http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CVIII

Question #1:
Thank you for this update. Yes, I will enjoy reading that very much.

I am still pursuing political truths. I sent out a new blog post yesterday, if you are interested.

https://fastzone.substack.com/p/can-you-spot-the-rinos-in-the-primary
Response #1:
If you're looking for truth, I'm not sure you're going to find it anywhere in politics.

Here's something I've written about that, if interested.

https://ichthys.com/mail-politics-versus-spiritual-growth4.htm

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Doc. What do you think of the idea that there's no such thing as actually not being political?

"There is no such thing as being apolitical. Everything is political, and just by expressing something and choosing who has access to it, that by itself is a political act."

Is this just another desperate attempt at netting people into pointless movements or is there actually truth to this?
Response #2:
I suppose it depends on how one defines politics. The word comes from polis, the Greek word for city-state. Aristotle said that "man is a political animal", meaning, one who organizes himself into city-states. Of course we have government – that is ordained by God (see the link: in SR 4: "Law and nationalism as restrainers of satanic influence"). But we are not required as Christians to go beyond obeying authority. Getting involved in trying to change it is where the devil does his work.

Serving Jesus Christ is NOT political.
Question #3:
Is international trade necessarily a bad thing? And if not at what point does it cross the line?
Response #3:
Not much directly germane about this in the Bible.

Since the president's Council of Economic Advisors isn't likely to call me and ask me my opinion about this, I don't think I need give it any particular attention.

Look, if you were king, this might be something to waste your time on. But you DO work for and represent the King. He does have a job for you: spiritual growth (and progress and production thereafter). And He will be evaluating you (and me and us all) on how well we did it.
Question #4:
Doc...I have to be frank. I don't care what you say, if pedophilia becomes accepted, I'm joining whatever movement that's forged in the backlash. I already revile anyone who does such abominations to kids, and rightly so, if this officially becomes something that should be allowed according to the 'experts' and 'institutions', I cannot in good conscience stand back and let this happen, something has to be done...if we as a nation, as those who still have sanity and conscience, don't stand up for what's right, who will? It's true we can't change the course of history God has planned, and it's true God doesn't need us, but that doesn't make it right to ignore the outside world and not at least try to let ourselves be used for His benefit in getting it that way.
Response #4:
Re: "I don't care what you say" – I'm sure I've never defended this trash. What I have done is to warn you of the dangers of getting involved in political actions of any kind since that is devil's territory and the devil's game. The communists are and were always horrible. Joining the Nazis to oppose them turned out historically to be a very bad idea, e.g.

If the Spirit leads you to do something you should do it. But if your emotional reactions are in control, nothing good will come of it.
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Psalm 37:1-11 NIV
Question #5:
Doc, I can't in good conscience not refuse to buy from certain companies, specifically the ones like Disney who push such abominable things on children. I understand if your conscience says it's OK to buy from anyone (Paul addressed this issue with the example of meat offered to idols), since getting involved in political movement is always a mistake, but I can never feel comfortable giving money to people so willfully evil.
Response #5:
It's no sin to refuse to patronize certain people/businesses/companies. However, 1) you can't "go out of the world" (1Cor.5:10), meaning that you could never ever become "Simon-pure" on this score, especially since all products/companies/economies are inextricably interrelated now to a degree most of us don't ever realize; and 2) if such actions get a person all het up about politics, they do much more harm than good, robbing us of our spiritual peace. All of the "this" is going to be destroyed very soon. Better, in my humble opinion, to begin to dis-invest emotionally from it all. The Tribulation is coming soon, and once the darkness falls, it will be doubly difficult to deal with for all who have not previously prepared adequately.
Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. 
Jeremiah 13:16 NIV

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."
John 9:4 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Some people are actually suggesting this is the right solution, the only moral one at this point in fact. What should really be done? Doc, what do you think the best course of action is?

I actually foolishly posted this, convinced in my paranoia that it was the right thing to do:
"Children's innocence is being destroyed and their minds irreversibly corrupted at best and shattered at worst at the hands of groomers. If we don't take a stand, there's no telling how much worse it'll become. We as the stewards of this world need to fight back against the evils of this nation while it's still a democracy. Almost all media, schools, even other children are a threat to their precious innocence now that we're so far gone. If we let such a precious and deep part of them die, no matter what must be sacrificed, it truly will be something to grieve over for the rest of your days.

[omitted]

This is a war between good and evil at this point, and either you are on the side of good or evil. Which will you choose?"
Response #6:
It's not for me to tell other Christians what is and what is not their personal ministry. I do know two pertinent things: 1) these people need Jesus Christ, but coming to Him is something we believers can only help with if such a person is wanting that help (and that is between them and God); if we try to force the issue, we are likely to be trampled along with our pearls; 2) WE (i.e., YOU) need the truth first and foremost to grow so as to be able to minister when we do get the chance. 

