http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CXXXI

Question #1:
Dear Teacher,

That is really troubling, but I have also been rejoicing and thanking our Lord for His deliverance. He is the One that rained food down from the sky for more than a million people in the desert and also brought fresh water out of a rock in the same desert for that multitude too, so the impossible is nothing to Him. I have watched from a distance the contraction of the kind of education that you provide in the humanities. It is insane that such things are getting lost. It reminds me of part of a show I saw some years back (don't even remember the show) where the British tribes were rediscovering the artifacts of the Roman Empire and realising what they had lost in terms of culture and technology. For me, it just seems obvious that when you forget where you've been, you repeat the mistakes you made before. And when people are determined to repeat those mistakes (perhaps because they don't believe that they were mistakes or because they don't believe that they have been down that road before), they try to expunge their past.

Here in Nigeria, the history of the country including the Civil War was removed from the curriculum not long after I got out of secondary school early in the 2000s. Now, we are having 30-year-olds who doubt that we were ever in a civil war. Not to mention that no one teaches you how to think about anything anymore.

I know that the Lord will sustain you no matter what. I will not cease to pray that He will protect your job.

___'s dad is fine now. It turned out to be a minor procedure. They are due back home by the weekend, I believe. Thank you very much for your prayers, Sir.

Your student in Jesus,
Response #1:
Thanks for those prayers, my friend! 

The new day dawned today to no new catastrophe . . . and it seems the classes are NOT going to be cancelled after all. God is good!

I appreciate your encouraging words and your good insights, my friend! Glad to hear that ___'s dad is OK too. Praying for their safe return.

I will admit that I am very grateful that tomorrow is Friday . . . finally!

Wishing you two all the best as well . . . and keeping you in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
This is the article I was trying to send

https://resobscura.substack.com/p/there-should-be-more-cash-prizes
Response #2:
Thanks. Yes, history is useful. 
It will be enough for me for those to judge my work useful who wish to investigate the unobscured reality behind events, both what occurred in the past, and what, given the human condition, is likely to occur again in the future in a similar or comparable way.
Thucydides History 1.22.4 [trans. Luginbill (emphasis added)]
The "human condition" is expressed otherwise by T' as "as long as human nature remains the same".  History "repeats" because people don't change.  And, as we believers know, the evil one has been up to the same tricks since the beginning.  So there's "nothing new under the sun" (Eccl.1:9), but the Tribulation will be so extreme it will no doubt seem that way.
Question #3:
Thanks Bob for your reply,

If this organisation does not pose a problem for you, then I accept that, I was personally concerned it is or would become a snare.

Of course I have weighed this matter up against the weight of good fruit from your ministry, your tireless fellowship with me and your unswerving love for the Lord as evidenced by all of the above. I truly do know this as I have told you many times before.

I tried my best to not be antagonistic writing to you of these things and that it didn't come off as a personal slight or anything, it was my concern about a connection that was hazy to me that I thought would become a snare.

I have to add from my side that you have known me for quite a while now too. I am very zealous for the Lord but I also have a talent for going into things feet first and regretting it later. It really was not the case this time.

I assure you that I agonised over this before writing to you. I came very close to not writing it at all. Please understand that I took a great personal risk doing this. It would have been far easier and expedient for me to say nothing. I knew that writing on these things could have cost me my fellowship with you, the only human Christian fellowship I have. I was willing to lose what was dear to me in the hope that I was helping you out of what I saw as a dangerous snare.
In the light of this, I hope you realise the sacrifice I was willing to make. There may not be many friends out there that are willing to put their friendship on the line so as to help the friend they thought was in danger by telling them things they may not rather want to hear.

In Jesus,
Response #3:
I respect your position and I do understand that this was difficult for you. No doubt the evil one was using it to throw a monkey-wrench into the mechanics of our godly friendship.

There are imperfections abounding in the devil's world. It's impossible, for example, to have nothing to do with people and organizations which are satanic . . . even by just buying a loaf of bread. At present, however, we can get along pretty much OK without serious compromise. In the future, once the mark of the beast is necessary to engage in everyday commerce, as you rightly point out, that will likely not be the case – except that we can be sure that the Lord will see us through if we trust Him. We all have to accept that with all the evil in this life and in this world, in order to stay faithful to the Lord during the Tribulation, we believers are going to need to be ready to give up everything, even our lives. So developing that attitude here and now is good to do. That does not mean being hyper-scrupulous or living on bread and water. Not at all. It does mean looking at everything down here as temporary and essentially unimportant if it is not directly related to the Lord, His Church, and living our lives for Him.

Giving up the honor society would mean little to me. Giving it up now I see as unnecessary on the one hand (for reasons explained) and a great slight to my students on the other. Giving up my job during the Tribulation would be difficult . . . because I like having my family be able to eat. But God will provide no matter what. That is the truth, and we all have to be ready to act on it.

I'm very glad to know that our friendship stands firm in Jesus Christ!

In Him,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,

It's been awhile since our last exchange, so I wanted to say hello, and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and also pray you are doing well on all fronts. We are staying up with the email postings as well as rehearsing and getting more proficient with your studies...thanks a lot for these!

These studies are essential, and the truth we learn will need to be incorporated into our walk, to get to the finish line in good shape. This is your job to keep us safe, and it is good knowing you have our backs, helping us to steer clear of any "landmines" that might eliminate us from "the race". Much thanksgiving for your efforts to help us grow, Bob!

I know we will need to stir up our remembrance (2 Peter 3:1), if we are still living here on terra firma in a few short years...a firm foundation of the truth will be necessary to withstand the extremely bad windy/rainy weather that is forecasted to be coming our way soon. It won't be the huff and puff three little pigs bedtime story for kids, will it? Matt. 24:21 makes it clear what is in store for anyone living in 6 1/2 yrs. from today.

