http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CII

Question #1:    
Greetings Sir,

Have You Ever Recorded Your Own Personal Testimony About Your Salvation Experience And What Your Personal Beliefs Concerning The Lords Purposes Are For This World And Its Future?

Are They Recorded On Your Website, And If They Are Could You Please Direct Me ? I Know That Your Writings Express Who You Are, But I Was Thinking Of Something Where Everything Was In One Place, Without Hunting High And Low !

Regards
Response #1:
Please see the Ichthys FAQs (at the link) for stuff about me (#13 and #14 in particular, and follow the sub-links).

As to "the Lord's purposes for this world and its future", the new heavens and the new earth and New Jerusalem is what we believers are looking forward too, once all that is prophesied has finally come to pass (i.e., the Tribulation, the Second Advent, the Millennium, the Last Judgment); there is an entire series on that: "Coming Tribulation" (at the link). You might try starting with the synopsis of all the future facing postings: BB 2B: Eschatology. 

Do feel free to write me back in case these pointers don't solve it all for you, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,

I'm still praying for you and your family too. How have things gone today? I keep thinking that I wish our friend was right there with you at home because I think he's quite a wizz at all of this kind of remote video-conferencing thing.

You're so right about how quickly things have changed in just a week. I walked down to our local supermarket yesterday just to buy some milk. I watched people panic buying/stockpiling and saw the empty shelves. It's as if they're doing this to make themselves feel like they still have some control over everything. They so easily and quickly copy each other too. I find it strange how everyone is stockpiling the same kind of things like toilet paper and pasta. It's really weird. While I was queuing up to pay I looked at all of the people and just kept thinking, "You need the Lord, you all need the Lord". Relying on themselves by stockpiling in this "crisis" might work for a while this time round but once THE final crisis begins depending on or trusting in anyone or anything else other than the Lord in the end is going to mean disaster for them. Copying each other and following the majority in receiving the mark of the beast rather than following and trusting in our Lord Jesus and the truth of His words is going to mean disaster for them.

We can only ever have true peace inside including in the Tribulation because we know and love and belong to the One who IS in control of everything including our very lives. With tears in my eyes I thank our Lord with everything in me that He even made this possible for us.

Thanks so much, Bob for your prayers for me and my family too.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Saviour
Response #2:
Wonderful perspective, my friend! Good for us all to hear and remind ourselves of.

Things are getting pretty weird here too. Working from home is novel, but I bet all of us will be climbing the walls with cabin-fever after a few weeks of this. Not official but U of L is probably going to stay "remote" for the rest of the semester. Wow.

Tomorrow is "the day" for my remote teaching to begin. There are lessons to be learned from all this, that is for sure! One I guess is don't try to navigate the end times without a large stock of paper towels (good thing I have no need of paper towels here as I only clean during odd numbered millennia). Learning to trust the Lord BEFORE hard times come is a more important one. Wish it were plain to me that people out there were seeing that light bulb go on – but I greatly appreciate your godly perspective shining through in a sea of worldliness.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers daily.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Good morning,

1) Proverbs 25:22 and Romans 12:20 sound like it is expecting and encouraging believers to wish and pursue ill on their enemies. But then there are other Scriptures that say to wish good for them. Why, if we are to wish good for them, would be want to heap coals on their head? What am I missing? Perhaps it is not that we wish to see them hurt for vengeance, but so that they would turn to God?

2) In the ICHTHYS Tribulation series, in the 'love growing cold' part, you mentioned that civility and tolerance will be two of the things decreasing (that you seem to be saying are a show of our faith growing cold). Civility and love do not always line up, and sometimes are against each other, I don't know why Christians would be concerned about civility (but I do think they would be concerned about love). I guess I would ask how you would define civility. I mean I think of when people saying the pleasantries of conversation (even when they have little white lies in them), the sort of social mask you have that has to do with social expectations and not love (or a similar virtue as love).

And on tolerance. Do you mean things like what is in the verse Proverbs 17:9 and turning the other cheek in Matthew 5? How would you define tolerance as you are using it here?

The thing also on civility is that the Bible tells us what love is over and over, but not civility. And I don't see it ever mentioning civility. So I am hesitant to add it in this verse. If it were something so integral to our life or death, I think the Bible would have defined it at least once. I am sure you have experienced people having different opinions on what is proper/rude/uncivil. 

That still doesn't fit. It is one thing to think that way when they have already hurt you. But to be told 'do abc and they will be hurt' and then do it, that is something else. You are putting them in a bad position.

Proverbs 17:18 and Psalm 97:8, I don't know how to reconcile them. One says not to rejoice at an enemy's punishment, and another says to do so...

Respectfully,
Response #3:
A lot of nuance here and a lot of questions. To avoid confusion, I'll tell you what I think generally and you can ask further if need be.

As Thucydides remarked a long time ago, "In peace and prosperity states and individuals have better sentiments, because they do not find themselves suddenly confronted with imperious necessities; but war takes away the easy supply of daily wants and so proves a rough master that brings most men's characters to a level with their fortunes".

In other words, people being people, when the pressure is on, they get more surly. That is definitely going to happen during the Tribulation to people generally, many believers will apostatize and that will make them surly before, more surly during, and quintessentially surly afterwards (no civility for sure!). Even believers who stay with the Lord will have to be careful not to let the pressures of the Tribulation take away their joy and peace in the Lord, and also not to begin acting out like unbelievers do. If we have to watch ourselves on that score occasionally now . . .

In terms of being glad at God's judgments, indeed we should be! That will be a very important tool to have during the Tribulation. It is primarily a time of God judging the world – unbelievers, and to a great degree for what they are going to do to us. We do need to have a godly attitude. Christ died for all. God wants all to be saved. He wants us to love all in that same way, wanting their salvation and giving them the gospel if positivity is shown. And yet God will judge evil-doers – He has been doing this since the beginning too. We are right to want their best, and also justified in being glad at their judgment when they bring it on themselves through abusing others, believers in particular.

Do feel free to write back about this.

Hope your week is going well!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Professor,

Yes, I was a bit unclear and all over the place. Sorry, I will try to be more concise.

On your response to the questions: I see so it wasn't like you were putting a command for civility/social pleasantries up there with the command to love. I suppose I also was conflicted because I have known people to just state things they don't like as 'rude', like if you don't smile enough or some other bull. I mean it isn't a sin, I don't think, to not say "good morning.' I think 'surly' is a fitting term here. It is a bit opposite some of the fruits of the Spirit like gentleness and kindness, and many verses on forsaking our anger.

The other part, I am still a bit confused: 

1) How do you reconcile Proverbs 24:17-18 and Psalm 97:8?

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him."

and 

"Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord."

The only thing I can think of is that in the second, His wrath may not have anything to do with a judgement in our (the reader's) favor, but for something else entirely and we just happened to catch the fall, so that we are are just taking joy in their pain unrelated to us at all. The first verse is clear about that it is a judgement in favor of those rejoicing. 

2) Proverbs 25:22 and Romans 12:20 (the heaping burning coals one): I was thinking about this more. Why would Scripture encourage us to pursue such a thing? It doesn't just list this as a consequence, but as a reason for us to do so (a reason to pray-so that this will happen). 

I am okay. I am getting prayer, ICHTHYS, Bible reading, and Greek almost every day. And am going through Daphnis and Chloe. I often know the appearing words' meaning in general, but not the part of speech it is (ie knowing that if I were to look it up it means xyz). It is progress I mean. And I think you can tell on ICHTHYS with the questions.

How are you? I tire myself out doing all that stuff, (though if I do it by a certain time and give myself a couple of hours of downtime after it is bearable). I can only imagine how tired you might be (no offense, I don't mean anything bad by it). 

Please take care.

Thank you again for your fast and constant answers,
Response #4:
I think you are on the right track.