Putting ministry before growth is always a mistake if that work detracts from said necessary growth. As I have done before, I counsel you to commit to a serious program of reading through (and re-reading through) all of the material available at this ministry. Once prepared, you'll have a much better idea about all of this.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
I was hoping you would tell me I was being extreme or something...I don't want to live in such paranoia and defensiveness every moment of every day, it's like politics in general, it makes me utterly miserable yet it's too convincing for me to get out of by myself.
Response #7:
There is a difference between recognizing evil on the one hand and determining to "do something about it" on the other. "Doing something about it" in a non-spiritual way involves getting involved in political action one way or another. As I say, I counsel believers against this as a general principle, but I don't weigh in on their specific decisions. We are all accountable to the Lord for what we do. Example: if someone asks me about getting involved in politics in general I tell them "being salt" for their nation through spiritual growth has infinitely more potential to "do something" positive than anything they might accomplish by fleshly means; but if someone tells me that they feel led by the Spirit to run for city counsel, I wish them the best – it's not something I personally would do, but they have to listen to the Spirit and follow their consciences; I may have my doubts about whether or not this is really what the Lord wants for them, but I don't pretend to know absolutely. These are personal applications. My job is to lay out the biblical principles, not live someone else' life for them.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
This may not mean anything, but just in case it does: when I first tried to see the new posting on Sunday, at first it would not work on my home chromebook. It does work last time I looked on Sunday. And it hasn't worked when I tried at the work comp yesterday or today (and it usually does), and it gave the reason that the source was the issue. It may just be my work blocking it now and I just have to do it at home. But just in case it is something I am letting you know.
Response #8:
Thanks! I appreciate the heads-up.

Ichthys is a verified secure site on a verified secure server. It took a lot of effort (and some money) to make this happen. So I'm not sure on what basis your work might be blocking the site. All servers have outages, but I wasn't aware of any on this end. I will also say that more people and employers nowadays are using VPNs, and I know from experience with the one I use that it sometimes blocks me from accessing certain sites in a very bizarre and inconsistent fashion, usually when I want to buy something – which defeats the whole purpose of the VPN if I have to "go public" when I'm submitting personal information. So I sometimes have to turn off the VPN when that happens. Just today I needed to access the application we use at U of L for our grade-book in prep for submitting grades for some of my classes, but I couldn't get in. Now "Blackboard" has had some outages lately so I assumed that was what was going on because on the same browser in different tabs I had other U of L applications running. But it turned out to be the VPN which was the problem . . . even though it didn't block me under the same circumstances last week. 

Recently, I've also had a lot of problems with email clients blocking Ichthys email. Hotmail is notorious for that, but also Outlook has blocked my emails temporarily a couple of weeks ago and is still doing so (trying to have that fixed).

So thanks for reporting this! *I always recommend readers to download the complete archive from the download page (at the link). Given the times of "cancellation" in which we live (not to mention what is soon to come), there's no way I can guarantee accessibility if the worst happens.

Good to know you are able to access the site at home again! Do let me know if you experience any problems like this in the future.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob,

This may seem to be a silly question but are insects part of the original creation or a result of the fall? Bees were in the lion's carcass that brought forth the honey but then swarms of locusts bring devastation as part of judgements. We can marvel at the beauty of butterflies and moths but we are repelled by the disgusting habits of flies. Indeed Satan himself is referred to as Beelzebub, which means lord of the flies.

I guess what I am driving at is should I be showing an interest in them? If insects are not a part of the original creation but a part of the fall then I shouldn't be taking an interest should I? I don't want to be legalistic about things but I suddenly had a moment to pause and think about this interest. It will take about three years to train [omitted] and that will take us up to the Tribulation start! 

Also having a 'conservation' mindset about wildlife may well pose a spiritual snare given the fact that a great deal of wildlife and natural habitats will be removed from us as part of the Tribulational judgements.
Response #9:
On insects, they are "marvelously and wondrously made", are they not? Also, I don't believe there is any indication of the evil one being allowed to create new species since the reconstruction of the earth. [n.b., my grandfather and one of my uncles were entomologists of note and some of their work is still in print]

In terms of conservation, I'm a firm believer that conservation is a good thing, a godly thing. What is evil is considering nature a god and enslaving mankind on its purported behalf (green religion). As a scout I was trained by my scoutmaster never ever to litter, and the scout pledge went something like, "Let no one ever say and say it to your shame, that things were better here before you came". In other words, enjoy God's bounty of nature but don't mess it up for everyone else. 

Elites today, however, I notice, are wont to preach about climate change while they fly around on jets, et al., to condemn others for having a hamburger while they eat filet mignon, to take away our good light bulbs and gas cars, stoves and air conditioning so the icecaps won't melt while they gobble up beach property on Martha's Vineyard, etc., . . .  Meanwhile, many if not most people who have adopted that religion have no qualms about dropping their trash right on the street et al. I am pro-conservationist; everything I have seen from "environmentalism" seems directed towards "crushing the face of the poor" (Is.3:15) for the sake of elite privilege and political control. 
As the subtext of your question suggests, all the ultimately puny efforts by these co-relgionists to control the climate, puny, that is, in respect to their effects on nature, not in their troublesome restrictions, will be washed away in the Tribulation. And "they" are likely to blame everything that happens then on us too.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob,

Always appreciate the emails - thank you. We can all encourage, learn from, inspire and pray for one another. All good stuff!

Very interesting about ChatGPT again - it does sound like end-times stuff. For now though, I read in the news today about students at Cardiff University confessing to writing essays with the help of ChatGPT's artificial intelligence program. They said they had received first class grades for essays written using the AI chatbot. One student who averages a 2.1 grade, submitted two 2,500 essays in January, one with the help of the chatbot and one without. For the essay he wrote with the help of AI he received a first - the highest mark he has ever had at university. In comparison, he received a low 2.1 on the essay he wrote without the software. The students said they do not use ChatGPT to write their essays, but to generate content they can tweak and adapt themselves. One of them said they think a big change is coming to universities when it comes to coursework because it's way too easy to cheat with the help of AI. The University said it took allegations of academic misconduct, including plagiarism, "extremely seriously". I read somewhere else over the weekend of someone who said they lecture at a university and ChatGPT is already causing havoc in their testing, students are basically cheating.

Just thought you'd find that interesting, Bob.