It is obviously apparent to the most casual observer. In the evil cosmos arena, lying seems to be the "name of the game", springing up in all quarters (except in the One Word arena, where we stay fighting on for the Truth)...but we know how those with "itchy ears" love to hear and digest all the foolish lies of the politicians as well as "religious wolves" (religious scientists as well as fake "christians"), to gain what will be wonderfully destroyed by our Lord at His Coming in 10yr. "They shall proceed no further"...and we shall be delivered from "what persecutions I endured" (2 Tim. 3:9-11). Thinking they are OK...isn't OK...not realizing they are being carried away from the truth by all those escape artist "gamers", who feel they can control their own world...reality is not going to sit well with them "down" the trail...a very bad destination, for sure. False teaching and false beliefs are another hallmark leading up to the stormy weather fast approaching...breaking everything down...but better days will come to us after the storm..."our blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).

2 Peter 3:1-18 (Peter #41 link) is a good rehash to "talk it over" and put things into the reality perspective, to be on guard...and stay with more spiritual growth in the truth, through His grace and knowledge, to stay in our secure position ( the main thrust of your Ichthys ministry).

For the lukewarm Christians, who think they have no need to recalibrate how they are walking with Jesus...they don't seem to know how "wretched" they truly are. There is no time, now or when the storm comes, to be like those "drifters" that Jesus was admonishing and counseling to buy from Him in Rev. Ch. 3:14-22. Those in our circle seem to be ignoring the inevitable, even though I did try to "tip them off", in a subtle way (also referring them to your ministry). They seem to still have that "bucket list", to accomplish and achieve before their life is over...that bad weather report doesn't make them budge from wanting to look at the inevitable...a "crash course" will be needed for them to endure...otherwise...

Endurance, with our faith intact, is the only way to make it into the Kingdom Come (Matt. 24:13). Time to stay hot and not be caught off guard. Thanks again for being faithful to the work of edifying His Church, through the reinforcement of the Word.

Hopefully we will all be up for some eternal rewards for not wavering in any trial or trouble coming our way, and continue doing what our Lord would have us do, with His strength to see us through...along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, helping us make the right choices through all the truth we have come to believe, stored in our hearts. This is the victory that overcomes the world...persevering faith. We are eagerly waiting for our ultimate deliverance, fighting the good fight of faith every day till that Day.

Presently, on the homefront, we're hanging in there, although we seem to be having some trouble getting out of the woods, healthwise, as well as unwanted spiritual attacks from the evil one, trying to knock us off course. Of course, we're onto these schemes, and we're keeping the "armor of God" on at all times to withstand (Eph. 6:10-18).

[omitted: please pray for our brother and his wife, for their health and recovery]. I hope it will work this time ...the pain is quite bothersome, even with all the meds...oh, well, there's always something...but His grace is sufficient in all our "somethings". We know He's working it all out (Rom. 8:28)...consolation in our suffering...this does make me feel better.

Hope things are going well and all matters are working out for you, Bob. Praying, every day, that our Lord will provide everything you need. We appreciate your continuing prayers and care for us...thank you. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Your friend in Jesus, 
Response #4:
Great to hear from you, my friend! You have been on my mind and I was planning to write if I didn't hear from you soon.

Thanks as always for your trenchant analysis of the present status quo. If things had worked out differently, you might have ended up teaching the Word yourself (I'm guessing that this is one of those "supply and demand" things). Events do seem to be progressing from bad to worse so fast that even those with doubts about the probable time-line would be well-advised to act as if an even earlier date for the Tribulation were possible.

I very much appreciate your good words. This has been a very difficult year here for many reasons, but the storm has mostly passed and I'm looking forward to some smoother sailing ahead. I hope and pray that will be the case for you too. I'm praying for your health and will add these new concerns (just updated the Ichthys list).

Thanks so much for your prayers, my friend! I know the Lord has heard them.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. In spite of everything and through everything, the Lord is good and we have so very much to be thankful for.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hello Bob again,

I am sorry to bombard you with so many emails but I really need the ministering right now and the fellowship. Sometimes it can feel like I'm going mad given the current society we live in.

Well I had a pretty upsetting phone call that upset me all day and I'm afraid I have been ruminating on it. One of my distant relatives (who we hardly ever see) has "come out" and went to a family party with her girlfriend. Apparently this relative was very nervous which __ couldn't understand as she said "all the family were very affirming". I mentioned that maybe it was her own conscience that was convicting her that it was wrong and immediately __ said "don't go there!" She told me that she thought that they are no different than anyone else. I told her I agreed. She then said "as long as she is happy, then that is all that matters". On this point I said I couldn't agree. I then told her again the biblical view on the matter and then it all turned sour.

She talked about not casting the first stone and Jesus eating with sinners but I did tell her that Jesus said "Go and sin no more". I felt such sourness towards me that I suddenly felt a doubt and thought maybe I am wrong on this. I sometimes find on these matters that I either come across legalistic and harsh or too apologetic and accommodating. I never seem to strike the right note.
Of course I always witness that salvation is for all who avail themselves of it but also that we cannot say that sin is not sinful.

It has distressed me also as __ used to be very conservative on sexual matters. It was shocking to see such a change. It occurred to me that views on morality now seem to change with the wind to the point that they seem unable to distinguish right from wrong anymore. It seems that they are wholly reliant on either the media or the current laws to know what to think. The problem is that many laws are quickly being eroded at warp speed here. 

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It made me realise there is no wisdom without God. No wisdom and no moral law. When God removes these outward signposts in our society then people no longer know as their own hearts are not a good judge. Their hearts lie to them so they find themselves not knowing anything. This is really shocking to witness in those of that generation in that they often find themselves looking to me for their education. Then again they do not often like what is being taught.

