http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CXXVI

Question #1:
Doc, I truly feel that those who fearfully or fear-mongeringly say some chip or tattoo or vaccine or whatever is the Mark of the Beast, or just something that can somehow make us unacceptable to God as humans and thus make us irredeemable before the Antichrist takes over are calling God a liar. Do you feel this way and why? I mean as far as I know there's nothing that could possibly be prophesying something like this outside of the Great Tribulation and the Mark, and I believe He would surely warn of such a thing in His Word.
Response #1:
You are correct. There will be no mark of the beast until half way through the seven years. The beast and the false prophet do not start marking people until Revelation chapter 13, which is after the start of the Great Tribulation. And we are given the number, six hundred and sixty six (NOT "six six six"), to be able to determine beyond any shadow of a doubt what the mark is and whose mark it is. Therefore no one will have the excuse of ignorance. 

Some sort of surreptitious, mysterious system that pulls people in unawares is directly contradicted by what the Bible actually says in that context. The whole point will be that the beast and devil want people to "choose" for them rather than for God. There will be enormous pressure to do so, but it won't be something people can't or don't understand . . . and it most definitely is NOT happening now. It will be a tattoo, not a chip or vaccine, just like the Bible says. Here's one of the more definitive links at Ichthys:
Numbers, Letters, and the Mark of the Beast
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Do you have any idea if the beast is on the earth now...if so, who he might be?

Thank you,
Response #2:
Good to make your acquaintance.

If the Tribulation is going to being very shortly – which I do believe is true (see the link) – then it would seem to be the case that antichrist would have to be alive at present.

That said, I have no idea who that might be. The invisibility of the beast up until the Tribulation should not be surprising. Scripture tells us that he will only "be revealed" once the Holy Spirit removes His restraining ministry in that regard (2Thes.2:3-7). 

The best I can say is that 1) it is probably not anyone most of us have heard of yet, that is, probably not any kind of celebrity at present; 2) it's not really possible to use the six hundred sixty six test to figure out who the beast is, because that test is meant to be applied to the actual, likely person once the Tribulation begins – as a sort of "fail safe" to remove any doubt about his identity for those tempted to take the mark.

You can find out more at the links: 
The Mark of the Beast (in CT 4)
"Numbers, letters and the mark of the beast".
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Good Morning, Bob,

Thank you so much for this response.

I agree we are nearing the tribulation 100%. 

I also agree with your view (2Thes.2:3-7), and not knowing who the beast is, how could you begin to count his name. With that said, I was listening to a pod cast, where a Watchman is convinced who the beast per God’s Word and counting the number of his name (with gematria) to equal 666 (with no evidence/fail safe). In a nutshell, with that information, God had me on a journey over the past 7 months to either prove or disprove with Revelation 13:18 guidance. Most are not ready to receive what God has shown me, so I always hesitate to share. This past week, I completed a 3-page summary; if you are inclined to review…I would be happy to share with you.

After going through your web site, I agree with what I have seen so far (I hear your heart for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). One key belief we share is the rapture, grateful to hear your view is 100% in line with mine.

Anyway, please ask God before you respond…He has been my guide; and if it is His will, He will move your heart.

In His Armor,
Response #3:
Thanks!

I'm not much on reviewing OPW, but will do so if you wish. Always happy to answer questions, however!

Yes, the rapture fallacy is a dangerous "feel good" false doctrine (link). Wouldn't it be nice just to skip all the trouble that's coming? But we are put here for a reason, and part of that is to glorify God by persevering through adversity. None of us "love" doing that, of course. But with His help, all things are possible – even making it through the Tribulation (if so wills the will of God) all the way to the second advent.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hey Bob,

Thanks for responding. I hear you, your site sheds light on so much, and answer so many questions well…being on the other side must feel a bit weird.

Just headed out to golf with my son and grandson’s; in these few days that remain even somewhat normal, we can still enjoy!

Amen on the rapture, how many will fall away from the faith when they find themselves in the middle of it all? That is one of many reasons my heart is weighing heavy, how do we get to the billions of people that are lost, when we know God’s will is for none to perish, but all come to repentance.

Anyway, I do wish for you to review, in that I respect your thoughts and understanding. Looking forward to your comments, questions, corrections, etc.

In His Armor Always!
Response #4:
My pleasure.

The Tribulation will certainly be a wake up call for all those believers who thought they would be able to avoid it. In the meantime, it behooves believers who understand that's not going to happen to be about the business of preparing spiritual for it. That is what this ministry is dedicated to.

On your piece, it certainly is true that God is in control of all things and that the plan of God was determined in eternity past before one single day came to pass. As to the substance of the numerical observations, I am about the farthest thing from a "math person" you could imagine. So I have nothing useful to say about your calculations per se (and apologies in advance if for that reason I have misconstrued anything you've written here).

I will say two things about the attempt to identify Mohammed bin Salman as antichrist. First, as mentioned in a prior email, the number of the beast is not meant to detect a "possible beast" before the fact; it is instead a "fail-safe" proof for giving any who are wavering at the time confidence that the beast is the beast after the point of his obvious revelation when the mark is being instituted. In other words, this information is not going to help us figure out who antichrist is before it beyond obvious to every Christian exactly who that person is. That's not its purpose. What it will do is remove any scintilla of an excuse from anyone taking his mark to the effect that they "didn't know" this person whose mark it is is in fact the beast.

Second, if you read Coming Tribulation (link), you will see that the beast rises from mystery Babylon, and that this nation will have to come from the west to fulfill all of the other biblical prophecies; mystery Babylon and revived Rome are the two pillars or "legs" upon which antichrist's kingdom stands. The far east doesn't even get involved in middle-eastern events until Armageddon. That leaves us with the south as antichrist's foil, that is, the band or group of nations which will ally to attempt to destroy Israel in the early days of the Tribulation and which will thus be the enemy against which antichrist poses as "savior". I have posited the rise of a leader (no doubt styling himself as the "Mahdi") as the prime mover of that southern region – and it is likely that the west and the beast in particular will identify that leader as "antichrist" in sparking a crusade against him in Israel's defense. Of course, after the defeat of the south, antichrist will turn on Israel and attempt to destroy her himself following his destruction of mystery Babylon, his erstwhile power center (this is all explained in part 3B of Coming Tribulation: Antichrist and his Kingdom).

