Question #1:
Hi Bob,
I'm so sorry to hear about your former PTL. She's going through some very tough
times right now. I'm keeping her in my prayers.
I'm looking forward to the eschatology push. We have some interesting times
ahead - one way or another. I'm relieved that we've gotten the bulk of this
project done. I want to spend more time studying and preparing.
Praying for you, Bob. Thanks so much for yours too.
In Jesus,
Response #1:
Thanks for the prayers for my former colleague. Also, for the encouragement on
eschatology. A lot of these exchanges will be moot, one way or the other, in a
few months at the most. Meanwhile, your inclination is exactly mine: in spite of
all other distractions, keep on preparing.
Thanks for your prayers for me too, my friend. I keep you and your family in
mine every day.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
This made me laugh out loud—"If we do get a seven-year respite, I'm
definitely going to have to start taking better care of myself if I
expect to make it that long!" I think the same thing about me. Lol.
We continue to pray for you—and thank the Lord daily for your
faithfulness in teaching us. So incredibly grateful.
Response #2:
LOL is right! It's one of the reasons I'd prefer not to be wrong about the
overlap. The Tribulation is likely to be hard enough without gravity and time
having another seven years to do their worst first.
And thanks for the "shot in the arm" of encouragement, my friend! Some shots are
more appreciated than others. Round two of shingrix next week.
Hope you and your family are doing well. Keeping you all in my daily prayers, my
friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Can you comment on the claims in this link that there is no coming third
temple, etc.?
https://www.biblebelievingchristian.org/post/the-myth-of-a-third-temple-why-it-s-not-biblical
Response #3:
It's possible to find absolutely anything on the internet. The number of
false teachers and false teachings out there seem to be multiplying
exponentially as we get ever closer to the end. Indeed, it's not always
possible to tell nowadays whether or not you are dealing with a human
being!
Here is my
current C.V. / resume.
I notice that this "organization" does not identify any of its members
or authors of the articles. It's completely anonymous. The above C.V.
lists my qualifications. These don't guarantee that "I know what I'm
talking about", but they do demonstrate that I took the considerable
time and effort necessary to gain them so as to be able to do a
creditable job in exegeting and interpreting scripture from the original
languages. Anyone can put up an internet site overnight, no
qualifications or experience necessary.
Also, there's "proof in the pudding". Jesus told us to judge every tree
by its fruit (see
the link), and there is plenty from which to "taste and
judge" at Ichthys, which site has been up and active for going on thirty
years now. When or where this website / organization came from, no one
can tell.
Lastly, I've never made any secret of who I am or how I came to this
ministry (see
the link and the links it leads to). As to this organization
and its antecedents, that is a complete mystery. They could be Mormons
for all we can tell.
So I won't go into tortuous detail in refuting this highly flawed piece.
I'll only note two passages which refute their lies in no uncertain
terms for anyone who can read the English language:
“So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress [literally, "tribulation"], unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Matthew 24:15-22 NIV
Does anyone doubt that our Lord is speaking about the Tribulation here? If so they should keep reading:
“Immediately after the distress [literally, "the Tribulation"] of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory."
Matthew 24:29-30 NIV
The second advent follows the Tribulation, and the Tribulation is what Matthew chapter 24 is about because the Tribulation precedes our Lord's return which is what His disciples asked Him about:
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:3 NIV
Equally disturbing is the articles' dismissal without serious comment of the passage in 2nd Thessalonians (they say, "already covered above" when it hasn't been in truth).
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-5 NIV
The "coming" (parousia, see the link), is the Second Advent. "The rebellion" is the Great Apostasy (see the link). "The man of lawlessness" is the antichrist (see the link). And God's temple is God's temple. It's not figurative. It's not already historically fulfilled (the Tribulation obviously has not happened yet). It's the third temple which will be swiftly rebuilt during the Tribulation . . . as all the other passages in scripture which address this issue confirm. The only way anyone can accept any of the "arguments" in this article is to believe that ALL prophecy has already been fulfilled. But if that were true, then where is our Lord? What happened to the resurrection?
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
1st Corinthians 15:12-14 NIV
The heresy above was the logical result of believing such false teaching. We believe in Jesus Christ, His resurrection and His second advent return. And we know that this will happen only after the Tribulation and all of the prophecies related to it . . . including antichrist's session in the third temple. In the meantime, we follow the advice of scripture:
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3 NIV
"Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way". Excellent advice
indeed.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words. The glory is for the Lord
though right? I also see how many massive mistakes I have made through this
fiery trial and leant on my own understanding but I am so relieved that the Lord
is showing me the way through and that I now have the deeper faith of leaving it
all in His capable hands and to go on in faith to do what He wants of me.
Yesterday I took that breath that you talked about and sadly I wasted the day
feeling sorry for myself and then 'doomscrolling' as I wanted outside proof that
the world was really ending soon as I impatiently wanted all this to be over.
[omitted]
Anyway...Getting back into the fight again.
Reading today's emails on your site and one response (question 4) you mention
Lordship salvation which I have never come across personally/understood. So
there are weak believers/baby Christians who are not progressing in the faith
and not really relying on the Lord for anything and rarely tested but they are
still saved. They may be for example be focused only on fighting against sin and
not going forward and they may be tempted to become legalistic to prop up their
weak faith. This believer, despite their lack of strong faith and production is
still a believer and still saved but they are not in a spiritually safe place
given how close to apostasy they will be if they don't become 'hot' for the
Tribulation. This type of believer will be vulnerable in the Tribulation to
false teaching especially legalism, self righteousness and apostasy given the
fact that they are only focused on
Colossians 2:21
“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?
The Lord warns us of what happens to the lukewarm in the Tribulation..
Revelation 3:15
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one
or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to
spit you out of my mouth.
That above verse should terrify a lukewarm believer shouldn't it given how close
to the end we are?!
Going off this verse from the Lord Himself, it will be impossible for a
Christian to remain a baby/lukewarm in the Tribulation though won't it? They
will either have to get 'hot' and speed up their maturity (during the worst
possible time to 'grow up') or they will go 'cold', fall away and apostatise and
lose their salvation.
The far end of this is the weak believer who isn't interested in fighting
against sin at all and so spiritual growth (advance/offence instead of just
defence) won't happen if they stay in that weakened sin addled state. These
types of believers will be in an even worse position than the baby believers who
are at least are trying to have a stronger defence against sin as the
Tribulation will be a very tempting time for sinners and if a weak believer
already gives into temptation a lot when the wood is 'green' so to speak then
they will really struggle to overcome it when the wood is 'dry'. This type of
believer will be vulnerable to embracing sin (thinking sin isn't an issue)
whilst trying to maintain faith (sin unto death) or keeping their sin and losing
their faith/salvation (apostasy).
Going back to Lordship salvation, because I don't understand this at all as I
have rarely encountered this false teaching..do they believe that baby believers
are immediately producing/bearing the fruit of the spirit?
I know from my own experience it took time for me to really adjust in my walk
and took a long time to listen to the Holy Spirit and walk and live by faith
alone. I was extremely prone to both legalism and self righteousness in those
early days/weeks/months and I said a lot of Christian words and terminology and
became obsessed about things like whether to celebrate Christmas or Easter or
not, whether to eat pork or not and I was smorgasbording on 'Christian YouTube
videos' and not advancing at all.
