http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CXXIII

Question #1:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

At one time some years ago, I had figured out the meaning of Matthew 22:11, but now I can't remember what I had discovered. My question is: What is this person doing at the marriage supper of the Lamb in the first place? He was not a believer. Perhaps this is referring to the judgment of God the Father, who has given all judgment into the hands of Jesus.

If that is not the case, can you guide me to understanding of how he ever got into the marriage supper to begin with?.

He did not a the Robe of Righteousness on as others did.

I know you have the answer to this dilemma.

Thanks again as always and may God richly bless you always.

Your friend,
Response #1:
Always good to hear from you, my friend!

As our Lord says at the conclusion of this parable, “For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matt.22:14), and this man you ask about is illustrative of that point: he got the invitation, but he didn't respond properly (as you say, no "robe of righteousness"). So even though we go to great lengths to bring others the gospel, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will believe even so. 

This parable in particular also refers to the Millennium, and it will be the case that the vast majority of our Lord's millennial subjects will not believe in Him, even though they experience the most blessed time in human history – even rebelling against Him in the end (Rev.20:7-9). They all "came to the banquet" of the millennial kingdom, but with the righteousness that comes from faith (e.g., Rom.3:28), they will be debarred from entering into the eternal state and New Jerusalem.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hello again Dr. Luginbill,

If I would have thought more about this, I would had remembered that this takes place during the Millennial Reign of Christ. Just did not think of that. But, thanks for jogging my memory.

I pray you are doing well especially since school has started again.

Blessings to you always,

Your friend,

P.S. The teaching you did on False Teachers, False teaching, and False Organizations is absolutely excellent. Every single Christians, the real ones and the not so real ones, should study this. I thank the LORD that I have access to your teachings. They have truly helped me tremendously and I try to pass them on to others, but....... you know how that goes. 
Response #2:
It's my pleasure!

I hope you and yours are doing well.

I keep you all in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Dr. Luginbill,

It has been several months since I last emailed you, but I want to assure you that I am on your website and studying your lessons every single day and praying for you. I am loving your exegesis of Hebrews and learn so much with each lesson you post. I also spend a lot of time reading older email postings with the questions that people ask and your responses. They are very helpful and often answer questions that were rattling around in my head as well. I was recently able to share a synopsis of your "Coming Tribulation" to my sister. She loves our Lord but she avoids the book of Revelation because she says all the symbolism and imagery are confusing to her. She was astounded with how it came to life with some explanation. We will see whether she is now curious enough to continue the study.

While reading through your exegesis of Hebrews chapter 5, I was prompted to research further the issue of the priesthood (which I had previously ignored thinking it was sort of irrelevant today). Your explanations thus far in the Hebrew studies have been very thorough and helpful. However I do have some weird questions that I haven't been able to answer satisfactorily in my mind.

One of your comments were "We no longer have need of any other priests to act as intermediaries for us (Eph.2:18; 3:12; Heb.4:16) – for that is what priests do, mediate between God and man – having made us "a kingdom of priests", royal priests to Him and to the Father (1Pet.2:5; 2:9; Rev 1:6; 5:9-10; 20:6)." Well, since we are now priests, what is our job as priests? Are we to be mediators between men and God? And what will our job as priests consist of during the millennium? Will we be mediators between the human population and Christ?
"Christ is the High Priest, having opened up access for us directly to the Father so that we no longer have need of any other priests to act as intermediaries for us." How then (and why) are we to act as priests and mediators - and to whom?
Response #3:
Thanks for the good words, my friend!

As to our priesthood, since Christ has died for all sin and since that work has been accepted by the Father, "there no longer remains any sacrifice for sins" (Heb.10:26 DBY), so that part of priesthood-duties is no longer necessary nor valid. But we believers do have the special privilege now of access to the Father directly through belonging to the Son (see the link: "Access to God as Priests of Jesus Christ" in BB 4B). So a major function of our present priesthood involves prayer, supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ through our priestly petitions and supporting the advance of the Kingdom in spiritual growth through prayer for godly ministries (your prayers for Ichthys greatly appreciated!).
(1) Therefore I entreat you by God's mercy, brothers, to dedicate your bodies as a living sacrifice, well-pleasing to God – [this is] your "priestly-service" spiritually performed. (2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by this renewal of your thinking, so that you may discern what God's will for you is, namely what it is good, well-pleasing, and correct [for you to do].
Romans 12:1-2 (cf. Rom.2:17-18)
Further, priests can also pray for their rulers (1Tim.2:1-2). We believer priests are the "remnant" of any nations, after all, and that means that we are the "salt" whereby our nation is preserved . . . or not if not salty enough. This priestly function of preserving the people is accomplished not so much by prayer as it is by personal spiritual growth on the one hand and helping others grow on the other (as in the passage above). 

During the Millennium, yes indeed we will all participate in Christ's millennial rule and will therefore no doubt be the intermediaries between the people of that time and the Messiah's throne in Jerusalem.

So while we don't have any animals to sacrifice (personally very happy about that), we have plenty to do in response to the great sacrifice of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the great High Priest (link in HE 3). 

Link: in BB 4B: The Priesthood of the Believer.

