Question #1:
Hi Bob,
This all sounds very difficult. I would imagine trying to write Greek with the
mouse must be very tricky and slow to do. Sounds like it's very good practice
for your improvisation skills but hard going when all you really want to do is
to get on with the job of teaching your students. I hope things will settle down
and improve when the other "fixes" are input. But at least you're trying your
best to give them some college experience even though it's so far from normal.
As you say, all we can do in times like this is to push on and persevere. And
you truly are being a great example "as working for the Lord" and I thank you
for that. (Colossians 3:23-24)
I think you're right about your students being more burned out because of the
deserted campus and having to wear masks. We find that wearing masks all day at
work makes us feel more tired and along with the visors can give us headaches.
The heavier duty masks we have to wear occasionally are giving some of us sinus
problems as well because we have to make sure there's a tight seal around our
face. As soon as I step outside at the end of the day to the deserted city I
pull my mask off straight away. It's such a relief to take a breath of cool
fresh air - it's lovely.
Before covid we had targets to reach in patient treatment so we were always very
busy. The targets were put on hold for a while but they've been gradually
reintroducing them again. We had another letter yesterday to say they were going
to be increased again. We have so many more procedures to follow now because of
covid which takes up more time. I asked my manager yesterday how we were going
to be able to reach these targets. She said she didn't really know. She said by
then we'll all be fully immunised - I assume she means having had the second
dose. Maybe she means we'll be able to cut down on some of the procedures - I
really don't know.
We're in a worse state now with the virus than we were at the beginning and
there's a lot of people who are wary about coming in for treatment. So there's
interesting times ahead for us. All I can do is my best, trust the Lord and not
worry about it. Whatever happens - happens.
I hope you didn't get too much snow last night. Good timing with you not having
to go in today.
I wasn't able to book any time off next week because they need me in. Not to
worry - we take it a day at a time and we soldier on with the Lord's help and
strength.
Keeping you and yours in my prayers!
In Jesus our dear Lord and Saviour
Response #1:
We did get two inches and then it froze. It finally warmed up today and
started to melt everything on pavement, but too late for my
"constitutional", I'm afraid. Below freezing again tonight so I'm not
sure what tomorrow will bring on that score, but I'll have no trouble
getting into work.
Thanks for all your encouraging words, my friend! We find "work-arounds"
and keep plowing forward.
Yes, I really hate the masks, and all the more so since the studies
(which are not allowed to be published) find them largely ineffective
and even counterproductive. Can't imagine dealing with what you're
having to go through!
The people in charge have dug us into such a deep hole with all this, I
can't see how there's any quick way out, regardless of v-ions. Now
they're saying things like it won't matter even if most get the dose –
we'll still have to "be smart". So what's the point? Lost on me.
I'm also not surprised that in spite of all the happy talk, you are
going to be placed into the position of getting back to normal without
things being normal. Making bricks without straw. Similar things
happening here. Some understanding about how teaching has gotten harder,
but no more consideration in how we're being evaluated. In fact, the
evaluation process – which was supposed to be pro forma since everything
is off-kilter – has gotten worse this year (spent a good deal of today
banging away at that obstacle).
I sure hope you can get some extra time off soon! Don't want you getting
burned out (easy to do today under the "new normal"). Tomorrow I only
teach one (from here on in, Fridays are easier), so if I can get through
the assembly afterwards, it'll be a better day.
Love your positive attitude, my friend! Keep it up. It's contagious –
and that's a GOOD thing.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,
Hope your Friday went well.
It was interesting to hear about the evaluation process regarding your
teaching and that even with "all this" it's actually worse this year. We
never had enough time to do what needed to be done at work even before
covid and it looks like it's going to get worse. It gets quite comical
after a while because what they're asking us to do in the time that they
are giving us is pretty impossible. And employing another member of
staff to help has always been out of the question. Some of the girls at
work get very angry, frustrated and upset which I do understand but
there's no point because it doesn't change anything. So I try to tell
them not to let it get to them and that all we can do is give it our
best. We have a great team at work and even though it's hard going we
try to stay upbeat and help each other out.
I have to say, like you, I am extremely grateful to the Lord for my job.
He has blessed me and looked after me and my family throughout all of
this and I thank Him with all of my heart.
I know what you mean about them telling us that even after the
v-ions we still need to "be smart". I think their idea behind this
is to wait until everyone (or most) are v-ed and once the virus is
under control then we can stop "being smart" - which is nothing new in
the world anyway! If people had been smart to begin with then we
wouldn't be in the mess we're in now. You could take that all the way
back to Adam and Eve or actually Satan and all the fallen angels that
joined him. Not the smartest of moves by any of them.
I don't know how long it's going to take to get back to "normal" if at
all and I think you're right - there's no quick way out of this.
How do you think they could have handled this differently? I have no
idea how I would tackle something like this if I was in charge - good
job I'm not!
Anyway, I had a lovely walk today. Me and the other walkers were very
polite and avoided each other like the plague just in case one of us had
it! I'm glad I got out today because tons more snow is forecast for the
weekend.
Keeping you in my prayers, and have a great weekend!
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #2:
That's the right spirit! It is very easy to get one's nose bent out of
shape over little things that go wrong. When the world is in crisis mode
and we're all feeling it, it's just all that much harder – and all the
impressive and noticeable when a believer doesn't follow the herd in so
doing (cf. 1Pet.4:4). So in many ways, these times are some of the best
for us to demonstrate the Christian "witness of the life" and possibly
therefrom open up a few doors for the gospel. This will be true during
the Tribulation as well. So I thank you greatly for this perspective.
It's easy to frame our response to all this pressure in terms of "how we
are handling it". That is important, but the message we are sending
others by "how we are handling it" is also very important and not to be
forgotten.
"If people had been smart to begin with then we wouldn't be in the mess
we're in now." Amen! But as to the way governments are handling this,
I'd put you in charge in a heartbeat of the whole shebang! Look what one
godly believer did to straighten things out – Joseph put in charge of
Egypt: he got them through the famine and saved and blessed his entire
family too as a result. We're not likely to get that sort of
opportunity, but we can still be "salt" and good witnesses by committing
ourselves to walking even closer to the Lord day by day.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob,
How has your week been? Hope work is going well for you and the
equipment is behaving itself. Any new developments?
I'm keeping you in my prayers. I haven't forgotten your knee as well -
hope it's a lot better than it was.
I've had a good day at work today. The boss bought each of us a lovely
cream cake because he said, "We deserved it!"
Hope you have a great weekend!
Your friend in Jesus
Response #3:
Things are going pretty well, thanks! I "bit the bullet" today and set up all my
classes for streaming / recording. Don't know if the equipment in the auditorium
works yet (but it's the same gear as in my other classroom, so it should). What
pushed me over the edge was yet another pair of students, one very good, having
quarantine issues and not wanting to miss class. I'm hoping that this doesn't
depress in-class attendance. Time will tell on that one.
The knee is still cranky, but seems to be improving ever so slowly (five steps
forward, four steps back and sometimes four and a half for what seems forever
now). Things that used to get better in seven days are now taking seven months!
But I really should NOT complain, especially since it IS getting better. And I'm
very grateful for that. Too many cream cakes in my past (and related
confections) are a big part of the current problem.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend too. No mention of snow from you, so maybe you
can finally "catch a few rays" – good for the vitamin D.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Something I am STILL struggling to understand.
Jesus died for the sins of the world. So that means all sins have been
forgiven. So we are judged not by our sins but by our works. So if
people go to hell is it because of the "unforgivable sin" of unbelief or
because they didn't produce works? Are the works we are judged on the
works of study, spiritual growth and production? Does that mean a person
who died with faith but didn't have any works are still saved? So an
unbeliever will have no works at all as works only follow faith and are
works from the Holy Spirit? Is this right?
Is this the reference by tried by fire and about the hay and stubble
burning up. Are the hay and stubble the works of the flesh then rather
than gold which is the works of the spirit?
So it is the unforgivable sin that puts people in hell not the absence
of works or is it both?
Sorry to struggle on this. For the longest time I thought Jesus only
died for believers' sins so without knowing the word for it, I believed
in "limited atonement" but it clearly says in the Bible "the sins of the
WORLD" so this would mean unlimited atonement.
It really threw me to read that we were to be judged by our works rather
than our sins. I always thought it to be the other way around!
Is faith considered a "work" then and is it the failure for an
unbeliever to have this work that sends them to hell (which is also the
unforgivable sin).
So a believer who has faith but no works will be saved because of the
"work" of faith. Any works on top of faith are all works that are done
through the Holy Spirit and not the flesh and these are the works that
will last and these are works that lead to reward.
So if I made a diagram..
Unbeliever -sins forgiven but no work of faith (which is the
unforgivable sin) - hell
Believer - sins forgiven and has the work of faith - heaven
Believer - sins forgiven and has work of faith and works of the Spirit -
heaven plus rewards
Sorry if this is clumsy but I have been trying to understand this for a
while and once I get over this wrinkle in my understanding I will be a
lot happier!
Also, I've noticed something today which I guess I was expecting, that
it is inevitable but nevertheless really upsetting to me. This couple
that I have been friends with for some time who are trying to become
famous...I was expecting some sort of official signal to show their
allegiance with the enemy. Before I became a Christian, I noticed that
all the people I used to admire (well known musicians/film
makers/artists etc) all make Masonic signs in photos or mystery school
type signals to show their allegiance.
One of the most famous "symbols" they make is of a "blinded eye". They
claim that this is the "eye of Horus" but it seems it is in reference to
the antichrist being blinded in one eye once he recovers from his deadly
head wound. (Revelation 13:3, Zechariah 11:17)
So when they show a blinded eye they are actually showing the antichrist
and showing loyalty to him before time. These people I know have just
released an album cover with an eye with a sword going straight through
it so it is blinded. It is not obvious as it has been highly stylised
but I immediately knew what it was despite this. They did go on to say
that it was an eye later but didn't mention it was blinded or the
symbolism.
So they have put a symbol for the antichrist on their album cover!
Should I tackle them on this at this point? I've seen them take step
after step in this direction and almost waiting to see when they would
basically make a full commitment to the side they have taken. So
although I am not completely shocked, I am still very upset although I
could see this coming now for some time.
Is there any point in tackling them over it? I can't imagine how a
person can talk about this delicately?
Even when we are prepared for something to happen, it is still shocking
when it does happen. This is sobering to think about the tribulation. We
can study and read about it but to go through it physically, mentally
and emotionally will be a huge difference. Being spiritually ready is
the most important way to prepare.
It's heartbreaking for me but I will have to walk away from them too. I
know for a fact that I am the only Christian they know which means that
no one else will be praying for them. So I will keep praying for them
that they come out of this before it's too late. I'm always ready to
give them the Gospel and an account of the hope I now have. Once I have
more videos on my channel I will send them over to them in the hope they
will listen.
They think they have chosen the short path to success but only deeper
darkness lies where they are heading. I see this pursuit of fame and
fortune as so foolish, so vain and empty! We have so little time left
before the start of the tribulation and when we die, the only works that
count are the ones that God wanted us to do. It's not worth it! To have
five or so years of relative fame and to spend eternity in hell without
Jesus!
I don't know how to reach them. I only know this is all true because of
the Holy Spirit and the Word. Before being born again, I too was
spiritually blind and dead.
To them, I suppose all the time I take on scripture and study is
foolishness as they are snatching at the brass ring that the whole world
desires and they are all roaring for.
I don't want to shun them completely as this may be a bad witness to
Jesus and I don't want to do that. I will distance myself a little and
wait until they contact me and then make sure I stand for what I stand
for and not compromise. I can be loving and kind to them to reflect
Jesus' glory to them and the truth but I don't want to be tolerant of
what they are doing because I can't be.
Like you said in your last email, I need to keep praying for them. It is
so heartbreaking and very deeply disturbing. I'm sure though that in
time as we get closer to the tribulation and actually within it, it will
be a common story for believers to be shocked and heartbroken as they
see people who they care about and love to actively embrace the beast
and his system.
