Question #1:
Hello Doc,
I hope you had a good weekend! Just wanted you to know I have you in my prayers
this upcoming week. Not sure if you have any specifics I can pray for, and you
don’t need to share anything you don’t want to. My healing has been awesome, God
has really brought me through! Can you believe I did a 4.5 mi walk/run
yesterday, three weeks and one day post surgery! Who would have thought! PTL.
Trying to be careful though. Anyway, you have been absolutely instrumental in my
spiritual growth from all your teachings I have taken in, and that I had been
able to share with others. I’m forever grateful! Thank you!
Remember, the Lord has you by the hand, come what may. (Psalms 73:23-26)
If you need any fire support this week, ring me up!
In our great deliverer, Christ!
P.S. I had to chuckle today at Church when the one of the Elders was commenting
about how full the sanctuary was! Hmm… got a little nervous watching the news?
Especially when 99% have no clue about eschatology, except for the few who were
interested in your eschatology study I led at my home. Setting the stage for the
big show I suspect. But they wouldn’t get that!
Response #1:
I really appreciate the good words and the prayers, my friend! I'll let you know
how it goes as soon as I can. If you get something from me from proton mail,
it's legit (I have a hard time sending from Ichthys except from my desktop).
Need fire support, will ring!
Yes, the news is interesting indeed . . . especially in light of the calendar.
It just goes to show that things can change dramatically in a New York minute,
so we always need to keep on our toes.
Glad of the news of your recovery. I appreciate you, brother!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Thank you so much sir Robert.
Sir I've read several resources about the currently on-going war in the
Middle East involving Israel, Iran, US, etc. I would like to ask from
you sir how is it going according to Bible prophecies and end times
predictions? Thanks sir and God bless us always.
Sincerely,
Response #2:
Please excuse the tardy reply. I just got out of hospital with major surgery so
was unable to keep up with emails.
In terms of what's going on in the Middle East at the moment, I can't say that
this is any way directly related to what will happen during the Tribulation
because, obviously, the Tribulation has not yet started. And there is no
prophecy in scripture that relates to the present time (apart from the
generalized description of our Laodicean era in Revelation chapter three).
Anyone or any ministry which seeks to connect this or that contemporary event to
a particular prophecy in the Bible is headed down a mistaken road. This is the
Church Age, the mystery age, and while it is set out in the Jewish calendar,
there are no specific prophecies about what will take place until the last phase
of history prior to our Lord's return commences, namely, the Tribulation.
That said, I have done my best to lay out what scripture has to say about the
course of secular events during the Tribulation's first half, the time frame
wherein antichrist gains and consolidates his world rule. You will find all that
in CT 3B (at the link). In a nutshell, the
constellation of nations which make war with revived Rome under the beast's
aegis and which I call the southern alliance are essentially equivalent to the
Muslim nations of the world at present. Since that is so, obviously any major
war in the Middle East will cause us to wonder about how things are shaping up
and how they are setting up for the Tribulation. Specific predictions are
impossible for the reasons discussed above. About all we can say is that
political instability and war are likely to be conducive to a situation which
would be a precursor to what we find happening in that area once the Tribulation
begins. As mentioned often (and in this week's email posting), the two sine qua
non's for the tribulational events the Bible describes are the rise of the beast
and the coming onto the scene of his main opponent, the leader of the southern
alliance (whom the actual antichrist will deem "antichrist", in part to inspire
a crusade against him). Neither of these individuals nor, importantly, their
movements, have yet to appear as far as I can see. But once the Tribulation does
begin, we may be sure that things will transpire at light speed.
In the meantime, all any of us can do is to be aware of what is going on,
knowing the times, and committing ourselves to renewed effort in spiritual
growth. That is never going to be time and effort misspent, and will be doubly
important to have done once the Tribulation actually begins.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Hope you are doing well.
Just wanted to ask your understanding of Jeremiah 49:34-35 concerning
Elam.
My understanding of Elam is, that it is the nation of Iran??
What are you thoughts on this, and I on the right track.
Again, we sincerely hope and am praying, that you are in good shape, and
the surgery was not to bad.
Please let us know as soon as you are able.
P.S. God's riches blessings be with you.
Response #3:
It went very well. God is good!