In Jesus
Response #10:
Interesting about Cardiff. I don't have these problems because, well, a student either knows how to parse a verb or not (can't go out in the hall and ask the AI whether a form is first or second aorist). But it does make you wonder what this will be like in a year or two. Hope you have good week ahead, my friend! In Jesus, Bob L. 
Question #11:
Hi Bob,

I've read quite a lot of interesting stuff about AI after what you shared with me. Interesting for us believers in the end times. But I'm sure others will write to you about it. I'll leave it to those more gifted than I am. 

Would love to know your thoughts on it though.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus
Response #11:
There are a lot of scary things about AI, but it may be a bit over-rated, at least so far. I gave a take-home quiz to my first year Latin students, multiple choice and not too hard. But there was one "poser" on it which only 4 of 24 got correct (and likely half of those four just guessed right). While we were discussing it in class, one of my students confessed, "I submitted this to ChatGPT and it couldn't figure out the right answer either". 

Getting to all this very late tonight so will sign off now – posting tomorrow!

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend (always try to find time for that).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,

Read this Before Saturday!!! Maybe you can post your response??

I'm not sure if you had a chance to watch this CNN Trump town hall on Tuesday, but I've been thinking about this a little bit and wanted to just put my thoughts into writing for you. 

If you didn't watch it, CNN basically laid up some foolish questions for Trump that gave hardcore Trumpies or conservatives a chance to rally around him slamming the media. He basically decided to ignore the questions and just talk about the controversial talking points so that the media would enrage themselves and ultimately give him more attention.

I think we can pretty clearly see that the media as an institution is falling right into Trump's hands. He is very smart and he knows exactly what he's doing. He knows that the media hate him but also want more money from the higher ratings, and he could very well milk it to reelection again. I mention it because we know that the antichrist will be skilled in intrigue and deception, and so perhaps this is a Satanic trap set up to fool a lot of people and cleverly get someone wicked into office again. I'm not saying Trump is the antichrist, but I think you see the parallels. Trump really might not care about the country even though he has this patina of concern about people and the Ukraine, or whatever.

This is a quote from the CEO of CNN the other day: “I absolutely, unequivocally believe America was served very well by what we did last night,” Mr. Licht added. “People woke up, and they know what the stakes are in this election in a way that they didn’t the day before. And if someone was going to ask tough questions and have that messy conversation, it damn well should be on CNN.”

What's interesting here is that I can't tell if this guy is being sincere or not. Either he knows that the media coverage will increase ratings but boost Trump and so he really doesn't care about the country, or he knows the media coverage will increase ratings and is still a giant fool, thinking he is actually doing a service to the US.

If the latter is true, I think what this demonstrates is that the media is currently placing money (greed) over actually caring about the country (patriotism), and this trap is only going to lead to more evil and more idolatry. People will put their faith in the government, the media, our President, and in the case of secular business, money to solve their problems.

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

I hope this sounds coherent. I obviously don't know what will happen or exactly what is going on behind the scenes, but I'd like to hear what you think. 

In the only One who can save us from our ignorance, our Lord Jesus Christ,
Response #12:
We're into the political season for sure. But at this point, honestly, it seems as if it never ends.

As I have often said, believers are well-advised to steer clear of politics, because politics is the devil's game. Indeed the devil invented politics. Before the creation of mankind, how, exactly, did the devil lead one third of the angels astray if not by politicking?
"In all your ways you were perfect from the day of your creation until unrighteousness was found in you. In your extensive conspiring, you were filled with wickedness, and you sinned. So I cast you from the mountain of God as one profaned, and I blotted out [your memory] from among the stones of fire, O covering cherub. Your heart became haughty because of your beauty, [and so] you destroyed your wisdom on account of your splendor. So I cast you to the earth, and I made a spectacle of you before kings. In the abundance of your iniquity, in the unrighteousness of your conspiring, you profaned the sacred places entrusted to you, so I made fire come out of your midst which devoured you, and I made you like the dust of the earth in the eyes of all who beheld you."
Ezekiel 28:15-18
The word translated "conspiring" above is from the Hebrew root rachal, and means, according to the BDB lexicon, "to go about, from one to another (for trade or gossip)". Satan hatched a plan to depose God and convinced others to follow him in his rebellion, to "vote for him" instead of God, so to speak (see the link in SR 1: Satan's Character, Sin and Fall). So the devil is a past master of politics and thus it is no wonder that we see the satanic hand in all of these machinations, left and right. Satan is not a democrat or a republican. He means to destroy us all. Politics is merely a means of getting human beings to dance to his tune. 
Now Cush became the father of Nimrod. It was [this Nimrod] who became the first "mighty-one" (i.e., famous and prominent individual) on the earth [after the flood]. In particular, he was mighty at hunting [men] in opposition to the Lord. For this reason we have the proverb "[To be] like Nimrod, mighty at hunting [men] in opposition to the Lord".
Genesis 10:8-9
Nimrod's name means "let us rebel" and the political movement he began, initiated and directed by the devil, would have destroyed the human race, eliminating all freedom and any opportunity to seek the Lord on the journey to that destruction (Gen.11:1-4; see the link: in SR 5: "Satan's postdiluvian attack on human freedom (the Tower of Babel)".
Now the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men were building. And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people and they all speak the same language. And since they have actually begun to accomplish this thing, in the future they will not be restrained from anything which they have contrived to do. Come, let us go down and confuse their language in that place so that no one will be able to understand his neighbor's speech". In doing so, the Lord scattered them from there over the face of the entire earth, and they stopped [cooperatively] building the city. For this reason, the city is called Babel, since there the Lord changed the universal language of the earth to babble, and from that place the Lord scattered [humanity] over the face of the whole earth.
Genesis 11:5-9
God's confusing of language was the genesis of nationalism, the separation of peoples so as to prevent any one-world government of the likes of Nimrod's which by its very nature would lend it self to complete satanic control of all humanity. But in the late innings of Laodicea, the world has gotten smaller and the barriers of basic law and order and nationalism are eroding very fast. With the Tribulation so close, it is no wonder that the devil has begun committing resources to this very end in order prepare the ground for the coup he is planning, to exalt his "son" to world rule. The more institutions that can be corrupted, the more peace and quite and normalcy that can be destroyed, the more likely people are to follow antichrist just as soon as the Spirit's restraint is removed when the Tribulation begins (see the link in CT 2B: The Restraining Ministry of the Holy Spirit).
(3) Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For [the 2nd Advent cannot come] unless the Apostasy [the great falling away of the faithful in the first half of the Tribulation] has already occurred, and the man of lawlessness [antichrist] has been revealed, that "son of destruction" (cf. Jn.17:12 of Judas), (4) the one who will oppose and exalt himself against every so-called god and object of worship to such a degree that he will take his seat in the temple of God and represent himself as being God. (5) Don’t you remember that I was telling you these things while I was still with you? (6) Even now you know what it is (i.e., the Spirit) that restrains [antichrist] so that he will be revealed [only] in his own time. (7) For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work – it is only the Restrainer [who keeps things in check, and will] until He moves out of the way. (8) And then the lawless one (i.e., antichrist) will be revealed, [that same one] whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and destroy when He appears at His [glorious] return – [that same lawless one] (9) whose appearance [will come about] through Satan's empowerment [and will be] accompanied by every [sort of] false miracle, both signs and portents, (10) and by every [sort of] unrighteous deception [designed] for those who are perishing, [namely those who will believe these lies] because they did not open themselves up to the love for the truth so as to be saved. (11) And for this [very] reason God is going to send upon them an empowerment of error so that they may believe the lie, (12) in order that they may be condemned, [even all those] who have not believed the truth but have [instead] approved of unrighteousness.
2nd Thessalonians 2:3-12
The forces of evil about to be unleashed once the Tribulation begins are unprecedented in human history. What seems impossible at present apart from a very long process of degeneration will accelerate in unimaginable ways once those seven years begin.
"And it shall be a time of distress such as has never occurred since people first existed on the earth until that time."
Daniel 12:1b

