Question #1:
None of the values you think it is are correct - the reason is 'it is sealed until the time of the End'-Dan12;9. ........so the spirit speaks Time [3.5yrs] Time [X 3.5yrs] & a Half a Time [ + 1.75yrs] = 14yrs 'they [Israel ] will be given into his [antiChrist's] hand' [Dan7;25].......So who is the man of sin? - simple really -come as a child !.....Who was Jesus[Matt 27;37 -999 old hebrew gematria] ? His opposite number [666] is the man who magnifies himself equal to Christ but opposite -the most popular king of the Jews-1/3 of the stars[of David ] fall & vote for him & he is 11th king, 8th head/mountain[3 repeat office] 7th head has the fatal wound -Rabin.He WAS 1996 WAS NOT 1999 trod down 3 kings & WAS AGAIN 2009 returned without the honor of kingship[Livni wins election] forms minority Govt. until 9 April 2019 becomes caretaker -unable to form Govt until 18 May 2020 with Benny Ganz. THIS IS THE DELAY [rev10;6] as he still has 13 months to complete his 14 yrs So he should be removed june/july 2021? The last week is broken almost in half I believe? I think it started with the renewing of the Covenant of Old in the Great Synagogue Rome 17 January 2016 by Pope with the proviso they would together build a new Temple in Jerusalem as a International Church for ALL religions [Not going to happen with the Jews!] Binyamin Netanyahu 8th head/little horn/son meaning Bibi built his ABYSS [rev11;7] Synagogue [Ezekiel8] under the Dome of the Rock dedicated July 2019 breaking the agreement with the many .Sanctified September with Pure Red Heifer sacrifice Mt of Olives .......October God's anger Corona Virus -great tribulation[not in diverse places] worldwide......Watch & see... we are in ENDTIME?.....Maranatha Shalom....Israel..Messianic Jew.........PS he has also marked on the r/hand ALL of India & China & more with his TEVA BIOTEC SYSTEM -you cannot trade there without it!
Response #1:
Dear Friend,
1) I haven't heard of this happening yet:
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:5 KJV
This takes place right after the seventh seal is opened – which is the
last seal keeping the book of Revelation closed and which therefore
starts the Tribulation. The events described above are perceptible
worldwide and mark the start of the seven years, so when the Tribulation
begins, we will know it.
2) The Old Testament prophecies skip the Church Age which is
the "mystery age" (link). So there are no prophecies for this age.
All so far unfulfilled prophecy begins only when the Tribulation begins.
3) There is nothing prophetic about the secular state of Israel today.
The Israel of the Millennium is the one which the Messiah Himself will
bring about by regathering all Jews from everywhere on earth. Check any
scripture you wish, the regathering is a) always described as total and
not partial (e.g., Ezekiel 39:28; Micah 2:12-13); b) done in an obvious
supernatural way by God Himself (not by secularists; e.g., Isaiah
43:5-7; Zechariah 10:8-12).
In Jesus Christ the God-man who Himself bore all of our sins and made
salvation possible.
Bob Luginbill
Question #2:
We are I believe almost 1/2 way through the last week ;but there is a delay[rev10;6] - Daniel 9;27 beginning the week occurred 17th January 2016 & was broken 3.5 yrs later with the dedication of the False Abyss Synagogue in Jerusalem. 3rd Temple in Jerusalem [but False -satans Temple] . Just because you don't understand prophecy think Modern Israel is not mentioned in prophecy . Daniel 7:- After WW2 the lion [United kingdom] with the Eagles Wings [USA] were as one from their wartime alliance but were torn apart when the Eagles wings sided with the Bear[USSR who wanted to be rid of their troublesome Jews] talking the 4 wings of the leopard [Countries] into allowing the annexation of Palestine for the secular State of Israel. It was passed by the new UnitedNations with one dissenting vote , the lion who was made to walk on its own 2 feet as the policeman 1947-48 to nationhood being repeatedly bombed by the Stern Gang forerunners of modern mid east terrorism. So the beast was reborn [same divided nation asin Dan2] tredding down ALL around it.[History you do not understand]. They came up out of the sea by boat.....Daniel 2 is also easily explained...Ask me anything in prophecy as I have been given insight believe it or not - I have been visited by the same remarkable being many times; Yeshu -He Lives . There will soon enough come to pass the one with the line of flax who comes measuring.Ezekiel 40;3. I have known who the son of perdition is since the day he came to power & watched him fulfill ALL prophecy including marking on the right hand more than 1/2 the world's population.Corona Virus is not birth pangs because it did not happen in diverse places but ALL OVER the place [world].You can keep looking in the wrong direction or accept the facts as I see them[I am not perfect of course & still learning from the Lord daily]. Your choice ................Maranatha Shalom
Response #2:
Dear Friend,
"We are I believe almost 1/2 way through the last week"
Then was I in a coma when the worldwide "voices, thunderings, lightnings, and earthquake"occurred? In fact of course they have NOT occurred so the Tribulation has NOT started. Things are bad – but not nearly as bad as they will become once it does start.
"Just because you don't understand prophecy think Modern Israel is not mentioned in prophecy"
Modern Israel is NOT mentioned in prophecy. Do you have a single biblical citation? And I don't mean your personal interpretations.
"I have been visited by the same remarkable being many times; Yeshu -He Lives"
Being? You don't believe Jesus is God? If not, then you are not even born again / born from above, and so don't have the Holy Spirit. No one can understand the Bible without the Spirit.
"I have known who the son of perdition is since the day he came to power"
Excuse me but this is SO typical of the kind of thing you are pedaling here. All cults and cult leaders ALWAYS try to lure in their victims with claims of "secret knowledge", and the initiates are never actually given this "knowledge" until well after the hook is set deep. If you know who antichrist is, why not "shout if from the rooftops"? It would be good for everyone to know, after all.
"You can keep looking in the wrong direction or accept the facts as I see them"
Let's see, I can keep looking to the holy scriptures with the Holy Spirit or I can accept these scribblings of yours as "facts". Hmmm....
"I am not perfect of course & still learning from the Lord daily"
I am not convinced that it is "the Lord" you are "learning" from. But I
think it very likely that He did send you to me to get straightened out.
I gave you some important links but you did not read them nor did you
even briefly consider the truth of the points I made to you and for you.
God wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth
(1Tim.2:4).
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2nd Corinthians 5:20 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
At this time we are only in the time of silence in heaven[rev8;1] .Great tribulation starts Rev7;14 thunder lightning etc start after silence- I think June/July next year after 1/2 hour [21months] .. I have for years[since 1996 actually] spoken of Netanyahu[666 in Old gematria] as the antiChrist & watched him fulfill ALL prophecy ; should be also removed June /July 2021? when his time over the Holy people is up. We shall see who speaks . .I have made many predictions about the things I think I understand but I am just a man an old one at that;.hope you survive...I have no doubt that Christ & GOD are equal as I also predicted my sons births years before their arrival as He told me in my middle years despite being told my wife was unable to have children many many years previous ; our Jewish doctor was shocked & thought me quite mad at the time but was overjoyed at this impossible event predicted. The first was still born about an Hour & as He said He would have His hand on the child was not surprised when the boy came back impossibly -Duxed his highschool..Doctor rang some months ago to apologise for disbelieving me about Corona virus I told him about two years ago .Ofcourse I can be wrong as I am not divine just a man .Sorry you do not understand prophecy...maranatha shalom....Israel ...Messianic Jew.......the two last prophets/witnesses are named by the greatest mortal prophet by the way....My opinions /interpretations turn out to be facts constantly He speaks I listen & hopefully interpret correctly!...Baruch Hashem. .I should also say Jesus is not God but His Son with ALL His authority on earth. How do I know that because He said so! When His disciples bowed down to Him He bid them to get up & only worship GOD . Jesus does not lie -so He is not GOD. Also when asked when He would return He said He did not know only GOD knows not the son or any others ;Jesus does not lie!- when you see the Son you see the Father means simply it is as if you were talking to GOD Himself as Jesus has ALL authority . Please do not tell me you understand the Word of God [Jesus ] as you obviously don't .....Baruch Hashem
Response #3:
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” [= YHVH]
John 8:58 NKJV
Question #4:
Yes He said I AM but He is not saying He is GOD . You see the Son you see the Father - as good as- equal on earth. He did not cry out to Himself on the cross but to His Father in Heaven. Seriously you misread . Father;Son : Holy Ghost All equal but separate entities; the mystery of GOD.If Jesus says He does not know the WHEN of His return He means He is not GOD -neither Jesus or GOD lie!!......Also.Jesus prophetically says HE had a number of mortal sons who were kept hidden I believe; if you understand prophecy ; who would number many mortal descendants.The antiChrist has 2 horns/sons & he was the little horn/son-meaning Bibi....Yeshu[noteI call Him Yeshu not Yeshua-Joshua] bid me to go to an old Orthodox Jewish man 22 years ago to tell him take up his pallet & go home. I found him eventually in hospital dying wasted to 50 kgs with bone cancer .They told me to please stay with him as he would very shortly die [within the hour they thought.] as he had no one . I told the nursing staff he would go home today being well. Once again medical people thought me crackers. ...I took his hands & bid him with authority' Stanley Ben Moshe go home you are not dying today ...the servant of Jacob will come & see you preach in 5 weeks & in 6 months you will have a new ministry for your LORD' His eyes lit up ,my laid on hands ached,my hairs stood up & goose bumps ALL over...I left him gentlly shaking & obviously shocked ...Being just a man I then added 'If I am wrong may he have a gentle end but if indeed I am speaking for You Your will be done'... Should I tell you it came true- as it did .He became the Vietnam Veterans Christian minister 6 months later; .In church 5 weeks later I told him he had been given 1260 days from His intervention to put the things wrong in his life right .So he passed 1260 days later. This is just one of a number acts He has had me perform for Him .To HIM be the GLORY & I am blessed for doing HIS WILL; I have NO personal power. ..You think you can show me the path that I walk incorrectly? HE is the most remarkable being I have ever met.....I will do HIS bidding until the breath of life does not exist in me . I am Isaiah 44;1-8......Shalom
Response #4:
Dear Friend,
Unless you are born again, born from above, you cannot understand
prophecy at all (or any truth beyond the natural revelation available to
the whole world: 1Cor.2:9-16). And if you do not accept that Jesus
Christ is God as well as man, and that He died for the sins of the whole
world, then you are rejecting the Father's Gift of His Son. If you
refuse to believe the truth . . .