Once the Holy Spirit restraint is removed then we will see all humanistic notions of moral creatures without God fly fast out of the window. It is just so hard to see this up close for myself that I was actually grieving it today.

In Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever,
Response #5:
I'm sorry about this. We do have to keep in mind that people are making their own decisions. The fact that the current breakneck pace of degeneration is giving cover and even encouragement to all manner of unacceptable actions and behavior. Over here pre-teens are being allowed even encouraged to have themselves surgically altered because they've been convinced that changing genders (as if such a thing were actually possible: Gen.1:23) is the solution to their problems. I understand the temptation to act and the feelings of guilt and impotence for not acting, but this is really not our fight. Our fight is over the truth for those who are interested in it. If we convince one person involved in any manner of the insane behaviors, movements, groups which are coming to dominate things today of the error of their ways – but they don't come to Christ – then where is the profit in that? All we have done is to risk "making ourselves a prey" (Is.59:15) to no effect.

Our job is to become the saltiest salt we can be through spiritual growth, so that all around us from family to nation will be blessed by association with us. Our job is to grow up and progress in our walk with Christ and serve His body through the ministries He leads us to for that is how He is glorified. Our job is to be ready to witness to the truth when and where He wants us to do so – and avoid getting caught up in crusades.

So you did it all right, even though you are understandably upset. One more thing: never forget or dismiss the power of prayer. I will say a prayer for your relative.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., Like, "forgive them for they know not what they do", "throw the first stone" is also not in the Bible (see the link). I'm sure it's no accident that these two most favorite passages for unbelievers and marginal believers to quote have been wrongly added to many Bibles.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,

I know it is posting day today so no rush getting back to me on this.

I would be glad of your advice. I decided to go back on Facebook again after an absence of about ten years. The reason I went on there is that I have amassed a lot of contacts on there from the past so I thought I would use it again but for sharing my work as I am determined to get my own business up and running.

The problem is that a lot of the things on there and a lot of the connections I made on there were before I was saved. I am suddenly wondering if I made a mistake?

I didn't pray on this and jumped in feet first so now I wonder. I have already in my first day been exposed to blasphemy, foul language and anti-Semitic sentiment! Usually I am able to avoid such things due to my careful control of what I watch. Being back on Facebook feels like a real culture shock! 

I am also nervous being on there because I have been bullied there in the past and found hard to shake off 'friends' who weren't good for me. I have to be honest though, so far, that I have been pleasantly surprised how welcoming and kind people have already been and said they have missed hearing from me, so that is very nice to hear.

In Jesus,
Response #6:
Social media is potentially problematic . . . like lots of other tech, but possibly more so because of content. I use FB about twice a year to post announcements for our honor society (so also, as part of the job). I have occasionally used it to catch up with old friends, but I have found it a very dangerous place, for lots of reasons, and not just for the ones you mention. It's very easy to get sucked into this false forum of pseudo-friendships. If people didn't have sin natures, it would be a fine idea. But because they do, it seems to me that this sort of platform allows interactions without the normal and natural restraints that obtain when we are talking to people face to face and only see and hear what they tell us and share with us personally, things we are better able to evaluate on account of that real human contact. 

I would think that any Christian getting on any social media would need to have prudence and wisdom . . . and restraint, in order not to abuse this venue or to be abused by it. Some people can have a great big jar of jelly beans in their house and only eat a few once in a while. For others – like myself – it wouldn't last the weekend! So there's no big jar of jelly beans in my house for just that reason. Most of the time. Same sort of thing applies with social media, I would think. Less is more, and especially for anyone who finds it particularly problematic to deal with. Like many things in our modern world, it's no sin per se – but it can certainly lead in that direction. In my view it's no problem . . . unless and until it becomes "a problem".

So if you're making good contacts, that's fantastic! I would strive to shut out and shut off and block any and all who are at all abusive, or who otherwise prove to be "issues", however.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Dr L,

[omitted: question about asking AI for relationship advice] I guess I am asking, is it ok for me to do this?

I asked AI if it knew Ancient Greek, and to write me a sentence and oh my goodness it does! Also I appreciate how it streamlines research, though we have to be careful there. I mean I can ask it something and it looks like it tells me in one place what I would have previously spent a lot of time looking into at different sources. And it organizes it, which took extra time.
Response #7:
That's not a surprise. If I didn't know Greek, but had Google access to the Loeb Classical Library, I could just search for phrases in English and plug in the Greek. No great leap of intellect. And this is what AI does. It basically thinks in English. I know this because of some exercises I've done with my classes. The mistakes it made in generating Latin are mistakes that only an English speaker who was not realizing that the Latin was not precisely equivalent would make. And, by the by, when mistakes are checked against Google, "Google Translate" tends to make the same mistakes in back-translating (so they are function along the same English-dominant lines). So computer assisted tools such as AI are getting better. It's not a mystery, just a case of a tool with quicker access to information. But it's still a case of "garbage in, garbage out".

As to "I guess I am asking, is it ok for me to do this?", if you're asking advice about getting advice, you are an adult and spiritually mature. As a believer who has grown spiritually, your take on what is good and right to do is superior to any secular person you might ask. It's not a bad idea to get advice about things we are personally not experienced in. For example, if buying a house for the first time, asking a lot of people "in the know" would be a great idea. If we're talking about relationships, I'm not sure anyone really understands those things (though plenty claim to be "experts"); in that case, the biblical advice is the best (of course).
There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.
Proverbs 30:18-19 NIV
In Jesus,

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

I’ve been “monitoring” the talk about AI. Recently there was a post on how AI will at some point, come to “control” content on the internet as the result of bad seed humans “control” of AI. The AI would eventually “brainwash” people via the internet into “believing” what is pumped out to them by AI which will control all our data and “feed” us “what we want to see/hear” and punish “misinformation” i.e., truth.