1) The former passage, Proverbs 24:17-18, is speaking about individual adversaries, people whom we personally may be tempted to have these negative attitudes about, whereas the second is about God's righteous judgment on evil people generally: we all have a right to be joyous about that.

2) The other passage(s) give us the right way to handle individual/personal situations and are illustrative of what I always say, namely, the "love" we are commanded to have is not personal affection but tolerance – and a desire for the person to be saved or God's will to be done. It is comfort to know that those who afflict us who do NOT respond to our gracious intercession for them and to God's most gracious Gift will receive what they deserve.

You are keeping busy! Is your job requiring you to work from home? That has put nearly everyone I know who's been experiencing it into a bit of a funk. I think we'll all be glad to be back into the normal routine.

Doing OK here. May is a transition time to get lots of projects done, settle into summer research . . . and get a wee bit of rest.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Good evening,

Yeah I am working back at the office. But it is just me on the larger team (though there are others at the office from other divisions). 

I am sorry, I really am just trying to figure it out. On number one, the individual adversaries would have to be people who have wronged us. So, we are to heap burning coals on their head as if it is something we want to happen, but also not take pleasure in their judgement even though it was something the Bible encouraged us to want to happen? I mean I can only see it fitting if them falling down in Proverbs 24 is not directly related to a judgement in our favor.

On it not meaning personal affection, I suppose that would make sense as someone who rejects God would probably not have much or anything likable about them (or whatever was would be tainted). I honestly always thought we were to try to learn to love with the affection, but you wouldn't consider evil behavior or an evil personality (one that rejects the Lord) as something dear to you at all. I suppose it is more about what they could be and would be if they turned to God. I will try to think more on it. 

Maybe it isn't encouraging us to pursue something bad for them so much as a comfort in that it doesn't mean what they do goes unpunished if they persist in evil. Like "in doing so-doing good for them in spite of their treatment of you, they are not just getting off if they were to persist in this-you are not simply taking abuse and helping an abuser destroy you" as it might come off otherwise. Because you do have people like me who will otherwise think we should just accept abuse. Right, do you think?

Thank you,
Response #5:
The key is that we are leaving it all in God's hands. We don't rejoice if they are smashed for their evil – we want all to be saved. But we're not crying tears over it either, since in their arrogance and mistreatment of others, believers in particular, they are getting what they deserve. We don't gloat and we don't lament when evil gets its comeuppance. The Proverbs/Romans passage lets us know that this is actually the way God works it, so we don't have the burden of thinking that we are praying for evil people who want to harm us and thus helping them harm us while God stands by. Quite the opposite.

Right! We don't appreciate nor sit still for nor make ourselves available for abuse – but we leave deliverance and vindication in God's hands.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hello Bob, It's been a while, so I just wanted to give you a "hello the house!"to your place from my local. Well, Spring finally got here...after surviving another not too bad Winter. It will be a while longer to prepare for gardening (wet ground and still a possibility for frost). Did manage to get the lawn mowing #1 for 2022 done a couple weeks ago, with probably 25-30 more to go! (maybe part of my much needed weight loss program?). I am taking the opportunity to plunge into more of your studies--- currently looking at "the Church'', learning more about what it should be, in contrast to the sorry condition that it has morphed into.( the church-visible, that is). As you know I am a refugee from two false approaches. Thank God for His deliverance, and your helping hand to gain the proper "frame of reference"! Such a blessing to realize all the details and particulars! Frankly, I'm disgusted with all the garbage that was foisted on me (a ton of false teaching!), but extremely glad I was able to sort things out, and escape without suffering irreparable spiritual damage. This is going to be a huge liability for those who are unwittingly stuck in the wrong place. But God ALWAYS honors a heart that is not too hardened against the truth, and He graciously provided my heart's desire for the truth, as He will do for anyone who desires the truth in fact. The "game clock" is really ticking down fast to the impending "end of the age", so I'm praying that those who are in the "wrong building" will figure it out before it's too late. There are so many imposters out there (workers of iniquity, not sparing the flock) preying on people who have not yet gained the spiritual doctrinal backbone to slough off these wolves. These 'house builders'' are building churches alright, but definitely not building according to "the Plan"! ( Psalm 127:1). As a builder, myself, in the material realm, it was stipulated in the Contract..."to be built according to the Plan and Specifications" (i.e., this is what you are getting within this contract). With any project I always knew that the foundation was the most important part of the building. It had to be constructed on the proper load-bearing ground, set at the right depth below the "frost line", formed and poured with the right concrete mix, and reinforced with enough rebar to ensure the strength to support the load of the building. A lot of attention to details ( e.g., correct dimensional measurements, plumb, square, level, with enough anchor bolts and "hold-downs" to keep the building secure on the foundation). If all this is done properly, I would say, "the house will build itself"...the frame, doors, windows, rafters/trusses, flooring, cabinets...EVERYTHING will "fall into place" perfectly, and without back-tracking to "correct" any mistake by not following the detailed protocols to build the foundation correctly. Before embarking on any building project it would be "wise" to screen the builder to get the best result, and avoid any disastrous pitfalls. A master builder is what you need to have the confidence that you'll be getting it built "according to the Plan and Specifications". This is all in the material realm...but I was thinking...what about the "spiritual building" realm...the Lord's House...His Church? This is truly the most important "building project" in history, but when I was younger I didn't have a clue what this "building" was all about...my spiritual I.Q. was not up to snuff yet..."frame of reference" not good enough to get the "blueprints" correctly read and understood (what was I looking at?). Thank you, Bob, for giving me all the "ins and outs" (all those wonderful links!) of "the Plan " of the "Church", etc., so I can move forward in the right direction, and see the most beautiful "building" ever constructed! (such a lovely edifice!).This has been a long apprenticeship, but I am glad to see that an "old dog" ( or even a "young pooch") can still learn and get the right perspective, and avoid any pitfalls by "testing the fruit" (Matt. 12:33). through good, correct teaching (thanks again, Bob!), and to be confident knowing (truth believed) that it is the correct interpretation of the matter of "the Church", and our part in the building. And, of course,"The Foundation"...the most important Part!...the Cornerstone of our dear Lord's Building...Our Master Builder! ( Matt. 16:18). A false foundation, along with the faulty omission of the specs, not following the Plan, trying to "cut corners", built by Ravenous Wolf Construction Co. won't last...built on sand! What a "breach of contract"! I know...from falling prey to these fly-by-night hucksters, in years past (should have done my homework on them, but at least I was able to figure them out before it was too late!). They seemed to be so nice and honest, but in reality they were taking all of us unsuspecting "followers" straight down into a building collapse (the gates of hell)! There are so many out there building "churches", but we know that "unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" (Psalms 127:1). But God knows our hearts, and thankfully He helps us escape from those bad builders! I'm really glad to get the real deal, built by "The Master Builder", with "The Rock Foundation" (Luke 6:48; Matt. 16:18). This is the best building, by far! (fully warranted with an eternal guarantee!). Still reading and getting more details on this! I hope you are well, Bob! __'s shoulder is greatly improved. I'm bumping along OK, up and down, with our Lord getting me through a day at a time. Thanks for all your prayers...you are in ours as well. Have a great weekend! Your friend in Jesus,
Response #6:
Great to hear from you, my friend! I'm also happy to learn that your missus is doing some better and that you are hanging in. I'm the same. Work is problematic, but I'm hanging in with that too. Looks to be a busy summer since I really need to re-energize my research which is still lagging from the enforced two years of so of layoff when they sacked my colleague and I had to devote myself to picking up the pieces (prayers greatly appreciated for this!) – and then Covid and the load that put on us all at the uni with "hybrid" teaching and the like.

Spring is on and off here (very cold tonight but they claim we'll hit 80 next week). Time to put in the flower seeds soon – but not too soon as late April frosts are "a thing" around here.

