Question #1:
Doc, I made a big mistake again...I watched some videos and read a bunch
if comments on the far Left culture I'm this country, and how they're
exposing kids to all these horrible things because they think it's
letting them find their true identity...I was so disgusted by it...I
started hoping they all go to Hell with no chance of ever even hearing
the Gospel...then when God reminded me that Christ died for
all...[omitted]...at least now I understand what you mean when you say
politics is spiritual suicide. I know, confess to the Lord, not to you,
but I just wanted to tell you that I've learned my lesson when it comes
to trying to get involved with politics.
I won't give up hope as long as the Lord lives. Even if I do fall into
utter despair, the truth of Christ and His work will being me back.
Response #1:
It's good to hear that you are getting better at fighting this fight. Good for
you!
As to politics, just remember that the first politician was Satan (link).
He got one third of the angels to "vote for him" instead of staying loyal to the
Lord, to choose him as their leader instead of God – and to damn themselves in
the process. The most successful human politician in history will also be the
last one: antichrist (link). He will get
the world to follow him – with some notable exceptions, namely, believers who
value their eternal life and love Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone.
Politics really is "the devil's game" – literally and originally.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Dear Dr Luginbill,
Some years ago I downloaded a paper you wrote titled: The interpolation "Father
forgive them" is not a part of scripture. I still have the whole article, with
which I wholeheartedly agree. I noted at the end of the paper, which was one of
a number on this topic that I copied and pasted into Word documents at the time.
However, I can no longer find it at your site, but may have missed the
reference, because Part 4A is a very long and comprehensive study.
I notice that the NET Bible includes the interpolation in squared parenthesis
and has a reasonable footnote on it. It's one of the very few modern English
Bibles that cares to comment at all. Sorry to bother you, but I would really
appreciate your response.
By the way, I'm an 82 year-old, retired professional engineer, born in London
during the Battle of Britain. I've lived for most of my life in Australia, as
well as travelling extensively to many other parts of the world. My last stint
overseas was teaching English in China for two years at a university in Nanjing
(2002-2004). I'm currently living in Australia with my beautiful wife Joy, who I
married about a year after getting back to Australia from China. We live, and
will almost certainly die here, in rural Queensland.
Abundant blessings,
Response #2:
You'll find this at the following link in BB 4A: "The
interpolation: 'they know not what they do'".
Let me know if you have any difficulty with the above.
Thanks for the background. Good to hear that you are still going strong,
my friend! I know the last few years have been challenging "down under"
as well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Many thanks Bob,
When I couldn't find the section again, I was concerned you may have
removed it. Praise God, you have not.
We are certainly living in an insane world now but I wouldn't miss it
for quids, as we say in British English. In our senectitude (see
attachment if you are not familiar with the word), we are living on a
friend's 100-acre property, which is becoming an end-time community. We
live in a converted bus and an associated "common room." Up to very
recently, I have done an enormous amount in developing the site, to make
us as comfortable as possible, but due to age and now some physical
limitations, I am not able to do as much as in the past.
The owner, was the pastor of a church in a place named Goombungee about
7km from the property, and was sharing the truth of what was happening
in the world. Two thirds of the congregation decided they didn't want to
hear the truth, so left. We were not prepared to go along with the COVID
rules and morphed into two house churches, one of which meets weekly
here on the property. We have had others join the group for short
periods but leave again when they disagree with our stance or are not
given enough "honour."
The thing I love about the meetings in the main house here is that we
have children from a few months old to geriatrics like me. Everyone
participates. Some of the children are being so fast-tracked by the Lord
that I'm gobsmacked by their insights and maturity.
We will be upholding you in prayer.
Much love and appreciation,
Response #3:
Thanks for that update, my friend (FYI: "senate" comes from the same
root – which explains a lot over here).
I have heard about the insanely restrictive Covid policies in Australia.
Meanwhile over here with our shutdowns we wrecked our economy, ruined
the lives of millions of kids . . . and locking things down in the
Draconian manner employed didn't stop a single person from getting the
virus, it seems – though it did destroy hundreds of thousands of small
businesses.
Thanks for those prayers!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Brother Bob,
Thank you for this email. I am excited to start and complete this new
study, having finished reading the latest additions to your Peter
Series.
Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of your online ministry. I am
personally grateful, as among those members of Ichthys community who
silently continue to benefit from your Bible teaching ministry and also
silently join you in prayers on behalf of everyone in our community.
Despite my silence, please be encouraged that your counsel and your work
are not in vain with me, your student. I continue to be in this good
fight of faith with our brethren, regularly studying and praying with
you all.
Again, thank you and congratulations.
In Jesus our Lord and Savior
Response #4:
Thank you!
I greatly appreciate all the kind words.
Keeping you and your family in my prayers daily, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Sir. I must tell you that I cannot wait to meet you in heaven. Your
writings have caused me to become rich in understanding of the God I’ve
come to know and love through the knowledge imparted to me by Jesus and
the Holy Spirit. Your teaching have blessed me and enabled me to
earnestly seek His truth. I thank Him for you. I truly do. Thank you for
loving the world with His heart. You have been chosen for this purpose
and it’s beautiful to be over here and observe.
Blessings
Response #5:
Thank you!
Your good words here are greatly appreciated.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear sir,
Thank you so much for the 3 references you directed me to from your site
regarding the eternal security question. They were so helpful for me to
see how you handle peoples objections and present scripture clearly
stating otherwise.
What I have observed and you specifically referred to in several places,
is the strong correlation or maybe causation of Calvinism in this whole
debate. I have long wrestled with these 2 opposing concepts, Calvinism
and Armenianism, and after fatigue and frustration in resolving them,
have accepted the position that maybe they are both correct but I am not
smart enough to reconcile their differences!! I have brushed the
conflict aside with the statement that both are correct in what they
claim but incorrect in what they deny. (I cant remember who is credited
with that statement!) I whole heartedly accept that God in his
sovereignty has created "little gods" and given them free will to chose,
and with that privilege, suffer the responsibility of wrong decisions
and judgement. I guess where I am going with this is 2 fold. First, what
is your position on where Calvinism overstated or exceeded its
scriptural basis, if it has, and how do you present that to our
Calvinist brothers? Secondly, how do you respond to the Calvinist
explanation of 1 John 2:18 & 19 when it states they were never part of
us??
I presume you have addressed this scripture already in previous
arguments but did not recognize it in what I have read this far.
Thank you for your patience in responding to my inquiries and especially
thank you for your website ministry to discern, defend and present truth
even when moving against the tide.
Blessings in JESUS,
Response #6:
I think I would put it a bit differently saying that they are both WRONG
because they both exclude and fail to take into account the other side
of the issue: yes, we have free will; yes, the plan of God has ordained
everything (including our free will and our choices). Best link for
where I discuss this issue of divine sovereignty and human free will is
in BB 4B: Soteriology; see especially under
"Free-will Faith and the Will of God".