[See now also in HE 7: The Levitical Priesthood: link]

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,

We are back home now! It took 8 hours to do a 2 hour journey due to floods and strike action! The Lord safely got us through it all though!

How are you doing? Please give me news of yourself and the University, family and ministry? Anything in particular I can pray for my friend?

I have to admit I did have the post-holiday blues. I stayed away from all media while I was away and looked at it only when I got back -- boy what a mistake that was!! Things are just freefalling at this point. I hope you are safe and well at your campus as I know that most universities over there are fervently pro-Palestine...

We have had some ugly scenes in the UK and mounting anti-Semitism. ___ is Jewish and this has hit him very hard. His Jewish uncle and auntie and one of his friends live in a famously Jewish area of London called Golders Green. There has already been smashed windows and graffiti there. I know that there is a strengthened police presence at synagogues and schools there and no doubt then in Prestwich too. Prestwich is a big Jewish area in Manchester near to which we live close to.

We both had a dip in morale when we got back so I have doubled down on my study and have thrown myself back into the saddle to get going with everything here. When I throw myself into my studies and blinker myself to the world -- what joy I feel! 

When I look at what is to come beyond the Tribulation -- I feel almost giddy with happiness. Paul said this is a light affliction now compared to the glories to come!

I just finished listening to your Peter teaching 23 about seeing with eyes of faith and I am learning to do that more and more in confidence. I see that this is all passing away and that we need to make best use of the time remaining. This is the only time we have to prove our faith is genuine, win rewards, help others to Christ, strengthen our brethren and glorify our wonderful Saviour! Amen!

So we just need to keep doing it!! We all need to double down in faith with the stronger helping the weaker as we labour in the vineyards together.

It occurred to me that as the world and its worldlings will get darker and worsen and worsen, we are to shine brighter and brighter as we get better and better at being conformed to His image.
This gave me some pause to think of.. whilst the world is at its worst, we are to be at our best! For a moment I thought -- this surely will be an impossible feat! Then though with eyes of faith, I knew with confidence : NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE for our Lord and God. Amen!

Marana-tha!

Your Friend in Jesus,
Response #4:
Thanks for this wonderful email! Good to hear you are back safe and sound. I am sorry to hear about the awful things happening in the UK. It seems to be at a level or two worse than in the U.S. I haven't personally noticed or heard of any rallies or marches or protests here in Louisville (one group of students and professors, maybe a hundred, did march across campus with a megaphone, but it was short and pretty anemic by the standards of what we've seen at other universities). We did have riots here in town during the height of the BLM insurrection, but nothing on this so far in Louisville generally, at least not that I have noticed. 

Louisville is one of the most RC cities in the states (has to do with being the terminal point for the Mississippi / Ohio river traffic before they put in the locks to get around the falls of the Ohio (which is why L-ville is here). So we have a large New Orleans influence in the architecture of "Old Louisville" where the steamboat captains had their digs. We also have a sizeable Jewish population. Happy to report that I haven't heard of any of the sort of incidents you report or that we see on the "telly".

Things are going well at the uni. We have our honor society / initiation meeting / party next Friday and that, except for some personnel committee work to do yet, is the last of my labors before Christmas (except for teaching four and half classes until the semester ends of course and all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into that). I think I dodged another bug this week (whenever I feel one coming on, I load up on sleep and OJ and vitamin D and skip the jogging). Feeling better today – classes went really well (although this is the point in the semester when students are staying away more even though I do take attendance). So, all in all, pretty good times. Nothing has broken lately . . . except that my thirteen year old computer has been having some "senior moments", so I bit the bullet, as we say, and bought a new one. It'll be here next week and migrating with all the web-stuff I have is always a bit tricky. Prayers for a good migration without meltdown disaster and lost files and programs would be appreciated! This will slow down Hebrews for about a week, but not much is worse than having a computer quit on you unexpectedly, even if you are diligent about backing up files. So "light afflictions indeed! 
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NIV
Eventually, everything down here goes sideways, breaks, disappoints. If we can think of a thousand points where we are vulnerable and take some prophylactic actions to ward them off, we are stone geniuses . . . and there are actually hundreds of thousands of ways the evil one and his followers could assail us . . . if the Lord let them. We are in God's hands and we can trust Him. So we do the best we can and we demonstrate that "all this" down here is only of momentary importance to us, mere tools to fight the fight we've been given to fight, by putting the Lord and His people and His truth first on our priority list no matter what. You encourage me by doing so!
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
1st Thessalonians 1:2 NIV
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi again Bob,

This is probably and irrelevant question so if you know and are willing, put it off until you have nothing pressing,

For me, goats are good people as are donkeys which are kept to protect goats from coyotes, though donkeys don't like strangers. Many out here in the boonies keep goats (and donkeys to protect them) just to get the ag exemption. I can't blame them. If I were completely fenced in, I would certainly consider it.

The question is: why were goats in the Bible equated with evil? In my experience, goats, both nanny and he goats are friendly unlike sheep; ewes are skittish and rams are down right mean tempered. Both make good cheeses but goats are a lot easier to manage. Note: it's not like I'll keep either. It's just curiosity.

