Question #1:
Dear Teacher
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Thank you for your generosity with your time and tutelage and
wisdom, Sir. We have been blessed beyond words these three years. We pray that
the Lord will grant you much more fruitfulness in this coming year and in others
besides.
Did your Christmas turn out okay? It wasn't too bad here.
Thank you so much for the prayer, Sir. We're looking to the Lord for all of our
hopes and desires. He has been so good to us all this time. I know that He will
not stop in this coming year.
We wish you even more comfort from the Lord in all your striving in 2021. And we
continue to keep you in our prayers.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #1:
Glad to hear you had such a good Christmas – that was needful. We had a
wonderful one here as well. I got some good rest – although I'm feeling
a little "fat and fatigued" as a result! Next week things get back into
gear as I prep my classes and deal with admin issues; classes start a
week from Monday [1/11].
Thanks for your update and, your kind words, and most especially for
your prayers, my friend! They are greatly appreciated. Keeping you in
mine daily too.
Wishing you a much better 2021 as well! God is faithful and ever so,
regardless of what may betide.
In Jesus our faithful Savior.
Bob L.
Question #2:
Dear Teacher
Thank you, Sir, for the encouragement. I have been trying to keep doing
that. I will continue to fight that way. I consider that if I hold to
spiritual progress, it will resolve in time. I know that it will take
effort from me, but it seems to be that as one thing grows larger, then
its opposite grows smaller in me too.
Have you been having a good first week, Sir?
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #2:
Today, for the first time, I used the "hyflex" gear in HM 202 to stream
my class to students who weren't there in person. It's new equipment,
and they finally got it working. But it was WEIRD. I had ONE student in
the classroom and three on the computer . . . and they really couldn't
see the blackboard good enough for me to use that. So I was jumping back
and forth (and trying to get BlackBoard Ultra, our interface program, to
work). I'm doing this for my upper level Greek class because, well, I
have a number who can't/won't come to class on account of Covid.
They're going to be making the v- (which one?) available to
everyone at U of L as soon as they get the hospital and clinical people
taken care of. I have my reservations. I'm not sure it'll work, for one
thing, especially with the new strains . . . or not work for long.
Keeping you in my prayers daily, along with your families.
Keep up the great work for our Lord and His Church!
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Dear Teacher
That sounds like a fair bit of fun for you, Sir. LOL.
I have also felt the same way about the v-s. Your responses in the
email postings helped me think through the matter too. They're pretty
rushed. Here in Nigeria, as always, the v-s are going first to the
rich and powerful before they get to anyone else. That may be a saving
grace in disguise. Another quite certain thing is that if we have to pay
to be v-ed, a large number of Nigerians will go without.
Thank you for your prayers, Sir. We are very grateful for them. And we
continue to pray for you from here too.
Thank you, Sir.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #3:
You're most welcome, my friend!
People clamoring to get the v- and others terrified about the prospect of
being forced into it – that's where we are at present.
More about v-s tomorrow!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #4:
What is going on in this country is wearing on me as I am so saddened
and angry to see what is happening. These are difficult times not in the
material sense but in the spiritual sense and they will only worsen no
doubt as we come closer to Rev. 8:5. I know I am not the only one
distraught. Blessedly I know what is to come and know that Jesus is
looking over us keeping us safe. I have had a couple of fruitful
conversations with family members recently who also are beginning to
suspect that the antichrist is around the corner.
In the coming King whose kingdom will have no coups or rampant
immorality or anything else abominable to speak of.
Response #4:
Things are a mess. This is all very wearing – I certainly grant you
that! However, it can be a very good time for believers . . . a good
time, that is, for taking stock and seeing that all this temporary stuff
in the world is really meaningless. Everything we see is only dust, dust
that itself is going to be completely incinerated at the end of our
Lord's millennial rule. And that rule is coming soon! Marana Tha!
Oh, our Lord, come quickly!
We who know something of the truth need to be prepared for MUCH worse
than what we are presently beholding with these eyes of flesh, instead
seeing with the eyes of faith the bigger picture: our Lord is working
all of this out for the good. Babylon is being prepared by the evil one,
but not without the complete working out of the plan of God for His own
perfect ends. So if we are overly distraught – no one wants to see their
country and all they've worked for and invested in corrupted and
destroyed – we need to remember that we are sojourners here, and that
this is not our country: we have a kingdom not of this earth. Whatever
we have down here is just temporary – a means to an end. We need to keep
focused on that end, therefore: a good report before our Lord in the
very near future, having made use of what He's given us, our "talent" as
in the parable, to accomplish what He had for us to do. It's not easy to
hold onto that perspective always and have our emotions completely
uninvolved, but that is what we need to strive for.
So don't watch the news! Or go ahead and watch it – and rejoice in the
fiery justice of our Lord soon to be unleashed against all who intend to
persecute us.
(5) [These tribulations which you are enduring] are evidence of the righteous judgment of God in His [judging] you to be worthy of His kingdom on behalf of which you are also suffering. (6) Since indeed it is just for God to repay with tribulation those who are subjecting you to tribulation, (7) and to give you who are being distressed relief along with us at the revelation of our Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, (8) wreaking vengeance in a flame of fire upon those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (9) These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power, (10) when He comes on that [great] day to be glorified in the midst of His saints (i.e., resurrected believers) and to be marveled at among all those who have believed – as our testimony has been believed in your case.
2nd Thessalonians 1:5-10
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Hello again Bob,
I couldn't let this one go by without chiming in. First, I think there
is great satisfaction in Ludditery. Scything, e.g., (which I know is not
your favorite tool) gives you an opportunity to be still and count your
blessings. Life without a cell phone is peaceful. Tilling by hand is
quieter than a tiller and doesn't stink. My hot button, though, was
pushed by the DNA discussion.
As has been said, "God didn't create no junk" so I personally object to
having my DNA monkeyed. A recent Moderna piece (Moderna makes one of the
two known mRNA v-s) states:
"Our Operating System
"Recognizing the broad potential of mRNA science, we set out to create
an mRNA technology platform that functions very much like an operating
system on a computer. It is designed so that it can plug and play
interchangeably with different programs. In our case, the "program” or
“app” is our mRNA drug - the unique mRNA sequence that codes for a
protein.
"We have a dedicated team of several hundred scientists and engineers
solely focused on advancing Moderna's platform technology. They are
organized around key disciplines and work in an integrated fashion to
advance knowledge surrounding mRNA science and solve for challenges that
are unique to mRNA drug development. Some of these disciplines include
mRNA biology, chemistry, formulation & delivery, bioinformatics and
protein engineering."
https://www.modernatx.com/mrna-technology/mrna-platform-enabling-drug-discovery-development
That suggests more is coming and who knows where that could lead us.
