http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CL

Question #1:
The Early Rain Covenant Church is still there in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The latest news is that they are still being persecuted and last September (2024) a few ministers and several elders were detained. They are under pressure continuously. The pastor Wang Yi is still in prison, since 2019. A family from the church traveled to Thailand in 2019 and fled to Taiwan and applied for asylum at the US and has since came to the US right after the Covid travel ban lifted. And from what I can gather the church is still continuing despite the harassment, being spied on, etc. 

Overall right now it’s a dark time for the Christians in Mainland China, the current chairman Xi is really persecuting the church. Many of my friends in ministry in Taiwan or here in the US has lost contacts or has not been able to visit China to visit the local underground churches for many years now, especially after the COVID years.

If God opens the door I would love to go there and help! I believe God is doing what’s the best for them, and this persecution will purify the church again and also God is using the communists to crush some real cults in China as well.

Please continue to pray for the brothers and sisters in mainland China!

God bless,
Response #1:
Thanks for the update, my friend.

This is no doubt a precursor of what all genuine believers will be facing during the Great Tribulation and Great Persecution, one we all ought to take to heart in all sober humility, joining in prayer in the meantime for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are the "first fruits", so to speak, of what is soon to come for us all.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,

Hope the frosts and the snow clears soon for you and that you will be able to get back to in person teaching soon!

Regarding all those terrible fires in California, you know I never thought I would say this but I actually feel sorry for these celebrities as of course they are only human at the end of the day and they think they have everything but without the Lord they truly have nothing. I suspect these celebrities are also about as far away from the Lord as a person can be and I really pity them for that. They really are, for the most part, neck deep in Satan's lies about this world and this life and I would imagine it would be really hard for them to get out of a deception that deep. I have heard some of these types allude themselves to being too far gone and that God would never want them but we know that as long as there is life, there is hope that they might turn to the Lord. I have prayed that this will cause some of these people who are the furthest away from true riches, to see the folly of hoarding up earthly riches here only to then see it all be destroyed before their eyes.

I watched an interview about the fires in Hollywood Hills with actor James Woods and was actually moved to hear that he had lost everything (the world deems to be important) and that after living in a hotel during COVID while they worked on his house, he was only back in his house a short while to see it all go up in flames in seconds. He said he got away only with his glasses (presumably eyeglasses), his clothes and his pills. I also noted that he said 'you should have seen the view from my house before -it was like paradise'. He said this completely without any irony at all. This is what they believe in after all, that paradise CAN be achieved on earth outside of God and relying on Satan's hollow promises. It is quite the shock as people are so used to viewing these people as idolatrous gods and goddesses and we foolishly believe that tragedy can never touch them but we all die here and their wealth and celebrity cannot stop that! Death being the great leveller of us all.

As you have said yourself in your study on Satan's world system. The more you accrue in this brief life of lust, rust and dust, the more you lose in death. In a sense these people who usually won't learn the truth in their lifetime have a rare chance of appraising everything they hold dear and to now reach for eternal treasure that cannot be destroyed by fire. In a sense, what they are experiencing now though these fires (the loss of all possessions) is exactly what happens in death. They have a chance now for the truth to really settle into their previously hardened 
hearts. A tragedy as great as this, for an extremely rich person to lose everything they value in this world would be enough to break a hard heart and when the hardened ground is broken up, then there is a chance that the seed of the Word can slip into the crack and take root.

I dearly hope so, for their sakes, so I decided to pray for these people as they need the Gospel just as we all did. In the Word I read...

Psalm 49:4-12
Why should I be afraid in the days of trouble, when the sin of those who hate me is all around me? They trust in their riches, and are proud of all they have. No man can save his brother. No man can pay God enough to save him. The cost is much for his soul to be saved. Man should stop trying to live forever and not see the grave. For he sees that even wise men die. The fool and those who cannot think well die alike. And they leave their riches to others. They think in their hearts that their houses will last forever, and that the places where they live will last for all their children to follow. They have used their own names to name their lands. But man with all his honor does not last. He is like the animals that die.

Psalm 49:16-20
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases.
For when he dies, he will carry nothing away;
his abundance will not follow him down.
Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—
and men praise you when you prosper—
he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of day.
A man who has riches without understanding
is like the beasts that perish

But I also read..

Luke 9:53-56
But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. And He and His disciples went on to another village.

Whatever these worldling celebrities have in this world, whether they see it burn up in flames before their eyes now or lose it in death or the earthly judgements to come on the Day of the Lord (or the warning judgements before) nothing, NOTHING they have now can compare to the eternal riches which will be given to the least of those in the Kingdom of God!

