http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues LIV

Question #1:    
Dear Teacher

How have you been, Sir? I see that you've got a new president, whatever that will mean. LOL. I kept getting notifications from Fox and CNN and each time I saw just how emotionally invested I was when my heart dropped into my stomach. I had to keep reminding myself that it really doesn't matter who wins, since in the end, it is the Lord in Whose Hands our welfare lies. If He is pleased to give America to Biden or to keep Trump in the White House, He will be doing it for our good. So, it really makes no difference in the end. Also, I was praying for you and all our brothers and sisters in the States - and will continue to - so that things end there without snowballing into any kind of breakdown of law and order.

Mom has recovered fully. It was probably a bout of malaria. She took some antimalarials, rested a lot and did her best to eat, and she's fine now. I'm thankful for the Lord's answer to prayer and very much indeed for your prayers, Sir.

Thank you for the outlet on your own website, Sir. I'm grateful to have some way of sharing what I have been given. I'm working on the sixth installment of the series that I have sent to you. In the meantime, I'm sending a conversation that I compiled.

Your student in Jesus
Response #1:
Great news about your mom! I'm sure that is a great relief for you. I'm keeping her in prayer nonetheless.

Yes, we have to leave these things to the Lord – if we are smart. It is discouraging to think that perhaps there is not even a modicum of fair play left in our system, but that is not terribly surprising. I suppose we will see shortly whether that is the case of this is just a lot of "sour grapes". With all of the media, bureaucracy, tech, money and academia lined upon on one side, it does seem that things are heading for a showdown at some point. I would be fine with that . . . if the Tribulation had started last month. But it is distressing to think that we might have increasing tribulation with a small 't' for many years before we even get to the big "T". But God knows what He is doing of course, and if the handful of believers around the world who are serious about the truth need the "work out", then we have to be willing to receive it and get over our initial groaning about – and make sure NOT to grumble about it (1Cor.10:10).

I'll be keeping your job opportunities in my prayers as well. I know that Covid has thrown a monkey wrench into those gears. Ours are grinding pretty bad over here as well. I certainly hope the students come back next semester, but I'm concerned about it . . . and next year in particular. All we can do is our best (or close to it) . . . and keep trusting the Lord.

File posted – it's my great pleasure (link)! Fine work as always, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,

Thanks for putting me right on this... I thought that worrying about my family was showing a lack of faith as Jesus said not to be afraid. I guess I realise that I am not afraid for myself now because I have faith and trust God but then again I realise that my family either lacks faith completely, believes in false teachings or have very slight beliefs. I guess I worry for them, their health and their faith because of this. I am confident that my life is now built on the strong and solid foundations of the rock but I see their lives are on the sand.

When I pray for my family, I also always pray for their salvation. Indeed I realise that once a family member is saved then most of their other problems will go but I know that we need to follow salvation with growth so as to keep hold of it. We need growth and strengthening faith to get through our testing and trials too.

I have just finished SR chapter 1. Maybe you deal with this later on but what I don't understand at the moment is that God cannot have sin in His presence so when I read about the angelic assembly that occurs after the satanic rebellion I am not sure how this happens. Is Satan at the moment in the first and second heaven? With God being in the third? How then is Satan able to talk to God (along with the other fallen angels). I know that they still have assemblies as that is where the conversation about Job happened. So this is a bit confusing for me. I'm sure you'll cover this later on...

It's quite a lot to take in but everything makes sense now. Reading SR alongside the Peter series is hugely helpful for me to see it all from the true perspective! 

I don't worry now about the people here in power who have obviously sided with Satan as "greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world". They cannot see that they have chosen the losing team (just as the fallen angels did). It is clear to me that those people who are clearly working for the enemy were seduced by temporal power and riches. Like Satan, they are completely deluded by thinking that their side will win. So the worldly leaders around us are the most deceived of all! When us believers realise that the earthly rebels worship a finite creature while we worship the God who made the creature and who will throw the creature and all who worship him into the lake of fire, this should give us all confidence and deepen our faith rather than relying on what our eyes tell us! (Because our eyes might be telling us right now that the enemy is boastful about winning this spiritual war being the liar that he is.)

Luke 10:20
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

In Jesus,
Response #2:
There's a lot of scrabbling going on down here on planet earth, that is for sure. It's hard for believers to be unaware of it, and sometimes it's hard for us to be completely unconcerned about it, but what we see, hear and feel is not the whole story of course: God is in control of everything and His plan is perfect and moving everything ahead perfectly . . . to the glory that lies on the other side of all this confusion. We just need to keep trusting in Him, absolutely.

I have a lot of friends, family and acquaintances whose free will "button" I'd be sore tempted to push if I had the power to do so. But of course making our own decisions about what is important is the whole reason we are here. That's something good to keep in mind too. At the last judgment, it will be shown that regardless of conditions, good or bad, and horribly bad or Millennium good, people still decided from what was down deep inside and not as a result of circumstances – though God was gracious in giving them plenty of ups and downs to let them see how much they really did need Jesus Christ.

It really isn't a surprise that the rich and the powerful follow the evil one, is it? They will be falling all over themselves to follow antichrist I am certain.

As to your question, the admission of fallen angels into heaven at set times is only in the capacity of judicial assembly wherein God is teaching them, limiting them, and they (Satan) have the right (at present) to bring their own accusations. At all such times the holiness of God is protected absolutely by the cherubs – who have that as their refrain. But the day is coming soon when that access will be removed (Rev.12:7-12) and we will be accused no longer forever.

Keeping you and your family and your collective health in my daily prayers.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob,

Wonderful news! Prayers have been answered! My has been moved from intensive care to a regular ward to recover. She seems to be out of danger now and is getting stronger! Please pray for her continual recovery.

Also at the place where my uncle is, those tested positive have either slight symptoms or none at all so far so please pray that the people there recover quickly and that it is contained to prohibit further infection!

Our God is a great God! Blessed be the name of the Lord! God be praised! Ever faithful, ever loving, ever present! Ever full of grace, mercy and loving kindness!

Thank you as ever for your continued support, teaching, fellowship and friendship. God bless you and your ministry!

I also wanted to add something. I received a phone call from my family and they were joyously celebrating the news of a possible vaccine. They said they will be on the front row begging for it. I said that this is not wise to be so desperate for something (or anything). I also told them they act as though the world is full of "good" people or Christian people who never mean any harm. They immediately said that I was talking unpleasant things and tried to shut me down. ___ thinks science is a saviour and it is painful to hear him so reverential towards scientists. Why can't they be like this towards God? The creator of everything?!

I know that the vaccine won't be the mark as the antichrist is yet to be revealed and tribulation has yet to begin however I do think this is a type of "dry run" for it. Don't get me wrong, Covid is very real and very nasty but I am now thinking it was deliberately unleashed to bring the economy to its knees, to crash the markets and drive the middle earners to the wall, to create chaos, to force people to use contactless over cash and to be idolising the government and scientists and desperately waiting for their saviour in a syringe.

