell, never honor it. Isaiah 3:12 seems
to me to be most relevant today.
I'm sorry to rant and rave like this. The later part of Leviticus 26 seemed to
me the outline of the decline and fall of empires and nations. The American
empire certainly seems to be in decline.
When the Israelites clamored for a king, Samuel told them exactly what they
would get. It seems we got exactly that.
Thanks for your guidance and support.
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Response #26:
No rant detected (nor any rave either). It's a fair comparison to make.
The point I try to scare readers off is the opposite assumption that
somehow the US is special "like Israel", and theologically speaking that
is not the case. But all nations are judged by the Lord, and the special
discipline that came to Israel as outlined in these passages you quote
certainly sets the pattern of judgment for everyone else (even if we
incur a less strict judgment because we are not "the light of the world"
as Israel was supposed to represent Him).
I've got friends in and from Texas. I know some folks in Australia who
have a nice spread that would accommodate Tribulation refugees. Seems a
long way for an old man to travel though (I may qualify for that moniker
by that time). So maybe I'll show up on your doorstep – as long as you
promise ahead of time not to shoo me off with a shotgun.
As to what's coming, as you know from Ichthys it seems to me way beyond
likely that this is (or more accurately "will soon become") mystery
Babylon. No political action is going to change that. So the rule that
Christians are better off staying out of politics is doubly true in our
case here today.
I keep you in my prayers every day, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.