There are many examples on the internet of robots that appear to be somewhat independent. I was thinking about your idea and Satan's attempts to wipe man out and I was thinking that maybe before or during the tribulation that it might be possible for bad angels to inhabit and control the AI robots and the data they collect. 

They would not directly inhabit or procreate with people but could certainly have a “body” such as it is, to terminate and control humans down to the nth degree and get rid of Christians or believers or Jews or anyone. AI, it seems to me, would not really have a soul or the moral conscious or that part could be disabled. Ai would be physically stronger than humans and smarter too and without a “conscience” or a disabled one would be able to create great havoc for actual people. And controlling or eliminating humans is Satan’s objective and I think his horde would go for a body, such as it is.

Whether the human “handlers” would be aware of this is unknown but I think that it could turn into a big backlash against the human handlers.

Just what I thought about after seeing some information.

Thank you, 
Response #8:
Good to hear from you. I do read this in scripture:
The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
Revelation 13:15 NIV
It's a good point. I'm sure that the devil is and has always been infiltrating all manner of human devices since the beginning. Angels can manipulate physical material, so why wouldn't he and his do so? What believers need to keep in mind is that we are protected by the Lord regardless of how clever and diabolical the plans hatched against us. A single bullet has long been sufficient to slay a person, even when these were being shot via slings (bullet <bulla, Lat.). But many a believer in war or conflict has no doubt been protected from even well-aimed shots. After all, it's not just the evil one and his minions out there invisibly involved in what is going on. That is the main thing we believers need to keep in mind, especially when we feel we are outnumbered on this battlefield:
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2nd Kings 6:15-17 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Thanks Bob,

I have let the world and worldly thinking (and how the world sees me) dominate my thinking of late. I am trying now to adjust everything back to the position I was in before. As this is a war where there is both offense and defence, when we find ourselves completely off course and making a mess of defence and making no offence at all then we need to retreat to a previously held strong position.

I have to go back to the place where I was still being guided by the Holy Spirit and take off from there again. It has been a very humbling and sobering experience to be out in the middle of nowhere and covered by fire with no back-up but that was what I did. You know a lot more about actual military life than I do but I guess it is what you call a 'Rookie' move.

I know better than that now so I have to repent and confess for my bravado and stick to my knitting again. No surprising that it even led me into politics which most believers KNOW is all the devil's gambit.

Many thanks my friend!
(You can publish this one as it may help others who are looking to embark on ministry)

In Jesus,
Response #9:
One thing I can tell you is that we never move forward if we're looking backward. Since the Lord has forgiven you anything and everything that was actually wrong when you confessed it, my suggestion is to cut yourself a break – or at least turn a blind eye to all this – and get on with the job of "getting on". If you do, you will feel better about it all pretty quickly. But if you don't you'll keep feeling bad until you do. Please don't bog yourself down.

On the silver lining side, you have learned a lot about what your ministry should be from viscerally finding out what it should not be. That is not nothing.

I've given you this quote more than once. It's good to read . . . and heed.
(7) But whatever I had gained [in my former godless life], compared to Christ I have come to consider these things as losses. (8) Indeed, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing importance of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of everything, and consider [everything I have lost] as garbage, compared to gaining Christ, (9) and being found in Him – not having a personal righteousness [developed] through [following] the [Mosaic] law – but having that righteousness [that comes] through faith in Christ, that righteousness [that comes] from God based on faith, (10) so that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings, being made like to Him in His death, (11) in the (confident) hope that I shall, one way or another (i.e., without death at the second advent or after death), attain to the resurrection from the dead. (12) [It is] not that I have already gotten [what I am striving for], nor that I have already completed [my course]. Rather, I am continuing to pursue [the prize] in hopes of fully acquiring it – [this prize for whose acquisition] I was myself acquired by Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I do not consider that I have already acquired it. This one thing only [do I keep in mind]. Forgetting what lies behind me [on the course] and straining towards the [course] ahead, (14) I continue to drive straight for the tape, towards the prize to which God has called us from the beginning [of our race] in Christ Jesus. (15) So as many as are [spiritually] mature, let us have this attitude (i.e., of focusing on our spiritual advance and reward and not getting hung up on what lies behind: vv.13-14), and if in any matter your attitude is off-center, God will reveal that to you (i.e., assuming you are mature and are advancing as you should). (16) But with respect to the progress you have made, keep on advancing in the same way!
Philippians 3:7-16
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Doc...I don't know why I keep doing this to myself...I just tried again to tell a family member my thoughts on a Biblical topic from what you teach, and it once again ended up spiraling into an argument over who's right. 

You know, there was a time I actually tried to end my life...several in fact. You've probably heard about this already. Honestly, even wanting, let alone attempting that was a supreme act of selfishness on my part. Think about it, I'm a true child of the One True God, and know I have so many duties for Him in this world...yet I tried to escape this world and literally skip straight to Heaven because I was suffering in the moment, and didn't want to suffer any more trials...Honestly, if I went through with that, I can think of few greater atrocities a believer can commit...and I'm endlessly grateful to God for bringing me out of that and giving me this lesson. I know now I have too much to live for to truly even want to end it, let alone have any good excuse to. Even if this entire world and everything in it truly forsake me, I would still have the Lord to live for. I still don't know how to serve Him without thinking He needs me somehow though. I know that would be an act of pride almost as great as my selfish act of trying to end it all for the reasons I said, but I don't know how to see it any other way. I need your help again Doc.
Response #10:
Obviously, God doesn't need us – but we do need Him . . . desperately so. He DOES love us though. And what could be better than that? He does have a plan for your life. So keep growing and in His good time He will lead you into the specific ministry He has for you to do – and responding to His plan is the way to earn the crowns of reward He has promised us (link).