I hope all is well up yonder and you're staying safe and warm.

In our Lord,
Response #5:
I don't think it's true that "goats in the Bible [are] equated with evil". I know that many people have that impression. Why? Partially to do with the "scapegoat", but that is a sacrificial animal along with its counterpart, both of which spoke of our Lord. Here's what I've written about that:

Both goats speak prophetically of our Lord's sacrifice for sin. The one sacrificed clearly shows Him bearing our sins on the cross. The one released emphasizes His separation from the community in order to bear its sins. 

Also:
"Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats."
Exodus 12:5 NKJV
So goats were acceptable as sacrifices as were sheep, and goats and sheep are often mentioned together in scripture. The male goat in Daniel 8 who represents Alexander and takes out the ram representing Persia is no better or worse than the ram in this representation, it seems to me; neither one is evil per se, merely representing different empires. Probably the passage you are thinking about is the "sheep and goats" judgment of Matthew 25. Why are the sheep the believers and the goats the unbelievers? The key thing there is that in the middle east, especially in antiquity, sheep and goats were (sometimes still are) pastured together, and the long eared sheep look a lot like the goats. So the main point of interpretation in this passage is not the relative quality of sheep and goats but the fact that while we can't necessarily easily distinguish them or separate them, the Lord certainly can and certainly will. We are not literal sheep any more than unbelievers are literally goats. Being called either one nowadays is not a good thing, after all, but there's nothing inherently wrong with sheep in terms of good and evil; same thing goes for goats in the Bible, even if in contemporary culture they have been associated with evil and things satanic (that's not in scripture either).

Difficult semester and a lot of challenges ahead when the summer finally rolls up. But next academic year looks to be brighter. So as always we "endeavor to persevere". Hope all is well down there too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,

Amazing. I'm glad I asked. Yes, it was separating sheep from goats plus the sheep knowing their keeper – which is plausible, and got me curious. I don't know anyone keeping sheep to ask. I didn't know that back then they were run together. I don't see that here. (Don't remember it in scripture, either.) It seems the more I learn, the less I know!.

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties this year. As they say down here, "Keep on keepin' on!" I should add that to my prayers. Stay well my friend.

In our Lord,

My pleasure.
Response #6:
Yes, things are different here (don't remember every seeing goats up in trees here in the states either, but I've seen those pictures, e.g.).

On sheep mixed with goats in the Bible, in Genesis 30:32-35, e.g., they do seem to be mixed in together (and considered as one group throughout these chapters).

Thanks for those prayers, my friend!

Keeping you in mine as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Hello Dr. Luginbill! 

I hope this finds you well in the Lord. The recent QAs were appreciated! Thank you for compiling them.

At your convenience, I wanted to inquire further on two teaching topics. 

a) Animals having spirits 

I'm having difficulty understanding how it's ok for us to eat meat/animal products in light of them having spirits (albeit not being made in the "image of God", having freewill to choose God, or having souls). I know about the covenant with Noah, and how God provisioned meat but its still confusing to me. If it's something to just embrace as "it is what it is", and bring to mind how even the resurrected Lord was eating fish, I can work on that too.

Related to that, when it comes to pest management (insects, rodents etc), is this something we consider to be Biblically acceptable on account of "subduing" creation? I've become more aware lately how even those are the Lord's creatures.

b) Drinking / eating blood

This pertaining to the modern church was something new to me; it made sense considering the covenant with Noah is still in effect. 

I read the posting in accidental ingestion, but am confused as to where to draw the line these days (Fish oil capsules? Mussels as an ingredient in supplements? A tiny bit of blood in an egg?). I assume it's a matter of conscience, but I also don't want to scrupulously be "tithing" my herbs at the expense of greater matters. 

I wonder if it, along with other matters, is not about an exacting science but rather the intent of the heart. If we're humbly doing our best to lovingly believe and express the whole counsel of God's truth, while also seeing how we inevitably fall short no matter, maybe that's the way to go? I fear that can turn into relativism or license, so you maybe see the challenge in "understanding". 

I don't want to over intellectualize it, but also desire to be obedient and don't want skirt the expectations. 

Have a blessed day, and thank you for the content (recently, been reading the Study of Salvation along with varying QAs). 
Response #7:
Hope you and your family are doing well. As to your questions:

On animals having spirits, they certainly do (e.g., Eccl.3:21). I know of no biblical passage which suggests that it is wrong to eat meat. On the contrary, there are plenty of passages which say the opposite, e.g.:
"Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
Mark 17:18-19 NIV

[Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Acts 10:0-16 NIV
On the other hand, we are told to beware of empty philosophies which want to regulate what we eat as if that had any spiritual application:
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 2:20-23 NIV