Finally, when it comes to numbers and calculations, it would be good to keep in mind that the calendar we presently use (along with any numerical designations derived from it) did not exist until the sixth century A.D. (see the link), so that birthdays or any of our modern dates for that matter cannot have possibly have any reference to or be referenced in the numerology of the Bible, particularly not in regard to the mark of the beast.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

I'm very happy to hear you're OK. Thanking the Lord again for His protection. I hope some progress has been made with the trees and power lines in your street.

Listening to some of Curt's lessons as I'm painting. I'm hoping to get a lot of jobs finished while I'm off this week. So it's a case of pushing on and sticking at it.

Continuing to dig into CT as well. Pushing on and sticking at it spiritually too! Busy times.

How are you doing, Bob? Is your shoulder feeling better now?

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus
Response #5:
No progress here. I think someone dropped the ball. Everyone else seems to be back to normal but they don't even have the street properly blocked or even marked on the city closure map. I made a couple of calls. I'm sure God will work it out in any case. It's another major annoyance, however, right on the heels of no sewer for a week. It's tough to get anywhere or to get back now with this detour, and there are still about half the houses on the street without power.

Good for you, staying efficient! All that and you managed to proof Hebrews 8 for me too! Thanks again.

The shoulder is still problematic, but at times gives hints of possibly getting better. All the work I've been doing here, I have had a lot of pains – more so than I would have had forty years ago doing the same thing, LOL. As my old company commander said to me a little while back, "Bob, you have to be realistic". But where's the fun in that?

Got you and yours in my prayers too, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., update: Power back on here and street clear! So thanks for your prayers! God is good! These little tests make us see more clearly just how good He is . . . and how much we need Him.
 
Question #6:
Hi Bob,

That's great news! I was just about to press send when your email came through. So I thought I'd just send mine anyway!

It's all been coming at you thick and fast. But I see how you continue to march forward, dig deep and serve the Lord and His Church. Makes me think about how you're pleasing the Lord and that those rewards are building up for you. The trouble won't last but your rewards will last forever. Only we who belong to the Lord, we who hope in the Lord can say that in the hard, testing times. God will work everything out. Help will come and I'll keep praying. I'm praising the Lord for His protection again. That you and your home are still in one piece. Our God is good! I know you already know all of this. But it's because of your teaching, support and encouragement that I've grown spiritually and have the godly perspective that I do now. So I'm just saying it out loud!

I love that you're still in touch with your old company commander. I think he speaks some wise words. Be gentle with yourself, Bob. Just saying it because I care. It's easy to pick up an injury when we're doing heavy work. I know what you mean though. It's not much fun being realistic, but then again, it's not much fun being in pain either. I've had pain in my neck for a few months now (not sure who's causing that - LOL!). At least we have an amazing resurrection body to look forward to. No more aches and pains then!

It's always a pleasure to help with the proofing, Bob! I see it as important work for the Lord and His Church and I love that. It's my heart's desire to be able to serve in some way. Look at everything you've been dealing with just recently and you still managed to get Hebrews 8 out there for us. Thank you Bob. You're a great example for me.

Another day of painting today. Hopefully I'll get it finished tomorrow. It's looking nice!

In Jesus
Response #6:
Thank you!

I'm very grateful for all the Lord's help. It's also a bit of a wake-up call to remember that whatever such minor nuisances we're presently experiencing, these are all "small potatoes" relative to the Tribulation.

"The trouble won't last but your rewards will last forever." Amen! That is the right and the necessary perspective we all need to keep continually in mind, now and especially then.

Hope your painting went well!

And thanks for the typo help as always, my friend! Greatly appreciated.

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
[Question regarding intellectual property and copyright, and the rightness or wrongness of accessing or linking to the 1984 NIV online which may be presently not sanctioned]
Response #7:
Let's start with an actual situation. Making use of something on the internet. Is it right or is it wrong to do so? If it is posted on the internet, maybe the person had to the right to post it, maybe not. Often, this is a gray area. I often visit a place called "Internet Archive". In the early days of Google, they were busy trying to digitalize everything, and I even remember a Google exec getting short in an interview with someone who suggested that maybe posting everything previously written was not fair to authors. Exec: "I would think authors would welcome having their material made so widely available"; Author: "We have to eat in order to write books and we can't do that if they're all put out on the internet for free". Now, on the archive, you can find many older works up there for free whose presses are out of business (or which have fallen out of copyright); some things can be "borrowed"; other things have been removed in terms of content and only listed. Mostly this has to do with arrangements made with publishers. The authors, who need to eat to be able to write, are still getting nothing – or next to nothing. But that is always the way it has been.

So let's return to the actual case that kicked this off. I have also found at various places online the 1984 NIV. I've never linked it at Ichthys. I wouldn't worry myself over using it; I also wouldn't be alerting others to the link. I have no idea if the person/group/website where I found this had "a right" to put it up there or not. Maybe they purchased it at some time or got permission; we have no idea about whether or not they paid for some usage rights and weren't willing to trade their old for NIV's new. And I will confess. When I load new software or update software, I do not read the entire legal text I am required to click off on in order to be allowed to continue the operation. I don't intend to misuse it; but I also don't worry myself about technicalities which are so obscure that they don't make any real difference concerning a user like myself who is not out to profit.

So on the case in question, I wouldn't have shared the link (probably), but I also wouldn't have made an issue of sharing the link (probably). If asked, I (probably) would have said, don't do it (share or use) if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

When it comes to hypotheticals, playing that game, we can easily come up with scenarios that make the absolute case on either side untenable. Another confession: I know I should, but I do not always follow the speed limit. And it doesn't greatly bother me (though perhaps it should – it certainly would if I got pulled over). Scrupulously following all of the traffic ordinances to the letter of the law would be pretty onerous, not to mention aggravating for everyone else driving at the same time as you are (like, for example, if you go slow at the green arrow and stop early to avoid entering the intersection on a yellow and thus frustrate the three people behind you who were hoping to turn left on this cycle). On the other hand, behaving as if traffic laws were optional would be dangerous for oneself and others too (in Louisville, some people have adopted "left turn on red without stopping" and "one way only when I can't see anyone coming in the right direction"; to my credit, I don't go there [mostly]).

The same sort of thing applies to software or anything else one might want to consider. Probably if we read all the boiler plate in the new software package we would find that there were – for the over-scrupulous – things we could not in perfect conscience agree to do or not do and still use the package. On the other hand, if everyone hacked free copies of everything, no one would write software.