As to scriptural objections, there are plenty on both sides where they
choose to pick out scriptures which emphasize only one facet: we
believers have been elected – because God elected us based upon our
response to Jesus Christ. We still had to do it; He knew that we would
do it and incorporated all those variables into His perfect plan. It's
important to note and to remember that there is only ONE plan, the one
perfect one. There are no actual hypotheticals or "what ifs". Absolutely
everything that happens was the only thing that could happen – and it /
the plan / history contains every choice and decision we've ever made or
will.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Dear Professor,
Your paper on the "3 False Doctrines Which Threaten Faith"
(link) I found so insightful
and revelatory and struck a strong chord of agreement as I have had a
similar thought transformation to yours in the last 10 years of my
spiritual walk. I would like to know if you could please direct me to a
resource or one of your selected works that explains or handles some of
the most commonly used scripture listed in support of eternal security.
I tend to interpret most of these as being descriptive of the
faithfulness of God, but would like to hear your thoughts and see how
you determine or conclude why they do not indicate or suggest eternal
security.
Thank you for your efforts to discern and teach Gods word and for
sharing these insights with His sheep.
YBIC, searching after Him,
Response #7:
Thanks for the good words, my friend! The issue is treated at various places at Ichthys. Here are three major links subsequent to the one you read:
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security I
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security II
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security III
Do feel free to write me back about any of the specifics.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
I hope classes are going okay and they haven't dumped on you yet again
now that you have had successful contract talks. How is teaching going
this semester? How's the hip holding up?
On the image and likeness topic: God implanted eternity into the hearts
of man. Thus, does every human (of mental capacity) believe something
about their purpose for life/origin of the universe. For example if one
rejects the truth (Christ), is it correct to say that the person must
fill the universally implanted vacuum in their heart with both an origin
story and a purpose for themselves. Basically, I'm curious as to whether
a person can reject the truth and then believe in absolutely nothing or
does a universal belief void exist that must be filled (either with the
truth or a lie)? So in essence, all humans by default must have faith in
something in regards to purpose/origin (our image)?
I've read the purpose of man series. But, this is still a tough concept
to grasp for me.
In our Savior, Jesus Christ,
Response #8:
Doing well here, my friend – thanks for asking.
Everyone knows that God exists because of the way we are made and
because of natural revelation (Ps.19:1ff.; Rom.1:18ff.; cf. Acts
17:24-27). And the way God made the world has a direct link up with the
heart of everyone – eternity in the heart (Eccl.3:11). God made us to
see from the way He made the world that He exists: "His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without
excuse" (Rom.1:20 NKJV). But after coming to "God consciousness", most
people in the history of the world have not been interested in
responding to Him and to His truth. Since death and sin and judgment are
difficult to bear psychologically without the solution God offers (of
eternal life in Jesus Christ), creatures with the image of God have the
ability to harden their hearts (see
the link); that is, to create their own truth. This may be some
system of falsity already in existence (such as a religion or a
philosophy), or it may be entirely something of their own making;
usually it's a combination of the two. What all such things have in
common is that they are NOT true; all such "exchange the truth of God
for a lie" (Rom.1:25). Scripture describes this as "vanity" (Rom.1:21;
cf. Rom.8:20; Eph.4:17; 2Pet.2:18), which is essentially a vacuum in the
heart which must naturally be filled by something else: all manner of
foul and untrue things. As I like to say, when the truth is rejected, a
lie of some sort must necessarily be accepted in its place.
Have a look also at BB 4B: Soteriology,
where all these matters are discussed in depth (link).
Hope this helps.
Keeping you in my prayers daily, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Dr. Bob,
I hope you're doing well?
I've been reading some of your materials and it has really been a
blessing to my life. However, I have a question concerning spiritual
maturity. How does one mature to the full measure of the stature of
Christ, and how can progress be tracked?
Eph 4:13
Thanks.
Your Student in the Word through God Almighty
Response #9:
Good to make your acquaintance – and thanks for your encouraging words.
As you probably already know, BB 6A:
Peripateology, is all about this subject [link]. That's where you'll
find the long answer. The short answer is to continue growing through
attention to the truth of the Word of God, continue to apply what one
has learned and believed as we walk through this world with Jesus
Christ, and take pains to help others too in accordance with the gifts
we've been given "as good stewards of the multi-faceted grace of God"
(1Pet.4:10). That is the way to the three crowns (see
the link).
In terms of "tracking", as one of my old profs, a football fan, used to
say, "Wouldn't it be nice if in life there was also a scoreboard where
we could look up and see how we were doing?" Not so sure about that
myself. As Paul says,
For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1st Corinthians 4:4-5 NKJV
"Where we are at", therefore, is something that the Lord works with each
individual believer on and about. I will say that this recent
unpleasantness of lockdowns and hysteria is certainly giving us all a
good measure of just such evaluation as we can easily see how we are
handling it, whether trusting Him or not, and to what degree. In terms
of us as individuals, the maturity tests that come into our lives are
meant to demonstrate how far we have come in our walk with Jesus (cf.
Jas.2:21-24; Heb.11:17-19).
From the tone and content of your email it sounds to me as if you are on
the right track. So keep persevering in the truth, my friend! That is
the way not only to stay safe in our short time in this world, but also
the way to glorify the One we love more than life, our dear Savior Jesus
Christ.
In our Lord.
Bob L.
Question #10:
Dear Bob:
Jesus in the Gospel of John states that "I am in the Father and the
Father is in me" (John 14:11)
Does that imply that God the Father also experiences everything that
Jesus experiences as if he is in Jesus vicariously even whilst being a
different person and vice versa? As if God the Father experiences the
humility of Jesus even as he is the Most High and everything else that
Jesus went through?
And this peculiar passage seems to suggest that as Jesus ascended to
Heaven to God's Throne he regained his Omnipresence and he thereby
experiences everything as he is in everything (Ephesians 4:10). From the
smallest Quanta of reality Jesus experiences them all as he fills them.
Would like your thoughts.
God Bless
Response #10:
On the one hand, God is God and has always been and always will be, sharing in
the Trinity absolute
omniscience (which in any case is a characteristic relating to time and
space; see link).
God
is infinite and not limited in any way (link).
On the other hand, Jesus did take on true humanity and wed Himself inextricably
to THIS creation – a truly mind-boggling and blessed thing! During the first
advent, He limited Himself, the doctrine known as
kenosis (link), in order to live a true human life in every way despite
His absolute uniqueness as the God-man so as to be an acceptable sacrifice for
our sins.
That is as much as I would be able to say regarding your questions, not wishing
to "go beyond what is written" in this regard.
So to me, this passage you ask about, John 14:11, sums up and teaches the
absolute
oneness and unity of the Godhead (link).