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1st Timothy 4:1-5
The last passage above is particularly important, given where we are on the eschatological clock. As I have stated many times in the past, I fully expect antichrist's religion to be – at least one main part of it – highly esthetic, so that hyper-vegetarianism / -veganism will be part of the mix (see the link for links to this). Anyone trying to add a spiritual dimension to food is likely straying into this sort of deception or dangerous legalism (or both: they're not mutually exclusive; see the link re: Q/A #2), whether it is abstaining from one type of food or embracing another.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.
Hebrews 13:9 NIV
Given the passages above, while I personally would avoid eating "blood sausage", for example, I'm not prepared to say that it would be wrong to do. Jesus Himself "cleansed all foods", and Peter was ordered to "kill and eat" representatives of all animals considered unclean by the Law. When you say, "not about an exacting science but rather the intent of the heart", for anyone concerned about the blood issue, that is exactly right. And of course the reason for the prohibition is from the beginning symbolic: blood represents life, and that is why the blood is spilled on the altar in the Mosaic sacrifices – it represents the blood of Christ. But we Christians today understand that this was a symbol representing Christ's far greater sacrifice, namely, being judged in the darkness for the sins of the entire world. That is the "blood" we DO drink when take communion and the flesh we DO eat: representations of the work and person of Jesus Christ respectively. The physical representations mean nothing (i.e., what type of bread, wine or grape juice, and all other such insignificant concerns); Christ's actual sacrifice is what matters and that is what we should be thinking about when we take communion. Therefore the "blood issue" is today of no actual account – for those who understand that blood looked forward to the cross and wine looks backward. As for actual blood et al., it falls into the category of . . . 
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:17 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Thanks Bob and I agree with all that you wrote me.

I recently had a steadfast resolve to double down on spiritual growth and to push forward for those crowns. I don't know what tripped me up precisely but I have let Satan goad me and prod me and instead of ignoring it and carry on, I have become rattled in the flesh.

Remember in the past when I looked at conspiracy theory and you advised cold turkey. Well I think I have to go cold turkey over something else. I am really getting rattled by the news of what they are teaching in schools to children and also this current war on womanhood. I feel very protective over women and children because they are often the most vulnerable in society (and obviously being a woman myself.)

I hate what is happening now and it is really triggering for me. I don't watch TV all that much but I get exposed to it through my phone (mostly YouTube) so I will just block that app for the time being until I can control this urge to look and get furious. 

I know things are going to get a lot, lot worse in the years to come so better to be prepared now to put blinkers on whilst making the right and Godly decisions should these things ever affect me personally.

It is sad to realise that I am probably a lot better off now without children. There couldn't be a worse time to bring them up but I do trust that the Lord, even in times as bad as these, will bring families through this. I also now pray for all the children of the families I know, that they are protected and delivered from these evil things and that the UK will stop the explicit sex education in our schools. I pray that God's will be done over this.

Thanks for all your patience with me over this. I have listened to you and I am now going to remove or limit the things that are holding me back or causing me to stumble.

In Jesus,
p.s. I just wanted to add something else...[details about difficult neighbors omitted]
Response #8:
Apartment/condo/duplex living is always a challenge – at least in my experience. That was how most of my adult life was lived until blessed to be able to move into this house about twenty years back now. Everything has its challenges. You are right to see these things in spiritual terms. God does answer our prayers. We have to trust Him to do so . . . and have patience until He does.

It is a rotten world. While that has always been true, it sure does seem to be getting "more rotten" by the day. Evil is beginning to throw off all restraint, all subterfuge, and even demand allegiance as "the truth". In that regard, this is good training for the Tribulation where that trend will reach fever pitch. While I would have more peace of mind, I'm sure, if I ignored all news, I find it good practice to read/watch anyway and attempt to inure my feelings when confronted by such things. Of course decline is progressing so fast it's hard to keep up! I personally am glad I am "where I am" on the personal chronology line. Wouldn't really want to be just starting out now with the way things are going. But God has put us all in the right place and the right time for us AND for Him. Our job regardless of age is to try to do the best job we can for Jesus Christ, doing what He wants us to do until He takes us home . . . or we see Him return while still "in the flesh". Either way, there is so much blessing on the other side, it really is short-sighted to let ourselves get too upset by anything on this side. We all do it. We all could do better.
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
Philippians 1:21-23 NIV
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Dr L,

[Job issues omitted]

In any case, thank you for what you said. I had my mentor friend a while back say that it isn't abnormal for there to be an occasional over push period, or rare longer over-push period. But now I remind myself to take it easy, because we have been in this state of overpush months and months, and I need some healthy to get another job if they fire me. Survival I mean.

Tell me how you are, please?

I remember this verse: see first the Kingdom of Heaven and then all these things will be added to you. So the times I refuse to overwork and spend energy on reading my notes or the Bible, and the other stuff, I think that is what I am doing. Like I got a bit stressed about work today, and wrote down what to say if they get upset, and in it to remind them the backlog of everything so they won't forget, that kind of thing. 

[omitted re: abuse on the job]

Goodness I talked a lot. I am going to rest.

Please take care,
Response #9:
As to "seek first the kingdom", it is true and not just from this verse that all good things happen if we put the Lord first – Him, His truth, His Church. 
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NKJV
As the above affirms, the world is still the world. We are able – when we are walking close to the Lord – to have peace and joy in spite of troubles.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV
This is a mature believer perspective. We know what the world is and what people are. We don't have unrealistic expectations about fairness or happiness in the world . . . apart from Jesus Christ. He is our happiness and our security. We are looking beyond the tribulations of this life to the glories beyond.

I am praying for you in your job – or for something better.