In Jesus, who has set us free,
Response #4:
"Is there any point in tackling them over it?" To me, this is a bit like someone who's involved in some physically debilitating addiction. Trying to get them to give up whatever is really treating the symptoms instead of the underlying cause. Being human is the underlying cause – it just comes out in different ways for different people – and the only solution to being born in sin is to be reborn through the gospel and the Spirit. Of course, even getting off substance abuse, for example, requires the person to really want to do it (generally they really DON'T want to do it). And being saved likewise requires a desire to embrace God's grace – and be saved from sin, death and judgment. You would think that EVERYBODY would surely want that! But they don't, not enough at any rate to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, it turns out, in the vast majority of cases. The little ray of hope here is that sometimes the person or people you least expect will turn around are sometimes the ones who do. So when a door is opened, we take care to watch for it and sow the seed of life in a straightforward way . . . without calling attention to the person(s) particular failings.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
Proverbs 26:11 NKJV
On your other question, you are correct that our Lord paid the penalty for all human sins on the cross. As a result, no one is judged or condemned for any of these sins, since they have already been atoned for. Thus, it was right and good for God to put all of our names in the Book of Life (link) in eternity past, based on the sure and certain victory of our Lord, at just the "proper time" (1Tim.2:6; cf. Rom.3:25; Heb.9:26). People have their names blotted out of the book because while all sins have been atoned for by the blood of Christ (His sacrifice in dying in the darkness for them all), that redemption has to be accepted by faith for a person to be saved. So anyone who dies without yielding to the will of God and accepting His great Gift does so in an unredeemed state. The "works" in Revelation chapter 20 where the last judgment (see the link) is discussed refer to everything anyone has "thought, said or done", that is, every single act of will performed in this life. It will be demonstrated not that the person in question was a sinner (we all are), but nothing that he/she ever did was sufficient to warrant being excused from judgment.
No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay.
Psalm 49:7-9 NIV
Only the blood of Christ is sufficient coin to pay the ransom of redemption (link). Christ provided that redemption for all – but not all are willing to accept it so as to stand on His Work; all who refuse it must stand on their own "works" instead, and none is sufficient, not in the least.
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:29 NIV
So, yes, our "work" is accept His Work, and thereafter to do the works He has prepared for us to do.
(8) For you have been saved by [God's] grace through faith [in Christ]; and this did not come from you – it is God's gift. (9) Nor did it come from what you have done, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for [the purpose of accomplishing] good works, which [very works] God has prepared ahead of time for us, that we might walk in them (i.e., live our Christian lives in the accomplishment of them).
Ephesians 2:8-10
These "works" are the basis for our reward, and they are acceptable to
God because they have been done in the power of the Holy Spirit. But
everything any unbeliever does, even someone we may with earthly eyes
consider "saintly", is done in the power of the sinful flesh and is
abominable to God as a result.
The unforgivable sin aka "blaspheming the Holy Spirit" is the sin of
rejecting the Spirit's witness to the Savior, the sin of rejecting Jesus
Christ. It is for that sin that a person's name is blotted out of the
Book of Life.
As to the judgment seat of Christ, "wood, hay and stubble" does indeed
refer to illegitimate production, while the "gold, silver and precious
stones" refers to the legitimate works mentioned above (see the link for
the rewards process). We are rewarded for what the Lord actually
wants us to do; we are not rewarded for things WE think are "nice" or
"neat" or "righteous" or "holy" but which are actually not accomplishing
what He desires and whose motives are suspect.
Keep pushing forward, my friend!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Dear Professor
I do like the way you explain things. Thank you.
“Satan was in His presence,” – what would that presence look like? Would
it be in a human/angelic form? God being everywhere would be not be
possible for creatures to observe or understand.
Back to the mundane. “Transitioning” from lockdown in the Perth area is
wearing your mask at ALL times. If you are at a pub, only remove it to
have a drink and then immediately put it back on [imagine drinkers at
the bar pulling them off/putting back on -they get better at it the more
drinks they consume!]. Same at cafes and restaurants- only remove them
to eat, then immediately replace to talk/socialise. The covid safe app
that you register with at each and every venue will magically pick up
the slack of people fumbling back and forth with their masks. Who knows
what your hands pick up to transfer at each attempt.
“Messing with your mind” is what we call this sort of thing - - a step
beyond “having a lend of you”. If they can get you doing ludicrous
things now out of fear; what next? The ludicrous we get you to do now,
the insane will shortly follow.
Alternatively masking/unmasking, the premier and then the health
minister brushed past the sign language interpreter almost causing her
to lose her balance [social distance out the window]. A reporter asked
the premier should he get tested and self isolate as he had coughed [if
you have ANY symptoms at all is the command] during the press
conference. He, annoyed with the question, rightly said that he had a
dry throat from so much talking. A local school principal who explained
that she had had an asthma attack ( and not a flu symptom) was compelled
to self isolate for two weeks, for using her puffer to alleviate her
asthma. Our local private school had to make do without their principal.
Our previous short silly season once a year is now declared permanent
pending the totally insane outbreak to follow.
___ needs to go to the city for a medical appointment in a few days time
and prior will need to fill out a GTG government form online, take her
letter of appointment with her to present at the police check point at
the “border”, and wear her mask at ALL times (along with all the other
Perth-ites). On her return she must wear her mask (in our non compulsory
mask area) until the 14 February when the “transition to normality“ will
conclude. “Normality” being registering every place you visit (by phone
app or pen and paper - a small fee of $1000 for each non compliance).
She needs to wear her mask at home at least until that time. However,
everyone is encouraged to wear masks at all times as well.
I am not suggesting that we should not be ‘cautious with Covid’. All of
us want to return to normal life. The scenes played out on TV by our
leaders is embarrassing to say the least. By all means take reasonable
precautions - - including against the ludicrous and insane.
At scaled back weddings the bride and groom will not have to wear their
masks while dancing [nice little civil concession here] but everyone
else will at all times except when eating and raising a toast. Q:
Wedding group photos, minister? A: Use some common sense here.
Good to see the common sense word used!
Though to be fair, people are confused and looking to their leaders of
which way, how high, how often, how many backflips, forward somersaults,
reverse double somersaults with one and a half twists. Not many of us
were made for the rigorous training of the high board diving sport, and
those that are do not last that long at the top before they too fall.
You do not have to be crazy, but it certainly helps.
Unhappily, those that usually lead and want to lead a quiet life, have
now been forced to be constantly alert to alerts and waiting for the
next command. Don’t usually listen to radio or watch TV? Better start
and keep doing it from now on. Unrelenting vigilance to the authorities
changing commands is stressing all out. With the focus on the drama and
those “steering us through” there is the danger of always looking to
human “answers”, even when there is none.
Sadly the congregation of the crazies will soon outnumber by far the
sane. Probably we are there or almost there already.
The good news is that there have been zero cases of this new covid
strain [what a strain it is] detected since the hotel security guard
tested positive (sparking the lockdown) and he had heaps of contacts in
the community over an area of the metro area, yet no one else has tested
positive. The rain is falling here and it has got real cool. The fire is
still burning though they expect the further rain will bring it under
control. Thank heavens for the heavens! Yes we are very small after all.
Further to the north the same weather system washed away roads and
people were helicoptered to safety. Has been very dry so everyone is so
happy to see the rain, even if they get bucket loads.
Let us continue in prayer for each other, and for the authorities. Thank
you for explaining the word to us. Staying sane will require us to focus
on Christ and His word and the more so as we see the day drawing nearer.
Update: The rain has put out the Perth fires. Some obviously thought how
boring and lit another at the other end of the state stressing weary
firefighters even more. The rain soon followed and I did watch
commercial TV news for a bit tonight and noted the news reporter said
thank heavens for the heavens putting this one out too. (I don’t know
whether the ABC acknowledges the heavens or just the whims of the
weather). There are a lot of crazies out there who get kicks out of this
sort of “excitement “.
Just got a text saying that the “across the border students” must wear
their masks on my and other “border buses” tomorrow. Shortly an email
from the school followed saying these same students need not wear their
masks at school but this doesn’t override the requirement of school
transport directives. A bit past my pay and education grade to make any
sense of this one. Can I be forgiven for thinking that this is all part
of the “go crazy plan”? Me thinks it’s smells of “let’s do their heads
in” mentality - whether they (authorities) are aware of it or not. The
more people are completely baffled and still are required to “do the
right thing” is sending them “spare” and despairing of understanding
anything. Both directives came from government departments. Transport
(it seems) and Education. 1 Corinthians 14:7-9.
Though Paul was addressing the babbling of tongues here he does relate
it plain speaking. Given the confusing babble going on, who indeed will
“get ready for battle?” (Verse 8). Satan of course is hoping NO ONE
will, the people being so confused that when a “distinct sound” is heard
the herd will follow the antichrist. First “clarity” for ages. Fear and
confusion is his trade from the beginning. Genesis 3:4.
Wow! Confusing the message. A subtle yet powerful weapon for unwary
players. Works exceptionally well on the those not well versed in the
word of God. Of course, in order not to be bamboozled we need to love
the truth so as to keep our eyes on Christ the sure Word. I would never
have been able to come to such an understanding of the scriptures
without your tuition. Thank you for your clear Ministry in the words of
truth. We all are so blessed to benefit from your diligence.
Off to sleep now ready for the return of the goats to sheep (well almost
returning to full sheep category- the degree depending which authority
is weightier). In any case we should have all goats fully converted to
sheep by the official sheep date of 14 February 2021 [until the next
episode].
In Jesus the true Shepherd.
Your student and friend
Response #5:
Great news about the fires! A true answer to prayer. Not terribly shocking that
officialdom including the media scoff at this truth of divine intervention in
spite of paying lip-service to it. Thus has it always been.
Insanity, institutionalized and resultative, are on the rise over here as well.
The present regime got rid of the former regime in large part by playing up
fears about the bug and now they are left with the consequences of not being
able to tell everyone that NOW "all is well". Teachers here won't go back to
teaching until v-ed – and then they'll find another excuse (not all
students v-ed, imperfectly ventilated buildings, etc.). Normality,
apparently, will "never return", and semi-normality "may be years away".
Meanwhile, everyone who asks questions about this is now a terrorist who doesn't
deserve banking privileges. As I mentioned to you before, if I didn't know that
we weren't yet in the Tribulation I would think that we just might be. It does
all make one realize that the actual Tribulation will not be all "skittles and
beer", and that, in addition to extensive spiritual preparation, we're going to
have to be in the habit of adopting the attitude of letting "all this" go,
letting it roll off of our backs and not dwelling on it, looking instead towards
what's soon to come. Hard to be perfect about that, so this is good training,
whatever else it is.
. . . to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1st Thessalonians 1:10 KJV
Thanks as always for your insightful and encouraging emails, my friend! Keeping
running your good race for Jesus Christ.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #6:
What is my son doing in interim? I don’t understand what happens. Is he ok? Is he with Jesus? What is he doing while waiting for resurrection?
Response #6:
Good to make your acquaintance.
The Bible doesn't have much to say about "what is going on" in heaven at
the moment regarding believers who've gone to be with the Lord. We do
see a few things about that in Revelation, but those passages are
talking about the martyrs of the Tribulation. In terms of being "OK", I
can assure you that the other side is "better by far", because scripture
does say that:
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Philippians 1:22-23 NIV
Paul, who had actually seen the third heaven (2Cor.12:1-4), assures us
that being in the presence of Jesus Christ is "better by far". No doubt
we can't really appreciate how much better because of our limited
earthly perspective. Witnessing all the glories of heaven and enjoying
sweet fellowship with the Lord and all departed believers would be
wonderful indeed! But not as good as the resurrection will be – that
will be "the best by far". I have opined that I find it likely departed
believers are watching events on earth unfold as well (there is some
biblical evidence for that:
link). We do also know that there above there is no more "death or
mourning or crying or pain" (Rev.21:4) – the absence of all that it
negative. We aren't told as much detail about the positives, again, as I
say, probably because 1) we couldn't appreciate in these bodies, and 2)
if we did, we'd lose any interest in living in this world (and Christ
has left us here to carry out His will for our lives).
Here's a link on this (if you've not come across it yet):
"Our Interim
State".
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I have several comments and questions on the referenced Scriptures.
1. In Luke 9:30, the names of Moses and Elijah are mentioned, and also, a
reference is given to the two witnesses in Rev. 11.
Many Christians ?? have been told that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah,
not Moses and Elijah. Having studied this I agree that they are Moses and
Elijah.
The reason for their assumption is that Enoch never died, but the scripture
never says that specifically. In Genesis 5:24 the verse says "Enoch walked with
God; and he was not, for God took him".
In my reading of this text in Genesis 5:24, it would appear that Enoch did die,
for in my thinking that is what happens when "he was no more, for God took him".
When humans die, "they are no more", in other words, they die and the spirit
leaves the physical, and we are no more, we are dead
In Ecclesiastes 12:7, Solomon states: "then the dust will return to the earth as
it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. In this verse, there is
no specific mention of saved or unsaved. From Scripture, I know that believers
go to heaven upon death, and unbelievers go to hell.
Can you clarify what the meaning of this verse is, for I am sort of confused by
the wording? From a cursory reading, it would appear to say that all spirits
return to God who gave them??
Thanks again for your great help. Wish I could read Hebrew, perhaps that would
give me a better understanding.