It was only when I started to study the Bible in earnest and that only happened
AFTER I found your ministry and started to read your material. At first I was
just emailing you and then I moved onto reading the weekend postings and then
gradually moved onto studying the materials alongside Bible study in earnest. I
have read the whole Bible now in it's entirety fully sadly it took a lot longer
than it should have done but I have done it and obviously I am now re-reading
the whole Bible again (though there are certain parts of the Bible I have read
multiple times over and over again such as re-reading the Gospels the most
overall and some of the Epistles and some parts of the Old Testament).
For some reason the first proper Bible study I have done through your site in
its entirety was Satanic Rebellion and the Coming Tribulation. I don't know why
but I did both before I started studying Peter's Epistles. Sadly I know how
easily I get distracted and every time I put the effort in to serious study,
something happens in my life to drag me away and I sadly put the study on hold
especially when the going gets very tough but I know I should fight to double
down on study when the hard times hit.
So again back to Lordship salvation, do they believe that a believer is
immediately mature without growth? I am finding it really hard to understand. I
see that it is mainly a Calvinist teaching with people like MacArthur, Sproul
and Piper pushing it in the past (MacArthur and Sproul now deceased and Piper
being more of a Charismatic than Calvinist though.)
Looking on Wikipedia about Lordship salvation..
1) First opinion..(supportive of this teaching)
Arthur W Pink summarises..
"No one can receive Christ as His Savior while he rejects Him as Lord.
Therefore, those who have not bowed to Christ’s scepter and enthroned Him in
their hearts and lives, and yet imagine that they are trusting Him as Savior,
are deceived".
*NB there is a current obsession and social movement of saying 'Christ is King'
and I wondered if this is tied into Lordship salvation?
2) Second opinion (against this teaching)
The second opinion is that of those opposing lordship salvation: that one can
accept Jesus Christ as saviour, but does not need to accept the Christ's
lordship.
So what I wrote earlier, does this relate to all of this? What I mean is that it
takes time for a believer to become obedient to the Lord and so there may be a
huge gap between them being saved and then becoming obedient and actually doing
what the Lord wants them to do? From my experience and looking at believers
around me (and even in the Bible) it often takes quite a while for a believer to
grow from having a mustard seed of faith to be saved to then becoming obedient
and it doesn't happen overnight. Salvation is immediate when a person believes
but obedience takes a lot of time and there will always be a gap between the two
so it can never be part of salvation.
I can't help but see this obviously false teaching is suggesting that there is
no such thing as a weak or baby believer and that a born again believer is
immediately obedient to the Lord and that is part of their salvation? This is
nonsense, I don't know of any believers who went from stone cold to faith and
then red hot in the right direction right away. I can see this idea of salvation
is not only taking away from faith alone and grace alone and the free gift of
faith but it is also putting the same kind of legalistic pressure on a baby
believer much akin to the Charismatic crowd saying that if you 'can't speak in
tongues then you aren't saved' or not had the 'anointing' or the
'special/main/real outpouring of the Spirit' or not really saved at all! It's
ironic that the Calvinist crowd have adopted then something just as harmful and
false as the Charismatic crowd that they always enjoy ridiculing. So they can't
see that they are both are in ditches and not on the narrow path! Maybe they
think their ditch is bigger or better than the other camp?
I will benefit a great deal in your guidance in this matter. There is so much
false teaching out there that at times it feels an immense job to keep up with
it all but seeing as Lordship salvation seems to be a pernicious and prevalent
false teaching then it would be good to know about this for ministry.
Thanks again my friend for all you have done!
Your friend in Jesus,
p.s. You can print this one as I have been very honest about where I am with my
walk/understanding
Response #4:
The world will end . . . eventually. But we are given one day at a time and so
from a practical point of view it doesn't matter if it's tomorrow or a thousand
years from now.
Re: "[I] am determined to be obedient by getting back into the fight again".
Good! You have to make your own decisions and I can only go by what you write
me, but it seems to me that standing fast is your best strategy and your best
way forward. You have been getting "sucked back in" ever since I've known you,
with the evil one playing on your good intentions. You have now put things in a
good "final state". I would advise you to think twice before ___. . . which will
lead to ___. . . which could lead to things right back where they were.
(13) Keeping that in mind, put on God's complete set of armor so that you may be able to resist attack on the day evil surrounds you, and stand your ground – once you have done all that it is your responsibility to do (i.e., prior spiritual growth and present spiritual application). (14) So stand your ground, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having dressed your feet in preparation for [sharing] the gospel of peace (i.e., reconciliation with God as the result of faith in Christ). (16) And at all times take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery missiles of the evil one. (17) And [in this spiritual warfare] put on the helmet of salvation and gird on the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of truth.
Ephesians 6:13-17
Regarding "Lordship salvation", if it seems confusing, of course it is: it is a heresy, a false doctrine, with no basis in scripture. As a result it can be whatever any (false teacher) wants it to be on any given occasion. "Teachings" that are ambiguous and difficult to pin down are the devil's stock-in-trade. The very fuzziness obscures the fact that these canards are grounded in lies at their base, and the vagueness also creates uncertainty in the heart of listeners . . . which in turn makes them dependent upon the teacher (rather than the Bible and the Lord), because otherwise they might "not be saved" or the equivalent. It's the typical cult approach with which you in your incipient ministry are well familiar. Ironically in this case a listener understands it has something to do with "Jesus' lordship" but has the practical effect of detaching actual loyalty to the Lord and transferring it to the teacher and the group instead. Here's what I write about this one in BB 4B:
The lie: "It is necessary to acknowledge Christ as 'Lord' in order to be saved". The truth: Jesus Christ is Lord, and the truth of His deity is an important part of the gospel which all who are given to understand it by the Holy Spirit accept as part of their exercise of saving faith. No separate, public, demonstrative proclamation of this fact is necessary to be saved, and to the extent that a person relies on this or any other false addition to the gospel as the basis of their confidence (whether included on this short list or not), to that extent their salvation is problematic, because no one can be saved by works (Jn.6:29; Eph.2:8-9).
This confusion of the gospel can be expanded into other areas as you have
discovered. The only thing the false teachings actually have in common other
than being false is the name and the fact that they are really hard to pin down
with specificity since they continually shift around as false teachings always
do: they're not in the Bible so no one can go to the Bible to vet them per se
(one has to see from the Bible that they are not biblical). The origin of this
particular heresy is the misinterpretation of Romans 10:9-10 which is not
adding a requirement to salvation but merely expressing it in a
different way (as Paul often does;
here's a link on that).
In terms of preparation for the Tribulation, you are correct that baby believers
are going to be very vulnerable to falling into apostasy and/or accepting the
beast's religion. I do anticipate and dearly hope, however, that a large number
will be motivated by events to finally get serious about spiritual growth. After
all, there are many who will be resurrected at Christ's return (e.g.,
1Thes.4:13-17). So there will be plenty of work for us during that time if the
Lord leaves us here to do it.
In terms of sin, this is one area where it's necessary to explain that sin is
not the main area new believers ought to focus on. Clearly, we are not supposed
to sin. Clearly, there are certain sins which are so devastating that indulging
can completely swamp a Christian's faith. Clearly, we are supposed to pursue
sanctification from sin "without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb.12:14).
But the main thing is spiritual growth. The more one grows, the better one
understands sin and how to deal with it – and the better equipped one is to deal
with it. The two approaches, growth and sanctification, are both necessary.