"For at that time there will be a great tribulation such as has never occurred from the beginning of the world until now, and [such as] will never again occur thereafter."
Matthew 24:21
We are only seeing the beginnings of the birth pangs at present. Believers do need to take heed of these things but so as to take warning and then adopt the proper response -- NOT to get involved and become part of the problem. What is the proper response? Of course, it is to redouble our individual efforts directed towards spiritual growth. To the extent that we allow ourselves to be distracted by events such as this one you mention (and the swirl of political upheaval surrounding it and which it foreshadows), to that extent we are only allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the devil. And if we become too emotionally involved, then we run the risk of becoming entrapped in his deadly game. So we need to take care not to "fret ourselves" overly, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2Cor.2:11).
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:7-9 NIV
God always works out everything for the good -- for those who have been called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). This is true even of the Tribulation and of all the disturbing events that are preceding it. We believers just need to remember why we are here -- and who it is we are serving.
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
2nd Timothy 2:4 NIV
In the Name of the Lord of Hosts whom we serve, Jesus Christ our Savior.

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm doing reasonably well, thank you. all things considered. I have been reasonably well insulated from the evil going on out there. The Lord has given me peace -- as long as I don't mingle with society too much. Probably more my problem than anything else. Going to the grocery has become a challenge.

I've mostly lost incentive to do much of anything. This spring, I let the property go, which I could never have done in the suburbs, and the flowers were magnificent. (Which also would never have happened in the burbs!) Where the dogs went out to relieve them selves has grown in excess of anywhere else. Nitrogen I suppose. It also produced a bumper crop of peppergrass which is an amazingly delightful herb/seasoning.

So while I may be withdrawing, I'm learning much about the way the Lord designed the world. It's awesome.

Evil seems to be taking over the world. Fortunately, for the time being, I can avoid most of it. Are you sure the Show won't start 'till 2026? It seems almost here today.

In our Lord,
Response #13:
If the grocery store is your biggest problem . . .

Of course we're all being challenged by the double or triple prices from a year ago we're seeing there no, no doubt.

In terms of the timing, the rationale for the 2026 interpretation you've no doubt heard before (see the link). There are two ways to look at this. First, "things are so bad, they can't possibly go on any longer!" Or, "things are bad alright, but I don't see how all of the events outlined in Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible could possible come to pass yet: conditions don't seem right." Re #1: In fact, things could get a lot worse before it all melts down (plenty of historical examples there). Re #2: In fact, without the Spirit's restraint once the Tribulation begins, we could see more change in six months than we are experiencing now in six decades, even at the phenomenal present rate of change.

It will happen when it happens. I am fairly certain of the date of our Lord's crucifixion, death on our behalf, and resurrection: 33 A.D. Add 2,000 years and your get 2033, which ought to be the year of His return: roughly 2K years for the Church Age which corresponds to the 2K for the Jewish Age and the 2K for the Age of the Gentiles, adding 1K for the Millennium yields the perfect 7K run of human history. This math is so simple even I can understand it. 

The biggest variables would be, variable #1, the date of the cross – but if 33 A.D. is not correct, it almost certainly occurred earlier, not later (when one closely examines the data and the alternative theories; I have spent a lot of time on this one), and that would not seem to work at this late date (here's the link to where this is all explained: in SR 5: "The Crucifixion of Christ". 