Blessings always,
Your friend,
Response #7:
I've posted some things about "Enoch" in this regard before (here's
one link). The 144,000 are Jewish and the two witnesses conduct their
ministry and direct the 144K from Jerusalem – so that this is part of the
prophesied Jewish revival (not something that would seem to be in Enoch's
"wheelhouse").
As to Ecclesiastes 12:7, the translation you have is fine (though I don't like
the future tense; it's better to say "returns" in my view, though the meaning is
largely the same). True there is no distinction made here between believer and
unbeliever, but that is not necessary: everything said is true. What God does
with the spirit when He reclaims it depends of the eternal choice made by the
individual in question. This verse is speaking – as is usually the case in
Ecclesiastes – from the earthly point of view: we see the body turn to dust and
all evidence of the spirit departing (the breath leaves as the person expires);
we don't see what happens afterwards (but we know about that from elsewhere).
The purpose of this book is to inspire us to look above the mundane and unto the
heavens for answers – just exactly what
natural revelation is designed to accomplish.
Keeping you in my prayers daily, my friend!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Thanks Bob, a quite helpful explanation of a difficult question.
Revelation 8:5 (NASB)
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.
Do you think there is a possibility that the fiery censer that the angel
throws to the earth means that something like fiery meteorites or just
plain fire or fiery lighting might come down from the sky to start the
Tribulation? I am inclined to think that the fire likely will have some
visible effect along with the thunder, lightning, and earthquake because
of Revelation 9:8 where the angel "throws" a literal great mountain into
the sea which causes massive effects.
All that increased talk of the mysterious "climate change" of late in
just about every sphere (corporate, media, education, politics) really
seems to be setting up a perfect "out" for the world to explain away
this incredible and obviously divine phenomena. "Too much Co2" or
whatever, I can't help but chuckle at the coming stupidity in store.
In our Lord,
Response #8:
I think you're likely to be right. The point here is indeed that these signs will be worldwide in scope and impossible to ignore – although the vast majority of the world's population will willfully disregard them. And, yes, it certainly is also true that the intelligentsia have always been able to find ways to ignore the truth and will continue to do so . . . right up until the point where death and the last judgment catch up with them.
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Matthew 28:12-15
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Dear Professor,
Yes God is good! Thank you for all your insights and teachings on the BIGNESS of
God and our tiny ness. I am grateful to our friend as well for his picture of
the potter’s hands around the clay vessel being formed. I have since used this
analogy quite a few times - it is true that a picture is powerful.
“Keep them guessing”. Another favourite phrase that was used in my inspection
service days. Keeping clients unsure was indeed a useful weapon, though back
then I didn’t realise it was the same tool Satan used from the very beginning
and ever since - - and deployed to great effect at the present!
Mix of sheep/goats on this morning’s bus (Nice to see some colourful masks and
not just plain black or blue ones). Having only two differing government
versions of protocol to wrestle with (Transport and Education) I felt confident
having come to terms with only a couple of contradictions.
Mentioning my “confidence” to a parent at my first pickup, he threw in another
directive from the year leader teacher (wear) which contradicted the principal’s
directive (no need for goats to wear at school). It seems it is not just a pay
grade/educational grade dilemma. Whew what a relief!
KEEP THEM GUESSING. Throw in lots of variants of the “truth”, talk much more
than a lot and constantly (without actually saying much or really saying
anything at all most of the time), bells and whistles useful. Tactical
brilliance. Keep them guessing. Wear them out. Confuse the crowd and have them
dance to any tune. [In addition to the worldly confusion, I find the analogy is
fitting to the “comfort doctrines”]. Nothing like TOTAL confusion (of
unbelievers and believers) to achieve TOTAL power. (Or so the evil one thinks).
All the more reason for us who believe in the truth of the Word of God to read
the scriptures and take time out to thank our Father in heaven for all our
blessings.
Thank you to your reader in your latest email :
‘Eschatology Issues LXI’; Q36 (last one) and your reply. A particularly timely
reminder that concerns a dear relative of mine (and hence also myself). None of
us are fully immune to all “viruses”. Thankfully the v- is totally
trustworthy and always will be. And all of us benefit from the insights of
others on your website. I certainly have.
Keeping you, your family and Ministry in my prayers.
In Jesus the true living Word.
Your student and friend
Response #9:
Thanks as always for your good words and thoughtful analysis, my friend.
Keeping the recruits on their toes is a classic feature of USMC
initiation training, but at least there the rules don't change. There,
the objective is to produce strict and swift obedience of a responsive
nature against the natural human tendency to weigh things out first and
general resistance of any kind. But in the situation you are coping
with, if deliberate, it would seem to be purposed towards making people
flexible about any previous standards and beliefs they hold – since they
have to be ready to toss them at a moments notice. I suppose that IS
good training for what is coming – from the point of view of the evil
one and his son.
Keeping you and yours in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Good morning Professor,
I hope all is well your way w/ covid. We are fine our way. In Ladies
Bible Study of Hebrews, she made a comment that Moses did get to go into
the Promise land because the Mt. of Transfiguration is in the middle of
the Promise Land. So when he stood there and looked over he was in the
Promise Land. God told Moses he could see the Promise Land but could not
enter due to disobedience (rock) his anger and that He also did not
bring Glory to God... I am trying to search internet to try to get a
picture of the Mountain, it says it is about 1,866 ft. high and
overlooks..
She said he chose the better of the two: going into the Promise Land w/
millions of sweaty grumbling people or being w/ Jesus (his death).. He
chose to be w/ Jesus.
My brain works so diff. I feel that possible it was not right in the
middle and that he had no choice. That at that time Jesus had not gone
to the Cross for our Salvation, that Moses would be in the bosom of
Abraham. So that is where my thinking is at . And not being a Scholar of
God's Word Truth I really can not say I am correct in my interpretation
nor thinking. Is there something that you could add that would guide my
area of wanting facts /understanding. Thank you so much
Jesus is God He is the Word and He spoke Creation into Creation.. let
there be light etc....
Response #10:
I agree with you. Moses did not cross the Jordan to enter the land – at
the time. And when he appeared with Elijah on the Mt. of Transfiguration
(a different mountain), he was not in his first body nor was he leading
Israel. He will return, with Elijah, to direct the ministry of the
144,000 during the Tribulation. So then he will be "in the land" and
guiding Israel. Moses clearly wanted to enter the land – he directly
petitioned the Lord and so vociferously that the Lord told him to cease
and desist. So it was not Moses' choice, clearly.
We don't know where the Mt. of Transfiguration was (scripture doesn't
say, deliberately no doubt, or people would be climbing it all the
time). Mt. Neboh, the place from which Moses was given to see the land
he was not being allowed to enter, was somewhere in what is today the
kingdom of Jordan – but it is not absolutely clear that present day Mt.
Neboh is the same as the peak mentioned in the Bible (the identification
of places in the Bible with places of the same name today is a notorious
problem).
Glad to hear that you are all OK!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #11:
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/can-i-take-a-v--made-from-aborted-babies
Do you have any thoughts on this Robert?
Thanks, grace and peace,
A brother in Christ...
Response #11:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
Questions of application – that is, applying the truth to situations in
the world where there are no direct or directly applicable commandments
or biblical statements – is always a matter best left to individual
believers. And it is also often the case that the answer which is right
for one believer is not right for another. Is that because of
"situational ethics"? No – it's because of different levels of spiritual
maturity (Rom.14:1-12).
I have no issues with believers who don't want to take a v- for
this reason (I have issues with the currently available v-s for
other reasons, as you may know from reading the more recent email
response postings at Ichthys), nor would it enter into my mind to give
any other believer grief for feeling it was right for them to take one
of these v-s:
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
Romans 14:13 NIV
This passage, coming as the conclusion for Paul's explanation of this issue of the strong versus the weak, seems to me to be directly at odds with pastor P's entire presentation at your link. He presents this as a settled issue in terms of the rightness and wrongness of it, and as a result puts a stumbling block in the path of any and all who may be easily swayed or upset because of not understanding certain biblical principles.
But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
1st Corinthians 10:28-30 NIV
A strong believer understands that the fact that someone else has done
something wrong (like sacrificing to idols) in the process of producing
whatever it is that is beneficial and provided by God does not make it
necessary to refrain – except to avoid upsetting another believer who
doesn't have the spiritual confidence. So at such a moment, not eating
is better. But that does not mean never eating, only avoiding the
prospect of upsetting a believer who doesn't yet understand this
principle.
Are we supposed to ask questions about everything we eat and use? Was
part of my cell phone made by Uyghurs being tortured in Chinese
concentration camps, so that perhaps I should cease using the phone? Was
this chicken I'm eating produced on a factory farm where undocumented
aliens are being exploited as slaves, so that I should give up poultry?
Is my retirement fund investing in bonds or bond funds or banks that
charge exploitative usury-level interest, crushing the faces of the
poor, so perhaps I should not accept my pension payments? Is my
government involved in horrific and illegal spying so that I should
perhaps not pay my taxes? One could go on at very great length, and the
more anyone looked into these matters, the more complicated they would
become. All one has to do is to read the famous essay, "I, Pencil" by
Leonard E. Read, to see that making even something so seemingly simple
has all manner of detailed steps involved as well as sub-steps and
various processes at various places and plants to an amazingly
complicated degree most of us never think about. Who is to say that no
one was exploited or treated unfairly or subjected to unhealthy working
conditions at any step along the way (or that some thing or other
occurred which would horrify our Christian sensibilities)? Given our
current climate of oligarchic control in this world, it's unlikely that
you could even use a pencil "in good conscience", based upon pastor P's
approach. I'm not saying that there aren't places to "draw the line",
but I am saying that suggesting another person is somehow a terrible
Christian for not doing so where you are doing so is, well, acting
terribly (Rom.14:13) – not the first time I've had issues with this
person.
Are v-s made from aborted babies? I don't know, but I doubt it. It
would be horrible, if true. But what if the boss in the pencil factory
required employee X to get an abortion in order to keep her job (or at
least pressured her into it with the threat of the loss of her job)?
What if your retirement provider invested in a company that uses fetal
tissue (or invests in a company that invests in a company that invests
in a company which does)? What if the Uyghurs who built part of your
cell phone were sterilized or forced to have abortions or raped or
worse? What if the farm-slaves who processed your chicken were denied
good medical care and miscarried or had their children die in infancy as
a result?
I don't have all the answers. I know that, contrary to what pastor P
thinks, life begins at birth, when God Himself places a human spirit in
the newborn, and not in the womb – which does not make me "good" with
fetal research, by the way. Everyone has to find their own footing on
these sorts of issues. I may or may not take one of these v-s
(leaning towards waiting on a traditional dead-virus type or similar),
but I don't think that the fact that the researchers might or might not
have used a strain of DNA which can be traced back to this highly
questionable research would be much of a consideration for me
personally.
Here's another question. What if you put stuff like this up on the
internet and as a result people who read it refuse to get v-ed and
contract the virus and die – or give it to others who die – as a result?
Everything we do has consequences. Mature Christians focus on living for
Jesus Christ, and the main thrust of that is spiritual growth, spiritual
progress, and spiritual production for the sake of His Church – not
worrying about whether or not the fruit you're thinking of buying has
been produced in a country whose policies you find offensive.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Appreciate you’re taking the time to reply so thoroughly, and have
shared it with some Christian friends of mine who are also contemplating
the same issues. Like you said, some are more mature and staunch in
their stand, others less concerned about the babies used in
pharmaceutical development. There are also those who would like to know
more, in order to make an informed decision.
I myself feel terrible about abortion and will forever keep these little
ones in prayer, and pass on any v-.
Sure seems like we are closer than ever to the end of days.
Still waiting to sell my condo and return to YWAM Kona for my final
years. I feel his leading but am unaware of his timing:)
God bless you and your work Bob, and thanks again!
Awaiting our Lords return,
Response #12:
You're very welcome, my friend.
Staying Simon-pure in this world is impossible. The Romans built their
roads entirely for military purposes, for their legions to be able to
get rapidly from place to place – and slaughter all enemies, men, woman
and children. Some of the slaughters that Caesar and his troops engaged
in were horrific, including children and pregnant women destroyed by the
tens of thousands. But Paul and company didn't refrain from using the
Via Egnatia when traveling through Macedonia. And the Roman world of
that day was awash with paganism. Ships, like the one that carried Paul
and company to Syracuse sported figureheads of the twin gods known as
the Dioscuri (Acts 28:11) – it didn't stop them from taking that ship.
The Amish and some other religious groups have turned away from the
world and from technology for just such reasons – but they are STILL "in
the world" and they STILL use technology (even if not electricity). We
are "in the world", but not "of the world", and that is the difference.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Professor,
Sorry if I missed your explanation on this question.