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Dear Sir,
Yes, it's me again, but this time I have come in through the front door
! I have a question for you concerning a phrase that you use quite a lot
in your writings "spiritual growth". Could you possibly open this phrase
up a little ( unless you already have provided an answer in your
writings, then maybe you could give me the correct heading so that I can
follow your teaching further ). When I see the phrase "spiritual growth"
my first impression or thought is "transformation". But the term
"spiritual growth doesn't" really grab my attention, it almost seems a
bit vague, a bit nondescript. To me it seems to have some different
meanings, such as,
A person who whilst having a definite Christian witness and character
even an excellent character, is pursuing the study of God's word, even
of God himself so as to become like unto God in his own spirit and
thereby living out the correct living towards others,
OR
An emptying of the self or soul life and a discarding of all hindrances
(only with God's help) so as to be empty, thereby having plenty of space
for God to fill us up with his Spirit, the result being "spiritual
growth"
Do you think that the phrase or word "transformation" serves the same
purpose as "spiritual growth"?
I was thinking of 2 Corinthians 3:18 where the apostle talks about
beholding the Lord and being changed into the same image (some
translations use transformed instead of changed) and so to narrow it
down I guess my question is, are you talking about growth in the
knowledge of the Divine Life or an actual metabolical growth in the
Divine Life.
Thanks
U K
Response #11:
Now grow up through the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2nd Peter 3:18
Peter tells us to "grow" and he is certainly not talking about physical growth;
that is why I use the terminology "spiritual growth".
Believers grow through learning AND believing and then applying the truth. The
more genuine truth learned, believed and applied, the closer to Jesus Christ we
can get. There are plenty of Christians out there with knowledge. Even
unbelievers can learn a great deal about the Bible. But only what is actually
true is of benefit and only what is believed. Belief converts gnosis into
epignosis, the "full knowledge" that the Spirit uses to guide our steps
and build our relationship with Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth can be difficult
to comprehend . . . until it is experienced. It does involve the transformation
of our thinking (Rom.12:1-2), and it is followed by progress in the spiritual
life as the Lord brings testing which only those who have grown to a certain
place can pass. Spiritual growth and spiritual progress are, ideally, followed
by spiritual production, and it is the accomplishment of these three phases of
the properly lived Christian life which result in the three crowns of reward,
righteousness, life and glory.
There is plenty about all this all over the website, but the most concentrated
and thorough study is BB 6A: Peripateology (at
the link); you could also check the subject index
and also the list by title of
previously posted email
postings.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Bob!
I've been archiving my old emails to you and I just wanted to let you know that
I think I now know the answer to my first ever question to you..
You know I come from a very dysfunctional family centred around my ___'s
disorder. Well my first question to you was about ___'s boyfriend and that I
thought him a bad influence and controlling of her. Well that hasn't changed I'm
sad to say and the grip has tightened over the years but I think I have now
figured out "why".
Of course the general answer is mankinds' sinfulness but I think I have managed
to pinpoint more closely what is going on.
I think what often happens in marriages/romantic relations and families when
they are not under God is that someone else fills the role that God should have.
So often it is the husband or father who "becomes god" in that relationship or
family. It also happens in matriarchal families where the woman "becomes god".
What I have noticed in these marriages and families is they operate EXACTLY like
a cult does. There is a "he/ she who must be obeyed" and this head makes up
rules that become law and violations of these laws (which usually have nothing
to do with God's law) invoke huge punitive measures vastly disproportionate to
the so called misdemeanour made.
These rules/ laws are often randomly made and changeable dependent on the whims
of the so called "god" in charge. These family and relational systems are
invariably tyrannical and abusive. Why? Because the true Lord and God is nowhere
to be seen in this picture and because God is love so you cannot have love
without God.
These structures can only stagnate and worsen with time because all sinful
mankind and the marred creation is entropic since the fall. Only through Jesus
can creation as a whole be restored and made better than before just as we all
now are being redeemed and restored individually as the Body of Christ.
As these so called heads have refused God's rule and have snatched that role for
themselves the whole relationship and family orbits around these idolatrous
sinners. After all if we are more fearful of our husbands/wives/parents than we
are in awe of our Heavenly Father, is this not idolatry?
In a cult, the leader becomes "god" in not only his own eyes but to every member
of that cult who seek to follow his/her every rule and to obey him. In a sense,
is this not worship?
Only God should be worshipped.
I realise that I was raised to worship __. About her boyfriend, I know that it
was an unfair question but as a younger believer out of exasperation I asked my
sister "Who do you love more: God or ___?" and she said "___".
I shouldn't have asked that I know but it actually proves my point that this is
actually how most people live now. Their
husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/mother/father and in some cases even the
children become a golden calf for them. I was moulded into this idolatrous and
ungodly way of thinking by my parents and so when I got older it isn't
surprising that I was drawn to these controlling types of people who acted as
though they were a god.
It's interesting that they often describe a romantic relationship with someone
with a personality disorder as a "cult of two" because the "leader" often
cruelly demands unquestioning loyalty and obedience at all costs. Their romantic
other being the "follower", their worshipper and eventually their slave!
I have seen this happen a lot in modern day relationships and family dynamics
though I imagine this has been the case since the fall
Of course feminism is completely wrong but I see that some women have been drawn
to it as they saw their fathers, brothers and husbands act as though they were a
god, throwing their weight around and being abusive, tyrannical and violent
(also these behaviours have historically been exacerbated by drunkenness).
Why would this so called "god" be drunken? Because he is miserable, because sin
is miserable and deep down he knows he isn't the true God and never will be.
So these little cults all over the place can only ever get worse with time.
There is only freedom in Christ. So whether it is the SDA, the RCs, the Mormons
or even a godless, idolatrous marriage or family unit.. It is the same answer
for all. Only a family or marriage founded on the rock of Jesus Christ can last
and be happy and fruitful just as only the true Church and all the true lively
stones can ever be truly joyful and productive in this life!
Amen and amen!
In Him,
Response #12:
"I have seen this happen a lot in modern day relationships" –
it's out there, that's for sure. But I wouldn't want to characterize all
non-believer to believer marriages this way because they're not all this
way. I will allow as to how that as societies are continuing to
degenerate on the cusp of the Tribulation, dysfunction is certainly well
on the rise.
Also, just because two people are genuinely believers doesn't mean that
they're going to have a wonderful marriage. It doesn't even mean that
the marriage will work. Marriage in my observation of things is a very
difficult lift, and more so in recent times than in the distant past
because of all the increasing societal pressures. But we have that from
scripture as well:
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
1st Corinthians 7:28 NIV
We who believe are blessed to be able to look forward to a time where none of this matters, moreover. And that will be blessed.
"At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven."
Matthew 22:30 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
I suppose for me the temptation is more along of the lines that He
wouldn't take care of me, I mean to say...I have been on the edge a lot
in life of not having what I needed. Which is not the same as actually
not having what I needed (being on the edge vs being there). The idea
that I am allowed to do things most people consider basic, and that He
isn't cruel and other things, I know I am not expressing myself well. I
mean it is a wonderful realization that He is generous and good (though
I am still learning what those things actually mean). It gets better and
better, more and more.
Anyway my head hurts a bit but not too unbearable.
Response #13:
Yes, God is good!
And He never ever lets us down.