Particularly now that we have lethal mutated viruses (none of which have
been found or isolated) which the "experts" claim will require more
v-s.
In addition, Mr. Gates, who never got an operating system to work right
is behind these v-s and has been a strong advocate of "population
reduction." As I told my daughter many times when she was getting old
enough to enter the hormone storm, "When in doubt, don't." Given that
much of what masquerades as "science" strikes me as hubris and fraud (as
it did British Medical Journal and Journal of the American Medical
Association,) I doubt. So I won't.
The same holds true for genetically modified food (or phude, as I like
to call it.) There have been too many "unexpected" side changes to plant
and animal DNA that I refuse to eat that, too. There has been enough
empirical evidence for me to avoid it whenever possible. Real food bred
naturally follows God's laws. GM phude doesn't. That man feels he can
improve God's work is insane. Who would want to eat something designed
and engineered to kill? Is GM phude playing a role in the magic virus
pandemic? Have you noticed that the seasonal flu has vanished?
Having said that, Mr. Gates and his ilk want to put nano-chips in
v-s, supposedly to monitor a person's health in real time. Who
knows what that really means. Given that we already have RFID tattoos, I
wonder if that would complete a communication link from outside into the
body? RFID chips implanted in animals cause cancer. Will that have a
role in the actual Mark?
Finally, in one of your earlier email postings, you said you didn't
believe we have been visited by aliens. I would disagree. Having been on
Market street in San Francisco and 42nd street in NYC and especially
after reading about the kabuki comedy in Washington DC, I'm convinced we
have aliens living among us today. (I finally understand your amused
disgust comments.)
Be well and safe.
In Jesus,
Response #5:
I appreciate your perspective, my friend.
On Luddites and scythes, I assume you're making use of a metal one, no doubt
made of steel. Figuring out how to forge iron then steel was in many ways the
"mother" of all technological achievements. The "Iron Age" is a big deal in
ancient history for a very good reason. It revolutionized warfare. So technology
has been around since the beginning (cf. Gen.4:21-22). It can't be avoided. A
person can be selective, but not independent. There is no escaping this world as
long as we are in it. Blessedly, we are not "of it" (Jn.17:16), and that makes
all the difference. This is about the spiritual, not the physical.
Same goes for the v-. Take, don't take it. Doesn't make any difference to
the Lord I'm sure – unless a person is convinced that it's a sin to take it or
not to take it and does the opposite. In fact it's neither either way.
So we are being manipulated? Nothing new there. The question is, what does God
expect us to do? I'm very sure, based upon the Bible, that He does NOT expect us
to get so riled up about this we start some kind of movement to overthrow the
present power structure so as to put a stop to this and all the over evil that's
going on under the sun. That's not our job. That's His job.
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.
Genesis 11:5-8 NKJV
Will God allow things to get so bad in terms of a one world government and
technological manipulation of the world in any way or every way that free will
is essentially extinguished? We know that's not the case from the example above
. . . not to mention that He's promised never to forsake us and has proven His
faithfulness to us individually and collectively more times than can be counted.
So "what do we do?". We can get upset and do nothing. That's just bad for the
blood pressure. We can get upset and take action. That sort of political action
is bad for the spirit (and eventually the body). Or we can trust the Lord that
He has this all under control in His perfect plan. Which He does.
Really, as believers, we only need to know one thing: "what does the Lord want
me to do?" Then we need to do it.
In practical terms, then, the question is "do I take this v- or not?" The
answer is individual and, in spiritual terms, inconsequential, since it's not
right or wrong spiritually to take it or not to take it. But if a person doesn't
agree with that assessment, he/she should do what, in the Spirit, he/she feels
the Spirit is telling them to do. Personally, I don't see a spiritual side to
this, except in so far as this is another level of pressure and it tests our
faith in the Lord and our reliance on Him and in Him. To that extent, if we are
upset or distressed either way, we probably need to take stock.
As to "Will that have a role in the actual Mark?", I have tried to make as
crystal clear as possible that these things have nothing to do with each other,
that the mark is a mark and not something other than a mark, that taking the
mark is an act of worship of the beast and will be recognized as such, and that
no one will be tricked into doing this against their true free will. That's the
best I can do, other than to mention again that I believe it's spiritually
dangerous to equate the two, not only because it sows confusion as to what the
mark is (where the Bible is very clear on that point), but also because of the
unnecessary spiritual disruption that may result.
Don't want to take the v-? No worries. People who want it are clamoring to
get it. Will they force us to be v-ed? Who knows with the growing
craziness what might happen. Same sex marriage may be made mandatory for all I
know (never was good at predicting the future). But again, we only need to ask
what the Lord wants us to do and do it – and what He doesn't want us to do and
then don't do it. If a person is convinced that the Lord does NOT want him/her
v-ed, then he/she should refrain . . . but I don't find any biblical basis
for making this a clear spiritual yes or no, so I'm careful about telling others
yes or no.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Ah, Bob,
I think I picked off a scab and that was not my intention. I apologize. I only
wanted to share my take on the nonsense going on today. There are many things I
won't do, taking v-s (of any kind,) eating GMOs and pointing a loaded gun
at my foot and pulling the trigger are among them. They are personal choices. I
don't know of anything Biblical that would encourage or prohibit those choices.
It doesn't sound like you do either.
I do, however, believe technology will play a large role in the Tribulation. The
tech for "signs and lying wonders" is already in place and most likely being
used today. If we don't know for sure it isn't being used that way today, what
do we expect to know when it gets serious? How it will all play out is an open
question. Like your other correspondent, it's something I watch and concerns me
because I think we'll see it manifested even before the show starts. While I
don't expect to be around to see it all play out, I am still concerned.
Unlike many, I think "high tech" (and computers especially) is essentially evil
or, at least, a perfect tool for evil people. True, tech can be used for good,
as your ministry proves, as much as evil -- much like firearms. I initially got
involved with computers in the '70s because I saw how much good it could offer.
Instead, over the next 30+ years, I saw it degrade and kept hearing, "It's good
enough" and saw an horrendous decline in quality of printed and written
material. And now, we have twittering twits and their overlords punishing people
for speaking their mind. "To protect us."
At the bottom of it all, after frumping and strutting, I don't see any spiritual
significance to these attitudes (correct me if I'm wrong) and I completely
understand your correspondent's concern. After all, we don't want Charlie under
the wire. We obviously don't want that concern to divert our attention from
spiritual growth and as stunted as mine may be, that's my first concern. Thanks
in large part to you, I think I'm progressing.
So, I apologize for any concern I caused. I just want to be the wise man alert
for the thieves. Whether I am or not, remains to be seen...
Yours in our Lord,
Response #6:
No worries on this end, my friend!