Variable #2 would be the seven years of the Jewish Age which have not yet taken place, namely, the Tribulation itself, Daniel's "70th week" (Dan.9:24-27). It make sense to me (for reasons explained at this link), for this seven years to be shared in common with the last seven years of the Church Age – the entire Body of Christ united on the divine calendar before our Lord's return. But if such is not the case, the Tribulation would be seven years further out. I don't believe that this is the case. . . for reason #1 above for one thing or as you say: can the world really take nearly ten more years of "all this" and then the Tribulation and have anyone survive? Of course I do also read this in scripture:
I will make [mankind] scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.
Isaiah 13:12 NIV

"For then there will be great distress, 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 24:21-22 NIV
We will find out. Maybe not as soon as we would prefer, but definitely soon enough.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,

Right now, the grocery is not my biggest problem, but it is my biggest annoyance. The toll of old age is most likely my biggest problem.

I can't argue with your analysis of the timing of the Tribulation. You've convinced me. The division of the ages is curious but even that makes a certain amount sense. Three is supposed to be the symbol of God aka perfection. Three ages of humankind. If so, what better proof than God's wisdom encoded in the ages.

I still don't think I'll be here for the show, which is fine with me. I notice Isaiah didn't specify how quickly we would be made rare as the gold of Ophir. (Where was Ophir, BTW?) It appears our herd is being thinned right now given the covid plandemic, the lockdowns, suicides, the death toll from the mRNA inoculations, (If not a bioweapon, it certainly works like one,) and the mysterious rise in crime and murder. Chicago, e.g., has a daily casualty rate greater than the daily rate during great Vietnam adventure. The combined urban casualty rate makes the Tet Offensive look tame by comparison. I can't help but note we've had our clock cleaned ever since.

I actually do think things could go on longer though I'm not sure I can. Most people seem to be oblivious to the degeneration that's been growing; they just accept. Now even the Navy is using drag queens for recruitment.

I'm sure you see all this, too, so I don't need to rhapsodize. It certainly looks to me like Satan and his minions are gaining control and the Spirit is loosening his restraint.

I hope you survived Derby Day intact.

In out Lord,
Response #14:
As to Ophir, Solomon and Hiram's men/ships sailed there from Ezion Geber (modern day Elath on the Red Sea), so it was somewhere to the south, either on the east coast of Africa, or south Arabia, or perhaps farther afield (India, Ceylon).

In spite of such culls, the population is increasing, especially through immigration. 

In terms of the increasing societal turmoil degeneration, the personal struggles we have – which all such things are worsening – are more present concerns. We do our best to follow the Lord closely, no matter what. This is all temporary.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV
"The toll of old age is most likely my biggest problem." I pray for you daily, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,

I know it's Saturday. Don't consider this until you have time.

I have always understood this verse and a similar one in Romans as speaking about supernatural powers and principalities -- even in the NIV which suggests civil government along with the supernatural. Wrestling with civil authorities and powers is inconsistent with what the Lord taught and both Paul and Daniel practiced.

How should I understand this verse?

I'm still trying to understand the insanity that is now dominating society.

I pray all is well with you and yours and U of L is behaving.

In our Lord,
Response #15:
You are correct about Ephesians 6:12 referring to our spiritual warfare, fighting in the Spirit against unseen forces not directly but by doing what the Lord wants us to do in growing, advancing and producing for Him (here's a link to where I discuss it at Ichthys: in BB 6A: "Spiritual Warfare").

Indeed, we Christians are responsible to the Lord to be law-abiding citizens . . . just as long as we are not being required to do anything wrong (or kept from doing the right things we must do). This is not really a serious issue today (though some want to make it so), but it certainly will be once the Tribulation begins. "Honoring the king" does NOT include taking the mark of the beast, e.g., or turning in / persecuting fellow Christians, etc.

"I'm still trying to understand the insanity that is now dominating society." Good luck with that! From the spiritual perspective, it does make a certain amount of logical sense for the devil to be fomenting as much disorder as possible. The left is always interested in violent change as a matter of principle; it usually takes a reaction to gross over-reach to produce the same from the right, but when that happens, the results can be quite ugly as history confirms. So the more society seesaws further in one direction then back the other way, the more likely it is to end up in the ditch (like a car swerving on the ice and trying to recover but only making the swings worse until there is no recovery possible). Antichrist will no doubt profit from the desire of both sides to have an end to conflict, and a return to peace and quiet, law and order, at any price. Little does the world know just how steep that price is going to be. There isn't even anything in history to provide a parallel.

Meanwhile, we believers who are truly red hot about the Lord and His truth stick to our knitting and double down on spiritual growth daily (it says here in fine print).

Hope you are doing well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hello Bob my friend, how are you?

I have just had a little holiday with my family but now am back again.

I just saw the King's coronation here. I know that the phrase 'Mon Dieu et Mon Droit' is a medieval fabrication (divine right of kings) so was wondering how to respond to the following..

1 Peter 2:17
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

What is meant here by honouring the king? I notice that men and kings are to be 'honoured' alike. Is the same word for honour here used for both men and kings? So what would that honour look like? People here bow down and even kneel to our monarchy but as times have changed they seem to leave this option open to people rather than expect it so it sometimes confuses me how to behave. It doesn't help that I was very anti-monarchy and anti-authority (left wing) before I became saved. So I want to do what is right in this as in all things. Does this reference to the king mean all kings everywhere? 

We still have to wait and see when it comes to the Tribulation and the Antichrist and whether he will be repurposing the old hierarchies or tearing them all down through rebellion and revolution (or starting with one and then following with the other.)

