http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues LVI

Question #1:    
Dear Professor 

I too join in prayer for persecuted believers wherever they may be. 

Your advice for believers to avoid political action is not something I have always subscribed to in the past, but now agree with you that believers should generally avoid political action. The mixture of the two can escalate in promoting “good” causes, which no doubt the antichrist is willing to spearhead - soon and forcefully. Right after his deceptive bit. (His preparation time is now).

The following excerpt from the New York Times: 
Mr. Wang had become known for taking high-profile positions on politically sensitive issues, including forced abortions and the massacre that crushed the Tiananmen Square democracy movement in 1989. A lawyer by training, Mr. Wang was a well-known blogger before converting to Christianity in 2005. Just a few months later, he was selected to meet President George W. Bush at the White House as part of a program to reach out to Chinese Christians. More recently, he emerged as a critic of Xi Jinping, China's leader, who ushered in more authoritarian policies and abolished term limits. The vast majority of China’s independent churches have been untouched by the recent crackdown, but observers said the attack on high-profile churches was a signal to others to reduce their size and avoid politics. In addition to closing Early Rain, the government last year shuttered Zion Church in Beijing and Rongguili in Guangzhou. Mr. Wang, who founded Early Rain in the city of Chengdu, rejected the idea that his church should avoid political issues in order to operate unmolested by the authorities. 
End of NYT excerpt.

You might imagine that the Chinese government sees this mingling of religion and politics as a threat, especially as the NYT article mentions the US President’s involvement. My son in China says that registered churches are allowed to operate and are kept an eye on to make sure they are not meddling in politics. Even Independent churches are permitted to operate as long as they follow the same restrictions and don’t get too big so as to pose a threat to the established regime. 

Though Daniel rose high in the ranks in Babylon, I do not recall scripture saying he got into political campaigns, only drawing the limit when he was personally told not to pray - and that was not a campaign - he just got on with his regular personal worship. Sure he petitioned God to save his and others lives and had a distinct heavenly answer to his prayer which also assisted the king for which the king was most grateful and he rewarded Daniel greatly. This answer is what the king wanted.

I do not recall Jesus getting involved in political campaigns.

John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.

It is not believers that should or will be making war with the world. The opposite is true.

Daniel 7:21. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them.
Note: It is not believers making war with the antichrist, but the antichrist declares war on the saints.

As I have mentioned in previous emails, there are also believers in this town who mistakingly think they are helping to bring in the Millennium, and/or are eager to join popular movements (all the way with LBJ slogan, reinvigorated). Unless they read and actually take serious note of what is written in scripture some of these folk are likely prime candidates to “aid” the campaign for “good” headed by the antichrist against those who “do not believe”. These helpers will then betray those who do not support this antichrist. 

John 16:2. ....whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
Note: supporting the wrong god.

A good while back I had sent you an email with a quote from Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) - note the great terminologies used, ‘Jesus’ and ‘Saints’ - makes one think all is in order here - should be as harmless as the Methodists. Wrong. Superb camouflage instead, to hide the beast within.

This “prophet” of this Mormon church said words similar to, “the time will come when us “believers” will take the broad sword and if our brother does not swear whole hearted allegiance to our “lord” we will shed his blood. What! “Believers” take up the sword. No shortage of “believing” executioners!

Some accused Christ of having a demon. John 10:20

John 15:20 .... if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. ...

There is always a “living” prophet in the Mormon church. While he may not be the actual false prophet, he is certainly at the very least, a pre - conditioner. Think how we are even right now being conditioned to accept practices unthinkable to most of us a little time ago.

There is great danger going down the political road to make things “right”. As you have written, most established religions will be used by the antichrist for his campaign to dominate the world under the guise of “bringing in the Millennium” or similar pretense, once the “evil” non believers (in antichrist) have been eliminated. 

Did Jesus pursue a political campaign? Not to my understanding.

Did Jesus accuse the religious leaders of hypocrisy. Yes.

Best we follow scripture. 1 Thes.4:11. 1Tim.2:2.

I will indeed continue to pray for believers - that they stick to their knitting and leave the politics to those whose kingdom is of this world.

Sometimes I think those that mix politics with religion give believers a bad name - so much so that when that ultimate politico/religion mix emerges, real believers will be left to take the can. Never really been much different. As you say, only the intensity and scale will be unprecedented (we have heard that word a lot this year, thanks to Covid).

I just wanted to add this cautionary aspect before people get too fired up. Yes the world is full of evil. We are not going to change that - Jesus will - at His appearance.

Note: It will be given us (believers) what to say when they deliver us over. Not beforehand in political debate and criticism where this is not tolerated.
Matthew 10:19.

Vital we keep up the spiritual progress rather than grabbing the tiger by the tail.

Most of what has prompted my email on this subject has come from you revealing through your writings and from my reading the scriptures, the most likely tactics to be used by the evil one - his basic modus operandi has NOT changed. Watching believers in this town alone I get to see these same political/religious hopes and pray for them to refrain from looking to Egypt. There were some Latter Rain church members in town but I have lost contact with them.

[To be brief and to not put too fine a point on it]:

-Daniel (through the Holy Spirit) gave the king what the king wanted and needed. (And saved from execution the ones in the next parentheses).

-The Early Rain folk (through _____?) only give the king irritation (same as the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and Chaldeans did). None of which the king actually wants or even needs. (Daniel 2).

[End of brief]

By seeking help from the USA and the West for a political “fix” these folk are unwittingly asking for something they might actually get. A powerful ‘“solution” to evil as the antichrist “liberates’ them and/or marches them to Armageddon for the final “victory over evil”.

Best thing we can do is pray that the Rain church are not only ever learning, but that they indeed come to a knowledge of the truth - and love it, as we are commanded to do.

Not much time for people to get it right. Let us pray that they do, endure to the end and are saved for eternity.

Just one question. From your writings and the Bible we know that the antichrist brings the kings of the east with him to Armageddon. Is it possible that he would have subdued China as of necessity before taking control of the revived Roman Empire? Or might the Chinese be watching and hoping for his weakening, thinking once he has exhausted himself and the Romans warring against the Southern Alliance, they will get to have a walk in the park takeover? No enemies left over?

Keep it easy. Only reply when you have “spare” time.

Always grateful for your Ministry.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus our Only true Savior.

Your student
Response #1:
Thanks for these emails, my friend. I had never heard of this church before. Everything in the "testament" I was sent (posted last week) seems doctrinal and biblical to me, and I didn't get any hint from it that they were involved in political action. Live and learn. I suppose I should know better since 1) they are a "successful" church and 2) this is Laodicea – so that the default assumption ought to be what I didn't see, even reading between the lines.

As to China in the Tribulation, that reference at Revelation 16:12 is literally the only thing I've ever seen which directly applies. But we are told prior to this that "authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Rev.13:7 NKJV). That would certainly include China. How and when this control comes about, whether during the first or second half of the Tribulation (my own guess would be that his agents begin the action during the first half and that after dispatching all other resistance the control is solidified during the second half), we aren't told. There will be a great deal that happens during the Tribulation in terms of "headlines" that we can't anticipate before time. But we know the important things. Indeed, if all we knew about Laodicea before the fact was the trend to lukewarmness, that would be enough.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Dear Professor

I hope you are well and getting some rest. 

Just to add to thoughts I have had on the situation of the gospel in China. To preface my remarks I note Paul says no one is righteous, so that includes all nations. 

“...: None is righteous, no, not one”; Romans 3:10. 