I'm not convinced that the v- will be helpful, though I'll probably
end up getting it [update – some version of it at some point]. I'm
trying to let readers who are concerned have their say, but I also don't
want to be responsible for someone not getting the dose if it is what
they probably ought to do for the sake of their health and, even more
importantly, the health of those around them. I generally stay away from
the medicos and anything having to do with their arts as much as I can.
But I have benefited from medicine, obviously (the doc who operated on
me at Ft. Knox saved me from being permanently crippled).
I don't have an issue with calling tech basically "evil". It's all
"magic", after all (cf. Is.47:12-14), human attempts to manipulate the
world and change things – when really only God can change things . . .
for the good. But this is all philosophy at some point. We are
individual believers and we are living in this world, like it or not,
until the Lord comes back for us or takes us home. Until then, we are
confronted with all manner of choices about what to do and not to do. My
focus as a pastor-teacher is on the spiritual. When it comes to other
things, what is right for me might not be right for you and vice versa,
without either of us being sinful in our approach.
Whatever we do (or don't do) as individuals, the Lord will take us home
at the right time or preserve us until He returns. The Tribulation will
begin right on time . . . and blessedly the second advent won't be
delayed a single second from what has been decreed. We believers have a
right to be confident in the faithfulness of our dear Savior to bring us
through absolutely everything and anything we may face down here. So
when it comes to eating this or that, getting this shot or not, and all
such peripheral things the world is so concerned about, while we all
have opinions about such things, it is also important to keep the big
picture in mind and focus on what is truly important to the Lord.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."
John 10:27-28 NKJV
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers!
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hello Dr.,
Hope you are well. We are fine here. The City has strictly warned all employees
to refrain from certain topics of discussion both professional and private (1st
Amendment anyone?). Also they have informed us that as building inspectors we
are considered essential and are on the short list for the v-. At the
moment it is voluntary, so I politely declined. I’m sure you’ve done your
research, so I don’t want to waste your time. However, I’ve included a link to a
short discussion on the potential effects of the v- by two genetics
scientists. It appears credible, is only 12 1/2 minutes long, and may be worth
consideration. I know man can do nothing to us that the Lord doesn’t allow, so
this is not sent in a spirit of panic or fear, just an FYI.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2021/01/no_author/professor-dolores-cahill-why-people-will-start-dying-a-few-months-after-the-first-mrna-v-ion/
All the best,
Rev. 22:20
Response #7:
Great to hear from you as always, my friend.
In terms of research, to be honest, I haven't done very much. This is an
informative link you include, but I have questions about it and also about mRNA
v-ion generally. Both the v-s my own employer is offering (they won't
tell you which one you're going to get before you show up . . . which is
"special"), are mRNA type. To be honest, while I would probably have no problem
getting the Oxford / AstraZeneca one since it's a "viral vector" one (i.e.,
using a harmless virus containing the Covid info to which one's immune system
reacts) or a traditional "whole [dead] virus" one (similar to flu shots), these
mRNA ones do give me some pause. Mind you, I don't even like flu shots, but I'm
not worried about them killing me. And not that I'm worried really about the
prospect of dying, either from the virus or the v-. It's much better on the
other side! And I have complete confidence that the Lord will protect me from
anything and everything out of my control as long as He wants me here. Still,
before a person jumps off a roof, they ought to have some idea of how gravity
and acceleration will affect their personal mass (especially if we are talking
multiple stories).
Here's the thing about the video vs. the mainline sites which, of course, want
to suggest that these mRNA v-s are safer than aspirin. A good comparison,
actually, because the Bayer corporation actually came up with TWO "wonder drugs"
in Germany in the 1920's, both of which were sold under trade names now famous
and both sold over the counter: "Aspirin" and "Heroin". So there can be
unintended consequences even with the best of intentions.
Things agreed upon (and apologies to all and sundry: I am NOT an MD nor a
scientist!): 1) mRNA v- is still "experimental". Our Provost here at U of L
in encouraging all to get it when our turn rolls up said that the reason it's
being made voluntary and not mandatory is precisely because it is still
"experimental". While this technology has been around for a fairly long time,
it's never been authorized for human beings before beyond the trial stage. Maybe
there is some reason for that. 2) The v- works by causing the mRNA to enter
some cells and then causing the cells, "giving them the M message", to produce
the CV-19 proteins which (steps skipped here) is identified by our immune system
which then mounts a response, producing antibodies which in turn give us a leg
up against actual CV-19 virus which may later find it's way into our system. In
other words, though the process of producing the antibodies and priming our
immune system is different from traditional v-s, the result is the same –
and maybe better because the body's own cells are producing the proteins to
which the immune system reacts (more proteins / stronger, better reaction). As I
say, apologies for anything I've gotten wrong here a little or a lot.
What I can't find resolution on in my research: pro-v- info assures us that
these v-s do NOT affect our DNA in any way. As they put it, DNA produces
RNA and never the other way around (some qualifications here above my
pay-grade). And, critically, once the mRNA of the v- has done its job, the
cells in question shed this messenger since "job is done" and no new mRNA with
the Covid strain is produced – which is why a second dose of the v- is
necessary in most cases to ensure an adequate immune response. However, this
video states that once the mRNA is introduced, it becomes part of the body's
"operating system" for all time. That is a problem because it means that if the
immune system is ever again "set off" by a reaction to a similar virus it will
overreact in trying to rid itself of the viral parts which, in essence, the body
is producing now, and the overreaction can / could be fatal. That is because the
immune system will not stop trying to rid the body of something that is now
being produced by the body and is thus essentially a part of the body ever after
being v-ed. The video, which is short, does not address the mechanics of
this. The traditional / governmental websites do. Are there things one side – or
more probably both sides – don't know or understand yet about the mechanics of
all this? Personally, I don't understand how our bodies could be "permanently
changed" on a cellular level without our DNA being altered . . . but then add
"I'm not a cellular biologist" to the list of caveats.
The video suggests that because of continued and continuing mRNA presence,
v-ed individuals, especially elderly ones, may be more vulnerable to
disease in the future, even if they have an immunity to Covid 19 specifically,
because of this unwanted "cytokine storm" that may occur as a result of prior
v-ion when the immune system encounters a future threat and then tries to
get rid of the mRNA which is now impossible since the body itself is producing
it. The truth of this or lack thereof I am unable to weigh in on with any
authority at all. I think there are two things we can fairly say about the
discourse: 1) there is a good deal of alarmism out there which is not credible;
2) the cooing sounds of the establishment suggesting this v-ion is no more
potentially damaging than a tetanus shot should probably be taken with at least
a grain of salt.
What to do? First, I wouldn't think ill of any Christian who got v-ed nor
of any believer who thought it best not to get v-ed. This is a personal
decision which falls into the realm of Christian application since there is no
specific biblical guidance for it one way or another. If we knew that all the
worst horror stories circulating out there on the internet were true, then why
would we get it? Of course they can't ALL be true at the same time. If we were
convinced that everything the CDC (or any traditional medical website) says was
honest and completely forthcoming and transparent, then why wouldn't we get it?