Being on the edge is an opportunity to trust Him – because He never lets
us go over. Whatever happens we can take in stride because we know that
the plan of God is perfect and that He is perfectly loving to us and
faithful to us. It's harder to trust when we are on the edge – but that
is the whole point. The more we commit ourselves to trusting Him "no
matter what", the more we grow. We may not be at the point where Abraham
was, willing to sacrifice the son of promise he had waited for for so
many years – because he knew through faith that God would work it out
(Heb.11:19) – but we can certainly start trusting Him with smaller
things, and work up to the bigger ones. Having already been on the edge
many times, we need to remember the deliverances God has wrought for us
to inspire us to be confident that He will do it again – as many times
as we need until His kingdom comes.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Doc, why is society obsessed with the so called"7 deadly sins"? Yes
Greed, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Envy and Pride are all sin and can
be quite destructive, but so can any sin if it's left to fester. I know
the idea of "7 deadly sins" comes from Catholicism, but why are these
ones so focused on?
Another question, why so some people "identify" as a made up gender
the're not? i'm not just talking about people who are a man or woman and
claim to be the opposite, there are so many "genders" that aren't male
or female people say they feel like they are...why?
Response #14:
On the second question, this seems clear enough to me:
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27
On the first, while I'm happy to answer your questions, my friend, my
expertise and gifting is in teaching the Bible. When it comes to what
evil people do, whether in religion (like the RCs) or society (your
second question), about all I can say is that it has to do with the
devil and his world system, designed to distract people from the truth
(much more about all that in SR 4 at the link).
We who believe in Jesus Christ and who thus know what is important and
what is not are very well-advised to keep our focus on the truth,
spiritual growth, progress and production for the Lord, while dis-investing
emotionally as much as possible from what goes on in the world that has
nothing really to do with us. What the unbelievers do is really none of
our business. It is true that what they do does affect us on a visible
level, but the Lord protects us if we are walking close to Him. So let
us endeavor to do that as best we can. We are in this world, but we are
not "of" this world (Jn.17:14).
In a very short time, the Lord will return, all evil will be destroyed,
and we will be resurrected to share with Him in His 1,000 year kingdom
of perfect rule under the perfect Ruler. Until then, we may have heavy
hearts about what we see transpiring in this country and in the world,
but we need to remember the following:
The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
Psalm 103:6 NKJV
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
Psalm 103:11 NKJV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Greetings Doc
For quite some time I have longed for a person who could explain the
book of Hebrews in this sense, what an awesome revelation and experience
to really explain and separate the mystery and confusion surrounding
this book.
You've done justice doctor and just as Paul's times, I am clearly
starting to see the very things Paul laboured to teach against also
creeping back with much greater influence. Not an easy thing to do but
you've once again disfranchised the brick and mortar church business as
well as TV club church's. Your ministry is as destructively sure and
true as Paul's but also effective in refuting many wrong doings
happening.
As hard as it is to believe the truth is right, simple and plain, no
other way than could all you've explained be taught other than this -
bravo my senior man (Cpt).
Response #15:
Thanks for these encouraging words, my friend!
It always does me good to hear when readers are benefiting from this
ministry and being helped to steer clear of places which are problematic
or worse. Seems like there ought to be a lot more workers in the
vineyard nowadays, especially as we see "the day drawing near"
(Heb.10:25).
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Luke 10:2 NIV
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Dear Dr. Robert Luginbill,
Thank you very much for letting me know new course! I am looking forward
studying it. We are blessed with your writings.
I have just uploaded to my site SR3 Japanese translation (https://darktolight.jp/ichthys/
). We are working on SR4 now. Studying them and sharing them with others
are pleasure to me.
Thank you very much!
Response #16:
Thanks for the update!
And thanks for the encouragement.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dr Luginbill
Thank you for you sharing your dedicated work and knowledge.
Just read through your Introduction to Hebrews which certainly is a
timely reminder for ‘us on the cusp’ (of the Tribulation) as compared to
the preparatory run we now seem to be experiencing - the evil meaning it
for evil but God meaning it for our good.
While the 7 good (preparatory) years are not specifically mentioned in
scripture, the example of Joseph in Egypt shows God does allow us to
prepare sufficiently for the trials ahead. 7 good, 7 bad. Then exquisite
joy for those who endure in faith to the end. No doubt the Pharaoh is
here now in the pot/plot but with the lid on.
So far the crude dummy run by the evil forces in this world seem to me
to be a shadow (a dark one) of the real evil to soon follow. May 2023
then, would be the next major dark shadow (even if they call it light)
“earth shaking” movement. Three and a half years since the original
“earth shaking” December 2019 plot that has killed and destroyed many
lives and businesses and empowered the evil in their control of the
masses. Notably at the 3 1/2 year mark the coronation of the king of the
UK occurs. He is a globalist and fanatic on the environment and
mentioned how ”when he comes” (referring to the beast to arrive
shortly?) he will need corporations and trillions of dollars to “solve”
climate change and we need to get behind him. (kings seem to want to
aggressively support the beast).
Coincidentally our next budget is also in May 2023 where it is predicted
more woes than the present budget which present one looks to a 56% rise
in electricity costs and 42% for our gas costs within 2 years (unless
the government steps in). So much for the cheaper “green energy”
transition. Read opposite government/globalist propaganda and usually
you hit the nail on the head. And price hikes across the board with no
or little wage rises. Their (globalists) “agenda” is proceeding rapidly.
Digital ID - I already have to ignore this request by government every
fortnight - when will they absolutely enforce it? Many or most have
converted to digital so the following steps will make it easier to sport
the tattoo soon to be in vogue (compulsory halfway through the real
Tribulation) and even indeed seem to interest people now as we are
conditioned to believe it will be “the answer” to the massive cyber
crimes being committed. Deliberate conditioning of the masses no doubt.
Will be “interesting “ to see how closely the three and half year mark
(could also be interpreted as a sad pun) will shape the 2nd half of the
dummy run. And whether after much difficulty there is “peace and
security “ before …. The real earthquake!
Well that would also fit with your estimation of the start of the
Tribulation. Of course, we both may be out in our counting or even out
by the count. No telling when our time is up personally.
A friend at 83 is in hospital on dialysis and not expected to live much
longer. He is a believer and fond of the KJV and the Psalms. He was the
ex policeman that sometimes met at the cafe but haven’t seen him for
ages though some have kept in touch with him. (of course I was also
banned for a time for being “non compliant “ to mandates). I am still
not fully absolved and still out of a job.
Everything is certainly looking, acting and smelling distinctly much
more like a rat than ever before. To my understanding it all comes to
Faith (love); or Fear (hate). Certainly to endure to the end requires
the first. The Word and the Spirit is what we need to endure with
courage in faith until the end.
I pray each of us is granted the courage to live by faith.
In Jesus our Savior.
Response #17:
It's my great pleasure, my friend.
If we're to get seven years of plenty before the Tribulation, then it
would seem that we must be a lot further away than I suspect we are. It
would have been nice. As it is, things have seldom been worse and, as
you say, getting progressively darker. That may be a necessary
preliminary to the complete upending of everything decent which the
Tribulation will see engendered.