Looking at a map of China one can see it is surrounded by different nations with different ideologies governing them. Historically they have suffered some great losses to these nations. Long borders; they want to protect themselves from outside forces. Now they fear that Muslims (figure quoted about 20 million) and Christians (60 million) pose a threat from the inside especially as these call upon outside political forces to pressure China and to allow them to criticise the president of China.

From the perspective of my relative in China, the noisy Christians have made it worse for those who just want to worship quietly and leave politics and the king to run the country. The crackdowns are, in part, response to this criticism of the President and the political alliances these Christians have and are seeking from Western governments to “liberate” them. 

Yes, there are abuses; our western countries are not guiltless on this score. Even internationally we have inflicted grave tolls under the guise of various well crafted slogans.

Want freedom in Australia to speak the truth? Only possible if it does not go against government laws (similar as in China on this), and especially as long as the government is not exposed and embarrassed by this truth. In Australia people do disappear if they blow the whistle on illegal government activities. They are tried in secret “courts” and have no access to a lawyer, and their families do not know what has happened to them.

In this country with a “Christian” prime minister we have same sex marriage, same sex couples adopting and fostering children, while Christians are banned for doing so (WA case going before the Supreme Court presently). I just learned two of my grandchildren have been given to a lesbian couple to foster.

The court case involves a Christian couple wanting to foster babies and young children under the age of five, but they were disqualified because they believe homosexuality is wrong. Had this couple not been so forthcoming, they could have achieved much good - now it is another appeal to the world to do the “right” thing. This world, being Satan’s domain, that process is likely going to fire up more division and hatred of Christians.

Even if you viewed some of the permitted Christian churches in China as being cults and wood energy for the antichrist to use, some of the “reborn” faiths there are like the accelerant that the antichrist can put his match to, to bring the flames to fever pitch. This is the danger of religions getting into bed with the politicians in western “god fearing” nations to come and “help” them.
Much of the fear the Chinese authorities have relates to these Christian churches using external political forces to undermine the rulers in China. (Old Testament Israel seeking help from Egypt).
I know from my personal experience with Christians who have a similar mindset as this, that they would be going rah rah rah and cheer on the political forces as they put down “unbelievers”. They too, are looking to a political “fix”. I try to warn them that they may indeed be soon cheering on the antichrist because the a/c will promise to “fix” the world and rid it of “evil”.
When I commented that Trump may not win the election, they said he will, because he is “God’s man” for our time. Made me shudder to think what they will believe when “one” really does take on and obliterate their “evil opponents”.

I find it really, really hard to get believers away from the worldly political “fix it” mindset. 

My appeal is for believers to stay with the word. Do not add a “little” “l” to it = world.

Revelation 22:18-19 warns us to stay with what is written in the Word - leave politics and the world behind. Only pray for our leaders - whoever they may be. And pray to recognise the man of deception when he emerges, but, even then, he will still be biding his time to “fully come out” and reveal himself as “god”.

I pray all believers will read, believe and trust the Word.

I am keeping you and your Ministry in my prayers.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #2:
Thanks for this too!
Question #3:
I asked a star year 11 English student but he didn’t know what a participle was so I googled it and almost get it - now just need to retype it to myself!

That’s the problem with the education system concentrating on their “basics” (PTT) - they miss the important. But isn’t that their strategy all along! Knowledge, sadly is not their goal - programming false satanic ideas is. Another application of ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7. 

A term they use here for people a bit like myself who are a slow on the uptake is “thick as a brick”.

Just slightly off subject; they wet dry bricks to soak up moisture before laying in mortar, to save cracking the mortar. Back on subject; they soak these bricks (students) in PTT, so they form a solid wall of stubborn resolve in falsehood with all the other bricks (students). One solid mass. 
They call this a “solid grounding” in education! 

Brick walls have good up and down strength but not sideways. Perhaps this is why God chooses earthquakes to displace the “solid” teachings of the world.

Glad you enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner. As to leftovers, I suppose there aren’t all those nice street people out there now that you can share it with - though on the upside, the cook gets somewhat of a rest for a few days.

On my Q1. Not sure I quite understand the answer. John was writing to the 7 churches at that time who had those different traits to distinguish from each other. Are you saying that was the case in 68-69 AD, but by 70 AD they had all repented and were like the church at Ephesus? (i.e. they no longer resembled the characteristics - outlined by the Lord through John - of their respective churches - i.e. 6 of those churches?).

If the era from 70 AD to 82 AD was the era of Ephesus, I take it that the bulk of believers got the commendation from the Lord. Does that commendation include the other 6 churches at that time?

I find that I am needing to understand it better now that I am teaching it. I thought I did understand it - now not so sure I got it entirely. Nothing like being in the hot seat to show up one’s vulnerability.

The big supermarket here is exempt from the ‘Q’ app requirement (to keep every customers details for 28 days to track any Covid outbreaks). It is the small fry who need to ensure they have the app. At __'s church they just will use a written record of all attendees and keep it for 28 days ready for spot compliance checks, as some members are not keen on the app and not everyone has a smartphone.

Many in the world, even some I have spoken with, have already cottoned on to the benefits of a permanent mark for every individual.
1. Secure - one unique code per arm or forehead.
2. Don’t need a smartphone 
3. Won’t be caught without cash if you leave your wallet or smartphone home
4. Can’t lose it
5. No hiding money from corrupt/illegal activities.
6. You will never get lost.
7. Medical and ALL your records will be immediately available and never be lost
8. Great time saver as bureaucrats won’t need to shuffle papers
9. Great equaliser - everyone can have one.

You get the gist. The “benefits” are endless.(even eternal some will suggest). Only those stuck in the past or religious nuts are likely balk at this marvellous “progress”. While looking at the internet few years ago to find out what some other faiths were saying about the mark, I was astounded to find ___ from the Seventh Day Adventist Church saying that he would gladly take the mark, because that is not what the Bible was talking about! His “reasoning” defies logic - I suspect even to some savvy unbelievers.

At least we can rely on science. To give credit where it is due, they have moved on from “global warming” and perfected the slogan to “climate change”. This new slogan covers any and every eventuality. Getting hotter, colder or just plain lukewarm - though the proponents are not as lukewarm as the church - indeed the scientists are running HOT with this slogan.

Praise our Lord Jesus for allowing us with just a smidgeon of faith in Him to find the truth taught at your Ministry. It did seem to be an agonisingly long search - I am trying to share it with others and I am amazed at the resistance most believers have to engaging with your site, even though they now do not have to search for it. Might be time to put the price up!

Never ceases to amaze me the squillions of dollars extorted from people by pseudo ministers of religion. Oops spoke too soon - the Mormons raided me for decades - and unfortunately the Mormons do not offer a money back guarantee for using the Bible to prove them wrong - they have “additional scriptures” and a “living prophet” (profit) they listen to - not dead ones . 
Who knows, the mark may put an end to their schemes - another great “benefit”. A great marketing strategy.

Wonder who will take the credit? [Answer: ac,fp and satan]

Thanking you for your continuing dedication to Him and His words. And for putting up with my not so occasional bleating (sheep do this).

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #3:
On your Q1, technically speaking, John wrote this BEFORE the era of Ephesus began (not by long; he seems to have been taken home very shortly after penning Revelation in ca. 68 AD, earlier than is sometimes supposed). So all these letters apply to the seven churches at the time individually, and even more significantly to their eras that follow; but there are clearly elements in all the letters that are universally applicable to all Christians. For interpretive purposes, the trends that dominate the eras are key.

Never heard "squillions" before (love it; preferred term for funny money over here: "bazillions"); either way we're probably going to end up like the great German inflation where the man needed a wheelbarrow full of paper currency to do the shopping. The story goes that he left it outside to go into one store. When he came back out . . . wheelbarrow was gone and all the money left behind in a big pile.