Of course we have plenty of examples close to hand of the truth being a rather
rare commodity in this polarized time in which we live. Between these two
extremes, there is also the point to be made that there is at least some gulf of
knowledge between proponents and opponents, that there are some things that
honest people on both sides just do not know for certain, at least not yet,
about how this type of v- will work and work out once it has been
distributed in mass AND has been "out there" for a while (the video suggests
that it may be some months before we see the adverse reactions they fear because
the v-ed individuals have to be exposed later to some other threat to make
the body overreact).
I appreciate very much "not sent in a spirit of panic or fear". We belong to
Jesus Christ. He is absolutely faithful in protecting us. And while there is
much we do not know (we don't even have a sliver of a notion of just HOW much we
don't know), the plan of God has taken everything into account.
So we are back to the "square one" for all believers. All we really need to know
is "what does the Lord want me to do?" And once we know that, our job is "to do
it".
Even though this issue is greatly exercising many believers (why wouldn't it?),
as mentioned above, it's not a spiritual issue . . . unless one becomes
convinced that it's wrong to do and does it anyway, or unless one is convinced
that it's right to do and doesn't do it.
How could it be wrong to decline it? First, if God provides us with a means of
healing from disease or warding off disease and we fail to accept it, at the
very least this doesn't seem very smart. I.e., we have a crippling headache and
refuse to take the aspirin sitting in our medicine cabinet and as a result don't
do our job today which otherwise we could well have done. Worse, what if we
decline v-ion and as a result become responsible for infecting others,
people we really love and care about in particular? That could easily be
considered irresponsible and become a great cause of future regret.
How could it be wrong to be v-ed? If we knew for a fact that this would do
more harm than good, opening us to future disease, so that even the common cold
could very well produce a fatal immune response, we would be nuts to do it. That
would be jumping off the roof pretending gravity doesn't exist in our case (cf.
Matt.4:5-7; Lk.4:9-12).
This all, in my opinion for what it is worth, therefore, comes down to a
question of facts . . . which may be in insufficient supply at present.
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:1-4 NKJV
So this issue, while no doubt important and very much on the minds of many of
us, is in my view in biblical terms a "disputable issue". If that is true of
issues such as the one above wherein we do have biblical guidance, how much more
so is that not the case in regard to things where scientists do not all agree?
Or as one correspondent put it, "I don't think that God expects me to scour the
internet forever trying to find the right solution to this problem". Or as you
put it, "fear and panic" have no place in the Christian life. We all have to
make our own decisions on this issue, and it seems pretty clear to me that we
will have to do so on the basis of incomplete information. There may be
disinformation or at least incorrect information to be found on one side or the
other (and probably on both, this being the world, after all), but it seems
beyond dispute that no one has all the facts yet – not the ones we who are going
to (or not going to) have the v- injected would like to know ahead of time.
Glad to hear you are well! Sorry about the muzzle. But to be honest, I've
self-muzzled about anything non-professional at work as a matter of policy for
many years. It seems to me to be merely godly prudence. Still, I appreciate the
difference between it being a personal decision and an employer mandate.
Keeping you guys in my prayers daily!
Thanks so much for the link!
In Jesus Christ our always faithful Savior,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
Feel like I'm in prison with all the restrictions. I, personally, prefer
the mRNA v-. I sent an article about vector v-s. Because of
our age, as the article states, we have a resistance to vector v-s.
From my understanding, most v-s attenuated v-s, but time was
of the essence and these were the quickest to prepare. Hope this helps.
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/vector-based-v-s-come-to-the-fore-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-67915
Your friend,
Response #8:
Thanks!
I'm concerned about the mRNA not being cleared out of the body with unforeseen
(or non-transparently anticipated but not revealed) problems resulting.
Question #9:
Dear Teacher
Your response actually educated me more thoroughly on the nature of mRNA. I did
do a little research to help me understand it more thoroughly.
So far, mRNA appears to be normally generated by the DNA in the nuclei of our
cells. But there is no information about what happens to our normal mRNA after
proteins have been synthesized. Moderna mentioned siRNA as the mechanism that
destroys or eliminates mRNA, but I found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31054052/
that "major challenges in most siRNA therapeutics remains unchanged-safe,
efficient and target oriented delivery of siRNA." I can't access the full
article, so I don't know what the breakthroughs that they speak of are.
The science does not appear to support the idea that the mRNA genetically
modifies the v-ed person. As you said, there doesn't appear to be much
lending weight to either the idea that mRNA v-s are inherently harmless or
the idea that they will genetically change anyone. It also doesn't appear that
the introduction of mRNA into cells to make proteins falls under the definition
of gene therapy.
My verdict at this point would be that the v-ions planned are a massive
clinical trial to see exactly what happens when you introduce a foreign mRNA
into a human cell to make proteins that should stimulate the body's immune
system to defend it from infection.
I tried to avoid any discussions or "science" pertaining to the current v-s
and just learn what RNA, DNA, and mRNA are really all about. Moderna was
obviously making a marketing pitch, so I didn't attach too much credence to what
they said. What I found out about siRNA independently was just that it inhibits
the production of proteins. I don't see that it eliminates mRNA in any way. I'll
follow this email with another if I find out anything more. I doubt though that
I will find out anything that significantly changes my understanding of the
matter here.
It's actually not the Oxford v- that we're getting here. It's the Pfizer-BioNTech
one, an mRNA one.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #9:
Thanks!
I greatly appreciate your response and the swiftness of it, my friend!
Hope you don't mind me publishing this. I think many will find it
valuable (I certainly did).
We just heard here that Johnson and Johnson is close to coming out with
their v- too; it's an adenovirus vector one like Oxford, so we may
have more choices here in the states soon.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob!
I am honoured that you have asked me! Thank you for sharing the email to
the reader which you are going to post today. I will reply below to
various points.
As to what you wrote about mRNA v-, I completely agree with you on
all this. From the briefest of notes I have read about mRNA is that it
is far more aggressive and hasty than the traditional v- approach
and that was always a point of concern. I recently took some new
advanced form of antibiotic to treat a minor infection. I afterwards
felt as though I had drank bleach as it had a scouring effect inside!
The full course was only three tablets! It was debatable afterwards
which was worse: the infection or the cure!
From my scant research it seems that it isn't Covid as such that is the
worry but the body's reaction to it as it seems to interfere with the
immune system. When people tend to die from it, it is actually pneumonia
that kills them. It is their bodies' overreaction to it that is
dangerous. That is why everyone with an already compromised immune
system is at high risk. A healthy immune system correctly identifies
what it is and deals with it and the sufferer has bad flu at worst. A
compromised immune system seems to go into "fight to the death" mode so
it could be debatable on whether it is Covid that kills or the bodies'
overreaction to it.