“Satan was in His presence,” - - what would that presence look like?
Would it be in a human/angelic form? God being everywhere would be not
be possible for creatures to observe or understand.
Jesus we can visualise as He came in human form. I am wondering what the
angels see when they are in God’s presence. Does the Father manifest
Himself in some form that angels can comprehend? If Jesus is seated on
the throne with His Father and the throne is surrounded by Cherubs, then
it seems God is manifest in a dimensional form?
From scripture I do understand God is infinite.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student
Response #13:
We have descriptions in Isaiah (Is.6:1-4), Ezekiel (1:26-28) which, while they are technically Christophanies, relate directly to our Lord representing the Father. Here is my translation of the key passage in Revelation:
(2) Immediately I came to be in the Spirit, and, behold, a throne had been placed in the [third] heaven, and [some] One was sitting [upon it]. (3) And the One sitting [on the throne was] similar in appearance to a gemstone of jasper or sardius. (4) And there was a rainbow around the throne similar in appearance to [something] made of emerald. And encircling the throne were twenty-four [other] thrones. And on the[se] thrones twenty-four elders were sitting, dressed in white clothing. And on their heads were golden crowns. (5) And from the throne [of God] come forth flashes of lightning, voices and peals of thunder. And there [stood] burning before the throne seven lamps of fire, which are the seven spirits of God.
Revelation 4:2-5
Yes, the Father is infinite – as is the Son and Spirit. He does represent
Himself in the appearance of human-like form for the benefit of His creatures,
but only the Son has become an actual human being (the Son of Man) in addition
to His divinity.
It's also always good to keep this passage in mind:
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?"
John 4:18-19 NIV
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
I tried every secular means I know but was all the while desperate to
tell him of the hope I now have and why. I was steered off doing this by
his adoptive mother as he is "not religious".
So he has had therapy and medication but now is suicidal again.
Personally my experience of therapy was that I started to understand
more clearly what was happening within my interactions with people but
was never given the "bigger Godly picture". I was also never given the
means with which to heal apart from an endless supply of drugs. The
"talking cure" just went round and round and round. At one point I told
__ that I would probably need therapy for the rest of my life because
there was no end in sight, no cure, no healing.
As __ is at the edge again, I have now told him what my faith has done
to me and to my depression. Funnily enough, a cloud of depression tried
to settle over me last night and when I saw it for what it was, an
attack from the enemy, it immediately went away when I focused on my
faith.
I now understand that depression comes from without not within and is
merely a weapon from the enemy. The reason I have noticed this is
because his other weapons against me have not been as subtle. In the
past he has used intrusive thoughts and swear words in my mind to taunt
me over my past sin filled life. There was one that would fill my head
over and over again and this was a word I have never used and never
would but it was used against me because of something I had done in the
past.
This was obviously coming from outside of me as an attack. Also some of
the blasphemous thoughts I used to have were clearly from the enemy. I
have noticed that whenever a particular weapon fails to work anymore,
that the enemy switches to another one. It was this clumsily "switching
of weapons" mid-attack that gave the enemy away. It made it obvious to
me that this was not from me but from the enemy because by this point it
was blatantly obvious. I have realised that when I round on the enemy
and rebuke the thought or the word and reaffirm my faith and position in
Christ then it immediately stops.
I guess the enemy and his minions regroup at that point, go and attack
someone else and then come back later on with a different weapon.
I have now realised that depression is just another weapon in the
enemy's arsenal. It came on me very suddenly last night because I spent
the day in prayer fasting and scripture. As soon as I broke the fast and
stopped praying, then the depression was over me and it was really heavy
duty depression, like the kind I had before that made me very ill
indeed! I obviously panicked as I never thought I would get that feeling
again that made me physically ill as well as mentally. Then that I
remembered the intrusive thoughts in the past and I realised that these
were weapons used from without and were hardly used anymore. I quickly
realised that this depression was another weapon being deployed and so
immediately I thought "this is not coming from me" and thought of all
the study and prayer I had done and the closeness to God I felt and
"poof!" the depression was gone again! It was around me for 20-30
minutes tops! So it was supernatural and was a weapon from the enemy!
Now I know!!
I have tried to tell ___ that faith will rid him of his depression, that
Jesus will help him through. The problem is that he wants to "help
himself". The problem with this self help movement is that we can't
really help ourselves to do anything without God. Without God we really
are helpless! It also occurred to me that just like everything else here
on earth, secular humanist therapy and the social and psychological
sciences are riddled with occult methods, eastern mysticism and
philosophy and the only way it can be "successful" in making a person
fully functioning in satan's society is through the lie of "self
deification" and by promoting sin. Self love and self help only leads to
the self as god.
You have said in another exchange on depression that the world IS
depressing and that life on earth without God is depressing because it
is all pointless, fruitless and futile without Him. Sometimes seeing the
world through depressed eyes is actually a person seeing the world as it
really is: naked, blind and wretched. Sometimes it takes a person to get
rock bottom with depression to realise that they need to reach upwards
towards God and our Saviour.
When we anaesthetise this pain, we take away the opportunity of real
change through faith and being born from above. I guess that is why
antidepressants are so heavily promoted as they block a person from
becoming desperate enough to cry out to God. Yes it is a shame to
acknowledge that mostly humans need to be desperate before they seek
God.
Ironically, Satan uses depression as a weapon against people who are
leaving behind his depressing system and yet he has the audacity to
offer the depressive the cure to his depression which happens to be a
satanic lie! This lie is how to adapt to fit in within a sinful world by
becoming more of a sinner and to completely compromise on morality so
that one can succeed at grasping the brass ring, or for the less
aggressive he gives them pseudo spirituality and healing through self
realisation and eventually self deification.
So he seems to have the whole outfit sewed up! He gives us the disease
and then the cure! His only two options to alleviate the depression that
he and his system naturally creates is to either pursue the brass ring
more furiously than before for the carnal types or for the more
spiritual types he offers the false light of his demonic spiritual
operations!
So I see that the only answer to all of this is Jesus. I have tried to
tell ___ this. I hope that I have at the very least planted a seed.
In Jesus,
Response #14:
Excellent!
I agree with you entirely. As you no doubt know from postings, I am not
willing to tell people to throw away their prescribed medications. This
is something they have to come to. There do seem to be medical reasons
for chemical imbalances. That is true for purely physical ailments, so
I'm not willing to dismiss the entire thing. It is very clear that
over-prescription for such things is the rule – and that Jesus is the
only answer in truth and indeed!
I also agree that the evil one and his minions use all manner of means
to attack human beings. There is no hope there either – without Jesus
Christ. But blessedly, with Jesus Christ, there's no hope for them! So
we have to keep fighting this fight.
I will say a prayer for __ and keep him on my list.
Apologies for not yet getting to your other files. Very long day here!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Dear Professor
Thank you for your explanation and the associated scriptures. All makes
perfect sense.
This invokes an overwhelming sense of humility for the goodness of God
for giving us His Son as a sacrifice so that we may be with Him in
eternity. Some things are presently beyond our mortal minds to
comprehend anywhere near of what the future realities will be. I suppose
this is deliberate so that we can make that free will faith choice
unimpeded by the vision of the overwhelming glory of God.
Thinking of you up there in the freezing weather (saw a highway snow
accident scene on the TV). Some of the northern cold must be leaking
into our southern summer down here and I scrambled to find a dry barrow
of wood to light the fire. The rain came in sideways under the patio and
drenched the wood. Managed to keep the fire going for 3 days (unheard of
this time of year to have fire going) and it is still rather cool here
compared to our average summer.
Further north the water washed away many kilometres of road. A great
relief to have rain after many dry years up there.
Bible study last night. __ was there and quite chirpy considering her
cancer treatment. In the prayer time there was plenty to thank God for
and plenty of people in and close to the group who need prayer.
I have some working out to do for our other FBG coming weekend’s
fellowship study as we now have “over the borders” who can’t make our
Saturday meeting and at least one “in border” who will be working
Sunday.
__ checked through the police checkpoint to the city this morning on
their way to their medical appointments. Hoping for the “border” check
point to come down from this coming Sunday. Authorities are serious
about this quarantine. Apparently the $1000 is the nominal fine for
breaches. Up to $50,000 has been threatened if they take you to court,
either already or soon to be invoked, along with another proposal of a
10 year jail term for those who breach quarantine restrictions. The 10
year sentence may have been a friendly countries proposal to go one
further than us. The UK have been looking at our quarantine system to
see what works. [ABC radio this morning]. In a former life I was part of
the quarantine and inspection service in the meat division. Considering
how things are panning out I am happy to be no longer associated; though
the present operations are carried out by a smorgasbord of different
players, including private security firms.
I am thankful for your prayers.
Keeping you in mine daily.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student and friend
Response #15:
"I suppose this is deliberate so that we can make that free will faith choice
unimpeded by the vision of the overwhelming glory of God." – that is well
put and exactly right.
Sounds as if the climate down there didn't get the global warming memorandum.
Perhaps we should burn a few more hydrocarbons to get things back into balance.
Yes, we had quite an ice storm last night so the going was tricky this morning.
Got back to my office after my 11 AM class and there was a message that all
classes from 1 PM on would be remote – because another wave was coming in (as it
turned out – they didn't explain the "why" in the fiat)! Well, I teach at noon,
and in six minutes I can't commute home and set up for online teaching,
especially not in an ice storm. So I taught the 1 PM class from the auditorium.
Now that I'm streaming classes, it really doesn't make any difference – virtual
attendance or viewing the recording later was already an option now. I only had
six or seven out of 27 present in the flesh, but some of them of course hadn't
"gotten the word" that the university had shut down. So we made the best of it.
A little rough, all day, but done and over now!
Really sobering report about the quarantine. If a non-crime can get you ten
years and 50K, imagine if you'd actually done something wrong! Perhaps lopping
off hands for shoplifting will come into vogue now in order to keep the
perspective balanced (social justice rioters excepted of course).
Hope you manage to dry off and warm up! We have a few hours of melt scheduled
for Friday afternoon – the entire city will no doubt be at the grocery store for
that – then back into the ice and deep freeze for the foreseeable.
Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Dear Professor
You really are having lots of adventures in the cold! What great memories (even
without the snowman) for your students who were not in the know and turned up
for class. Communications frozen?
We are having a rather cool spell for a week or so but warming in the next few
days and back to summer in style again by the middle of next week. Oscillating
weather. By the way, here science no longer refers to it as global warming.
Climate change is at present the newer officially endorsed slogan.
I notice in Revelation 8:12 (4th trumpet) that it gets appreciably darker though
it doesn’t mention whether it is colder. Then Revelation 16:8-9 (4th bowl)
allows the sun to scorch people with fire. A good deal more than oscillating
weather going on here!
There was recently that mountain glacier that melted in India that claimed some
lives. More going on than I can really understand. I suppose in all this we are
encouraged to “follow the science” wherever it leads. One correspondent on ABC
radio the day before yesterday talked about using science to settle the debate.
She cited examples of scientific facts used to prove an argument. What a great
idea. The scientific facts were used as “proof” by both sides having opposite
positions to each other! [USA gun control was one scenario she mentioned]. Now
she suggests that we do not use scientific facts to “prove” our case but use
them to “reason” our case. Hope everyone got that. (Anyone who does - - could
you let me know; quietly). We are being messed with by experts.
On law and order that the Queensland government is grappling with. The experts
say that punishment doesn’t work. Proof? They release on parole offenders who
steal cars, sometimes killing others on the road, lock up the offenders in
secure accomodation for a little while, release them on parole, offenders repeat
the actions (more deaths of innocent road users) and revolve once more.
Oscillating legal system.
None of the experts is saying it is the fault of offenders - they say we are all
to blame and must help the offenders. What does that help look like? They don’t
know. The answer is vexed by racial/social issues. Whatever anyone proposes to
actually fix the problem they get castigated. Catch 22 (I haven’t read the
book).
Casinos over here have (no surprise here) been found to be laundering money for
crime syndicates involved in heinous crimes, possibly including paedophilia and
slavery. Revelation 18:13. [is it certain that Babylon is the USA only?] The
judge has exposed heaps. The “terms of reference” granted to her excluded
politicians, government agencies and some others. That indeed, would be too
explosive! Let’s never get to the core, otherwise the ball game will be over for
them.
However, “help” is at hand. Let us focus our vitriol on any who dare question
anything regarding the official scientific response to Covid - or anything else
for that matter.
The stage is set. The key evil players are positioning for the big switch. All
this suspicion, distrust/trust/bamboozlement works in their schemings to have
antichrist come to power. Thankfully his time is limited (though still horrid).