Good info on bricks as well. Must remember to wet them . . . before I throw them back.

Q - ap is concerning. Nothing like that over here yet – that we know off (the NSA is probably doing this with cell phones unbeknownst to us).

Last days of collecting and grading much more hectic and confusing than anticipated. Something about one's email box being flooded with questions and attachments in all different formats and lots of partial submissions. We carry on.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend!

In Jesus.

Bob L.
Question #4:
Sorry I called you Bill in the last email. Thanks for giving me a pass on that Bob, it took me several minutes to realize my error. I am always telling friends about this awesome scholar and brother in Christ named Dr. Luginbill. Again thanks for your dedication to truth.
Response #4:
No worries! Your neither the first nor the last. My favorite seminary professor did the same thing . . . for several years (a somewhat inevitable consequence of my last name ending in -bill).

Thanks for the good words!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Dear Robert,

I trust that you are doing well and that you continue to walk in the Lord’s victory.

I read your study on “Satan’s Rebellion and Fall From Grace” and with my understanding agree with most of the thrust of your Biblical description on the matter. 

The reason for my reading it was due to other explanations (by scholars) in regards to the origin of sin and God’s involvement in ‘imputing’ evil into creation with some responsibility to creation’s (angelic beings and mankind’s) sin, which moved me to look at your descriptive understanding from Scripture on this matter. I do have a different perspective and would appreciate your critique on it and address any incompatibilities. 

“Then the Lord God said, ... man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil...” (Gen. 3:22). I deduct from this: 1) That God (in His fullness) as the Sovereign Lord (being omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient) knew good and evil as part of His character before any creation was materialized from nothing. That God forever is absolutely free from any evil and or wrongdoing. 2) That God created angelic beings in a sinless state. 3) That God created mankind in a sinless state. Therefor, the inability for both angelic beings and mankind to practice evil were not in their created state as a possibility, otherwise they would be able to create.

My explanation is as follows: Point three first, man’s ability to know good and evil came from their disobedience to God’s command and their co-operation with the devil to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Therefor, the knowledge of good and evil became part of mankind’s ability or character to function in this newly found realm. But, the inability of the character of mankind to operate in God’s wisdom to know good and evil and be blameless, righteous, holy, perfect etcetera were completely lacking. Man’s failure is only reversed by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which comes by faith in the Lord. Man was thus imputed with the knowledge of good and evil by their own choice.

Secondly, point two: As given to us as an example as to how mankind came to the knowledge of good and evil, my deduction. The Scripture does not give us a clear or direct description as to how the angelic beings received any commands regarding the knowledge of good and evil in any form or state. The understanding of right and wrong, from the angelic beings perspective, remains an enigma. Therefor, I deduct that any created angelic being is void of the ability to create evil or function in the realm of evil and must have been given the ability to discern between good and evil. I believe that God has given them a choice to comply with commands, operating within the sphere of right-doing and/or functioning for the purpose that they were created for. Yet, we have no information or details of the drafting of any such commands to angelic beings.

So, the origin of sin must have been the first incidence of disobedience and/or the practice thereof by the devil (fallen angels). The manifestation of sin originated by this first act in doing wrong (evil) in the heavenly sphere. Which is then followed by the disobedient actions of Eve and Adam in Eden, which is the first act of doing wrong (evil) by mankind, on earth.

Blessings and continue to teach the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence.
Response #5:
I mostly agree with your points 1 and 2 (as I understand them), but I really don't follow point 3, and so I'm not going to comment on the deductions you make based on that point.

I will say that the whole issue that causes "the problem" is the image of God we – angels and mankind – have been given. We are "gods" or "mighty one" in the sense of being able to choose: free will. It is the most powerful force in the universe . . . apart of course from God who has given it. 

Once He created a universe with creatures possessing free will, rebellion was inevitable – by some; and reconciliation would take a monumental Gift – which only some would be "willing" to receive. 

The choice boils down to being "willing" to acknowledge God as God, given the free will ability not to. Angels understood this better than Adam and Eve did, but the latter two still made a clear choice, Eve being deceived but Adam knowing full well that he was being disobedient. As to understanding the consequences, God told our first parents the truth, yet they didn't take it to heart sufficiently, Eve so as to be able to resist being tempted "to be like God" or "gods" (same word either way in Hebrew), Adam so as to be able to resist the loss of Eve. For the angels, Satan convinced himself and many others that the consequences wouldn't be so bad and that in fact rebellion would lead to liberation . . . from God. So the choice is parallel, but the circumstances were different. Angels knew more, but not everything – otherwise who would have rebelled? And the same may be said of Eve and Adam, even though God had stated the truth in perfect clarity. There is theoretical knowledge and there is the knowledge of bitter experience, the knowledge born of consequences (cf. 1Cor.2:8).

The plan of God is perfect. If He revealed Himself in all His glory to any free willed creature, not one could resist obeying and not one would consider rebellion or disobedience – because of a visceral recognition of the inevitable consequences. But if free will is given latitude to make a decision which is not directly coerced – even if it has been informed by the truth which it is free to disregard and disbelieve – then the truth nature and genuine heart desire of the creature in question will come to the fore. That is what happened and is still happening – that is God's perfect plan. This world is the perfect threshing floor where the wheat is being separated from the chaff.
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Matthew 3:12 NIV
In Jesus Christ our Lord,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hello, Bob,

I'm sorry to hear about your email load. Between school related emails, writing and Ichthys, I wonder how you have time for anything else. I'll keep my emails to a minimum and you in my prayers. At least when this is over, you'll get a break. I hope UofL admin is treating you well.

I don't know what I would do if I were back in the workforce today. It's certainly different than what it was in my day. It's interesting to me that many local businesses are hiring older people, in some cases retirees, to man their stores. (Not unsurprisingly, I prefer to deal with the older people.) As a side note: few of the older people in the workforce are diligent about their face diapers -- and we're supposed to be the most vulnerable.

Fortunately, I no longer travel, air or otherwise so, as we say down here, "I don't have a dog in that hunt." Airplanes are generally considered, along with hospitals, to be the unhealthiest places. Curiously, I would sooner get in a small Cessna than a commercial airliner. I would feel safer. The commercial pilot I know no longer flies and his stories aren't encouraging.

Speaking of "down here," it ain't all that bad. You have timber rattlers in the hills just East of Louisville and other bad critters, so Texas isn't all that different. For those who pay attention, it's just another day. Unlike many people, critters are honest and for the most part, don't bother you unless you bother them. In many ways, I prefer critters to people. At least I know what I can count on.

Having said that, Texas is about the same size or a little larger than the EU so there's plenty to choose from. The downside is that Texas deer are about the same size as Great Danes. They would be exceptional to dress one out at over 100# where up in your neck of the woods, they'll dress out at over 200#.

Sorry -- just had to defend my preferences!

I do have to admit it's sometimes frustrating that there's little detail in the Bible on specifics, but I understand. The Bible, as I've come to understand, is simply the course outline rather than the entire course. It requires faith to enter the classroom and the Spirit is the teacher. But the Spirit is so much more, as our friends from California have experienced. I pray they do well and our friends in Australia do as well.

At the risk of rhapsodizing, I'll stop now. I pray you and yours are safe and well and whatever physical difficulties you face are healed.