All the furniture is all in place for the mark now. We have already had the practice run. All we need is a few more years of rioting, economic and societal depression, some hunger and further instability and it will be the mark of the beast that people will be queuing up for. The world as a whole has been desensitised to tattoos and biometric passports and face scanners. 

The stage is set ready for the antichrist to walk on to.

With all this said, will you be taking the vaccine? What if it becomes mandatory? What if anyone who refuses will become an "unperson", denied work, travel, education etc? I am not worried about this per se but I would like a few more years just to be productive for the Lord and I don't want to go before my designated time insofar as doing something or not doing something rashly without seeking God first. Just like getting involved with protest groups for example. (Don't worry I will never go anywhere near politics, political action or protest!)

It may be a rehearsal for the mark of the beast but they have not been afraid of having real life casualties fall away because of it. It makes me wonder whether there will be arrests and rounding up of those unwilling to be vaccinated just so as to make sure that when the mark finally arrives they will expect few dissenters.

In Jesus,
Response #3:
I'm thrilled to hear that your aunt is doing better and that everyone else is doing well too. Praise to the Lord indeed! 

Thanks as always for your other good and encouraging words, my friend.

As to the vaccine, I'm on record as not being at eager to partake of it. I wouldn't surprise me if they make it mandatory at the university, but that is an easier thing to say than to do, especially if they decide to be serious about disciplining people with reservations. For another thing, there are apparently going to be multiple vaccines, and it will be a long time before they are available for everyone. With the testing (or with flu shots), there was plenty available, so that will be a big difference. I heard the director of the US CDC talk about it today and he was very open about the potential problems: there has never been a vaccine of the sort that they are producing for this bug (and all of the various types are a bit different from each other at that), so there is no way to predict side-effects or even totally negative effects in advance; also one of the big problems with the disease as your probably know is not the bug itself but the immune response it produces in some people which causes many of the problems, and according to the CDC director they can't say in advance whether or not the vaccine might have the same effect on some people. These are just some of the potential problems. So this is very much different, it seems to me, from being vaccinated for polio where there are many decades of data to give an indication of the risks even if small – this seems to be more of a shot in the dark, especially at this early stage. So, no, I'm not queuing up in line. I'm hopeful (and, more to the point, prayerful) that by the time there is enough of the stuff out there to start demanding vaccination, it'll be clear whether or not it's a low or high risk endeavor.

I also certainly agree that things are "lining up", and on more than just the power level. Just look at the state of the human race generally and break down of morality and respect for anything decent and good. "Leges sine moribus vanae": "Laws without morals are pointless" – the state motto of Pennsylvania (ironically).

Thanks again for sharing the good news, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob my spiritual mentor, by God’s grace my wife and I are doing fine in our octogenarian age. Glory to God!

Thanks for sharing Bob. Remember we were both students of R.B. Thieme JR. before you came up with your ichthys website on Oct. 22, 1997. I was one of your first student up to the present and then I abandoned the teachings of RB Thieme JR. and subscribed to yours up to the present.

To God be the glory and I pray for your long life till Jesus returns to complete our redemption and populate the next event of human history, the millennium. I appreciate and believe all that you have written. May your tribe increase.

Yours in His service,
Response #4:
Thanks for your encouraging email, my friend! And thanks for the reminders – time flies, that's for sure!

I'm positive you're somewhat overestimating me, but I do also grow from reading these materials myself, and I'm sure that is the Holy Spirit – to God be all glory!

Wishing you and your wife and family a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob....(Brother Jarhead) !

Just checking in to see how you're doing. I trust all is well with you. I'm confident that you're growing in grace....me too !

A word of encouragement for you:

Jesus is not a Republican nor a Democrat.
He does not identify with a donkey nor an elephant.
He is not partial to red nor blue.
Jesus will never have to seek re-election.
He is the true living God!
He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all Lords!
And
He and He alone is in charge and He has everything under control!

I believe Jesus is saying to His Church :
"I have this, I always did, and always will!"
I'm certain that the Lord is very concerned about His church, because we have failed ! He wants us to, wake-up, be stirred-up, grow-up, and look-up.....looking unto the author and finisher of our faith!
As the old hymn goes....
"Trust and obey,
For there's no other way, To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey" ( that's one of our parts )

My bother, the Lord bless, keep, and cause His face to shine upon you real good!
Hope to hear from you soon.

Your brother (Squid) in Christ,
Response #5:
Amen! The only "election" that counts is our eternal election into the Church of Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

I have looked at this referenced verse, 1st Timothy 2:15, and some previous scripture before and after, and still do not have a good understanding of what Paul is writing to Timothy. I have also looked at some commentator's interpretations, but they did not provide much help, only conjecture. I would appreciate your input about this verse. 

Thanks as always for your great help. My family and I are doing well, except for our daughter who had a patient who later tested for Covid and was positive, so now she has isolated herself from the family for two weeks. She does wear PPE and is very careful. Her husband is the county coroner who periodically has to transport the bodies of the deceased from the holding place to the funeral home. Please pray for them especially,. Have not heard from our granddaughter and don't know how she is doing. Please pray for her also. Our other granddaughter lives here and she is doing good. She works from home.

Thanks so much for your help and prayers during this time. Hope you are also doing well and in good health. Always good to hear from you.

Blessings to you,

Your friend,
Response #6:
I have and will be praying for your family and for their and your health, my friend.

As to 1st Timothy 2:15, it is a difficult verse to understand. I have written about it before and will give the links below. The first thing to note is that the "through" of "through childbirth" is literally "through" (as in coming through) and not, as often in English, describing an indirect means. What I mean by that is the childbirth is not the instrument of deliverance but the danger that the person is delivered "safely through". The second thing to note is that this all connects up with the earlier context of Adam and Eve wherein as part of the judgment childbirth and its pains were "greatly increased" (Gen.3:16). Childbirth is painful (so I hear) and not without its dangers even today; that was much more so at the time of writing. After straightening out the women in Timothy's congregation and bringing up the judgment wherein Adam was given authority over Eve (the principle invoked in Paul's context to show that women cannot be pastor-teachers of men), Paul now heads off an opposite over-reaction of readers now over-focusing on the other part of the judgment, the childbirth part, and reassures his women readers that godly women can have confidence of being brought safely through that difficult, dangerous, and (especially at the time) no doubt somewhat frightening event. It's possible that Paul had prior knowledge of this being a particular issue in the church Timothy was pastoring at the time (Ephesus: 1Tim.1:3).

This is all good to remember at the present time. Just as godly women in godly marriages can't avoid the apparent dangers of childbirth but can be confident of God's supervision and protection of them even in that most difficult event, so all of us can be confident that God is looking out for us and protecting us, even in the midst of a worldwide plague. So while we are prudent in our actions, we do not have to panic because He is in control of our lives.
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.
Psalm 91:3-10 NKJV
Here are those links:
Deliverance through childbirth

More on 1st Timothy 2:15
In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Oh I just realized you said feeling better like I was physically sick. I meant I am getting better mentally/psychologically. Just realized that.