Those that are relying on the “newer” comfort doctrines will be dismayed. At the
cafe I think I may have detected __ trying to gently introduce the truth of the
Tribulation to ___ - ever so gently. If it continues perhaps many more may be
better prepared for what is truly our lot to endure. Probably the following is
not the most appropriate scripture to cite to dissipate the false hopes of those
with pre rapture ideas.
Let us pray we can “escape all these things” that now are/and are going to
place. Luke 21:36.
We ask for the strength to endure.
Thank you especially for your timely Ministry that encourages us to always
prepare spiritually. Clock seems to be running quicker than ever.
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student and friend
Response #16:
As I suspected, they have now cancelled Friday. Well, made it remote. Blessedly,
I only have one class tomorrow, so I will be able to bump through. Also had a
mandatory drive-thru Covid screening test scheduled down by the uni tomorrow but
won't go now. All is a grand sheet of ice and temps too low for the salt to do
much good. Tomorrow it's predicted to hit just above freezing for a brief spell.
But then back in the deep freeze for the better part of a week. Wonder if Monday
will be cancelled as well. Not looking forward to teaching four in a row from
home. Also, exams and quizzes were due in that day (take-homes to save a day of
instructions since I'm limited by the Covid regime as to how many classes I can
teach in person: 75% maximum – but I seem to be one of the very few instructors
down there even when it's not all iced up).
Yes, I've heard about "climate change", which means that any weather that's not
appreciated is the result of me driving my car ten minutes to school. I half
expect the next challenge to be "season change". Science seems to be in the eye
of the practitioner. Science is "what 'we' say it is". Good to be a member of
the 'we', I suppose.
Good to hear that you have some truth coming through the justice system down
there. They all seem to be in league here. Only the people who pay the taxes (Bezos
and oligarchy co. pay none because they don't have employers) are the guilty
ones – and less and less of us as time goes by. What a good thing the printing
press in D.C. hasn't run out of virtual paper yet.
Interesting times surely are coming. This probably is just a dry run in terms of
proportions, but I believe that you are certainly correct on the point of all
these developments setting the stage. It really is difficult to see how "all
this" can continue too much longer – and a blessing to know that it not only
can't but won't.
(35) So do not throw away this conviction of yours – it leads to a great reward. (36) You need to keep persevering so that you may carry off in victory what has been promised – after you have accomplished God's will. (37) For yet a little while, how short, how [short the wait], and He who is coming shall come, nor will He delay. (38) "Then shall my righteous one live by his faith, but if he shrinks back, My heart takes no pleasure in him (Hab.2:3-4)." (39) Now we are not possessed of cowardly apostasy which leads to destruction, but we have faith which leads to [eternal] life.
Hebrews 10:35-39
Keeping you and yours and your ministry efforts in my prayers daily, my friend.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Bob,
I'm still comparing NIV to KJV and I notice a greater discrepancy between
English versions in Book II. Is there an issue with original language here to
explain what I perceive as a greater difference? The Psalms don't seem to be in
chronological order. Is that correct?
In readings past, I never completely realized how much of Psalms pointed to our
Lord. Do you see any other relationship/association between David and Jesus
beyond simply ancestor/earthly progeny?
I hope you're coping with the winter weather. Today, and for the next several
days if the forecasters are accurate (which occasionally happens) we'll be
having sleet, snow and freezing rain out here on the prairie. Bad weather is
normal for February -- just not this extreme. Lows forecast about 10 degrees.
Having said that, the snow and ice, while not the form I or my dog would prefer,
is much needed water. He always provides.
I pray you and yours are well and your tech trials are manageable. (Anyone can
make a mistake, but it takes IT staff to really louse things up.)
In Jesus,
Response #17:
Good to hear from you, my friend, and thanks for catching this (corrected).
On NIV vs. KJV, there's also more than one NIV (I much prefer the 1985 version),
but they make it hard to tell which one you've got. If it's online, it's almost
certainly NOT the 1985 version.
No, Psalms are not in chrono order. Here is what I've written about that book in
BB 7:
Psalms is unique in having multiple named authors (David, Asaph, Heman, Solomon, and Moses, for example). The Psalms are traditionally divided into five books, and at the end of the second book, at Psalm 72:20, a psalm by Solomon, it says "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended", indicating that Solomon received from his father the first two books, or at least the psalms therein, organized them and added a capstone psalm (#72) to complete that collection. Then, over his lifetime, he collected and organized the other three books – which contain a number of David's other psalms: 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 124, 131-133 (all of these being songs "of ascent" indicating that they are placed into the collection here for that reason with other such psalms), and also 138-145. While there are anonymous Psalms in the first two books which may or may not have been written by David as well, Psalm 44 is the first psalm attributed to someone else, the sons of Korah, who also give us Psalms 44-49; #50 is by Asaph, 51-65 by David; 66-67 anonymous; 68-70 by David, 71 anonymous, and 72 by Solomon. Psalm 90 is said to have been written by Moses, and the unique use of the unusual word gubh which occurs only there (in verse ten) and Numbers 11:31, attests to the truth of the claim.
And, yes, David is also a "type of Christ", so that in many of the Psalms where
he is speaking of himself the Spirit is also using him for prophecies about
Christ (Ps.22 is a good example of that).
Yes, it's awful out there in L-ville! Just heard that the uni has shut down
tomorrow, so I'll be teaching my one Friday class remotely. Since we have about
an inch or so of solid ice everywhere – and no thaw in sight – I'm wondering now
about Monday. Snow days used to be an occasion for rejoicing; now they mean I
have to teach remotely from home and don't get out of my house. Times they do
change. Still working out tech glitches now that I stream all the classes. As I
suspected, in person attendance is NOT being helped by this additional option –
but I'm doing what I can.
Thanks for your concern! Hope you are safe and warm out there on the prairie, my
friend!
Keeping you in my prayers – and thanks much for yours!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,
I was wondering how your first day of hy-flexing all your classes went
today. I've been thinking and praying for you and hope it went well.
I've been spending time in SR again today but I think I was a bit
optimistic in saying I will have completed it by the end of this week. I
thought I was further along than I was! I'll take my time and get there
eventually.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #18:
It went OK – thanks for asking! I am somewhat exhausted since the whole process
has added an extra level of difficulty and essentially negated the five minutes
I usually have to catch my breath between classes. Apparently that is needful as
the lack of it is demonstrating. Now that I'm in the grove with this though, I'm
sure it'll go a bit better Wednesday. But it is a bit of a "three ring circus"
trying to deal now with another ball in the air while juggling away through
class, so to speak. I had very low attendance today even so, with not too many
logging in remotely (although there was some of that in all my classes). I was a
tad miffed that some of the individuals who petitioned me for this didn't show
"virtually". Maybe they'll watch the recording. Maybe. Unfortunately, this very
complicated and expensive system we have doesn't have a way to track that yet
(that figures).
Take your time with SR 5! It's a very
long and detailed piece, and complicated enough that it's hard to race through
it and still get anything out of it.
Freezing here in L-ville!
Hope your work is going well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,
I hope you had a good night's sleep after your exhausting day yesterday. It
sounds like hard work but hopefully it will get easier once you get into the
swing of it. I think maybe your students are watching the recording instead -
I'm full of hope!
Even though SR 5 is a long and detailed piece I don't want to rush through it.
In fact I haven't finished it yet but I think I'm going to go back a little bit
and re-read some parts of it. I'm having one of those frustrating moments where
I know I haven't quite taken it all in fully and I can never settle when I'm
like that. That's partly me but I know it's the Spirit as well - giving me the
desires of my heart! I know you're there to help if there's anything I'm really
struggling with. The detail is amazing - it must have taken you ages to get it
all down. It's beautiful though and will be even more so when I fully digest it
and have a full understanding of it.
I started a new Bible reading plan as well yesterday and I think it's going to
be good too.
I've been keeping up with my walking. I've been looking online to buy myself
some dumbbells but they're really hard to get hold of at the moment because
everyone is buying them. The weights are good for strong bones and muscles
especially as you get older. At my age now moderate exercise every day is the
best way to keep fit and healthy and avoid any more nasty injuries. I finally
learnt my lesson there!
So I've been tightening up my daily routine for the physical and most
importantly the spiritual. I think it's important to have a routine otherwise
you just kind of float along and end up not really achieving anything much. I
could do with another day at work but I'm sure the opportunity will come
eventually. In the meantime I'm making the most of the time I have - for the
Lord.
Work is fine thanks. I should be taking my last couple of days holiday next
month some time. Then from April I think the targets will be increasing. That's
probably going to mean more time in those uncomfortable masks, gowns and visors
that make you hot. I've got a job and the people I work with are great so I'm
thankful to the Lord and happy!
It's freezing cold here too! And we've had a little bit more snow today but
thankfully it hasn't settled on the ground.
Make sure you take good care of yourself, Bob - including rest. Keeping you in
my prayers and thanks so much for yours.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Saviour
Response #19:
Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that you are actively taking
care of your health. That's very important. As bumpy as things are for
me at the moment, I know I have a reserve of endurance based upon prior
discipline in this regard – God helping me! I got a walk today and some
weights as well. Ice storm coming in tonight so I may have to forgo it
in the early AM tomorrow. That time of year. We're into the deep subzero
temps coming up in the next few days (°F not °C!), so will have to keep
the faucets dripping. Might be doing my Friday class remotely from home
if the worst scenario plays out. We'll have to see. We have that option
now. No more "snow days"!
Keep up the good rhythm, my friend! That's the way to get everything
done and do what the Lord wants you to do.
Keeping you in my prayers daily.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
I hope your class from home went smoothly today.
The weather conditions sound pretty lethal in Louisville. This is where
teaching from home actually has it's advantages - even though it's not
your most favourite thing to do. At least you're inside and safe with no
risk of slipping on the ice and breaking any bones. Hospital is the last
place you want to be right now.
I hope you can manage to sort out all the glitches. Maybe they would
allow you to change to a different room if the camera isn't working out
too well in the auditorium. But then I guess it depends on the number of
students you have. I'm sure you'll figure something out - you always do
in the end! I'll keep everything in prayer for you.
Another busy but good day at work for me today. It's freezing cold here
too and we always have to keep the windows open for ventilation because
of covid. So we wrap ourselves up in as many layers as we can. The
patients are OK - they can keep their coats on. I think I've just about
thawed out now!
Hope you have a nice weekend and thanks for your prayers too!
In Jesus our dear Saviour
Response #20:
The weather actually got much worse today as the day wore on. It got close to or
just overtopped the freezing mark, and so we had a slight liquid film that
dissolved the crunchy snow and replaced it with a city-wide hockey rink. Barely
could get down the walk without falling on my keester. Had to go cross-country
to get to the car. Took a while to thaw it out. After running for half an hour
or so, nearly a half inch-thick sheets of ice started to cleave off of it. But
I'm back in business there and all stocked up. Class was bumpy at first, but we
had a pretty good showing: only two unaccounted for, two more couldn't get their
microphones to work, but we bumbled through.
Working all the problems. IT guy claims there's a remote control . . . somewhere
. . . to adjust the cameras at school. We'll see about that Monday . . . if the
uni is back open. No chance of even breaking above freezing until the end of
next week, so I'm don't think this ice is going anywhere. The main streets are
clear enough for slow-going, but all the walkways are deadly. The people who
salted have it worse because it only melted the top so they have hockey-rinks
with a good deal of water on top – which will re-freeze in the very cold nightly
temps. We'll play it by ear.
At least I don't have to teach with the windows open! Impossible in our building
anyway as none of the windows open. They've been re-circulating the same air in
there since the 70's as a result.
Hard to believe tomorrow is Saturday. What a week!
Wishing you a good weekend too, my friend!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Thanks for all this as always my dear friend!
I'm ashamed to say that I had to look on Wikepdia to see what an ice storm
actually is! We never have them here! Though it has been very, very cold here of
late.
Please stay warm, go easy on your feet and on wheels. Apparently Carbon Monoxide
poisonings go up in ice storms...
Response #21:
One more thing to look out for!
Thanks for this. I do have a CO detector, so I'm probably OK there.
Very slippery here! And no thaw until MAYBE late next week!
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L
Question #22:
Hi Bob
The Lord brought you to my mind when I was reading this morning. I was
reading psalm 124 at the time. Hope you are well.
Regards,
Response #22:
Good to hear from you.
Doing well here – in spite of Covid, reactions to all that's going on
the world, and now an ice storm which has shut down the university. Good
news on the latter front, though. Used to be we might get a "snow day".
Now I still "get to teach" over the computer from home. It'll be
interesting to see if we're back on campus Monday or not. There's ice
all over everything, up to over a half inch of it, and the temps are so
low it's not going anywhere soon – maybe a week from now (they're
predicting 33 °F next Thursday!).
I have been keeping you and yours in my prayers (for resolution of all
issues).