It is easy to get whipped up emotionally one way or the other isn't it with these things. I have to say that seeing the King and the Prime Minister talk of Jesus Christ and read from the Bible did make me quite emotional if only because I long for that day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord on the Day of the Lord.
But I am also aware of ...

Matt 15:8
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

I was trying to tell people Biblical truth about these things to both staunch republicans and royalists alike and with both I managed to be caught in the middle and snubbed like the skunk at a garden party as I failed to call for their destruction on one hand or their adulation and veneration on the other. It is a hard line to walk perfectly.

It is so important to be vigilant spiritually these days isn't it as there is so much deception around and division. So many calling for 'peace and safety' (and the unity that these would imply) but to what end?

As I am trying to engage in ministry online already (cutting my teeth so to speak) whilst I get my writings and studies online to a website, I am engaging with people on the Reddit QAnon casualties board. Qanon is a Trump based conspiracy cult that has sucked many lukewarm evangelicals in America into. Like any cult, it has ripped families apart and sent its' members into complete nervous breakdowns. All of this is happening right now as I right you this. It all matches up perfectly with the study I am doing on cults, especially a book on 'snapping - sudden personality change' where a mental breakdown is disguised as spiritual breakthrough. I see this as Satan's counterfeit to being born again with all the rotten fruit you would imagine from such a terrifying experience.

There are believers on Reddit who are struggling through this. One Christian man has said he has already lost his wife to this delusion and she has wandered away from the faith. He is facing divorce now. Bob, I can't tell you how much this is spreading and the devastation that it leaves in its wake..

The believers on Reddit are all mixed in with unbelievers. I try to recommend your ministry when I can and give them the truth whenever they can bear to hear it. I do get blowback though from unbelievers. This is what I need prayer for Bob, I still take it very personally and I do get very angry and this is not a good witness. 

[omitted]

What I have noticed in all these things that sometimes it brings the Bible thumper out in me, I find myself at times slipping into firebrand mode and sound very similar to those legalistic Preachers and I find myself being shocked when I do. When this happens I feel as though I am losing control and I am not following the Holy Spirit. I feel very angry when I am like this. This has happened a lot to me throughout my walk.

Please pray that I can walk properly with the Lord and not give way to legalism and be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove, that I don't get rattled by this personally or triggered into anger whenever the true faith is being attacked. I realise that when I go into Bible thumping mode, the person in front of me recoils in horror and then I worry I am undoing the witness I have already shown them. It is something I struggle with and seek to overcome.

Thanks Bob for your prayers, you are always in mine.

In Jesus,
Response #16:
Hope you had a lovely holiday!

The evil one knows how to "bait us", and so most of us need to be aware of that when we are getting riled up and not mistake out of control anger for "righteous indignation". They are similar in cases such as you mention, but the difference lies in whether we are following the Spirit in doing something He wants us to do or instead are merely reacting to the devil's traps. 

You are right about many putative Christians getting loud and angry when it isn't appropriate and sending just the wrong message for the Lord (but confirming for unbelievers the lies the devil has told them). Moses was angry in humility on several occasions recorded in scripture. But he also allowed himself to get angry for his own sake not following the Spirit when he struck the Rock instead of speaking to it as he was directed – and that cost him entering into the land of promise (at that time). This anger problem is a difficult one and that is why there is so much in scripture about it (more to be posted in the months ahead):

Anger I

Anger II

Anger III

Anger IV

"Honoring the king" has to do with respecting the authority of whatever government God has established. We don't have to like it; we don't have to actively support it or fawn over it; we do have to obey the law, pay taxes, fulfill mandatory civic obligations. I think seeing how the apostles dealt with issues involving their interaction with government is a good model. They had to deal with oppressive government but were good citizens as they did so and in the Spirit counseled others to do likewise (cf. Matt.17:24-27). If any of these governments becomes overly onerous, it is not against God to seek to change one's residency (e.g., moving from New York to Texas). I know of certain of my Scots ancestors who came over here for that very reason. They felt it not in accord with their Christian consciences to be compelled to "vote for their Laird" in secular elections . . . but then their descendants were running for local office over here after a generation or two. Here's a link on this question. And see also in BB 6A: "Great Matters".

Of course there are some things we cannot and should not do as Christians, and we have a right to refuse and resist if we are ever being told to do something we should not (like take the mark of the beast) or to stop doing what we should be doing (praying, worshiping the Lord and sharing the truth). This has been rare in human history so far (Daniel and the apostles come to mind), but during the Tribulation it will be commonplace. So we have to be ready to face the consequences. In my interpretation of scripture, one third of believers will be martyred, one third will turn traitor, and only one third will make it through to the resurrection (see the link).

Re: "So many calling for 'peace and safety' (and the unity that these would imply) but to what end?" An excellent point. Of course one reason that Satan is roiling the waters in all of the democracies at present is precisely to further the desire for a strong man to "fix it all". On the telly today after another mass shooting, "Americans all over the country are asking what it will take to fix this." That's news, mind you, not commentary. And I am thinking to myself, "Well, they have no such mass shootings in North Korea."

You are right to realize that both extremes are getting farther and farther from the truth. But political proclivity is more like a circle than a line. When they get far enough around the bend on each side they will end up meeting up a single point on the far side of the circle and we will have absolute totalitarianism when all finally agree – with the ultimate manifestation of that anti-God secular religion in the person of antichrist.

So we do need to learn to "keep calm and carry on", not casting our pearls before swine and not being too afraid to speak the truth when the time is right, trusting the Spirit to guide us and give us the right words, trusting the Lord to see us through whatever it is we will face.