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:18 NIV
I reiterate:
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” [= YHVH]
John 8:58 NKJV
When Jesus said, "I AM" (which He did on numerous occasions), He was
proclaiming Himself to be YHVH – as the Father and the Spirit are as
well. Jesus is unique in also being truly human since the incarnation.
The Deity of Jesus Christ is undeniably taught in scripture (see the
links: "Where
does the Bible teach that Jesus is God?"; "Jesus
is God"; "The
Trinity (in BB 1)"; and in "BB
4A: Christology"), but the verse I gave you is clear enough and
instead of taking it to heart you merely say that I "misread it" because
it doesn't agree with what you want to believe. "I AM" is pretty clear.
But if you won't believe scripture, then there is very little I can do
for you. I certainly can't compete with the imaginations of your mind if
you are preferring them to the Word of God.
If you are Jewish, and if you make it to the Tribulation (not far off at
present), the Lord Jesus Christ has a special ministry designed to reach
you: the two witnesses of Zechariah chapter four and Revelation eleven,
Moses and Elijah, will be brought back to life and will administer the
special evangelizing ministry of the 144,000 Jewish young men, a
worldwide ministry meant to turn the hearts of Israel back to the Lord
before the Great Day of His return (analogous to John's first ministry:
Lk.1:16-17). THEY will know that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died for
the sins of the world as the Mediator between God and man (something
only the God-man could be and something only He could do), that He is a
genuine human being AND that He is God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
John 1:1-4 NIV
Written in the love of Jesus Christ, "My Lord and My God!"
(Jn.20:28)
Bob L.
Question #5:
Dear Prof, Calvary greetings to you and yours. How are you sir? From what I can
glean from your email pages, God is at work in you, and through you. I thank God
for you sir and I keep praying for you and the work.
We are all ok here. Still in semi lockdown mode though with some relaxation. For
example, govt has permitted only Sunday church services with social distancing
rules for about 2 weeks now. Though a lot of folks here don't believe there is
corona virus! What was predicted about Africa (bodies piling up on the streets!)
did not come to pass, thank God, and we keep praying it will not come to pass.
Meanwhile I'm still trying to alert those I come in contact with to the dangers
of believing in pretribulation rapture. I think that because of what is
happening in the world, I find that many are interested in what I have to say
and the material I send to them. It also leads to discussion about other aspects
of the gospel. I am eternally grateful for Ichthys website for really preparing
me for all I'm doing. It's almost like God was waiting for me to have contact
with Ichthys through you. Again I say thank you sir. Who am I to be so
privileged? But then, with such great privilege comes great responsibility which
I'm always conscious about. I don't trouble you as much as before because our
friend answers my questions in such a wonderful way that I'm "over-satisfied"
(if possible). The guy is really a teacher too! Actually if I don't interact
with him for a few days, I feel his absence! Thank you sir.
I finished the book of Revelation with my kids before the boys left town armed
with Ichthys material. It was quite a wonderful time of sharing! Where did we
not go in the bible?! I think Prof, that I've given them a good launching pad
and I also consider this a great privilege that God gave me. They agreed that
now it is up to them to live the life that God wants from them going into the
tribulation time!
On the face of it, 2026 looked so far away this time last year, but i can see
the kind of acceleration of endtime events that worldwide incidents can cause! I
trust in the Lord that He will keep you safe from Covid, the subsequent economic
downturn and the current stuff of riots all foreshadowing the tribulation proper
in the now near future. I doubt if things will remain the same again after these
incidents. Do you still think there will be 7 years of plenty like in Joseph's
time in Egypt? Well, 6 years left!
Sir, pls stay well. God bless you and yours. I pray you finish strong sir. Love
you in the Lord.
NB: Is it true you are re-reading Coming Tribulation?!! Wow!
Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Response #5:
Good to hear from you, my friend, and thanks for update!
Having a family willing to pay any attention to your teaching whatsoever
is a real blessing! Not many of us can make that claim.
Speaking of him, our friend's father has been diagnosed with
metastasizing cancer and he was thinking he needed to travel home. I
gather that is very difficult under current conditions in your country,
so please keep him in prayer about that.
I'm also happy to hear that things are going acceptably well for you in
spite of all this current unpleasantness. I got a couple of fervent
emails from another contact over there last week (one of them posted
week before last, in Eschatology Issues XXXVIII at
Q/A #12)
detailing serious problems with food shortages and asking for charity
(this ministry doesn't have the means for that).
There have been a lot of dislocations here as well. The university will be a
different place in the fall. A lot of classes will be offered only
online, but I will be
able to teach 75% of my class meetings face to face and will give out
digital assignments for the rest. It means I'll have to find a way to
teach 100% of the syllabus in only 75% of the time. No easy lift
inasmuch as I already never have enough time to teach them what they
need to know.
The ministry bumps along (working on BB 7 at present). Numbers for site
traffic spiked in April but fell off a cliff in May and continue to be
mediocre. But I leave that to the Lord. He sends me brothers and sisters
who need what is offered here – along with a number of other individuals
who need to have someone tell them the truth when they don't want to
accept it. Whether in the case of the latter it does them any good
depends on the individual (I pray so).
And, yes, I'm rereading Coming Tribulation. I get a lot of benefit out
of these materials too – since the good in them didn't come from me in
the first place.
I'm hoping for seven fat years as well! We could still get them,
counting "inclusively" as they did in the ancient world: 2020, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26: even if it's not a full twelve months in two instances,
I'd still take it! But we will receive from the Lord's hand whatever He
gives us (Job 2:10), remembering that He is meaning it all and working
it all out for our absolute good (Rom.8:28).
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear Prof, thanx so much for your response. I'm glad about your job. At least
you have one! Many tales of woe abound all over. Sir the Lord will strengthen
you to meet the requirements of your job. I thank God for His tender mercies
over you.
I'm current with our friend and his family. Sad about his father though in his
eighties. Our discussion revolves around his undoubtedly being in the Lord
before departing this world. He is always in my prayers.
I actually saw the posting of the person in need. I'm quite broke but if I could
get a way to communicate, I might be able to do something when the Lord
provides. I still don't have a job till this is over. You may facilitate
communication sir. Rom 8:28 keeps coming to me always, so no matter the
circumstances, I should not be worried. Thank you.
I must tell you that I have not been utilizing the Ichthys community site as I
should. Actually after initial viewing I felt (I was scared!) I should still be
learning basics before I jump in. I prefer to be a contributor than just being a
spectator! But I will get there! Thank you again for our friend. I'm looking
forward to BB 7! All I can say about your rereading CT is that: that is a
serious lesson for me to learn!! I'm always learning with you and our friend!
Ministry traffic: Sir, you've sown seeds, some, (like me) you watered, some,
others will water. We have been sowing and watering from your effort....and the
beat goes on till Jesus comes! Even if traffic fall to zero which it never will,
you have a lot of us to present to the Lord. May we not turn out to be a
disappointment to the Lord who used you to show us a more excellent way like
Prisca and Aquila did. I also get the gist of inclusiveness for the last seven
years! Times are so uncertain, but the Lord remains our only solid anchor no
matter the storm that comes.
God bless you sir and I reiterate again in prayer to the Lord that you finish
strong sir.
Waiting for the blessed hope in Christ
Your younger brother
Response #6:
Thanks!
Your prayers in particular are greatly appreciated.
Didn't know you were not employed at present. That makes your generous attitude all the more amazing. I'll be keeping you and your family's situation in my prayers as well.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hello Sir,
I've been playing and fasting for the mercy of God for my situation and believe
things will turn around. I have faith in the Lord for Deliverance. Pls I want to
ask for assistance personally whatever you can do to assist me and my family.
I will appreciate. No means had come through since my last e-mail and is not
easy for us now. Nothing is small for us now, whatsoever. I pray God will repay
who ever assist us now. Mat.5:42.
Thanks Sir.
Shalom.
Response #7:
I'm sorry that this posting (at
the link) hasn't resulted in the outcome you desired, but I do know that
there are people praying for you as a result.
This is a one-person ministry which does not accept donations (nor make them),
and I don't know of anyone who is a loyal reader of this site who is "well to
do" or involved in organized charitable activities.
Apologies for not having a better answer for you.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hello Bob!