In Jesus,
Response #6:
It's no problem! After all, I do get paid for it (somewhat). I heard one talking head on cable the other day complain about college professors who "make 300K and only teach 1 class a semester". Never met one of those fellows here at U of L, but if he divided the first number by 4 and multiplied the second number by 5.5 and added in a healthy administrative load and also a significant research burden, he'd have me pegged fairly dead to rights (after 30 years on the job, I might add in for good measure). It's all about the math.

If I were inclined to move, GTT would probably be me. However, I've often said that my retirement plan is the "feet first" one, and that they'll have to dynamite me out of this house – so I'd have to eat my words (and I'm fat enough already).

We would all like to know more. But we've been given to know plenty. And knowledge in and of itself doesn't solve problems. After all, it didn't keep Satan from rebelling or Adam and Eve from falling . . . or any of us from sinning (and making all manner of mistakes for which we should have known better). Sometimes some of us learn some things from consequences. Animals certainly do. I remember one experiment where rats were given access to a tube dispensing an opiate drip: the alpha rat monopolized it . . . until he got bounced from his status on account of being too high to maintain it; once he sobered up, he never ever went near the thing again. Human beings seem to have the capacity to willfully forget past mistakes and act as if they – and their consequences – never happened. That is free will. We have the capacity to put the truth to death – in our hearts; not, of course, in reality. But we also have the ability to turn our back on the world and embrace the actual truth, and if we do, embracing Him who is the truth, then with the Spirit He gives us we have the ability not only to learn knowledge but to adopt it as truth in our hearts and act upon it to the glory of God. And we have plenty of that sort of truth available – and plenty more in the Bible to encourage us to stick to this good, strait, narrow road. As long as we are willing to do so.

Looking forward to the resurrection and the reward and joyful celebration with you and all our brothers and sisters who keep pushing forward in the truth.

Thanks for those prayers!

In Jesus Christ who is the very truth.

Bob L.
Question #7:
 Hi Bob!

How are you doing? Hope you're well and loving your time off.

Another busy week for me at work and more projects in the house. Plastering the walls this time - not demolishing them! Had to get the experts in for this though. They're so good at their job - I don't know how they get those walls so smooth. I keep them topped up with tea, coffee, cookies etc. and they're happy workers!

There weren't quite so many Christmas songs on the radio at work yesterday - phew! At least they have it turned down very low and once we start drilling it drowns it all out for a while. When you wrote, "tie a yellow ribbon" as an example of muzak, I couldn't get that song out of my head for the rest of the day - thanks for the torture, Bob!

I know what you mean about people looking at you as if you come from Mars when you tell them you don't listen to music. Some of them at work were asking me if I'd seen this programme or that movie and when I said no their eyes nearly popped out of their head. They couldn't believe I hadn't seen this "funny" and "brilliant" movie. From the snippets they shared with me I'll definitely give it a miss. I don't watch much TV at all now. Most of it is a load of rubbish and I think it's a complete waste of my time. Time that I use for praying and reading my Bible and time is very short now so we need to use it wisely.

It was lovely reading the emails this week. Seeing our brothers and sisters joy in the Lord and continuing to move forward in their spiritual growth despite all the challenges this life and world throws at them. Their prayers for each other and the answers to our prayers. Their different gifts and ministries and amazing testimonies too! Such great encouragement for me!

I have some brilliant news too. [details about sister finally being released from hospital omitted] Thank you SO much for your prayers for her. Such great news though - God is so good!

Thanks for the verses you gave me on family (1 Cor. 7:28 and Matt. 10:36). I love how Paul says, "... but I would spare you this". Even though he wasn't married he sure knew what he was talking about! But it isn't just spouses - it's kids as well even when they're grown up. You still love them the same and if they're going through troubles in their own lives then their pain is your pain too. It's not easy, it causes concern and time and energy and tiredness and a whole lot of distraction. All things that wouldn't have been around if you'd have stayed single so I understand exactly what Paul is saying. Don't get me wrong - I still love my family to bits - but not as much as I love the Lord.

[details about family's resistance and opposition to the truth omitted] I know the Lord can change the hardest of hearts but right now it's like "casting pearls before swine". They're very nice, decent, caring and thoughtful people but mention God and they'll soon let you know what an absolute load of rubbish all of that is. But I know that it's "foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Cor. 1:18).

The truth is divisive. It's all about obeying and pleasing the Lord - not losing heart but continuing to shine that light for Him and for His glory. Another one I love is 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed . . .

So we have Matthew 10:36 and there's Micah 7:5-6 too. I often wonder what lies ahead for me - should be interesting. But I know the Lord loves me - He knows me intimately, every detail about me, even every hair on my head and He is my protection. He knew everything about my life before it even happened and He is working all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)

No matter what happens I want to please Him in everything I think and say and do because all of this is going to count on that day when I stand before Him. I'm far from perfect but I SO want Him to be pleased with me. That's what we're here for - to choose for the Lord and continue to please Him while we're still here. And there's not much longer now so we better give it our best while we still can!

Your friend in Jesus
Response #7:
Wow! Plastering! I don't even know if anyone over here even does that anymore. It's mostly dry wall in the states, as far as I know.

Terrific news about your sister! We'll keep up the prayer on that one.

Family is tough for pretty much everyone . . . but those without them have a hard time with loneliness. There's just nothing perfect down here on planet earth, it seems. We can pursue happiness, but it's pretty hard to catch – except in the Lord. That's my experience, anyway, and "I think also that I have the Spirit of God" on that one (1Cor.7:40). That said, you do have a particularly difficult burden which I don't underestimate. It's not easy being in close contact with those dismissive of what is most important to us. But there are probably worse things. I know a lot of believers whose family members are drunks or addicts or abusive or just down right crazy. Still, we all have our own crosses to bear. We just need to remember that God knows our hearts and that He loves us and is working in all out for us for good, even if it is taking a bit longer than we would like. There is also this:
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10 NKJV
He knows not only our petitions and our hearts but also what we have been doing out of love for Him and those He gave us.

I'm very grateful for your crystal clear spiritual perspective, my friend. You see things the way we all should, through the perfect prism of the truth of the Word of God.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr. L,

Just emailing to see how you are doing? I pray all is well with you and your family. Let me know if there are any specific prayers you might need.

Take care and thanks for everything
Response #8:
Thanks for checking in! We're doing OK. The whole Covid thing has gotten surreal, however. I've been wrapping up the semester from home ever since two weeks ago when we went remote for the final push. I'll be putting in my grades this afternoon – finally. It's been difficult and strange to be getting all manner of materials from students in all sorts of different formats and having to "ride herd" over email on things missing or incomplete or not done correctly. Last year, I'd just have everyone show up the last day to take a final and turn in any back work. But this year has been hard for the students so I'm making many accommodations. The bottom line is that what normally takes me a day has taken over a week. Once I get the grades done and posted, I'll take a little time off but then I have to figure out next semester. That will be trickier than I had thought because of the Covid spike (I have to calculate how likely it is that we can have in-person instruction in mid-January) and because of rethinking what worked well this semester and what needs to be changed as I do my syllabi. I ought to put in some time on my research as well (lol).

I'd be curious to know if your life there has been much affected by all this.

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

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Thanks Dr. Luginbill (just got this e-mail ... it was in junk mail). I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I think we are all ready to end this year and toss it out the door..... who knows what 2021 will bring... probably much of the same, and worse. You and Curtis Omo [link] keep me growing in the word, Thanks so much for your commitment in all you do for us readers. Take good care
Response #9:
Glad you found the email! I do everything I know how to do to avoid the "spam patrol" with these emails, individually addressed, no html, etc. Yet it's amazing how many don't get through. But I regularly receive mail from unknown addresses in Russia wanting to give me free Netflix for a year (and the like).