I think most serious Christians tried, before they got serious and that spark was lit, to escape, one way or another. Because the world is dissatisfying in the extreme and that is one of the main things that turns us to Christ. 

The main thing now is to put Jesus first. I appreciate you wanting to share the truth, but 1) you'll do that much better after you've grown up to spiritual maturity, and 2) family and friends who "knew us when" are the hardest nuts to crack – because they always put us "back there" in their thinking and use that as an excuse to not to have to worry about what we say – even if we are "nailing it" in the Holy Spirit.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob,

Thanks for the update - all great news! Hope things are still going in the right direction for you starting back on Monday.

Yes, only two days for me next week and the week after. Then a little bit more overtime after that. I survived my four day week. They're long and busy days. Up at 6am and back home at about 6pm. I heard about some new NHS guidelines for us today. Usually before we take an x-ray for women we have to ask them if there's any chance they could be pregnant. There's a very small risk to the baby. Apparently, the guidelines state that we have to ask male patients now if there's any chance they could be pregnant too! My boss said he's refusing to do it. I could say, "What on earth is the world coming too?" - but I already know. And it's only going to get a LOT worse.

Thanks so much for your prayers too. I really do appreciate it.

Have a good weekend, Bob!

In Jesus
Response #11:
Glad you made it through!

Very busy week for me, but I'm ready to go for Monday in spite of it all. I did have one article come out this year and another is still under review . . . and I DID work on something, so I'm in good shape for the next review. It's only about 15-18% of what I get evaluated on so . . .

Re: pregnant men. I remember seeing a skit back when I was in college called "the pregnant man". It was supposed to be funny, but it was so ridiculous a concept that it fell flat. Fast-forward fifty years and you can get "cancelled" for laughing or for suggesting it's laughable – which is not so funny. Blessedly, "not many shopping days left until Christmas"! I'm very happy about that.

Ankle did well on a short jaunt today – so thanks for those prayers too!

Keeping them up on this end as well – to take care to get some rest this weekend, my friend (that's on the schedule here as well).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Things are very bad here my friend. We have riots up and down England but most of them are in the North. It reminds me of all those riots you had that seemed to be triggered about the George Floyd incident.

Here it is after a young man has killed three children and wounded many others. There was confusion about who he was and news was leaked that he was an illegal immigrant. We now know that wasn't true but the damage has already been done. The whole argument over immigration here has become very angry and toxic here just like it has in many other countries in Europe..there have been accusations of favouritism and being soft on crime and two tier policing. This is all happening in areas that have already been suffering due to ghettos that have not integrated in deprived areas. I have to say that this is largely a problem with tension around growing numbers of Muslim populations in neglected parts of the North of England.

When I moved back to the North after spending most of my life in London, I have been shocked and horrified at the deprivation and lack of investment the places I grew up around have suffered. Working class people have been continually kicked in the teeth in the North and when they complain that they can't take much more they are told they are racist just for being worried that endless immigration is already pushing the housing crisis, the health crisis, the job crisis, the education crisis and the cost of living crisis to breaking point. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when you tell struggling nationals that whatever they do they are basically white racist trash that they won't take it lying down forever.

Of course rioting and scapegoating vulnerable asylum seekers is truly vile and evil behaviour but the unrest was highly predictable given how bad things have been for such a long time in this part of the country. I have insight into these things as I have lived in the affluent South and now live in the deprived North. I know enough about history to know that the South got fat off the North during the Industrial Revolution and once they had their fill, they then asset stripped the place and left Northerners to rot. It has been really painful to come back to see what has happened to Wigan, Bolton and Manchester. Some areas it is as though you are going back in time. The cynicism of local governments has been heartbreaking to watch.

It is probably something that Americans can relate to historically. We have an affluent South that made money off the back off uneducated people in the North. They didn't need to import people from another country to use as slaves they had uneducated Northerners instead. It makes me angry and it does sting. No matter who people vote for we still get Hooray Henry's telling poor uneducated folk that they are trash and everyone hates them.

It is so like America how you have wealthy liberals living on the coast and telling everyone in the middle that you're all 'poor white racist trash'. Well here we have people in Westminster and the South saying anyone North of the Watford Gap is 'poor white racist trash'. This can't go on forever Bob. This will ignite civil war here. 

It is awful being continually told you are racist even when you are not. I have never seen racism where I grew up when I was young but it is starting to happen now. I hasten to add that the man who told ___ to 'go home' because he is Jewish wasn't white or English. He was from the Middle East. 

I need to stay away from all this class, race and north Vs south baiting. It will only put my blood pressure up. I could cry Bob, the only time I have really felt a sense of pride for being a Northern lass and that is because my identity is now under threat. I know that this is my flesh talking though right?

My real identity is in Christ and my real country of origin will soon be in the New Jerusalem! Amen!

It has never been a better time to be off social media! I am afraid my anger would get the better of me! People who I thought were my friends who are rich Southerners are basically saying that the North is full of Nazis. It pains me to hear the place where I was born being wrongly tarred with these hateful labels.

People have been accused of racism and islamophobia again and again even when it wasn't really a problem. The thing is this will become a problem now that people have been endlessly baited over it. I am sure you can relate. 

In Jesus,
Response #12:
There are some parallels, alright. 