I've been keeping you in my prayers, my friend. Hope things have been
going OK for you and your family. Bumping along here.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hello, Dr Bob!
Thank you for the email sir, and warmest congratulations for the ichthys
achievement and for the recent Hebrews series introduction post. Your
dedication to the truth and the Lord is an inspiration to us!
How have you been, sir? Been years since my recent email. I wasn't able
to report on the update of our present situation as pilgrims here on our
tiny corner of the devil's world - it is "more of the same". We (just me
and my family) are following the ichthys.com email posts, though, the
prayer requests, and thanksgiving and praise notifications. Next to our
Lord's Word, these weekly posts and recent Peter series additions and
Hebrews series introduction are also our source of needed encouragement,
seeing believers go through quite similar difficult experiences while
anticipating the coming of our soon appearing Savior and King, the Lord
Jesus. We are forever indebted to you and your ministry, sir, in guiding
us towards a meaningful and truth-based relationship with our Savior the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Regarding my and my wife's workplace witness, we don't expect to be able
to minister as our Lord's representative to both unbelievers and
believers. There is no obvious difference between them based on the
values seen in their life choices and priorities. As to our sons,
because they admit to having no religious affiliation, they are
constantly recruited by different groups in their school.
Personally, sir, I feel tired and wish the Lord take me home to be with
him. My job may be temporally necessary but is spiritually pointless in
my view - this world is nothing, He is everything. My desire to live a
life pleasing to our Savior is what supports me.
Keeping you in our prayers, dear brother sir.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Response #18:
It's wonderful to hear from you, my friend. I had gotten concerned about you, knowing the difficult place in which you live and the difficult situation too. I'm overjoyed to hear that you and your wife are both gainfully employed and are persevering in spite of all trouble. THAT is a fine Christian witness, in and of itself. I am finding more and more that just this, the witness of the life, is the one which believers in Jesus who are also truly committed to growing, progressing and producing for Him are being called upon to manifest. So please do not get discouraged!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1st Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
The Lord will be back soon! Marana Tha! "Oh our Lord, return!" (1Cor.16:22). Then . . .
. . . you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Malachi 3:18 NIV
Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,
I just finished your introduction to Hebrews. (Had to do it in chunks
for my poor old eyes.) The paraphrase of the whole book was brilliant,
in my estimation. I've not read you doing that before. It gives a frame
of reference for what I expect to follow. I followed along with KJV and
NIV and can't find any fault.
I thought I had a reasonable handle on Hebrews, but you taught me much
in the introduction and broadened my understanding. So far, this looks
to be your best work to date. Thank you.
On another unrelated note, I notice a remarkable similarity between
Psalm 18:8 and Job 41:19-21. It raises some interesting speculation: was
that a common expression or did David write Job? Speculation is only
curiosity, It doesn't change scripture. Contrary to Job 41, people now
have "support" alligators. I've never heard of a support crocodile. That
lends support to your notion that crocodiles were what Job 41
referenced.
I pray all is well up there in "Luivle". I look forward to your next
installment of the Hebrew series. I will be sending this introduction
off to friends; some of whom I've written about before. I hope they read
it and consider it.
In our Lord,
Response #19:
Thanks for the encouragement, my friend! Much appreciated.
Yes, this is the first time I've done an extended paraphrase like this.
I honestly think translating is easier. One can do a defensible
translation without understanding the text as most of the major versions
prove over and over again.
Good catch on Psalm 18. That is clearly an anthropopathism and one
couched in the same sort of poetic descriptions as the Job passage –
which we are obviously not meant to take literally.
Things are pretty good here, but very busy. The job has gotten tougher
over the years. Lot's more layers of bureaucracy and admin tasks to do
that in the end have nothing to do with teaching students. But the Lord
sees me through. Thanks for those prayers!
Keeping you in mine too, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
I can imagine straight translation would be easier, but the paraphrase
is a great tool to promote understanding. Most particularly for those
who use the KJV. I'm somewhat used to the KJV, having been a great
Shakespeare fan. but I still have to do some digging. Please don't give
it up. I believe it will help people understand who might otherwise skip
over or just skim.
Your introductory remarks are the reason I don't waste time with other
commentaries. Everyone has an opinion. You are the only one I've
encountered who backs up assertions with scripture that I can check. So
I trust the Bible and you. In checking KJV and NIV against your
introduction, I found nothing to raise issues with your paraphrase. As
far as my understanding goes, which admittedly is somewhat limited, you
were dead on the money. And revealed things I'd not considered before.
I think your paraphrase is of great value. I encourage you to continue
this new tradition, challenging as it may be. I hope you get similar
comments from your other corespondents. I think most would agree.
I'm sorry to hear abut the situation at U of L. From what people tell
me, everyone is in a strong defensive position. Bob, this is not the
world in which I grew up. It's disheartening.
Stay well. You and yours remain in my prayers. Thank you for yours.
In our Lord,
Response #20:
Thanks for this, my friend. I appreciate the encouragement.
It's important not to be disheartened. Babylon cannot be saved. Rather, we need
to be rethinking the way we think. We need to be living in the reality of New
Jerusalem right now, even though we're only on our way there. We need to be
walking the rainbow bridge to our glorious future, high above the noise and the
churn, the "sound and fury", holding our Lord's hand tightly, holding onto the
anchor (Heb.6:19), rather than fighting it out in our hearts down here in the
mud.
The Second Advent cannot be delayed, not one minute. The same thing goes for the
resurrection, for the Judgment Seat of Christ, for our rewards, for the
Millennium, and for the glories of New Jerusalem which will be our home forever.
And the really great thing about it will be our oneness as Christ's Bride and
our being with Him and the Father face to face. Revelation doesn't emphasize
that – no doubt because we cannot yet appropriately appreciate either side of
that wonderful prospect, but it does behoove us to try.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend – and thanks again for the good words.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob,
You're right, of course, though truthfully, while I know it will be
infinitely better, I'm unable to imagine what resurrection and the
millennium will feel like or be like. Let alone New Jerusalem. It has
been my belief for years that we two-leggers can only imagine one step
past our knowledge and experience. In my experience, that seems to hold
true. I just simply trust. There's so much I don't know and so much I
can't that I just accept that it will be so much better. I look forward
to it.
It's difficult to not be disheartened. While I don't watch TV or listen
the the radio, I do scan the news headlines for what little is relevant
and the headlines alone are enough to disgust me. Two-leggers are one of
a very vew species that foul their own nest and we seem to have done
that in spades. If aggregated, daily casualty reports exceed that during
the height of the Vietnam adventure. Perverts are coming out of the
cracks in the walls, some headlines are vulgar -- and on and on.
I completely accept Ecclesiastes 7:10. "Say not thou, What is the cause
that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire
wisely concerning this." But that doesn't ease the sadness over what's
being done in and to our world today.
I keep trying, my friend. I hope all is well up there. Thank you for
your prayers. You amd yours are in mine.