I do hope 2021 is a bit easier. It may not start out that way, but I certainly hope that is how it finishes. If so, the main thing for us believers who are positive to the truth and who are aware of the "times" in which we live, is to not be forgetting just how rough a little plague, insurrection and coup can be – so that we actually do make use of the easier road ahead for maximum spiritual growth and preparation for the really rough road ahead.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Dear Prof, 

Greetings to you and brethren. Trusting in the Lord that you are doing ok. How is your work and your body coming along? I keep praying for you knowing the times we are in. 

It's not question time but to thank you once again for your efforts on ichthys. I just felt like adding my voice to all those from all over the world who appreciate you and your work. My life has changed so much that I know it is only God that could have done this miracle in changing me. I'm not near there but on the way there. At times I wonder what would have become of me if not for ichthys. Praise God for how He makes ways even in the wilderness.

I'm more patient, trusting in the Lord more, overcome laziness more, understanding God more, focusing on His word more, less interested in the world more, less selfish, more God conscious ... I wasn't like this before. All this despite distractions legal, financial etc. All because of focusing -with your help- on the word of God which is the message unto salvation.

I'm grateful to be on the narrow road even if it's difficult. What I am now (compared with before) is worth it not to talk of when He comes in glory. What a Hope to have and cherish!

Anyway sir I just wanted to greet you from an overflowing heart and just to say thank you. Things are a little quiet so I'm making more vertical movements (study) now which I'm very sure will result in horizontal movement when and where the Lord wants.

Prof, thank you sir! Till He comes, may you continue to please the Lord in all your ways.

In Him, to whom we look up to beyond the hills from where our help comes.
Response #10:
Thanks so much, my friend!

I have been thinking about you and about our last conversation, and I have been wondering about your progress in considering future ministry. We don't know how much time is left, it is true, but whatever is worth doing is worth doing regardless of such considerations, and also worth preparing to do well. I keep you in prayer about this.

I am doing well, especially considering everything. I am also getting a bit of a holiday break and it is much appreciated. Usually I take a little time off over the summer but this last summer spring and fall melded together with constant business over cleaning up the spring mess and preparing for an unknown and difficult fall. Now, however, I know what the problems involved in hybrid instruction are and have some ideas about how to make this coming spring better. Also, I've probably mentioned that after chairing the personnel committee in the fall I'm now off of the committee completely. So it should be better. But I'm not even working on the syllabi yet. As I said, a little break is in order, and also I want to wait as long as possible to see how things may fall out. After all, on the one hand cases of Covid are spiking and that might affect state, city and university decisions about in person instruction; and on the other hand this vaccine(s) may change how people look at things. So I've got a general plan, but I'm going to wait as long as possible before putting the specifics down on paper.

On the ministry front, I've begun to get my head back into the Peter series. It seems the reasonable thing to do to try and finish that next – and that will take some time.

Keeping you and your family and your situation in my prayers every day, my friend.

Thanks for checking in!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #11:
[questions about career choice in support of ministry omitted]
Response #11:
The Spirit doesn't force us; He does help us when we are determined to do what is right. In terms of things where we have reasonable choice, we do our best to sort out the options and God honors our attempts to honor Him in the process, for He knows all of our true motives, our talents and capabilities, and what is really possible and what is not. And He uses all manner of things to direct us – and to help us to direct our own steps. He is with us every step of the way.

I certainly do not want to give the impression that I know what is best for you (these are your choices to make). I also do not want to suggest that I somehow know what is workable and what is not. That is not even the case in this country or with things that I some experience with, let alone a different country regarding areas of which I know very little. People who love you will always tell you to be careful when it comes to things that are outside what is normal and traditional and I am no exception. But that doesn't mean 1) it's not right, or 2) it's not right for you. It's your job to make the choices (I certainly honor that!), but also to engage and follow through with the determination, vigor, "blood, sweat and tears" to make it work. Yes, God is the One who actually makes it work, but He definitely looks for and uses our engagement in the process. And in my observation and experience, when that engagement is not present, true success is rare. That has certainly been the case in my life – even though it is VERY clear to me that all the success I have had in the service, in school, and in my career have come from HIM, and that if things in any of these areas had depended entirely on my input all would have "come a cropper". 

So really what I am concerned about more than anything else is the "joy" factor. If you are truly committed to something and give it your all for godly motives, the Lord will be with you. Finding the right thing is not so easy given that its purpose is to support what is really important. I'll be praying for you on this my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Dear Professor, 

Encouraging to hear you expect to last in employment until things are over.

The increased pace of change, even now, forebodes problems we are sure to find unpleasant. One advantage of not being popular now (even with believers), is that when that turns to intense dislike and then to hate, we won’t need to dramatically adjust our dial. No point breaking the glass and mechanism for a few”likes” now.

However, I do try to tread the line of being all things to different people in order to win them for Christ. 

Those who thrive on being popular will find it hard to resist the allure of the crowd. Hopefully, we who follow Christ, will find it natural to go with what is written and what is given to us by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 3:17; 1 Thes.3:3-4; Acts 7:52; Matt.24:25; Mark 13:11,23.

Knowing beforehand is a great blessing, one given by Jesus through his spoken word and recorded in scripture for us. We know it is given for our endurance and salvation especially in preparation for the time of running with horses. Jeremiah 17:25.

Those believers expecting that they are “helping” to bring in the Millennium or to be pre -trib raptured, are instead vulnerable to helping the antichrist in his brief and brutal reign - caught up emotionally in a cause crafted to drag them down to hell. They do not recognise the rebellion that must come first. 2 Thes.2:3. 

Laodicea (thank you for your teachings on this) needs to end soon. Seems most Laodiceans would cool forever if some heat were not applied to keep us alive. What may seem a terrible time - and it will be - is instead the refining we need.

I am thankful for this little time to prepare - and your Ministry is teaching the truths from scripture we all need to stand.

[omitted]

I am grateful to you for your diligence in feeding us. Truly your Ministry is a literal life saver.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #12:
You've certainly got a lot on your plate, my friend.

Yes, knowing is better than not knowing, even when it's going to be "bitter in the stomach" to experience and one understands that ahead of time.

Vaccination starts up tomorrow here in the states – that should be interesting.

Keeping you and your family and your teaching in my prayers daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Bob,

After reading the "news" (which I have to stop!) and concern for those who have lost their jobs, businesses and soon their homes, the Spirit, I believe, prompted me to reread Job which was not on my agenda. I have read Job, I think, more than any other book of the Bible, yet I don't think I've ever had a reasonable understanding of the book. Even today.

What strikes me now is how applicable Job is today. Many people are going through or are about to go through what Job experienced. I wonder how many believers will have similar reactions? I wonder how many believers will have "friends" as did Job? Or, how many believers will fall away under the stress. Given what I read in your recent posting, "Eschatology Issues LV," Satan's active destruction is beginning in earnest and many people are already hurting. A wake up call to us all. God grant me the strength to stand up as well as Job when the distress comes to me.

I would recommend any believer who is facing this distress read Job and consider carefully. It's not God who is causing all this but I believe, like with Job, he will stand back and let Satan do His will within current limits. He gives us the government we deserve. In many ways, the book of Job is a short history of what's coming. Have you considered doing an analysis of Job?

All that aside, do we have any reasonable idea of when Job was written? I've read that it's the oldest book of the Bible, but the hints I get peeking through suggest Greek influence -- which may be reasonable given when it was written. Of course, I may be completely off in the weeds as I have been many times before. Job, however" strikes me as one of the most unique books in the Bible.