I just wanted to update you on the continuing problems with next door. I
contacted the property management company Tuesday after Memorial day and
told them what happened. The officer had called, too, so they had a
heads up. I sent them a detailed list with times of what he did. I sent
pictures and video I had taken. They were appalled and apologized that
we had to go through all of it. The lady said they were going to have a
meeting and find out what they could do to get him out. I hadn’t heard
back from her after a few days, so I called again. She said that the
manager had gone to his house and talked to him and served him notice.
He cannot talk to us, come onto our property, harass, damage property,
make threats or cuss at us or he is out with 24 hour notice. He told her
he was sorry and did it because he was drunk. They didn’t kick him out
because they didn’t have the legal standing at this point to do so. She
didn’t come right out and say it but I feel she was implying that if the
police had arrested him (which another officer told me the officer that
responded should have for threatening us) or if I would have had an anti
harassment order they could have.
I am still going to get an anti harassment order and I admit that I am
dragging my feet because I don’t want to have to go to court with him. I
don’t know why other than the fact that I feel he is insane and who
knows what he will do. I was really hoping that the management company
would get him out. They told me they would contact us first before they
kick him out so we can be prepared. Please pray for me that I will
follow through with this and not let fear dictate what I do.
We are keeping you and yours in prayer for safety. I haven’t heard
anything lately about the riots in and around Louisville, so I hope they
have contained it.
In Him,
Response #8:
Thanks for the update. I am keeping this situation and you in my daily prayers.
It sounds to me as if you have done and are doing absolutely everything a godly
person can do of their own accord. That is a good place to be for "faith rest".
Once we've done what we know God would have us to do, no more and no less, then
it's time to relax and trust Him absolutely to take care of whatever problem
we're dealing with. And He is always completely faithful.
Doing fine here. Protests continue nightly but they are relatively well-behaved.
No rioting or looting.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Yea, I’m fine. I liked that guy asking you about progress since you came from a
time when AC was rare. Does that make you feel old or what? Hahahaha. Heck, my
maternal grandparents did not have an indoor toilet till I was in college; had a
two holer about 40 years back of their house in the pasture, with a
Sears-Roebuck catalog in it (they did have toilet paper so we didn’t have to use
the catalog). My school did not have AC and most of my friends and relatives
houses had window units; and it gets hot in Mississippi in the summer time. My
parents put central air in their house when they built in 1960 but that was rare
even then; guess that means I grew up in luxury. Most parts of the world do not
have the amenities we do in this country; remember those Japanese toilets, just
a hole in the floor, and the benjo ditches running thru Henoko. Our grandparents
really saw changes, from the Edwardian era to the post-Vietnam era; from no
flying to moon shots in a lifetime. But the changes we will see if alive down
here when the finale starts will surpass that but not in a good way, except that
it means the return is closer.
It's interesting to watch the nuttiness but it also makes one end up shaking
your head. Wait till the sky starts falling and watch the reactions. Guess I’ve
reached the point of rolling with the punches and being grateful they are not
worse than they are, cause I do understand how bad they can, and will
eventually, become.
Response #9:
Yes I did find that amusing. I'm not feeling THAT old (yet). Besides, in
my way of looking at things, as long as you are still "on the job",
you're not old at all. That's how I feel about my colleague in the
Philosophy Dept. who's mid-80's and still carrying a full load of
teaching, research and admin – with spring in his step!
And I hear you on the Tribulation. As I've mentioned, I would it imagine
that it will get pretty uncomfortable, and those who don't have the Lord
to rely on (and believers who are not used to relying on Him) will no
doubt be running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I do
sure hope it doesn't mean no more AC however. Turns out I DO remember
that . . . not fondly.
Question #10:
Hello Dr.,
Things are fine here. Only a few mild inconveniences associated with the
“pandemic”.
I’m very happy to hear the protests stopped a couple of blocks short of
your residence. Your neighbors probably don’t realize that it was the
hand of God that spared you and them (by close proximity to His
servant). Thank God for His protection. I think all we need now is a
terrorist attack or a major natural disaster (praying we don't
experience either any time soon) and the “powers that wanna be” will
have hit the jackpot of fear and manipulation that they can unleash on a
weary public. Hope things are going well for you otherwise. Praying for
you daily.
All the best.
Rev.22:20
Response #10:
Thanks for the MP3, my friend
(link)! Uploaded and tested – I appreciate it!
Yes, it was a blessing. Mostly things have gotten peaceful in terms of the
protests here.
What will happen is anyone's guess. If it were mine to guess, I'd no doubt be
wrong. I'm a particularly bad prognosticator when it comes to anything not
specifically in the Bible. But that's OK. We have to learn to be flexible and
take whatever comes if we're going to have a prayer of getting through the
Tribulation with faith and witness intact. During that time, other than a very
few stalwart fellow believers, the Lord is the only One we'll be able to count
on – and thank God that He is more than sufficient.
The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:4-7 NIV
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Thanks Dr.,
Thank you for your help. I also want to thank you for the reminder of
Micah 7:4-7, this is a verse (along with Jesus reiteration in the
gospels) that I’ve thought of quite a bit over the past several years
and even more recently. Just about everyone I know (Christians included)
refuse to believe that anything of such a horrible nature could occur in
their lifetime. But God gave us these Scriptures for a reason, and for
that I’m quite thankful. I’m also thankful for such an edifying ministry
as Ichthys. Keep up the good work!
All the best,
Rev.22:20
Response #11:
You're more than welcome, my friend! Thanks so much for your great
support and encouragement.
As to the crazy goings-on, indeed, just when you thought you'd seen it
all and that certain things were impossible, you find out that, no, in
this environment absolutely anything is possible. As someone with a
great interest in WWII history, I can tell you that the horrible and
unbelievable things that happened then throughout the world in a
relatively short time (less than the Tribulation's seven years) should
make anyone shudder. Of course these disasters, persecutions and
horrific experiences tended to be localized, so that someone living in,
e.g., Iowa, would have barely felt more than a few shortages – except
for themselves or friends or family being sent off to war; during the
Tribulation, many of the horrible trends and events will affect most of
the world all at once.
It will be interesting to see, concerning present reactions, just how this positions things
for the Tribulation. I've lived long enough to know that predicting
things is a mistake. The biblical information about those last seven
years is general enough so as to make any such prognostication at this
point a fool's errand. But it is interesting to watch. Interesting, that
is, in the sense of that apocryphal "Chinese curse", "May you live in
interesting times!"
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Dear Teacher
Thank you very much Sir.
Have you
heard from the Dr.? How have they been through the protests?
Also, I want to ask: is it possible that the Lord would be disciplining and
testing for maturity at the same time? I just thought that it would be one or
the other, but I'm not sure I have a reason for thinking so. Perhaps the idea
that if one has reached true maturity, then they ought not to be messing around
with certain gross sins. I know from David's example that one still could, but
it was one failure and he pulled himself together right away, didn't he? It
seems to me that being in that position (even if one is always confessing after
each stumble) is a sign that they are not ready to be really tested with the
tests of maturity.
We continue to keep you in our prayers (and I'm very happy that I have been
doing way better with that day by day).
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #12:
Last I heard from our friend things
were pretty much the same as usual (they live far out on the east end a long way
off from the troubles here).
Discipline and testing often go hand in hand. In fact, after confession,
all discipline is essentially testing. But there are things that happen
which are not the result of discipline. Discriminating between the two
can be difficult (Job and his friends certainly had that issue), at
least until a believers "gets their act together" and essentially ceases
all but minor sinning (for which the discipline is concomitantly minor:
what happened to Job was so out of proportion to anything he might even
have suspected himself of doing that he – and his friends – should have
known that what was happening had nothing whatsoever to do with
discipline). But no one ever "arrives" – as the examples of David, Moses
and Elijah make clear enough. So there is an ebb and flow mostly as we
grow to maturity and beyond, differing with every believer because we
are all different – but none of us perfect.
Thanks for those prayers! Keeping you and your families in mine as well.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Bob,
I think that between then and now, there will be many marks we'll be expected to
take. Whether a COVID "passport" or some other, I think it will continue until
we accept whatever is required of us. Be that as it may, the point of my writing
today is gardening.
As you work on your garden, consider perennials, As time goes by, traditional
garden produce will get harder and harder for us, so whatever we can do to grow
decent food between now and then would only work in our favor. I'm thinking of
things like radicchio or other chicories (bitter, yes, but sweet in sauces and
stews.) Or other quasi-perennials like artichokes, runner beans. cabbage and
many others. Of course, the herbs like oregano and sage and the ones that reseed
themselves like basil, parsley are also good. Most herbs are medicinal and most
perennials are higher in nutrients than grocery produce,
With heirloom seeds, you can save the seeds from the previous year's growth and
move it if you choose. E.g., parsley surprised me because I never saw it get so
large until I moved in the country. It was not good where I planted it
originally, so, thankfully for it's seeds, I could move it for the following
year.
While this is no insulation to the coming times, I'm relying on this strategy to
make the next few years reasonably enjoyable.
Just a thought. As Daniel chapter 1 teaches us, a vegetable diet is beneficial.
While we may not be able to raise cattle, sheep or goats, we can all grow
veggies. Certainly better than a sharp stick in the eye:)
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Response #13:
No worries. Good to hear from you.
I'm happy that you are enjoying your gardening, and it may be prudent in
the near future. But honestly, as a died-in-the-wool carnivore, I think
I would rather just about anything than be reduced to a diet of parsley
et al. Potatoes, bread, corn and beans I could eat in a pinch.