As I tell people who want to talk about politics over here, "I am only an observer". Whatever happens this November and thereafter, won't be my fault. And from a doctrinal Christian point of view, that is doubly true. I.e., not only because I'm not supporting in any way either side, but also because I feel I am "doing my job" to try and be "salt" for my country . If the Lord blesses us, we are blessed, and no one, no candidate, no political party, no economic or foreign policy disaster, can prevent us being blessed (Deut.28:1-14). But if the Lord decides to act towards us in the opposite way – because we, collectively, have disrespected Him, it certainly won't matter who is in power or what their policies are (Deut.28:15-68). 

So while believers who hate evil are right to be concerned about people who want to be in power who promote evil, it is good to keep in mind that the "other side" is not exactly perfectly or godly either (whichever orientation we are talking about here either way). And if they make the mistake of going all in to support one side or another, they are not helping. They are only becoming "part of the problem". Worse, they are likely subverting their own peace and their own spiritual growth in so doing. 

God's plan cannot be stopped. Nothing is going to prevent New Jerusalem from descending, nor the new heavens and earth from being created, nor the last judgment from taking place, the destruction of these present heavens and earth at the end of history, nor the Millennium from having its full run, nor the great banquet of the Bridegroom and Bride from taking place, nor the judgment seat of Christ from occurring, nor the battle of Armageddon being won by our Lord (or our participation in it), nor the resurrection of the Church from happening, nor the Tribulation and all the events related thereunto taking place at exactly their prophesied time. Between now and then, we believers who are anticipating all these amazing and glorious events really ought to be using the small bit of this Laodicean era remaining to prepare ourselves, while honoring our Lord with our thoughts, words and deeds in the meantime. We are certainly NOT going to do either through political action.

It is a blessing NOT to have to fret oneself about any of this (Ps.37:1-40).

Keeping you and yours in my prayers for protection and all other things.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Thanks Bob,

Not long before I read your reply, I had already snapped myself out of such a personal and emotional reaction. The last time the news really got under my skin was over the trans debate last year when some man was saying men make better women than women do!

I guess it is the hot button topics that hit close to home that get my dander up but that is precisely what they are meant to do aren't they. There are lots of hot button topics that are continually being used to provoke and goad us. We as believers know the hallmarks of Satan well. He can only do though, what he is allowed to do with God's permission so I have to always remember that.

I am off social media now but I should also consider staying off all news too until I am spiritually stronger to feel inoculated to it all. Maybe this is to get me to do better and to learn and grow before the Tribulation. Better not to fail at all but better to fail and learn now than then when it will be difficult to bounce back due to the alarming alacrity of the Tribulation.

Again please forgive me my friend. I know I have had better moments than this.

In Jesus,
Response #13:
There's nothing to forgive, my friend! These sorts of things would rile up the dead. But we believers know that God is in control of all things, that there is a reason for everything, and that the only way to have any influence on events whatsoever is not by letting ourselves get upset but by committing to be "salt" through growth, progress and production. So we learn to hand difficult things over the Spirit and let Him lead and help us through.

I hope things calm down over there.

Keeping you and yours in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Thank you Bob for your encouragement.

I wanted to share this with you and your ministry as it has really encouraged me. We have to remember that it is Satan (not God) who wants to deceive us all so that we reject salvation but in the end we will all be held responsible.

It is never God's fault for our bad choices or the deception we fall into though people are tempted to think so at times. I am always encouraged by remembering how much this wonderful salvation has cost both the Father and the Son and how much they both (with the Holy Spirit included) want us to receive this perfect and precious gift. We all would do well to hold this close to our hearts always.

Be careful jogging on those roads!

In Jesus,
Response #14:
Good points!

In order to be deceived, people have to want to be deceived on some basic level. That is why old saws such as "there is a sucker born every minute" and "you can't cheat an honest man" have validity to them. Eve clearly wanted to be "like God/gods"; Adam clearly did think he was doing Eve a favor by joining her (after which, once he had a sin nature too, he had no problem "ratting her out"). We all have these tendencies. That is why the world of people is more dangerous than the physical world. So the Greeks taught their children, "Learn to swim, and remember not to trust anyone". Because if you are living in ancient Greece, sooner or later you'll end up in the water and boats in the ancient world were even more prone to sinking than is the case today. But even if you are adept at navigating the dangers of the physical world, people are really your biggest potential downfall – and all the more so since many if not most of them are dancing to the devil's music to one degree or another.

I do try to be careful since I don't bounce as well as I used to (not just age: there's more of me to bounce now than there used to be).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob and family,

Just a short note, I had been away at one of my son’s place for the past week, hence I missed last Saturday’s posting on Hebrews 6. What a wonderful expounding of that chapter! I really enjoyed it so much and it really did cut to the very basics of faith, that as you say, so many are sadly lacking the truth of in this age of Laodicea.

And I can understand that lack by what has been, and is now continually being ‘watered down’ in the church system that so many are blind to. Even sadder, so many have already died – and many more will, before coming to this knowledge, that salvation is free. If they only knew . . . all that’s required is just to come to Him while they are able, then continue in faith. Romans 11: 22, 23.

I know you briefly touched on Hebrews 8, 9 & 10 in this posting and I’m hoping you are going to do the same with these chapters as you have with chapter 6 – I am eagerly looking forward to them.

I often wonder, what will it take to awaken so many out of ‘sleep’ in the here and now and in the immediate coming days of Tribulation, that is now clearly on this side of the horizon and fast approaching!

As always dear Bob, my very best regards,
Response #15:
Thanks for the vote of encouragement, my friend! It means a lot.

I'm already digging into chapter seven, but it's longer than chapter six (as also are all the remaining chapters in the book). I do hope to get through all of Hebrews before "the balloon goes up" [n.b., chapter 7; chapter 8; and chapter 9 now posted at the links].