The US Tax code is designed to make a criminal out of everyone who earns anything. This may not be obvious to those who do not own businesses, but it is pretty much an accurate reflection of the underlying reality. There is so much ambiguity and non-workability in the code that anyone with any means is well-advised to get a good CPA – who becomes, essentially, a "priest confessor". You do what you do in business, hand everything over to the CPA, have him/her tell you what you owe – mindful of the fact that if it's too much you'll be going out of business – then you pay up . . . and hope you don't hear anything from the IRS (with their imminent expansion, that is less likely going forward for all of us, I'm afraid to say). 

In practical terms, given the highly litigious nature of our country and the fact that laws and regulations are proliferating faster than anyone could ever hope to read them, even lawyers, it is clearly the case of what they teach you in the first semester of law school: everyone is guilty of something, probably a felony, by some interpretation of one law or another, should anyone ever get the notion to prosecute. 

That being the case, one could easily be paralyzed into complete inaction by getting too concerned about small things. That being the case, one could easily be tempted into doing many things that are objectively wrong and not so small if one is not careful. Both inclinations are obviously mistaken.

Believers are given the principles, not rules. We are to respect and obey government; we also have to live our lives and function in this world on a basic level in order to do what the Lord has called us to do, namely, grow spiritually, walk with the Lord, passing tests and trusting Him, and helping others on the same path through the gifts we've been given. We give a bad witness if we are obviously and boldly scoffing at the law; we might well cease to exist if we followed everything to the letter – since we don't have time to read every letter and since ignorance is no excuse (see the link: in BB 6A: Wisdom).
(16) Do not be overly righteous, and do not be overly wise – why should you ruin yourself? (17) Do not be overly wicked and do not be a fool – why should you die before your time? (18) The best thing for you [to do] is to lay firm hold on the former (i.e., wisdom and righteousness), while not completely releasing your hand from the latter, for the man who fears God will escape both [extremes].
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
I'm averse to pronouncing anyone right or wrong here. We can all agree that murder is wrong. We can all probably also agree that ceasing one's ministry just because one's employer adopts a no-tolerance policy for expressing views which are considered by said employer to be sexist/racist/non-progressive/intolerant of other religions, etc. would also be a mistake. Somewhere between doing actual harm to others and paralyzing oneself so as to not be able to do what we are called to do is a space where we can live our lives for the Lord in good conscience. This will look different, no doubt, at different times and in different places, but also different to different people, depending in no small part on their level of spiritual maturity.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 14:5 NKJV
How can that be right? But it is. So my advice is 1) let your conscience in the Spirit be your guide, not acting out of guilt but out of assurance of the truth; 2) as a rule, don't pass judgment on others over disputable matters (Rom.14:1), especially if they are relatively "small potatoes"; 3) as a pastor-teacher, if it is a matter of application, try not to get involved; let your parishioners make their own decisions: that is what we are all here for.

As always, apologies in advance for not actually answering your question (well, I DID tell you what I thought). 

Feel free to share this one.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,

What about when someone in a position of government office does unsanctioned/illegal actions -- things that would get them in trouble with their superiors/higher government authority? Is acting in self-defense, up to and including physical violence leading to death against this out-of-line aggressor (in the most extreme cases), "failing to submit to government authority"?

In Him,
Response #8:
On the question of "sanctioned" vs. "unsanctioned", as your own examples make clear, there are of course obvious cases of severe, violent overreach where a person would be within his/her rights resisting, especially where life and limb were wrongly threatened. However, I do notice that Paul was wrongly beaten in Philippi along with Silas, and there is no indication of even a consideration of resistance. This was not the only time such a thing happened to Paul (e.g., 2Cor.11:24-25) or to others (Acts 5:40-41).

I'm very reluctant to make or approve of rules based on definitions, especially when the terms themselves are not in the Bible. When asked in a parallel situation about "who exactly is my neighbor?", our Lord resisted allowing a precise definition to be used as a means of avoiding neighborly conduct in telling the parable of the "good Samaritan". I take from this that while it may be true that someone is definitely NOT a neighbor and NOT a proper beneficiary of love, we ought err in the direction of inclusiveness, and not use the possibility of "not fitting the definition" to exclude when we might include others in the principle of love. Applying that to authority, I would say that if in doubt, we ought to comply, and if we are sure that the authority is not sanctioned, we still ought to think twice . . . at least. Better to take things like this on a case by case basis, in my view, however. 

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob,

What are your views on being asked more questions on this topic of government authority? 

When you said:

On the question of “sanctioned” vs. “unsanctioned”, as your own examples make clear, there are of course obvious cases of severe, violent overreach where a person would be with his/her rights resisting, especially where life and limb were wrongly threatened.

. . . within the concept of "resisting" was "using violent force against = shooting at the out-of-line government officials in self-defense". It seemed to me that that was precisely what that meant. 

In Him,
Response #9:
I'm always happy to answer questions.

Not to be dense, but I don't understand what you asking me.

I will say that this is one of those places where I am averse at making specific rules. So my answers will probably sound like a broken record, i.e., "I wouldn't want to make that a rule" and "It would depend on the circumstances and the spiritual maturity of the individual in question". So in terms of profitability, unless a person is trying to write an ethical treatise on this subject, I don't really see it. Otherwise, we are trying to give our sheep guidelines to follow. What we don't want to do is 1) confuse them (more than we have to), or 2) give them a Procrustean set of rules that are impossible to follow.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob,

Let me try again. [omitted]

So the specific question is does "resist" in the context of your response include the concept of "firing upon police officers [that are acting in severe, violent overreach, out of self-defense]"? Not as general practice at all (of course), but when they are horrifically out-of-line?

I thought it obviously did, in context (what else would "resist" possibly mean, given how I worded things in my questions?). 

In Him,
Response #10:
Scripture is very clear about our need to obey authority (Rom.13:1-7; Tit.3:1; 1Pet.2:13-17), and, as mentioned many times in the past, these statements came from individuals – Paul and Peter – who had on multiple occasion been badly mistreated and misused by authority, imprisonment, torture, attempted (and eventual), execution in both cases. 

So I would prefer to put the stress on the second part of the paragraph where I mention Paul and Silas and their example and err on the side of NON-resistance. I'm just unwilling to say that there are never ever any exceptions whatsoever, because, obviously, we haven't seen or experienced everything personally. Not making a rule about it would be as far as I'm willing to go on this one in terms of latitude to do otherwise. 