Daniel and friends ate veggies to avoid eating things that were not
Kosher; that was the whole reason for it. Was it healthy too? No doubt.
But "everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it
is received with thanksgiving" (1Tim.4:4; cf. Mk.7:18-19; Acts 10:13-16;
Rom.14:14; Col.2:16; 1Tim.4:3).
All the gardening done here is for show (though some okra and corn and
tomatoes did go in for fun).
As to what's going to happen, as a matter of policy I don't worry about
it. Really, we will only need one thing: for the Lord to show us what
the right thing to do is, then to do it. It's as simple as that. That
really is the nice thing about the Tribulation. All will be VERY clear –
for those of us who've done any biblical study of the matter at least.
So much weighing of applications and motivations in today's complicated
high-tech, bio-tech, socially fragmented and degenerating world. But
once the seven years begin, it really will be more just a matter of
"which side are you on?" And the choice will be very clear.
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:9-12 NKJV
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Dear Sir,
Only just recently found your website and I have briefly had a look through your
writings, Although being a christian for many years, I never progressed into
maturity in the divine life, but rather went backwards due to the traditions of
the Elders (for want of a better term)...and my own mistakes. I had a love for
God's Word but was constantly confused by how certain portions were avoided
(because they weren't understood) and how other portions were fabricated to fit
in with man's traditions. But God in recent times has rescued me from this
dilemma and has intervened in my life in such a great way, so that now at
retirement age I am better acquainted with His Word and more so with Himself. My
journey's for the Truth of God have taken me to Nigeria on several occasions for
discipleship programmes and have led me to Men of God such as yourself for
further insight. But my greatest teacher is The Lords Spirit within, He will
tell me whether what I am reading is true or not, and so I place great value on
your studies of the bible as I do with other Men of God, What I have found as a
rule of thumb, is that all parts of the bible have to align with all other parts
of the bible ( Comparing scripture with scripture) as you well know. If a
particular portion (or man's rendering of that portion) does not align with the
overall truth of God's revelation, then something is wrong. IE as an example
Paradise or the pleasant section of Hades, Church Tradition would say that The
Lord Jesus emptied out this section of Hades when he Ascended to the Heaven's
and indeed on studying this concept it does seem very reasonable and acceptable,
but surely this is where we need to be careful and see how this fits in with
God's Purpose overall for Man and the Earth, Why was Hades/Paradise created in
the first place what was its intended purpose? If we don't come to the correct
conclusion, then this will affect other truths and compromise God's Purpose. I
know that Christians should not argue over such things ( and indeed I am not
pushing my views) the most important thing is for unity and tolerance amongst
believers, but I thought that I should make this point because it is the key to
understanding God's Truth (at least for me it is). If we lose sight of the
purpose for which Paradise /Hades was constructed, then we affect other beliefs,
such as the Kingdom , Rapture the Judgment Seat of Christ, Heaven, and other
issues besides, Basically if we get all of these components to line up with each
other in perfect harmony and with no disparity, then we will have found Father
Son and Holy Spirit, I truly am a man without learning and I rely on The Spirit
to guide me so please forgive my human weakness in writing, Hades /Paradise, is
basically a temporary residence for both believers and unbelievers, and that is
its purpose and there is no reason to suppose that God has changed its purpose.
We know that all true believers are saved and can never be lost, in some
respects the Arminians and Calvinists are both right and they are both wrong,
the very fact that they differ proves that there is another option ( God's
Option). Whilst it is true that born again Christians can never be lost it is
also true that what a man sows he will also reap, for many years I thought that
my behaviour didn't matter( partly due to modern Christian Teachings) but it has
cost me my family and much more, it is by God's Mercy that I am writing to you.
God has a Government and discipline is very much a part of that government. If
we allow God to discipline us in this life then in theory we should be correct
for the next Life/Age. But God is not mocked, he knows what we are like, how
many of God's Children in the past and even up to the present day are living
loose lives? Yes traditional church teaching has to bear some of the blame, but
nonetheless God will not allow us to go our own way forever, he will bide his
time and then a day will come when we will fall into his hands, and he will deal
with us most severely but also with mercy( his purpose being to recover us).
Now, it is possible for us to be transformed in this life into butterflies from
caterpillars (God will not do this for us, other than to send us sufferings so
as to perfect us). And the reason for our being in this Vale of Tears is to
become a New Creation, so that when it's time to fly we are ready. The Lords
Death was to get us on to the first rung of this process ( and to save us from
the Lake of Fire). But many Christians think that initial salvation is all that
is needed, and now they just live as they did before, being good and not bad,
going to all of the meetings and then going straight to heaven, (How I wish that
it were so)! We are here to be processed, to be changed, but transformation is
not in the twinkling of an eye but is life long and through much Tribulation.
Anyway what I am trying to say is that Hades/Paradise is another part of God's
Process his Administration. We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of
Christ, This is surely most serious.!. What are we being judged for... What will
the outcome of that judgment be... Our God is not mocked... Modern Christianity
skims over these issues, Let me ask you a straightforward question, if a Brother
was genuinely saved aged 25 but after two years he backslid ( for whatever
reason) and despite The Lord pursuing him, (like a hound out of hell) this man
refused the Lords correction and became even worse than before he was saved,
then he dies without being dealt with by the Lord, can this man in all reallity
go into the heaven's and look the Lord in the eyes ( HE CANNOT) But if such a
man repents and changes his ways then the Lord will heal him and forgive him and
continue the process of transformation, such a man can even be transformed in
several years be restored and recovered, And so in God's Magnificance and Wisdom
and Administration there is such a place as Hades/Paradise Basicly it is a
Holding Cell, it houses both those who have completed the transformation
programme and those who are maybe half way ( through no fault of their own, and
maybe God will have Mercy on them) But also it will include genuine believers
who have lived a Backslidden Life and refused to make their Peace with God, they
will still have the comfort of Paradise, until they go to trial, the judgment
seat, At this moment of time we know that there is no one in the Lake of Fire
but neither is there anybody (men) in the third heaven's, although I am not sure
where Enoch, Moses and Elijah are located.!. I know that King David is not in
heaven because the Apostle Peter said so in The Acts, Jesus said that our
traditions have made void the word of God, This correct teaching that the early
Christians would have known, sets all other teachings in their correct order and
correctness, IE That the Kingdom is a Reward, ( based on transformation in life)
That it is possible to Lose this Reward and suffer serous dicipline ( as though
by fire ) but not loss of salvation (this answers to both Armenians and
Calvanists) That those who lose their Birthright will not be lost but will
suffer outside the bright glory of the kingdom until they are perfected (not the
Catholic Purgatory) Even the Censors of Korah could not be discarded, but were
fixed to the Bronze Alter, Surely our God is a Consuming Fire.!. I remember well
when I was 17 and I joined the Army where I served for 5 years, I completed my
basic training ( or so I thought) then I found out that I wasn't up to standard,
so I had to do it all again, I had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Queen and
so my position was secure, but nonetheless I had to go through it all again, If
we humans who are made in the image if God do such things, should we surprised
that God has such a tough regime.?. Anyway I will close, but it seems to me that
God's Purpose and his Ways are Most Definite and Exact and are not open to our
Interpretation, All of the Doctrines and Teachings in the Bible should slot in
and match all of the others, like pieces of a jigsaw, comparing scripture with
scripture, the old testament with the new, This one piece of the jigsaw that I
have presented to you answers the questions of the following... Transformation
The Kingdom Heaven Reward Loss Securiy The Ten Virgins One Taken One Left And
Many More Besides The lack of understanding conserning the Rapture ( that some
camps are right and that some camps are wrong Because the Rapture is not
necessarily an escape from Antichrist, but it is a harvest, that God will take
those before the Tribulation who are ready or ripe and ready to be picked whilst
those who are unripe will be left to ripen through the process of the
Tribulation, and he will collect them at the Last Trump So at least two
raptures, It would seem to me that the key to opening the Bible is knowing God's
Purpose and having him inside to Confirm His Purposes... Thanks United Kingdom
Response #14:
Good to make your acquaintance.
You cover a great deal of ground here and a good deal of what you have written
seems to be exploratory. So I'm going to give you my position on a few of the
things you've addressed along with the links to where these things are
discussed. This ministry is a Bible teaching ministry and it has always been my
policy to explain where the teachings come from and how they are derived with
all appropriate scriptural documentation. Please consult the links if you'd like
to know the "how and where and why" of it.
1) There is only one resurrection of the Church. It happens when our Lord
returns. There is only one return. It happens at the end of the Tribulation.
Here are some links on that:
The Origin and the Danger of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture Theory
The Resurrection of the Lamb's Bride (in CT 5)
The pre-Trib 'Rapture': so called 'imminence' and other false proofs refuted
2) The Church is evaluated at the outset of the Millennium (millennial believers and all unbelievers are evaluated at the end of history, the former for reward, the latter for judgment – this is the sheep [millennial believers] and goats [all unbelievers] judgment). Best links on this:
3) "This creation", the present heavens and earth, will be destroyed at the end
of the Millennium and replaced by the new heavens and the new earth. But the
third heaven (we can think of it as "above" creation, since that is the way
scripture presents it) and the underworld with its three compartments of
Torments, the Abyss and Paradise (we can think of it as "below" creation, since
that is the way scripture presents it) are apart from both the old and the new.