I've got spring break here starting tomorrow, so I am confident of being
able to get back to my job (in a hold-the-line rudimentary way) starting
a week from tomorrow.
On Elam, yes, in our terms, it's eastern Iraq and western Iran and can
stand for all of Iran, since of course national boundaries are not
identical today to what was the case in antiquity. In any case, that
area will be part of the southern alliance which antichrist defeats, and
then part of his assembly of nations defeated at Armageddon.
Keeping you in my prayers – and thanks so much for yours as well!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hello Dr. Luginbill! I thought I’d share an e-mail received from my cousin in Lebanon. Our family is basically Lebanese and many came to the USA in the early 1920’s. See e-mail below:
We need much prayers to stop this madness.
We are still safe, despite the fact that I am living very close to Beirut southern suburbs threatened to be transformed into another Gaza. That’s why I left my house for three days and went to my cousin’s house, three blocks away but safer. I came back home yesterday as, finally, I am used to hear the bombing even if very close and prefer if I have to die to be at home!
Lebanon is actually in Satan’s trap but Beirut will never die, despite the thousand of missiles hitting our country everyday, the million persons displaced from south Lebanon and Beirut suburbs, the thousand and more killed of whom the third are children and yesterday Israël killed a priest who refused to leave his Christian village in south Lebanon!
We are exhausted but we continue to pray hoping that God will intervene in some way to stop the infernal plans of the two leaders who started the war in order to redesign the world according to their wishes!
Don’t worry dear cousin, your prayers and ours will be answered by God, for sure, and he will stop this injustice!
Please send Prayers. I pray for you often,
Response #4:
Thanks for this. Very interesting. Would you mind if I posted it / shared it
(anonymously). No worries whatsoever if you'd rather not.
Actual war – as opposed to seeing it on TV – is horrific. People in this country
are living in a cocoon of safety for the most part. Once the Tribulation begins,
what is happening over there will be ubiquitous worldwide – or at least
comparable dislocation, distress and trouble will be, getting worse month by
month. I really wonder how many believers over here are prepared for what's
coming. Getting a small second-hand dose of what it's really like wouldn't be a
bad thing.
I do pray for believers in war zones. Thanks for your prayers too, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Posting is fine with me. Thanks.
Response #5:
Thanks!
Question #6:
We are doing well. [omitted]
Thanks always for your replies, for we delight in hearing from you.
I do have one question and it is as follows: Looks like to me that the nation of
Iran is mentioned in the Bible and what they are doing and what the outcome of
the present war with the US and Iran is according to scripture?
We always know that you will have an excellent answer to questions we ask.
Blessings to you always,
Your friends,
Response #6:
I'm glad to hear it. I'm praying that they'll get everything figured out for you
so that you'll soon be completely on the mend.
When it comes to eschatology and the big questions of when and what, mostly the
only single nation that figures large enough in prophecy to draw any sort of
conclusions about trends from is Israel. I don't see that for Iran – or any
Muslim nation. However, since we know that a big part of the events of the early
days of the Tribulation will be all about the pressure on Israel from her
hostile neighbors – and antichrist's intervention on her behalf at first –
noting what's happening in this regard and wondering how it will all play out is
a natural enough thing for believers who know something about the Bible (not
many of those out there nowadays, not if we are talking about knowledge of what
it means, anyway).
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
Matthew 24:6-8 NKJV
To the extent that present current events are leading to a coalition of all
those who hate Israel, to that extent I would say that the ground is certainly
being prepared for what will happen soon after the Tribulation begins (see
the link in CT 3B). More than that I would not be willing to say because,
after all, there is no prophecy about what happens in the Church Age leading up
to the Tribulation. All such eschatological prophecy has to do with events only
after the Tribulation begins. So we can see a possible connection of the present
events with those that are prophesied to occur during the seven years, but it's
also possible to be mistaken about that. After all, World War II certainly
seemed to "fit the bill" in many different ways, but of course it was not the
direct lead up to the Tribulation.
Keeping you two and your family in my daily prayers – and thanks so much for
yours!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
I don't watch or listen to much news, but I have noticed this "war" with Iran that has been making the headlines (who hasn't?). Trump called their newly elected leader a joke, but perhaps the one who takes his place may end up being the Mahdi? I know we can only speculate, but what are your thoughts on this, since it seems things are heating up a bit more?