In our Lord,
Response #21:
It's good to keep in mind this verse and the myriads like it in scripture:
The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
Psalm 103:6 NKJV
If that is true in this sinful world for believers (who are the Lord's prime concerns) – and it is – how much more so will this not be the case when Jesus Christ reigns . . . VERY shortly.
(8) But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is from eternity to eternity, and the rod of your kingdom is the rod of uprightness. (9) You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. For this reason God your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions (Ps.45:6-7)”.
Hebrews 1:8-9
Justice is coming, soon. I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of any of the wicked people in this world when the Lord begins to mete out vengeance and just recompense to those who are "destroying the world" (i.e., morally, not "environmentally": Rev.11:18).
But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.
Job 24:22-24 NIV
And we will be there to see it all.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #22:
-Hello from Minnesota-
Since my secular retirement two years ago this past March 16th, I decided to
spend more time each day trying to get to know the Lord better by reading more
and varied Bible commentary from several different protestant teachers and
theologians (mostly reformed), after my daily scripture reading. To be honest
I’m both shocked and bewildered at the scope and degree of disagreement that
exists within the protestant ecclesiastical community as to what scripture
teaches. I think that my confusion is further compounded by comparing the
different English versions of scripture. When I skeptically read the following
article https://christiannewsjournal.com/kathie-lee-gifford-to-fully-understand-the-bible-we-need-to-read-the-bible-in-hebrew-or-greek/#.Y1UNkPzMJPZ
about understanding Greek and Hebrew language, I thought that certainly I could
trust well-known English Bible translations to get an accurate perspective on
what scripture is teaching, when supplemented by respected commentaries. Now I’m
not so sure?
How can well educated Bible teachers and theologians disagree to the extent that
they do? Doesn’t ANYONE who teaches Biblical Theological and doctrine have any
degree of humility to admit that they simply are not sure exactly what God was
communicating in most sections of Scripture? I have trouble believing that my
limited “private Biblical interpretation” is what God wants me to believe when
there is so much disagreement between far better educated and skilled expositors
than I.
Before I pass from this world, I would like to have a high-as-possible degree of
peace and confidence that I am certain about what most of Scripture is
communicating. How can I find personal confidence that is absolutely reliable?
Who do I trust? I know that the Holy Spirit instructs and helps those who
seriously seek wisdom, but why is there so much variation with, and “I know that
I am right” confidence in every single church denomination magisterium?
Thanks for considering my questions.
In Christ Jesus, our blessed and only savior,
PS: I don’t rely on Hollywood to gain accurate Biblical insight!
Response #22:
I commend you on wanting to find the truth, my friend, and for your perseverance therein. But I do wonder about your method. This is what Jesus told us:
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
Matthew 7:15-20 NIV
If you find a tree producing bad fruit, no need to agonize over it. Just have nothing to do with it. On the other hand:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
In the history of the Church, from Adam and Eve until the present, there
has never been a single instance of the Lord failing to provide the cool
and refreshing waters of the truth of the Word of God . . . for any and
all who really wanted them and demonstrated that desire by searching
them out.
I have no doubt that you too will find everything you need to grow spiritually. But when and if you find a good source you deem acceptable, it is necessary to 1) stay as true to that source as you can, not "Smorgasbording", as I call it, attempting to patch together "truth" from a variety of sources that disagree; that only leads spiritual dyspepsia; 2) actually commit to believing the truth you have been taught: knowing fourteen interpretations of a given passage, for example, won't help you a bit, not even if one of them is correct (no guarantee there), unless the truth is mixed with faith:
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
Hebrews 4:2 NKJV
Yes, ideally the church-visible should have been zeroing in on the truth
all these years, but in far too many cases it has became spiritually
moribund through irrational loyalty to tradition even when tradition was
clearly wrong to any reader of scripture. It has been the purpose of
this ministry from the start to cut through these sorts of obstacles and
seek out the truth no matter what. How well that has been done is up to
individual readers to decide. If Ichthys gives you indigestion, then
best to go elsewhere. But if it is sweet to the taste and stands the
test of time, well, the ONLY way to grow is to believe the truth, and no
Christian can DYI it on that important score.
So my advice is to trust in the Lord that He will give you exactly what
you need – which He most certainly will, if you ask in faith.
You are very much welcome at Ichthys any time, my friend.
In Him,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Good Day Robert,
Thank you for the update.
I had a few questions for you. Regarding Israel, at the cusp of the
beginning of the tribulation (Fall 2026) and even until now, during this
time period will the nation of Israel awakened to their true identity?
The nation of Israel and the 144,000's ministry that is geared towards
waking up Israel, how does that play out and who today makes up the
tribes of Israel? Also if the New Jerusalem has 12 gates for the 12
tribes of the children of Israel where will the other nations be during
that time?
I look forward to your response and I hope that you are well.
Response #23:
These questions are all covered one place or another in
the Coming Tribulation series
(link), but I'll give you the gist here.
When it comes to Israel, there has always been a "remnant according to
the election of grace" (Rom.11:6). There have always been Jewish people
who are believers, though just a small number at present as long as
"this generation" endures (see the link). When Moses and Elijah and
the 144,000 conduct their ministry, many unbelieving Jewish people WILL
turn back to the Lord – but still not nearly the majority. When the Lord
returns, many will repent at seeing Him return, and all will be restored
to the borders of the land of Israel (e.g., Ezek.36:24), but even then
there will be some hard core individuals who will refuse to believe even
so; they will not be allowed to enter. So that millennial Israel, ruled
by Jesus Christ, the Ruler of the world, along with His regents
(resurrected David as king of Israel and the un-resurrected prince),
will begin with believers only. During the Millennium, the proportions
of Jewish to gentile believers which currently obtain will apparently be
reversed.
Israel is the ultimate organization for the Church of Jesus Christ (see
the link). New Jerusalem is described as "the Bride" (Rev.21:2;
21:9) – which means that it is the home for the entire Church, Jews and
gentile believers both, for you and me and for every believers since
Adam and Eve until the second advent. The Friends of the Bride, the
millennial believers, are the ones whose homes are outside of New
Jerusalem, but they enter in to celebrate with us at regular times.
In terms of who is of what physical tribe today (in eternity, there will
be a reorganization with gentile believers such as us being assigned
tribes based upon our performance for Christ in this life), this may not
be known to individual Jewish people, but it IS known to God (see
the link).
Hope this is helpful. Please see the links – and do feel free to write
me back.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #24:
Hello Dr.,
Thanks for this, and not to worry, no missing it here! I was planning on
contacting you this week myself. Currently I’m finishing a refresher on
your Bible Basics and following along with
Pastor Omo in
Revelation and Zechariah as well the weekly postings at Ichthys, daily
Bible reading and “keeping my feet clean”.