Psalm 84:10
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Please publish this one my friend. I know that sometimes I feel unsure how to react in a Godly way when a group of people who have historically been very mocking and hateful towards our dear Lord and Saviour, how to react when they experience great tragedy themselves.

I know that we shouldn't be involved in imprecatory prayer, even when it seems legitimate and even during the Tribulation. It is good for us to know now how to behave in a truly Godly manner at all times no matter what we are faced with or have to live through.

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #2:
Excellent perspectives, my friend. I'm happy to post this.

Re: "I suspect these celebrities are also about as far away from the Lord as a person can be and I really pity them for that." Reminds me of this passage:
And when Jesus saw that [the rich young ruler] became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:24-25 NKJV
Those who are doing well in this world, those who love this world, want to think that it will go on forever and that they will go on forever in it as well. That is pure fantasy, a lie of the devil which goes a long way towards turning them away from any interest in God and eternity.

Re: "I have prayed that this will cause some of these people who are the furthest away from true riches, to see the folly of hoarding up earthly riches here only to then see it all be destroyed before their eyes." It's a mature perspective to understand that even "bad things" are always part of the plan of God and part of His "working everything together for good" (Rom.8:28). I can testify to the fact that some of the worst things that ever happened to me in my life were absolutely necessary for my ultimate deliverance. When any disaster happens, praying for it to reach the unsaved and help them to see the folly of building on the sand of this temporary world is not a bad thing to do.

More snow today and still coming down! They cancelled the afternoon slate of classes while I was teaching, so I only did 3 of 4 today.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob and family,

I was thinking, and knowing the 3rd world war is coming too soon, and the things that are happening now on an increasing scale – and how Trump has appointed many into his government who haven’t come to power in the normal way but deceitfully, [Daniel 11, 12] I think we should all be watching these things as the anti-Christ will come in a similar way.

History certainly is repeating itself and proving man simply cannot govern himself.

And with such a short time left before Tribulation begins, it is worrying to say the least – all the more reason to be found clinging to Jesus.

Anyway, how are you and yours?

As always my good friend,
Response #3:
Always good to hear from you, my friend.

Doing OK here (just coming out of a bought with some virus or something; also lots of troubles with snow and ice, but, hey, it is winter, after all). Hope the same is true for you (is the operation scheduled yet?).

Re: "I think we should all be watching these things as the anti-Christ will come in a similar way." There are a lot of similarities. But that has been true in the past as well. We can't know for certain about these things until the Tribulation actually begins. That may be very close to happening (that is my interpretation of scripture, at any event, but the Bible doesn't give us a definitive date). Until then, things could turn around and upside down several times before the fact. 

I think your "bottom line" is absolutely correct. Any alert Christian who is growing in the Lord and in the Word ought to recognize that things are lining up for the end, and it certainly does seem that things are unlikely to be able to go as they are going much longer. What's the moral, then? That we ought to stay alert and even try to double-down on that alertness and spiritual preparation.
"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!"
Matthew 13:29 NKJV
Keeping you and your ministry in my daily prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Dr Luginbill,

Hope I have not offended you. Just wanted to offer hope

In Jesus,
Response #4:
No apology necessary.

It's just that this is a Bible teaching ministry – not a venue for those who want "to teach me something". When it becomes clear that a correspondent has shifted from one wanting to learn to one wanting to teach, I bear with it as long as seems practicable, but not forever.

Re: "hope". There's no genuine hope to be had from things that are not true. Telling people they only have to "hang in there" until half way through the Tribulation would leave anyone buying that false hope totally vulnerable to the Great Persecution which immediately follows (see the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

Just checking in with you. Are you doing okay? You have been on my mind lately. 

We are doing good. I finally have a property under contract and I close on it soon. This will give us a boost to pay back what's been borrowed and keep going just a bit longer. We are so thankful.

I'm hoping we make it to closing before the financial system changes. It's looking like things are progressing fairly quickly. We have been watching this for many years...we are getting closer to going on the Blockchain/ AI technology. One step closer to complete control of buying and selling. No need to worry as we know where this all leads and we know who is actually in control. 

My health is getting better and better. Going from almost dying to feeling almost like I felt when I was younger is a complete blessing. 

On another note I was reading in your coming tribulation book about the rise of the anti christ. Wow, all I can say is wow....I see so much of how things are being set up as of this day. Everything you have written is right on. Thank you so much. 