I really appreciate your email, my friend. There is a great deal amiss in the church-visible and it's going from bad to worse. Covid and the "digitalization" of "Christian" approaches is not helping things either. Tech is a means, but, like the "golem", it has a tendency to transition from servant to equal to master very quickly. I'm certainly seeing that at the university.

I'm grateful to the Lord for rescuing you too! There will be a great deal about false teaching in the next Peter installment (link), a special section which has greatly expanded the piece, so it will be a minute before I'm done with it. Shooting for some time this summer.

Not looking forward to mowing! At least that is still a few weeks away here too.

Your friend in Jesus Christ,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Bob, Thanks for getting back...sorry to hear about the work setbacks et al., but glad to hear you're pressing on despite the nonsense of the "golems"! Patience is not my best suit, and I find myself, too often, being sick of all the idiocy coming in from all directions. Those robotic automaton "golems" of Big Tech. are morphing into the means that is stifling our critical thinking to arrive at the truth...really taking a "hit" to throw us off and possibly cause us to evaluate things in the wrong way. We can see this in the material as well as the spiritual realm. Being able to make logical and informed decisions is critically important, based on the right interpretation / assessment in any situation. I notice that your "critical thinking cap" is on, Bob, and I'm endeavoring to keep mine on as well. It is a comfort to remember that God has everything in His control, and this gives me the peace to not fret too much about all the nonsense. Time for some "virtue thinking" to realize we don't need to sweat at all (Phil. 4:6-9). Besides, right now I'd rather think about Spring, and the seeds that will bring some real beauty into our lives...another colorful miracle from God! You certainly have a lot on your plate, but with all the distractions it seems like you'll get it all done. I'll be looking forward to the next Peter installment...Meanwhile, I have a lot of catchup and review (an understatement!) to do with your other studies. False teaching is truly a blight to gaining any spiritual growth...to grow in the way we should be striving for. in truth. The Spirit of Truth, (John 16:13), along with orthodox teaching is paramount to keep us in the "safe zone". "False" is the continual fog everywhere, that is preventing any glimmer of truth to shine forth to see things clearly. This is and has been the constant battle...the dark lies of the evil one vs. the light of the truth, from the "Father of lights" (James 1:17-18). But someday soon that "Light" will be here...the battle will be over! (Is. 60:1). Hope you'll get some rest to re-energize before pushing forward, and praying you'll receive all the energy needed to get it all done! All the best, Bob! Your friend in Jesus, 
Response #7:
Yes, we have an entire "rubric" with charts galore to teach "critical thinking". But given the political and social opinions of my colleagues and seeing how many of them operate, it seems to me more a matter in many cases of "guess my interpretation" and "you're not thinking critically" if you guess wrong. So I try to stay out of anything social or political in class – a bit easier to do when your subjects are people who died over 2,000 years ago!

I'm very much looking forward to the other side of all this as well, and more so day by day, it seems. We just need to keep pressing forward, making pleasing the Lord our job #1. If we do, everything else will take care of itself, down here and definitely on the other side.

Another busy week here (meetings, heavy grading, class observation of a colleague, and other stuff if I have the time to get to it).

Watch your toes with all that mowing!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Steering clear seems to be the best approach. I can't fathom it all anyway (wanting to stay in my comfort zone if at all possible) so if it comes down to it...their rubric (what a subject!) won't be a rude awakening to feel any cold draft that might follow. The 2022 cycle is commencing. Got that mowing in before the rain, and with no mishaps. Next on the agenda is brush burning, followed by clearing debris (corn stalks and a lot of thick weeds) out of the garden, then rototilling if the ground is dry enough. It's an old tradition, and I like the subject...at least when the new crops are growing on their way. Have a good week, Bob! In Jesus, 
Response #8:
I do my best to steer clear, believe you me! It is getting harder to do. First it was "microaggressions" and now it's "microresistances" . . . which I guess means having non-P.C. thoughts.

Wish I could just burn stuff here! We've got ordinances about that one. Burning leaves in the fall is one of my fond childhood memories but those days are gone. Wouldn't want to contribute to global cooling . . . or was it warming . . . or something about some ozone holes and sea levels? I get confused about this stuff easily. Maybe that's the idea.

Busy couple of weeks ahead, so just as glad we don't worry about getting the seeds in until it's almost May. Busy summer ahead too after all the semester end tie-ups, but I will take at least a week out to work in the gardens (then of course maintenance until the fall semester starts and I run out of altitude and airspeed for that).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob, It might be classified as only a "venial sin" for "burning brush", i.e., to cause some sort of climate change violation. Well, at least it wouldn't be considered a "mortal sin...I hope?...so I wouldn't have to "burn". I hope my conscience hasn't become seared concerning all these "burning" issues! I need help...but I don't think I'll need to call the fire marshal to weigh in on it. I hope you'll have enough fuel to keep flying VFR, and keep cruising without any turbulence! In Jesus, 
p. s. forgot to mention about their modus operandi of "gaslighting", as you mention above.(all that '"you're crazy" confusion...You can't solve the nonsense puzzle!). This is an insidious technique, flying "under the radar", to incorporate into their "endgame" of complete control to implement their Utopia...(merely another "sign of the times"...prelude to the coming Tribulation). This "micromanagement" will change into "macromanagement" soon enough! However, we know these minions are on a "crash course, in fact! We're thankful to have the Holy Spirit to guide us through these puzzling times...flying IFR, with the Truth of The Word...flying ahead through the turbulence! Our Lord has all of this in His complete and compassionate control for us...who are looking and patiently waiting for His appearance. The plane will arrive safely and on time! Good news trumps the bad news in the end...and of course, we know (as Paul Harvey used to say), "the rest of the story" Good day, Bob!
Response #9:
I'm always grateful for believers like yourself who can take all this stuff with a cellar of salt and see the humor in it – by reason of looking past the here and now to the glorious there and then.

I like the IFR analogy! Indeed, we are walking as through a mist, or, as Paul says, looking "through a glass darkly". But soon enough we shall "know even as we are known" (1Cor.13:12).

Very much looking forward to THAT day!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., I can never remember exactly what "gaslighting" means – I have the same trouble with "sandbagging".
Question #10:
Hi Bob

My husband and I (plus my girls) have all been vaccinated over here in England Uk - as recommended by our authorities. In fact I am a volunteer for my regional A&E ambulance service and have even vaccinated people with COVID vaccine. I actually did a PhD in immunology many years ago, and have never had a problem with either receiving or vaccinating people - as a Christian! 

The problem is, our LAST Christian friends do and have isolated us. I believe they think it is some world conspiracy or antichrist movement. Yet after all this , I and my family still believe Jesus is our Saviour and died for our sins. He is the Truth ! 

I can’t understand why our Christian friends think we are aligning with the Devil (if that is what they believe). Indeed, I don’t believe it is the mark of the beast because the Antichrist hasn't officially turned up yet and I don’t love the Lord any less than before the pandemic. I just don’t get it - why Christian’s are making a massive thing about it. Am I wrong?? I notice in USA many believers think it’s evil movement to get vaccinated- which is so upsetting for us, because we do believe!! 

I totally respect if people don’t want the vaccine, and over here consent is key. 

Can you explain why , if we still feel the same towards our LORD now as we did before the vaccine (and no DNA changes have happened) why are we seen as apostates?