Anyway, on the flower note...Do you know when the Lord compares Solomon garments to a lily (singular)? I always wondered about this.
Response #7:
Well, stress does lead to physical ailments as well. I'm certainly seeing that in my students. I think all this Covid stress is breaking a lot of them down. Glad we're getting to the end of the semester!

Actually, our Lord said that "even Solomon in his glory" couldn't compare to a simple lily – showing us how blessed God's creation really is. And as beautiful as it is now suffering under the curse, won't it be lovely in the Millennium! Not too far off now.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr Luginbill,

Yes, there is some truth to just powering through, but there is also truth to mental health being a kind of health that one needs to focus on sometimes. I mean the idea of trauma that doesn't just go away, whether shell shock or PSTD or someone being 'off' (using one old description or another) seems to be well attested throughout times and places. I recommend taking a block of time and just indulging in something one really likes. And then reading the Bible and trusting in God. I am praying for you.
Response #8:
I am a firm believer in "mental health days off" – though to honest I rarely indulge myself, at least not during the semesters. I have plenty of time to schedule in whatever I need over summer and winter breaks myself (most people don't have that luxury, I understand). We all need to put our feet up a bit from time to time. The trick is not to let it go on too long – that's a problem too (Prov.24:30-34).

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #9:
And I think one needs 2-3 hours of practice most days to get good at something without taking decades. And I usually only get 1-2. And when I do get 2, my brain is fried for anything, it will not compute ANYTHING. I suppose I will just be sticking with the Bible and Greek on things to spend effort on.
Response #9:
We certainly all do have limited time and energy. What we devote our "extra" to says a lot about what we really think is important in our heart of hearts. So this focus says a lot of good things about your love for the Lord.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #10:
THIS IS NO CONSPIRACY THEORY OR CLANDESTINE OPERATION

A while back I decided to take the test with AncestryDNA just to see whether it was legitimate (a scam) and just how accurate it might be. I already knew my background to the extent of being able to go back as far as 1800. They had absolutely no information on me except my name and address, which was all they required except for the saliva sample.

From the time it was received by the lab to the time they produced the results, the process took all of 5 days. Well, they nailed me!---both in terms of my ethnicity and the geographical regions from where my ancestors came from. There was nothing that would have given them the slightest hint as to my ancestry. In the human sense, it was both fascinating and disconcerting.

Think of the future ramifications of such a technology. Unlike the 1930's and 40's where the Nazi's had to primarily rely on birth and marriage certificates, census and tax records, church rolls of those who had converted and people ratting out their Jewish neighbors, they now can rely on a few drops of spit to determine as to who is a Jew. 

I can just envision checkpoints where a kind of medical gestapo is set up to perform these tests, along with squads going around neighborhoods, banging on doors, and forcing residents to take these tests so as to be sure that no one is missed. The only difference may very well be that instead of the test results taking 5 days it may be closer to 15 minutes or less by that time.....
Response #10:
Thanks!
Question #11:
Oh goodness, your email thread this week prompted me to reply. I surely thought I had shared about escrow closing with you (Praise the Lord!), but sometimes I see that I have responded only in my head and not actually replied - which seems to be the case here. I emailed our dear friend overseas about closing (and invited he and his to come stay and live if the Lord ever opens the door for his passage) so I must of put to rest in my head that I had also informed you. My sincerest apologies.

Quick snapshot for the encouragement of all (and, YES, praying for and trusting in the Lord’s guidance is KEY). I cannot even begin to share or capture the goodness of God. Bottom line, it was an absolute journey of faith with twists, turns, stops, starts all along the way - yet HIS steadfast faithfulness to me and mine was unwavering. He never shifts or changes like shadows - only our faith can if we allow it. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

In hindsight - and with every move or offer on a home that we made - here is a small snapshot of what he spared us from;

Fires that destroyed and devastated the homes and area where we hoped to buy within a matter of weeks after losing out on every single bid we made (even offering over asking price). SPARED. Thank you, God.

Extreme civil unrest that devastated areas and businesses within weeks after looking to buy in the area. SPARED. Thank you, God.

Severe outbreak of COVID (first initial outbreak) in Seattle within a week after we were forced to make a u-turn midway up to come back to southern CA to tend to unexpected matters. We had plans to stay there for one month. PROTECTED. Thank you, God.

Three times he had confirmed to us to go to Texas. After finally acting upon it by faith, everything fell into place effortlessly. Such PEACE. We literally purchased the home virtually and having never been to the area - yet HE gave the high marks for us in every way - and added more even more unexpected blessings that we discovered once we arrived. 

We are loving it here - especially the nature that abounds. My family refers to me as ‘Snow White’ for the obvious reasons in attracting and tending to wildlife. I LOVE God’s creatures. The deer, squirrels, birds, ring-tails, small foxes, and raccoons and I are all in our daily pattern. The herd (including an eight-point buck and a couple of young ones) now rest out back off the deck and remain there when I sit and drink my coffee every morning and talk with the Lord.

But the biggest gift and blessing he had waiting for me here shortly after I arrived was that my oldest son who had relocated to Texas for law school and now practices law here - he and our daughter-in-law announced that my first grandchild is arriving near summer. Tears. What a wonderful gift! He’s a really, really good God. 

Thank you for nudging me along, Dr. Luginbill. I would never refrain from giving glory to God for his goodness and faithfulness to me and mine. 

Happy Thanksgiving today! We are SO blessed to be children of God, and with thanksgiving and praise to our Lord and Savior and coming King, Jesus Christ.
Response #11:
Thanks for the great update, my friend! Hope you don't mind me posting it (with identifying features removed of course). Because it's quite an uplifting testimony!

I knew you were waiting on escrow to close, but I'm thrilled to hear that you are now moved in and enjoying the new place. God is good indeed!

And great news about your soon-to-increase family! Just heard that my nephew and his spouse are now expecting their second one. 

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Jesus.
Question #12:
Dear Bob,

Our friend's message in this week's email posting didn't sound promising. I've prayed for his success. Our Lord said if you ask and believe, you will receive. It's absolutely true. Please continue to encourage him to believe his prayers will be answered.

Your weekly email postings have been a great encouragement and have answered many of my questions. So, I need to thank you again. I'm still rooting around in Revelation and the Spirit is teaching me much. I've learned a great deal in the letters to the seven churches alone. And there's much more to go. In fact, I find I can understand more clearly what is happening today from reading Revelation -- and scripture in general.