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Thanks Bob,
So glad we “crossed paths”.
We’ll get to meet in person in heaven one day! God has sent some really
special people into my life at times and you are one of them!
Response #23:
I'm appreciative of your friendship too!
Hope you've been getting answers to your prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #24:
For whatever it may be worth, I'd like to express a few disjointed
thoughts about how I view stories such as this:
Do I think this story is significant? Yes or I would not have posted it.
How significant is it? That remains to be seen and I am willing to stand
back and see how this may play out before I go running around and
declaring, "We're on the verge of Ezekiel 38! Armageddon! The
Abomination of Desolation! Or, even, the Imminent Rapture! The glut of
false alarms is doing great harm to the Body of Christ and the Lord's
testimony!
Jesus instructed us, "When you SEE these things" and He elaborated on
what those things would be, along with Paul and other earthly vessels
through which God spoke. In the meantime, we are to "watch and pray,"
not watch and speculate! This is the sort of garbage that brings the
genuinely prophetic into disrepute, to both the unbeliever as well as
the believer, and priming the pump for future and fatal unbelief!
Akin to the criticism the liberal-secular news often receives from
Conservative circles, they increasingly place their priority on funning
with "bombshell" stories, with confirming the accuracy of the story
sometime later. Sensationalism and ratings are far more important than
being accurate. You can always correct these inaccuracies later,
sometime s much later, and well after the damage has already been done.
The natural and self-centered tendency to want to "Jump the gun" much
like "Be the first kid on your block to....." It's a cute and clever way
to garner attention to oneself and banking (literally) on the fact that
people have a tendency to have a rather short memory. This is especially
true for the immature, unstable, Biblically ignorant, attracted to the
most corrupt "ear tickling" so-called "prophets." The sum total of this
is "0" discernment, which does not bode well for the future of such
folks where every bit of it will be required in the days ahead.
Unfortunately, and even tragically in the long run, this is what
prophecy-oriented ministries do. And, if they are proven to be wrong
they are ingenious in concocting their own version of historical
revisionism and adding phony qualifiers after the fact.
"Prophecy Experts"? I honestly don't know what that means and is a
borderline oxymoron, if not crosses the border. One may be a "Prophecy
Scholar" but "Expert?" Not in my book! "Expert is derived from the Greek
root word, "experi" as is the word "experience." And, what does the
Greek root word mean? In the modern-day American vernacular it
essentially means, "Been there! Done that!" For me, it's a non sequitur.
How does one logically claim to be a "Prophecy EXPERT" based upon real
life experience?
Here, perhaps, an illustration of what I'm talking about. I have been
studying the Holocaust for many years, both from a biblical and
Historical perspective. I may be considered or hope to be considered
something of a "poor man's scholar" but even should I study this topic
for a Millennium I will never consider myself to be an "Expert."
I refer back to my fundamental argument of how can one legitimately
claim to be an "Expert" who has not personally experienced that which
they claim to be an expert on? And so, when it comes to the Holocaust
the only people I view as legitimate "Experts" are those who actually
experienced it, first hand, and not by way of secondary sources.
I endeavor to be a BIBLICAL Watchman who strives to maintain a
BIBLICALLY Prophetic page and not as all too typical, what amounts to a
PATHETIC page suitable for the Tabloid Section of the supermarket!
Response #24:
Good stuff,
Fred!
It would be good for such people to keep in mind also that the beast
will be – initially – the strongest supporter of Israel in modern
history (before, that is, he seeks to destroy her;
CT 3B link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #25:
Dear Teacher
How are you doing today, Sir? And how have you been?
I came to __ on Thursday. [details omitted]
I have also been fairly under the gun spiritually for quite a while now.
I was worried that I would never recover from that, but this morning,
the Lord surprised me again.
Before I came to Ichthys, I pretty much tied myself up with a lot of
rules and obligations out of my fear of displeasing God. I was pretty
legalistic without knowing it. I wanted to please God and didn't know
how to, so I did the best I knew how to do -- hold everything that
didn't have to do directly with spiritual matters in great suspicion.
I was particularly concerned about giving any room to my emotions. I
treated my feelings and instincts as though they were necessarily bad
things, although I don't know that I was fully conscious of that
attitude. I was afraid of becoming like the "mindless" crowd of the
world that seemed to live from one feeling to another.
Since coming to Ichthys and learning the truth, there has been a huge
release from the inside. It was like I could finally breathe. It is a
priceless experience. Life did not seem like it was basically a
minefield anymore. Sure, it's still a battlefield and there are traps
everywhere, but I feel like I understand it a lot better now and can
move around with more confidence.
But that release did make me feel like I was no longer the hard soldier
that I was, keeping my emotions under very tight leashing and managing
my instincts meticulously. Trying to "return" to discipline met
significant resistance from the inside.
So, instead of losing my mind about how bad I am, maybe I should just
keep doing what I have been doing since I came to Ichthys: keep learning
and doing what I am learning; get back up when I fall; rinse and repeat.
I have to stop here and run to my tasks. I already ate significantly
into my time. I just didn't want to forget to say something about all
this to you right when it's still hot.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #25:
"[M]aybe I should just keep doing what I have been doing" – Amen! It's
working, so I surely think that this is the right approach. After all, you are
making progress on all fronts. When the pressure is on, or when we slack off a
little, or when we go at it too hard then have to back off a bit, or when we are
tested or tired or facing difficulties, is often CAN be the case that we don't
"feel" great about things. That is the point at which we need to take a moment
or two out and remember what the Lord has done for us, why we are here, what our
goal and objective is, and how He has brought us so wonderfully along the road
thus far in spite of everything, even in spite of our failures and frailties.
We are rowing a long distance, across something like the English channel! We
know that with God's help we can make it to the other side, but sometimes we
feel depressed about the distance and the long time it's taking. Sometimes we
feel good and row with vigor. Sometimes we row too fast, either out of
uncontrolled enthusiasm or precisely because we are wanting it to go quicker.
And when we do, sometimes we get so tired that our rowing drops off to a crawl
of slow sculling, barely keeping headway, it seems. But we keep rowing. And as
long as we do keep rowing, we WILL make it to the other side. Can we row better?
There's always room for improvement. Can we have a better attitude about the
blisters and the sores and the aches and the pains? Certainly. Can we sing about
it all instead of bemoaning it all. That would be good. But we're unlikely to
row perfectly, certainly not all the way to the other side of this seemingly
limitless body of water. What do have to remember is that – IF we KEEP rowing –
all will be well on the other side. So that is the ultimate barometer.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
If we ARE still rowing, we have a right to feel good about that, and we need to
take pains not to feel too badly about the quality or speed of our rowing or
where we are on the journey – because that only makes it harder to keep rowing .
. . which is the most important thing, regardless of how we're feeling about it,
physically or emotionally. From my vantage point, you've been rowing well, my
friend! Be pleased to keep it up.
I am happy to hear that things in ___, while not perfect (for reasons you've
explained) are, it seems, not quite so bad as they might have been. I have been
praying for the Lord to get you through this difficult experience and will
continue to do so.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #26:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,
I just wanted to email you back again to let you know I haven't forgotten to
respond to the last email you sent me. I am still struggling anxiety but I keep
re-reading it for reassurance. Hopefully, I will be able to write back this
week.
I am keeping you and your family in my prayers!
In Christ's Love,
Response #26:
Take your time, my friend. Sounds like things are busy there.
One additional thing I've been wanting to share with you: much about the
Christian life has to do with being patient and waiting. Believe me when
I say, this is not a natural strength on my part, and many people
likewise have "issues" with "waiting on the Lord" – but that is a key
element in the testing of mature believers moving forward to higher
levels. When we have been waiting for, what seems to us, not just a long
time but way longer than we expected to have to wait for whatever
deliverance we've been waiting for, that can really get us down some
times. But that is exactly the point of the exercise, namely, to give us
an opportunity to show that we DO trust the Lord to bring us through
whatever trial we're having to endure, even though to the eyes of the
world, we've been abandoned:
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
Psalm 42:3-5 NKJV
You will yet praise Him for His deliverance. Of that I am absolutely sure. What is needed on our part at such times is absolute trust, perfect reliance upon His perfect faithfulness. He has never ever let any believer down. Not once. But many of us have had to wait longer than we had hoped or expected. When we stand strong in our faith even so, it sends a message to all who watch us, men and angels both, that we really DO believe in Him and that we really DO trust Him – no matter what. God has promised us. Our job is to trust Him to fulfill those promises.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:13-15 NKJV
I am keeping you in my prayers daily, my friend.
Be strong and courageous in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bob L.
Question #27:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,
I am writing this to you as a friend for you to view the information and do with
it what you will but I am concerned about the emails recently and people and
perhaps you yourself considering taking the Covid 19 v-. The Pfizer and
Moderna are mRNA v-s and been used before and are not really v-s but a
form of gene therapy. Please check out a site Before Its News.com and listen to
the video, as of today, listed #2 Covid v- with Dr. Sherri Tenpenny and her
well documented reasons that no one should take this v-. Also check out #24
on the same site Covid v- with interview with Dr. Judy Makovitz. She has
written a book The Plaque of Corruption based on her work with Dr. Fauci that
does not present him in a favorable light.
I am a retired nurse, my son is a doctor and my a daughter molecular biologists
and they both have said "do not take this v-".
I am trying to info people about the terrible side effects of these v-s and
only want the best for your health or I would not request that you look at this
information. There are many examples of people getting harmed by these that the
government is not telling people about.
Blessings and good health,
In His name,
p.s., Dr. Tenpenny is #3 now and Dr. Makovitz is #22, they do move on board as
people view them or new interviews come on site. Do not let the conspiratorial
nature of the site prevent you from viewing these videos.
Response #27:
Good to hear from you!
*I wasn't able to find either video from the info you provided. Could you send
an active link to them?
As you know from the site, I have personal concerns about the mRNA v-s. I
do know people who have had them and haven't heard of any side-effects so far,
but I'm aware also that one of the problems may be the immune system getting
"set off" in the future and being unable to shut down on account of the body
continuing to produce the spike proteins when challenged by this or a similar
virus again (hope I got that more or less right).
Also, what is your opinion of the Johnson and Johnson "vector" v- and the
like? It seems it will be a good long while before a traditional "dead virus"
v- is available. I don't do well with flu shots, so I'm not sure there are
any good options for myself personally.
Thanks in advance for your important input!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #28:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,
I am computer illiterate so all I can tell you is I Bing (google) Before
Its News. com and it gets me to the list of sites and I go into it from
there. Then it is the Dr. Tenpenny site and one about Covid with Judy
Makowitz. Try that and see if you get in.
I do not take any v-s, flu, shingles etc. One of the best things
people can do is to get their vitamin D3 levels checked. They should be
greater than 50 nanograms to provide the best immune protection. It is
actually a hormone and not a true vitamin in the sense of being a
vitamin and is activated in the liver where it produces your immunity.
Blacks and brown skin people were initially dying from Covid 19 in
greater numbers because they do not get their vitamin D from the sun
like lighter skinned people do because of the melanin in their skin. The
only other way to get vitamin D is with supplements because it is
limited in the normal food supply. This is just FYI and NOT medical
advice.
Let me know if you find the site. I am not capable of copying and
pasting after all I was as nurse and older at that.
Blessings,
p.s., I did not hear back if you were able to get into the site and view
the videos? If not and you are interested you can try Dr. Henpenny's
site and go into site about scientific articles. At the top
of this site is Dr. Henpenny's Blog and it should provide you with lots
of information. Please really consider the information on Covid 19
v- before making a decision. The people on Ichthys rely on you and
we would not want anything to happen to you.
Response #28:
I was able to look at this site. It is concerning. I'll be posting these links
the next time I focus on related issues, possibly next week.
Thanks for your good words and concerns, my friend!
I'd be curious to know if your son and daughter in particular recommend any of
the upcoming v-s in the pipeline.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #29:
Dr. Luginbill,
I was so pleased to hear you were able to listen to the videos and that you want
to share them with the Ichthys family. If you would include --
highlighting Dr. Tnepenny's Blog she has a new video that lists the ingredients
in the v-s. Three of these have never been used in any v-. You
mentioned that you have had friends who have had the v- without any
complications but my understanding is that may be true at this point but once
they are exposed to the wild Covid virus that it could set off the inflammatory
process. I have seen horrible videos of people with severe rashes, jerking
uncontrollable, ITP (blood disorder) etc. Hank Aaron received the shot to
encourage others in the black community to take the shot and he died 18 days
after receiving it. On the day he received it he appeared in good health.