Response #7:
On Iran, since the Tribulation has not begun, we'll just have to wait and see.
After all, Hitler (and possibly Mussolini) both seemed to be potential
candidates for the antichrist in their day, but their day came and went and we
have not had the Tribulation begin until yet. It is certainly possible that we
will see the rise of a charismatic individual who will end up filling that role
and the other major role you ask about here before the Tribulation begins – but
maybe not.
In the case of the beast, scripture tells us that his "revelation" won't take
place until the Tribulation starts (2Thes.2:3) – how much more then his main
opponent? If this is the year, then certainly the events taking place are laying
the ground work for what comes next, but, again, the real "action" will not
commence until the seven years actually start, and when they do, things will
happen at a lightning like pace. From CT 3B:
And the beast which I saw resembled a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth was like that of lions.
Revelation 13:2aThe leopard in Daniel 7:6 is said to have four wings', making this leopard especially swift (cf. Hab.1:8). Rapidity will characterize all of antichrist's activities (and the activities of his kingdom and politico-religious movement). The very speed of his rise and of his conquests will impress the world and intimidate his foes. Other personality traits of the beast to be gleaned from his resemblance to a leopard according to the biblical picture of that animal are cunning (cf. Jer.5:6; Hos.13:7), ferocity (cf. Is.11:6), and a solitary nature (cf. Song 4:8). In general terms, we may say that this comparison paints antichrist as a terrifying, decisive, dangerous, violent, treacherous, wily individual, restless in a cat-like way in his desire to further his evil schemes (cf. Hab.2:5). These are characteristics which remind students of history not only of Alexander, but also of other commanders who lusted for world domination like Caesar, Napoleon and Hitler, but it needs to be stressed here that antichrist will exhibit these characteristics and abilities to a uniquely exceptional degree (even by comparison with that egregious company). One final characteristic of the leopard that should not be overlooked here is its exceptional, hypnotic beauty (cf. Jer.13:23). The beast will balance all of the intimidating aspects of his character with his dazzling outward appearance (not only physical beauty, but also magnetic personality, charisma and presence), factors which will play no little part in antichrist's seduction of the majority of the world's inhabitants.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
Thanks so much for those swift prayer updates, they were much needed and
appreciated!
[omitted]
Another alarming development in my almost immediate locality! The headquarters
of an Islamic-lite cult has been homed in Crewe in England (not too far from
me). The man who runs it claims to be the Mahdi incarnate and he is a
combination of a Christian mother with a Sunni Muslim father and hails both from
Egypt and America. He calls himself Abdullah Hashem Aba Sadiq. The cult he runs
is called 'Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light'. It is not traditional Islam but
a syncretic mix of so called 'Abrahamic faiths'. There is more about him here on
this Muslim website (he is considered an apostate and blasphemer to
Fundamentalist Muslims)
https://5pillarsuk.com/2026/01/23/crewe-based-ahmadi-cult-sparks-local-fears-after-training-parade-goes-viral/
In this video, the leader falsely claims that his followers are the 'true
Muslims, true Christians and true Jewish followers of God but with NEW
revelation'! (Suprise, surprise every cult claims NEW revelation and a NEW
divinely writ book!!)
https://youtu.be/Bk7Jhrf__48?si=3CXrJZnEyfqjUPfW
They became notorious some time ago for practicing paramilitary type drills on
the grounds of an old orphanage they have acquired here. They have been kicked
out of a lot of places but seem to have the protection of local councils and the
United Nations. I know it isn't the Antichrist and may not be the one who claims
ultimately to be the Mahdi, but it is yet more 'signs of the times!'
What is worrying is that they are bussing a lot of anti-racism, pro-migrant
protestors into this compound and trying to convert liberal protestors to this
strange syncretic religion.
For some time now I have been saying to __..'I wonder how long before I see
people from my liberal past converting to Islam and their wives being forced to
wear Burkas?' Doesn't seem so far fetched now, does it? But we know the devil
has always got workers on both sides right?
Hope this finds you in improved health!
I really do long to get back into working on ministry again..the Lord has really
put it on my heart to do so.