Of course, I also always say in such contexts that God's authority always trumps all human authority, so that we are not allowed to do things that God tells us not to do, even if it means disobeying human authority and suffering the consequences (as with Daniel's three friends who were cast into the fiery furnace as a result of refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's idol) or to NOT do things God tells us to do regardless of the repercussions (as with Daniel who refused NOT to pray). These have been, historically, rather rare situations, and believers should think twice, at least, before wrongly applying these exceptions to their own experiences (as in, shooting it out with the police, to use your example . . . but because of being pulled over on the way to church and not wanting to be late – to reduce it to absurdity).

In short order, we believers will indeed find ourselves in such a situation. For scripture is quite clear that in spite of all pressure and compulsion, we are NOT allowed to take the mark of the beast (see the link in CT 7: "Do Not Take the Mark of the Beast"). This refusal will be an act of direct opposition to authority – but it's one we can and must embrace to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ regardless of what happens as a result.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 NKJV
Whether we are delivered through the Tribulation to the living resurrection at our Lord's return or whether we are chosen to honor our Savior through martyrdom, may it be to His glory and our eternal reward.

Hope you had a nice Labor Day break!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob,

Your 5/4 post struck a number of chords. Finally, at the visceral level, I understood the sin unto death. You wrote the words but the Spirit made them clear. Thank you.

Also, regarding forgiveness of sin, Revelation 9:20 suggests to me, in English translations, that forgiveness is possible though unlikely even for those who have taken the mark. Maybe I misunderstand, but that they "still didn't repent" suggests they could have.

Finally, from your comments in the last email plus a scan-by headline, it appears that most mainline churches are accepting homosexuals and women priests/ministers (depending on the denomination.) The RC church has been corrupt from the beginning, it seems. If I'm to believe archeologists and the news reporting, they apparently exhumed skeletons of monks/friars that showed signs of syphilis. Revelation 9:20 describes the worship of idols. I don't see a difference between that and Catholic ritual. I don't know about small, unaffiliated groups but at this point, I have no desire to investigate.

Thanks for your posts and all the effort you invest in your flock.

In our Lord,
Response #11:
Thanks much, my friend!

On Revelation 9:20, while I agree that this statement that the rest of mankind did NOT repent is at least an indication that they COULD have repented, it has to be noted that Revelation is essentially chronological and that this statement occurs before the mid-point of the Tribulation right before the commencement of the Great Tribulation (which starts at Revelation 11:15 with the seventh trumpet – which is the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the final three and a half years). The upshot of this is that the mark of the beast has yet to be instituted at this point in Rev.9:20. That marking is a "second half" event, and scripture seems quite clear that anyone who takes the mark is lost (Rev.14:9-11). Whether that is because no one who takes it will even attempt to repent or whether it is because that option is foreclosed, the end result is the same either way.

Things are come to quite a pass indeed. That is, as I often say, one of the indications that the end is close. How much longer "all this" can go on is a fair question to ask, both the degeneracy of the world in general and the lack of response to the Lord on the part of His people on the other. We may not be here to see it . . . but on the other hand. So keep running your good race, my friend. It's not over until the archangel sounds his trumpet.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Bob, I didn't realize that Rev.9:20 was before the mark. I have a tendency to focus on details and miss the bigger picture. I need to work on that more. I took a detour to reread the sermon on the mount after I finished Revelation and then I'll go back to a reread of Revelation. Knowing what you just shared will shed more light on Revelation. I always felt taking the mark was final. I'll be paying closer attention on this next pass.

Another comment that occurred to me reading the 5/4 post was that I'll never completely understand the Bible. I'm impressed with folks that debate the nuances of Greek while I still have trouble with English.

In our Lord
Response #12:
I think you have a good approach to things, my friend.

Re: "I'll never completely understand the Bible" – none of us will this side of heaven, even if the Lord were to leave us here another thousand years. There's a lot to learn!

On languages, LOL, when students ask me how many languages I know my stock response is, "I'm working on English".

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Thanks Bob,

I have had a very emotionally painful weekend but through it the Lord has revealed a really important truth to me which is a really important part of my ministry. He has graciously revealed to me a very important part of these abusive dynamics in relationships that most people seem to have overlooked.

It is that question that people always ask and what you just asked..'why do they stay?'. There are a lot of answers to this of course, complex emotional ties; they remind them of a father/mother figure, a trauma bond is created, the fear of being alone, the sunk cost fallacy etc. There is a very important spiritual dynamic to this though that I have only just realised. It's about worship, it's about idolatry.

These abusive relationships are idolatrous ones. They put the man or woman who is the abuser in the position of God. When these relationships first come into being, the male/female abuser doesn't approach a complete stranger and says 'I want you to worship me as God and become my slave. How about it?' Instead the first part of the deception is called 'lovebombing'.

This term comes from the Moonies whereby they literally had a bonding game where they chanted 'bomb with love' at one another. Of course this is a good example of '1984' style Newspeak; a contradiction of terms, an abuse of language like 'War is Peace'. Really it is simply a satanic inversion of the truth. Love and bombs are complete polar opposites to one another. That's the whole point though as it desensitizes a person to see good as evil and evil as good. They call this period as lovebombing the target but of course it is not love at all.

God tells us what love is in 1 Cor 13 4-8. He also tells us that God is love. He goes on to say that if people say they love Him but do not love their brother then they are a liar. God has a lot to say about love because it is the very essence of His very being.

So this 'lovebombing' is not love at all but a form of seduction, it is a disingenuous charm offensive of flattering a person. What the Lord has pointed out to me though that it is specifically worshipping the target. It is putting them on a pedestal or throne. This is where the victim should immediately nip it in the bud. They should refuse to be given worship but unfortunately our sin natures are vulnerable to this type of flattery as Satan well knows. If only at this point the intended victim responded faithfully as the elect angels do when they say "Do not worship me! Worship God!" If they immediately did this then their troubles over this would immediately end. When you resist the devil with the truth then he will flee from us.

The problem is that the victim enjoys being worshipped and being treated as a god. They become addicted to it like a drug. They claim it is 'perfect love' but it isn't love at all, it is an idolatrous snare. Once they are well and truly hooked, then the abuser does a switcheroo. This is when the victim is suddenly dethroned and the abuser seizes the throne instead. They do this during the 'devaluation' phase. The lovebombing was the 'idealisation' phase. The devaluation phase though is really the 'dethroning phase'. The abuser points out the flaws in the victim and shows disappointment and disgust that their object of veneration is not perfect and godlike at all. The falling from the throne is a terrible blow to the victim. They go from feeling as though they are wonderful to being less than nothing. Of course this was the aim all along, the long game. To put the abuser on the throne. At this point the worshipper becomes the worshipped. It is like a drug addict who immediately is forced to go cold turkey. The victim will do ANYTHING to get that drug back. So they start frantically worshipping the abuser in the hope of getting that worship back for themselves as they feel completely bereft without it.