It feels like we're engulfed in a kabuki three ring circus with riots, election corruption and COVID hysteria. Is it a plan? Both BLM and Antifa (which shows curious parallels to the brown shirts of Nazi Germany) it looks like Bolshevik Revolution II has come to the US -- with many in congress leading the charge. The election business is only surprising in that the corruption is so out in the open. COVID is nonsensical. A recent headline said that a pop star tested positive in one nostril and negative in the other. Earlier, the CiC of the Coast Guard tested positive on Saturday and negative on the following Monday. One "expert" claims masks are essential yet another "expert" claims they cause more damage than good. CDC and WHO can't agree on proper protocol. Last I looked at CDC morbidity tables, deaths from pneumonia and TB went down about as much as COVID deaths rose.

I don't really pay much attention to any of this anymore. I still go to the grocery store where I dutifully wear my face diaper as they "require" but those who go to the local hardware stores don't want much to do with any of that nonsense. Needless to say, I'd rather go to the hardware store than the grocery.

I also read headlines (most of which are mostly hyperbolic) that we won't be able to travel, attend events or, in some cases, enter businesses without vaccination and health records. I think it's all preparation for the Tribulation and I thank the Lord for giving us a chance to practice before the curtain goes up. Note that federal law requires an informed consent prior to the administration of any drug or vaccine. I'll have to look up the exact reference so I can share. Most of the COVID restrictions are in violation of federal law as well. Your reminder of Paul's appeal to Caesar is most helpful in facing this nonsense even though it didn't save him in the end. Nor, I think, will it help most of us.

I apologize for this long-winded rant. Thinking about our friend and his search for land for his family and reading other's emails got me started. I apologize. I'm reasonably isolated (more hermit than social beast) and have little exposure to all the hysteria. I wish the same for them as I do for others looking for a more sane and peaceful environment. I'm hoping I can grow more food than I am; I have four yards of compost to spread before spring. But, I do have to tell you, it's hard work and my old bod is only up for so much. The hippies (as we used to call them) have no idea. Also, I now truly understand the plague of locusts -- though in my case they're just grasshoppers. If it's a seven year plague, I still have two to go.

I pray for the health and safety of you and yours and for your correspondents.

In our Lord Jesus,
Response #12:
I did a little research on the "17 year locust" which hit our area and come to find out nothing is ever so pat. Seems them hit at 13, 15, 17 or skip years or hit this area or not that one. So I hope your next year is grasshopper free!

Haven't heard on the land issue; think they're being long-haul patient at the moment, but I'll make a mental note to pass it on if I do hear something.

Yes, you probably also heard about Elon Musk of Tesla recently getting four tests: two came back negative, two positive. It's a very weird bug. Hard to believe it could have popped up naturally.

I'm looking at another semester having to deal with all this – had hoped it would dissipate this fall. Maybe we can get back to normal in the spring, but bad trends have been unleashed, that is for sure.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers, my friend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Robert,

Thank you for sending this to me. I happened to find this in my junk email file. Not sure why it was in there? Something told me to look at my junk file (I never do that!) I will certainly study it.
I honestly keep you in my prayers on a regular basis. Hope all is going well. I've been doing well. 

The Lord led me to read Psalm 37 the other day when I got low after this recent election. It totally changed my perspective on things!

Keep up the good work. You are a blessing to many!

God Bless,
Response #13:
Thanks!

I appreciate your testimony a great deal.

Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Happy thanksgiving Bob!

Hope you are well my friend!

In Jesus,
Response #14:
Thanks!

Had a lovely one.

Hope it's not the calm before the storm.

In Jesus,

Bob 
Question #15:
Dear Professor

Just an observation on the Latest email postings Eschatology Issues LIII, Question 37 is a word for word copy of Response 36. So the actual Q37 is missing altogether.

On a somewhat alternate tack, a month or so ago my daughter invited some family to a dinner at her place. For some reason we had a weigh in to find the heavyweight. For many years I had been amongst the lightest but have made considerable “progress” since, topping the scales this time.
My dismay turned to hope in the discussion that followed with my son, who previously had regularly topped the charts, but now is some 30 kg less than he was. It was great for him to have found the solution to losing and not regaining weight, with the bonus that it does not require him giving up any of his foods - favourites and all. And no extra exercise. He calmly explained that he eats all his normal foods and just the portion is fifty per cent. The first two weeks the tummy complains a bit but why should we listen to complaints. Whinges don’t need our encouragement (to be fed). I thought you might like me to share this remedy with you.

I found that my grandson (about 23 yo) and his mate have worked out how the universe actually operates and also surpassed my understanding of spiritual matters.

He: I can understand where you are coming from Pop (in regards to my belief in Jesus and God), I was once where you are but we have moved past there to greater knowledge.

I could not follow the “science” he spruced but it was meant as a step past faith in God to “actual knowledge”.

Me: No man comes to the Father (God) except through Jesus. He is the unique person of the universe. “Science” and “knowledge” is less than the dust we were created from.

He then moved to the adjoining room to talk with my son (of similar ilk). 

Reflecting how helpless and insignificant we really are (dust) without Christ, I remember taking him in one cold winter’s night when he was just an infant and dressed in a singlet, cold and blue. We called for a locum doctor as we feared he was too sick to take out to the hospital. Now he has solved the mystery of life!

The first account is just a fortnight of discomfort (and a lifetime of won’t power to not indulge). The second is an eternity of misery (if not repented of).

I suppose we should be grateful we have a pounds problem rather than a weightless problem. Fighting to knock back food seems better than fighting to find it.

I will let you know if I hear of any more solutions to our common plight as humans - especially if I come anywhere near understanding the alternate universe creation theories (and some people think the Bible is hard to understand!). In near future may not have to concern ourselves too much with the first one, or second one for that matter.

Thank you for your Ministry including the sharing of other Ichthys readers experiences. 
Keeping you and us in my prayers.

Your student
Response #15:
Thanks for catching this, my friend. I have been particularly "foggy" over the last several days. I suspect it might have been a dash of the bug but whatever. If that's the only major bungle I made, I'll take it (fixed now)!

I think your family should be turned in to some UN Human Rights Commission for the cruel and unusual (not to mention incredibly unkind) procedure of weighing in dinner guests. I like the older, pre-WWII Italian point of view of seeing fuller bodies as beautiful – as only a people normally calorie deprived can see things. I have heard about the "whatever you want only less" approach before. So, let's see, it comes down to "eating less". I must remember that . . . AFTER dinner.

On the nature of the universe. My first question is, "where did it come from?" Standard answer: "ylem". My second question, "where did THAT come from?" Standard answer: "It just was". My third question: "Must I take that on faith?" Because apparently people are willing to believe just about anything . . . unless it happens to be true.

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

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Bob, my brother for all eternity,

Grace and peace, which is Jesus Himself, be yours in abundance! Thanks so much for thinking of me and I can't thank you enough for what you sent ! Wow! What a Holy Spirit inspired/anointed piece of writing! 

As words come to life to me, I realize that it's not Jesus standing over me with a ladle pouring truth over me. It's Him revealing Himself to me, because He is the Truth, the Way and the Life. I also want to say that as I was reading, I wasn't getting to know more about Jesus, I was getting to know Him more personally and intimately....and I'll take that any and all the time!