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #8:
No worries! You have an awful lot on your plate. Please try and carve out some
R&R for yourself. As mentioned, if we collapse entirely, we're no good to anyone
for quite a while thereafter.
Interesting about the links. At the very least it demonstrates how some movement
like this or some person like this could pop up out of nowhere relatively
quickly. The Nazis certainly did. We all just need to stay alert, the times
being what they are.
Thanks for your prayers, my friend. I'm doing pretty well, all things
considered.
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Dr L,
Quick question:
In
https://ichthys.com/Satans-Rebellion-Part5.htm you said "Israel's
performance, concentrating on her failures, is dismal, but far superior to any
other nation or group in human history, inclusive of our own Christian era"
But in the Old Testament there are places where the Lord said she was sinning
worse than the nations He had cast out before her. And places where he said that
were this and that famous believer to stand before Him, they would not deliver
anyone but themselves (which seems to imply that other nations could be saved,
having not deteriorated so, but Israel that this point cannot be). I'm not
really trying to talk down Israel or anything, or trying to say America or some
other country is better. But the idea that she did better than any nation,
including any Christian one, has given me a bit of pause? I don't see anywhere
in the Bible where it hints at something like that.
Take care,
PS: I really love the Colossians series!
Response #9:
Re: "I really love the Colossians series!" Thanks! It'll be a minute
until chapter one is finished [now posted at
the link]. It's very doctrinally dense and will take me at least another
couple of months to complete.
As to your question about my statement about Israel, no nation, not even ours,
can boast the likes of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David,
Daniel, Sarah, Rebecca, Rahab, Ruth, Deborah – or any of the prophets. Of course
it is true that Israel as a group failed spectacularly on more than one
occasion, but that does not take away from the great spiritual successes of her
best and brightest members. Also, no other nation has ever been under the same
level of satanic opposition precisely because she has always been the Messiah's
nation and the special "apple of God's eye" (Zech.2:8).
So in spite of what you say being true, I still think it is a fair statement. If
the US ends up being Babylon once the Tribulation begins, that will be an even
greater basis for reproach than all of Israel's past unfaithfulness – but it
won't eliminate the good things you and other believers are doing for the Lord
and for His Church in spiritual growth, progress and production.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Morning Doc,
How are things going? I hope and continue to pray you’re doing well! I have a
question on Isaiah 22:22. Isaiah seems to indicate that Shebna would be replaced
by Eliakim, and the Lord would place on his shoulders the “key of the house of
David.” I think this is about Jesus (Rev. 3:7), but what role does Eliakim play
in this prophecy? Not sure of the contemporary vs. future meaning here! Any help
greatly appreciated!
Hope you have a great day/week!
Thanks so much!
In Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!
Response #10:
Good to hear from you as always, my friend!
Here is what I write about this passage you ask about in the
CT series:
(in CT 1) Isaiah 22: the siege of Jerusalem a type of antichrist's attack; the before and after stewards (premiers)
(in CT 5) We may also see in the rejection of Shebna for Eliakim (Is.22:20-25) the change of leadership which accompanied the coup in the absence of antichrist. For although Eliakim is clearly superior to the disgraceful Shebna, nevertheless he too will fall from the weight of the pressures unleashed against Israel because the beast's advance cannot be checked through human efforts.
The two quotes from CT are the way I see the interpretation of this passage (Is.22:20-25), namely, the bad steward (leader) and follower of the beast being replaced by a good one (leader of the rebellion at the very end of the Tribulation and just before the second advent [link]), but the good one also being unable to ward off destruction – requiring the intervention of the Messiah (at the second advent).
A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.
Zechariah 14:1-3 NIV
Hope you and yours are doing well! Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Dear Bob,
Hope you are well! I Feel I haven't asked you any questions recently, but it's
been a busy/tough few years: one daughter at University and the other one hoping
to go this Sept and my mum being ill and then sadly passing away last autumn. My
husband has also been avoiding redundancy several times too!
Still, with a bit of breathing space, I would like some advice about how to
encourage my daughters to focus on their studies etc (as they are amazing at
this) but I also want them to be prepared for the coming 'troubles'. They do
know about the man of lawlessness and the persecution to come for believers
because my husband and myself have told them and been upfront and honest.