Blessings
Response #10:
I just posted something on this (see the link: Q/A #13). Let me assure you that anyone ostracizing you for this reason is NOT acting in Christian love. Such a person has gotten caught up in conspiracy theories which have nothing to do with the Word of God or the love of God. Such a person is putting politics in front of everything else and blasphemously calling it "Christianity". We have a lot of that in this country as well. I was not keen to be vaccinated but did so as a (virtual) condition of my employment. Whether the shot did me any good (it certainly clobbered me physically for a good long time), I cannot say, but there was nothing immoral or un-Christian about taking it (not talking here about the manipulative machinations of governments or other power centers in producing this environment of pressure and compulsion). I would not think less of any Christian who chose to be vaccinated or chose not to, and I would strongly urge all my brothers and sisters NOT to make this a spiritual issue because it is not . . . unless and until someone wrongly sees it in those terms, and then it is all to the negative, whether it is a case of pressuring others to be vaccinated or finding fault with those who have been. This is a question of politics, and I always advise my fellow Christians to steer well clear of politics. That is the devil's game and there is no winning it because he is largely in control of all sides. After all, Satan is the original politician, having convinced a third of the angels to "vote with their feet (wings?)" and follow him instead of the Lord.

Seeing vaccination as "the mark of the beast" is particularly despicable (it certainly is not; see the link; see also past "Eschatology Issues postings which may be found at this link), but also incredibly dangerous – because, since it is NOT the mark, such thinking could cause someone to become confused about the actual mark (among other negative spiritual consequences which always accrue to believing any lie, especially those which contradict biblical truth directly).

In short, anyone who sees you as "apostate" for being vaccinated is either a very mixed up and definitely not spiritually mature Christian headed in the wrong direction – or no Christian at all.

Here is the posted link bit (apologies if you've already seen this):
Vaccines are medical technology. How good and effective they are and how well tested is another question. How governments are exploiting the situation and comporting themselves towards those who are vaccinated and those who are not has nothing to do with the technology itself. One of the heroes of the American Revolution, Ethan Allen, the fellow who captured Fort Ticonderoga, famously had himself vaccinated for small pox in the town square causing quite a scandal at the time as the Congregationalists and other Protestant denominations of New England were opposed to it on religious grounds. Med-tech and tech generally has always been a flash point.

I wasn't personally convinced the vaccines were sufficiently tested or would be effective, and I did resent being pressured to get the shot. But there wasn't anything biblically wrong with doing so. I also don't like paying income taxes, and in fact I'm pretty sure that the 16th amendment really doesn't make what the government is doing strictly legal. I don't like being coerced to pay what is arguably an ungodly rate or for what I pay to be used for all manner of things with which I disagree (this sort of thing led to the Revolution over here). But the consequences for not paying are worse than ostracism. If it were ungodly to pay, that would be one thing. But it is in fact required biblically to pay one's taxes (Rom.13:6-7). So I pay my taxes.
And he said unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."
Luke 20:25 KJV
In other words, I find a difference between being forced or pressured to do unpleasant and disagreeable things which are not in and of themselves ungodly and those which are. That is true as far as I see it even if the pressure is coming from governments out of questionable or even evil motivations. We can't go "out of the world" (1Cor.5:10); no one who has tried it has ever succeeded.

There's no argument about the fact that lies abound, that much evil is being done in the name of public health, and that ulterior motives are present. But I'm always averse to seeing grand conspiracies, for one thing since people tend to be far too incompetent to have any hope of planning such things effectively, still less in carrying them off. The devil is an ace tactician but no strategist – if he were, he would have considered the impossibility of fighting God ahead of time. During WWII, Satan backed Stalin and Hitler and Mao (no doubt Roosevelt and Churchill and Chiang Kai-shek as well) – to have a bet on every horse. Today, I'm sure he has a large bet on every anti-vax group as well as every hyper-vax group. Best thing in my humble opinion is to stay clear of it all and stick to one's own knitting – as a wise friend once suggested. 
Hope that helps.
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob

I understand what you mean. The taxes we pay here are ridiculous and our politicians are shameful. However, we submit because so far we haven’t been asked to bow down and worship.

I am greatly saddened by the number of Christian friends that seemed to have really strayed off course through one thing or another over the last decade that I’m really concerned that it could be me and my family next!

Thanks for your encouragement and God Bless you.
Response #11:
That is exactly the right approach. We do what are required to do . . . just as long as that doesn't include either doing something we are forbidden by scripture to do (as in Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah refusing to worship the statue), or refraining from doing something we are required by scripture to do (as in Daniel continuing to pray).

I'm not worried about you straying, my friend! This is all preparation for bigger tests to come, once the Tribulation begins and we ARE required to submit – or face dire consequences. Knowing what is right to do and what is not will be even more important then. So stick to your good and godly approach, and all will be well, no matter what betides.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Good Morning,

I think I found my answer to this question here. We will be higher than the angelic creation in Heaven. Their abilities will be our abilities. I was asking if in our resurrection bodies we could take on any age. The answer is yes because the angelic realm is capable. Now I don't mean being a child forever or acting childish there. I mean having fun like one like we did when we were all young. While I have had fun since nothing compares to when I was very little. I have often heard people say the phrase of only to be young again. Or they wish they could go back just for a single day. Maybe they say this because life can be horrible sometimes. This also eliminates all regrets anyone could ever have about anything they missed out on here.

I Digress....I will be in Heaven soon. I got some bad news about my health. I just hope when I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior my faith was adequate for salvation. There are times where I doubt my salvation. My aunt says she knows I am saved because I understand scripture. She says unbelievers cannot understand or even retain biblical knowledge. They can quote scripture but have no understanding.

Thanks for answering all my questions and being a friend.

God Bless,
Response #12:
On being "higher than angels", scripture says we will judge them (1Cor.6:3), but this is speaking of our role after resurrection at the second advent in consigning demons to the Abyss (see the link). It is true that we will have abilities in resurrection that will equal and possibly exceed those of angels, but there is much about the eternal state we do not yet understand. The final, completed family of God will be equal in terms of numbers for elect angels and resurrected human beings, 1:1 (see the link: "Israel the ultimate organization" in SR 5).

I don't know of any scripture which suggests that angels can change their age or appearance of age. I don't know anywhere in the Bible where there are 'old' angels or 'child' angels.

On "having fun", I guarantee you that being in New Jerusalem as part of the perfect family of God and beholding the face of God and our Savior will be better than anything you could even imagine here on this temporary earth – and certainly better than the alternative. I do have to remark that "heaven" is a temporary locale. Eternity for the Church will be in New Jerusalem which will be on the earth, the new earth, that is, in the new heavens on the other side of the Millennium.

And there will be no regrets on that day – except on the part of those who rejected Christ.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having serious health concerns! I've put a prayer request up for you at Ichthys – let me know if you want it modified in any way.

Nothing is more important than spiritual growth in the time we have left. That goes for every believer because none of us ever knows which day will be our last.

As to salvation, if you believe in Jesus Christ, you are saved.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:18 NKJV
Many believers have doubts. But the Christian way of life is supposed to be all about faith. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph.2:8-9), and we grow by building that faith up through spiritual growth.

So keep growing. Ichthys is at your service.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
No Problem 

Heaven does sound like a very boring place at times. I know it will be for loser believers as they lose trillions of blessings. It's difficult becoming a winner believer. 

Anyhow thanks for all your help and I just hope I am really saved.

Thank you for understanding.
Response #13:
Heaven will not be boring. In fact, as I said last time, "heaven" will be here on earth, the new earth. That is where our eternal home will be, in New Jerusalem. 

Being in the presence of the Lord we love so much will not be boring. The problem for us right now is that we completely lack any frame of reference to understand and appreciate what being alive forever in resurrection will be like. As I often mention, that is why the Bible explains eternity mostly in terms of what is NOT there: no death, no pain, no need . . . all the things that curse life here on this earth at present.