My brother, we stand and proclaim together, "It's all about Jesus....what He has done, what He is doing and what He shall yet do! As you have written, realizing that Jesus is not a resource, but He is the "source" of our salvation! He's the source of mercy, grace and peace! He's the source of our life in Him! He is the source of everything we need to live! Realizing that Jesus is our all in all! Knowing and understanding Jesus Christ is Lord! And this is why you and I love Jesus today! I know I could easily go on and on and on.

Again, much thanks my brother! I look forward to reading more of your "gold nuggets!"

In Jesus, our all in all,
Response #16:
Thanks for the encouragement and good words! 
It's always a pleasure to hear my brothers and sisters delighting themselves in the Lord and His truth – and a great privilege to be a small part of that.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Bob,

Thank you so much for your notification. I loved Ecclesiology! and am looking forward to Bibliology. I am forever your student, and Ichthys is still my “church”Smile.

Thank you for your weekly email postings! The November 7th posting was especially meaningful for me as they answered 2 questions that had been sitting in my mind. #1 was how to describe 's__ church. All I knew was that he wasn’t preaching...let alone teaching...the Gospel, and that I couldn’t go to his church. Now the problem has a name. It is a “postmodern view” Emergent Church. (question #11) It hurts my heart Bob. Thank you for keeping him and the church in your prayers. It can be turned around...because the Lord can do miracles!

The second answered question for me was #18 regarding the timeline of events at the start of the Tribulation. I wanted to print up a timeline to be sent out to family & friends at whatever time the Holy Spirit directed but I was hung up with the same question as the correspondent...the first 21 months. You answered it for us both! God is so very good!

Thank you for putting me together with ___! We are sisters in Christ and prayer partners! We exchange pictures, praises, and just “what’s up” generally. She is an AWESOME person with wonderful kids. ___ is teaching the Word as well as doing his regular job!

Thank you for “it didn’t turn out the way I planned it”...can’t think of a single time in my own life when “it” turned out as planned/envisioned; and for “everything ends”. When I was in High School (a loooong time ago) my English teacher had written on the blackboard “this too shall pass away”. I thought it was a pretty great saying until she said that applied to good/fun things also. WHAT...I remember being incensed. Well, life has taught me the truth, “everything ends”.....on planet earth that is.

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING with your family!

You have been and are in my prayers...and Ichthys is in my heart.

Sincerely,
Response #17:
Thanks for this. Your kind and encouraging words are greatly appreciated.

I'm thrilled to know that you continue to get along well with our friend – it was your good heart that was the impetus for that. I pray for both of them daily too. Hoping they can have next Thanksgiving together. That will take a miracle, but God is not in short supply of those, after all. That goes for ___ too. Keeping him and his church and you and your family in my prayers daily as well.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

Thank you for your mail. I would go through your new postings about Bibliology, the direct link to it would make it easier to refer to

We are OK but the pandemic is spreading gradually while Govt. is trying to curb the situation. By the way, do you view pandemic as a part of God's judgment? I do, would like to know your comments. My prayers to turn many souls to God and end the pandemic will continue.

blessings
Response #18:
My pleasure, my friend. Here's the direct link to BB 7.

As to the pandemic, there has been a lot about that on the recent, weekly email postings at Ichthys (see the most recent "Eschatology Issues" ones; link is to the latest). 

It's a good question about judgment. During the Tribulation, there will be seven worldwide judgments (the trumpets) warning the whole world not to follow the beast – and then seven punitive judgments for its doing so (the bowls). Of course the world is steeped in sin and lawlessness, but it's not as if it wasn't fifty years ago or a hundred years ago. Have things gotten worse? Clearly so. I will say that the troubles and the triple catastrophe we're facing over here in the states (plague, insurrection, and coup from the top) are at the very least making things clear to believers that the end can't be to much farther out – and these unpleasantnesses are also surely good preparation for the worse things to come . . . as well as motivation to begin preparing spiritually as never before for what is in store. For if we are finding all THIS hard, what will we do then?
"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?"
Jeremiah 12:5 NKJV

"For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"
Luke 23:31 NKJV
Keeping you and yours in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Thank you Bob. 

I have just started reading it. Your work has changed my life. I struggled for years with drug and alcohol addiction. In 2008 I googled the word Satanic and that is how I came across your site. I do not remember what I was looking for, but I do remember that was how I found you. I had been sober for awhile at that point. I started reading the Satanic Rebellion and that was the start of a huge change in my life. I got sober through Alcoholics Anonymous. Looking back across my life I knew from an early age that something was wrong with me, and something was wrong with the world. I did not understand that when I started using in my teens which allowed me to just check out on life. I continued reading your work along with the email answers every Saturday night. In short what I believe started to happen was that I began to understand that the world was not supposed to be a good place. That what I was experiencing was designed to get my attention. To get me to seek for a solution. I never heard this on Sundays in church. I think they way in which you have designed your studies is brilliant. I thank our Lord for bringing me too it. I think you mentioned somewhere that “trying to fix the world, or thinking that this world is good place is decidedly unchristian”, or something to that effect. I also have grown to really like the book of Ecclesiastes. The nothing new under the sun and chasing the wind I could really relate to. I could go on and on, but really Bob I just wanted you to know how much your work for our Lord has helped me. And when I say changed my life, that understates it. I have never seen this type of teaching anywhere. I so look forward to Bible Basic 7. Thank you Bob!!
Response #19:
Thanks so much for the encouraging testimony, my friend!

I very much love Ecclesiastes too. It really helps a person cut through the "noise and churn" of the world and understand how pointless it all is aside from the Lord, His Church, and the truth of the Word of God – something we all need to refocus on continually, especially being on the bring of the end as we are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,

Congrats on completing the series and thanks for your efforts! I really enjoy reading your work.

I discovered your site years ago and started with The Satanic Rebellion. I've always wanted to ask if you are acquainted with Arnold or Dennis Murray of Shepherd's Chapel. The Murray's also teach the Gap Theory, among other things - such as a polygenetic origin of man.

I don't agree with everything Shepherd's Chapel teaches, but I do very much like Dennis' teaching. 

What makes pre-adamic man (or the offspring of Satan and Eve) interesting is that it offers an explanation for otherwise troubling questions such as racial origins. I'm curious what you think about these things.

Another topic...

I'd also like your thoughts about how the sin nature is transferred through human generations. I'm a bit confused here. In "The Satanic Rebellion, Background to the Tribulation, Part 3, The Purpose, Creation and Fall of Man" you write:

"The human spirit is not passed down biologically through natural procreation (traducianism), nor was it "pre-made" in eternity past, then deposited in a heavenly storehouse for later implantation (pre-existence). The human spirit is the immediate creation of God (creationism)"

Then how did I get these unfortunate inclinations? Did God taint my soul "immediately" at birth?