Also, I want to thank you for your prayers of “blessings at work”. Back
in June I had to inform my boss that I was in the interview process for
another job and he wanted me to give him a number to keep me where I am,
I gave him a number and never heard anything back until about a week
ago. Apparently him and our Director have been working all this time
with HR to give me a bump up, and it finally came through. Also our new
City manager gave the entire City staff a compression raise, so even
though the other jobs didn’t work out I’ve kept my current job with 20
years of benefits intact (I earn a good deal of time off), so with the
raises, financially I’m doing slightly better than I was before all this
inflation hit ( just enough to keep our heads above water). Added bonus,
the attitude around the office has improved (for now at least). Perfect
example of the Lord working things out quietly behind the scenes for
those who trust in Him. Also, I’ve noticed an improvement in memory, God
is good, and I thank Him for all of this, and you and any of the readers
of Ichthys who have offered a prayer. I am having some other health
issues but the Lord has all that under His watchful eye.
How are Sir? I’m really looking forward to going through the book of
Hebrews you. This an answer to prayer as well, I’ve been asking the Lord
for something to do, and here it is. Thanks for all you do! Looking
forward to the day we can fellowship face to face in His kingdom. Who
knows, maybe we’ll bump into each other in a FEMA camp one day! If
they’re cutting off heads you might want to get in line in front of me
because mine is so hard it’ll probably dull the blade. Got you in prayer
here daily. I’ll be in touch soon.
All the best,
Rev. 22:20
Response #24:
That is GREAT news, my friend! I know that raises which don't keep up
with prices are a mixed blessing, but believe me when I tell you that
they're better than nothing at all. I'm happy to hear that your solid
work ethic has made even those who are not necessarily "stand up" think
twice about letting you go somewhere else without a fight. That is rare
these days, so, good for you!
Things are OK enough here. The job is getting more difficult by the day.
Don't know that I'd have had the patience if things were like this forty
years ago. But the Lord gets me through – aided greatly by prayers such
as yours, so thank you!
At least we haven't gone off to "camp" just yet!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #25:
Thank you, Sir. I will continue to pray for you here so that you get
through this time in one piece.
I'm trying to be careful here too. Of course we can't really avoid going
out here because our income and credit system is not so good that you
can afford to avoid going out. In fact, my phone and laptop were dead
from last night until this afternoon because we had a power outage, so I
had to go find a place to charge my phone at least. I also had to go
shopping today too for some supplies that I'm out of. But I'm trying to
do what I can to stay safe.
My rent is due at the end of next month, but this place has not been
particularly easy to live in. Today, we had a snake in the well that I
had to pay someone to extract and kill for us (we don't have any way of
safely releasing potentially deadly creatures of that sort here). That
is the third encounter we've had with a snake in the compound. The rains
have returned too, so it's going to get especially cold again very soon.
In short, I'm hoping to move to a new place, but I don't see how that
will happen by anything short of a miracle. A friend who finally
committed fully to Ichthys in recent months offered to send me the rent
when it is due and he has been a very remarkable support over the past
few months as well. I hope to be able to make up the money and move out,
but I'm not insisting on that. If the Lord provides for him so that he
is able to do as he has promised, then that is enough for now.
Thank you for your constant encouragement and prayers for us, Sir. We
continue to keep you in our prayers.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #25:
It seems you face one trial and test after another, my friend – but the
Lord ALWAYS brings you through! And you ALWAYS trust Him to do so! That
is amazingly wonderful.
It's a pleasure to know you and to be able to pray for you.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4 NIV
In the One who is able to deliver us from snakes and famine and need and
shortages and viruses – and whatever else may betide – our dear Savior
Jesus Christ.
And thanks so much for YOUR prayers!
Bob L.
Question #26:
Dear Teacher
Thanks very much, Sir, for your very encouraging words. It was very
great help to read them. Of course, I am not nearly as good at handling
tests as I'm sure that I should be. But I am trying to get better at
demonstrating to the Lord that He is worth everything that one must
endure in this life. I'm grateful that He thinks me worthy of facing
these tests. I hope to come through them in the end sanctifying His
Name.
I am blessed beyond words to have you, Sir. Thank you for being there,
praying for me, and always encouraging me. I am privileged to pray for
you too.
I'm sorry I didn't write back yesterday. We had another blackout and my
phone died. I only charged it again this evening when the electricity
was restored. We're on a total lockdown from this new virus now to allow
the government to fumigate the entire state. We won't be free to get out
until Thursday next week.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #26:
It's my great pleasure, my friend. Your determination in the spiritual
fight has been a great encouragement to me since first we met.
That is a long time for a total lockdown! We're supposed to stay in here
as much as possible, but it's permitted to go out for necessary shopping
and to get exercise, etc. I think it would be difficult to enforce such
a thing over here. Then again, no one saw all "this" coming.
Stay safe and healthy, my friend. Keeping you and your families in my
prayers daily.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #27:
Thank you for your quick reply. Yes you are right. It's a bunch of
testing. I'm thankful to not be in that place of stress and unhappiness
over all this nonsense going on. We are actually completely calm and
doing very well. We have been through so much in the past 7 years that
this is nothing. I'm actually kinda excited, hopefully that doesn't
sound bad and I'm not saying it as I know many will be suffering in some
way or another but it's hard to explain. I would never tell any one else
that but all this going on just gives me hope that it's signs of the
beginning of change to the beginning of the Tribulation. We're getting
closer and even though I'm not looking forward to the strain of those
hard times it's comforting to know it's getting closer to the end of all
this. I don't ever turn on the news or listen to all the lies but I did
today. I watched the president talk about all this. I can see the lies
and deceiving. I think we are in for some big changes in the near future
and all I can say is I'm so thankful for our Savior. This time we are
going to go through here in the next months is nothing like what it's
going to be in a few years ahead and during the Tribulation. I already
see the people struggling now and this is nothing. I'm so so thankful
for what we have been through in the last 7 years to be able to see
what's happening now. What a blessing. I guess that shows how you should
always be thankful for your testing and trials because God knows best.
__ didn't get the job. Kinda bummed but it is what it is. He hopes to go
take his test again this week and pass. Not sure yet how work is going
to go. Unemployment runs out in a few weeks... although the way this
virus is rolling they may extend that. If that's the case it may just
give us enough time to get the business rolling if the virus doesn't
stall it. Time will tell. We are just going to roll with it all and I
guess worse case we will be homeless, nothing we don't know how to
do...in style with a smile..ha ha!!
Well hope your online classes go well for you. You probably already have
your computer geeks to help you out but if by chance you don't my kids
would help you with that. ___ said his compnay is having all there
employees work from home so he is running his job from his home. I told
him he can come here and work....it didn't work too well for me. __ are
coming in for a few days. Excited to see them. I think we will play
games and make bon= fires--.gonna be fun...kinda like this virus
thing..lol
Kids are still in school here and we still have toilet paper. Probably
the last place in the US operating normally but I was in the grocery
store today listening to employees talk to each other. I could hear fear
and anger. I have a feeling the virus is working its way here.... as in
the empty stores and closed schools. I give it a few more days. By the
way, it was a few months ago I started to reread
The Coming Tribulation. I'm loving it!! Gives me much comfort
knowing when we have these shake ups it's all going to be okay We are
getting closer... yippee.