It's so hard to listen to all the lies right now. But having comfort in knowing that this is how it's all suppose to be is relieving. 

__ keeps sending me all the propaganda in the news, expecting me to respond in believing it all along with him. This administration have so many people thinking that all this corruption and incompetency that they are uncovering is good when all they are doing is getting everyone riled up demanding a change, but the solution isn't going be freedom. It's going to be total digital control using AI, Blockchain and automation disguised as transparency. They aren't cleaning up the system they are replacing it. This new system is going to be here soon. I'm really curious how they are going to implement it. Time will say. 

Look forward to hearing from you my friend. 
Response #5:
Great to hear from you!

That's great news about the impending sale and also about your health! Answers to prayer!

I think you are spot on about the present regime "fixing things". In any case, as an old friend just mentioned to me today, all that's going on is possibly only laying the groundwork for Babylon becoming Babylon, especially in the foreign policy and economic arenas. 

Blessedly, we believers have a more elevated perspective, looking down all this from the viewpoint of heaven above – or at least we should. Man will never solve anything. And regardless of how bad things get down here, this is all temporary and soon to be actually "fixed" by the only Person who can do so. Our job is to stay faithful while we wait for Him. "Thy kingdom come!", we pray every day, after all. So things ARE "interesting", and likely to get a lot more so before it's all over. Meanwhile, we trust in Him.

Keeping you guys and your family in my daily prayers. 

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Twenty-five years!! My gosh, you have been busy! God bless.

Thank you for your insight, it's just that the Jerusalem during the Reign of Christ is much bigger and possibly a different location than the Jerusalem we know now. It's just a thought. But as always, I so appreciate you. God bless. 

Your sister in the Lord,
Response #6:
Thanks!  
As to your observation, yes, Jerusalem will be in the same location but greatly elevated from its present height.
At the end of days, the mountain of the temple of the Lord will be established as the chief of all mountains, and it will be raised higher than all [other] hills, and all the nations will flow to it.
Isaiah 2:2 (cf. Micah 4:1)

In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.
Ezekiel 40:2 NIV

(10) The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. (11) It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.
Zechariah 14:10-11 NIV
Here's a link to where that is explained and all the pertinent passages collected: Millennial Jerusalem.

Yes, 27 years and counting now since the site went live (the set up for it began many years before).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Thank you for that! It's very true. Being in the camper I kept reminding myself to be content. 4 1/2 years of it. We finally are completely out and winterized it last week.

I heard there is some cold weather your way. Hope you are staying warm.

There is a lot of buzz out there in the world today. Nothing to fear or gloat on. It's been the plan for a long time. One step at a time. I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus.
Response #7:
That's good news! You spent longer in the camper than we'll spend in the Great Tribulation. Praying for things to go well and get better for you and your family, my friend.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus." Me too! All "this" coming to an end at last is a blessed prospect, especially when the other side will be the resurrection and the Millennium.

We're still under a lot of ice and snow here and with these temps it's not going anywhere. Nothing by your standards but Louisville isn't prepared for it. Very grateful to the Lord that we did not lose power! Classes canceled tomorrow so I had to spend all day putting videos and assignments online – twice as easy just to go in and teach face to face!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Thank you Bob!

I also have another question. Is it ok to have non Christian friends or is James 4:4 

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

really talking about humans?
Response #8:
The friendship being condemned is not with individuals who aren't believers (cf. 1Cor.5:9-10; 10:27), but with the world and all that is in the world, namely, the system of lies, arrogance and greed which the devil has set up to administer it. This is explained in 1st John:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1st John 2:15-17
See also the link: SR 4: Satan's World System

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
p.s. The 23rd/24th rapture didn't happen!
Response #9:
Re: p.s., well what do you know about that! Time to reset the "rapture clock"!
Question #10:
Hi Bob,

I've been thinking again about the Tribulation and about the experiences I've had with lukewarm believers. Reading the Coming Tribulation makes it so easy for me to see how a third of true Christians will fall away from the faith. How when I've spoken to lukewarm believers about the truth and they don't like hearing it and they don't like the fact that I don't believe the false teachings they do. The Tribulation hasn't started but even now they see me as a misfit. They'd love nothing more than for me to join their camp and believe what they believe - but I won't ever do that. I understand what you mean when you said about them being willing to die on one of those false mountains. They've closed their ears to the truth but they're all ears for the lie. Their love and enthusiasm for it flows out so easily and smoothly from their lips. They love the so-called signs and miracles and "moves of the spirit". It's attractive to them and it's what they want. They're trying to kid themselves or they're being deceived that these things are real and from God. If that kind of thing is attractive and appealing to them now then it's so clear to see how lukewarm believers are going to love the beast's tribulational false religion with his signs and miracles. And it's going to be far more intense in the Tribulation and more causes of the great apostasy.