Time will tell whether events to come will prod people to get serious about the truth. One would have thought that Covid would have done so, but the effect proved to be the opposite from what I and others who minister the Word observed. Then again, the Tribulation will be "special".

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

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Bob,

It's good to know you're ticking things off your list. I hope you can get some rest over the Christmas break. Do you need to clear all of the zinnia beds now? They were so beautiful!

You said, "I'm not too interested in spending time with or on anyone who's not headed in the same direction". That's exactly how I feel too. Especially when they're not in the slightest bit interested in the One who is so precious to us. And it's exactly why I'm so thankful for you. That I can write to you and we're on the same wavelength and headed in the same direction. 

I've been thinking today about 1st Corinthians 2:9.

But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for
those who love Him."

Remembering this through the tough times or while doing all the mundane jobs we have to do down here definitely injects a whole lot of joy into my heart! It put catching up on my household chores today on a whole different level! I'm so looking forward to the day when we're all together with our dear Lord. It's going to be amazing! Just have to be patient a little while longer and focus on pleasing the Lord each day and building up those treasures in heaven. That's what helps to keep us going down here.

Thanks for Hebrews chapter six this week, Bob. It's SO encouraging!

In Jesus
Response #16:
Thanks! It took a few hours (and my joints and muscles will testify to it), but the front is cleaned up now. The back gets left for the birds et al. for over-wintering. That pain comes in the spring, prepping in March (so the weeds don't get a head start), planting in May. More zinnias next year for sure! Still haven't ordered the seeds yet (another thing on the to-do list).

I look back on wasted years of my youth before I came back to the Lord, and none of the time I spent with "friends" who had no love for the Lord means anything to me now (expect that it's mostly embarrassing to remember). Technology certainly has its issues. In this country, it seems that most of the under thirty crowd are getting all of their news input through Tik-Tok and Instagram et al. Judging from what I see at the university, few of them have read many books . . . and we're talking here about students interested enough in the past to sign up for Greek and Latin! Scary to think what the Spanish students don't know! But this ministry would be impossible without the internet, and our friend has set up a nice fellowship of believers that would be impossible if we were still reliant on "snail-mail". Also, I would never have gotten to know you and so many other wonderful believers around the world if it hadn't been for the internet. So I will deal with the bad for the sake of the good.

Keeping our eyes on the prize of eternal life and a good report from our Lord is so very important. It's going to be absolutely critical once the Tribulation begins. Getting good at it now is a smart and salutary thing to do. And encouraging others with that perspective, as you are doing, my friend, is wonderful, helpful, and very, very important. Thank you!

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

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,

I'd forgotten that you do some of the prepping in March too. Painful but definitely worth it for all of those beautiful flowers.

I know what you mean about time wasted with "friends" years ago - I'm the same. But I'm so thankful to the Lord for Philippians 3:13-14.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I don't do TikTok or Instagram but the Lord did use something I was looking at on the internet to bring me back to Him. And very early on I was one of those believers you wrote about who wrongly assumed I had irrevocably lost my salvation (Hebrews 6:4-6). That's when I started searching for answers and the Lord led me to Ichthys. I learnt the truth about Hebrews chapter six and so much more truth after that. And I'm very thankful to the Lord for you and your friendship too. All great stuff!

I keep thinking about this verse too. It's a great one for the time we're in right now.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25

And there are times when I have to encourage myself in the Lord. Like David encouraged or strengthened himself in the Lord. Something else to get good at before the Tribulation starts.

Keeping you and yours in my prayers too!

In Jesus
Response #17:
I have fired up Instagram once or twice. When the previous chair and the previous admin assistant made their push for enrollments I "commissioned" so to speak a video about learning ancient Greek and that went onto Instagram . . . "because that's what all the undergrad students are 'on' ". I rather think it's more Tik-Tok now, but I've never been on that one.

Gardening is work, but it's also good exercise, good therapy, and good for the little critters. Plus, I do enjoy it. 

Thanks for the testimony! That's very encouraging. I was thinking today about how few people (relatively speaking for sure) ever even bump into the website, but honestly what difference does it make if gobs find it or even read a little of it if it ends up doing them no good. I'm confident in the Lord to lead to the site anyone who really wants to learn and grow. And I'd rather have someone actually read (or, now, listen) to these materials occasionally than to have them put thirty volumes with nice covers on their bookshelves . . . but never get around to opening them. So I'm happy with it all – as long as the Lord is happy with it.

"[Self-encouragement is] something else to get good at before the Tribulation starts." Indeed. We don't know how long we'll be able to access the internet or be in comm with other like-minded believers once the Tribulation begins. But we do know that we'll never be cut off from the Lord. We have the Spirit in us and fellowship with the Father and the Son. Nothing can stop that – our own personal Eden that we take along wherever we go. Because paradise, after all, is defined first and foremost by the presence of the Lord.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

I'm so sorry about all the work that needed to be done on your car. I do understand - been there a few times too. At least it's reassuring to know it's all been fixed now.

Thanks for your prayers for me. The Lord made today much easier than it looked on paper. He often does that for me at work. We even got to leave a little bit earlier.

I'm going to try to get more rest. I feel very tired again. It's just life being very busy at the moment. 

Hope your meeting went well and you get to have some rest now too. 

Enjoy your weekend!

In Jesus
Response #18:
Glad to hear that work went well. Re: "He often does that . . .", it's the mark of a mature believer to begin to start to see just how much and how blessedly the Lord is involved in every single aspect of our lives, truly "working it ALL out together for good" for us who love Him. Holding onto that perspective is key to our peace of mind, especially when things get tough.