Think of all this as "light and momentary affliction" (2Cor.4:17) . . . especially in comparison to what is soon to befall the earth once the Tribulation begins and the Spirit's restraining ministry comes to an end (link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,

I think I've resolved my questions with this passage. What brought me up short was Jeremiah 25:12. Assuming the US is the end times Babylon which seems to be increasingly convincing, and that Babylon would be destroyed after the captivity, it made me wonder who we've been used to punish. It appears, it's most other countries since WWII.

It also appears we are destroying ourselves from within much like Rome, Britain er.al., though much more quickly than either, That suggests to me the end times are quickening.

I may be all wet, but things today seem to be deteriorating at an alarming rate and from what I read in scripture, it never turned out well. The prophets seem to be describing us in alarming detail.

I'm sorry to belabor you with this. I have much more to brood on and learn.

I pray all is well with you and yours up there in L-ville.

In our Lord Jesus,
Response #17:
Indeed. Mystery Babylon, just like historical Babylon, will be destroyed, but this will happen during the Tribulation, its last six months or so, at the hands of the beast's ten lieutenants (Rev.17:16-18; 18:1-24).

I have affirmed that I believe (by way of interpretation) that the USA will be (is not yet) Mystery Babylon during the Tribulation. The closer we get, that seems to me to be more and more of a lock. Of course, if the Tribulation turns out to 1,000 years hence, well, a whole lot could happen between then and now.

As to the state of affairs in this country, I think many secular observers would agree that certain destructive trends have reached such a fever pitch that it doesn't seem likely that things could possibly go on like this much longer without some sort of serious meltdown. From the standpoint of biblical eschatology, that would make a certain amount of sense. Mystery Babylon is antichrist's "launching pad" (see the link), but he comes to power in a unique way which would no doubt be impossible under normal conditions.
(21) And there will arise in his place a [man of] contempt upon whom they will not bestow the honor of the kingship (i.e., he will not come to power in a legal, conventional way). Rather, he will come [to power] through seductive [methods], and will take control of his kingdom (i.e., mystery Babylon) by means of duplicity. (22) Now it is from him that the flood waters (i.e., armies: Dan.9:26; 11:40; cf. Is.8:7-8; 28:15-22; Nah.1:8; Rev.12:15) will pour forth and be shattered (i.e., at Armageddon), for he is even "the prince of the covenant" (i.e., the author of the pseudo-Messianic peace treaty with Israel: Dan.9:27). (23) After men have leagued themselves to him, he will set his conspiracy in motion and will grow [in power] and become [very] strong, even though his faction is small.
Daniel 11:21-23
Meanwhile, we who have entrusted our deposit to Jesus Christ, caring more for our eternal treasure than for anything in this temporary world, endeavor to keep fighting the best fight we can fight day by day. That approach is a winner regardless of how things work out and regardless of when the Tribulation begins and the Lord returns thereafter.
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”
Luke 12:40-44 NIV
While it is difficult not to be upset at events, we believers are all professional soldiers, so to speak, in the elite force of our Lord Jesus Christ, namely, His ekklesia, His Church. As such, it behooves us to take all these things in our stride, in a professional manner, remembering that we have no lasting stock in what goes on down here. We are not "of this world"; we are mere only in this world temporarily . . . representing our Lord and Master (Jn.17:14-16).

Just got through a very difficult and long week here, but the Lord worked it all out for good. So thanks for those prayers! 

In Him,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

I spent a lot of time brooding on your response. What sent me off into the weeds was your reference to "professional soldiers" Though I now understand what you mean -- and it's appropriate. But it brought back memories of the great Vietnam adventure and drug campaign. The Lord, now, is the only one to whom I owe fealty.

I don't know how this fits in your paradigm, but at this point in my life, I'm done. I have no dogs left in the hunt. I don't really care what people do and I don't really care what our corrupt government does. I haven't seen any integrity in any of it.

When the Lord calls, I'm ready. Stay well. I pray for your family's safety and well being.

In our Lord,
Response #18:
I hate to tell you this, my friend, but that is EXACTLY the perspective we are all going to need to adopt to weather the Tribulation – except of course that we need to be caring for our brethren in Christ and doing whatever the Lord puts in our hands to do to help them once it all begins.

So don't pack your bags just yet.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend – and thanks for yours! The last lap here in Louisville has turned out to be grossly uphill for many reasons, but the Lord is giving me the extra oomph to push through to the tape.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles in L-ville. I suspect that will probably become common experience for those of us on the "other" side. I will add this to my daily prayers. The Lord gives us troubles we can bear and I suspect, as we go into the future, we will be required to bear more.

I am astonished at how little difference there is between today and the cultures the prophets railed against. The only difference I can see from times past is that it's now world-wide. I just pray His will be done as quickly as He sees fit.

I do have to add that, out here in the hinterlands, there are still decent people. I don't know what they believe underneath, but in casual encounters, they are more like those I grew up with rather than the miasma of Austin or other cities. I suspect it's the same in L-ville. Some of these folks we may reach before the end as the Lord directs us.

Stay well. Know that you and yours are in my prayers.

In our Lord,
Response #19:
I've had a good week so far and hope to get everything serious out of the way by Friday COB (then it's on to gardening, research . . . and trying to get back into better shape).

Yes, if anything, the modern world has seemingly invented a great many more troublesome iniquities that the ancient world never got around to thinking of – or couldn't effect because they lacked the technology.
The LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them."
Genesis 11:6 CSB
Tech is the new uni-language. People exult in it, but it has made "nothing impossible", and to a very great degree that has meant dangerous things and horrible things.