This goes on for quite a long time, the frantic worshipping of the abuser hoping that false worship will come back (as we have already ascertained it isn't love.) Sometimes the victim becomes exasperated and starts to flag in their worship as they lose hope of it coming back again. As the abuser doesn't want to lose this worship, they then make a promise. They will never relinquish the throne once they have gained it but they pretend that they are willing to SHARE THE THRONE with their victim. Of course the addicted victim seizes this dubious opportunity to share the throne. They may have to accept that their abuser is now their king/god but they are enticed that they will become the queen/goddess beside him (or vice versa.) This is a hugely important point in their relationship. It solidifies Satan's control over two people through the seduction of a shared throne. Of course Satan never intends to share his throne with anyone, least of all human beings. This was the lie in the garden though as he offered the throne to Adam and Eve. Many people want this though, the crown without the cross.

This dynamic of the satanic ruling king and queen can be seen throughout pagan history of the pagan god and goddess (sometimes symbolised by the sun and the moon.) In a sense these relationships/marriages become little pagan cults or cults of Baal as I have called them in the past. So Baalism is still going strong today but are hidden behind closed doors in small family units. The Bible is clear that behind every false idol is a demon craving worship. So the fallen angels use these idolatrous relationships to gain worship from a minimum of two people (sometimes more when there are children involved.)

Satan will never share his throne, so true to form the abuser doesn't allow this to go on uncontested for long. They will find faults then with their 'queen' and then decide their queen is not worthy and so she becomes dethroned all over again. This cycle can continue on and on indefinitely.

So now we also have an explanation of why the victim can sometimes be cruel to the people who try to help them. When they are 'sharing the throne', they see themselves as superior to others and ruling the world from their throne. When they are dethroned then they are in a terribly vulnerable position but may refuse help as they are desperate to regain that exalted position again. The sad thing about them at this point is that they have the taste of superiority in their mouth and they enjoy the taste. They don't realise it is a lie, an illusion.

I have sometimes wondered why the same people who can be crying and begging for help at one point can suddenly be haughty and contemptuous of that helper afterwards. It is because they have 'regained their throne again'. What I have realised sadly is that even when you show such people real love then they cannot recognise it as such. It is like offering water to a person desperate with thirst but they reject it as they hanker after hard liquor.

The problem is that they don't think love is enough anymore. They want the giddy intoxication of being on top of the throne, lording it over the rest of us. The illusion of earthly power is a difficult drug to quit and Satan knows this.

What we ask of these people is not only to 'dethrone' their abusers but also to dethrone themselves. Satan is an equal opportunities employer. Just because a person has gone through an abusive relationship, doesn't mean they will automatically become saved. I feel I have a better understanding now why many won't. They have been lied to it is true but unfortunately they learn to love the lie themselves as they believe in it as truth as in part it flatters them and exalts them before others. Most people will use their free will to enthrone themselves. It is not a coincidence that many people who go through abuse are then told to love themselves and seek their own 'empowerment'.

These kind of deceptive relationships cannot fool Bereans though. If we are always moving spiritually forward and seeking to glorify God only and refuse to give this place of honour to another person or ourselves then we will not be deceived and can help others who are less strong in their faith to not succumb to these temptations of the flesh from the enemy.

In Jesus,
p.s. I hasten to add Bob that I am not victim blaming here. Of course these relationships are terribly abusive, inevitably so given the demonic involvement but it is important to describe the bait or lure that Satan uses to get people 'hooked' in the first place. Once we give up on the lies that Satan uses against us then we cannot be harmed. We cannot be harmed once we know the truth and embrace it. The truth is that Jesus Christ is on the throne and only He has that right. When anyone else demands that position (or if we demand this for ourselves) all we can look forward to is unhappiness in this life and misery in the next.
Response #13:
This is really perceptive and enlightening material, my friend! I'm sorry that you had to have personal experience of it in order understand it well enough to express it so clearly. No doubt you have been chosen for this ministry for a reason. If there are no objections, I'll be posting it anon.

A couple of observations. There is an old saying, "all's fair in love and war". Neither side of that proposition is entirely true, of course, but it does make the point that relationships, especially in the modern world where we choose to whom we will be bonded (as opposed to the arranged marriages which dominated in the ancient world), very often have some element of what you are describing here. What I mean to say is that you are describing the extreme situation which is indeed terrifying (or ought to be), perpetrated by individuals who are not only not Christian but who are exploiters by choice. This sort of behavior we should all strive to avoid, but just because I compliment you or you compliment me doesn't mean of course that we are engaging in such activity consciously or even unconsciously. 
For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 5:9 ESV
Flattery is a problem for the very reasons you describe (cf. Job 17:5; 32:21-22; Ps.12:2-3; 78:36; Prov.6:24; 7:21; 26:28; 28:23; Dan.11:32; Rom.16:18; 1Thes.2:5; Jude 1:16), but as in citation above, the motivation behind it is the real problem. Saying something nice to be kind may sometimes be a mistake; saying it with ulterior motives is an entirely different sort of thing. 

I say all this not to correct you in any way (you are right on the money with your analysis), but for those who will read your post and take it the wrong way. Pastor-teachers always have to be looking out for mis-application of the truth, and we are wise to "head it off at the pass" whenever we see the potential for it coming. I can well imagine some gun-shy individual swearing off of all relationships or becoming suspicious of everything someone else does or wants to do for them. I'm less worried about genuinely mature believers who are equipped with enough truth to see when they are being manipulated and lied to – if not at first, at least in time to avoid falling into this trap. And knowing that such traps exist is all for the good, so thank you again for this trenchant description of the problem of abuse!

As you rightly discern, flattery or "love bombing" and etc. is lying, and we know that the devil is the father of lies (Jn.8:44). Telling people what they want to hear is the essence of temptation.
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God (or "like gods"), knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:4-5 NKJV
We are all stupid to believe our "press clippings" (as my old pastor used to say), and allowing ourselves to be knocked off the strait and narrow by evil manipulation is, as the verse above shows, a very old story. Good to keep in mind whenever we are dealing with anyone in any capacity whose character is not yet clear to us. For those we do know, if they don't actually fall into the category of those manipulators whose conduct you expose so well, then we can be a little more relaxed, even if they compliment our hair cut (for them that have hair).