Torments is still occupied but will be vacated at the last judgment when all
unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire (also part of the underworld);
Paradise is currently vacant (all believers being led to the third heaven at the
ascension); the Abyss contains numerous fallen angels at present (mainly those
who violated the "ground rules" in the Genesis 6 operation of Satan) but will
also be vacated at the end of history so that the lake of fire will be the only
part of the underworld occupied once the 7,000 years are over. Best link on some
of this:
The Geography of Heaven, Hades and 'Hell'
Do feel free to write me back if you have any specific questions about the above
or what you find at the links.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob Luginbill
Question #15:
Thanks for such a quick answer, I didn't actually expect one at all, Yes, there is only one return of the Lord, it is as you say, But The Paroucia is not just a Snatch and Grab at the end of the Tribulation, it is a Process, It would seem to me that The Lord will return at some time during the last seven years and before the Great Tribulation begins and set up Camp somewhere in the Heaven's (in the clouds) (in the air) whatever that looks like I can't comprehend, but the Bible says that we will be caught up to the clouds ( at the last trump) which is also the last day of the Great Tribulation and so you are correct there will be a Rapture at this time, And this temporary base of Administration that the Lord has set up in the clouds will also be where he sets up his judgment seat to evaluate his children and their works ( but only works that are done from a transformed and pure heart will be reckoned as worthy for reward, even the giving of a cup of cold water to a brother or sister because they are The Lords will count, it is not necessarly quantiy of works but quality, really it is the motive of the heart that counts, it is not necessarly the works themselves, these are but a proof that we have been changed, like a piece of wood in a mountain stream, that has been washed with water for many years, we have become petrified, changed into another substance by the washing of the Spirit, transformed, into Stone, for God's Building) At that time many will be pleading with the Lord for recognition of their works done for him and in his name (because he had told them to depart from him, he never knew them,they had not allowed Him to permeate their very being with his Spirit to change them, they had not given up their soul life or the world system, instead they had a kind of religious routine as many do today, many traditions but no reality, many miracles but no change in life, they are still caterpillars, it may not be their fault, they may be the fruit of the decline of the church as we see it today, nonetheless they are not transformed and they are unable to enter into the Glorious Kingdom, this is also very practical as well as a judgment, only butterflies can fly in the heaven's caterpillars have no wings) But nonetheless these ones are saved ones, God is not an Indian Giver, he doesn't take back his salvation that is a gift, even if they don't have his love at this time( if that's possible) then he has to save them for His Own Names Sake, And so there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth on that day, surely we have been misinformed over the years and this subject had been avoided to our cost It would have been better for them to have paid the price whilst on earth, to lose their soul and to put their hand to the plough and allow the Lord to change them from inside out, surely that is why The Lord gave us this life, for further salvation, initial salvation as wonderful as it is, is just to get us started on the narrow way, but many Christians today are on the broad way, I know that we as Christians we don't like the thought of having to do something for acceptance by God, but nonetheless we have to submit to this process, it is a suffering, it is a rejection from the world system and even from much that appears as christian service, we do have to go outside the camp unto Jesus, we must be changed now on earth, And so these ones who the Lord rejects at this time will be further processed, I don't know what that will look like, it won't be enjoyable, but it will be as through fire we know that on earth the Lord uses many sufferings and tribulations to perfect us, Contrary to church tradition, Job did not suffer because he was a God Man he Suffered because he was a Good Man, he was full of his own integrity and good works, yes he was perfect, but not before God, God had to strip him bare so that he could build him up again in the divine life, And so on that day of the Lords Judging, many will be shocked and surprised, many who feared the worst will find out that their "only a cup of cold water kind of life" will be rewarded as being " gold silver and precious stones" Many who have lived a "good life" who are full of their own integrity and works that God never approved, because they were not done from the correct motive, will be shocked when their work is classed as "wood hay and stubble" And many who lived loose and lascivious lifestyles whilst still putting on a christian front, will be devastated, But many will receive mercy, because God is Good and God is Fair, some will receive few stripes and some will receive many stripes, But the litmus test will be "how much did we love Jesus" and how much did we love the brothers"from a transformed heart, As for me, I am not so sure about "that day" although I started well " although I have seen and been spoken to by an angel face to face" "age 25, I am not sure how that day will go for me, I have only intensely pursued the Lord in these past 8 years and my life leaves much to be desired and so I am hoping for God's Mercy to get me through that day, I may suffer some loss, even Paul the Apostle did not know as to whether he had made it until nearer to the end of his life, yes he had salvation, but he was always concerned about the reward and the best ressurection, he was always striving to please the Lord, but anyway he made it, And so when the Lord returns with his Paroucia and sets up Camp in the Heaven's, the Clouds, His end time Administration towards his Saints will begin, The Bible tells us to " watch" because he will come as a thief, he will come to steal away his jewels, he will take away from the earth those who are ready and ripe (rev 3:10) this is a reward to those who are sold out for Jesus, he is all that they long for in life and in death, He will not allow such one's to suffer the Great Tribulation, God does not send suffering for its own sake, it is a tool for transforming us, these ones have already become the fruit of suffering and there is no need for any more, I believe that the Bible says that these ones are caught up to the Throne of God, I know that church traditions apportion much of Matthew to the Jews, which is a very convenient way of sidesteping God's Truth, and I do know that some of Matthew does only apply to the Jews ( such as fleeing into the wilderness etc) But the section that speaks of one being taken and one being left, speaks of the Rapture, Those taken are those who are ready to fly( their bags are packed and they have cleared customs) they are sold out for Jesus and are always watching and waiting, whether they are at work or asleep their only concern other that the basic necessitys of life are to see the Lord, anyone who has not fully put their neck to the plough and denied their soul will not be watching and waiting and so this is a reward, Those who are left behind will go through the Great Tribulation, this is not necessarily a punishment, but they are not yet in the way of transformation, They are green and unripe, the sufferings of the Great Tribulation will ripen them very quickly, (even the great tribulation is a mercy, to give God's untransformed children further time to repent and change) Also it would seem that the Millennium is but a transition from this age to the New Heavens and the New Earth, a time for God to sort out many issues in his Administration ie the Nations, appointing those Saints who will rule over them, the Jews who will instruct the Nations in all things pertaining to God and Worship, there will be work for those unregenerated sheep Nations still to do such as recycling weapons of war into agricultural equipment, there will be food production, farming, building of houses, reproduction etc, it will be a wonderful time to be alive for the Nations,( but not for the goat nations) And lastly there will be God's dealing with his failed children, they will be outside His Glory, it would seem that they will have some kind of imprisonment experience some kind of dicipline some kind of boot camp, I don't say this foolishly or lightly... 8 years ago I was imprisoned for 42 months although I only served half of that time, As I said I started off well, I had a marvelous salvation experience, unfortunately my childhood experience was horrendous and didn't help my life at all, in the Army I was punched about and rejected ( these are not any excuses for my backsliding) But anyway against my conceinces best advise I totally went off the rails, A man from Nigeria, a well known international speaker and true man of God, came to my church (I had recently returned) and invited me to come to Nigeria, I made ten trips at great expense,and this turned my life around, But even after this I was still troubled and ended up in trouble, It all changed when I entered Prison, this was my wake up call from God to be serious or suffer the consequences in Eternity, Oh, what a terrible experience.!. But amazingly the Lord was with me in such a powerful way to help me through and to save me from the Roaring Lions, All that I read from my bible for the whole time that I was there was the Psalms, and day after day I grew again my hair ( Sampson) And so I know from personal experience that the Lord will not hesitate to deal with his children in eternity in such a rough manner (but with his mercy) ( tough love) I always wondered about our names being in the book of life but then being removed, Well when you enter Prison you lose your name, they call you by your surname, as in the Army, which is very impersonal, you loose all of your documents, you almost become stateless a nonentity, But on release from Prison these things are reinstated, And you are are member of society once again, And so it would seem to me that God's failed children who can never be lost due to the fact that they have accepted that Christ bore their sins and he cannot change his mind or else he would be unrighteousness, even though they have not been faithful he is faithfull and cannot deny himself, It would seem that they will catch up with their brothers and sisters who are enjoying the bright glory just now in the Kingdom, when the New Heavens and New Earth are initiated, It would have been better for them to have followed the Lord correctly whilst on earth, But anyway the Lord is never taken by surprise, he knows the past and the future, surely one reason for having the millennium kingdom ( besides many others) is to provide a space for these failed ones, otherwise we would be left to the mercy of the Calvanists or is it the Armenians? One thing is for sure God is much more merciful than Man, we would write off many Christians because of how we perceive them, but Jesus shed his precious blood and will always fight to the utmost to save them, only he knows the troubles that prevent his children from completing the process on earth... According to my studies and understanding, the sheep and goat Nations are those Nations on the earth throughout the Great Tribulation, They will be judged by the Lord as to how they have treated the Lords Children during this most terrible time, both Jews and Christians, It will be like unto the second world war where some persecuted the Jews whilst others even risked their lives to help them, These are all unregenerated (the nations) the gospel of Grace and of the Kingdom ended in Matthew 24 before Antichrist came to power and during the Great Tribulation the Everlasting Gospel, which cannot save but warns those Nations not to take the mark of the beast and basicly it reminds them to treat God's Children well and not to abuse them, These Nations will be separated into Goats and Sheep The Sheep will inherit the Kingdom and will be its subjects, the Goats will perish, The Church being evaluated I have mentioned above. It would seem that "when this gospel of the kingdom is preached throughout the whole world and then the end comes" there will be no more salvation, there will only be the everlasting gospel preached by the angel in the air and this is more for a reminder for the unsaved to beware of how they are behaving, These unsaved nations will nonetheless live a 1000 years and then be transferred into the new heavens and new earth, and they will still be God's people, he will be happy to rule over them, there will be a further refining of them at the end of the 1000 years when Satan is loosed from his prison to gather many to war against the saints who are on the earth. 3/Yes I agree at the end of the millennium God will create a new heavens and a new earth (not a recovery as in the gap theory) there will be no more sea, If I were god I would definitely want a new earth, this one is full of dead mens bones, blood spilled in war and through murder, shipwrecks etc, Well I hope that you will forgive me for invading your space in such a way as this, I really enjoyed your writing on the gap theory, I have always wondered why God created Satan, being as he knows all things (God that is) and why a first earth without mankind? God could have made things easy for himself by not creating Satan, then in the garden of Eden Adam and his Wife would have taken the correct fruit from the correct tree and God would have had what he wanted, But no, that is not the kind of creatures that God wants to share his life with, I hope that this doesn't sound wrong, but it's almost as if man had to fall, as if he had to personally know what evil feels like and the damage that it causes, So that when God redeemed him he would know how God feels about sin and he himself( man) would feel the same as God does about sin, And so that would mean that the first earth was created for the purpose of creating such a being as the fallen Satan and that it had no other purpose( were there creatures on this first earth and what was their purpose in the grand scheme of things, or was it just Satan and his Angels) And so if Adams Earth was the Main Thrust of God's Purposes, then this First Earth must have been for the preparation of God's Enemy to trouble mankind from Adams day to our day and beyond, to be used as a negative, ugly and sharp instrument in gods toolbox.... Thanks
Response #15:
"But The Paroucia is not just a Snatch and Grab at the end of the Tribulation, it is a Process"
No. Christ returns. That is an event. It is NOT a "process".