As to "I just pray His will be done as quickly as He sees fit", well, at time of writing, it's 3.5 plus 3.5 and 3.5 until the Lord returns (if the interpretation advanced at Ichthys is correct).

As to "decent people", that is no doubt true everywhere and in the cities as well. But being "decent" in itself is no defense against the pressures building up, not without reliance on God's truth. A great many "decent people" will follow antichrist believing he is the Christ . . . because they have no seed of faith, or at least not one that is rooted deep enough to be able to endure the scorching heat soon to come.

"Some of them . . . we may reach". We will endeavor to do our best. That is our part. We know the Lord will do His. So it all resides the lap of the individuals concerned. That is what God's plan of human history is all about.

Thanks for those prayers, my friend! Keeping them up on this end as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,

You raise good points. I've given up, though on getting in better shape. The mind is willing but the body doesn't cooperate.

Your cite of Genesis 11:6 rang my bell. Back in the '70s, when I saw what Knuth and all were doing with typesetting. I thought the computer would revolutionize graphic arts. Instead, it destroyed it. By the '90s the attitude over all skill areas became, "It's good enough." Largely because of Micro$oft Wurd. (I was threatened with a lawsuit for correcting an "artist's" mechanicals before production -- if you remember what those were.) She hyphenated the word awhile as "a-while." "High" tech enabled incompetents to destroy a 450 year old skill and tradition because they were too lazy to learn and too indulged to care. After 35 years in the business, Bob, I've not seen any benefit from the church of High Tech and still don't. I suppose one benefit was I got paid well for keeping the cruft running in spite of programmers.

I only know in general terms what the future holds. From what I can see now, I don't like the near term at all. I sometimes wonder if we are reliving Job's experience; the Lord has removed most of the restraints and Satan is having a field day.

I pray your coming week is better than the previous.

In our Lord,
Response #20:
I said I "try", which means I have a plan to get in shape. Let's wait and see how I do with it. As an old Marine buddy of mine said to me a while back, "Just remember: you're not 25 any more". This year that is proving to be too true (more so than last year even). So we'll see. It is important not to let our limitations stop us entirely; but it's also a mistake to completely ignore them. There's a proper balance. The problem is, the older I get, the less leeway there is between the one and the other!

In terms of graphic arts, AI is beginning to produce prize winning "photos" and other pictures/paintings which are, if not truly works of art, better than many pros can do – and a lot quicker and for free, essentially. Also saw recently that some AI produced a hit song ostensibly by some well-known artist and it not only passed for legit for a while but was going viral. We are in totally uncharted territory and I could never have imagined a more likely scenario for facilitating tribulational events.

As far as benefits, without the internet, I suppose I could have written these materials but I would have had no feasible means of distributing them gratis or of reaching a wide audience. So that has been a blessing for me. I also benefit in my secular research. What used to take me days in the library can now be accomplished online in minutes in terms of finding and accessing bibliography, manuscripts et al. But the price we're paying is clearly high . . . and no doubt much higher than at present most people with no historical perspective yet realize.

The restraints are still in. That is perhaps the scariest part. The Holy Spirit will not remove His restraining ministry until the Tribulation actually begins (2Thes.2:6-8; see the link).

Getting through on this end. Thanks for the concern – and for the prayers!

Take care of yourself as well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob.

I know what you mean, My mind says 25, But my body says. "!@#&." I've effectively surrendered. There comes a time, I believe, when one has to accept the inevitable.

I think you've seen the danger of this AI nonsense. It can make anything seem real and we're now so conditioned to believing what's published that I believe we'll fall for anything. AI should have been confined to Washington. Even though I still believe "high tech" is inherently evil, or at least it's mostly used for evil, I still use email (the original killer app that goes back to the '70s and UUCP) and I still rely on the web to read your weekly posts. Technology is exactly like firearms; it can be used for good or ill and it seems to be used more for ill as there are now more mass shootings than ever. To me, that says more about people than the weapon.

I think there are only two conclusions to make about the Spirit's restraint. Either the restraints are easing for our punishment or the spiritual battle has grossly intensified. Both may be true.

On an unrelated note, in regard to your recent post on marriage. My swallows have returned again. Swallows mate for life and their children typically follow their parents. This is the first year I didn't take down their nest from the previous year. I don't think they expected that, They have been remodeling and fixing up the old place and getting ready for their new family this May and early June. She is decorating the nest and he is zipping around protecting her and occasionally inspecting and helping out with the remodeling. I don't think there's any great insight here, but I do think it points the Lord's intended design and points to how things will be when all things are restored.

I pray things go well for you and yours.

In our Lord,
Response #21:
Fascinating about the sparrows. We can learn a lot from God's creation, big picture and little picture. Two cardinal families are fighting it out in the yard here over territory. They seem to love nesting in the giant thujas.

"To me, that [i.e., more mass shooting than ever] says more about people than the weapon." Amen to that. Societal degeneration is proceeding at an ever more rapid clip, analogous to dam leak, then crack, then . . .

It is no surprise that the evil one is ramping things up in preparation for what is soon to come. Like the NVA with the US on the cusp of leaving, or the Taliban for that matter. But I assure you that it will get worse just as soon as the Holy Spirit ends His ministry of restraint. The world has never seen that before. And one of the main repercussions of that massive change will be the revelation of antichrist – which the Spirit is currently preventing (2Thes.2:5-8). 

Meanwhile, the "salt" of believers who love the Lord and who are advancing spiritually is what is keeping things from going completely haywire (link). But the sad and bad news is that there isn't much salt left . . . and much of what there is, is losing its savor. So stay salty, my friend! That is the best thing any of us can do for those we love.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/