That's just a little of what I've experienced right now and up close with lukewarm Christians. If it's like this now then it's just a tiny taste of how it's going to go in the Tribulation. I can see it so clearly.

Is it still on for live teaching at U of L tomorrow, Bob? Please take care in all that snow and ice.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus
Response #10:
This is exactly the way I see it too. Our Lord Himself warned us very explicitly about this.
"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Matthew 24:10-13 NIV

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time."
Matthew 24:24-25 NIV
If there is a silver lining here, it's that the worst case scenario "only" happens with one third. Of the rest, half will be martyrs and half will "stand firm to the end" and experience the living resurrection at Christ's return. Given the abysmal spiritual state of the church-visible at present, that suggests to me that while the one third will give up, the rest will have to knuckle down and get cracking spiritually the best they can in a crash program of recovery and growth in order to "stand firm" – and especially to endure martyrdom. So while it's not stated anywhere explicitly in scripture, this indicates to me that there will be work for us to do, for us who HAVE prepared. And it's not impossible that some of the ground work we've laid BEFORE the fact will pay dividends at that time with those we've been praying for and agonizing over for many years. 
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2nd Corinthians 4:1 NIV
As you know, in person classes at my uni were cancelled on Wed., the first day, because of the snow, so I had to spend all day Tues. preparing "alternative assignments" and making videos. It would have been at least twice as easy (and twice as good) to have met my classes in person. So tomorrow is the first in-person day – although conditions are not much better since it's been near zero at night and the only thing that is happening to the accumulation is that it is turning into ice. Also, we're expecting up to six inches tomorrow and it may blow in early. The other universities and K-12 are closed tomorrow. So we'll see how it goes and who shows up! But I'd rather brave the conditions than have to teach remote!

Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers. Thanks for yours too, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hello Bob,

Of course as Christians we know that politics are all of the devil and it doesn't matter which side we pick as each side is owned by him and playing into the lie that human effort can fix this world. Every political ideology is a replacement for the truth of the Word of God and of the true and only faith. We all know this or we should know this.

Further evidence to underline this is that the current political polarisation that is happening and spreading across all nations are having (unsurprisingly) a huge toll on mental health. The statistics are in that there is a mental health crisis just around the corner for all who put their hope and faith in politics. 

https://brookingsregister.com/premium/stacker/stories/yes-politics-is-worsening-peoples-mental-healthheres-what-the-data-shows,120536

I know you are not a fan of psychology and neither am I. Whilst studying the lies of the enemy for ministry purposes though, I have found it useful only in the language it gives in describing a particular collection of symptoms or a pattern of behaviour. So in a diagnostical sense it has been useful but it fails to say why people develop these disorders and it cannot provide a cure. All it does is give us a vague handle or label to make known to others which particular collection of symptoms or behaviours we are dealing with in a particular person.

With that in mind I thought you may find this observation educational. (I will be using this insight in my future ministry) Have you noticed that political debate now uses psychiatric diagnostistical terminology? Shouldn't that alarm us all?

Did you know that confirmation bias, cognitive bias, cognitive dissonance (labels commonly used in newspaper articles, TV shows and on social media) are all psychiatric diagnostical terms?
We know that Psychiatry is a study of the mind but particularly of mental disorders.Terminology used for psychiatric diagnostics of mental disorders are now becoming normative in 'political debate'. So it is no surprise then that increasingly polarised politics is leading to a severe mental health crisis.

On the same subject I was reading on Wikipedia about 'monomania' and 'Idée fixe' which are both psychiatric terms refering to 'one mindedness' or a 'fixed idea' which is an unhealthy fixation on a single object. What is modern political 'discourse' with its increasingly radicalised fanaticism but monomania or idée fixe?

It would wisely prudent then to take a reality check at this point and scrutinise the particular political fixed idea we may be becoming obsessed with and be honest about its affect on our mental health and on its affect on family and friends. The wisest choice of all though would be to abandon politics altogether and trust that the future is safely and confidently entrusted into our Lord's hands.

Thanks in advance for your prayers Bob.
You are in my daily prayers too.

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #11:
Good points about psych and politics. Using the standard Greek combining convention to connect them we could safely term it "pscyh-o-politics". Of course that would wrongly imply that there is another sort.