I am always skeptical of government and the big pharma who are in the business
for the almighty dollar and control of people. This is what the virus did with
the lockdowns, no masks then mask mandates and now they have compliant sheeple
who will follow anything they say to not get the virus and die. I wonder how
many of these fearful sheeple actually know Jesus? Several of my friends are
older and have not come out of their homes since the plandemic began. They no
longer volunteer or go to church when it is open and are so fearful that they
many get sick and end up on a ventilator. It is so sad to me that they are so
afraid and their lives really have no meaning anymore.
Few people will investigate the v- but just sign up because the government
said it will save you. At the beauty shop last week a client came in and told
everyone she now felt liberated since she had the first shot and gets her next
one on March 4 and now she can go out again. If Dr. Tenpenny and Dr. Makovitz
are correct then in months from everyone taking v-s she may not be so
excited that she took it. I try to at least expose family and friends to this
information and let people have and informed decision. You asked if my children
will take it. My son will not take any v-s, in fact his oldest child of
three is now 21 and none of his children have had any v-s. Instead he doses
them with vitamin C and D and zinc for their immune systems and to this date all
are healthy. My daughter, on the other hand, may be more willing to look at the
v- and then decide.
I know this v- is not the mark of the beast but a feel a precursor to when
it does come. Now we see people talking about having a v- card to travel.
There was talk about not being able to play on sports teams or even buy on
Amazon unless you were v-ed and you see all the sheeple jumping on board
to say yes, I will comply. Is this not like when the antichrist will demand of
us allegiance to him and take the mark?
Well, Dr. Luginbill, I guess you know how I feel about the v- so I will not
carry on anymore. I do have a Biblical question and will email you later.
Have a blessed day and be safe knowing we have our Lord and savior to watch over
us.
Response #29:
Sports teams requiring it? We'll, I guess I'll just have to get over
being bounced from the Hurling team (not much sport in it since helmets
came into it some years back). In any case, I'm not actually on any
teams of any kind. Not being able to buy things off of Amazon would be
inconvenient though. How they might set that up would be interested to
see happen.
Didn't know about the Aaron v-ion. Interesting. I actually did not
find the other two videos, but I did read the blogs, and I have heard
this same similar thing elsewhere, namely, that 1) the problems would be
surfacing later when the immune system gets triggered down the road, 2)
that there are many ingredients and other factors which are "new" and
untested . . . at all, and 3) that animals in what Covid-related testing
was done earlier fared so poorly that no v-s were previously
pursued. On top of that, of course, there is much that is strange about
this bug. I think dismissing out of hand the possibility that it is a
man-made concoction would be a mistake. The fact that we are being told
(threatened) to do so makes me even less likely not to consider it.
Also, I do agree with your overall conclusion, namely, while this is
definitely NOT "the mark" (we know well enough from scripture what that
it is and what it will look like), the mechanics of distribution and
"persuasion" certainly do bear enough striking similarity for us to
learn from this experience.
Indeed! We need to remember that we are here for Jesus Christ, and that
He is protecting us, no matter how things make look to fleshly eyes or
sound to fleshly ears. He is our Rock – and He is absolutely reliable
and faithful.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #30:
Dear Professor
Praise to God the Father for our many blessings here and now and for the
gift of His One and Only Son. I am thankful He is patient with us.
How is your cold spell in the north going? I hope and pray you are
staying safe and healthy. I have never been in that sort of cold.
Our summer oscillating went a few days ago from a low at night of about
10C, day 20C requiring the fire to be lit. Today got the “swampy” going
as it is about 36C.
I note from the TV one “innocent insurrection” is dealt with. Wondering
how and exactly when the next “innocent insurrection” will be upon your
country and us all. A contradiction of terms never seems to get in the
way of a “good” story. At least it gives us a heads up on the things
shortly to happen in the world. Left and right wings propelling the
beast to his destiny - and all those that follow him to the same [a
vivid description from one of your readers].
Cafe conversation got to the new law in Victoria (these sorts of laws
seem to be able to then infest the remaining states rather quickly; e.g
same sex marriage ). I had heard of the general idea - the world gets
the idea out there first and then mandates compliance. No counselling of
a Christian nature to homosexual, lesbian or non specific genders etc on
the fear of 10 year imprisonment - even applies if this counselling
occurs outside the state’s jurisdiction; i.e. and e.g. no phone
counselling from Western Australian or visiting another state for this
sort of counselling. Things are moving rapidly.
One may say do not bother with trying to influence those who choose this
lifestyle; though it pays to be careful what we even whisper to each
other - trumped up charges are the expert domain of the “thought
police”.
“Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is
an evil time”. Amos 5:13
Walking somewhat circumspectly seems to be in order today.
“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”. Ephesians
5:16
At your suggestion I used the email on Daniel on Saturday. Our FBT could
not attend as “border restrictions” were in place until the following
day. I presumed everyone (there were only 3 others present beside us 3)
were familiar with Daniel. Blank stares, so we are to read one chapter
per day for the next fortnight and discuss. A good thing that they said
that they are still learning and are new to all this. So we will stay
with Daniel for a little while. At home we will read and discuss a
chapter a day. It has got us back to reading together, so another thank
you.
At __'s church the pastor has been teaching his flock from 1 Peter. He
said they have been on the one chapter for weeks because of going into
it in depth as it is speaking to those dispersed and that may be our lot
in a little while.
While it is faintly in my mind, I was wondering where the 3 nations were
located that will be spared from antichrist’s rule? I read it somewhere
in scripture and you have referred to it somewhere in your writings.
You might be thinking I am looking at options, should the Jerusalem one
be off the cards. Mind you you would need your Covid v-ion
certificate to travel - if indeed we will be permitted to travel at all.
I do hope and pray for your health, wealth and happiness.
Thank you for your diligence in the work of the Only One who matters in
our life.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student and friend
Response #30:
Pretty cold here! While we did get a dusting, the first big storm of two
on our way did little in the way of snow fall. No foot of snow as
predicted possible! But the cold temps mean that the ice covering
everything isn't melting. I was able to crack it off most of my front
walk this morning. My exercise before settling in for four in a row
online classes since the uni is closed today – which now means "remote"
and NOT a day off.
It's always been a bit hard for me to "read faces and foreheads" looking
out on classes to see if they are "getting it". Doubly hard with masks
on. All I had today for the most part were little icons showing me who
was logged in and – theoretically – paying rapt attention to my
grammatical lectures.
Yes, scary times. One has to be prudent about talking to anyone in any
venue.
Do not trust in a friend;
Do not put your confidence in a companion;
Guard the doors of your mouth
From her who lies in your bosom.
Micah 7:5 NKJV
I had to chuckle about your Daniel experience. Anyone with an ounce of
humility who takes on teaching is always concerned with preparation and
"staying well ahead" of the students – but that inevitably leads to
being FAR ahead, even in the early going. Reading Daniel and making a
few pertinent observations would be very spiritually edifying. I still
remember when my dad read us boys a little synopsis of Daniel one Sunday
morning before he headed over to the church to begin the big Sunday
operation. I was and remain to this day impressed by Daniel's faith in
the Lord that He would deliver him, even in that dire circumstance. That
remains a "star to shoot for". The way things are going, we may have our
chance to "shoot for it" fairly soon.
I believe this is the verse you were looking for:
He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.
Daniel 11:41 NKJV
Here's a link to the commentary on it in
CT 4.
Thanks for your prayers, my friend! Keeping you and yours in mine as
well.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #31:
Dear Professor
It is very good to hear you are hanging in there despite the trying conditions
of remote and ever remoter teaching - who would have ever thought you need to
see faces of students! Good thing my few weren’t masked otherwise I may never
had cottoned on.
I have always associated ice breakers with Antarctic ships but you are also in
the trade on your front walk - quite a distance from Antarctica. Perhaps our
recent cold spell here was that ice sheet passing by being delivered to
Kentucky.
At the moment our swampy is on 24 hours a day as the temperature quickly rose to
37C for today, though another cooler change is soon expected; perhaps a smaller
ice sheet delivery this time.
On “.... Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will
be delivered from his hand”. Daniel 11:41b NIV 1985
Is this anything to encourage a positive immigration to?
Do take your time. I realise you are under the weather over there so to speak.
Gratefully your student in the study and learning from the Bible
In Jesus the very Word of God.
Your student
Response #31:
At least we've got power in Louisville. God is good!
I emailed my friend Curt of
Bible Academy this morning asking for an update (I understand that
even Houston is suffering from outages and rolling blackouts), but
haven't heard back. Same with one other contact down there I'm a bit
concerned about.
We're back on campus tomorrow – that'll make nearly a week out (6 1/2
days). I'm very happy about it – guessing my students are less so. For
one thing, they have an exam to turn in . . .
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #32:
Dear Professor
Good to hear you have the power still on. I hope and pray Curt and your
other friend get back online presently.
I was thinking about how Enoch walked with God and so was taken up.
Seeing Moses and Elijah are seen with Jesus (left and right hand side of
Jesus?); I was wondering what position Enoch has?
Also I was thinking how dedicated Enoch was to always walk with God
compared to the rest of us. For instance, I like to relax after a days
work and watch ‘Letters and Numbers’ followed by ‘Mastermind’. I am not
good at any of them (I am still constantly looking up the meaning of
words as I read your writings).
Moses and Elijah were seen by some of the apostles with Jesus in His
transfiguration on the mountain. Shortly Moses and Elijah will have
another Ministry session on earth during the first half of the
Tribulation.
Moses being a type of Christ and John the Baptist being a type of Elijah
(correct me if this is a bit off the mark); what is Enoch a type of? I
am going to return to your subject index to check out your other
references to Enoch.
Keeping you and your Ministry in my prayers, while I confess it is as at
least as much for my own comfort of knowing I have access to a true and
knowledgeable teacher of the Word of God which is an extremely rare
combination in these last days. Makes me wonder why we are so blessed.
Perhaps we need it more than most. God does know the answer.
Grateful for your service in the Lord.
In Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Your student
Response #32:
Yes, since we've had single digit temps in °F (minus teens in °C), we've
had to keep the water running at night just to avoid the pipes freezing.
So no power would be a real disaster at the moment, not just a major
inconvenience. Thanks for those prayers!
I did hear from Curt
last night: "No electricity Trying to stay warm". Nothing yet since
then, and since he may have not much juice in his phone, I'm waiting for
him to get back to me.
Enoch is an interesting case. I think he proves as you suggest the
opportunity at all times in the plan of God under all dispensations and
situations for those who really care to do so to develop a deep and
powerful relationship with the Lord – and be rewarded for it. Because of
his unique exit, I know many want to make Enoch one of the two
witnesses, but there are many reasons why that cannot be so (the
appearance of Moses and Elijah to our Lord being a salient one – you
have the typology correct).
Thanks as always for your encouragement and good words, my friend!
Keeping you and yours in my prayers daily as well.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
p.s., you can tell this is NOT being written from my IPhone because it
has decided that no matter what I think I am now "Bib L." not "Bob L."
Question #33:
Hello Bob,
Just finished up "
mutual encouragement in Christ XI "......thanks to all for the
input....much appreciated and much to pray about. Soldiering on here,
despite the physical pain and emotional trial I'm presently enduring
(I'm not the "lone ranger" here, especially after reading the emails).
My prayer is for a divine intervention from the One who loves and cares
for us the most. I'm confident He will deliver, but hope it will come
soon (John 16:33) . Going through what's "on my plate" I am trying to
encourage myself in the Lord. My anxiety level has kicked up a notch so
I went over to Phil 4:6,1Pet.5:7, and Heb.13:5 to get a boost. Praise
God, I do have some good news that tempers the bad. I got the results
[details omitted]. So I am grateful to God and all the prayer warriors
interceding for my behalf. I appreciate all your prayers addressing my
current "wounds". I will keep you and the others in the ichthys family
in prayer also.
Sorry to hear about the bad experiences you and the correspondent had
with "crooked" contractors. Boy, I wish you would have called me.....but
that was impossible.....it's a long ways from western Washington to
Louisville, after all. Just joking a little here, Bob! I have heard of
"horror" stories concerning untrustworthy, scrupulous contractors
ripping off unsuspecting customers. I call them "fly by night" and have
personally resented them for decades (akin to in the spiritual realm,
what Paul referred to as "angels of light", "wolves in sheep's clothing"
etc.). Two virtues of honesty and integrity play out for any person's
character (i.e. contractors, false teachers, et. al.).....they are
either there or absent......and these virtues will, in turn, either make
or break worthwhile relationships.
Personally, I have always enjoyed working, and especially loved my
career as a "small" building general contractor ( now retired after
~40yr.in the field). I was always disgusted by "fly by night" shysters,
who were not "playing" by the rules as we legitimate ones were, i.e.
licensed, bonded & insured. It definitely caused problems to compete for
business, with our "overhead" more than theirs. But, in the long run, I
prevailed despite those "cheaters". My reputation and work ethic carried
me through. The P. Const. creed : Take on the work, and complete the
project, in a timely manner. And more importantly, do all this in such a
way that the "finished product" is done in the best possible way,
ensuring to the satisfaction of the customer.