In a boxing match, one has to dodge and block, but also hit. If a person is only
concerned with hitting, they are going to be hit as well, pretty bad. But if a
person is only concerned with dodging and blocking, they are likely to get beat
up even worse – without doing any damage at all in return. Believers who get the
wrong idea about this often fall into the guilt trap about past sins, becoming
focused on "not sinning" rather than on "moving forward spiritually".
This ministry doesn't ignore the issue of sin, not at all (link).
But I always emphasize spiritual growth. Because if a person is truly committed
to the Lord and determined to grow, though they stumble, they will get back up
and learn how to dodge/block even as they keep punching. But believers who never
commit to growth never go anywhere, and in the end are more vulnerable to sin
than would otherwise have been the case. No doubt you have seen this in the
emails posted from so many tortured souls who have contacted this ministry in
the past. Our God is a God of forgiveness because Jesus died for all of our
sins. The best way to honor that sacrifice is to do what our Lord wants us to
do.
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 NIV
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Well, let me say at the beginning, we are doing great, and we hope you are also?
I was wondering some minutes ago, about why God did not stop to not create Adam
and Eve? But then I thought some more. Here is what I came up with in my mind.
First, God is Omniscient, so He is all-knowing. Secondly, the purpose of having
created Adam and Eve was to populate the earth that He re-created after the
destruction of the previous earth. Third, since the Angel satan had abandoned
God and convinced may other angels to go with him. We know what happened to
them, the abyss. Fourth, God knows all these things would happen, but was not
moved when He did so. Sixth God re-creates the world and places Adam and Eve in
it,b but they failed, but God was not moved then either. Seventh, After Adam and
Eve fell from God, and He knew they would, but that did not surprise. although
He was disappointed, I might say, for I am heuman. But God was not caught in a
suprise at that time either. Eight., The LORD already had plans, which He would
accomplish getting rid with satan and the angels that fell away from Him. Nine,
We are almost at the end of his sinful earth and moving to the New Heaven and
New Earth. I say this because as the Bride of Christ, our stay during the
Millennium will be short.
Well, I would certainly like some comments about what I wrote, and am I correct
it what I wrote?
You can add whatever you would think appropriate, that would please me much.
You are my Brother and a great one, and you are my friend, forever.
Blessings to you always,
Your friends,
Response #5:
That's great news, my friend! I keep you both in my prayers daily, for health
and all other things.
I agree with your analysis. God is never surprised. Everything that has ever
happened or will, down to the subatomic level universe-wide, was included in His
perfect plan and could not happen unless He ordained it before even commencing
creation.
How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:5 NIV
No, mankind is not an afterthought. Our creation (and fall) and our Savior saving us was always "the plan". As you rightly infer, this cannot be understood without reference to the devil's rebellion. The outcome of the ineffably wonderful and wise plan of God is a perfect and eternal world inhabited by His creatures made in the image of God who of our own free will chose to be with Him. That was only possible with the perfect plan – and there is only one perfect plan wherein if one single thing were changed it wouldn't be the same.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Romans 11:33 NIV
The Satanic Rebellion series serves to answer these questions and explain all of this (and see also BB 2B: Eschatology which has the same info only condensed; see the links). Here is a synopsis of the plan in outline form previously posted and also going to figure large in Colossians chapter 1 (which I hope to have finished and posted by the end of the summer; until then, here's a link to the introduction [chapter 1 now posted at the link]), along with a snippet therefrom:
In outline form, to thoroughly refute and defeat the devil and bring His world back to perfection required God to judge the world for its evil, then restore it thereafter, creating a new species made in His image which would replace Satan and his followers. God did, is doing and will do this in three phases (as we have studied previously).
1. Phase I: Constitution: Lays the foundation for the eternal victory (the "much" phase).
a. Judgment I: the Genesis Gap
b. Restoration I: the Seven Days of Re-creation
c. Replacement I: the First and the Last Adams
2. Phase II: Completion
a. Judgment II: the Tribulation
b. Restoration II: the Millennium
c. Replacement II: Christ the King and His Church
3. Phase III: Consummation
a. Judgment III: the Final Judgments
b. Restoration III: the New Heavens and the New Earth
c. Replacement III: the Advent of the Father
This sublime and transcendent design had always been the plan since before God made the original universe in Genesis 1:1 – or any of the angels. After Satan's rebellion, God and His holy angels sequestered themselves in the third heaven and left the world to the devil and his followers. Then, after an unknown period of time, probably of very long duration, sufficient at least to demonstrate unequivocally to angelic kind how dysfunctional a world ruled by the devil would be, God rendered judgment on Satan's realm, plunging it into darkness and flooding it with the waters above. We are not told how long the devil's followers were left in darkness, contemplating their fate, shocked and surprised that Satan's assurances about what God could and would do were nothing but the barest lies. But we do know that the restoration of the world in seven days, necessary to provide the environment for creation of God's replacement for the devil and his angels, was met with joy by all angelic kind.
Do feel free to write me back about any of this. Thanks as always for your kind
words, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,
No need to respond unless you feel I'm off in the weeds again.
Canada has, apparently, banned unapproved parts of the Bible. This fits in with
the anti-christ and his ecumenical agenda. All the signs appear to be getting
more prominent. We appear to be getting closer to September than I suspected.
You were right, it's happening faster than I ever imagined.
In Jesus,
Response #6:
I know Canada has some pretty disturbing "hate speech" laws that ought to make
us all appreciate the first amendment, but I wasn't aware that parts of the
Bible had been officially banned.
Re: September. I'm looking to the middle of October. If we get through that
month without Revelation 8:5 occurring, then we're probably "good" for another
seven years. It would probably mean that my overlap interpretation is incorrect.
By "good", personally I would be disappointed at having another seven years
added to the tally of the wait until our Lord's return, in spite of the relief
of not having to contend with the Tribulation immediately.
As I've said repeatedly, in terms of viewing our present situation in this
world, this country, this culture, this technological and societal "moment", on
the one hand it seems impossible for current trends to continue that long
without divine judgment; on the other hand, it seems pretty difficult to see how
present conditions could so swiftly alter to the political and international
situation to that which prophecy describes about the Tribulation. But of course
both situations ARE possible. When it comes to the details, only God knows how
it will all play out, in the short run and in the long. But we are genuinely
blessed to have the entire outline of those events in scripture. I'm planning on
rereading "Coming Tribulation"
this summer/fall and doing what I can to spiritually prepare.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Bob,
Apparently it was Canadian bill C-9 and it only criminalized using it as hate
speech. I'm not sure I see much difference. I don't think the koran was treated
the same. I still think it's moving us more in line with the anti-christ.
https://www.virtueonline.org/post/canada-s-parliament-officially-passes-bible-ban-bill-c-9
I'm curious why you are using October as the demarc? Because of uncertainty of
the Israelite calendar? If it doesn't come this fall, I certainly don't expect
to be this side of the grass when it does.
Thank you for your prayers. You remain in mine as well.
In our Lord,
Response #7:
There are a lot of those "traps" out there in today's world. It reminds me of
those impossibly long legalese texts one has to click a box on before being
allowed to proceed when installing software or whatever. No, I actually did NOT
read those indecipherable 32 pages; yes, I DO need to have access to this
software or whatever. But I guess I am toast if push comes to shove. Very
unfair. Welcome to the devil's world.