Good analysis of what psychology / psychiatry does as well. They give things names but these names are only marginally helpful and, as you rightly point out, don't provide any help whatsoever in healing or counteracting the designated "conditions". What really is a "sociopath" or a "narcissist" really? Selfish people who don't give a fig about anyone else? That really describes a goodly percentage of the human race throughout history. Perhaps those who earn these labels are really just worse or less concerned with hiding it.

We know that there is no "solution" except Jesus Christ. And people have to want to change to actually change. If they do, God will lead them to the correct "therapy". There are helpers standing by, after all – you and your ministry, for example. The fact that most of us in ministry are more in the vein of being out there searching for people to help rather than being overly belabored by those who are really willing to be helped says a lot about our Laodicean era.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Keep up the good work for Jesus Christ, regardless of response! Most people rejected His ministry too . . . and it was perfect in every way.

In Him,

Bob L.
Question #12:
I've noticed alot of these cults who teach extreme and even abusive ideas of God act alot like Islam with their view of God.

Allah claims to "love you" but only if you follow a ritualistic and overbearing religious life. He leaves you more or less on your own when you suffer immensely, and if you don't find an answer "you just don't want to trust Him/you must be being punished for something"(even if it's something absurdly small). He puts dogmatic cruel restrictions and practices towards others while teaching his followers this is "justice" and "only what they deserve", ect.

I know what you say, the devil has no small deck of cards to play his deception with, but this kind of thing irks me on a far more visceral and primal (as in the order of creation as a whole) way than other deception. At least others just say some superstitious hogwash or some made up figure in the sky will lead you to truth, but even other untruths that take the name of God for themselves preach a more cozy life or just leave their followers confused on actual truth.

On top of all this, leading people away from the Gospel and even impersonating our own Father for its deception, "lead yoke" teachers, as I've come to call those who put a burden on their followers that in the "light yoke, heavy yoke" analogy of Jesus, leave those who fall into it having their neck being crushed, being suffocated under its weight while being told and forcing themselves to believe that they CAN lift it and just don't want to or don't have enough faith to muster some Samson-like superhuman mental and spiritual ability to do so.

Of course, this never comes. They either have to delude themselves into thinking they're performing well enough, or fall into misery and despair until the weight finally "snaps" the neck of the poor sufferer and leading to a dogmatic, double, tripling down screeching of their "holiness" that's near a fantasy to hope they'll repent of, or those who see their situation honestly to give up hope in God entirely or even do far worse things to themselves. It takes His name and creates a god who's anathema to the very ideas of fairness, justice love and even truth by, in essence, claiming "Righteousness" and "holiness" are what determine God's character as a whole and the other things are just byproducts/subcategories, rather than seeing none of these attributes can exist or be seen in any balance without all the others, as such this opens up what's righteous and holy 'in God's eyes' to be whatever the preacher fancies burdening himself with (not that false teaching of a similar vein can't come from sound doctrine on His Nature too, but with this it's near if not outright inevitable!)

I've been feeling moves much more to pray for those I see in this kind of thing, and for the people of these cults in general. If you'd join me, please do.
Response #12:
I do pray for our brothers and sisters who are being exploited by cults and/or cult-like groups. Ultimately though, we all have free will. Someone in a deadly legalistic church, for example, who is being "crushed" as you term it so well, needs to GET OUT. Surely the Spirit is telling them this. Why do people stay? Why do abused spouses stay in abusive relationships? I/we don't blame them. We do advise them – and pray for them – to GET OUT. But this is not our decision to make. Our God is merciful, patient, longsuffering. After all, He sacrificed His own dear Son for our sins, Jesus who died a death on the cross beyond our understanding in its terror, so that we might indeed "get out" of the slavery of sin into which we were born. 
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
We advise, we pray, we beg all who are still enslaved to GET OUT, to come to Christ and be free. But again, this is an individual choice. We can try to psychoanalyze the "why", but in the end that is not really knowable to us. God knows, and He has done and is doing everything possible to save all and to deliver all . . . but not in violation of the image of God that gives us all the individual responsibility for what we choose to do.

Things are likely to get a lot worse before they get better when antichrist's religion sets up shop in the Tribulation. Since you have a heart for these people and special insight into the problems, perhaps you're being prepared for a ministry in this regard.

Keeping you in my prayers daily as well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Thanks Bob!

Will add her to my prayer list too. Hope you recover this weekend and feel much better for next week.