Well it's always good to chat with you my friend. During all this
craziness if you need anything let us know....I bet the emailing will
still be working
Response #27:
I'm sorry to hear about the job – I was praying for that (it seemed a
"natural"); but God has His plan – which happens to be perfect.
This is a wonderful email from you! You made my day, absolutely! It's so
encouraging to hear you being so "strong and courageous" in the face of
all these challenges. That is exactly how we are all supposed to be.
Good for you, my friend! Your Christian character shines through. We can
learn from you.
Tomorrow is "the day" we go remote and will no longer be on campus
teaching. A new experience for me but also for my students. Dry run with
my old Latin PTL went well today. There were some initial connectivity
issues but we worked them out. I emailed all my students and told them
to expect that the first third of the class will probably be spent with
"can you hear me NOW!?" issues. But I'm very pleased with where things
stand this evening, especially seeing as how six days ago we first got
word that this would happen and I had never even heard of these
different applications before (nor did I have a microphone or a camera
or a drawing tablet). Lots of new expensive toys. We'll see how well
they work tomorrow. I'm sure the Lord will work it out, regardless of
glitches.
After a few days of it, it'll probably become "old hat". Then maybe I
can see about getting caught up. As to secular research, not sure how
I'll be able to do that from home since all the books I need are at
work, in our library, or in other libraries (which are shutting down).
Guess I'll play that one by ear as well.
Thanks for all your prayers, my friend! Keeping you and your family in
mine daily as well.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #28:
Hi Bob,
No, I'm not working five days a week but I do think about others like
yourself who do. I remember how tough it is so I'm always thinking of
you in my countdown to the weekend. I'm only contracted for two days a
week but I always work extra days for them when they need me to cover
sickness, holidays etc. So most weeks I've been working three days which
for now is fine for me.
They asked me if I could cover an extra day for someone this week which
would have meant me working four days. I had to say I couldn't do it
this time because the hospital advised me to be gentle with my foot
until it's better. Even to work three days is hard for me right now but
I can do it. I don't exaggerate about the pain, I don't even talk about
it at work - I just get on with my job. They didn't say much to me at
work yesterday and it was obvious that it hadn't gone down too well. But
I just ignored it. I was the same with them as I always am and got on
with doing my job and looking after the patients. I worked with my boss
and he was absolutely fine with me. We get on great with each other.
It's the manager whose feathers I ruffled by not saying "yes" to the
extra day. They wanted me to cover for someone who was off sick with a
cold when they can see me struggling up and down the stairs at work.
I've helped them many times and worked extra days for them. I don't mind
doing this at all when I haven't strained ligaments and things like
that. It just seems a shame that the one time I say "no" they don't like
it. They very easily forget about all the other times when I've said
"yes" and helped them out.
But it's just the way of this world isn't it, Bob. I've noticed this a
lot very recently whether it's with work, family and friends. If people
don't get what THEY want or you don't say what THEY want you to say then
they don't like it. It's all about me, me, me.
It doesn't surprise me though. People are selfish in this world - they
look after number one and that's because number one is all that's
important to them when they have no time for the Lord. I can't help
always thinking about these things from the spiritual perspective. It's
only going to get worse and as small as these things are right now I'm
getting some practice at dealing with it in a godly way. It's what I
need to toughen me up and shape my character because it will be MUCH
worse in the Tribulation. People who don't know the Lord will be
horrible - lovers of themselves, ungrateful etc. etc.
I often think this, that if it's bad now just wait until the
Tribulation. When I first went back to work after four years and heard
someone take our Lord Jesus' name in vain it hit me really hard. But now
I hear it constantly at work from staff or sometimes patients. Since I
came back to work I've never heard so many people so often take our
Lord's name in vain and I always think this is another sign of the
times. You get all the other usual bad language as well and although I
don't really like listening to it I just accept it now. A lot of the
time it's the women at work who look after their outward appearance very
well which is fine but what comes out of their mouths is foul - not very
attractive at all! They don't seem to ever think about it in that way.
One of the dentists is homosexual and married to another man. I don't
treat him any differently (I never would anyway), I treat him as the
Lord would want me to treat everyone but I couldn't even begin to tell
you the kind of things he talks about at lunch time. It doesn't seem to
even enter his head that some might not want to listen to it. But then
in this day and age it's all about being "loud and proud" about it. This
is Satan's world after all so why would we expect it to be any
different? There's no point getting all namby-pamby and upset about it -
we'd better get used to it and prepared for it to get much worse. At
least I know we're only passing through. We don't belong in this world
and one day soon we'll all be together with the Lord. Everything we see
and hear will be pure and beautiful.
When I get injured or whatever it always makes me determined to come
back even stronger. As I've been struggling up and down those stairs I'm
thinking once this thing is better I'm going to strengthen up again and
the stairs will be a doddle. And I will, Bob - I really will.
I've been stretching my foot and putting more weight through it and it's
actually helping it now. So it won't be much longer now. This is easy
compared to my knees! But like my knees, it's not just about physical
strength it's about learning to trust Him as He brings me through this
and making me spiritually stronger and more mature. I'm not a wimp - I'm
a child of God and I'm strong in Him.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand.
It's FRIDAY tomorrow, Bob! Take care.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #28:
This is wonderful, my friend! It's great to see you fighting the
spiritual fight in such a marvelous way. Working at the dentist seems to
be a lot like being in the Marine Corps! You have to put up with all manner
of secular stuff from the people you're in close contact with – but you
don't have to like it or accept it personally. I think the toughest part
of this sort of thing is the "do I or don't I" about saying anything. In
a secular job, the latter has to be the default position for spiritual
safety. And in most cases these sorts are not going to be helped by us
"making ourselves a prey" (Is.59:15; cf. Ps.12:8; Prov.28:12; 28:28;
Amos 5:12-13). So it's wise to keep the powder dry for the RIGHT moment
. . . and the right person. We are not in these jobs for evangelism; we
are keeping body and spirit together for the service of the Lord in the
real jobs He has given us. If we get a chance to verbally show the flag,
great; but never underestimate the witness of the life. A Christian who
is loving and stalwart and honorable in all he/she does and says always
makes an impression – a good one too (seldom the case with legalistic
hyper-correctors).
Yes, people are ungrateful. No surprise there. They generally are not
impressed by the fact that Jesus died for their sins, paying the total
redemption price for them so they can be saved if they deign to accept
the salvation Jesus has paid for. But mostly they are ungrateful for the
life they've been given, for the health and the wealth and the
protection and the deliverance God has showered on them even though they
pay Him no heed (Matt.5:45; Acts 14:17; cf. Job 21:14; 22:17). They are
quick to blame Him, however, whenever anything goes sideways in their
lives.
So it really shouldn't surprise us if they're ungrateful to us for small
favors, since they reject ungratefully the Gift of gifts.
But we are human, so we do have a tendency to get our feelings hurt. At
such times we always need to remember: "All this is about Him, not at
all about us; we merely work for Him" (Phil.1:21).
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.