On another note, I've finally come to understand Genesis 6:5. It wasn't, I don't think the evil was because of the fallen angels or nephilim as that was only a symptom of the evil. but a symptom of the people's willingness to accept it. It does raise the question of how the fallen angels could manifest a body capable of spawning the nephilim but I think that's irrelevant. I don't think, even then, the Lord would have allowed the intervention if people weren't corrupt enough to allow it.

Just my humble two bits... Stay well and safe. I pray your maladies are resolving. I didn't know about your eye! That's a toughie. I pray it's improving.

Yours in our Lord,
Response #13:
Job is wonderful stuff! I've never given any thought to running through it . . . since in thirty years I still haven't made it through two epistles of Peter yet. But it is great to read. It was probably written by Solomon, informed and inspired about the earlier events by the Spirit (in the same way in which Moses was given to know what happened before the flood, e.g.).

As Genesis 6, I certainly agree that people are the problem. No one can be demon possessed either without willing cooperation (at least at first). Affliction is another matter (cf. Paul's "thorn in the flesh).

We're definitely "under fire" already and it is likely to get worse. Just watching everything going on is enough to "torment" any "righteous soul" (2Pet.2:7-8); but whereas Lot COULD have left Sodom earlier than he did, where exactly are we to go today to avoid "day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds". I suppose turning off the TV would be a good first step. On the other hand, sticking our heads in the sand completely might not be the most salutary course either.

Vision is pretty much OK. Took a little step down in the right eye but I see well enough. Will probably have to get a new prescription next summer, but that's a minor thing. Doing pretty well, actually – so thanks for those prayers! Keeping you and your family in mine daily as well, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

John 3:13, 
"No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven:
the Son of Man[Messiah].

I understand this to mean that no one of the Old Testament saints had yet to ascend to heaven because Jesus had not yet opened heaven, by His sacrifice on the Cross for sin. 

This verse is actually taking place under the Old Testament Law, as again, Jesus had not yet been died and been raised from the dead which began the New Testament, or "Last Will and Testament of Jesus". 

Those who don't realize that this was still under the Old Testament Law, will miss this interpretation, and I did, that until the thought I expressed above came to my mind. 

Wow, that must have been the Holy Spirit!

Any thoughts you may have will be welcomed.

Blessings to you always,

Your friend,
Response #14:
That's right, my friend. When Jesus said this, the victory of the cross had not yet been won. Only at His ascension were the believers in Paradise brought from there to be in heaven (link).

Yours in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Bob L.
Question #15:
There are some who teach, even to the point of being giddy, that Jesus will be hosting a “marriage supper” on the heels of a pre-tribulation rapture,” lasting the full seven years of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. That would mean that there would be great feasting and rejoicing in heaven right on through to the end of the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Just ponder that for a moment...

There is a strange, and I will even go so far as to say, a perverse disconnect when believers can read Scriptures like Romans 9, 10 and 11 and can come up with the “blessed hope” as being that of an imminent rapture of the Church, with no thought of having any responsibility in Israel’s redemption, or as one man has expressed it, a mentality that says, “Jacob’s Trouble” is “Jacob’s Problem.”

There is a serious disconnect here, and worse, your testimony to the Jew just got tossed into the refuse heap!” And, what a perverse disconnect from the reality of what the vast majority of the Church is subjected to on a daily basis throughout much of the world. We should be embarrassed.

Perhaps, they should take the same advice that Mordecai gave to Queen Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews.” For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"
Response #15:
Thanks!

We also all need to remember that although we have been given a general time-line of what is to come, everything is in God's hands – and He can change anything.
"He changes times and seasons . . . "
Daniel 2:21a NKJV 
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
I am currently a student at Liberty University, In a mad search to prove that the laver was made of mirrors to denote introspection I came across your website. Thank you for the eminence amount of work your have put into providing sound doctrine. I referenced your work in my summary. I could not find any “ peer reviewed” sources that shared the same view point. I am not saying they are not out there. It is possible that I did not recognize them also. Thank you again and God Bless
Response #16:
Thanks for the good words!

In Jesus,

Bob Luginbill 
Question #17:
 Hi Bob,

Things are ratcheting up and getting worse. I feel like I'm under major satanic attack.

[details of opposition and attack from friends and family omitted]

Is it because I am spiritually growing and that I am getting serious about my faith? Is that why the attacks are getting worse and worse?

Is this what Peter said about not being shocked as though something strange was happening to me? It feels very supernatural what is happening to me and spiritual as there is no justification for the taunts and cruelty levelled at me. I have been here before where I have felt cornered and alone but to deal with an infestation on top feels horrible.

[omitted]

I know that I fight this by prayer, reading the truth, believing the truth and applying the truth. Sometimes I think I must be doing something wrong for all this to be happening at once but it is testing isn't it. I have to cling to my faith and trust in God to get me through, that He will never leave me or forsake me.

It is so shocking though the evil things said to me within a matter of one hour!

Should I be doing anything else. I don't know if I am handling this very badly or not?

In Jesus,
Response #17:
I'm sorry to hear of your continuing troubles.

A couple of things. First, if we are flying straight to the target, we are likely to get flak. Sometimes it will be light, sometimes heavy. But we hold course regardless. So if we are getting flak for doing what we ought to be doing, namely, growing spiritually and walking close to the Lord, then we need to learn to disregard said flak (as much as possible), try not to take it personally (the devil opposes anyone and everyone who is following Christ), and persevere, knowing that the Lord does answer our prayers, that He always gives a way out of tough situations (1Cor.10:13), and that He is working it all out together for good in this perfect plan we are part of (Rom.8:28). 

When the pressure is on and we are feeling the heat, this is harder to apply than merely appreciating these things "in principle", but we get rewarded – and we grow – through responding correctly under pressure, not for "book learning". So hold your course, my friend. I am praying for you. The Lord has given you some significant victories of late. One thing you learn in the military is that the very best time to counter-attack the enemy who has just taken your hill is IMMEDIATELY before they have a chance to regroup. So the fact that Satan counter-attacks us right after we've won a battle is no surprise. Think of Elijah. His greatest victory was the defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and his prayer for rain answered thereafter. But before the next sun came up, he was running for his life after the devil counter-attacked. He let himself get rattled by Jezebel's threats – no doubt because of the shock.

I will also say that sometimes the Lord gives us circumstances and experiences to guide us. Figuring that out is something only the person in question can really do because divine guidance is a personal thing in the Spirit and usually requires prayerful attention to sort out. So my main advice would be to listen to the Spirit and the counsel of the Word and to not pay too much attention to what the "red team" is saying or doing since they are not looking out for your spiritual interests.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
I'm praying for you, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #18:
I am giving myself more and more over to the Spirit. I have noticed that the more I do this, the more peace and calmness I have within. I have been lifted up throughout this trial and the harder and harder it has become, the more and more I trust and seek Jesus. My faith is growing more and more. My love is growing more and more. I am able to reflect Jesus' love. I am putting my whole self aside so that the Spirit can do the work through me. I am walking in the work that God has already prepared for me. I am still a sinner and I still stumble and fall but my faith is not about book learning anymore but about trusting and leaning on the understanding that I have. I think to myself, the harder things get, it must mean that God is trusting me more and more and knows that I will get through it by seeking Him. So the more I get thrown my way, the more I know that He knows that I can cope with it because of Him.

[omitted]

I have felt such peace and joy from the Holy Spirit. It has been such a joy to humble myself to the Spirit and follow His lead. In the Spirit, I find the patience and the perfect love that I can give ____ when he suffers and reaches out for strength, hope and reassurance. 