I guarantee you that on the other side, there will be nothing but joy, a joy beyond any joy you've ever experienced in this life. And how could that be boring?
See the link:  Coming Tribulation part 6: The Millennium and New Jerusalem
As to salvation, here are two links I suggest you read (the first one is short; second one is long):
Salvation: God's free gift.
BB 4B: Soteriology
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? If you do, then you are a believer.
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:13 NIV
In our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Well it will be boring for me with many regrets because of being a total loser. You lose zillions of eternal rewards. That must be filled with regret. But, I am unsure if I'm even going there. I remember accepting Christ as Savior by telling The Father I believe in your Son Father.

So terrified of Hell I done this hundreds of times. Problem is I am always wondering will I really go to Heaven?

A saved person shouldn't be thinking this thought above if they're really saved eternally.
Response #14:
I guarantee you that in New Jerusalem you will have no regrets and you will not be bored.

No Christian is perfect. Any one of us could easily "get our dauber down" when comparing ourselves to someone of the likes of, say, the apostle Paul (or any of the biblical greats). Clearly, we all have room for improvement.

But as long as we have TODAY we can do something about that. Eternal rewards are given for what we actually do in this life for the Lord. He wants us all to grow to spiritual maturity, pass the maturity tests that come thereafter, and eventually come into the ministry He has prepared for us to help others do the same. That doesn't happen in a single day – but we can work towards it TODAY. And indeed we should (see the link: Christian Rewards).
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NASB

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34 NIV

As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 3:15 NIV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Even a cup of cold water offered in the Name of the Lord will not fail to receive its reward, so there is no reason for despair over past failures. The Lord only gives us one day at a time. Yesterday is gone and we don't have tomorrow yet. We are responsible to do what He wants us to do TODAY.

You have an opportunity to put something in your eternal treasure chest TODAY by doing what the Lord wants, prayer, Bible reading, and growing through learning from a good Bible ministry and applying the truth you learn and believe.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
As to salvation questions, that is the sort of thing Christians tend to torture themselves with when they are not involved in spiritual advance. So spiritual growth is the solution to confidence about one's salvation as well. You most likely wouldn't be involved in this conversation with me if you didn't believe in Jesus Christ and if you weren't born again / born from above.

Make a difference for yourself – and for the Lord – TODAY.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
[omitted]

Writing to you keeps my hope up that there will be other believers out there that won't try to abuse me. I know that this is something I will need to take on the chin though as the Great Tribulation will be abuse central right?! They'll also be saying that their abuse is the height of righteousness too and I have had a lifetime of prep to not swallow that one!

Sometimes the brainwashing still percolates through and I double guess if I am the bad guy in all of this. I will fellowship with the believers in the Word and one day I will actually sit down and eat with them all and they will be my own family and I'll have a new name!

I can't wait to be with Jesus but I will stay patient and keep fighting the good fight.

In Him,
Response #15:
Sorry to hear you're going through such a rough patch right now, my friend. In my experience and observation at such times it's all the more important to keep up with and double down on our efforts to walk closely with the Lord. If we do, these can be memorable times for the good. I do recognize that such testing is not easy, not at all. But God gives us what we need to get through the hard times, if we're willing to do our part, learning and, very importantly, applying the truth we need in the Spirit.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
1st Samuel 30:6 KJV
Yes, it IS better on the other side!
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Philippians 1:21-24 NIV
But as Paul concludes, we are here for a reason, for the fulfillment of whatever ministries the Lord has entrusted us with, and that is true however we happen to feeling day to day. So while we DO "desire to depart" because it IS "better by far", we nevertheless appreciate that now is the time to serve the Lord, to please the One who saved us, by doing what He wants us to do. That is also the way to earn the rewards He wants us to win, rewards that will bless us for all eternity . . . and glorify Him forever.

So keep up the fight.

I do promise to continue to pray for you and your family, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #16:
[omitted]
Response #16:
Lots in these three emails, so apologies in advance if this response is not comprehensive.

I'm happy to hear about the success in the last email! Surely this demonstrates to yourself what progress you've made spiritually. The thing is, however, just because we are "packing the gear" doesn't mean that 1) we are relieved of the effort of having to use it; or 2) that using it is easy; or 3) that we won't get tired or tempted or frustrated. We all do. Moses lost his temper. Elijah ran away. David got sloppy. Who are we? The best thing at such times is to get back to basics, to carve out a little quiet time and reorient ourselves to what is really important to us – just like you are doing (good for you!). We then remember that we have no strength at all but that this is not important since all our true strength comes from the Lord in any case.
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV
It is also the case that we all need a break from time to time. Even the best fighter pilots can't go on day after day without collapsing (in WWII they discovered that after about three weeks of constant action even the most talented started to fall apart). So a little vacation wouldn't be the end of the world – for your mental and spiritual sanity.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
I am writing as I haven't wrote in a while. How are you doing? Please tell me how things are going with you? I have been getting on reasonably. I seem to be having a quiet moment between my trials.

The first email of this week's link really hit a nerve for me. I was 'triggered' so to speak by seeing how awful the Methodist church has become. To be honest I don't know much about Methodism or many other denominational-isms as it all becomes like alphabet soup to me but I feel it for the congregants who are saved there. I saw a clip about a 'drag' service and even hear about a 'death' service (that involved euthanasia during an actual service) and my stomach did flip flops and found myself weeping over it again. I understand why your correspondent became so angry at all this. I used to get that kind of rage too but now I just find myself weeping like Jeremiah. I find Jeremiah a great comfort during these evil last days, the Psalms also.

One good reminder I had from a comment under those videos, a man wrote 'the time for being lukewarm is over, you either have to be red hot or cold'. It reminded me of what Jesus said about vomiting the lukewarm out of His mouth. I know that Laodicea was a particular place in the past but is also where we are now. Does that mean the lukewarm will be vomited out of the body of Christ? It just made me think that this will literally happen. That people cannot stay lukewarm for much longer. 

I read somewhere that there was spa water in this area that started off hot and ran downhill and became cold. Laodicea was the point where the water was lukewarm and so this water was an emetic. Is this historical account true? I know that if it is then the Lord is using it as a metaphor for Laodicea's complacency. What gives me pause though is that Jesus is spitting out the lukewarm rather than the cold so that is very worrying indeed. It made me wonder if that spitting them out is actually giving them that push to go cold and apostatise. Think about it, lukewarm water which is spat out can only go cold. It is also chilling to think that it is no longer in Christ's body anymore and so it makes sense that it would be cold/apostatised.

It reminds me of other times where God allows people to 'go the whole hog' so to speak. When the Israelites cried against the manna which was a representation of Christ and they cried for meat, God gave them quails but said that they would eat them until it came out of their noses. That is a bit like saying, 'eat yourself sick'.

Also in the Tribulation, God allows an enablement of error. He also gives people over to a hardness of heart and a reprobate mind. That is like the same thing, 'gorge yourself sick on sin and hatred'. I see this happening already, that the Lord is allowing people to give themselves over to all manner of corruption in their lukewarmness to the point that there is little noticeable difference between them and the world. In fact some denominations seem to be leading the way into further abominations for the rest of the world to follow. As we have said before, we ain't seen nothing yet. The removal of the Holy Spirit restraint will put to death forever that false humanistic teaching that there is 'inherent good in everyone'. People will be forced to blind themselves further by the darkness to hold onto this pernicious lie from the enemy.

You have written about how people who will struggle to have a Bible crash course when the Tribulation begins. People like us can prepare spiritually for this time to help brethren who suddenly panic with their faith on life support. I guess the ones who find themselves panicking are the ones who do not want to go cold and apostatise but suddenly realise that the lukewarm no longer exist and so there is no longer that safety in numbers. In fact a great many will apostatise/ go cold. These will be the ones who Jesus spits out of His mouth. They will be the ones who join the Great Apostasy.

The lukewarm who do not want to be in that number will have no other choice but get red hot for the Lord. It really has brought it home sharp for me that there really is no time to waste at all. We really have to dig deep and get red hot and stay red hot. 