Chinese is indeed a tough language! But if you can learn Greek (and you have), you can learn jus about anything.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

I just finished reviewing your study on Demon Possessions and I whole-heartedly agree with everything you stated. Years ago, I believed that a believer could indeed practice exorcisms, that is no longer my belief. There are two denominations as they call it, that believe in this unbiblical practice.

I do have one question about a scripture that is used to support their practice, which I also believed but....

John 14:12.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater words, than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Comments:
1. Jesus is speaking to His disciples, does what He expresses, apply only to the apostles; from your teaching it would appear so.
2. "The works that I do, he will do also"; again is this applicable to His apostles, but not Christians who lived after their deaths?
3. "The works",they include demon exorcism, but they are no longer.
4. Perhaps the "works" only refer to the spreading of the Gospel?

Again, the folks that believe they have the authority as they see it, are according to this verse, but if Jesus is only referring to His disciples, then they cannot use this verse to validate their doctrine of exorcism. Am I thinking straight?

Thanks so much for your input as always, to keep me straight.

I will continue to find those minimal typos, and let you know when I find any.. LOL

Blessing to you always,

Your friend,
Response #10:
As always, I greatly appreciate your encouragement, my friend.

As to John 14:12, yes you are on the right track here. I think it is typical for people who are not really interested in the truth of scripture to think of signs and miracles as greater than the simple truth. But Peter says (2Pet.1:19), e.g., that the Word is greater than that most fantastic vision / experience he had on the Mt. of Transfiguration. Baby believers crave signs. Mature believers believe the truth regardless of what they see with their eyes. 

This will be an important principle to have down and an important perspective to maintain during the Tribulation. After all, the beast will appear miraculous in many ways and do many things that will make him seem to be Christ – to those who are not solid in the truth.
"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
Better to love the solid food of the truth than the baby's milk of signs and wonders. Here is what I've written about John 14:12 in the past:
In line with the above, Jesus' words at John 14:12 , "greater things", must mean that ministering the completed Word is greater than performing miracles (cf. 1Cor.13:10). That is not the perspective of the immature, but the more we advance the more we realize that nothing is more powerful or more important than the truth. And, after all, even during our Lord's ministry (and also in those of the apostles), the purpose of miracles and signs was to call attention to and gain a hearing for the truth. That in most cases even so the truth was not received by our Lord's contemporaries is telling. But for those of us who are open to it, the truth is more powerful than any miracle our eyes could ever behold.
Always appreciate your help, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hello Bob,

How do we overcome a particular persistent sin? 

I find it too easy to recognise the sins of others but instead of loving them despite this I do find myself complaining bitterly about it, either out loud to others or to God in prayer. I really want to stop doing this but it is almost like second nature for me to do this and it feels impossibly hard to stop.

I have been praying for the Lord to help me overcome these sins of the tongue which I have had for a very long time. For a while I felt I was starting to have mastery over these sins and I notice that the battlefield then switched locations to my mind but recently I have noticed that I have been backsliding and the battlefield is over my tongue again.

I am really disappointed that I have slid back and I really feel as though I don't know how to get that high ground back again.

In Jesus,
Response #11:
One thing I can tell you about this fierce conflict we are involved in is that we believers can't afford to get hung up on mistakes we've made in the past – not even in the very recent past. When we become aware of erring, we confess . . . and get back moving forward again. This is not a benign battlefield, our adversary, "[our] enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1Pet.5:8 NIV), and of course the fight we are fighting is really not with enemies of flesh and blood at all but "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph.6:12 NIV). 

If we are aware that some mistake is a chronic one, then taking action is not a bad idea, of course. But it is wise to consider what the genesis of this problem/pattern is when it occurs. We can often help ourselves out here by not giving the enemy any advantage. If, for example, a person has a problem with alcohol, then socializing with friends and acquaintances primarily at bars and clubs where consuming alcohol is the whole point is not the best idea. If, for example, we are trying to lose weight, then stocking the pantry with delicious sweets we love is probably a mistake. If we are getting upset watching the news, maybe we could read Ichthys instead, e.g. In other words, it is not a sign of weakness to help our defense by selecting good defensive ground. No commander was ever criticized for "making it too easy" for his troops by having them dig in on a defensible ridge line instead of deploying in an open field when the former was possible. Our adversary the devil will make use of every trick he can and take every advantage he can. There is no point – and no shame – in us taking every godly advantage as well. 

But wringing our hands about the past only plays right into Satan's hands because guilt is his ace trump. If he can get us reacting to guilt feeling and thus looking backwards instead of forwards then our advance will stop . . . and we won't be any better off with our defense as a result either (actually, worse off).

So rejoice in the forgiveness that Jesus has bought us with His death for us on the cross! And move forward in that joy, confident that the Holy Spirit is infinitely more powerful than all of our enemies put together, and also infinitely more powerful than our sin nature. We just have to hand things over to Him is all.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 NIV
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Understood. With our proximity to the Tribulation it may be that many of our front burner issues are taken off the stove completely in the next couple of years. The “powers that be” believe they are close to the goal of complete global control. A few more eleventh hour man made crises and the population of the earth will be nothing more than low hanging fruit for AC. 