You know I don't think Trump is good for Christians in America and he makes us all look really bad but I have noticed this brouhaha erupting over some Episcopalian "Bishop's" sermon that The Guardian newspaper over here printed in full (which is unheard of as the Guardian generally despises Christianity and has been positively gleeful on the collapse of the C of E)

It didn't take long to figure out why the ultra liberal Guardian supports this "sermon" wholeheartedly. Apparently this is from the Episcopalian church but I have no idea what they stand for. It seems a lot like Universalist Unitarians if you ask me.

Honestly I could barely stomach only a few paragraphs, such is the false teaching blended in with the true. She said that "unity" is the rock that Jesus told us to build on. The first sentence that flew out of her mouth was false teaching. Like how Satan said in the garden "Hath God really said?" Sadly this type of false Christianity is incredibly popular now and will no doubt be the kind of empty schmaltz we will soon be hearing en masse from the Antichrist himself.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump

In Jesus,
Response #13:
Re: "I don't think Trump is good for Christians in America". I think it's very true that many non-Christians are definitely turned off by people who claim they are Christians doing all manner of un-Christian things. That has always been the case, especially where politics are involved. Blessedly, anyone who is genuinely seeking a solution to sin and death will be led to Jesus Christ, irrespective of all false groups and all the devil's false-flag operations. 
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.
Philippians 1:18 NIV
And it's a good point and a good observation that many on both sides in the current political alignment claim to be working for the Lord when they are actually working for the devil. All the more reason for genuine believers to stick to our knitting and eschew the entire political scene. We can observe without getting emotionally involved. We can see which way this thing is sliding. And it doesn't look like it's got far to go before it hits the rock bottom. The only good thing about that – and it is a VERY good thing – is that it means that the Lord's return is growing ever closer.
"So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!"
Matthew 24:33 NKJV

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
1st Corinthians 1:7 NIV

. . . and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
1st Thessalonians 1:10 NIV
Keeping you in my daily prayers too, my friend.

In Jesus,

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

So I'm wavering on the two positions of James 1:10 as to whether the rich man is a believer or an unbeliever and just wanted to see what your position is on this verse and why you take it (I'm aware you can interpret it both ways even if there is only one meaning). Do you believe the "rich in his humiliation" refers to a believer or an unbeliever? You can make good arguments for both, but verse 11 does make it sound like it's referring to an unbeliever. However, my first and original impression or read of this verse was that James was talking about a rich and poor believer. 

In Christ, 
Response #14:
The only ones who can truly "rejoice" in this life are believers. Those who are having a hard time (which could be and doubtless is every human being at some times) need to look forward in our joy, not rejoicing in our troubles per se but in the ultimate resolution and vanishing of them in eternity – "this" won't last forever. 
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:4-7
We are on a journey (link) which is sometimes very hard, but it is well worth continuing, given where we are headed to. If we have the things of this world, we need to take care NOT to set our eyes too solidly on these things because they are transient and evanescent (link). In fact, James says, we need to be glad that "all this" is going away very soon. And if we do not have the things of this world, we need to be joyful about the fact that we will have "all things" in practice on that glorious day to come just as we have them now in principle (1Cor.3:21-23).

So this is good "calculus" for believers regardless of our situations. This is how we "count it all joy" (Jas.1:2-4). Are we in good shape? We need to consider that apart from the Lord there is NO security in this world which itself will soon be passing away and take joy in that truth rather than the present circumstances. Are we in bad shape? We need to remember that apart from the Lord there is NO happiness in this temporary world and rejoice in its imminent removal. Either way, we need to focus on the Lord and what is to come. 
(12) I know how to handle humiliation; I also know how to handle prosperity. I have learned by experience in each and every way how to handle being abundantly provided for and being impoverished, being in prosperity and being in a state of deprivation. (13) I have the strength to endure all [extremes] in the One who empowers me to do so.
Philippians 4:12-13
So this passage you ask about (and chapter) is an encouragement to all believers, and also a warning to all believers not to over-focus on the world either in love of it or discouragement because of it.

How are you doing? I've been sickly for a couple of weeks now (Covid?). I've managed not to miss classes or postings but a prayer would be appreciated!

Keeping you in mine daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hey Dr. Luginbill, 

So if the rich in James 1:10 refers to rich believers (correct me if that isn't what you were saying), why would verse eleven say the rich will fade away in his pursuits? I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out. Truly committed believers don't pursue wealth to the death of their faith. But is this just a warning to the rich believers not to do what unbelievers are doing? 