Why October? If God's actual Passover (as opposed to when it was observed) was
in April, October is six months later. So if the corresponding Passover was two
weeks after the new moon this year on March 18, April 1-9 for the day and the
festival, we would probably be looking at mid-October as the outlying, latest
possible date (cf. Rev.8:1's "half hour of silence" which I have interpreted as
six months;
link). For a variety of reasons, we can't be sure of the exact day, but if
October comes and goes without the events of Revelation 8:5, I will have to "eat
crow" about the "overlap" interpretation, because in that case it'll probably be
another seven years out. Personally, "the sooner the better" as far as I am
concerned, but it's not up to us, of course.
Re: "this side of the grass". As mentioned before, that's something else
we don't know about, any of us. We only get one day at a time. That's true if we
have far fewer days left to us than we had hoped/imagined . . . or far more.
Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
Do you suppose it's possible Satan has created life in other galaxies? He
clearly survived the Genesis gap and then created the nephilim, so he and his
minions can do it. Does he or does he not suffer, in your opinion, the same
restraints elsewhere as he does here? Otherwise, I still think the "release" of
alien information is a major scam; propaganda for unknown purposes. Probably
related to antichrist's ecumenism? What do you think?
Thanks for your indulgence! No rush. Answer the serious things first.
In our Lord,
Response #8:
I can't say for certain but I seriously doubt it. The devil does not seem to be
able to create life, merely to manipulate it. The nephilim are born also
of living human seed. The dinosaurs were likely manipulated from lizards and
serpents and the like. There may have been life "out there" elsewhere before the
complete annihilation of everything in God's judgment for Satan's revolt (the
Genesis gap; link), but there is no indication that
any of this was revived during the seven days. Indeed, it's only the earth that
is refurbished for habitability in Genesis. The rest of the firmament is
illuminated for our sake (stars being not only "night lights" but indicators of
seasonality). Also, it's only been around six thousand years since God turned
the lights back on. The creation of mankind and our fall has necessitated great
effort on the devil's part in his attempt to subvert truth and hinder the plan
of God ever since. That seems to have occupied his attention and that of his
forces as well. "Here" is where it is happening. Focusing elsewhere would be
like sending an armored division to Antarctica just before D-Day in WWII.
Hope you are well, my friend!
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L
Question #9:
Thank you Bob for your confirmation. I haven't read anything in scripture that
even hinted at any alien life except demons. I also haven't read anything in
scripture that suggests they were eliminated or sent back home. I suspect
they're still with us and, from what I scan in the headlines, quite active.
All is well here, thanks. I pray you're getting along OK with the rains. You're
awful close to the Ohio. Thanks for your prayers. You remain in mine as well.
In our Lord,
Response #9:
There are plenty of demons out there. However, there are also plenty in the
Abyss, fallen angels sequestered there for one offense of the "ground rules" or
another, a large number of whom were incarcerated because of the Genesis six
nephilim atrocities (cf. 2Pet.2:4; Jude 1:6). Most if not all of these will
be released during the Tribulation (the
fifth and
sixth trumpet judgments of Revelation chapter nine; see the links).
But they'll all be locked up for the Millennium, including their leader (link).
Rain is gone. The river hit 14 feet but it has to get to 21 before there is even
any interest or reason to put in the flood gates. The heat is here now! I'll bet
it's toasty down there too!
Thanks for the prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob,
I have never heard, when I was a regular church-goer, random attendant, in
conversations with or reading clergy, any mention or discussions of demons or
demonic influence. Which, in a way, doesn't surprise me at all.
As an aside, I read today that there was a scare in Brazil over an alien
invasion and curiously, the alien message was in perfect Portuguese, I assume,
because the English translation was almost colloquial.
Thanks for your info and support.
In Jesus,
Response #10:
My pleasure!
Well of course ET speaks English. Everybody knows that. Just in case:
Duc me ad ducem tuun! ("Take me to your leader" in Latin).
Re: churches. Not surprising, but just add that to the list of nearly every
other major and important teaching in the Bible you'll never hear about "in
church" . . . unless they're getting it wrong.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
How true! Did I tell you I banished the JW's last time they came by admitting I
believed in the Trinity? I haven't seen them since.
I'm glad your rains are gone but I can certainly sympathize with the heat. The
humidity up there must be a killer. It's only been in the mid 90's here but the
direct sunlight is fierce. No rain on the horizon here.
In our Lord,
Response #11:
Good job with the JW's! I'm sure your confidence in the truth was also unnerving
for them.
At least we have AC. My friends in Britain mostly do not – and there is another
heat wave headed their way next week. Makes me grateful to be where I am.
Direct sunlight is bad here too, but not as bad as in the lower latitudes. That
was something I found out the hard way in FLA visiting parents years ago. Even
when the heat index is not terrible, at mid-day the sun can really lay you low
if you're not careful.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,
I am now focusing on seeing all from the spiritual/eternal/Godly
perspective. All believers must be willing and able to accept the coming
persecution with a Godly perspective that glorifies the Lord. These
levels of persecution are ordered in levels of progressive suffering but
also in progressive glory/reward.
Level 1 suffering/glory
Plundering of goods
Level 2 suffering/glory
Imprisonment
Level 3 suffering/glory
Torture
Level 4 suffering/glory
Martyrdom/dying for the faith
We also know from the Bible that the Lord will only give us to suffer
what we are able to get through. If He has given it to us to suffer,
then we are to rejoice at the great honour and then to trust Him through
it. Many believers in other countries have already been through this and
some will have died for the faith just as fellow believers have done so
throughout the ages. We know that the Tribulation and especially the
Great Tribulation will be the worst ever time for unbelievers and
believers alike respectively.
I realise that instead of bemoaning being born and living to see these
times, if we take the Godly perspective then as believers we can grasp
this as a great spiritual opportunity to earn maximum rewards to glorify
God! Yes it can be laboursome and even loathsome for the lukewarm who
may soon be vomited out of Jesus' mouth but for those who are red hot
and have true zeal for the Lord with understanding then in many ways it
can be an incredible time to be alive as it will be a powerful time both
for us to show the measure of our faith and also for the Lord to
demonstrate His faithfulness which will far outweigh the trust we put in
Him.
For a long time now I have longed for it to begin but I now see that I
need to make full use of the time I have before it begins because we
don't know what these sudden changes of circumstances may mean in terms
of your ministry or my own. We may need to face the possibility of
everything suddenly going 'offline' and what we have taken from your
ministry (if we haven't got a 'backup') is all we have and then we have
to make use of what we remember and have committed to our hearts.
From my experience of the very severe testing that I am going
through..it is difficult to study while being tested. Just as you can't
bring study materials into an exam hall and you have to show then all
you have learned and believed, it is the same spirtually. When you are
under intense and heavy unrelenting flak, you have to apply all you have
learned and not panic and trust the Lord.
I have had severe life and death testing back to back now and I have
made huge spiritual errors and they were all done hastily and when I
went outside of the Word due to fear or guilt. So I realise that while
we can't have the same level of intensive study when we are in the
trenches of battle, we have to keep praying and seeking the Lord and He
does counsel us in the Holy Spirit and reminds us of what we have taken
in from the Word. We can then read these passages that we have been led
to, like good Bereans so we know we are going in the right direction.