However, I do feel that we aren't being as 'open' with them about how this time
might be closer than we can just about cope with - if that makes sense? Our
girls are: 20 years old (studying Medicine) and 18yrs (hoping to train to become
a teacher).
Blessings to you and yours
Response #11:
Good to hear from you! I'm doing very well, thanks (hope the same is true of you
– sorry to hear about your mom).
Re: your daughters and "[I] want them to be prepared". From your
description of what they do "know and understand", it sounds to me as if they
are already ahead of 99% of Christians in our Laodicean era, so that is all to
the good. At their age and also given that they are already on the right track
spiritually, while I understand your desire for them to be "red hot" for the
Word as well as for their present and incipient careers, for you to attempt too
much yourself with them could well backfire.
Probably the best strategy is to continue to set the excellent example you're
setting for them. Children at any age do notice what their parents value. And,
without overdoing it, look for opportunities to put in a good word for "priority
#1".
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11 NKJV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,
Did you get through today okay?
We're hoping to push on with this project and get it finished ASAP. It's
always in my thoughts that these places and houses we live in are only
temporary anyway. Our forever home is with the Lord in the New
Jerusalem. At least it's one less wall the Lord will have to flatten -
LOL! Still lots of preparing spiritually to do before all that though.
Thanks for all your prayers too!
In Jesus
Response #12:
Excellent perspective! Everything we see down here is temporary and imperfect. I
prefer the permanent and the perfect. It's so important to always keep this in
mind. Those forever walls will never be flattened – that's right!
Keeping you in my prayers and thanks ever so much for yours.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
I hope everything is going well for you.
With all that's gone on this week, I'm been a little down the past
several days. I know Christians aren't supposed to get involved in
politics (and honestly any politics scares me given how close we to the
Tribulation) but __'s death made me very sad. Is it ok to mourn the
death of someone like this even if I don't agree with how involved he
was in politics? No one knows another person's heart, but it seems like
he was a believer and if so, then I rejoice that he is with the Lord.
I'm just confused on how to interact with other people who seem so happy
with the current administration in our country and the conservative
movement and all that. This sort of thing doesn't usually affect me like
this. I know that God is in control and I'm letting this get to me more
than I should.
I also got awful news on Sunday. __ committed suicide. I didn't know __
personally, but I know__ well, and I wanted to go to the funeral to
support them. However, __'s side of the family is very Catholic and it
was a Catholic mass and I didn't feel that I could go without
compromising spiritually.
I met with __ yesterday and we got to have a good talk. Catholic thought
and talk is surrounding __ right now but I was so encouraged to hear
that __ was rejecting the thought that they could pray the soul of __
into heaven. I got to reiterate the gospel (__ is a believer, but still
very young in the faith) and __ understood it as the Bible says it. __
is unfortunately rejecting God, and is hurting deeply.
__ asked me to send some Bible verses that __ can share with __ that
might be appropriate for a time like this. We talked about the fine line
that one has to walk in all of this so as to not compromise the truth
but still love and support our loved ones. Do you have any advice for
what I should look for as I try to find some passages? I want to
emphasize that God is love and wants all people without giving the idea
that God will automatically let everyone into heaven.
I have been running into a lot of Catholic religion lately.
I know this is all testing and part of preparing for life down the road.
When things like this happen (personally or nationally) it opens doors
for conversations not otherwise had. I know God can work good in all of
this.
I do hope things at the university are going well for you.
Respectfully,
Response #13:
This is one reason why I keep the news at arm's length.
Re: "it seems like __ was a believer". Maybe. But there are a lot
of wolves in sheep's clothing out there these days (see
the link). Christians tend to be receptive to anyone who
claims to be one of them and for that reason are often not as discerning
about these matters as unbelievers are. But our Lord told us that we
need to be "wise as serpents" even as we are "harmless as doves" for
exactly that reason.
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
Matthew 10:16 NIV
I would counsel you to stay far away from this person's circle. Before
any of this happened (a fairly long time ago, actually), I had heard
some very negative and disturbing things about this individual, and I'm
not talking about the political beliefs (which are concerning enough).
My application then was that this person is dangerous and a threat to
any believer who is foolish enough to trust him. There is not much point
in going into detail now since he is gone. If he was a believer, rather
than just being someone who is talking that talk to deceive others, then
he is in heaven, though I would wager without much reward even if so.