Do the words "boast/exalt" in verse ten include the idea of rejoicing? As in, "the rich should rejoice in his humiliation?" This was an impression I had when I first started studying the verse. 

I'm sorry to hear about your sickness and will pray for that. 

[omitted]

In Christ, 
Response #15:
"Pursuits" is an unfortunate translation – as is evidenced by the fact that it has caused you to lay any interpretative weight on it. The Greek word is poreiea from poreuomai and it simply means "journeying" or "traveling", meaning here our processing through life (KJV's "ways" is an excellent rendering). Just as a flower's life process fades in the end, so it is with all human beings, even if they are "beautiful", i.e., rich, in this context. This is true of unbelievers who imagine they will live forever; it is also true of believers who happen to be rich. It's not evil to be rich, and in the case of many believers who are (not that many are), it is not necessarily even their "fault" (i.e., they could have inherited the wealth). Given that James gives instructions to rich believers elsewhere in the book, we have to conclude that in this first instance believers are not excluded from consideration if they happen to be rich. James' disposition is clearly not positive to wealth, but that doesn't mean he is condemning believers who happen to be wealthy. We're not talking here about any who may be vainly pursuing wealth as in 1Tim.6:10; that's not in this passage. But James recognizes the hazards of being rich and is seeking to put that issue in its proper perspective (Jas.2:5-6; 4:13-17; 5:1-6). And in this he is not alone, of course.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:23-26 NKJV

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1st Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV
On loneliness, one has to be careful what one wishes for. As it says in the Bible,
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Proverbs 21:9 NIV
Or as one of my classmates at TBS told me when I met him several years later asked him what being married was like: "Would you rather be lonely all the time, or angry all the time?". Of course those who marry do so in hope of "better things", but it's not for no reason that Paul is given to say, "those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you" (1Cor.7:28 NIV). All true happiness in this life, what there is of it, comes from the Lord, not from our circumstances.

Thanks for your prayers too, my friend! I am doing better today. Even though it was quite cold here, I got out and got a short walk/jog and it doesn't seem to have set me back. So thank you.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Nothing to disagree with here in your entire response (as usual). Thank you for the answers professor and understood on everything.

I owe the Lord everything but I owe you as well Dr. Luginbill. Well, I offer my love and prayers but if you accepted donations, I would have no problem helping you out. 

In Christ, 
Response #16:
It's my great pleasure – and thanks so much for your kindness.

I DO accept prayers. Still fighting of this "whatever-it-is" and the weather isn't helping.

Keeping you in mine daily, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Dr L,

How are you doing? Are you feeling better? Last time you were a bit sick, but it has been a while since we talked.

So I want to ask. Is it better or worse or a personal preference to on a day to day basis be in a state of pushing yourself? What I mean is that if it does happen next year, is it better to be rested beforehand, or to have been pushing oneself for a while? 

I have actually heard both approaches praised in the military (like I heard Sparta liked to always push themselves, one person saying that war was actually a breather for them-though I am thinking that one is fiction, lol).

Hope that makes sense,
Response #17:
My overall view of this is that we ought to do what we feel is right to do every day, one day at a time, regardless of all other circumstances and considerations, as best as we are able.

We should always be doing more, of course. We could all stand to improve our walk. If looking forward to potential trouble is motivation to do better, that is good . . . if we actually start doing better. But when and if the trouble we anticipated doesn't materialize, will that sap our motivation? It may, if that was the basis for it alone.

We believers are all going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. As Paul says about this, "we know what it is to fear the Lord" (2Cor.5:10-11). And anyone of us could be removed from this world this very day, so that taking advantage of every day to do what the Lord wants us to do is the only salutary course. 

In the spiritual warfare in which we are involved, the Lord has the strategy. We are responsible for only the day to day tactics we employ to become and to be the Christians He wants us to be. That is really liberating, when you think about it. We just need to follow Him.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

I apologize for wasting your time again. It must be somewhere in between. The network has been reasonably troubled recently. I doubt a screenshot will tell you much, but it's included.

A traceroute, for me, ends: [omitted] It's most likely a core router DNS problem -- which has been occurring a lot lately.

On an unrelated note: the scan-by headlines has claimed they intend to start the third temple in '26 with and expected completion before '35. I found that quite curious. Red cattle have been shipped in from Texas -- a beef breed, I believe. Trump is being heralded as savior of Middle East, which is also curious. We are living in interesting times.

It sounds like you've had a go of it up there in the frozen north. Here, weather has been all over the place. Some days reaching a high of nearly 80 and the next day the high never gets above the 40s. There have been no severe storms out here, thank God! Barely enough rain to keep things alive.