I was wondering from your first email whether or not you were seeking answers –
or seeking to provide them.
This is a Bible teaching ministry. I answer questions for those who have them
and also stand ready to defend what is taught at Ichthys.
You are interested in teaching others. What you teach is between you and the
Lord (but you are in the wrong on these points). But receiving teaching from
others is not the mandate given to this ministry.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Sorry Sir no Question just a Revelation GOD DECLARES THE END OF THE PRESENT AGE... DUE TO MAN GOING BEYOND EVEN THAT WHICH HE HAS ALLREADY GONE BEYOND... THERE IS A STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMELS BACK AND AS IN THE DAY'S OF NOAH, MAN HAS ACCOMPLISHED THIS STRAW BREAKING... IN NOAHS DAY THAT BROKEN STRAW WAS THE FALLEN ANGELS LEAVING THEIR FIRST ESTATE AND ENTERING INTO UNION WITH MAN, THEREBY CORRUPTING GOD'S PERFECT ORDER BEYOND RECOVERY... THE ONLY OPTION THAT REMAINED WAS JUDGMENT... GOD COULD NOT ALLOW THIS PARTICULAR CORRUPTION... THE MESSIAH COULD NOT BE BORN FROM SUCH DNA CORRUPTION... AND NOW... IN OUR OWN AGE... MAN HAS DONE IT AGAIN... HE HAS GONE TOO FAR... WE WERE ALLREADY HANGING ON TO OUR TENANCY BY THE TIPS OF OUR FINGERS, LOOKING DOWN INTO THE ABYSS... BUT NOW WE HAVE GONE TOO FAR, MESSING WITH GOD'S GOOD ORDER CONCERNING MAN AND WOMEN... SO THAT EVEN CHILDREN ARE CONFUSED AS TO THEIR GENDER.. THIS IS THAT STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMELS BACK IN NOAHS AGE THIS WAS THE SAME ISSUE BUT DIFFERENT SATAN INTERFERING INTO THINGS WHERE ANGELS SHOULD FEAR TO TREAD... UNFORTUNATLY THEY DID NOT FEAR TO TREAD... AND IN THIS AGE, AGAIN SATAN HAS INTERFERED AND MOVED POLITICS AND RELIGION TO ACCEPT THAT GOD'S LAWS ARE NOT ABSOLUTE AND SO TO KEEP THE PEACE AND TO PLACATE THE DISENTERS, LEADERSHIP HAS BOWED TO THEIR EVIL DESIRES AND HAVE BROUGHT JUDGMENT UPON THEMSELVES AND UPON THE WORLD. JUDGMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN.. AND SO WHAT NOW... CAN MAN RETURN TO THOSE PRECARIOUS DAYS WHERE WE WERE JUST HANGING ON AND MAYBE GAIN A BIT MORE TIME, NO... IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT, THINGS ARE ALLREADY MOVING FORWARD, THE CORRUPTION IS ALLREADY HERE, IT CANNOT BE REVERSED, AND SO WHAT CAN BE DONE... WELL, WE FIND OURSELVES IN NOAHS SHOES... THE LORD SAID, AS IN THE DAY'S OF NOAH SO SHALL THE COMNG OF THE SON OF MAN BE... WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT THAT THINGS WILL RETURN TO SOME KIND OF NORMAL AND THAT THE WORLD WILL JUST CONTINUE AS BEFORE, WE HAVE PASSED A POINT OF NO RETURN IN GOD'S CALENDER... THE GOD'S OF EGYPT HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING JUDGED, EVEN NOW AS I WRITE,, GOD'S PEOPLE WERE UNWILLING TO LEAVE EGYPT, EVEN THOUGH THEY WANTED TO LEAVE EGYPT... GOD HAD TO FORCE THEM TO LEAVE BY DESTROYING EGYPT SO AS TO MAKE IT UNINHABITABLE... IT IS THE SAME NOW... GOD'S PEOPLE ARE SO INTRICITLY INVOLVED AND INTWINED IN THE WORLD SYSTEM AND WITH ITS IDOLS, THAT GOD MUST JUDGE IT AND DESTROY IT AND PRISE HIS CHILDREN'S STICKY FINGERS FROM IT... AND SO WHAT I BELIEVE IS HAPPENING AT THIS TIME, EVEN AS I WRITE, IS THAT GOD IS SPEAKING TO HIS PEOPLE AND BY THIS NEGATIVE WORLD SITUATION (IT IS A MOVE OF GOD) MOVING HIS CHILDREN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION... THINGS SEEM TO BE MANAGABLE AT THE MOMENT, ALTHOUGH SERIOUS... MAN IS TRYING TO RECOVER THOSE SINFUL ACTIVITIES THAT HE HAS BEEN KEPT FROM THESE PAST FEW MONTHS, DUE TO DISEASE, BUT IT IS ALLREADY TOO LATE, THE SERIOUS RESTRICTIONS THAT MAN HAS BEEN UNDER ARE NOW LEADING TO CIVIL UNREST, FUELLED BY THOSE RESTRICTIONS THEMSELVES IE THE ECONOMY, UNEMPLOYMENT, FEAR, DEPRESSION, ETC, GOD'S CHILDREN SHOULD NOW BE FOCUSING ON BEING FOUND WORTHY TO ESCAPE THE COMING WRATH, WE HAVE TO REPENT OF NOT ONLY OUR EVIL BUT ALSO OF OUR GOODNESS, THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SAVE US IS A TRANSFORMED LIFE.... NOAH HAD A SPACE TO PREPARE AN ARK FOR ESCAPE WE MAY HAVE A SPACE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR ESCAPE, IF GOD SHOWS US MERCY, BY REPENTING OF OUR RELIGION AND TRADITIONS AND OPINIONS AND BACKSLIDING AND APOSTACY, WE SHOULD ASK GOD TO DEAL WITH US, TO PROCESS US THROUGH TRANSFORMATION, YOU MIGHT ASK, IS IT NOT A BIT LATE FOR THAT AND GOD WOULD SAY, BETTER LATE THAT NEVER, IF WE ARE SERIOUS WITH GOD THEN HE CAN DO IN A FEW YEAR'S THAT WHICH WOULD TAKE A LIFETIME, NOAH HAD A SPACE TO PREPARE, DON'T THINK THAT THIS WAS A SPACE OF TIME SO AS TO SAVE THE WORLD, THIS SPACE WAS FOR NOAH AND HIS FAMILY, IF GOD HAD BEEN EXPECTING THE WORLD TO BE SAVED THEN MANY MORE ARKS WOULD HAVE BEEN NEEDED, ALTHOUGH SOME MORE SOULS COULD HAVE BEEN SQUEEZED IN WITH NOAH, NO, THIS IS A TIME FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EARS TO HEAR TO ACT AND TO PREPARE AND TO BUILD, THEN WHEN THE LORD RETURNS THEY WILL BE READY TO RISE UP ON THE JUDGMENT WATERS, EVEN AS THOSE JUDGMENT WATERS ARE POURING DOWN... IT WILL BE A NARROW ESCAPE, EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE READY... AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE SCARCLY SAVED.?. PS... EXPECT A TIME OF RECOVERY, A TIME OF BUILDING AND PREPARING, A TIME OF REVIVAL, A TIME OF THE SPIRITS OUTPORING, A TIME OF CHURCH GROWTH LIKE NEVER BEFORE... BUT DON'T BE FOOLED INTO THINKING THAT EVERYTHING IS OK AND THAT JUDGMENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, WHEN THE ARK IS BUILT HE WILL COME... PRAY (AND PREPARE) THAT YOU MIGHT BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE THE WRATH TO COME....