I'm very pleased about the car even if not about the price. I had noticed (been given to notice?) a hunk of tread that was nearly off and that certainly swayed me to go along with getting new tires even though these have only 13K miles on them. Reflecting after the pain of paying has subsided, "what might have happened with a blow-out?" So there's a reason for everything, and the farther down the road we get the more we start to see these things. His deliverances come all the time, and in all manner of interesting shapes and sizes, from or through.

Prayers for you to get the rest you need, my friend. It's been a busy fall and these things have cumulative effects (planning for some rest now for myself as well). Last lap meeting took up a good hunk of the day with tech glitches before, during and after. Finally got the letter signed off on (I did, anyway; some others were having tech problems with that as well). Glad it's over! Next uni "job" is first day of class in January.

Thanks for your prayers too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,

Yes, I've seen the Lord's deliverances in my life for a long time now. As you say, in all manner of interesting shapes and sizes. On the subject of tires again, I remember going out with __ one time in her car. As she drove around an island her car skidded. It wasn't too bad but once I got out of the car I had a closer look at her tires and they were pretty bald! I told her she needed to get them replaced asap which she did and all was fine after that. Then a couple of weeks ago I was a bit later than usual leaving for work. __ had booked his last three holiday days off work and said he would take me in that morning. It was a very cold, icy morning. The traffic was much worse than usual. We were crawling along until I could finally see a very bad patch of ice on the road, a police car and three cars that had skidded off the road and into a hedge. Two on one side of the road and one on the other. It looked to me like there was a water leak coming from somewhere and it had frozen over. The car drivers had gone by then (taken to hospital??) and we slowly drove past and made my way safely to work. A gritter truck passed us on the other side of the road - a bit too late! So I thanked the Lord for holding us back that morning and keeping us safe. If I had driven myself in as usual and left at my normal earlier time that could have easily been me and the new car in the hedge! The Lord takes care of and blesses me and my family in so many ways - even if they don't realise it I certainly do!
Response #19:
The Lord was definitely looking out for you! I would imagine we are delivered like this in many things large and small daily, and that while most people never even stop to thank God, mature believers notice some of these deliverances – more an more as we start seeing God in everything (which of course He is).

On the "too late" truck, it's also the case that the Lord often brings it about that we miss things by being early or late so that the disaster passes us by. The Lord's timing is perfect. The closer to Him we get, the more we find ourselves blessed by being inside of that perfect timing.

Resting up this week! Hope you have the time to catch up on yours too.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Thanks so much Bob,

I feel like I am slowly improving. Spent a lot of time in quiet prayer and trying to move forward. 
Just felt everything was on top of me and I had added to testing with unnecessary involvements and burdens.

The funeral was at a Catholic church. It hit me very hard. I think I do have regret that I could have witnessed more and said more.

What hit me the most, is that I don't really have any other contacts on that side of the family. I felt very sad that there is no-one on that side anymore who I could witness to. It felt as though a whole limb of the family tree has been torn off and with no other branches to reach out to. It gave me a profound sadness sitting there at the reception afterwards, not knowing anyone to talk to.

I have got myself into some scrapes that I feel as though I need to be quiet and keep my head down. I am sure though that is not a bad thing and probably prudent given the current climate.

Thanks again for all your support my friend! I am sure I will get through this and with a sober wisdom which won't do me any harm. Just feeling a sadness that seeps in everywhere. I have said before that I don't fear my own death (anymore) but I do dread the thought of losing ___. They are all getting so much frailer. I have to say I was really upset thinking of you and that hurricane. Maybe it was self pity but it rocked me to think about life without your fellowship and friendship. It frightened me to think that I wouldn't be able to manage without it and that I may have become too dependant on it. 

What is the news with you? Is there anything you would like me to pray for?

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #20:
I know what it's like to be in situations where I'm "not knowing anyone to talk to". I have made my choices in this life – to follow the Lord and pursue serving Him – and that is alienating to the world as well as isolating to some degree, even when that's not the objective. Beyond superficial conversations, what do we have in common with the rest of the unbelieving world anyway? Even believers who are merely lukewarm don't really understand what drives us. But the Lord does. Remember that He is with you, and concentrate on drawing closer to Him. Elijah was totally alone by the brook, but actually he wasn't because he was very close to the Lord. That is where we all need to be as well. Especially with all the hard times coming. If we need Him now – and we most certainly do – how much more then?
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:20b NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
John 14:23 NKJV

For [Moses] grew strong by seeing the One who cannot be seen (i.e., by keeping his mind's eye on the invisible Jesus Christ).
Hebrews 11:27

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8a NKJV

So I turned around to see [the source of] the voice that was speaking to me, and when I had turned around, I saw seven golden lampstands. And in the middle of the lampstands was what looked like a man, dressed in a long robe with a golden belt tied around His waist. And His head and his hair were as white as wool or as snow, and His eyes were like a fiery flame, and His feet were like white-hot bronze when super-heated in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And He held seven stars in His right hand, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. And His face shone like the sun in its glory.
Revelation 1:12-16
Endeavor to stay "occupied with Christ", and the joy will return . . . and abound (link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., I'm afraid to say that the Lord has given me indications that I'll have to be around for a while, like it or not.
p.p.s., My Latin part timer quit this week and I'm scrambling trying to find a replacement with only about two weeks to go. Not so easy to find someone with an M.A. in Latin or equivalent with nothing to do MWF at 11:00! Otherwise I'll have to find a way to teach it myself . . . on top of everything else.
[n.b., after many twists and turns the perfect person was found; and after many more twists and turns she was onboarded just in time (though at one point they told me they couldn't hire her); Greek was cancelled but then reinstated; other classes were threatened but not actually cancelled; God is good! And thanks everyone for all your prayers for me for the new semester.]
http://ichthys.com/