I pray you and family are safe, warm and U of L is treating you well. Again, I apologize for wasting your time.

in our Lord,
Response #18:
I appreciate the help! Especially as mostly you're talking calculus when I have trouble with long division.

*The screen shot suggest going the "www" route. My site is an HTTPS (not http), and in terms of www.ichthys.com vs. just ichthys.com and whether or not http or https is fetched, it all goes to the same place . . . at least for me.

We've had some AT&T network issues here today as well (don't know what you've got down there).

I know that there have been a number of groups in Israel and beyond working on this issue for some years. I think the first problem they're going to have isn't the red heifer but where to put the temple – or tabernacle. After all, it wasn't a permanent structure until Solomon's day. In my study of the issue, the original location was probably not where most think, namely, right where the mosque now stands. But it's probably not possible in any case to build something without a war. So I really don't expect anything to come of this until the Tribulation begins. Moses and Elijah are the ones who will lead the rebuilding. But it is a "sign of the times", alright.

In terms of present leadership, as you know, I'm agnostic about the future possibilities. I would think it more likely that there will be a change of command somehow before the balloon goes up. But we will have to wait and see. One thing is certain. A Christian would have to have his/her head in the sand or know nothing of scripture not to be on the alert with all that is happening. Sadly, there are a lot of Laodiceans to which both exceptions apply.

Glad to hear you're doing OK weather-wise if dry. We got another drubbing of snow and ice last night after about four inches of rain (historic flooding south of here). Good thing the temps didn't dip before that happened or we would have had three or four feet out there! As it is, the temps are down way below freezing tonight and not forecast to get to melt again until next weekend. So it's likely to be a very icy Monday. And they say more snow Tuesday night. What a winter! And I thought Natty Bumppo wintered in "Kentuck".

Always great to hear from you, my friend!

Keeping you in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
"Natty Bumppo" You just showed your age! I don't think kids read such things anymore. A shame. Fiction at least broadens ideas.

I apologize for regaling you with network arcana. It's been over 20 years since I had any active involvement in networking. Now, even I get an headache digging into it.

I remember scripture speaking about Moses and Elijah and I doubt Trump is either. Nor Netenyahu (if I spelled that correctly.) While 2 Thessalonians 2:11 is speaking of something different, as you have explained before, I think that applies to today as well. Though I suspect Satan has a hand in the delusion, too.

I have come to the point, Bob, where I realize how much I don't know. I'm content, now, to trust the Lord to work things out. The news is a curiosity watching what's going on. Little more. Truly, the evil of the day is sufficient unto itself.

Stay well, warm. and off the ice:)

In our Lord,
Response #19:
No worries – your skills are impressive! And way over my head.

Re: the evil one confusing the issue, that is certainly true. As speculated about much in the CT series, I expect the person in charge of the rising power in the mid-east will be deemed by the devil and his followers "antichrist" to take the focus off of the real beast.

Re: "I'm content, now, to trust the Lord to work things out." That is truly a blessed place to be! Because, after all, He is the only One who can . . . and He most certainly will.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
[omitted]

Do you know what it reminded me of? What we read in scripture about family betrayal in the Tribulation - Luke 21:16-17, Matt.24:10-13, Matt.10:34-39. Not a nice thought but something we need to keep in mind.
Response #20:
I can't say I'm surprised, even though I don't know them. This is so very typical of people in general. Where all manner of emotional issues and grievances (or imagined ones) from the past are involved, it is very typical for people who ought to be "in your corner" to lash out. At such times, we have to be "the adult in the room" as you are being. Taking care of yourself while you do so goes without saying. That's not "unforgiveness"; that's just spiritual common sense.

Your connecting this with prophecy is, while uncomfortable, a good application. This is something we all need to keep in mind as the day grows ever closer. We have no idea ahead of time who will stand tall for the Lord and who will abandon faith – and attack us. That is true of blood relatives but also of putative Christians in the church-visible, people we may have known for a long time or been friends with. When it comes to solid, mature believers, here I have every confidence that all such will persevere. But there are precious few in that category these days, so we would all do well to read and re-read your citations. We have to be wise as serpents even as we maintain our dove-like innocence if we are going to make it through whatever the Lord has for us (cf. also 1Cor.14:20).

Keeping you and your work in my prayers, my friend. Thanks for yours so much!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., we did get a lot of rain but the disasters were south of here; it turned to snow by morning; more snow and deep-freeze temps on the way tonight!
http://ichthys.com/