I still fall Bob. I stumble, fumble and fall but I then get back up and carry on. Each time I get back up I feel renewed again and stronger within and in my faith. The more I give myself over to the Spirit, the more I can do. By giving myself over to the Spirit, I can bear the fruit of the Spirit. 
Everything good comes from God. All love comes from God through the Holy Spirit. It is a real joy and honour to be a servant of God, to witness to others the truth of Jesus Christ, King of Kings, the name above all names.

I pray to God to humble me and keep me humble. I know that it is only by humbling myself and by denying my flesh and instead seeking the Holy Spirit within me, that I can succeed.

Going to bed tonight I felt a fear creep in about the end times but I shouted down that fear because every knee will one day bow and every tongue will one day confess. Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world!

I have not been able to study recently as I have been so busy being under this fiery trial. I am eager to get back and resume my studies though as it is the belief, understanding and trusting in these studies that has given me the answers to these trials I am now in.

Thank you so much for your prayers and words of support, encouragement and fellowship. It keeps me going and cheers me on.

God bless you my friend!

In Jesus, the name above all others,
Response #18:
Thanks so much for this powerful message, my friend!

It's very clear that you are fighting a solid spiritual fight in just the right way through the truth and in the Spirit!

Good for you!

I'm keeping you in prayer on all this.

Thanks for keeping me in the loop.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Thanks Bob 

If you think what I wrote will help and encourage others in their fight and race then please share it with my blessings.

____ and I have shared the indignity of the throat and nose swab only to find ____'s test results "inconclusive". He is now banned from having another one so we are just sitting it out until he passes the "quarantine" point and then we can go back to something like normal. We're hoping to have lunch on Christmas Day with my Mum and Dad.

Dad is very heartbroken because to see his brother (who is severely mentally handicapped) at Christmas, him and Mum would have to have a negative Covid test prior, wear full PPE with gown and social distance while seeing him and then when he goes back to the care-home he would need to be stripped down and immediately put in the shower and his clothes immediately washed at a high temperature. This would be so traumatic for my Uncle and my Parents that they have decided not to go ahead just for the sake of one day's festivities. 

My Mum and Dad are in an awful position. It's either take my Uncle on full time and they don't have the energy to do that anymore or the other alternative is that he gets all the care he needs but they aren't allowed to see him. I can see how the vaccine and then, in turn, the mark of the beast will determine whether you have access to care homes, hospitals and therefore loved ones. 

Personally it would be fairly easy for me to give up on all the material trappings of life like leisure and entertainment. I could even muddle through if my life became very limited indeed. The real test for me would be the suffering of ostracism and isolation from family and friends as well. I have had some training in that department though when things have gone south with friends and family prior so I will do what I always do, double down in faith and trust Jesus.

What lousy times. To think that the end times will be worse! I'm ready to go now Bob, whenever God calls me. Other than the people I love and country walks with the birds, there's nothing in this world that I would miss or cling on to...nothing.

The way that I see it is that I want to make every day count for God. I am here as his servant and as a billboard for Jesus and that is it! If any blessings come my way, I glorify God and don't take any for granted. If I am tested, I glorify God and double down on my prayer, growth and seeking the Spirit. 

I'm in the race now proper Bob! I'm not just reading about the race but in it myself and earnestly contending for the faith!

God bless you. I will never forget all you have done for me! Look forward to the day we are both with our Lord and Saviour! Won't it be amazing! To meet God face to face and be surrounded by all our friends we read of in the bible not to mention all the believers from all over the world and throughout time! Isn't that incredible to think of! Living with Jesus forever! It will all be worthwhile. No more tears and even our pain will be nothing compared to that glory we shall look on forever! How wonderful!

In Jesus,
Response #19:
I will do so, possibly Saturday.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. I do keep the whole family in my prayers.

What does encourage me is your godly and courageous attitude, my friend! You are a wonderful witness and a good example of the difference between facing life and this world with the Lord and the truth as opposed to merely allowing oneself to be batted about by 'every wind of false teaching' like the majority of spiritually immature Laodicean Christians (Eph.4:14).

So keep fighting the good fight, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Dr Luginbill,

Well it does make sense that that type would be like that. An insecure person might not do so well making hard decisions in the moment, plus it isn't like the battlefield is a time to sit and philosophize about morality. On the other hand, we are responsible for our choices whatever the circumstances.

I got back to work and my supervisor sent me emails attacking me. She lied and made me look bad. And, well, since it is always verbal (so I can't prove the lie), I simply said I didn't know what she was talking about, and if she would accommodate my hearing issue by putting it in writing. And I brought up that I have emailed her about that before. But she doesn't put most of her stuff in writing, just things like the emails attacking me today. But see, legally, wasn't she required to do that the first time I said there were communication issues? I also wrote that I am feeling severe anxiety that this keeps happening. They may say nothing and just let it pass. I feel if I show I have made some overture like I have that is enough to protect me later. I hope.

I just have to put it in God's hands. 

Please pray for me and my job and health.

Respectfully,
Response #20:
You really are having trouble with this boss. If it's any consolation, the "bad boss" test is one which nearly every Christian I know who's determined to grow has had or is having. I'll be praying for you on the job and the situation there (of course I have been already). About the only thing a good Christian can do in such cases is just what you are doing, namely, avail oneself of admissible measures and keep on doing a good job as unto the Lord . . . and pray, trusting in Him to bring us across the impenetrable sea.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi,

I do want to thank Robert Luginbill for the dedication and amount of diligent work that’s been invested into the studying of and writings re the book of Revelation.

I have been a lay teacher of scripture for nearly 4 decades, becoming happily addicted to the word of God, so it comes out from me reasonably smoothly and readily - but I must say my recent foray into the book of Revelation has been challenging, enlightening, and challenging some more. I do know that the Lord has been in this, so I am OK w the challenges. Til now, I have felt neither equipped nor called to attempt to teach this book.

I’ve read Revelation perhaps a dozen times this past year and listened to it more than that – I’m a “bike-ride-audio-student” of scripture (I love it!). Several months ago I discovered the ichthys site, and it has been a huge blessing to me.

I’ve become immersed in it, I agree w most everything I’ve read, I have some questions re other parts and pieces, and I continue pressing in.

THANK YOU for providing this great site. Thank you that someone/anyone/everyone is afforded so great an opportunity to press in to understand some of the deeper mysteries of our Lord’s great redemptive plan.

Writing a bit myself I am fully cognizant of the challenge for accuracy, the typo gremlins, stuff like that.

Over the course of my traversing the site, I have taken a few copy/paste notes of typos etc that I’ve come across.

Should Robert Luginbill want to consider some of those for possible editorial correction, let me know and I’d be happy to forward that to you folks.

Again, thank you, and blessings.
Response #21:
Thanks so much for your positive comments!

I'd be happy to have you send along any typos or incorrect verse citations you may notice.

In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #22:
Okay, Thank you for the clarification.

I have now completed reading both the Satanic Rebellion and Coming Tribulation.

SR was helpful to me in learning about the first earth age or pre-adamic world. I always had a sense of this even though it was hazy. 

I am now 67. I became a Christian in my freshman year at Vanderbilt University. I was fortunate to land on a freshman dormitory floor that had several strong young Christian men on it. They shared their faith with me. After a few months it sunk in and I accepted Jesus Christ as My Savior.

During that year as I began reading the Bible (and although knowing only the basics of my new faith). I remember reading Ephesians 6:12 and realizing that somehow there was a lot more going on in the heavenly realm than I had any idea about.

I am glad that now I know so much more about what those things are.
Response #22:
Thanks for the great testimony!