The biggest spiritual deception I have experienced recently was
believing that a quiet audible voice in my head was from God. I have
never heard a voice from God before in my walk so I should have been
suspicious that I could hear a quiet voice telling me what to do. The
last time I heard a voice like that, I was a teenager and it was
tempting me into rebellion. This 'little voice' gave me 1 Kings 9:11-12
as justification (but we know from Satan testing our Lord that the devil
knows the Bible very well). This voice told me that the sign gifts had
come back because of the silence in heaven and being close to the
Tribulation. I believed this small voice was from God but now I know it
wasn't. So I realise just how deceptive things can be, especially when
the stakes are very high and we are under a lot of pressure whilst being
tested over the weakest links in our armour.
Please share this with your ministry asap Bob as from someone still in
the trenches being fired upon.. I thought being mature I wouldn't get
deceived but I was. Jesus said that
Matthew 24:24
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great
signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
We all have to be really careful and humble in our walk with the Lord.
The deception is very cunning and not always easy to see. I never
thought of praying to the Lord to see if that voice was from Him because
that voice appealed to my sinful flesh in the belief that God needed me
to do things for Him in His plan but of course He doesn't.
Matthew 3:9
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children
for Abraham.
So whilst our salvation and faith is not on pins and needles, we have to
be careful not to become arrogant about it (like I sadly did) and
realise we need to be as children before God and understand that His
ways are greater than ours and we need to be humble and have Godly fear
towards Him. I repented and asked for forgiveness and now am trying to
walk more in humility towards the Lord because I don't want to make such
grave errors through my sinful flesh again. I see the mercy and loving
kindness God is showing for us to be suffering this now, before the
Tribulation in earnest. Perhaps our loved ones will be spared the
Tribulation if they are going through it already on a personal level. It
may be that the Lord sees that they have more opportunity to be saved
now than later. Similarly the Lord has spared me from experiencing this
during the Tribulation and I see His mercy and kindness that I am going
through this now beforehand. I see with spiritual sight that the Lord is
freeing me from the slavery of my 'family' whilst also clearing the
decks for me to simplify my life to focus on continuing to spiritually
grow and work on Ministry so I don't want to waste the time and
opportunities He is giving me to do His will.
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #12:
We do indeed all need to be doing what we can do now while there is time, while there is light.
“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."
John 9:4 NKJV
Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
John 12:35-36 NKJV
Your positive attitude toward the trouble ahead is just what we all need to
adopt. In addition to the fact that once it starts we will have a definite
"short-timer's calendar" until the Lord's return, it is also the case that most
of the things prophesied to happen which immature believers fear about the
Tribulation are going to be directed at unbelievers not at us. And even though
there will be severe persecution during the second half of the Tribulation, the
"bowl judgments" will be directed at the followers of antichrist specifically
because of their harassment and persecution of us – and in that we can rejoice.
I've been re-watching Ken Burns' "The War", and there is a place where a soldier
who was a captive of the Japanese, transported to Japan to be used as a manual
laborer, reports cheering the waves of planes that came over to firebomb their
cities – even though his own barracks got burned out. That is the way I imagine
us reacting to the bowl judgments, not out of fear and trepidation but out of
joy and relief – because they are directed at those who have been abusing us. In
fact, there is a sense in which the entire Tribulation and all of the judgments
the Lord will level on the earth (the "trumpets", the "bowls", and the
"thunders"), are all in response to our prayers.
(1) And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels who stood before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (3) And another angel with a golden censer came and stood by the altar, and much incense was given to him so that he might offer it for the prayers of the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne. (4) And smoke from the incense went up from the hand of the angel before God for the prayers of the saints. (5) Then the angel took the incense holder and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it to the earth. And there occurred thunderous voices and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:1-5
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,
The Bible teaches that the love of many will wax cold precisely because
of the 'increase in lawlessness' so it may be that a contributing factor
to apostasy is some believers thinking that God will never judge the
wicked (2 Peter 3:9).
I know that it is Godly to be glad of the Tribulational judgements as
they are firstly warnings for the wicked not to turn to Antichrist and
then punishments for doing so. I know that imprecatory prayer is no
longer used and that those who are asking the Lord to avenge their
deaths in Revelation 6:10 are exactly that (those martyred out of the
Tribulation). So it is Godly for them to ask for vengeance but not for
us to ask it while alive.
The Bible says we are to 'leave room for God's wrath' (Romans 12:19) so
there may be situations whereby we are getting in the way of God serving
judgment on people. For example, enabling abusers and not walking away
and leaving them to face consequences for their actions and interfering
with their reaping what they have sown may be seen as not making room
for God's vengeance. God is very clear about not touching unclean things
and not having fellowship with Belial so when a person shows that they
are willing to go on to continue in their satanic rebellion against God
then we are to distance ourselves from them 'lest we share their sins'
(Rev 18:4 though this verse is about physically leaving the actual
Tribulational Babylon).
When I was really struggling in the thick of this suffering I tried to
study about the Trumpet judgements and I have to say that it threw me
that they are only happening half way through the first half of the
Tribulation. I thought they would be present right at the beginning. At
first this really disheartened me and rocked my faith a little. I was
hoping they were there from the beginning as I was hoping they would
rock the wicked out of their ways. I guess I was being selfish and
impatient wanting this for myself personally as of course I want the
agony of this trial to end.
I have been thinking about it though...there are the horsemen who
represent the trends of the Tribulation that are riding throughout and
they are at the very beginning. I guess it makes sense that God is again
allowing people to use their free will to either be 'filthy still' or
'righteous still' (Rev 22:11)
He is giving the world time to think it over and take sides once and for
all and that makes sense given how loving and merciful (and slow to
anger) but also righteous God is. I think it would be good to get into
this mindset of trusting the Lord with vengeance and justice and for me
to stay out of it entirely...even if I do have a sense of personal
injustice burn inside me at times but then for me to overcome with love
for the a Lord (like the Psalmist does). No one will get away with
anything as we will all stand before Jesus Christ and will be judged or
evaluated by Him. I am trying to lean more and more on this
understanding that it really is better to leave all to Him.
Historically, even as an unbeliever I hardly ever took physical revenge
on a person, I usually just walked away from people who were determined
to be evil and doing that has served me well (it meant that my social
circle became smaller with ever decreasing circles.) I guess I did
always talk 'smack' about them after which isn't a good or Godly thing
to do. My heart hurts so much about __ but I know the Lord sees it and
He has suffered much worse than I ever will. I love the Lord so much. I
can't wait to be with Him forever. Not really very long now is it.
I do want to be used by Him and be effective in ministry. Some days are
easier than others. I told you that I am spiritually stronger now and so
I am but that conversation hurt me in ways I didn't realise I could be
hurt but I also had the discernment to read between the lines and sense
how frightened and confused __ is and I personally would hate for
someone to walk away from me when I was in that state. I will get
through this but it is very, very hard. Satan knows that to attack me
through heartbreak is how to really hurt me. I have always been very
sensitive and emotional and loved people a lot. I never knew I could
feel such depths of emotional pain Bob but I will keep moving forward.
Your friend in Jesus,
Please share this one.
p.s. should I be praying for __ right now?
Response #13:
Thanks for this – some very trenchant observations here.
On a personal level, I had a feeling that __ would "cost you". Praying
for your complete recovery.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,"
Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV
As to what we should pray and how often, that requires some discernment.
My own policy for those who distance themselves from this ministry is to
keep up prayer for a reasonable period, but if it becomes clear that
they are not coming back, then to commit them to the Lord, praying for
their salvation and spiritual growth, e.g.