We'll just leave it at that.
Re: "how to interact with other people". The need to love all the
brethren is a burden that positive believers have to bear, namely,
putting up with juvenile and even infantile words and behavior of other
Christians who are not mature, especially if they are actually heading
in the wrong direction rather than just being stuck in the mud. We treat
them with love, we don't validate their ill-conceived ideas, and we try
not to make an issue of things that are not the real issue
(Rom.14:1-15:13). Politics is not the real issue; politics is a
distraction (link).
The REAL issue is that we all need to be moving forward spiritually,
especially in light of where we are on the eschatological clock. We pray
for that for others, we demonstrate with the witness of the life that we
are doing that and that it has made all the difference for us, and we
are ever ready to give them guidance whenever they demonstrate any
receptiveness. And we try not to get upset – about their failures or
about anything else. After all, we all have enough of a fight on our
hands with our own spiritual progress – which is being opposed might and
main by the evil one – without getting unduly aggravated about others.
I'm sorry to hear about __. Catholicism is a very hard nut to crack. I
think your inclination is exactly correct, namely, to affirm from
scripture our God's perfect character without at the same time giving
the wrong impression. What you're being asked to do is to give comfort
where there is really not much basis for it – assuming that this
individual was not saved.
You are closer to the situation than I am, so anything you are led by
the Spirit to share will be more likely to be "on the mark" than
anything I could recommend. I do know that, contrary to some RC
teaching, suicide, while a terrible witness demonstrating very little
faith, is not the cause of damnation any more than any other sin is.
Believers are saved. Unbelievers are not. That is true even if the
former go out in disgrace and the latter in peace and honor. Saul
committed suicide. But what did Samuel tell him? "tomorrow you and your
sons will be with me [i.e., in paradise]" (1Sam.28:19).
Re: "I know God can work good in all of this" Amen! You have the
right perspective on all of this, my friend, a true demonstration of
your growth and spiritual maturity. But even if we are where the Lord
wants us to be and doing what He wants us to do, it doesn't mean that we
won't have trouble or be faced with testing and sad situations. When we
are, we all need to be doing what you are doing, namely, reminding
ourselves of the truth and rallying through it in the Spirit.
Things are going OK! In spite of indications that this week would be
awful, the Lord brought me through it fine and with a satisfying end. So
thank you for your prayers!
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
"This is one reason why I keep the news at arm's length." I usually do to -
often I only find out things when people tell me. I wouldn't have known this
time except people messaged one of my church Bible study group chats. And that's
as far as it should have gone, I shouldn't have emotionally invested in it. I
kinda am a tenderhearted, sensitive person and sometimes that gets me into
trouble when I let myself get unnecessary emotionally upset over someone's
problems. I think I'll know next time not to let this happen to me when
something like this is all across the news.
"I would counsel you to stay far away . . . " Counsel taken - thank you for the
warning. I trust your judgement. Most of my exposure to his stuff has been
awhile ago, I hadn't been listening to him nowadays. I guess maybe I thought him
more to be misguided than dangerous, I don't know what I thought. I must have
allowed myself to get taken in and not listened to the Holy Spirit on this.
There are clips of him online sharing the gospel message and I guess I assumed
one would only do that if they were a true believer. I suppose just sharing the
gospel doesn't make someone's motives godly and good (although if it is still
the true gospel then the Holy Spirit can still use it).
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of
goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the
defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not
sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
- Philippians 1:15-17
Well, I'm glad I asked you about this then - thank you.
"And we try not to get upset . . . " I am not very good at this. Something I
definitely need to work on. I know I need to march on and let all the emotions
and turmoil of others (not to mention my own!) fall by the wayside and go
solidly towards my goal. I definitely didn't do that very well all the time this
past week. I read something on Ichthys the other night (I'll paste it here) that
was a good reminder.
"We are not here to do our own will, or to follow our own course, or to choose
our own life apart from what God would have us do. Whenever our thinking begins
to be dominated by personal concerns to such a degree that we lose perspective
about our place in God's plan, our spiritual life is bound to suffer. We have of
necessity many ties with the world (family, business, etc.). This is all the
more reason to strive to keep God first in our thinking, our conversation, and
the actual living of our lives, approaching the distractions of life (whether
harassment or enticement) with the proper, professional Christian point of
view."