I’ve got you in prayer here daily for all your needs.

All the best,
Response #12:
Yes, it's never been a good bet to place any reliance on the human race, and with the way things stand now, and with the trajectory we're witnessing, it's not difficult to imagine how most of humanity will have no problem lining up with the beast and his system and religion.

Thanks for those prayers! Keeping you guys in mine daily as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,

Let me rephrase. I'm glad you are reasonably well at U of L. From what I've seen over the past three years convinces me we are up the creek without a paddle. The man who owns the hardware store in a nearby small town has one employee he can rely on. For the past three years he's tried one young person after another. None seem to want to work or even be reliable and show up on time.

Maybe I'm just an old fuddie-duddie, but I had my first paying job at 13 and actually had to work. It was a job running a printing press (a real one that would give OSHA major heartburn today) and I had to show up every Saturday – regardless. It was a job nobody wanted, running pressure-sensitive wiring diagrams for an air-conditioning company. I was proud to show I could do it. Nothing really changed until 12 years ago or so when I retired. I got a pay check every week and supported a family through those years, so I'm grateful.

I don't understand this current generation. I don't know why they think the world owes them a living. I don't recall ever thinking that way even when I was in college. Maybe it's just as well my time is almost finished. Though, I have to admit that when I got my revelation that my time was short, it could have meant the Tribulation was on our doorstep and I misinterpreted. I have to be careful of my assumptions.

Stay well. You are in my prayers daily.

In our Lord,
Response #13:
Times have changed, that's for sure! The viral video from the millennial whining about having to be at work five days a week and having no time for herself is an indication of this. But at least she is going to work. 

Also, pressure has a way of separating the wheat from the chaff. When it's on in an unprecedented way during the Tribulation, no doubt many will not be able to cope (a big part of the reason for the Great Apostasy no doubt). But there are always some who surprise you and who do rise to the challenge. That's all part of the plan as well. I, for one, am very glad that I was put where I was when I was. I wouldn't want to be at the early stages of life on the cusp on the end. But the Lord has put everyone in just the right place and at just the right time. And we all have our job to do for Him. In the end, how we did that is what really matters. Everything thing else is just noisy context.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Dear Teacher

I have thought of Daniel and Joseph as examples of people working in government but not involved in politics. They did not campaign or otherwise work to end up in the positions where they found themselves: It just happened to them. Would you say the same thing about them? Is there room in the Bible to accommodate the idea that a believer could be led into politics to try to capture political power? My thought right now is that there isn't since God did not give us the mandate to establish governments and also because our kingdom is not of this world. Is that your thought too?

For a minute I wondered if there was anything to the worry flying around on YouTube that ChatGPT would replace software engineers, then a veteran software engineer that I follow on YouTube demonstrated how unreliable the tech is and argued that it probably will never be able to replace human intelligence since it does not really have any concept of "truth or not." I thought that that was very compelling. Your experience fits that argument very well. I think that it is impossible for human beings to design an intelligence that does better than draw from a body of data that is categorized by them. I expect that every AI will struggle with the matter of reliability because it is only providing statistically-sourced answers. It will be good for some tasks that don't require human vigilance, but it isn't a good replacement for human intelligence.

Thank you for your prayers, Sir. There might be good news soon. Will share more when I know more. We continue to pray for you here too. 

Your student in Jesus
Response #14:
Re: "Is there room in the Bible to accommodate the idea that a believer could be led into politics to try to capture political power?" God can do anything and I would never want to suggest that someone who says he/she is being led by Him is not . . . absent clear indications to the contrary. In terms of all things political, I am skeptical of it, unless we are at least talking in terms of a positive believer of good spiritual standing of the likes of Joseph and Daniel. No doubt God does allow the desires of lesser-lights to do things like this which are not particularly beneficial to their own spiritual development but might be used by Him for the benefit of others. We are always pleased when forces of "not total darkness" have some success against forces of "total darkness" – but not to the point of throwing in our lot with the former and then losing track of why we are really here.

This is my read on all this stuff happening in the world now as well. It's interesting, it's beyond the point I ever thought I would see in my lifetime, but it's also far from being so perfectly broken that I'm not losing any sleep over it. Check with me in a year or so.

Praying for that "good news"!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
It's probably not a good sign that I don't have many questions anymore. I'm not terribly comfortable with that. Or at least I'm not right now. I felt like after reading through all the studies and peppering you with so many questions, finding a great deal of internal calm is only natural. I still have a lot to learn from studying the Bible in its original languages (and certainly from reading and rereading the translations as well as the studies on Ichthys), but what has been happening for a while has been more of a concern with how what I have learned can be used to navigate the various life decisions I have to make.

I spent a lot of time on YouTube just listening to what people are saying about cultural issues and the like. I don't do that very much anymore although I'm still shaking the habit of scrolling on YouTube when I'm bored. At first, it was politics because I found that in discussions, I was not really "in the conversation" because of my ignorance. I didn't really know what was happening. I figured that it would be good to understand things and make sure that I know what I'm talking about when I say that believers are well advised to stay out of politics. [omitted] Then, I had to figure out what that meant for my choices going forward. I now understood what the madness was about, so what now?