Re: the commencement of judgments from the Lord: Moses and Elijah will
return at the very beginning and they will be administering all manner
of judgments. Also, there are the signs and wonders which announce the
Tribulation's start (Rev.8:5). And there will be the fulfilling of
prophecies throughout as the events of the Tribulation proceed. Finally,
the very astounding nature of all that will be taking place (especially
given the removal of the Holy Spirit's restraining ministry;
link) ought to get everyone's attention. Suffice it to say, all who
are destined to be saved will be saved, according to the great mercies
of the Lord – who heard all of our prayers in eternity past.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Acts 2:19-21 NKJV
Keep fighting the good fight, my friend! Your ministry is needful and
will be all the more so once these things commence. The more you can do
to get ready now, the better positioned you'll be to minister then.
I'm keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,
The Lord showed me two important things this year about the Tribulation.
1) that we are to continue to be the light to others and to not hide that light
under a basket HOWEVER we will be both hated and despised for this light just as
He was. That it will be increasingly difficult and painful for us to do God's
will of still retaining our gentleness and loving kindness. [omitted] We have to
have common sense about these things and have boundaries and be wise as serpents
but the Lord has shown me that it will be nigh on impossible to be kind to
people in the Tribulation without our kindness being twisted into some
manipulation or perversity. The perversity is in the unbelievers minds of course
as their deeds are evil but just as with my own family, we will be seen as the
evil ones, just as they saw our Lord.
I have noticed out and about that people aren't being kind anymore but acting
like cold robots. In my recent experience, when you show Christ's light (through
kindness) to people they either 1) fall on it like a starving man falls on bread
2) or they deliberately misinterpret it as being evil and then hate you for it
(or seek to corrupt you towards real evil).
Showing God's loving kindness going forward is like drawing a target on you. We
have to do it of course as we are commanded not to hide the light or to lose our
savour but the more that people embrace evil around us, we will suffer for doing
good...it is inevitable now and it's God's will for us.
The Lord revealed to me that the only reason believers will still carry on doing
His will, will be because they will keep their eyes on the Lord's pleasure and
glory and the rewards they will receive for doing what is Godly no matter what.
So we have to be focused both on His glory and our rewards because soon there
will be no earthly reason to continue to do what is good and frankly we will
look like insane fools and then as evil doers to most of the world for
continuing to embrace what is good when the world embraces evil.
The Bible tells us that woe will come to those who call evil good and good evil.
I wonder if the 'woe' mentioned here is the woes that will befall the
worshippers of Antichrist in the Tribulation. The Bible also tells us that those
who put us to death will think they are offering service to God. So at that
point they will really believe that Christians are evil just as they said that
our Lord had an evil spirit. This will happen to us too as a servant is not
greater than his master. Our Lord warned us they will say we are Beelzebub too.
It's going to be hard Bob. My own family seem to believe that I am devilish now
for pointing out the real evil that was happening. They are already calling good
evil and evil good in my family and I am not sure I can reach a lot of them
anymore. I am still praying for them urse but it may be that my family truly
have embraced evil and they may continue this way into the Tribulation.
2) The Lord also showed me that only Jews and real Christians will still hold
onto God's promises about Israel. We can see how hated and reviled by the whole
world Israel is. We can see through the increasing popularity of conspiracy
theory that more and more people are blaming the 'Jew world order' for all the
evils of this world.
I am not sure what the truth is, whether there are people who say they are Jews
but aren't or whether there have been historically some Jews who have been
tempted to do the enemies bidding on earth...I don't know what is happening but
I know that this is all very murky and spiritually dangerous and for us to
completely stay away from. The mass scapegoating of Jews though is a snowball
that keeps rolling and rolling bigger and bigger everyday. We have to hold onto
and trust God's promises for Israel and that they still stand today (replacement
theology is a demonic lie).
Again the only reason for not turning against Israel will be the spiritual one.
There will be no earthly reason or benefit for doing this. Again we will be
hated and despised for not turning against Israel and again we have to rely and
trust in God's promises that He will bless those who bless Israel and curse
those who curse Israel.
Just as we will be hated for still being kind, we will be despised for not
cursing Israel. By staying with the Word of God and keep doing what the Lord
actually wants us to do will mean we will be 'hated among all nations'. So we
will need to be steadfast and strong in faith and our trust in God to get
through the dark days ahead that will give Him glory.
For me personally, it's almost as though the Tribulation has already begun but I
do see that it is through the Lord's mercy and kindness that I am going through
these familial horrors now as it may have been that He knew my faith would faint
if it happened suddenly during the Tribulation proper. Timing is everything with
God's plan for us all.
I was thinking about Moses and the Red sea. Moses didn't know how their
deliverance would come but he trusted God it would come. I need to have that
level of strong faith. I don't know how I will be delivered through this fiery
trial but I know I will be delivered.
Thankfully today I have recovered my footing spiritually and the Lord's peace.
What can I say Bob, it has been (and continues to be) an exceptionally fiery
trial. It isn't over yet but I trust the Lord will get me through. I have to
have faith like Moses did.
Again thanks for everything. I know you said I wasn't flip flopping even though
it seems like I have been. You said that I have been working though it just as
David did in his Psalms.
I hope that I will continually push forward now in a way that glorifies our
Lord.
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #14:
Re: "I hope that I will continually push forward now in a way that glorifies
our Lord." I am supremely confident that you are doing so and will continue
– all the way to the end.
Disengaging from letting ourselves be overly troubled about the world will be a
very important skill to have, should the "balloon go up" in a few months. It's
good to be able to do regardless. The thing of it is too, even if we are
generally pretty good at that, we can all be "poked" and made to react wrongly
if we are not very careful. It happened to Moses, it happened to Elijah – it
even happened to Job. So we attempt to walk as humbly with our Lord as possible
(Mic.6:8).
Re: letting our light shine. In my way of seeing this, it happens when we go
about our normal lives doing what the Lord wants us to do, both in the secular
arena (our jobs or whatever), and in the spiritual (as we grow, progress and
produce). I would greatly resist seeing this as a call to "go out there and
shine!" . . . whatever that may mean. I've heard far too many vague sermons and
evangelical harangues to that effect. It usually ends up motivating people to
"do good works" . . . whatever that may mean – besides giving that church more
money and volunteering to usher et al. But if these are not specifically things
which we are responsible to do anyway or things which we are led to do by the
Spirit as part of our ministries, then we ought to think twice about allowing
ourselves to be guilted into things which are possibly counterproductive or
worse. I'm sure that this is not what you are meaning, but believe me when I say
that people tend to take this sort of thing the wrong way.
Re: the composition of Israel. If a person is Jewish, that person is Jewish. We
don't need to worry about history or genealogy, nor should we. In time soon to
come, there will be a great division within Judaism as Moses and Elijah and the
144K lead a genuine revival. Meantime, we gentile believers are thrilled to be
able to call any believing person of Jewish derivation our brother/sister in
Christ. And we realize, as you also suggest, that taking any sort of negative
attitude or stance is a good way to bring down the Lord's wrath. In terms of
politics, international or domestic, well, those are things we would do well to
stay out of in any case. We observe and see the trends, but we have no control.
We do know that God is in complete control, and that is enough for us.
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
1st Corinthians 16:22 NKJV
Keep fighting the good fight, my friend!
Praying for you and your family and for your ministry daily.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Bob
Hello!
I have a few questions re: the anti Christ.
1. If the Tribulation begins this Fall. August--- November 2026 does that mean
that the antichrist also shows up on the world stage at that time?