I noticed that a scientific paper (which was later removed) said that
part of the Covid code sequencing was identical to HIV which
incidentally also attacks the immune system. (I am leaning towards the
idea that this is a bioweapon and was planned for and orchestrated).
So it's intriguing to think that the mRNA v- also interferes with
the body's immune system. Does it bypass it and seek to replace it? From
what you described it seems like it is a self producing mini immune
system but could be bad for the body's natural immune system itself.
Again it would seem that the cure could be worse than the disease.
Both Covid and the mRNA v- bear a striking resemblance to HIV. So
the mRNA is an aggressive self contained mini immune system (by the
sound of it) that is promoted as superior to our own immune system in
that it beats Covid but if it stays in our body forever then basically
the body could end up attacking itself rather than any rogue virus
because of mRNA interfering with its proper function.
Doesn't HIV cause the immune system to attack healthy cells? Isn't
Cancer rogue information? Isn't Cancer treatment (chemotherapy) the
destruction of healthy cells as well as rogue ones?
I'm seeing a pattern here...
I can understand the alarm here as it seems that we are in a corner and
presented with a "Hobson's Choice". Is it death by the pit or by the
pendulum?
I eventually recognised (after a long period of time) that being a
conspiracy theorist and living in constant fear of big pharma, 5G, smart
meters, chemtrails, HAARP machines, chemicals in toiletries, mercury in
drugs, GMO in food, fluoridated water, morgellons, nanobots, radiation
from Wi-fi and mobile phones (I could go on and on) and last but not
least "killer v-s". I realised that if I was constantly living in
fear then I was living a slave under the devil. Conspiracy theory is of
the devil. There I have said it.
Our God is not a God of confusion. He wants all to be saved and He wants
us all to have blessings and spiritual growth in life to cope with the
tribulation that inevitably comes our way. He wants us to grow closer to
Him each day and to help others to do same. How many times in the bible
does Jesus say "do not fear", "fear not" and more pointedly "ye of
little faith!" Fear always points to a failure to have faith, I will
admit this now.
One day we will lose this tabernacle and when we do it will be under
God's watchful and loving gaze and part of His plan to give Him glory on
glory!
I don't fear death anymore but that doesn't mean I go jumping off
buildings. Christianity presents us constantly with a seeming paradox.
Our lives are precious and we are fearfully and wonderfully made but we
should not be so overawed by our own flesh to be a slave to it through
sin and also we should not prize it so that we refuse to lay it down
should that be the will of our Father. This seems like a contradiction
just like the Trinity or that we have predestination AND free will.
These are profound truths that in our current form, cannot fully grasp
but in the end we will have full understanding and that is why Jesus
said we then will not be asking Him any questions because there will be
no need to.
John 16:22-23
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
These are spiritual questions and need spiritual answers that is why
when we are with Him we will either know the answer or it won't even
matter! It is like you said Bob, for now we have a veil between us and
God and it is preserved so that our free will choice for Him is genuine.
When we all go together to be with Him, that is why we will no longer
cry but laugh. All these things that we fear and trouble ourselves now
will seem laughably silly when we are spending eternity in paradise,
like a child being afraid of what lies under the bed but is immediately
comforted by their parent coming into the room.
What we are presented with now is a seeming paradox. Will Covid kill us
or will the cure? ___ said he is reminded of "Buridan's Donkey" but I
think it more "Hobson's Choice". Buridan's donkey was paralysed by
choosing between two positive choices and so did neither. The scary
disease or the scary v- is like Hobson's Choice, having to choose
between two unpleasant outcomes.
I would say the Biblical example is in Exodus. The Israelites could only
see Pharaoh and his army behind them (death by a thousand cuts) or the
Red Sea before them (death by drowning). Moses instead saw deliverance
from God. God parted the sea so they could walk BETWEEN the parted sea.
In the NT, Jesus walked ABOVE the sea and asked Peter to trust Him so he
could do the same. It was only when Peter took his eyes off Jesus that
he floundered into the water.
So we are presented with a similar situation: Covid is behind us and the
v- is ahead of us. So what we must do is we trust God to deliver us
like we always do because He always does and always will. We either take
the v- in good faith or refuse it in good faith and either way it
will work out for good.
I agree with you entirely that this is NOT the mark of the beast and I
will elaborate on this in my next email on why the powers that be want
us to think it is. No one can snatch us from Jesus' hand and the only
way we can leave Him is if we walk right out of His hand and shockingly
many will do exactly this during the Great Apostasy.
I want to be a good witness in death as well as in life. If we show
others that we are panicking about our health or losing our life then
that hurts our witness. It is also spiritually unsound ground because a
believer who fears dying or damage to the body now, is less likely to
have the spiritual strength to lay their body down during the
tribulation should that be asked of them. Such a person should worry
more about seeking the mark of the beast in a bid to save their skin for
a month at most than what a v- could do to the body. Especially
given Jesus' effortless ability to cure all disease and resuscitate
people back to life! Whatever happens will be part of the plan and God's
will. He will always deliver us whatever happens.
I've realised Bob, that you can tell people this but the only way that
they will know it to be true is if they believe it. I now see the trial
I went through as a blessing because God showed me that He is faithful
and can and will move mountains to help me!
It is only through growth, application and overcoming tribulation
through faith and being led by the Spirit that we learn these things and
then know them to be true.
In conspiracy theory mindsets, there is ALWAYS something to fear and
once one problem is moved to the back then another one springs to the
fore. It's a tool of Satan after all, constant fear. He knows that mans
biggest fear is death but we shouldn't have that fear anymore because
Jesus has saved us from it!
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world.
Satan seems to be either telling us that we "shall not surely die" or be
in the constant business of threatening us with death! I will talk more
about how conspiracy theory is basically harming people, Christians and
Christianity in general in the next email.
I hope this is useful.
See you soon my friend!
In Jesus who made everything, who is the light and the life,
Response #10:
Thank you!
I'll be putting this up later today – apologies in advance for some editing.
You have a very level-headed view and I appreciate it . . . and you!
In Jesus our faithful Savior,
Bob L.
Bob L.
p.s., additional links supplied after posting on potential dangers of this process:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=09MgxUQActw
https://ekoappen.se/blogg/open-letter-to-the-swedish-prime-minister-and-swedish-public-health-director/
Question #11:
[omitted]
Response #11:
I hope you can see (as I think from you full text that you do see) that
I'm in agreement with you: this v- has nothing to do with "the
mark", and it's important not to confuse the two.