Response #16:
Two questions and an observation:
Q1) What do you mean exactly by "Revelation"? I.e., "where", exactly, is
this "information" coming from?
Q2) What do you mean exactly by "escape the wrath to come"? As explained
in the links, God's wrath during the Tribulation will be directed at the
followers of the beast who persecute believers and NOT at believers – so
we believers have nothing to fear from
"the wrath of
God" once the Tribulation begins (cf. Rev.14.9-12). Indeed, we will
be cheering His judgments on!
O1) Writing in all-caps makes things more difficult to read. Also it is
often meant – and often taken as – angry shouting.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi again Dr. Luginbill,
Glad to write to you again, after a 9 month hiatus. We had some sparring
over Melchizedek and tongues if you remember me. I could have written to
you on other subjects since, but struggled through them with the Lord's
help. I believe you have the best detailed website on anything to do
with the Bible and I appreciate that. I'm researching Revelation now and
tried to find some things you had written about Revelation 9:20-21, but
did not find the answer to my particular question.
Where is antichrist in these verses if "all the earth will worship him
whose names are not written in the book of life"? Daniel 11:37 seems to
refer to him saying, "neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers,
nor the desire of women, for he shall magnify himself above all, but in
his estate shall he honor the god of fortresses..."
Why are men worshiping idols of gold and silver and wood and stone,
would they not be in competition with him? Why is antichrist not
mentioned until the 6th trumpet is nearly finished in the 31/2 years of
the two witnesses?
I have a hard time believing the idols referred to are cars, money and
technology. This is demonic worship. I Cor. 10:19-20.
Thanks for your insights into this.
Response #17:
Good to hear back from you.
As to your question, antichrist will establish a one-world religion which is
eclectic and all inclusive. Satan doesn't mind if people worship all manner of
gods as long as they are really worshiping him – and if you are not worshiping
THE One and only God through Jesus Christ, you are in fact worshiping the devil.
Here are some links which talk about the religion antichrist will establish
during the Tribulation:
Characteristics of the New Religion of Antichrist
The False Piety of Antichrist's Tribulational Religion
The Anti-Christian Religion of Antichrist and its World-wide Expansion
In Jesus our dear Savior, the one way to life eternal.
Bob L.
Question #18:
Thank you Dr. Luginbill for your prompt reply.
(Although you sign your name as Bob, I am not yet free to address you this way
probably from my military background to show respect. I prefer and feel more
comfortable addressing you formally at this point,)
I
am wondering what you think of Jonathan Cahn's book--The Oracle? Even though I
may be skeptical about some of his patterns and God ordained timings--I find it
too overwhelming to dismiss.
If what he shows is true, it leads me to suspect that the last of the last days
may be longer than we think. Instead of 2026-2033, it maybe closer to a
reflection of 70AD (2070) Maybe we will see a return to the worship of idols of
gold, silver, bronze, wood and stone before antichrist takes control.
Response #18:
I'd be interested to know why anyone would think that the partial
diaspora of the rump of the Jewish state following the Roman response to
its first rebellion in 66-70 A.D. (there was another one ending in 136
A.D.) is prophetically anywhere on a par with the cross and the
resurrection. That one doesn't even pass the "sniff test".
There are plenty who still do worship idols all over the world.
Please have a look at the links. The point is that Revelation is correct
but also that it puts things in terms that readers of the time could
understand (so we don't find any tanks or helicopters or jets, but I'm
sure that the beast will use all such means for his campaigns). There
was as yet no Islam, e.g., nor any RC church when John wrote. Paganism
was the religion of the day. As mentioned, it still exists outright in
many places, and actually most places, depending on how it
is defined.
As you will see from the links, antichrist's religion is deliberately
syncretic, accepting and drawing together all world religions into one,
with him at the tip-top as the ultimate object of all such worship
(along with his father the devil). Only believers and biblical
Christianity (no religion at all but a saving relationship with Jesus
Christ) will be excluded and persecuted.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
I think we are blessed with a good and robust system of checks and balances and opposing interests and inspiring philosophy (things like low trust in government and 2nd amendment and rugged individualism). It will be a bit heartbreaking if the enemy comes like you predicted and twists it like He would.
Response #19:
A good point. This is why I am concerned for our brothers and sisters
who erroneously believe they don't have to worry about the Tribulation.
If a person is either "heart-broken" or "enthusiastic" about the regime
of antichrist – which will seem to many in the beginning anything but
evil to those who are out of the biblical loop – he/she will be that
much more vulnerable to apostasy. After all, the beast is called
anti-CHRIST, not just because he opposes Christ but also because he
pretends to be Christ . . . and many will be deceived. Believers have to
be careful about being sentimental when it comes to traditional things
they tend to love. That sort of sentiment regarding, e.g., an old line
Reformation denomination will be disastrous when they all fall in line
with the beast (along with all other organized religion); similarly,
being sentimental about this country during the Tribulation will be a
mistake. If the interpretations advanced by this ministry are correct,
then this country will no longer be this country – it will be mystery
Babylon. If you think that the difference between the France of the
Ancien Régime and the France of the French Revolution is profound,
my guess is you haven't seen anything yet.
Happy to know that you are not of that number, my friend!
In Jesus our dear Lord,
Bob L.
Question #20:
If it goes in that direction we will just have to say something like, "it is a treasure God gave us for a time, but it was never going to last forever, whatever we did and whatever happened; He has something better for us on the way".
Response #20:
Well put! What is coming is SO much better in every way – ways we cannot
even dimly imagine from this side – that it doesn't even bear
comparison.
So keep running a good race – you won't regret it a bit when you stand
before the Lord on that day.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for B2. This is the first time I've really started
anything serious on eschatology and I guessed it would take a bit more
concentration for me which is why I left it until last. It's amazing
stuff to study and I can't even get my head around what we're actually
going to go through. Not even because of it being horrible (we've got
the Lord right there with us) but just the kind of things we're going to
see and experience that so far in our lives will be nothing like we've
ever seen before. And very soon too. I REALLY need to know this stuff
off by heart. We've really got to be close to the Lord and on the ball
to get through it. Thank you so much for putting all this out there for
free for us - I absolutely praise God for it.
I think about THE most amazing thing we'll ever possibly see in our
lives and that's our Lord returning. Can you even begin to imagine what
it's going to be like? But anyway, we're still here and I've got to
concentrate on learning and growing closer to the Lord every day and
continue to do all I can for all our unsaved and lukewarm loved ones.
Praying for everything for you and your family!
Your friend in Jesus
Response #21:
Given with how uncomfortable little troubles can be, I'm really not
looking forward to trouble with a capital 'T'. But the Lord's will will
be done. Seeing Him return would wonderful beyond understanding! But
many of us who stay faithful will be martyred. We have to be ready for
that as well.
Your enthusiasm is a real boost! Hold onto that, my friend!
Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #22:
Hi Bob,
I've finally got myself back on to BB 2B again after studying other bits and
pieces. As I was reading I stopped and was deep in thought about the Tribulation
and then I carried on reading and found you had written down some of what I'd
been thinking.
When I think of all the years in human history that I could have been born the
Lord chose for me to be born at a time when I will - if it's His Will - go
through the Tribulation. A time of the greatest pressures in human history. At
first I was thinking in some ways it seems to me that those Christians who have
already lived and have gone to be with the Lord will have had it easier than I
will - no Tribulation to go through. But then even though it's going to be
horrible to go through I see it as the Lord knowing that I WILL stick it out
with His help. That I WILL come through it with my faith still intact. It's a
huge compliment from the Lord that He's allowing me to go through it and have
the opportunity to glorify Him in such a hard but amazing way - an absolute
privilege. And then to know He will reward me for it.
And Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
How special to be able to show my faithfulness and love for Him in this way and
to know that it is precious to Him means everything to me.
But if that doesn't happen - if it isn't the Lord's Will for me to be martyred
then what an absolute privilege again to actually see our Lord return! If that
is the Lord's Will for me then . . . well . . . I'm speechless - that would be
amazing - breathtaking!
Whatever happens, whatever His Will is for me - what an absolute honour no
matter how hard it's going to be to have been born and on this earth at this
time.
I hope and pray that you're feeling better.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #22:
Wonderful perspective on what lies ahead, my friend! That is precisely
the good and godly way to think about it. And we know that the Lord is
always at our side, and that He will give us everything we need, every
help, to get through and to do what He would have us to do.
Good to hear that things have calmed down enough to get a little back on
track. I'm keeping you and your health in my prayers. Thanks for yours
as well. Long day today but I feel I will be able to bump through the
week.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Hello Bob,
Some questions:
If the Tribulation will last 2 X 1,260 day blocks and also will be 7 years then
we are 35 days short since the 1,260 days are based on lunar years instead of
solar years. I understand the inter-calculation concept but I want to understand
the exact dating in terms of getting us to Yom Kippur in 2033 (or close to it
given that the Tribulation will be cut short). Since you reckon that our Lord
will return close to the feasts of the fall (Yom Kippur) which falls on October
3 according to the 2033 Jewish ceremonial calendar, how do we make up those 35
days, since in the case of the tribulation we are not adding in the inter
calculation period because we have a direct countdown of days? (To rephrase the
question: with the exact dating we can't put in any inter calculation period
because we don't have the flexibility they had in the past because of the
countdown-- so how do we reconcile this?) Also since the tribulationial timeline
will be cut short, will it be cut short on the 1,260 day timeline? Does
this mean that the tribulation will start in the late fall like November so that
way we can operate on a lunar month schedule, hit the 1,260 day timelines, and
then arrive somewhere in early October or close to it?