Finally, I fully expect for this sort of activity to be a large part of the beast's religion. It will use this carrot along with a very big stick (pressure to receive the mark et al.) in order to capture as much of the human race as possible. Steeling ourselves against such tactics now is nothing but good.

Keeping you and your health and situation in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,

[omitted] 

When they are vulnerable people can be really humbled and grateful for kindness shown to them but as soon as they feel 'strong' again they exalt themselves over others again and can be nasty even to the people who tried to help them when they suffered. I have seen this with other people too, time and time again. It is as though they want to put distance in from that vulnerable part of them that needed help. People seem to have a lot of shame about needing help. I guess ultimately it is that gateway sin of pride that leads to so many other sins. If a person resents having to ask for help from another person then I doubt they would be able to humble themselves to ask God to deliver themselves.

I have realised that humility is key here. As believers we all know how reliant and utterly dependent on God we are. In fact, the more mature we are, the more humble we will be. Moses was a very humble person, as was Peter and Paul eventually and they were all great believers. The 'strength' that the world promotes is the 'strength' that Satan promotes. It is the boastful pride of life. It is the one who first says 'I don't need God' to eventually saying 'I am God'.

Humility is so important as it recognises the futile hubris of self reliance. We NEED God as we were made for His purpose, not our own, His will, not our own. What is wonderful about being humbled by God (and it is wonderful if we only embrace it) is that it then readies us for His use of us. We can never be ready for this unless we are looking to Him and waiting on Him. This takes humility to do. Like the Lord says, we need that childlike faith that is always looking to Him for guidance and our marching orders. His will be done.

[omitted]

Re-reading your reply... If we encourage and compliment a person who is discouraged and struggling, that is done in Christian love with their best interests at heart. To show them love and that we are all equals here and that God desires all to be saved and know that He only wants good for all of us. That is good and pleases God when we show love to one another. Encouraging people to see that they are loved and valuable to God is important. This is not flattery at all. This is love. Flattery is a form of deception. It is pretending to care for someone else when really it is a tool of manipulation to benefit the flatterer not the person who was flattered. When we compliment a person with genuine love, that is a free gift to that person, no strings attached and it is not designed to be reciprocated. We don't give to receive of men because we know we will receive from God. We compliment a person, we wish them well and say Godspeed. We don't do this to receive it back but because we love them. 

Flattery on the other hand always has strings attached. It is not genuine. It is never truthful. A kindly word is always a truthful one. It will be said in truth and that is why it is so powerful as the person who receives it with joy knows that it is true and so truly meant. Flattery is artful and deceiving and is designed to puff up and appeal to a person's vanity. It is never perceptive about a person and is usually out of touch with the truth. It is a bloated lie about a person designed to encourage pride in the same.

A compliment is a Godly encouragement meant to recognise improvement and achievement or to encourage a person who feels badly about themselves to feel they are among equals who love them. Flattery is satanic deception meant to instil a prideful boast in another for expedient purposes of the flatterer. A compliment is a selfless gift whereas flattery is wholly self serving. A compliment is to help another see themselves more clearly (as it is truthful). Flattery is designed to blind the receiver to the truth and captivate them with pretty lies. Whereas a compliment is to raise a person to equality, flattery is always to raise the receiver above all others. It is not to encourage a person but to exalt them. Lastly, a fitting compliment is given to a person by a person who truly has love for them whereas flatterers usually have disguised contempt for their victims which only is made apparent further down the line (but by then the victim has already been ensnared.)

Daniel 11:32-45
With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

In Jesus,
p.s. Some other observations on flattery. Flattery tends to be very broadly generic and unspecific enough to be applicable to anyone. Just like how horoscopes and palm readers say something broad enough to fit anyone (and like you said about Adam and Eve, says something we want to hear -not what we need to hear.) This is because flatterers of all stripes tend to be lazy people who aren't really interested in the people in front of them and just sees them as means to get what they want. Because of this they are not very perceptive or interested enough in the individuality of a person, instead playing to the safety of tapping into a generic lusts that most people have (beauty, fame, fortune, knowledge, power.) It is like that cliche of a man at a bar saying to every lady they meet 'Why xyz is my favourite name!' They have been saying the same line to women all day. They tend to trot out the same line as they know if they try it often enough then someone will eventually take the bait. A compliment tends though to be uniquely personal to that person. E.g. An art teacher complimenting a student's pencil linework becoming more defined and confident. They recognise an improvement in the individual where there was a difficulty before. A flatterer doesn't care enough about people to notice such a small detail. Unfortunately there are some skilled manipulators however who do study a person long enough to be able to hone in on a person but these people do give themselves away. Even if the flattery is perceptive it will tend to come with an inbuilt criticism or passive aggressive swipe at the end of it. Flatterers do not have genuine love for people and they tend to be very jealous of sharing their exalted position with anyone else. (The back handed compliment comes to mind.) Another give away with flattery is that the flatterer inadvertently slips themselves within the flattery. They just can't help themselves. The attention will ultimately be about focusing back on themselves. Eg. 'X is MY FAVOURITE name. Nicer than a lot of other women's/men's names'; 'You cook really good food. I THINK food should only be cooked by connoisseurs'.

Those last two are examples of how flattery is 
1) generic and broad enough to be applied to anyone
2) elevates the target to be exalted over others
3) Inserts the flatterer front and centre so it is about their taste, their opinion, their thoughts. YOU are special because THEY noticed you.

I think I have figured out what is at the heart of flattery as opposed to a compliment.
1) A person who compliments encourages dignity and respect of another being who was created in God's image. i.e., they are special because God created them and died for them.
2) A person who flatters sees themselves as God and thinks their flattery of another is their unmerited favour being bestowed upon the recipient. i.e., they are special because the flatterer says they are. It is the flatterers favour that makes them special.
Response #14:
I'm sorry to hear that ___ 's situation hasn't improved – and also that you are still struggling with your health issues. And I'm continuing to keep these and __ in my prayers.

Good observations about flattery. I think the main point is that we have to consider the source. Whatever emanates from a good source (e.g., a genuine Christian walking with the Lord, trying to do what is right), is likely to be OK. But whatever comes from a known bad source should always be viewed with a jaundiced eye. In between, when we are dealing with as yet unknown quantities, better to be safe than sorry and to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1Jn.4:1).
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but [a] man is tested by the praise he receives. 
Proverbs 27:21 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
[omitted]
Response #15:
I won't publish the last one. 