As to "what to do?", your solution is perfect: we trust the Lord. You
make a very good point that I'm in the process of making to yet another
person with concerns about this v-, namely, that the "what should
we do?" is the real question. If we suspect foul play, are we supposed
to get riled up and overthrow the government? I don't think so. I don't
think there is ANYTHING any believer can do except to trust the Lord –
nothing legitimate, that is.
Whether or not to take the v- if available has struck me from the
beginning as a health concern, weighing out the possibility of getting
the disease and the dire consequences that might be avoided if
v-ed. I don't think this is a spiritual issue – except where it
comes to trusting the Lord to keep us safe. After all, v-s are
never perfect, even if there aren't side effects. And no preventative
measures of any kind can be guaranteed to keep us safe – but we can
trust the Lord that He will keep us safe, and that whatever happens He
has our best interests at heart in His perfect plan.
So in this as in every other thing we need to be putting the Lord and
glorifying Him first in whatever decisions we make. Is the devil
manipulating things to his advantage? He does that all the time. If we
fret about that with every step we take we'll never get anywhere. As
long as we are walking with the Lord, this is really a non-issue – even
though it is clearly consuming many people. As a pastor-teacher, I can't
tell folks something is safe and devoid of mal-intent on all levels if I
don't know that's true; it would also be irresponsible to tell people
not to do something that might save their lives – and those of their
loved ones. This is a personal decision and the main aspects of that
decision are, in my view, entirely spiritual. We do what we think best
in the Spirit to keep ourselves and families as safe as is reasonably
possible without panicking either way. We trust in the Lord – not in
man-made deliverance. We trust in the Lord – and know that He can keep
us from being harmed by the disease or by the cure, whatever we are led
to decide.
I think it would be extremely helpful for the very many people who read
this ministry to get your important and godly perspective on this.
Thanks for your prayers and good wishes for tomorrow, my friend! Greatly
appreciated. Keeping you and yours in mine daily as well.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,
I hope your first day back at uni went well. I'm sure it will still be
very quiet in there at the moment.
Thanks so much for the emails you sent me yesterday - they were very
reassuring and helpful. I'm very thankful to the Lord for my brothers
and sisters who love me and are looking out for me (I love them too) and
I do respect their thoughts and the decisions they have made in the
Spirit about the v-. The best decision for us to make as
individuals is between us and the Lord. We can take it all to Him in
prayer - there's no one better to talk to about this than Him and we can
ask for wisdom and He will give it to us. (James 1:5)
The PM announced today a total of 2.4 million v-ions have been
given so far across the UK. The government is aiming to v-e around
15 million people in the UK by mid-February. England's chief medical
officer said there were over 30,000 people in English hospitals alone
with Covid-19 compared to about 18,000 in England at the peak last
April.
I know that nothing we do is 100% guaranteed to keep us safe but I do
the best I can from what I know in the Spirit is okay for me to do
whether it's following advice given by the medical experts or what the
government is asking me to do to keep everyone and myself safe. That's
the sensible and God honouring thing to do.
We belong to the Lord, we're His children and He loves and protects us
like nobody or nothing else can even come close to. We CAN trust Him
100%. He is faithful. And like you said, "whatever happens He has our
best interests at heart in His perfect plan" and that is something I
have always remembered and what gives me peace in my heart. (Philippians
4:6-7)
I know this is slightly different, but about 20 years ago around the
time my kids were due to have their measles, mumps and rubella v- (MMR)
the publication of a controversial study by a doctor came out. It
claimed there was a link between the MMR v- and autism. This led to
a fall in v- coverage to levels low enough for measles outbreaks to
occur. I remember doctors on TV trying to reassure parents about the
safety of the MMR v- and that there was no evidence that it caused
autism. It was a worrying and confusing time for us because this wasn't
a decision we had to make for our own health but for our children's
health. In the end we decided we had to listen to the medical experts
and not the scary media coverage. Thankfully we made the right decision
and our son and daughter are both fit and healthy. A major study
confirmed there was no link between the MMR v- and autism and this
doctor's work was completely discredited and he has been struck off as a
doctor in the UK. This all happened before I came back to the Lord but I
know He was still there for me and my babies at that time.
As for the Covid-19 v- - I booked my appointment online last night
to have my first dose on Saturday morning. This isn't because I've been
taken in by the government's immunisation plans, it isn't because I'm
following my work colleagues, it isn't because I feel any pressure
whatsoever to do this and it isn't because I'm putting my faith in a
v-. It's because I'm listening to the Spirit, I'm being guided by
Him and my trust is completely in the Lord. I have no doubts or fears
whatsoever. Again, Bob as I'm typing this to you, my boss has just
forwarded a document through to us which is the latest research on Covid
and v-s. He says it's very technical but explains well how the
v-s were developed and approved so as to reassure everyone.
Our God is a merciful God and I choose to look at this v- as
evidence of His mercy. If it helps to get us out of this mess and all
the pain and suffering this virus has caused and gives some relief for a
while at least until the Tribulation begins then I'm thankful to the
Lord for that.
I've heard of people who have become believers because of this pandemic
and that is the most wonderful thing that could ever come out of this!
I didn't want to upset or offend anyone by what I wrote but if you think
it will be of some help and encouragement to others then I'm very happy
for you to post all of it.
Thank you, Bob for all your time and help and prayers. Keeping you and
your family in mine too.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #12:
Thank you. I very much appreciate your willingness to share AND your
perspective.
Our university apparently has an "in" on the v- (one of them, not
sure which) because of our medical efforts, and we're told that all
faculty and staff will be able to get dosed as soon as they finish up on
the hospital and clinical side of things (we have a dental school too,
as a matter of fact).
So while I've told people that I'm not anxious to get it, I leaning
towards getting it now when it becomes available [update: the type does
matter to me – I would be less concerned getting the non-mRNA type
you'll be getting] – yielding to the concerns and desires of loved ones,
mostly (also, I wouldn't want to GIVE it to anyone). Will it help? Not
sure about that. It's not a panacea, apparently. There are questions
about its effectiveness against the new strains, questions about how
long immunity lasts, questions about effectiveness generally . . . and
of course about the potential side effects [see emails above]. Still,
since it's beginning to seem best to me to get it, I do want to set what
seems the best example (even if I can't bring myself to call it a "good
example" without more info which may not be forthcoming before the
moment is long over).
Your measles example is a good one (there are differences, of course,
for a number of reasons). When I was very young, my baby brother and I
both contracted measles and both nearly died of it. I'm convinced that
I'd be a couple of inches taller and that I never would have had the
allergies I've now FINALLY mostly outgrown were it not for that bout
with the measles. On the other hand, it seems to have given an immunity
against fevers, so maybe I have had Covid before it was recognized as
such (got sick with a strange ailment and a sore throat etc. last
January but recovered fairly quickly – no fever). I would trade that for
not having suffered the negatives of the measles, but of course there
was no v- at that time.