I hope I did not drag on too long here, Bob, or "toot" my horn too much.
Now I have taken on a new 2nd. career, and am trying to get through the
apprenticeship from a very good and reliable "contractor" with the right
credentials I might add (it's hard to get "good" help these days).
Thanks again, Bob. I know you will take the Ps.115:1 amendment, which
further impresses me as to your sterling character, deflecting all the
praise to Him. I feel the same way! Have a good evening, Bob. Your
fellow soldier in Jesus,
Response #33:
It is helpful to hear of the battles our brothers and sisters in Christ are
fighting – and winning (even if suffering)! But it is also the case that a) I
take out a lot of things, either by request or because I deem them too personal,
and b) that many readers are pretty stoical and don't share all of their trials
and tribulations – I never had THAT problem personally!
Great news about the test! I have an old seminary buddy who's struggling with
this and it's clearly no fun at all. But your news is great – even if it's not
an answer to your pains. One of the reasons I avoid medicos if at all possible
is because, well, what can they do? They can give you a pill or a shot (I like
to avoid those things too), they can operate on you (who wants that unless it's
absolutely necessary?), or they can tell you that you're really OK, even though
you have some serious aches and pains. So now I tend to just assume it's #3 and
move on . . . unless and until it becomes clear that it's NOT just #3 (which
does happen – I have gotten needful help from time to time like everyone else).
Sorry about painting contractors with a broad brush (no pun intended)! When we
moved to Louisville a million years ago, the guy I had hired to fix up the new
very old house so as to have it ready when we got there met us at the door with
a gas mask on! He was part of our lives for the next six months too. But I know
that in any field there are the good and the bad. I always get a little touchy
when I hear people I otherwise like to listen to complaining about "college
professors with tenure", for example, assuming we all make tons of money for
very little work and evangelize our students into the worst of left-wing
propaganda. Obviously, that shoe wouldn't fit me with an atomic shoe-horn, but I
do understand the general complaint. By the way, it turns out that this lady
lives in Western Washington! Too bad SHE didn't find your number instead of the
other guy's.
Thanks for all the good words, my friend. I'm keeping your current trail and
trouble in my prayers.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
p.s., I updated your prayer request on Ichthys – do let me know if you'd like
the wording changed in any way.
Question #34:
No worries, Bob, about the painting. Also I get what you mean about those people who don't have a clue that there's more than "meets the eye" concerning what a person has to go through to perform their job ( so much for "armchair quarterbacks", or "sidewalk superintendents")! I agree with your "take" on those medicos too! Before I do anything in this dept., I always do my own research, prior to any decisions, and then do nothing or proceed (e.g. not yet getting in line for "the v-" yet)! I will be working on my diagnosis of my current problem [details omitted]. I'm no Dr., but realize that oftentimes it is indeed the patient who "makes the diagnosis". Meanwhile, Bob , thanks for those prayers and updating the prayer request. I'll keep you posted. Bedtime here now. Hope you have a good rest. Your friend in Jesus,
Response #34:
Thanks!
I should probably eat an apple a day too. I'm not much on fruit,
however. And back when I was a kid my parents took us to an apple
orchard where we picked our own apples by the bushel. You could also eat
as many as you wanted. I ate a ton! And keep on eating apples after we
brought another ton home. But by the time the apples were done, I was
done with apples. Still am.
Good to hear that you don't have any indications of deadly serious
trouble. When a person gets to a particular age, it seems that all
manner of things go a bit haywire and we just have to accept changing
around how we used to do it (whatever "it" is), and find work-arounds.
Between those sorts of challenges of life, CV-19, coup, insurrection and
conspiracy, crazy government policies and now freezing cold and ice and
resultant e-teaching, my personal flexibility is definitely being
tested! I'm sure that's a good thing – especially with what's coming
just around the corner. Would be nice to have had a few years of peace
and quiet ahead of time, but we know that God knows best. Trusting Him
and waiting on Him for all solutions is what the Christian life is all
about.
The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 NKJV
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #35:
Don't worry about that " apple a day " suggestion. I've been studying
for a few hr. today, trying to get to the bottom of this painful
situation [details omitted].
Sorry your teaching routine has been adversely impacted. I'm praying we
get this plague behind us and hope we get a few years of better
conditions before "the show" starts. Thanks for the reminder about
trusting and waiting on Him. We need all the encouragement we can get
with all that's going on around us. Have a good evening!
Your friend in the only solution, our dear Lord,
Response #35:
Good to hear that you are "all over it" in terms of nailing this down. I'm
keeping you in my prayers on this.
I too was hoping for "seven fat years" before the trouble starts, but we seem to
be in for "seven lean years" before the seven years of trouble. God does know
best. It would be nice if all that's happened in the past two or so is enough of
a "tune up" and we can have a little respite to catch our collective breath
before the balloon goes up. But it sure doesn't look that way from all that's
happening. In spite of everything, it's good to remember, "here we are". The
Lord is faithfully keeping us alive, afoot and afloat – and the same will be the
case during the Tribulation, just as long as that is His plan.
Got back to face-to-face teaching today, but most of my students opted to
participate "virtually". Pretty draining teaching two ways at once, but I'm
starting to get the hang of it. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
He just won't be doing them very fast or very well is all.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #36:
Hi Bob,
Glad to hear you are still hanging in despite all the disruptions to "normalcy".
It's not particularly heartening to see how quickly things are collapsing with
the new "regime", and all the "natural" and "planned" disasters......but "here
we are" living in the devil's cosmos. But now for some more good news, we are
members of the winning team! Even though we are in the 4th. Qtr. we already know
the final score.......God's Home Team 100......The Adversaries (visitor team) 0
. That "old dog" thing has run across my mind too. I'm afraid the young, dumb,
macho, loud bark days are gone. But , you know, we can still let out a yelp and
get a few things done, as we lick our wounds from our uncooperative not so fit
bodies! Thank God our minds seem to be doing well! Have a good evening, Bob.
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #36:
Love the analogy! Yes, it is so important to keep in mind that the REAL
victory has already been won . . . at the cross (Col.2:15). But it will
also be a treat to see the enemy completely destroyed in only a few
short years – along with any and all who've thrown their lot in with him
(as many clearly already have). There will be a price to pay for that
"treat", of course, but we do have to keep the positive side of things
firmly in mind, especially once the darkness falls (link).
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #37:
Hi Bob,, For sure that REAL victory is the main event, and we are eternally
grateful to our Captain who so selflessly won it for us. Thank you ,Jesus, for
setting us free! And thank you, Bob, for "stirring up my mind by way of
remembrance", so as to " walk circumspectly because the days are evil", and
prior to the falling darkness! This most certainly is "drill" time and no time
to slack off in our approach getting ready for the inevitable if we are destined
by God's will to be here. For my part I am /will try to "grow up through the
grace and knowledge (epignosis) of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ". I
also will try not to get overly worried, by "looking unto Jesus, the originator
and completer of our faith" (RDL version).
Ultimately I realize that God has "all this" under complete control, and by
staying close we have nothing to fear (I promise to keep "drilling").
While I am writing this I thought of that caveat from Jesus, "will I find
faith.....? , and remembered that "he that endures unto the end will be saved".
So many will be tripped up by a lackadaisical (lukewarm, Laodicean) faith! This
is an "iffy" proposition, i.e., IFFI, meaning" if faith finishes intact", not
OSAS, which does not hold water when looking into the truth of Scriptures. As
you have pointed out, Bob, OSAS and the Pre-Trib. are two of the most pernicious
false teachings out there. Time to "buy the truth and sell it not"! I could go
on but I think I am rambling too much. I've learned all this from you, so I
guess this is "feedback" to see if I'm getting it !
Great news to hear that Curt,
along with the others are finally, at least, getting some relief. Hope they will
have the water soon too. Answered prayer again, so we thank the Lord! We had a
similar situation here, a little over a month ago. A windstorm hit and we were
without power, heat, and water for 2 days. It was no fun , that's for sure, and
it made me ponder about "the conditions" going forward. I really appreciate
modern conveniences, attributed to technology and function, by way of human
ingenuity and progress. But then , after watching the "tube" today, I thought
maybe I should get my head examined or possibly get "reprogrammed" to think
"correctly" in this "Orwellian Society" (hope this won't be deemed "foolish
jesting"). They were talking about the Mars Rover landing, getting all "giddy,"
and talking about how "cool" is this! And what an "experience"! Wow, I'm
thinking, the guys flew 293 million miles to check for any microbial "life", and
get a few rocks and some soil! Is this genius or what? I guess I just don't have
enough I.Q. to figure the importance of all this! I was thinking they can do
this great "accomplishment" but can't figure out how to "take care of business"
down here on Planet Earth. Seems to me that "Nimrod" is at it again, that "proud
peacock", where "there is nothing in their imagination they will not do"! I was
thinking that God would see this about as impressive as a house fly slapping
itself to death against my kitchen window. But then I could be wrong, and need
to get my head examined?
Anyway, Bob, I hope you had a good week in the "salt mines" and I look forward
to checking in with you and the other correspondents tomorrow eve.
Your friend in Jesus,
p.s. And thanks for your prayers in my trial. You are in mine as well. Please
let me know if you have any special or pressing prayer requests
Response #37:
Excellent thinking, my friend! At least it accords with mine completely (so I'm
partial to that!). Nimrod and the tower of Babel is the perfect analogy (link).
I had the same reaction. I caught a shot on the news of the NASA team jumping up
and down (TV muted as is often my wont). Wondered what they were all het up
about. Did they just save some wayward astronauts à la Apollo 13? No. Just a
very expensive lawnmower landing on Mars. And again, exactly – so how come they
can't figure out a way to bury the electric lines in Louisville after well over
100 years? Or keep the power on in Texas (or WA)? I guess it's all about
misdirection. That is the fundamental principle in all magic, after all, and
what is technology (and the failure of it) but magic? As our Lord says about
mystery Babylon:
"Stand now with your enchantments
And the multitude of your sorceries,
In which you have labored from your youth—
Perhaps you will be able to profit,
Perhaps you will prevail.
You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels;
Let now the astrologers, the stargazers,
And the monthly prognosticators
Stand up and save you
From what shall come upon you.
Behold, they shall be as stubble,
The fire shall burn them;
They shall not deliver themselves
From the power of the flame;
It shall not be a coal to be warmed by,
Nor a fire to sit before!
Thus shall they be to you
With whom you have labored,
Your merchants from your youth;
They shall wander each one to his quarter.
No one shall save you."
Isaiah 47:12-15 NKJV
And quite literally in Texas (and WA and previously in Louisville and very many
other places in this country), dependence on this flawed system has often left
us with "not be a coal to be warmed by, nor a fire to sit before". After all,
without electrification, we'd still be using coal or wood-burning stoves. Less
likely to be affected by snow and ice.
Worship of technology has led to people pleading to be v-ed (whether or
not it even helps, let alone results in more problems remains to be seen) and
imagining they can control the climate – and destroying us all in the bargain
(absent the Lord's intervention – praise God for that!). This is like your fly
imagining he can cause your refrigerator to open and spill its contents onto the
floor for his benefit (only much worse and far more impossible, of course).
I guess it always comes down to arrogance.
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJV
But people historically and it seems even much more so today have "gone in
search of many schemes" (Eccl.7:29), sending their egos bounding forth to the
ends of the galaxy and beyond – when in truth, set against the backdrop of the
universe, we're not much different in terms of level of magnitude than that fly.
And we'd effectively be NO different . . . without the image of God in this
human spirit that is the real "us". Everything that exists shouts at us that we
are unimaginably small and in need of God in every way. Imagining God as small
and capable of being dictated to can only happen through giving oneself over to
the maddening power of arrogance, just as Satan did.
The result for believers, having to live under this sorcery-system, is a very
real need to keep our heads down and "enter your rooms and shut the doors behind
you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by" (Is.26:20
NIV), and to wait on the Lord. Because the days ARE evil (Eph.5:16).
The faithful man has perished from the earth,
And there is no one upright among men.
They all lie in wait for blood;
Every man hunts his brother with a net.
That they may successfully do evil with both hands—
The prince asks for gifts,
The judge seeks a bribe,
And the great man utters his evil desire;
So they scheme together.
Micah 7:2-3 NKJV
In full and complete confidence that the Lord will deliver us from all these
schemers who have schemed their way into control of everything the eye sees by
misdirecting its gaze from the truth – and bring us safely into His heavenly
kingdom (Col.1:13).
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.