2. The antichrist comes from the Tribe of Dan, I believe --- does that mean that
the anti Christ will be a practicing Jew or will his being a Jew be hidden from
the world?
3. Approximately how old will the ac be?
4. Will the ac be married? Have kids?Or be single?
5. Will he come onto the world stage from Europe or the Middle East or Asia?
6. Do you believe that the Tribulation will end in late 2032. Or around April of
2033. ?
I very much! Look forward to your answers!
Thank you
Response #15:
Happy to help.
1) Unknown. 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 indicates that the Great Apostasy precedes his
"revelation" so it could be some time into the Tribulation before we can see for
certain who it is. But we will know that the Tribulation has begun once it does.
After the breaking of the seventh seal (which starts the Tribulation because the
book being opened is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"), we read:
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:5 NKJV
This will be a worldwide phenomenon and unmistakable. And while unbelievers will
no doubt attempt to explain it away, believers who know their Bibles will be
left in no doubt.
2) Unknown. Add to this the fact that in the country, very few people can trace
their lineage back beyond their grandparents if you asked them. Even for those
who do have a written up genealogy, it's usually not perfect and not older than
a few centuries. Point being, few of us really can say we are or we aren't "this
or that" and know that for certain. Only God knows for certain . . . and God
knows for certain.
3) Unknown. One could argue for a crafty old man or a very young prodigy. We'll
just have to wait and see. The beast will claim to be Christ, and our Lord began
His ministry at 30, but since we are talking about a satanic operation I wouldn't
put a lot of weight on that as guidance either. I'm sure believers will be able
to figure out who it is after he is revealed during the Tribulation regardless
of all other factors.
4) Unknown. I would lean to single and childless, but that is only because he's
never described in a way that would suggest anything else. Again, on the analogy
of someone impersonating our Lord, that might argue in the same direction, but
again, it's not proof since scripture doesn't say (on Daniel 11:37, that passage
is often misunderstood,
see the link).
5) Unknown . . . but since he will be the ruler of Babylon, odds are (in my
estimation), that he arises from this country since, at time of writing, this
country is the only place that "fills the bill" for the place that will become
"mystery Babylon" during the Tribulation (n.b., we're not in the Tribulation yet
so as yet just as antichrist has not been revealed, neither has mystery Babylon;
see the link).
6) The Tribulation is "Daniel's 70th week" (link),
which means it lasts seven years. So if it begins in fall 2026 it would
terminate in fall of 2033 (the fall festivals are representative of Armageddon,
the Second Advent and the Millennium;
link); that would be 2,000 years after the cross and resurrection. If
there is no overlap between the end of the Church Age and the final seven years
of the Jewish Age, then everything is pushed off seven more years. In either
case, it certainly behooves us all, given the closeness, to do what we can to
prepare spiritually ahead of time.
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:3 NIV
"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 21:36 NIV
Re: "I very much Look forward to your answers!" Sorry I couldn't be more
definitive with them!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Thank you for your quick reply!!
So you mentioned the angel throwing fire upon the earth--and that THAT EVENT
begins the Tribulation. Is that correct?
In other words it's a physical event on earth that is connected with fire in
some way?
Response #16:
My pleasure.
The breaking of the seventh seal begins things, but then there is a half hour of
silence which I take to be a six month delay to move the calendar from Passover
(the cross and resurrection) to Trumpets and the Day of Atonement
(representative of the Tribulation and Christ's return). Revelation 8:5 does
"begin the count", and yes, the action of casting down the fire is physical but
also supernatural and invisible; the fire is indicative of judgment, but it
occasions audible, visible and tangible "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings,
and an earthquake".
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Robert
So. The 7th seal will be a physical event in one place on the earth that
includes sounds, an earthquake and fire? And is severe enough to get the
attention of the whole world? And afterwards there is a quiet time of 6 months?
Do you feel that it will be AFTER the 6th months that the antichrist shows up.
Or. Could he shows up DURING the 6 months?
Response #17:
The seventh seal . . . and the breaking of all the seals . . . is an event that
takes place in heaven only (see the link: in
CT 2B: The Seven Seals).
The angel taking fire from the altar and casting it to the earth at Revelation
8:5 will produce the visible, audible and tangible effects experienced around
the world.
In between the two, yes, there is silence in heaven "for half an hour" which I
have interpreted (with good reason) to mean six months of respite moving the
start date from spring to fall before the Tribulation begins in 2026 or 2033 or
whenever it does (see
link-1 and link-2).
Regarding antichrist and his "showing up", one can break down the appearance of
antichrist into three phases: 1) he is alive and doing something of significance
but not recognized (nor widely suspected) of being who he is: that could be the
case now; 2) he is "revealed" as definitely being the beast: 2Thes.2:3 suggests
that this is during the Tribulation after the of
the Great Apostasy (link): anywhere from day one until late in the
Tribulation's first half is possible, but my guess is that pretty early on it
will be obvious to believers who have studied the issue; 3) the middle of the
Tribulation and the commencement of
the Great Persecution (link): the Great Tribulation is "great" because of
antichrist's persecution of believers and his effort to have all the world
accept his "mark" is what occasions the "six hundred and sixty six" litmus test
so as to leave absolutely no doubt in the minds of even weak, ignorant and
vacillating believers about who he is – so they will have no excuse (see the
link: in CT 4: The
Beast's Prophet and the Worldwide Anti-Christian Religion).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Robert.
Good afternoon.
So. There IS a MAJOR PHYSICAL EVENT on earth and then a 6 month period of quiet.
The anti Christ could show up at any time after the big event. And then for 3.
1/2 years or so he will be Mr Humanity Fraternity with answers and a call to
unite everyone?
The one world religion is that headed up by the Catholic pope at that time; the
False Prophet, who helps humanity fully accept the anti Christ as a man of love,
hugs and a united humanity??!!
Could the Beast who is given life be a statue being run by Ai which they will
tell us has reached its own consciousness??!! And it is this Beast who having
everyone's digital id and digital money forces all to obtain the "Mark" so that
one may buy and sell. Live Work. Buy food. Etc?? And those christians who refuse
the mark will then be " put to death" by the Beast Ai thing shutting them off
from money work hospitals and society ??!!
Just some thoughts
Response #18:
The "major physical event" described in Revelation 8:5 comes six months after the opening of the seventh seal. It is the opening of that seal which occasions a six month delay before the Tribulation commences.
(1) And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour (i.e., a six month delay). (2) And I saw the seven angels who stood before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (3) And another angel with a golden censer came and stood by the altar, and much incense was given to him so that he might offer it for the prayers of the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne. (4) And smoke from the incense went up from the hand of the angel before God for the prayers of the saints. (5) Then the angel took the incense holder and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it to the earth. And there occurred thunderous voices and flashes of lightning and an earthquake (i.e., unmistakable and experienced around the world).
Revelation 8:1-5
As to antichrist "showing up", it depends on what is meant. As I said last time,
he is probably "around" now; he may well be not entirely invisible now and there
is an even greater probability that after the Tribulation begins it will be
clear to believers who have studied these things who he is; he is said to be
"revealed", which I take to mean obvious to believers who have been properly
taught, only some time after the Tribulation begins; and absolute surety about
the identification will come with the introduction of the mark of the beast and
the litmus test scripture gives us.
Re: "Mr Humanity Fraternity with answers and a call to unite everyone".