That was what ultimately led to the question: "To vote or not to vote?" I had no doubt that we ought not to engage in trying to fix the world, but where does that place us relative to the rest of the world? Do we have a responsibility to participate in community issues? In my village, meetings would be called to have people sort out all manner of things. Should I go or should I not? Is it in keeping with spiritual growth to even care about what is happening around me? The writing was my description of what I had come to understand about that.

[omitted]

I would like to know what you think of all of this. On the one hand, I thought that listening to these things helped me think about them as a person making actual daily decisions in this world with the difference that I am striving to make godly decisions about them. On the other hand, I also thought that it helps me when I speak to people who don't share my attitude toward God. That is, I can deal with them because I know what they are talking about even if I don't agree with their attitude toward these things. Is that right for a believer?

Your student in Jesus
Response #15:
It's only natural that in the course of studying and teaching any man with the gift of pastor-teacher will eventually begin to feed himself as he prepares to and engages in feeding others.

Worrying about what is going on in the world (which is essentially what political involvement is/leads to) never produces spiritual peace – just the opposite. And we absolutely cannot do anything about it. After all, even the "great men" of history were really only fulfilling a role that was necessary for the progress of the plan of God. They made decisions, yes, but God produced the results. Nothing can stop or change the plan of God – and certainly not us putting our laughably small oar in the water of politics. It is understandable that we may not like the way things are going. That perhaps has never been more true at present, but will be even more true during the Tribulation. And we know clearly from scripture that we certainly won't be able to stop the beast from doing what he is prophesied to do. If political action will be a fool's errand then, why would it be any different now? So while perhaps in, say, the 18th century this might be an interesting philosophical question, since we are standing on the cusp of a time wherein the events have in large measure already been recorded for us to view ahead of time, getting worked up over the (now) very short prelude – or seeking to influence them in any way – is only going to distract us from what we should be doing, namely, doing all we can to prepare spiritually so that we may help others when called into service to do so.

In terms of marriage, people don't stop being people when they marry, and all of us are flawed. If it is hard enough to manage ourselves when single, it is certainly not going to get easier once there are now two people in the mix. Scripture gives the formula for success: response on the part of the woman to her husband; abundant and understanding love for his wife on the part of the husband (Eph.5:22-33). This can't be turned on like a light switch from either side. It has to be diligently worked at daily. But I have seen it work. If both parties are really and truly putting the Lord first in all things, that makes all the difference.

Respective families are a different matter. They always seem to be rather hard to deal with for both parties, at least to some degree. Putting one's spouse first from both sides is essential here (Gen.2:24).

I think it's great that you have developed a more relaxed attitude towards people and situations which are not actually crucial to what we are trying to accomplish down here. You have a ministry to fulfill. That is the main thing. Getting into the weeds with anything and/or anyone when it's not essential is only going to be counterproductive.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

Just a little note to you to tell you that I am a very privileged person, blessed by God abundantly. I say privileged because somehow, which I will never forget and be able to figure out, He led me to your website. 

I am currently studying Judgment, Restoration and Replacement, for the second time. I studied it once some years ago, but I need to repeat the study so that I can teach it to the couple I am currently working with. It will be some time before I can begin the study with them, for I am currently presenting other teachings. 

I have been studying the material composed for almost 8 years or so, as I remember, with remainder of what I have not reviewed, probably another 50 years or so. So, just wanted to thank our Blessed LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, that I had the privilege of finding your Website.
I also want to thank you personally for your effort and many hours you have given me to respond to my questions; but most importantly for your wonderful teachings. 

It is sad that many Christians do not have the privilege that I have through the ministry God has given you. Thank you for your kindness and effort that you have given to develop all these teachings, they are tremendous.

Just wanted to also say that the couple we are teaching now want to have 2 sessions per week instead of the 1 on Sunday. It is because they have really sincerely become very interested in Tribulation teachings, etc. They were former Pre-Trib, but since they have listened too and studied with me the teaching you have provided, they no longer believe in a pre-trib rapture. Incidentally, the woman is of Jewish descent, and did attend Jewish Synagogues for quite some time, but now, her and the husband are no longer involved in any church, just like my wife and I are. We study with each other at home.

It is because of how God directed my life, to do what I am now doing, I give Him the glory, and thank you for having found your Website.

Blessings be with you always,

Your friend, an extremely privileged person.
Response #16:
I greatly appreciate these kind words, my friend! And I have to say that I likewise have been greatly privileged to know you and greatly blessed by this exchange of emails over the years. It is always a great pleasure to see those who access this ministry grow from it and appreciate it. And that is a great deal more rare than you might imagine. So thank you so much for sticking with me and for helping others to grow as well – as you have consistently been doing, through much opposition and ups and downs of response yourself, I know. This is the path of honoring Jesus Christ. This is the path of eternal reward.

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hey brother,

I have a special prayer request. I will be teaching on Romans 1:18-32 next Sunday. Can you please pray for me that I teach it the way it should be taught As mentioned in my previous email I’ve have difficulty with the reprobate issue. Also Ive struggled with certain things listed in this passage. Can you also give me some insight or suggestions on how to teach or approach this text next Sunday?