I say this not to put a noose around your neck, but for your own good, [that you
may live] for the Lord in a proper, steadfast and undistracted way.
1st Corinthians 7:35
This is what I need to do.
". . . comfort where there is really not much basis for it" I know... it's a
complicated situation. Sadly, I don't think __ was saved.
On another note, I watched some content from Mike C.'s
Everything is Fine
channel the other night and it made me want to not waste any more time. I do
hope the Lord gives me one more year to prepare and engage in ministry before
the Tribulation starts. I still struggle with being afraid of that time, even
though I know I shouldn't spend time worrying about tomorrow. I know I can trust
God to provide for me and give me strength. That is what I told myself last
night, that I don't have to endure on my own strength, the Holy Spirit will help
me with whatever testing I must go through in that dark time. It's a little
strange to think I might be with the Lord in just 8 years.
It's hard to see a lot of Christians so unconcerned. When I said not waste any
more time, I am trying to also discern where I need to engage with local
Christian groups here and when I need to prioritize my time elsewhere. I am good
at individual relationships with people - group settings are a lot harder to not
feel like one is wasting their time.
I am glad the Lord gave you a good end to your week! I hope you got some rest
over the weekend.
Respectfully,
Response #14:
Only God knows who is saved. And it is possible that the reports I had heard were
unfair. The key point here, I would say, is that it's only because of political
involvement that any of this happened. And it's only the people who are paying
close attention to politics who would know a great deal about this person ahead
of time and be taking sides after the fact. It's also true that being upset
about this event (all such violence is upsetting) is not helpful spiritually in
any way – and has nothing to do with us personally . . . unless we make the
mistake of getting emotionally involved which is the first step in getting
tangled up in politics.
Good to hear that you are benefiting from
Mike C's ministry!
I also recommend Curt Omo's Bible
Academy.
[p.s., special appeal to any and all who have felt the need to contribute to this ministry over the years but have been unable to do so (because it doesn't accept them): please consider blessing Bible Academy with your godly generosity.]
In terms of prioritizing and preparing, as mentioned more than once, we know
what we know about the time line from the Word, but the specifics are dependent
upon variables we can't know for certain. In any case, the New Testament has
from the beginning told us that "the time is short" (1Cor.7:29), and that is at
least just as true now as it was then in a personal and individual way
regardless of the time line.
We are only given one day at a time by the Lord and no one knows how much time
they have. So we live every day for the Lord and try to prioritize that day. If
we do that enough days, we will see that we have grown, progressed and produced
without fretting too much about the future (which is pointless in the end).
Things have been very busy but working out in terms of the extra burden this
year. Thanks for the prayers!
Keeping you in my daily prayers too, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
Re: getting emotionally involved
What you say here is very true. I think I understand now how this tripped me up.
The less we emotionally invest in anything in this world (aside from when we
have to, to a degree, such as our friends and family) that will help keep our
hearts set on eternity with God. Hard to remember sometimes, yet essential to
our goal.
In any case, the New Testament has from the beginning told us that "the time is
short", and that is true now as it was then in a personal and individual way
regardless of the time line.
This hit me differently.
I wish I wasn't so quick to fear - especially when I know that God won't do or
allow anything but the most loving and kind things for me spiritually
(regardless of how it feels or if I have to suffer).
Came across a good Bible passage for this last night at Bible study.
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the
farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the
autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the
Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and
sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers
and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the
prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed
those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen
what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. -
James 5:11
I'm glad things are working out for you (even with the extra work) - I hope
you're still getting some rest though!
Thank you for the tireless work that you do to help us all. I am so grateful for
this ministry. And I know your work doesn't go unnoticed by the Lord.
Respectfully,
Response #15:
Thanks for the good words!
Don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing what you are supposed to be doing.
We all get better at "this" the longer we are at it if we persevere in the truth
as you are doing (and none of us will ever be perfect this side of heaven-home).
Keeping you in my prayers – thanks for yours as well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Thank you, Mr. Luginbill. I want to do well for the Lord and our brothers and sisters...I keep finding out how complex life can turn out and things I need to work on or understand more. How human I am. Such is life, I suppose!