Ultimately, this is not really an important spiritual issue. As I often
say, all we really need on any question of application is for the Lord
to show us what is right for US to do . . . and then do it. End of
story. Sometimes what's right for us in matters of application that do
not involve violating or comporting with direct biblical guidance may be
different from what is right for someone else. What I am struggling to
do in engaging with readers concerned about this is to steer a middle
course. On the one hand, I don't want to give the impression that I
think we know all there is to know about what this virus is or what
these v-s will or will not do; on the other hand, I don't want to
give an excuse to folks who ought to get dosed not to do so because they
are overly worried and concerned about things which either have no solid
basis in fact or, even if they do, are ultimately not important from a
spiritual point of view. Your experience and wise counsel provides very
valuable input here, and I've benefited from it myself – so thank you
for your willingness to share.
Two of my students today reported that they contracted Covid over the
break. Both of them are strapping, healthy young men. One of them just
reports being normally sick – but is still tired over a month later; the
other one was down for the count for sixteen days, lost ten pounds, had
terrible headaches . . . and still is getting them. So there is no doubt
that this is a nasty bug. And of course the effects on those who are NOT
strapping and young can be a lot worse.
I'm not afraid of it. Not in the least. The Lord always protects me. But
when something is prudent to do not only for oneself but also for others
about whom one is concerned, well, it's at least worth considering doing
it, after all. If He makes a path through the sea, best to take it. If
He sends a boat, best to take it (rather than waiting for the sea to
part).
Your friend in Jesus Christ our Lord,
Bob L.
Question #13:
You're very welcome, Bob! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
share. Your reply was so interesting and helpful to me again.
I do thank the Lord for protecting you. It's something I always ask Him
for in my prayers for you and your family. I must admit that I'm with
your loved ones on this - I'd be happy if you did decide to go ahead
with the v-. So I'm pleased the opportunity is there for you at
your university - but those are just my thoughts for you!
I was so sorry to read about you and your brother contracting measles
and the negative health effects it caused you to have. I'm VERY thankful
to the Lord for His protection again and for keeping you and your
brother here with us.
Even though it's early days and there are the questions you wrote about
- I'm still thankful to the Lord that we have a v-. It's better
than having no v- at all. We can continue to pray and trust the
Lord that it gives us some chance of getting this virus under control
even if it could still take many months before the restrictions can
gradually be lifted and we can get back to some kind of "normality".
The v- I'll be having on Saturday is the Pfizer one. I'm still
feeling fine after my first flu shot too. And my first Covid home test
was negative - the next one is due tomorrow. It's like having a mini lab
at home. Covid is keeping me very busy!
I'm praying for all of our brothers and sisters who are patiently
seeking the Lord about what He wants them to do. I'm praying for your
students too.
I'm back to work tomorrow - hope you have a good day too, Bob!
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #13:
It's my pleasure! In matters of application that affect all believers, it's
really nice to get some balance into the discussion – especially level-headed
thinking from you!
"Covid is keeping me very busy!" That is certainly classic British
understatement! It's amazing all the layers of extra "stuff" I have to do – for
everything: work, health compliance, daily living – that this bug and more to
the point the reaction and over-reaction to it have occasioned. But we get
through – because God helps us through.
"It's better than having no v- at all." That is probably true. I certainly
HOPE so. But we'll have to wait and find out. I truly hope the stuff really
works (and doesn't just give some fleeting, temporary immunity to only some
strains of the bug), without at the same time causing the damage some people
fear (not just conspiracy theorists: I've heard some of the top experts admit
there is a lot that is presently unknown). But here too I trust in the Lord. He
can keep us safe, even if we have to walk over serpents and scorpions in our
quest to do what He wants us to do (Lk.10:19).
Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes, my friend!
Day #2 tomorrow. I'll attempt to stream my small upper division Greek class for
the benefit of those student whom Covid is keeping away (new equipment never
been tried – we'll see!).
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,
Hope your day went well and you managed to figure out the new equipment
for your streaming.
I've got some more I'd like to write to you about the v-s etc. I've
been to work today so I haven't had quite so much time and I don't want
to rush it so I'll get it all down and send it to you tomorrow.
I did my Covid test tonight and it was negative - so all good!
It always makes me laugh when you pick up on the "British
understatement!" I don't even realise I'm doing it - but I suppose
that's because I'm . . well . . British!
Have a good evening, Bob!
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #14:
I'll be looking forward to it. Which one are you getting? I have
questions about the Pfizer one, namely, whether or not it might be
ineffective for not having been kept cold enough some where along the
line. Also about mRNA (both Pfizer and Moderna use that process).
The gear DID work, but it was an odd experience. For one thing, it's
difficult to teach "on line" AND to the class sitting in front of you at
the same time. The camera doesn't seem to be capable of being focused
in, so the online ones couldn't read the blackboard well – which meant
that I had to do things on the computer instead . . . which meant I
largely had to neglect the ones sitting right there in front of me for
the most part (actually only "one" today in this small class). I'll have
to figure all this out, but it wasn't a complete bust, just a rolling
disaster (I've had enough of those in my life to be able to cope with
them).
Thanks for your support, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,
Well done on surviving your "rolling disaster"! It sounds tricky but
hopefully you'll get the knack of it with a bit more practice. Another
challenge that Covid has sent your way!
Just a few more thoughts on the Covid-19 v-s - it seems a lot of
people are worried about them because of how quickly they were
developed. They're wondering how we can be sure they are safe when
they've been made so fast. It's easy to research it a little and find
out more about how they were able to do this.
I've read that the biggest misconception is the work on the v-
started when the pandemic began. The world was able to develop Covid-19
v-s so quickly because of years of previous research on related
coronaviruses and faster ways to manufacture v-s, enormous funding
that allowed firms to run multiple trials in parallel, and regulators
moving more quickly than normal. So they weren't starting from scratch.
I listened to an interview this week with one of the professors who
helped to develop the Oxford v- and she said they had already been
working on this for 10 years.
I read another article where they said it was "lucky" that the pandemic
was caused by a coronavirus. They already knew the virus's biology and
how it behaved so they had a huge head start. They said that if this had
been a completely unknown virus, then we'd have been in a very different
position. So this is why they were able to get it out there so quickly.
The first thing I thought when I read this was that we know as believers
there's no such thing as "luck" but that the Lord has a perfect plan and
is in complete control of everything. I couldn't help thinking that He
has His own perfect reasons for allowing things to happen in this world
and in our own individual lives (pandemics included) and that no matter
what happens we can trust Him because it's only ever for our good.