Thank You,
Response #17:
I will say a prayer for you about this.

If I were covering Romans the same way I'm covering Hebrews, I could easily spend 50-100 pages on these verses.

To over-simplify, there are two main issues in this passage. The first is natural revelation (best Ichthys link for that: in BB 4B: "Natural Revelation and Accountability"). The second is the process of heart-hardening which unbelievers undergo once they reject the truth (best Ichthys link for that: in BB 4B: "The Problem of Unbelievers" along with the following three sections).

I will remark that many evangelicals want to make this passage all about homosexuality when it is not. That is in there, but Paul is using it as an example/manifestation of what happens when the truth is rejected: the opposite, the lie, is then accepted in its place. That is not the only example/manifestation of hard-hearted unbelief, but it was (and remains) a prominent one at the time. There are many other such examples/manifestations listed by Paul in this very passage, e.g., "wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful" (NKJV), and we know from comparison to parallel passages in Paul, of which there are several (e.g., 1Cor.6:9-10; Gal.5:19-21; Eph.5:3-7; 2Tim.3:2-5), that this particular list is not meant to be comprehensive. As Paul says at Galatians 5:21 at the end of one such catalog, "and whatever is similar to all these things".

So while many would take this passage as an opportunity to "preach against sin" (and a particular type of sin at that), that is not really what the passage is about (we all know that sin is wrong); rather, it's an opportunity to put the way of righteousness in following the truth in stark contrast with the way of self-deception in following the evil one's system of lies, and to demonstrate how there are no free agents down here in fact. We either are following Jesus Christ or the devil (lots about this in the SR series, especially part 4: Satan's world system, at the link).
For what the flesh lusts for is contrary to the Spirit's will, and the Spirit is opposed to what the flesh lusts for. Since these are diametrically opposed to each other in this way, what you are doing is not what you yourself choose.
Galatians 5:17 NIV
Best wishes for this!

In Jesus,

Bob L
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

Thanks as always for the emails. You've been kept busy with some of those questions!

Hope everything is going well for you Bob and you have a good week ahead.

In Jesus
Response #18:
Things are in a good spot at the moment. Hope it's not the calm before the storm! But for us believers, we know that we can always trust the Lord no matter what.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Psalm 112:6-8 NIV
Thanks for all your help, your encouragement, your willingness to share, and for your prayers for me, my friend! Keeping you in mine daily as well.

Wishing you a good week ahead too – October is over half done!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,

Thanks for checking in. Yes, I still go to your site at least a couple times a week and have noticed the Hebrews studies. Times are uncertain for my job and I cant stand the news, corruption sure seems to be exploding everywhere, so I find comfort in the Bible and your studies. Thanks again for everything you do and please keep up the good work and fight. You are greatly appreciated.

In Jesus,
Response #19:
I'll say a prayer for your job.

Yes, the best buttons on my TV set are "mute" and "off", I've come to find out.

Things are bad, no doubt about it. Blessedly, we believers have the opportunity of rising above all this noise and churn in our hearts, keeping our focus on "the things above" (Col.3:1-2) rather than the things down here which, after all, are in the lap of the evil one (1Jn.5:19). Everything that can be seen will be completely destroyed soon enough (Heb.12:26-27), but we will rise to meet to the Lord at His return and thus will we "ever be with the Lord" (1Thes.4:17).
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2nd Peter 3:10-13 NKJV
The smallest reward we receive for hanging tough here in this difficult life will be worth more than the entire present universe – and infinitely and eternally so.

Thanks for all your good words of encouragement, my friend! They are greatly appreciated.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Some atheists actually argue that if you act moral because God, be it the true God or any other says so, you're not acting out of the goodness of your heart at all, you wouldn't act good at all if there was no God; essentially they believe most people who believe there can't be morality without God are just one step away (pre conversion) from being another Jeffrey Dahmer. They use this to try to claim the moral high ground, that they act good because such things are inherently destructive, hurtful and detrimental, not because "some book tells you not to do this". Is there any good counter to these arguments? Not just for apologetic purposes but I've had serious doubts about myself and even if I'm in the right for believing what I do because of their arguments for "objective morality without a God"...
Response #20:
The devil is the father of lies (Jn.8:44) and his followers follow his example.

I'm not an apologist. Why would you want to try and counter these people? Better to have nothing to do with hardened atheists and to stick to your own knitting instead. 

As current events suggest, there isn't that much time left. Consider using the time and energy you have on your own spiritual growth instead of upsetting yourself by being in contact with those determined to stay lost.
. . . because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1st Peter 1:16 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob,

What are we to make of what's happening in Israel, Bob? It's so sad. I'm praying for them.

In Jesus
Response #21:
Thanks much, and thanks for the good words!

On current events, it's not a sign or anything like that, but it certainly is an indication that things are barreling towards the end at a pretty fast clip now. For believers who are paying attention, it certainly is a wake-up call to start preparing as top priority if not already doing so.
For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you (i.e., Israel) touches the apple of his eye."
Zechariah 2:8
See the link: in BB 6B: "The Dangers of Antisemitism"

In Jesus,

Bob L.

http://ichthys.com/