Response #16:
I think you're doing fine! None of us is completely consistent. Not even close. We are all struggling down here and will continue to do so until we see the Lord face to face. As we grow, we start to accept that and to trust the Lord that He is really the One who is helping us through all these struggles and that really all "is well" even if it doesn't seem that way at the moment, and that it will all "be well" in the end.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Good day , Sir. I'm back! I am curious about how I should view Israel and our
governments support of it.
The often quoted verse on this topic is, of course, Genesis 12:3 "I will bless
those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Let me preface this by
saying, I am unsure about what is going on in the Middle East so I will have to
offer my perception and we can move on from there.
I understand that Iran and other countries in the Middle East have a strong
dislike if not hatred of Israel. I certainly believe Israel has a right to
defend itself. On the other side of the coin it seems to me that Israel isn't
just trying to defend itself but that some of its goal is to expand its
properties boundaries. Not only that but they also don't seem to be playing by
the rules when it comes to certain locations that they have bombed. I have a
couple of questions about this situation.
1. Should we as Christians be in support of Israel and our government defending
them ,if they are actively picking fights with other countries for reasons of
expansion?
2. Based upon a once and done quick Google search, approximately 73% of Israel's
population are practicing Judaism. As we know the Jewish people are awaiting the
return of their Messiah. Since we know "He" has already come ,who are they
waiting on? That Messiah is false so therefore is an Antichrist. If my thinking
is correct, should we be supporting them in anyway other than just praying for
peace and for the population to embrace Jesus as their Savior?
Response #17:
Good to hear from you. Taking things in reverse order, in a nutshell, your
"thinking is correct". When a person talks about "support", what are we meaning
anyway? Most people who say "I support" this or that are just talking about (and
voicing) their opinion. Most people who say that they "support Israel", aren't
willing to go over there and work or fight for them, don't send them any money,
don't engage in political activities on their behalf. All of those things are
tangible activities which, in my opinion, Christians should stay far away.
Politics in general are a huge distraction for believers who are much better
served leaving things in the Lord's hands. Inevitably, when believers get overly
interested in politics to the point of "getting involved" beyond merely having
opinions, that time and energy is lost and the exercise drags them away from
what is truly important in this life: spiritual growth, progress and production
for the Lord. And if a person goes down that "taking things into their own
hands" road long and far enough, it can undermine their faith entirely. After
all, isn't God in complete control of all things? Does He need our help? (see
the link)
You are also certainly correct in seeing that antisemitism of any sort and to
any degree ought to be anathema to any wise Christian (link).
Because the Lord defends His own. True, there are very few believers in the
modern day state of Israel. True, it is a man-made enterprise, not a divinely
constituted state as ancient Israel was. True, their actions are made in their
own self-interest (as is the case with all secular nations). A person can like
what they do or dislike what they do – but what difference should it make to a
believer? We know that only God can bring about the Millennium, and that He will
do so with the return of Jesus Christ after the Tribulation. Until then, our job
as individual believers is do what the Lord wants us to do day by day, reading
our Bibles, committing to a good Bible study ministry, praying and growing and
passing tests and at length engaging in whatever ministry the Lord has for us.
That is what earns our Lord's good pleasure and eternal rewards.
1. "We" are not "our government". The government doesn't phone me and ask my
opinion before acting – and I'm guessing not you either. The only way we can
influence our government is through political action of one type or another. And
as we have said above, politics is a deadly trap for believers – or certainly
can be (see
the link). The less of it the better. So a better question is, "Why should
we believers be overly concerned one way or another?" Because 1) there is
nothing we can do about it really, not even if we invested all we have in
politics; 2) God is in control and He will do as He wishes regardless of our
opinions.
2. Antichrist will indeed be a false Messiah (link).
That is what his name means. "Anti" meaning against but also "in place of". The
beast will claim to be Christ and will mislead many weak believers, believers
who have not been growing and preparing as they should, in many cases precisely
because they have been caught up in seeking and working for worldly, fleshly
solutions (see the link:
The
Great Apostasy) – but we who persevere will rise to meet the Lord in
resurrection on that great day, if it be God's will for us to endure until the
end.
Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:19b-21 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.