My understanding has been that the sin nature is passed down through the male line. Wouldn't this explain how a sinless Jesus could be born of a woman (without a human father)?

Looking at nature and biology, it seems plausible that Satan did in fact corrupt the human genome. Was this not seen in sharp relief in Genesis 6?

One more...

There's compelling evidence that extra-terrestrial beings have visited the earth. As you've written, they were here before Genesis 1:2. Have these demonic beings somehow discovered a way to fashion a humanoid form out of organic matter (perhaps harvested from other planets)?

Personally, I believe these demon-possessed interdimensional organic robots are what ufologists describe as "gray aliens".

Could aliens be an end-times incarnation of the Nephilim - and part of Satan's endgame to deceive the world?

Best Regards and Happy Thanksgiving,
Response #20:
Thanks!

I'm not familiar with the folks you've mentioned here (not surprising given the plethora of "teachers" out there and also the fact that I'm not in the least bit "connected").

As you're probably aware from reading Ichthys, I do not believe the Bible teaches any human origins other than Adam and Eve. As to racial origins, in any case please remember that only eight people survived the worldwide great flood, all of one family, and that scripture is very explicit about the origins of the different nations (Genesis chapter ten in particular). So adherence to any of these various theories ipso facto requires rejecting much of what scripture clearly teaches.

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Acts 17:26 NIV

As to the "unfortunate inclinations" we all possess, that is the influence of the sin nature – the infected body – on the spirit. The two "interface" in the heart (or "soul"), not a separate organ or tertium quid but merely the "inner us".
But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7:17-24 NKJV
"My understanding has been that the sin nature is passed down through the male line. Wouldn't this explain how a sinless Jesus could be born of a woman (without a human father)?" That is absolutely correct – and the transmission is physical, not spiritual. The spiritual part of man, the human spirit, is created within us at the point of physical birth.
Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him
Zechariah 12:1b NKJV
"it seems plausible that Satan did in fact corrupt the human genome" – the human body is indeed infested with the sin nature, but that came about in the first instance through our first parents eating of the "tree of knowing good and evil", not through any satanic manipulation – satanic temptation and sin rather.

"There's compelling evidence that extra-terrestrial beings have visited the earth. As you've written, they were here before Genesis 1:2." I certainly don't know of any, and I'm doubly certain I've never written that any such things exist. Perhaps you're thinking of speculation in the SR series about the satanic manipulation of the pre-Genesis gap flora and fauna after Satan's rebellion? Demons are angels, fallen angels. These are the only life forms of intelligence in the universe apart from what exists on planet earth (if we're counting human beings as "intelligent" – a little latitude necessary there, perhaps). After all, the earth restored to life-sustaining conditions has only been thus for some six thousand years. However long the gap was and however long the universe existed before and after Satan's revolt (and before the judgment of darkness described in Genesis chapter one), we can say for certain that there has only been a very sort time of "light" of any sort after the gap. Christ came to this earth to save humanity – we know therefore that we are the center of the universe because He most definitely is – and far more than that.

I do conjecture that not only antichrist (who is what we call a "nephilim" since he is both Jewish and the offspring of the devil: Gen.3:15; 49:17-18) but also the "ten kings" who rule with him and destroy Babylon will be demonically sired, but that seems to me to be the extent of it. That will be enough.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!

In Jesus.

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hello Bob….

My mother and I were wondering about this issue as we studied the Book of Revelation and Daniel on ‘end time’ events:  why is the tribe of Dan missing from Revelation chapter 7?

Thank you, 
Response #21:
Short answer: Antichrist comes from that tribe (in his human nature; he's the son of the devil on the paternal side: Gen.3:15; 49:17-18). More at the link: "The origin of antichrist".

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #22:
Bob!

I have a wonderful update! My aunt has made a huge recovery and soon she will be able to go home! Praise the Lord! Thank you so much for your prayers and also for other brothers and sisters praying! The people in the hospital were amazed at her recovery!

What was quite worrying though is that they tried to get her to sign a "DNR" which means "Do Not Resuscitate". She was very offended by this because apart from the fall in the bath she had earlier and then Covid, other than this she is as fit as a fiddle. I think she gave the doctors and nurses a fair old talking to about that!

God bless you Bob and thank you again. I always keep you and your ministry in my daily prayers.

In Him,
Response #22:
Thanks much for your email, my friend. I'm very pleased to hear that your aunt is doing so much better. Sounds like she has "spunk" too!

I've got you and your family in my daily prayers. Stick with your Bible study plan. I think that is the reason you are doing so well – and anything good in these materials came from the Spirit.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #23:
Dear Professor

Just received a call regarding our friend - the doctors said the tumour(s) are too big for an operation. __ is asking that we pray for a miracle. Every day is a miracle that we are alive, so in that sense if it is our Lord’s purpose, He would be doing what He is always doing - preserving us. I am praying for these two.

As a slight aside from this prayer, I notice that when it comes to when I am feeling borderline, as to whether I may live or die, I tend to be “fatalistic”, in that I feel that if the Lord decides my time is up, who am I to fight it - I will trust in Him -whatever He decides. I can not do anything about it anyway. Then I find myself asking Him to spare me to enable me to spend the time with my family, especially as we still have a young son. I have heard things such as “he fought to the very end”. That doesn’t seem to be me - more a resignation to the will of God. Of course this attitude (of responding to what our Lord would have us do) is best had at all times and circumstances.

Another aside - we have a winter weather system going through right now -the bureau says it is highly unusual this time of year, when it should be hot and dry. Ran out of wood and the electric hot water booster gone bung again. Found a very small amount of dry wood yesterday to get the fire going today. Upset a good amount of the grain harvest area and I expect my son may have a few days without work - also all the hay trucks at the depot where I keep the bus are idle. 
Good thinking changing from “global warming” to “climate change”. As they say, the name says it all (or did they mean slogan?)

Life can be a grind at times, and departing seems an easy option, though I am reminded of “he that endures to the end, will be saved.” Endurance is definitely a quality our Lord requires of us, though not always enjoyable.

The folly of getting revved up by politics. Statements a few days ago by one at the table like, “Trump is God’s man for this time” seem now to be just wishful thinking. I under do my “counter balancing” comments now. Same sentiments I have had for awhile now (comes from the Ichthys influence) but l talk (squawk) much less than I used to (at least about some things anyway).

I still am a little stunned that I find myself about to teach. Getting into preparing for this weekend’s lesson and need to print off things early. It is one thing rattling off a few lines but teaching to please our Lord is a sobering thought. I do appreciate your prayers.

I pray your health improves in all those body bits that are giving you the niggles - including your knee and eye. I suppose those weather events around the gulf do not often get near you. Hope the revellers in your area, now have a well earned rest. (the thought tickles me that while they were so agitated, you were peacefully sleeping).

Like one of your recent correspondents, I also thank you for being the answer to my search and prayers. I pray I can do something with what you teach me. 
All glory to God for His grace, forever and ever.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #23:
I'm sorry to hear this. The Lord can do anything, but sometimes He also gives us indications to make ready. I will keep praying – nothing is impossible for Him.