I've never put things that way (please see
CT
3B: Antichrist and his Kingdom, at the link). "Man of love" certainly
clashes with what the Bible has to say about "the lawless one" (see prior link).
Most descriptions of antichrist are far from complimentary, even in an ironic
way. I have tried to explain in the study linked how scripture suggests he will
gain his following. To use an example, "humanity and fraternity and unity and
love" are not the first words that come to my mind regarding many religions, but
many have been successful if one measures success by numbers of converts and
dedication. Such dedication we may posit the beast will inspire in his followers
and not necessarily for what we would consider "positive" reasons. That element
may be present. We also know that he will be a rewarder of his most strident
supporters (see prior link).
Re: "the Catholic pope": I think it is highly unlikely that this
individual (whoever will be occupying the position at that time) will be the
false prophet. Antichrist's religion (see the link in CT 4:
"The Beast's Prophet and the Worldwide Anti-Christian Religion"),
will be all-inclusive of every world religion, not just Catholicism, so even
though traditional Protestantism has often focused on the pope for the role of
false prophet, it seems unlikely to me. When antichrist takes his seat in the
recently rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and the false prophet erects the talking
statue of his image, we'll have no doubt at that point.
The role of AI and all things digital, especially in the
economy, is a question I have gotten a lot (see
the "Eschatology Series" email Q/As). Of course the beast will use
whatever technology is available to further his father the devil's plan whenever
he does rise to world rule. But that was true when it was a case of "bows and
arrows". Technology is just a means to an end. It is only evil if the intent is
evil. Do the current developments suggest a greater capacity to harness tech for
evil? I'm sure they do. But it's better to focus on the manipulator than the
means he is using . . . and to remember that the One who made the heavens and
the earth has always been and will always be in absolute control of all things,
especially in the case of and for the benefit of us who have put our trust in
Him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Bob
Thank you again for your explanations!
So. If Tribulation begins let's say September 2026. Then when does the major
event happen (approximately).
I thought the 6 month delay was occurring now. (January---June. Or.
February/March----August). And that's why you felt that the beginning of
Tribulation begins in the "Fall" of this year and not earlier in 2026).
If that's so, then the major event would more then likely happen
September/October/November 2026. ??
Re the antichrist -- I thought he was around for 7 years? 3 1/2 where he is Mr
Unite Humanity and then 3 1/2 where he shows who he really is -- which is when
he pushes the mark of the beast etc. (2030----2033). And then the Lord destroys
him (2033)---. Beginning the reign of Christ and the workings of the Holy Spirit
in a new way! (2033 ------- ??).
So, my thoughts based on your writings are: Antichrist shows up Fall 2026 and
with other world leaders calls for humanity to unite in fraternity etc (in
connection with the severity of that major event and other events 2026---2029)
During that time he and the world leaders push everyone into the digital id and
digital money--working out the various kinks during that time,
also----2027---2029). Then the beast is given life ? Around 2029 (July
---December 2029) and antichrist with the Beast and false prophet push the mark
of the beast 2030--- until 2033 when our Lord wraps it all up. (tribulation).
I eagerly await your thoughts on these ideas. Thank you!
Response #19:
The events of Revelation 8:5 will be the "announcement" that the Tribulation has
begun, so that would happen in the fall of the year in question. In terms of
dating, it would seem to have to be six months after the middle of the first
month of the Jewish ceremonial year figured on a lunar basis (not necessarily
the present Anno Mundi calendar in use). Six months and two thousand years after
our Lord's resurrection in 33 A.D. would then be somewhere around the first or
second week of October this fall (September also possible). Without an overlap,
then seven years past that (i.e., 2033).
Re: "I thought he was around for 7 years?" As explained in the last
email, it depends what you mean by "around". He's prophesied to rule the world
for the last three and a half years, the Great Tribulation. Obviously, he
doesn't spring up out of nowhere and scripture has plenty to say about his march
to dominance (see
CT
3B at the link).
Re: "with other world leaders [antichrist] calls for humanity to unite in
fraternity". As I've said in many prior postings, the Bible gives us a great
deal of information about the Tribulation in terms of the overall chronology of
events. What it doesn't give us is the "texture" of what things will be like.
Scripture has a little bit to say about how antichrist gains his following but
not in sufficient specifics for me to put things the way you are doing. We'll
have to wait and see about that.
Re: "During that time he and the world leaders push everyone into the digital
id and digital money--working out the various kinks during that time". Here
I would really want to distance myself. I have no idea whether or not these two
things will even play a role – although I realize there has been much
speculation about them in regard to the Tribulation for many years now. The mark
of the beast is a physical tattoo that is freely accepted by unbelievers who
follow the beast. Whether it has any such implications, I don't know, but I
doubt it. We are told that the beast's policy will be to not allow anyone
without the mark "to buy and sell", but we are not told that he will be able to
fully implement this worldwide before his demise. I would guess not, because
otherwise this would probably mean the death of all believers – and we know that
many will survive to be resurrected at our Lord's return (1Cor15:51-58;
1Thes.4:14-17). As with all of the evil one's plans, it is the Lord's will that
will prevail.
"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Matthew 24:22 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Thank you!!
So. The ""official"" start of the 7 years of Tribulation might be the beginning
of October 2026. ?? Yes?
( Just so you know all of this. My questions. Your answers - I am keeping
between us. Bc I understand that you are putting forth your thoughts on the
possibility/probability of this timeline and are not saying that this- your
thoughts, are absolutely correct)
Response #20:
That's right, if the interpretation turns out to be correct (or Sept.). I've
never made any secret of the fact that this date is an interpretation based upon
a number of assumptions, assumptions which are biblically derived and carefully
vetted, but assumptions rather than direct biblical teachings nonetheless. You
can find the discussion about that
at this link.
In terms of "keeping this between us", I certainly don't mind you sharing. I
discuss these matters with various and sundry all the time, and you can find
many such discussions in the
Eschatology Issues series of weekly postings at the link.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Thank you for that. Re sharing with others.
So. If your interpretation is correct then October 2026 is GO time then !
2 more questions.
--- does the anti Christ come forth from a middle eastern country? Or could he
come upon the world stage from anywhere BUT be obviously of middle eastern
descent?
--- As you've come upon the Tribulation very possibly starting October of the
this year - 2026. Do you believe a major event could help announce that in
September/October/November/December ??
Response #21:
1) The beast will arise from mystery Babylon, not the middle
east (see
the link). However, a large part of antichrist's political support,
in Europe in particular, will stem from the fact that he is opposing the newly
united middle eastern world. And the ruler of that coalition will no doubt be
deemed "the antichrist" by the actual beast and his followers. I firmly suspect
that this dichotomy will lie behind many in the west having their eyes blinded
to who the real antichrist is (i.e., the beast will call that other ruler
"antichrist" and lead a "crusade" against him and his alliance).
2) Absent the signs described in Revelation 8:5, scripture doesn't give us any
such single event. We do have the outline of the general progression of events,
and of course later in the first three and a half years, the seven trumpet
judgments will be pretty hard to miss; but otherwise we are safe to assume that
without the worldwide earthquake, thunder, lightening and voices, the
Tribulation has not yet begun. Once it does start, it will behoove all believers
to draw ever closer to our Lord and look to Him for our safety and deliverance
(as we should all be doing all the time anyway of course):
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Psalm 76:6-12 KJV
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.
All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, LORD.
For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Psalm 97:1-12 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.