Response #23:
The Tribulation as a whole is seven years. Revelation 11:3 is the only reference to the first half which has a time element, and it refers to the ministry of the two witnesses (link); since it is possible that they are not resuscitated on day one of the Tribulation, I don't think we can use this passage to come to 35 (as opposed to 17-18) days short. We do know that the Great Tribulation will be shortened somewhat "for the sake of the elect" (Matt.24:22: Mk.13:20); this is probably a matter of only a few days. This would fit with the assumed discrepancy. Also, since we have no idea what the "true" Jewish calendar is today (as opposed to the Rabbinic one currently in use), there isn't enough to go on to make a precise calculation.
Question #24:
When you said "this would fit the discrepancy" when saying 17-18 days -- what discrepancy were you referring to?
Response #24:
I mean the 35 days absent from a full three and a half solar years in the figure of 1,260 causing a shift in time beyond what the calendar might allow.
Question #25:
Is this similar to the scene in Revelation 8:3-5 (NASB):
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
As in the martyred vintage are fuel for the fire of God's wrath so they are metaphorically thrown onto the earth in the form of judgements on the persecutors?
Response #25:
The prayers result in God's judgment . . . against those who persecute believers. The wrath of God is for them, not for us. See the link.
Question #26:
Since we live in Babylon and have the possibility of fleeing 8 months prior (give or take), it seems to me that we would arrive in Israel or somewhere close by (hopefully) with 6 months to go. What would we do during this time period considering we are directed by our Lord to wait for His vengeance. Will we just be sitting on the sidelines and letting the IDF defend us or will it be some sort of day to day wilderness ordeal? I ask this question with a huge grain of salt, knowing the chaotic nature of the Tribulation. The main crux of this question is if we arrive in Israel months before our Lord's return should we take up arms with the Israeli defense forces or simply take up arms to defend ourselves given the violent nature of the area or should we be 100% nonviolent and trust in the Lord?
Response #26:
This is a good question. One I have pondered myself as well. I can't give you an answer from scripture. I will say that a good friend of mine who had a Jewish grandmother took a trip to Israel some years back. When the tour guide found out about his grandmother, she said, "You Jewish! If we have war, you fight!" My friend said with all due respect that while he admired the country and the people it was not his country. She said, "If you here when war comes, we give you rifle and put you on the line. Then you fight or die!" A lot can happen between now and then.
Question #27:
Revelation 14:19 (19) And the angel cast forth his sickle onto the earth, and he gathered up the vintage of the earth and threw [it] into the great winepress of God's wrath.
Why does this verse make it sound like martyred believers during the Great
Tribulation (vintage of the earth) are thrown into the great winepress of God's
wrath which we know are the bowl judgements and the second advent judgements?
Response #27:
The vintage is speaking of Armageddon, the destruction of the enemies of the Lord (not believers in the Great Persecution; they/we are the harvest that precedes). See the link.
Question #28:
I asked the lead professor of the UVA atmospheric science department what would
happen if the sun lost a third of its light and he said:
"Using a simple radiation balance model (balance between incoming solar energy
and outgoing infrared energy from Earth and its atmosphere), if we reduce the
solar constant by one-third, I get a global temperature decline of 28°C (or
28K). That is assuming everything else remains equal, which is not accurate.
It’s safe to assume the U.S. decline would be similar."
Then, I asked if the effect would be immediate or if any parts of the earth
would trap in the heat or if there were any mitigating factors that might not
make it as severe :
"Yes, there would be an almost immediate effect (think of total solar eclipses,
where the temperature will drop in the area of totality) as well as a longer
term decline over time. But you are correct—elements of the surface have
different heat capacities, so the ability to store and release energy varies.
Oceans are a significant heat reservoir. I simply ran the numbers for an
equilibrium model with a cooler sun."
So, 28 C drop is a 86 F drop in degrees. Considering that this judgement is in
the winter, we will all have to move to Florida if this Professor is even close
to being correct.
Do you have any thoughts on this? Revision: I thought by 28C drop the professor
meant a 86F drop. But he emailed me this morning: "Your math is a bit off…a
change of 28K (or °C) is a change of 50°F (not 86°F)". This makes much more
sense. A 50 degree drop wouldn't kill -- but things will get very cold no doubt.
Response #28:
The one third is from our earthly perspective (i.e., how it seems from looking at things from the earth), so we don't have to apply a scientific test (that's not how the Bible was written); also, keep in mind that God is all-powerful and could easily overcome any anticipated situations that would make life absolutely unlivable. He's certainly done that before. The sun "stood still over Gibeah" in God's response to Joshua's prayer. Ask your physics professor what would happen if the earth suddenly stopped rotating. It did happen (or the equivalent) but there were no catastrophic geological results.
Question #29:
As you know, you have basically written an entire commentary on every verse in the gospels with your emails and a semi-commentary on the epistles. However, currently your email content is hard to access and one must spend a lot of time utilizing the search function on google to find your commentary on a specific verse (I'd be surprised if a lot of your readers even knew that this function existed -- however it still isn't the best at generating results and is slow going). The index page has some links but it is does not do your email content justice because it includes only a fraction of your answers to different verses. If you are okay with it, I would really like to go through each of your emails and link your verse specific email explanations to an Ichthys page -- either the index page or a separate one altogether (labeled Dr. Luginbill commentary?) so your email content is organized on a verse by verses basis. Your content is massive but the organization of the website doesn't do it justice -- your only one person I get that 100%. But I would really like to help because I think this would benefit a lot of your readers who are trying to look for your answer on a specific verse not on the index page. It would also make it easier for you to answer new emails since you could just go to the page to see if you have already answered it. I brought it up with our friend and he said he would love it if that was on your website and he actually wanted to do that himself if he ever had the time. If you don't feel comfortable giving me access to the site, I get it, but I do think this would be a nice little organizational addition to your ministry and it would be a great honor to be able to assist in this way. When I said "index page" I meant this page: https://ichthys.com/translist.htm
Response #29:
Have you tried Peter V.'s "extended index" (link is to the one on the gospels). Naturally, everyone would do this a little differently, but that is a good point to consider, namely, that no index would ever satisfy everyone. When I was MUCH younger, I took it upon myself to index verse references in my mentor's taped Bible studies. It took massive amounts of time out of my days for several years and never really amounted to anything in the end (don't even know if I still have that huge stack of index cards). Bottom line: I think there's a lot better ways you could make use of your time, my friend!
Question #30:
Thank you Bob,
It means a lot for you to be so available -- as we grow those not
growing (our family and friends) have a tough time understanding the
purpose of life, so God has really blessed me to have you as a good
friend!
1) Revelation 7:16(b) (NKJV)
the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
I know that believers are well-spared the judgements just as in Exodus. However, this one half verse struck out to me as odd considering one of the bowl judgments is the scorching sun. Do you take this to mean that we won't be completely spared the direct effects of that one particular judgement or is this language meant to show that tribulation martyrs will not be in the smelting "heat" of the testing furnace any longer?
Response #30:
Revelation 7:16 is talking about eternity (interim as well as final); we won't suffer in any way on the other side, whatever we have to suffer here. But as I have had occasion to say much lately as good Christians contemplate the Tribulation ever closer, it is true that God will have a special way of dealing with and protecting believers during the Tribulation – especially those walking close to Jesus Christ (the plagues on Egypt from which the children of Israel were protected being the analogy; see the link).
Question #31:
Revelation 4:8 (NKJV)
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
Should this be in the future tense: "they will not rest day or night" like verse 9 which is in the future tense addressing the angels and denoting that this heavenly prelude procession as a special occasion with a special ritual. Or do the cherubim say this nonstop like the verse says in the present tense?
Response #31:
The tense is not future. In Aleph, the best ms. (and one of the few ancient mss. to have Revelation), it was originally aorist (simple past) but a late and questionable form; it is corrected in the ms. by what looks to be a contemporaneous hand to present tense. However, the question really doesn't change even if we change the tense. Does this mean that the cherubs continually say this for all eternity? I don't think so. It means that this is their job and that at present in their guardian role it is their part to proclaim the Father's sanctity, and that they did this repeatedly while John was in this ecstatic state and receiving Revelation. What they will be doing, and what we will be doing for that matter, in the eternal state is not foreclosed by this passage.
Question #32:
I found your quote with the merchants tables in the courtyard! "He may walk on the water as a sign to others and in the furtherance of the Father's plan (delayed by necessary work and prayer, and now catching up to the disciples), but He still walks. He can overturn the incredibly heavy tables in the temple with superhuman strength to fulfill the prophecies, but He offers no defense whatsoever to those who come to arrest Him in Gethsemane."
Response #32:
That sounds right. Tables laden with metal coinage would be incredibly
heavy, and I doubt that most people could do such a thing. I maybe
should have phrased this differently, but I do think it is true that our
Lord was special, having been born without a sin nature and never having
sinned.
In Jesus Christ our dear Savior,
Bob L.