Similarly I don't think I would be one of those brave souls who fights some disease tooth and nail all the way to the end just for the sake of fighting. I'm ready – I hope – for whatever the Lord brings whenever He brings it, especially since 13-16 years seems a long slog, particularly now the slogging has gotten, well, a good deal "sloggier".

We do have to think of loved ones though, of course, and also those to whom we are ministering as you are in the process of doing as well.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 1:21-24 NKJV
Thanks for your good words and prayers, my friend – doing better daily on all fronts, and closing in on the end of the semester.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #24:
Dear Professor 

Thank you for your time and devotion to the truth. I really have trouble imagining how you manage to do your Ministry along with your career at U of L.

May I ask if a change of time from 6 years to go until the Tribulation begins, to 9 years to go (as suggested by a correspondent of yours in the emails), would require an adjustment to the Church age dates?

BB 2B. 3. The Seven Churches of Revelation. Laodicea 144 years. 1882 to 2026.

Just wondering if they are approximated dates? Is the beginning date of 70 AD an estimated calculation that could be out by 3 years? How are the 12, 360 X 5, and 144 years calculated, and are they fixed in stone?

How long is your holiday break? I pray there is a peaceful resolution to the Presidential issue. Already, it may have sown the seeds of “bigger” things yet to come. Thanksgiving to our Lord would be a good way to acknowledge God’s blessings to us here in Australia - say trade it in for Halloween that seems to have caught on here as a “fun” thing to do to meet the neighbors. 

Yes, it is indeed so blessed to have a job. I do boast about how you provide spiritual food and support for no financial gain, yet you know that many of us would gladly support you this way to the extent we are able. 3 John 1:8. 

I will have to retract my smug remarks of the covid situation over here. This morning’s radio revealed an outbreak in South Australia where there had been no new cases for months. Now Western Australia is considering putting up the hard border again. Passengers from SA who have just arrived in Perth suddenly find they now have to isolate for 14 days. Sorry says the health minister, especially if some have come over for just 4 days to attend a wedding, but tough luck. Stranded within ones own country. A new world! Again. Expect the unexpected! (Good training for things yet to come).

I am now wary so as not to be over enthusiastic about proclaiming Ichthys in order not to put people off and them assuming I take it as the gospel, rather than what it truly is - a ministry dedicated to teaching the truth from the Bible. In previous years, even I had almost resigned to thinking that hen’s teeth might be an easier find on the internet, than the truth being taught.
I pray the Spirit can reach those who need and want the truth.

The “homogenisation” of beliefs, and that all forms of beliefs and practices should be respected, seems to be a current satanic tactic. Note: this respect demanded by the world does not seem to extend to the holy name of our Lord. In times past, one was not required to respect things they didn’t respect - tolerance of different beliefs was acceptable - now enforcement of respect is taught and is required. Training people in false allegiances (through laws and propaganda - starts early as kindly, if the TV and “net” hasn’t snared them already) to causes and peoples, also works wonders for the ruler of the air (satan). It weakens and even breaks the resolve of people who once may have believed in a divine truth; it educates manipulative people to hide their true beliefs and allegiances to be able to wreak evil actions on those who hold fast to the divine truth. (Daniel 11:34-35).

In these last days, even in the “lucky” country, being smug gives way to the unexpected and, the truly “unexpected” (by most). (Luke 21:34-36). 

It is SO blessed to have your Ministry. As I say, many/most of us would be quite adrift without Ichthys. Thank you for your encouragement and support to all of us “out here” in the world.
Yes our Lord is most gracious. His provision is always on time for those that seek and trust in Him. (Psalm 9:10).

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #24:
Thanks much for the update and for you continual encouragement, my friend! Great observations as always on how the evil one is using "all this" for his own purposes.

As to the eras and how that relates to the date of the Tribulation's start, this is a good catch on your part. I personally, as I think I have maintained, have never wavered from my interpretation of the likelihood of 2026 for the start of the Tribulation. It is not a direct teaching of scripture so I try to maintain some humble flexibility about it and always have. The fact that the dates of the eras (at least that of Laodicea) would have to be adjusted is another point against the alternate theory. As to the "fixed in stone" nature of the dates of the era, they "work" as far as I'm concerned (even though, no, they are not set out "in stone" in the scripture); the numbers crunch out this way and the eras match up with the historical trends of the church-visible as we are able to know them from what remains. Here are some links to where I discuss the specifics of those eras and their lengths:
Computing Laodicea
Computing the seven eras
Others compute the eras
Where do the 360 years come from?
More on the 360 years
What church era are we in?
Several questions on the eras
The seven churches in CT 2A
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #25:
Dear Professor 

Thank you for your kind response. I am always learning as I read/reread your works. Reading the links has bought other points into focus for me, as well the odd question which I may have worked out to my simple mind’s satisfaction, thanks to your explanations.

Eschatology Issues III
Q 2 From 70 AD to 2026 AD = Church ‘Eras’ (37 years of apostolic period not included, nor the 7 years of the Tribulation).

A 2 From 33 AD to 2033 AD = Church ‘Age’

The ‘Eras’ of the Church end in 2026
The ‘Age’ of the Church ends in 2033

That the ‘Eras’ and ‘Age’ don’t match up can be a bit confusing. So after 2026 there is no ‘Era’ (and no Laodicea) but still a Church ‘Age’.

Is this because Laodicea ceases to exist in 2026 and what we have is a refining of the remnant of the Church? ( i.e. they/we of necessity can no longer be lukewarm = no longer Laodiceans, rapid transformation being essential to remain believers). Since there are believers (church) still living at this time, the ‘Age’ of the church is still operative.

The apostolic period: a short description or question doesn’t come to mind except that John might have been writing to the churches existing in his day(around 68 AD ); and that was toward the end of his life and the end of the Apostolic period, thus discounting the 37 previous years from the ‘Eras’ but not from the ‘Age’.

As you explain the descriptions of the 7 distinct church locations also pertain to the 7 different sequential ‘Eras’ of the Church, from the end of John’s time forth.

Looks like there is heaps more for my lesson on RYB from the Laodicean perspective, even with leaving areas that I am not proficient to teach (such as reasons for the different historic characteristics and the 12, 360 X 5, and 144 years - even though I have read these sections and they sound a reasonable explanation to a layman such as me). 

Not any doubt about Laodicean (even the name sounds and looks laid back -Lao bi di ocean) era. Sometimes I think it is the Lord’s explanation of it to me - and perhaps not suited for general consumption. Now I can much better understand your aversion to ocean cruises! Let me know if I have gone off track a bit - except for the very last bit - which you will realise is my way of picturing the era (error) we live in.

Most grateful for your wonderful Ministry.

In Jesus Christ who is the Truth.

Your student
Response #25:
I think you have this fine, my friend!