I am concerned for ___, but also for you. On the other hand, you are handling this period of testing very well from what I can see.
“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
It's God's great blessing that He does give us periods of respite and also periods of joy. But we always have to remember that testing is a part of the Christian life. We don't have to despair over that either, because with every test there DOES come deliverance and there DOES come respite – with victory, if we hang in there with the Lord through the trial. And we CAN have "good cheer" amid the pressures too (Jas.1:2-4), because we are focusing not on the present world, a world which is temporary and imperfect and which therefore can never bring true happiness. The only true happiness to found in this world is in the Spirit and the truth, following Jesus Christ and anticipating being with Him and with each other in perfection forever.
For it is in this hope [of the resurrection of our bodies] that we have been saved. Now a hope that is visible is not [really] a hope. For why should someone wait expectantly for what his eyes can see? But we have set our hope on what cannot be seen, and so are patiently awaiting its fulfillment.
Romans 8:24-25
"It would be a lot simpler if I didn't love them but I do, very much." That is the dilemma which virtually all serious Christians in this Laodicean time face, a little or a lot, something we all have to cope with in some degree or another. But as you point out, God knew all this in eternity past and He also hears your prayers. So we can legitimately have hope for all for whom we are concerned, praying for them in confidence that the Lord is working it all together for good for us who love Him more than anything in this world.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
You have really encouraged me. I have been feeling the strain a bit lately. I have had these tests before singly but now they are happening simultaneously. I know that if it is happening it is because the Lord knows I am up to passing it. I also realise that this will be for my good as the Tribulation will be a seeming relentless spiritual battle for any of us that are called to go through it.

Sometimes I have felt a little scared at times but I know I just have to take it one day at a time and trust the Lord and He will bring me through. Amen!

Thanks again my friend,

In Jesus,
Response #16:
My pleasure

And, yes, the Tribulation will be quite a test indeed! But believers will be spared from or at least insulated from many of the truly awful things that will happen (as in the case of the exodus plagues sparing the Israelites). Also, what is generally onerous will be falling upon everyone not just us personally. Also, we believers at least will have a good idea of when the end is coming: it can't last more than seven years. The knowledge scripture provides is meant to prepare us – when it is coupled with genuine spiritual growth and maturity. There is no substitute for proper preparation.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation 1:3 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,

Great to hear the exams went so well! I hope you managed to get to everything you needed to do today.

I'm definitely praying for your student and for you when you speak to him about the Lord. I can understand that it's a delicate situation. Praying for his health too.

[omitted]

Back to work tomorrow. It's all go!

Thanks for those prayers, Bob!

In Jesus
Response #17:
On the exams, I spoke too soon. The only one's I'd graded in the Latin 101 class were the "early turn ins". When I got to the rest of them, we have a LOT of "issues". So they're in for some remedial work (I feel bad for the handful who are doing what they ought to be doing). Also, I couldn't get to my projects today because I had a student who needed a letter of recommendation for a Fulbright scholarship she's angling for (wants to go to Moldavia, of all places! [update: won it!]). But I did get all the necessaries taken care of, so I'm feeling pretty good about that.

One of Greek students, an older woman, stopped by to chat. She missed the exam on account of moving and some problems with her older special needs daughter. She asked me if I was a believer and I gladly owned up to belonging to Jesus Christ. She asked me if I went to church . . . and I told her that I have an online ministry. That ended the conversation pretty quick! So we are on good terms but the line in the sand seems to have been drawn. The conversation with __ went well today, or so I'd thought. I was very glad to spout out about Ichthys and about spiritual growth. He let me talk for about fifteen minutes . . . then he let me know that he was very happy to be RC! So I feel good and bad at the same time about today. It's rare to meet people who profess faith in Christ at the university. And then when you do . . . It just makes me all the more grateful for solid believers like yourself, my friend!

I'll keep ___ in my prayers for this new concern.

Praying for you have the juice to go, go, go as far and as long as you need to!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

I'm sorry to hear the exams didn't go so well. I'm sure it must be a bit frustrating for you. I hope they can start to dig a bit deeper now. Moldavia is an "interesting" choice!

It's good that you had the opportunity to speak to two students about your faith and the ministry - especially when it doesn't happen very often. But it's sad that the reaction sounds all too familiar. At least __ has found your website so we can hope that he'll read some more. And you're still on good terms with them. We can pray for them too.

It reminds me a lot of how things are with ___. I think __ thinks it's strange and not right that I don't go to a church. I don't think __ can get her head around my church being Ichthys. To __ it's not the "norm" which it isn't and I'm very glad about that! I get the feeling __'s a bit suspicious about it all. Like I've been led astray. I feel that way about the zoom meetings with __'s "spiritual director".

The fact that we are in Laodicea and so close to the end seems to become more and more magnified to me with each passing day. I'm so so grateful for you too, Bob! There are so few of us now. We'd probably sound nutty to the lukewarm ... but we know the truth and we love the truth.

A busy day at work but I got through. I'm a bit tired but your prayers are helping me to keep go go going! Thanks Bob - praying for you too.

In Jesus
Response #18:
Good to hear that you survived your busy day, though tired. Some story on this end! Had another student (a good one) ask me today where I "go to church"; when I said "online ministry", he had researched me and found my C.V. on Ichthys. Short hallway conversation so that was the end of it. Not sure what his spiritual story is. 

It's likely to be a very long end of the week. We have a major rock concert every year at an outdoor venue about a mile and a half away called "Louder than Life", and boy is it true to its name. You can feel the base rattling the windows until late at night (the amps are on poles pointed in our direction). I'm hoping it will end earlier this year every night since I really do need my "beauty sleep".

"The fact that we are in Laodicea and so close to the end seems to become more and more magnified to me with each passing day." It sure does to me too. Most of what has happened in the last few years I never would have imagined or believed if you told me ahead of time. And perhaps the most surprising thing is that Christians have let these pressures make them more rather than less lukewarm – with notable exceptions like yourself for which I am eternally grateful!