Another way that I see it is that the lukewarm are teetering on the edge of the narrow path as though on the cliff edge. Far better to get deeper inland of that narrow path. Far better to stand rock solid on it, never doubting any step we take on it in faith. Always sure footing, always sure of the destination. If we carry on with this diligently and persistently then we can trust this narrow path so much that we are not just slowly trudging forward but actually running forward, more than conquerors!

Isn't that something we should all be working for now while the grass is still relatively green? While it is still day?

It is what I intend to do, to fight on in faith more aggressively. Maybe sometimes catching a glance at how bad things truly are is not completely a bad thing as long as the response is right. If it makes us vengeful or flattens us to be paralysed with despair then it is useless. However if it can make us so grateful for our salvation, for sound teaching, for advancing and maturing in the faith, it can be the goad which we needed. It is a rallying cry to push on harder rather than a time to sit in the weeds and cry. It can motivate us to push on.

We fight on in the good fight, we push on and double down in this spiritual fight! Amen!

In Jesus,
p.s.
I just wanted to add something I find myself saying again and again to people now which is a concise way of telling people the truth. People keep saying to me to "look for the good in people". I know from the Word that none of us are good and so I correct them and say "No, instead we should hope for good for people through Jesus Christ." It is a way of telling people that we want the good for everyone but this good can only be found in Jesus Christ! Amen!

In Him,
Response #17:
Yes indeed:
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.
John 2:24-25 NLT [loose translation, but on the money in terms of what it means]
Your observations are excellent. I do believe that the Tribulation will force out the middle ground everywhere to a great degree. People during that time will have to either choose for antichrist or choose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches. . . " (Heb.11:25-26).

So it does behoove us to start "heating up" now as much as possible. Because, as I think you rightly conclude, the possibility of being an unproductive, weed-dwarfed, lukewarm Christian during the Tribulation . . . and still managing to hold onto one's faith is likely a very slight one. The parable of the foolish and wise virgins tells the tale there. About the only sizeable contingent of individuals who will not take the mark but also not be strong Christians are the Jews who refuse to follow Moses and Elijah and the 144,000 in revival but yet are still not willing to worship the beast as the Messiah either.

Good words to be heeded, my friend.

Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

Lovely, encouraging emails this week! Chapter one of Hebrews becoming long isn't a bad thing. I think Curt's doctrinal digressions at Bible Academy perhaps adds to the number of videos he puts out there as well, but it's all good stuff that we need to know. You always send out top quality lessons and I have no doubt you do the same for your uni students. I'm sure your method is great!

Going through a bit of a busy spell at the moment. I was the only nurse in last Friday so I had to open up and shut everything down by myself. But the Lord was good to me as always - the day went very well and we even got to finish early. I'm in three days next week instead of two - I'll get some early nights in!

I was house painting again all day yesterday. It's hard work, but I achieved a lot. We're getting there slowly but surely - thanks for those prayers!

Hope everything is going well for you too, Bob. Keeping you in my prayers!

In Jesus
Response #18:
You DO have a lot on your plate, my friend. Please take care not to over-do. That is something we all have to be careful about, after all.

LOL, the first 32 installments of the Peter series took over twenty years precisely because of all the doctrinal digressions. Now that I've finished basics, for many things I expect folks to follow the cross-reference links. But there will still be some things I need to go into depth on. I think I've found the right mix for part one. We'll see how it goes and what happens in part two. After all, I definitely don't have twenty plus years for this one!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,

“Jacobs Trouble” as I understand it is aka the great tribulation. This is often brought up as a defense of the pre trib argument which goes something like: “That is when God is dealing with the Jews, not the Church”

My response is that we are grafted in to the true Vine, the spiritual descendants of Jacob. Ergo, Jacobs trouble is our trouble. I did try and search your site for that term but am probably not doing it right. What are your thoughts?
Response #19:
Good to hear from you, my friend. I do treat this passage briefly in CT 1 at the link.

Your response is excellent! That is just the way to think about this issue: we who believe ALL belong to Jesus Christ.
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:11 NIV
As to “That is when God is dealing with the Jews, not the Church”, one wonders how Christians can say such things. Do they not understand that the Church is built on the foundation "of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" – all Jewish? Do they not understand that there has always been "a remnant according to the election of grace" (Rom.11:15)? It amazes me how many believers do not even understand what the Church is – the Body of Christ composed of every believer from Adam and Eve down to the last person saved during the Tribulation (see the link). Seeing "Jews" as a people apart is the fallacy that hamstrung the early Church Age (yes, this is the Church "Age" because of its expansion during this 2,000 year period) and which has been responsible for so much doctrinal confusion ever since.

I suppose it is somewhat pointless to remark that because scripture mentions a "time of Jacob's trouble" – and we certainly know from the book of Revelation (see in particular chapter twelve) as well as all of our other biblical sources which tell us about those seven years that Israel will come in for special "trouble", enough so
 completely justify this remark without excluding gentile believers – that it is a FAR leap to go from this mention to then conclude that there is a resurrection before the second advent, a "rapture".

People believe what they want to believe. It is sad that at this late date at the end of the Church Age we still find so many believers standing fast on wrong beliefs and using the Bible merely to defend positions they got not from reading the Bible but through indoctrination in false tradition.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Thanks.

Saw a “Luginbill” on sidelines of college football game and thought of you.
Response #20:
Hah! Yes there is a family of "football Luginbills", but their ancestors all hale from the Indiana Swiss colony whereas my family all came from the Ohio one.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

I just read the two quoted scriptures today and discovered two things that I never saw before.

1. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit ha come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

So, according to a group of people, and you know who i am referring to, in their eyes you don't become "witnesses" for Jesus, until you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. In their view, you only become a "witnesses" when you speak in tongues, for that is their doctrine, but what they forget is Ephesians 4:5, "One baptism"..

2. The verse in 2 Corinthians 12:4, caught my eye yesterday when I was teaching over the Internet to a woman from the Philippines, and I noticed this: "was caught up into Paradise and heart inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak." Then I thought about all those people who say they have gone to heaven via a near death experience, and return to earth, for it was not their time yet, they tell all kinds of stories about their experience, some even right books and make lots of money in doing so. As indicated: this verse says " which a man is not permitted to speak". Especially troublesome is the stories these Word of Faith tells from their so-called experience, one even said that Jesus asked him what He should do about a particular item.

We are surely living in the last days, these preachers are misconstruing God Precious Word, over and over again and again, and they preach it to people who actually believe what they are teaching.?

Just thought I would share this with you.

May God's Love, grace, mercy , etc. be with you always.

Your friend,
P.S. Thanks for the prayers about teaching. I will let you know whenever something comes my way.
Response #21:
Thank you!

Your examples here show very clearly why any Christian who is not growing spiritually is going to have trouble and be susceptible to deception – there is so much of it out there and so much of it can be very persuasive . . . for those who have not been deeply immersed in the truth.
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many."
Matthew 24:4-5 NKJV

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
Matthew 24:24 NKJV

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
Revelation 13:13-14 NKJV
If Christians are allowing themselves to be deceived NOW, what will happen when the Holy Spirit's restraint is removed during the Tribulation?

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., it's great that you have found some online opportunities to teach!
Question #22:
Doc, you say there are things we will lose at the Judgement, things that will be burned up and lost for eternity because they didn't glorify the Lord, be it sinful acts we knew not to do or passions we put excess time into that could have been used for the Lord...but trust me, there's so much I've done, wether it be embarrassing acts of laughable stupidity, or cataclysmic failures in my Faith, that I'm more than glad will be, and even look forward to being burned up, so I can finally put it behind me for good. This isn't a bad thing is it? Thank you for reading, and God bless.
Response #22:
We won't lose anything GOOD we've done . . . as the Lord defines "good", not human beings. The only way we can lose a scintilla of reward is by losing our eternal lives through apostasy (1Cor.9:27; 2Jn.2:18).