Yes, Revelation was written at the end of John's life, so the apostolic era was nearly over by the time he was given to reveal the information about the remaining seven. Also, the Tribulation is a joint time wherein the last seven years of the Jewish Age, Daniel's 70th week, and the last seven years of the Church Age overlap. There is a reassertion of Jewish leadership during that time (Moses and Elijah and the 144,000) so for that reason no specific further characteristics are given, but we do know that this will be a time of persecution, martyrdom and apostasy – and those trends are the paramount ones for the final seven years.

Keep plugging away, my friend! That's the way to get things done.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #26:
Hello Bob, 

Thank you for letting me know about your completed version of Bible Basics 7. You have been most helpful to me with my questions over the last decade. I'm sending you an article below link that finds a biblically balanced position between hyper-Calvinism and hyper -Arminianism. I think you will strongly agree! Keith Drury is from your neck of the woods: you are from Kentucky; he is from Indiana Wesleyan University.

I find the doctrine of God arbitrarily choosing a few to be saved while letting the rest of mankind go to hell repulsive. In Acts 17 God commands all men everywhere to repent. Including those who have not yet heard the gospel. We can each turn to Him since He is not far from any one of us. Anyone who would make a free choice of Jesus and His sacrifice, given enough information. will be enabled to do so. Man's depravity is not so total that he is unable to make this choice. If he were unable, he would not be without excuse!

In my mind, Salvation is like an excellent quality car battery designed to last a lifetime. Someone could give you this battery as a free gift. Though designed to last indefinitely, the battery must be maintained by periodically cleaning corrosion from the terminals or it will die. 

The lifetime battery represents Eternal Redemption- the forgiveness of our all sins: past, present, and future. (Hebrews 10:14). The spiritual plaque of our daily sins of weakness can be daily cleansed (by the Blood of the Lamb) so that the battery (robes washed by the Blood of the Lamb) stays under God's eternal warranty and never has to be replaced. 

For our eternal redemption to be valid, our lives must show that we really do have a relationship with God This is still by non-meritorious grace. But we must daily embrace the help so freely offered to us Christians that that has already been paid for by Christ's death and Resurrection. 

On this Thanksgiving Day we intercede for so many people suffering from the COVID-19 virus. . For many people this is their Great Tribulation- or at least the prelude to it. I pray that we would quickly learn what we need to learn from this horrible pestilence so that God would lift it off our backs. I pray that political concerns be laid aside: that dealing with COVID -19 be front and center bringing Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together. 

Here is the link I think you will find interesting. 

http://www.crivoice.org/arminianism.html
Response #26:
I don't have anything to say about the link (brief perusal), but I certainly DO agree with your synopsis. Of course we have free will. Doesn't life and "nature itself" make that very clear to anyone with an I.Q. above plant life? And of course God knew about every decision we would make before He ordained history in every detail – how could He not? He is God! A person would have to have a very deficient idea of who God is not to understand from natural revelation alone, let alone from the Bible, that being God He could not "not know".

Scripture clearly says that Christ died for all (link); He had to for the offer of salvation to be genuine. Such is the great righteousness and justice of God!

And of course we cannot fall away from the faith and reject Christ and still expect to be saved, just because we once believed in Him. Scripture is very clear about that as well.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
Luke 8:13 NIV

This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2nd Timothy 2:11-13 NKJV
These people who are still stuck in the Reformation are like kids at a cafeteria table hurling milk cartons at each other. But it's really time to move on from food fighting to solid food – especially since without the spiritual maturity it brings the coming Tribulation will be nearly impossible to endure.

Thanks for your insights, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #27:
Hi Bob,

It must feel so good now you're pretty much finished the semester. It was a tough one but the Lord got you through and I'm really happy that you'll finally get to have a rest.

It's so strange about your student's physical trainer's sense of taste. ___ said they've found now that a key covid symptom in children is diarrhea. She said they had to send quite a few children home last week because of this just in case they had the virus. This is one occasion where she said she's very happy not to be able to smell anything! It really is the weirdest bug I've ever come across. I agree with you - probably not a coincidence.

I'm sure she'll be 100% again soon. I must admit, it was a tough couple of weeks and it seemed to hit me on my first day back at work. I felt so tired and I had a headache for most of the day and I don't normally suffer with headaches. I was asleep by about 9.30 that night. I think it made me realise how unhealthy it is for us to be locked up for two weeks. I didn't realise the negative effect it had on me until I went back to work. I still haven't quite caught up yet.

But it's nice to move on from it now and focusing on prayer and reading my Bible has helped me so much. I've been figuring out a new Bible reading plan for myself and I've got those SR gems to send you too. I need to make sure I keep up with my exercise too. I think it's very important that we look after ourselves in every way - especially in mad times like this.

In our dear Lord Jesus

Response #27:
Yes, I'm sure that everyone who's "working" from home is in for some brutal weeks if not months when this weirdness finally evaporates. I've noticed being a little off my game for lack of pre-Covid normal activity even though I've been going in three days (used to be five with an occasional non-teaching day off). It's also not good for mental health – we believers have a big edge there (or certainly should)! Of course, if the rest of the world ends up going bonkers it'll probably affect us too. Good thing we have a higher hope!

I know you didn't test positive doesn't mean you didn't have it. One celebrity recently had four tests "to make sure" – two came back negative, two positive. That's helpful! Proves conclusively that he either had it or didn't. I do hope __ is back to 100% soon. However, as some one with a highly sensitive schnoz, I can tell you that sense of smell is highly overrated. 

I am thrilled to have a little slack in the schedule. We've got a nice Thanksgiving planned but not much else for weeks, and I'm not going to have to spend oodles of time preparing for the spring since "now" I know what's coming – or at least I think so. I do have to be flexible about the possibility of starting out remote in January, depending on what happens.

Do be careful these next couple of weeks, my friend. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers every day.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Question #28:
Hi Bob,

Yes, when those working from home finally go back out to work I think it's gonna hit them like a ton of bricks. Even after Covid it's not like everything here is going to be a bed of roses. We know that things are only going to get worse for us.

But it makes no odds to me because yes - we DO have a higher hope! And when you wrote the words "New Jerusalem" a couple of emails ago - that really made me smile! It felt so familiar to me because that's home for us - that's where we belong with our Lord and that's where we'll be for eternity!

After those tough few weeks I have to make sure I take care of myself physically. I still feel a bit rough to be honest. But most of all I'm focusing even more intensely on filling my heart and mind with the Word every day. That's where I'm going to be - me and my Lord.

It's great to hear that you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving planned together. Hope you have a lovely holiday! Just what you need after all that hard work!

I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Saviour

Response #28:
I'm glad to hear it. This semester wore me down more than I realized. Had some health "issues" with that over the weekend, but seem to be decompressing now (did spend a good hunk of the day on student issues, notification of missing work and the like).

Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
We all have so very much to be thankful for and to look forward to, in this life and in the next.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/