You mentioned in one of your emails about some people worrying about the
damage these v-s could cause (and not just conspiracy theorists). I
also read that medical research cannot make any guarantees that problems
will not appear in the future. Usually, side-effects of v-s appear
either at the time they are given or a few months afterwards. It is
possible that rarer problems could emerge when millions of people are
immunised, but this is true of every v- that has ever been
developed. So I guess we've been here before with every other v-
and that they will only be used if their benefits clearly outweigh the
risks. We can put our trust in the Lord for His care and protection.
___ sent me a text message this week. She works in a hospital and she
said it's an utter nightmare at work at the moment. She said it's as bad
if not worse than the news says. Almost all of the wards are "red"
(Covid patients), it's spreading like wildfire and 100 times more cases.
She said almost all of her caseload of patients have it. My
brother-in-law is working in itu in the same hospital. They have both
had the Covid v- (both doses of the Pfizer) and she said if they
had not had the v- they'd be very very worried. She said hopefully
in a few months it will all calm down. She said she was pleased that I
was getting mine soon too and to be prepared for some mild side effects
but that they don't last too long.
I should have a bit more info about mine tomorrow - my appointment is on
Saturday!
Won't it be nice when we're back to "normal", Bob - whatever that means!
Keeping you in my prayers.
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #15:
Thanks so much for these updates, my friend!
Greatly appreciated.
Got an official email from U of L today that indeed we are all going to be
getting the v-, and since I'm over 65 I'll be in the second wave (health
care folks are in the first wave) I don't have to do anything but wait and they
will contact me. The FAQs were typically not helpful. "Which v- will I
get?" Answer: "They won't be able to tell you even when you make the
appointment". Not sure it matters. To be honest, I don't have any great
confidence that it will work (especially the Pfizer one because there's no
telling if someone dropped the ball in distribution and it got too warm). And of
course there are those new strains out there and the reports of questions about
how long the immunity lasts. But I'll do it since family are insistent . . . and
I don't want to be responsible for getting anyone sick [update: it may indeed
depend upon which type is being offered; see emails above]. When and if it does
happen, I'm not going to consider myself invulnerable just because I was
v-ed.
In all this, the important thing is as you said exactly: "We can put our trust
in the Lord for His care and protection." That is "the ticket". I'm trusting the
Lord to protect me from the virus . . . and from the cure too.
Thanks for those prayers! Keeping you in mine too, my friend. Please do keep me
in the loop as the experience since you're diving in before I even have an
appointment.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I enjoyed your final series on the bible. If we knew in detail how precise the
Holy Spirit supervised the Word of God, I think we would be totally amazed. Run
to the “Son” in 2021… he’s are only hope, take care,
Response #16:
Love your 2021 rhyme! A good idea any year, and especially this one.
Wishing you a great 2021 – as Dave Barry quipped, "happy new year!" this
time around is "as much a prayer as a wish"!
Thanks for the positive comments.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,
Happy Saturday!
Thanks for the video and your response which I have watched and read through
carefully. Your response is extremely helpful!
My boss (being a medical man) always tells us that whatever we read make sure
it's from a "reputable" source like the traditional / governmental or medical
journals or websites. The little bit of research I have done are from these
places. I've read the same as you about how the mRNA v-s work and also how
they do not affect our DNA. I agree with you in not understanding how our bodies
could be "permanently changed" on a cellular level without our DNA being
altered.
Our government and NHS websites state that the v-s approved for use have
met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the
independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Any
coronavirus v- that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and
safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows
international standards of safety.
Although there are things they don't know yet about how this new v- will
work out, my thoughts are that if the information given in the video was true
(and it's alarming to say the least) and of huge concern to the majority of
scientists and medical experts then I just can't see how these v-s would
even be allowed out there.
There's a lot of alarmism and confusion of different sorts. I read an article
today where a doctor said that fake news is likely to be causing some people
from the UK's South Asian communities to reject the Covid v-. Much of the
disinformation surrounds the contents of the v- falsely claiming the
v-s contain animal produce - eating pork goes against the religious beliefs
of Muslims, as does eating beef for Hindus. One doctor said they'd been calling
all patients and booking them in for v-s but the admin staff say when they
call a lot of the South Asian patients they decline and refuse to have the
v-ion. Another person from this community said, "Some of the videos are
quite disturbing especially when you actually see the person reporting is a
medic and telling you that the v- is going to alter your DNA. For the
layman it is very confusing". About 100 mosques have joined a campaign to
counter v- disinformation and persuade their communities to take the
v-.
As Christians whatever each one of us decides is best to do then we make that
decision in faith knowing that without a shadow of a doubt the Lord loves us and
has our best interests at heart and will protect us. And we let the peace of
Christ rule in our hearts. (Colossians 3:15, John 14:27, Phil. 4:6-7)
The Lord is in full control and whatever His Will is for us we have absolutely
nothing to fear.
Just quickly, Bob everyone at work are getting their Covid shot today (some
tomorrow) and are all congratulating themselves on WhatsApp. The one they've had
is the Pfizer one. There is a cathedral about a two minute walk from where I
work which started yesterday to be used for giving the v-. They were giving
the Oxford / AstraZeneca one. I'm wondering if when we get our OFFICIAL
invitation from the NHS to make an appointment whether this will be the one I
will be getting. I'll be the only one in work if I do and the only one to have
stuck to the rules in obedience to the law and in my case to the Lord -
interesting! But as I say, I'm not worried about any of them.
I'm not sure if this will be of any help to you, Bob but so far those are my
thoughts. Looking forward to reading our brothers and sisters thoughts too.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #17:
Thanks you SO much for getting back to me . . . and quickly! I really appreciate
your response, my friend. One of my correspondents who has a much deeper science
background than I do (not that that is much of a hurdle to hop), wrote, after I
asked him about the mRNA issue, "My verdict at this point would be that the
v-ions planned are a massive clinical trial to see exactly what happens
when you introduce a foreign mRNA into a human cell to make proteins that should
stimulate the body's immune system to defend it from infection."
When you told me you were going to be getting the Oxford / AstraZeneca v-
and not the Pfizer one, I felt an immediate wave of relief – which tells me
something . . . about my feelings regarding the mRNA v-s. No I don't think
this is a grand conspiracy. No I don't think DNA will be altered. No I don't
believe that this v- will implant something deliberately that has nothing
to do with Covid – and it is most definitely NOT the "mark of the beast"!
However, I'm also not convinced that this new mRNA process is without as yet
unknown or underappreciated risks. Given the seriousness of the crisis, one can
easily see how even well-meaning people might want to underplay those potential
risks. So I'm most likely going to get v-ed when I have the chance – for
the Oxford / AstraZeneca one or the new Johnson and Johnson one soon to be
coming out too, we hear. Neither one is mRNA. I'm still not crazy about it. But
I will probably do it.
We do the best we can for the Lord and those He has given us based what we know
and believe.
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Savior,
Bob L.