You're right, not being "the norm" is a good, not a bad thing under these conditions. As I'm working on the latest Hebrews installment, the best thing that can be said for the vast majority of Christian churches and denominations these days is that in some cases they may help people stagnate where they are in spiritual infancy . . . so that AT LEAST they don't go backsliding into complete spiritual reversal. It's not a great report! But for those of us who are concerned with getting a good report card from the Lord, that's not nearly good enough. So while "suspicious" is certainly an apt descriptor of the standard response we get when we tell people about Ichthys, underlying that reaction is the natural human tendency not to want to get called out over things that in our heart of hearts we are doing which we know are wrong (or at least not up to snuff).
As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
Acts 24:25 NIV
Praying for you to get through these next weeks with colors flying, my friend! We can all rest on the other side.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,

So another student found Ichthys - that's good going this week! I wonder if he will chat some more to you about it. I must admit, I was a bit confused as to why they asked you what church you went to and then closed the conversation so quickly when you mentioned Ichthys. But your explanation has helped me to understand this better and the verse you gave (Acts 24:25) is spot on. __ listened to me talk about Ichthys for quite a while, but I remember you saying to me that __ gave me a good hearing because we've known each other for so long. __ doesn't mention it at all. And I can tell __ feels uncomfortable if I say anything about Ichthys. So what you say makes complete sense. But we're still praying.

Oh no, Bob! Is it hard rock concert time again? I remember you telling me about it last year. That soon came around again - time is flying by. So you don't even need to buy a ticket - you can rock along at home. 

I'm really looking forward to the next Hebrews installment. I read through the next chapter today.
In Jesus
Response #19:
Paul ran into this problem in a related way wherever he went. There were always a group of his fellow Jews who, regardless of the heartfelt, Spirit-empowered nature of his presentation, refused to believe . . . because they preferred their traditions.
Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Acts 28:24-28 NIV
Of course, the church-goers are not trying to murder us (yet), so we'll count that as a positive difference. The time is coming, however, when they'll have to make a choice as to whether to follow their denominations and most churches right into antichrist's fold or become pariahs like us. We've already made that better choice (Lk.10:41-42).

I've gotten a bit hung up with the last paragraph of chapter 5 in Hebrews – in a good way, but it's taking longer that I anticipated [now posted at the link; latest installment Hebrews 8]. I was hoping to possibly have it for this weekend, but now next weekend looks optimistic. I'm making progress, though!

Glad to hear that things are going so well with __! I keep __ in my prayers as well

So far all quiet tonight. But they did about half an hour sound check this morning and that was louder than the precursor festival last weekend. Thanks so much for the prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Robert,

I understand, it's always disappointing when something turns to the opposite of what you're hopes are for your children. I do agree with you, politics are the worst. I have a friend that has pushed the Donald Trump hog wash constantly. She idolizes him like so many of this world. I choose not to engage any any political talk. It's a huge waste of time, energy and hard on my spiritual health. I see she hates me for it, which is another sign that all this is coming from the spiritual realm. I pray all the time that she will someday see that we are all being deceived. 

A friend wrote this below. 
The challenge for every believer is to discern between the noise of worldly chaos and the clear voice of God.

This discernment is what will determine our faithfulness in these tumultuous times.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalms 46:10)
Bob, these are the times where it's so easily to be deceived. I feel it's going to get harder and harder for everyone.

What a blessing your ministry has been for those that want to listen and learn so we can prepare for the future. You mentioned in your last email that you were hoping for some respite before all "it" happens. I do agree with you, trusting in the Lord that he works it out for the good is exactly right. Having that faith will make it much easier. 

You are absolutely right, things can be much worse than Covid. I have experienced things myself that were much worse in the last 4 years and I'm sure it can still be even worse than that. I remind myself that this place is not my home and that I have much to look forward to on the other side with Jesus. 

I'm thank God everyday that I have running water and the day I don't I will find something to be thankful for. Giving thanks in all things will keep you going until the end. 

Here is another writing from a friend. 

God is in control of everything.

He’s calling us to look beyond the chaos and fear, to stand firm in His commands, and to trust in His perfect plan.

And the very few people who do His will, remaining faithful until the end, will be saved.

"But he who endures until the end shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13)

"This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus." (Revelation 14:12)

Bob, please tell __ our thoughts and prayers are with him and so is Jesus. 
Response #20:
Politics really is the devil's game – and he plays both sides of the table. That's why no one else can ever "win". Satan is currently doing his best to rile up everyone on both sides of the political spectrum, and from what I see on the news, he is having great success. The more polarized things get, the more opportunities for the devil and his agenda. We don't yet know whether antichrist will come from the left or from the right – or possibly be a "unifying figure" who somehow entrances both (as impossible as that seems at present, it's still my best guess). But from whichever political persuasion he arises, two things are already clear: 1) fighting him will not work: only Jesus Christ will be able to defeat anti-christ; 2) supporting him will only result in a horrible disaster for those who do: everyone who takes the mark will be cast into the lake of fire, and Babylon herself will be destroyed by him in his complete ingratitude only a few months from the end of the Tribulation. There was never, perhaps, a harder time not to get riled up by political events. And there was never a time when it was more important for Christians to maintain their spiritual equilibrium. The more upset we let ourselves get, the deeper into a hole we put ourselves from which spiritual advance is nearly impossible. How can your read your Bible and get anything out of it if you are not at peace? How can you commit to focusing on spiritual growth and follow through in reading deeply into, e.g., this ministry, if you're obsessed with the current political situation? We all have to learn to disengage from what is important to those of this world. As you rightly note, we are looking for a better one, to a city/country "whose architect and builder is God" (Heb.11:10).

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I will say a prayer for her about this. 

And, yes, things could always be worse. If you guys find yourselves without power, you could just pack up the RV and move down the road. We got hit with a big storm this afternoon and many around here are without juice – half of my street (though mine is still on), and about 50K in this part of the state. Street is blocked too [stayed blocked for three plus days; open now and power back – thanks for the prayers everyone!] Another "big one" due in the middle of the night, so I have located my flashlights and spare batteries. But I can't put this old place on rollers! It's well over a hundred years old and close to falling apart as it is! But I am grateful for all the Lord has given me, undeserving as I am (as we all are). The real test will come in the future when all of a sudden things we've always had and enjoyed and possibly taken for granted get taken away. We need to prepare for that spiritually as well.
(12) I know how to handle humiliation; I also know how to handle prosperity. I have learned by experience in each and every way how to handle being abundantly provided for and being impoverished, being in prosperity and being in a state of deprivation. (13) I have the strength to endure all [extremes] in the One who empowers me to do so.
Philippians 4:12-13
I always appreciate your strong witness of faith, my friend! It means a lot to me, and I'm sure it's having an effect on many others (even if not always visible).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., thanks for kind words and prayers 

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