I think we will ALL be glad to have the Judgment Seat of Christ behind us so that all of the rotten things we've done, the "wood, hay and stubble", will be, as you say, put behind us for good, "since we know what it is to fear the Lord" (2Cor.5:11).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2nd Corinthians 5:10 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #23:
When you said you won't second guess my application, did you mean I did or didn't do it right? some clarification would be nice.
Response #23:
When it is a case of a judgment call, I try not to weigh in on other people's judgments. I mean, if the judgment were SO bad (as in, "I decided I need to jump off the cliff next Thursday"), I would say something. But other matters of application are what we are here to decide for ourselves, and since we and our circumstances are all different, right or wrong can be hard for anyone else to see. So if the Spirit is guiding you and you are responding, that's good enough for me.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #24:
Hi Dr. Bob, 

Does the 3rd temple have to be built before or during the antichrist rule. I question this as I read When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 

1:No one not even the Antichrist could stand in the Holy of Holies without being struck dead. 2:I think he could just be on the Temple Mount or The great Synagogue in Jerusalem(orthodox call it the temple of satan) or the Western Wall. “whoso readeth, let him understand” and isn’t the Ark of the Covenant in Heaven literally or our Dear Savior Jesus. Help me out on this.

You Brother in Christ Jesus, Jim

PS come on Down we can talk and have fellowship for hours while sailing.
Response #24:
Good to hear from you!
(3) For [the Second Advent cannot come] unless the [Great] Apostasy has first occurred and the man of lawlessness, [antichrist,] has [first] been revealed, that "son of destruction" (cf. Jn.17:12 of Judas), (4) the one who will oppose and exalt himself against every so-called god and object of worship to such a degree that he will [even] take his seat in the temple of God and represent himself as being God.
2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4

(13) And [the beast's false prophet] [will] perform great miracles (lit., "signs"), even making fire come down from heaven to the earth in front of everyone. (14) And he [will] deceive those who dwell upon the earth on account of the miracles (lit., "signs") which have been given to him to perform in the presence of the beast, even commanding the inhabitants of the earth to make an image of the beast, [that is] of him who received the [deadly] stroke of the sword and [yet] came [back] to life. (15) And it was given to him to provide a spirit for the image of the beast so that the image might speak, and [it was also given to him] to bring it about that as many as refused to worship the image of the beast might be put to death.
Revelation 13:13-15
In the first passage above, we see that antichrist will actually take up residence in the temple in Jerusalem portraying himself as God / Christ; in the second passage, we see that the image spoken of by Daniel and by our Lord (Dan.9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matt.24:15) will be an image of antichrist and will be in situ in front of the temple from that same point of time. This all happens at the midpoint of the Tribulation (Dan.9:27). So, yes, the temple will have to be in place by that time (n.b., Zech.6:13 et al. speak of the Messiah's adornment of a temple already in place after our Lord's return; see the link and the footnote).

So how does the temple get rebuilt? Seems impossible at present – and it is. Only men empowered and commissioned by God could do such a thing, and only with divine help. Those men are Moses and Elijah (the two witnesses of Rev.11; see the link), who are revived at the beginning of the Tribulation to administer the revival of the Jewish people conducted in large part by the 144,000 of Revelation chapter seven (see the link).

There was probably no ark in the Holy of Holies during our Lord's day either. Titus' column which memorialized among other things the Roman sack of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 has images of the menorah being paraded by the Romans but not of the ark. It may have been captured by Shishak and taken to Egypt centuries earlier:
In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.
1st Kings 14:25-26 NIV
Hard to imagine that didn't include the gold-covered ark and the mercy seat with cherubim made of solid gold. In any case, the existence and or location of the ark is never mentioned again after this point (ca. 926 B.C.), and there is no indication given by scripture that another ark was ever constructed. We do have this:
In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the LORD, “people will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.
Jeremiah 3:16 NIV
This may indicate that a replacement was made, but it definitely teaches that "in those days", that is, after the regathering of Israel under the Messiah in the Millennium, there will not be an ark, so that we may fairly conclude that it won't be necessary for the temple to have one or for the millennial sacrifices which will then be reinstated (as memorials and not as shadows).

In any case, all of the tabernacle/temple furniture and the rites related thereto were shadows representing heavenly realities.
They (i.e., earthly priests as opposed to our genuine High Priest) serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Hebrews 8:5 NIV
That goes for the ark of the covenant as well. The ark represents the Lord's "battle chariot", and that is what is seen in heaven at Revelation 11:19: it is where the Father and Son are seated together and is therefore their throne, but a throne which indicates imminent warfare not settled peace (with the ark itself represented and symbolized the Son, His sacrifice and His victories at both advents; here's a link on that).

The best place for studying these and related issues is the Coming Tribulation series (link), but there is also a more compact study, Bible Basics 2B: Eschatology – more compact, but it still runs to 386 pages single-spaced!

Thanks for the invite! I don't do much traveling nowadays – too busy between my full time job and this ministry, for one thing – but I very much appreciate the offer.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #25:
Dear Bob,

I am THRILLED to receive this notice about Hebrews! It is a book I have long wanted to study as we have Jewish people in our extended family. You probably know that it is extremely difficult to present the gospel to them, particularly if they are irreligious and rely on their “nationality” rather than their faith as justification of the fact that they are the “chosen” race.

On the rare occasion that I have ventured into these waters I am met with the usual scorn and derision that accompanies their attitude to Christians because of the behaviour (often too true ) they see!

One person I spoke to said he could not believe in a God that would kill his own Son. At that time he was referring to Abraham’s order to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, so for him the concept of Christ, the Son of God being sacrificed, was completely outlandish.

I am looking forward to this, thank you SO much for letting me know.

Keep well, Bob,
Response #25:
My pleasure!

Thanks for the encouragement – and for the background as well.

Things are going to get interesting for all Jewish people during the Tribulation as many, but not most, will turn back to the Lord in response to the ministries of Moses and Elijah and the 144,000. I pray your family will be among them.

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #26:
Thank you professor, this notice about Hebrews is exciting! I'll read through the intro (I'm also going back through the coming tribulation and the basics as well). I look forward to seeing more of this when it becomes available (after you've written and posted more of it). So you aren't going to do 1 and 2 Corinthians? Congratulations on your 25th year! I was born in the late nineties so your ministry has been online for as long as I've been alive. Hope I'm not making you feel old, lol! Thanks for letting me know about this. 

In His grace and Power, 
Response #26:
You're very welcome, my friend.

I saw a sweatshirt the other day which read, "It's weird being the same age as old people" – expresses how I feel pretty well.

I did indeed think about Corinthians (2nd in particular), but the more I thought about Hebrews, the more I was drawn to it . . . by the Spirit, I'm sure.

Prayers appreciated so we can get this done well . . . and in time!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #27:
Read my last message too, do you think the fact that I think if I do try to actually get going spiritually, I'll just never make it anywhere and be doomed to be reprobate when the Trib comes, is a sign that I don't trust God? I know deep down that God will pull through for me soon enough if I truly try, but there's this nagging doubt that I'll ever get anywhere.