It's a pleasure to have you as a friend in Christ.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #23:
Yes - plastering is still going strong over here! It's a good skill to have and great to watch how they do it. It gives such a perfect, smooth finish and is durable too. We put the plasterboard (dry wall) up first and then got the plasterer to skim over that with plaster. No sanding down needed at all and "Bob's Your Uncle!" (British phrase for "and there it is" or "and there you have it" or "you're all set").

Thanks for your listening ear and for everything you wrote to me. I always appreciate it and take it all in. I agree with everything you say and I love the two verses you gave to me. I've realised rather than asking you a question I tend to write down what's in my heart. I might sound strong outwardly but sometimes it's not always a true picture of how I feel inwardly. But it's not about how I feel or what I see or hear - it's about reminding myself of the truth and the promises the Lord has given us. Drawing closer to Him and walking by faith. That's where I draw my strength from. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:4) It's an absolute joy to be in God's family!

Thanks for all your help and encouragement, Bob! Keeping you and yours in my prayers.

Your friend in Jesus
Response #23:
I know what you mean about writing emails. But it's also true that we can only say what is in our hearts. So even if we are worried about only "talking a good game", that is the first step in encouraging ourselves and others, and a necessary one too. Also, unlike secular matters, we can only say godly things such as you do in your emails if the Spirit is empowering us to do so (e.g., 1Cor.12:3). And what He empowers us to say He will also empower us to do. We just have to keep striding forward in the truth.

I appreciate your insights, my friend! And I've received a lot of emails from others saying how much they appreciate hearing about the godly fights that our brothers and sisters are fighting for the Lord. So expect to see some more of you good words posted very soon!

And thanks so much for the help with the typos! Greatly appreciated as always.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #24:
Hi Bob,

I'm always encouraged by your emails but this one really meant a lot to me. If anything I say from my heart is being empowered by the Spirit and is encouraging others and glorifying the Lord then that means everything to me. I wouldn't have known or realised this if you hadn't told me so thank you. I'm also grateful that maybe you can see things in me that I don't see myself.

I don't see all of the emails that others write to you each day. I don't know the people like you do or where they are in their walk with the Lord or their different situations and circumstances in life. I'm sure there are some that prefer not to have their emails shared on the website. So I'm kind of just plodding along on my own not really realising that I'm even helping our brother and sisters - but if I am then that's great - it's just what we should be doing for each other. And I'm always learning and encouraged by reading the weekly emails too.

I strive each day to learn the Word and grow closer to the Lord and I know He is speaking to my heart and teaching me and continuing to help me to grow spiritually. And I will keep "striding forward in the truth".

Thanks so much again for your email, Bob.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #24:
You're most welcome, my friend!

Your correspondence has indeed been a help and an encouragement to many, not least to myself.

We are all in the same boat down here, fighting this fight as best we can, dealing with unbelievers and pressures and health concerns and problematic family and job and other sorts of pressures. Meanwhile, we are tested as to the depth of our love for the Lord and His truth, taking it in, believing it, and living according to it. The world may be against us, but we do have each other. That is what the Church is all about.

So thank you for being a blessing to me and to this ministry.

Keeping you and yours in my prayers daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #25:
Thank you Bob for your lovely and encouraging words and for being such a blessing to me too. Even though our brothers and sisters in Christ are spread all over the world, having each other is a precious gift from the Lord.

I'm going to read through this week's emails again because there is so much that I can relate to and so many answers and help from your responses. I'm very grateful to you for these.

My sister arrived back home today safe and sound! It didn't quite happen for her yesterday as they had planned so I messaged her to say not to worry - just one more day to go and she asked me to say a prayer for her. I said I definitely would and that I pray for her every day. It's been one very long year for her and my nephew said she was very emotional but glad to be home. He said there must have been about 20-25 people outside who came up to greet her home. He said he didn't get any photos unfortunately because he was too busy blubbering himself! I was a bit concerned to start with that all those lovely people remembered to keep their distance because of Covid but then I remembered that the ambulance crew were there and they would have made sure she was safe. So once they're settled in I'll go and visit her (from a safe distance) - I can't wait! God is so good!

I'm back to the grind tomorrow! How are you, Bob? Are you feeling more rested now?

Keeping you and yours in my prayers and thanks so much for yours too.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #25:
Great news about your sister – I was about to ask.

Great news that she ASKED for prayer! Why would anyone do that if they didn't believe in their heart of hearts that some One was listening? We'll keep your sister in prayer. Perhaps she'll be the first one to take (re-take) the plunge. Praying for your nephew too.

Doing fine here – and the encouragement is definitely mutual.

Your friend in Jesus Christ,

Bob L.
Question #26:
 Dear Professor

I pray that you are well and getting a well earned and needed break.

I just reread Daniel and admit that I do not have a full understanding of everything written there, though the things I do notice I would like to share.

His account is particularly relevant to our situation today as Daniel writes much about the last days, the time of the end, our time (Laodicea). [Israel, in Daniel’s time had succumbed to Layiny by d sea -only a few faithful believers remained].

He lived his life under kings that did not worship “Daniel’s God” the way that Daniel did.
Daniel is an excellent type of how believers ought to behave under bondage. 

Daniel was a light for the truth by his living his life in worship of God.
Not seeking the spotlight as many Christians “in bondage” do today.

Daniel never sought to tell the king how the king ought to run his kingdom.
Spotlighters today, try to dictate to the king how to order his kingdom.

Daniel was invited to the king’s presence.
Spotlighters are not. 

Daniel was invited to assist in the governance of the kingdom.
Spotlighters want to usurp the king’s authority.

Daniel contributed to the orderly conduct of the king’s affairs.
Spotlighters create strife and division. 

Daniel made things better for his fellow believers (think Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego).
Spotlighters make matters worse for their fellow believers by inciting the wrath of the king against believers.

Daniel prayed to God to deliver. (Trusts God will deliver).
Spotlighters petition Egypt. (Implores the world to “liberate” them).

Daniel prayed for forgiveness for himself and his people.
Spotlighters blame the king for their own unfaithfulness.

Daniel understood what being a true light is.
Spotlighters are blinded by their own (spot)light.

Daniel was given visions from God. 
Spotlighters blinded from seeing the truth.

Daniel understood that God decrees history. 
Spotlighters want history bent to their will.

Daniel is the example to follow.
Spotlighters are not.

There are many more lessons in Daniel (besides the prophecies). And many more comparisons you can add to the above list.

Even in the USA (The West, that Spotlighters overseas look to for political deliverance) are looking for their own political “deliverance” with slogans such as BLM, would only they realise that it really is NLM (NO Lives Matter) to Satan, as he is the one fomenting all these dissents, riots and lawlessness so he can bring “order” to the world through his “deliverer”, the antichrist.

I suppose one may say that the Spotlighters are doing their work in bringing on the Tribulation as it is necessary for offences to come BUT ....

“Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”
Luke 17:1.

Some of the most grievous sins are shortly to manifest in the rebellion when the man of lawlessness is revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Let us NOT be calling on the world to deliver us. (worldly “deliverer”).

DO let us call upon God and his Word for our salvation. (Heavenly Savior).

Thank you for your wonderful Ministry and excellent teaching of the truths we need to know right now.

We know where is our true eternal deliverance. Psalm 68:20.

Praying you have some rest for the next little while.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior.

Your student
Response #26:
Great comments on Daniel!

I'm sure this will make a really fine lesson for your group!

I'll probably post it soon.

Here's wishing you and your family a really fine Christmas week.

In Jesus our Lord.

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/