Doc, do you still think the Tribulation will start in 2026? I'm still dreading it because whenever I try to grow spiritually or even just repent, I always fail spectacularly immediately.
Response #27:
You CAN do it! . . . with the Holy Spirit.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong!
1st Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Whatever the timing, we have to be ready when the time comes (but, yes I do).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #28:
Hi Bob, Still "holed up" somewhat here, patiently waiting for "all this" to get straightened out at / by our Lord's parousia! (dead or alive in ~11yr.! ). It's been a while since I last messaged you, but I'm thinking about you and praying for you daily. Reading on your site nearly every day now (one of the perks of being "retired", if there is such a thing?!). Seems like I can almost always find answers to my queries I have as I am studying on the Ichthys site. Thank you for making the site so easy to navigate to get those clear (concise?) answers, to help understand better what it's all about. I hope you know we're all still here with you, and not AWOL, learning more of the truth in such a crooked world, in the secular as well as the spiritual realm (the devil is in a lot of the details for sure...hard to fathom how UNREAL it is getting, especially in geo-political, cultural, and "religious" circles (a new definition of "crazy" for their approach to all things!...no need to mention these). The outcome is obvious, and none of it any good. It's like a broken record...of the old appearance vs. reality game...who has believed our subliminal report? Mind boggling would be an understatement, to listen to such drivel from all these nutjobs! No thanks to any of it...so I feel like I'm "holed up" here to have a little refuge from "all this".(very few friends at present...not much in common with hardly anyone...a bit of an outcast or nutjob to them, I reckon...but I'm not "pushy"). Oh well, I definitely found "the pearl of great price" from your ministry! (no bad vibes here...a good place of refuge!). Quite refreshing to be presented and know and apply the truth in all spiritual matters...it's all that counts to know and act on it (spiritual growth is the "answer" that counts now, and in the future...our wonderful reward with our Creator!)...so I'm very grateful to NOT be swept away by the error of the wicked, staying alert and strong in my faith in the truth. God is good! It's rough out there now, but God is our comfort regardless. He's our consultation and consolation through it all! (all part of His Plan...and glad to know He's in control...so no worries!). It seems like everyone I know is oblivious to what's in store just over the horizon, in our admittedly small circle.(no one is paying attention to the true REALITY...only the distractions of the world). I've tried to communicate and recommend a friend (and some "friendly" family members) to access Ichthys, with the hope that they will come to the truth and be ready for the coming Tribulation through spiritual growth. Alas, lackadaisical Laodiceans at best...(some are not saved)...no feedback or response as yet...). We'll see how it all plays out soon. Maybe they will become more interested? Sorry, I know you've heard "all this" too many times by now, Bob. The main thing is I just wanted to say "hi" and let you know I'm thinking about you, praying and wishing you all the best! Your friend in Jesus, 
Response #28:
Always great to hear from you, my friend. Sorry to hear that you're feeling a bit isolated, but who wouldn't be – if they are sticking with the truth? Fewer and fewer Christians seem to be interested in it as the days go by here in Laodicea. One thing it's probably difficult for us oldsters to reckon on is that about half of the US population is under mid-30's – which means that the oldest of them were just hitting kindergarten when Clinton became president. Most of my current students weren't even alive on 9/11. This is not to make the point of how old we are (my joints take care of that daily), but for some perspective on how much "drivel", as you call it, and little else has been given from earliest days to what will soon be the vast majority of this country. We are, if not old enough to know better, old enough to have seen and heard alternative points of view, whereas the youngest of the youngsters are only getting it from solid, proactive parents, or if they are part of the much less than 1% who still believe that reading books is a good thing to do. When you look at it that way, and when you consider the effort the devil and his forces are putting into "shaping the battlefield", it's not really all that surprising that so many things – which we rightly consider goofy (to be very charitable) – have become mainstream, while so much of history has become a complete mystery to most. Add to that the Draconian countermeasures against anyone with the guts to express a traditional point of view or an alternative one – even putative champions of "critical thinking" often give so much lip-service to nonsense you might come away from listening to them thinking there might be something to the nonsense (if you've never read a history book) – and you can see why it won't be that difficult for the beast to wrap things up here quickly. And there's still time for things to get even worse.

On that happy note, we can be grateful that "the time is short" (1Cor.7:29), being determined, meanwhile, to squeeze out as much spiritual preparation as possible before it begins. "Day of Atonement", tomorrow, which is "D-Day" or "T-Day" in four years or so. Of course we can't assume that the traditional reckoning used for marking the contemporary observance is correct. When we hear the voices and thunder, see lightening and feel the earthquake, there won't be any doubt (Rev.8:5).

Thanks for all those good words my friend – greatly appreciated. Keeping you and your family in my prayers daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #29:
Hi Bob, How true..."the time is short", and so are our lives (like a vapor)...all being temporary in the moment. Our eternal future is what really counts. Interesting, to contemplate on "Day of Atonement" (Oct. 4-5), with the implication you brought up about "D or T-Day" coming soon...more to chew on. I know your knowledge of all these matters is, no doubt, presented in the "subject index" on Ichthys, so I'll have to take a look there to learn more. I don't know much about the Jewish culture pertaining to Yom Kippur, but I found out that it is the holiest day of the year (their "ultimate sabbath"). They have a lot of ritual performances (penance?) for repentance and asking for forgiveness and purification from wrongs (sin) that may have been committed over the past year.(e.g.,Lev. 16:30). On the Christian side of things, our "ultimate sabbath" is every day, since Jesus (our High Priest), through His sacrificial death made the atonement for us (once, and for all sin), thus cleansing us forever and reconciling us with God. Now, we can enter into the Holy-of-Holies with and because of Jesus -- the "Better Sacrifice" ( The Permanent and Final Solution!). Very grateful for this! On another note, Bob, I am wondering what exactly you mean pertaining to "T or D-day" in ~4 years. I am familiar with Rev. 8:5, being the start of the 7 yr. Trib., but unclear about the "Day of Atonement" as it would pertain to the start of the 7 yr. Also, does "D-day" mean deliverance day, i.e., our deliverance / redemption-"atonement" by Jesus on the 2nd. Coming? Is "T-day" designated as the start of the final 7 yr. of the "End of the Age", with an application to the "Day of Atonement"? (I'm a little unsure here). Thank you for setting me straight on any of my forgoing statements. All the best, Bob! In Jesus, 
Response #29:
There are several different things going on here. If we are talking about the application of the millennial days, then the fulfillment of the 2,000 years of the Church Age would be ca. 2033, with the Tribulation occurring seven years earlier (that is getting pretty close); there are good reasons not to place the remaining seven years of the Jewish Age, Daniel's seventieth week, after that to extend the time-line out, but rather to see the last seven years of the Church Age overlapping with that remaining seven years of the Jewish Age (this subject has been covered at the links (SR 5, EM, EM, EM).  For one thing, since we are all one Church, having the two ages which represent primarily Jewish believers (with Jews in leadership mostly) and gentile believers (with gentiles in leadership mostly, following the apostolic age) come together in one common time period just before the resurrection of the Church makes a good deal of sense to me. Also, it's hard to see how the Tribulation can't be part of the Church Age since we Church Age believers will still be here, waiting for the Lord's return as scripture tells us repeatedly (cf. Rom.8:23-25; 1Cor.1:7; Gal.5:5; Phil.3:20; 1Thes.1:10; Tit.2:13; Heb.9:28; Jude 1:21).

The Jewish calendar and its prophetic implications are covered at the link.The Fall festivals are all eschatological and do follow a general chronology: 1) Trumpets [Rosh Hashanah] (warning of the beginning of the Tribulation; cf. the trumpets of Revelation); 2) Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur] (commencement of the Great Tribulation); 3) Tabernacles/Booths [Sukkot] (a seven day feast anticipating the millennial regathering of Israel); 4) Sacred Assembly – symbolizing the "end" of everything and the commencement of eternity. I have opined in the link above what the number of days associated with and occurring before and after these events indicates; important for our purposes here is that all of the eschatological festivals occur in the Fall, so that this is when we can expect the Tribulation to begin and the Second Advent to occur (see also the recently posted discussions on the six months delay indicated by Revelation 8:1; at the links: EM, EM).

Thanks for your prayers, my friend – and do feel free to write back about any of the above.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/