http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CLIX

Question #1:
To God be the glory. I thought of you in responding to the Catholic denial of worship of Mary. I am confused about the different forms of latreuo. Is it ever used for something other than worship? 

In essence, the Cath argument is that as long any other word than latreuo is used, then one cannot be said to be engaging in worship regardless of object and context. For as long as Catholics do not use latreuo to describe their "veneration" of Mary, then they deny their worship her, though if all the attributes and prerogatives wantonly assigned to her (which they justify under the handy "God enables her") were ascribed to any idol, it would be considered worship. 

And while they simply define proskuneo as bowing/venerating, although that is the basic meaning, yet, if that is all it signifies then it would mean worshipers of the Beast in Revelation need not be worshiping him, an absurdity that I exposed (the worshipers of the beast could argue that were just venerating the beast). 

The RC then argues that proskuneo only becomes 'worship' when the heart intends it to be Latria (Divine service). Which as said, would likewise enable the worshipers of the Beast to deny that they do so on that basis.

Meanwhile, John 4:24 states,

God is a Spirit: and they that worship [proskuneō] him must worship [proskuneō] him in spirit and in truth.

So what God wants, is what He should get, regardless of the lower class they assign proskuneō, insisting latreuo is reserved strictly for sacrificial service to God, meaning uniquely, since douleuō is also used for worshipful service to God (mainly) as well as to false gods and sometimes men, such as in Mat 6:24; Luk 16:13; Act 20:19; Rom 12:11; Rom 14:18; Rom 16:18; Gal 4:8.9; Eph 6:7; 1Thes 1:9; Tit 3:3.

I want to know how you would respond to the Cath argument on this, by the grace of God. Thanks. 
Response #1:
The two words are synonyms. Whether or not they mean exalting someone as God depends on the context:
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28 NKJV
Neither word is used above, but this is clearly "worship of God as God".

So we look at what they do, not what they say. Do they pray to Mary? Do they make images to her? Do they attribute miracles to her and interventions here and now? Do they revere her above Christ in their hearts? This is what is at issue, not Greek vocabulary. That is just a smokescreen.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Indeed it is sophistry. For unless Catholics say something as "I latreuō thee, most holy Mary, Mother of God," then one cannot say they are or are not engaging in worship if worship is simply define by the use of a word. Or the intent of the heart. I tell them that one would have a hard time in Bible times explaining kneeling before a statue and praising the entity it represented in the unseen world, beseeching such for Heavenly help, and making offerings to them, and giving glory and titles and ascribing supernatural attributes to such which are never given in Scripture to created beings (except to false gods), including having the uniquely Divine power glory to hear and respond to virtually infinite numbers of prayers individually addressed to them.

"Moses, put down those rocks! I was only engaging in hyper dulia, not adoring her. Can't you tell the difference?"

So thanks for the confirmation. But if i may, I have another question. Which is in regards to RC mythical Purgatory.

Hebrews 12:23 is used for this: "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect." However, I do not see anything in the Greek for either "of," "men" nor "made." Neither is there any Greek for "made" in Heb. 11:40. Yet I know not what is required with the Greek.

And of course, "perfect" is not referring to being made perfect in character thru postmortem purification, as RCs imagine, but I surmise it refers to the promises of Heb 11:13, with the realization of the new covenant with its heavenly "city," opened and populated by Jews and Gentiles, that the death and resurrection that "the Lord of all" (Acts 10:34) enabled. 

Which Paradise (2 Cor. 12:4) the Lord opened up by His death and resurrection when He descended first into the lower parts of the earth, and led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, (Ephesians 4:7,8)

Thus believers henceforth "are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits just, perfect [strictly per Greek] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

They key issue with RCs is what "made" refers to. 
Response #2:
Since Mary was a human being, and since all departed human beings are no longer available for address (being either above or below), the only way that Mary COULD be addressed in any way is if she were considered some sort of god.

As to purgatory, I'm baffled that the RCs would consider Hebrews 12:23 as any sort of support for that obviously false doctrine since it says exactly the opposite of what that made-up construct falsely teaches. Here is my translation of the passage:
(22) But you have come [not to Mount Sinai which stands for the present Jerusalem (Gal.4:21-31), but] to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, [that is, you have come to] the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of [elect] angels in assembly [before God], (23) and to the Church of the firstborn enrolled [as its citizens] in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of justified [believers] [who have now] completed [their tasks], (24) and to Jesus, the Mediator of a better covenant, and to sprinkled blood (i.e., the work of Christ in bearing our sins) which speaks [far] more powerfully than that of Abel['s sacrifice].
Hebrews 12:22-24
These are believers who are in heaven right now with the Lord. Paul uses this description to distinguish between the Church as a whole and the Church "militant". That is to say, the entire Church is not yet "made perfect" since there are still plenty of us down here. But this passage is clear talking about things IN HEAVEN, not about some other nonexistent conjured up place.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Thanks for the input though I still see 12:23 as hearkening back to 11:40, that they without us should not be made perfect. In any case, it t was the words "made perfect" that a Cath jumps at, as they see this as supporting mythical postmortem purification. I tell them that wherever Scripture clearly speak of the next conscious reality for believers then it is with the Lord, (Lk. 23:43 [cf. 2Cor. 12:4; Rv. 2:7]; Phil 1:23; 2Cor. 5:8 [“we”]; 1Cor. 15:51ff'; 1Thess. 4:17) 

And rather than Purgatory conforming souls to Christ to inherit the kingdom of God, the next transformative experience that is manifestly taught is that of being made like Christ in the resurrection. (1Jn. 3:2; Rm. 8:23; 1Co 15:53, 54; 2Co. 2-4) At which time is the judgment seat of Christ And which is the only suffering after this life, which does not begin at death, but awaits the Lord's return, (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy. 4:1, 8; Revelation 11:18; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 1:7, 5:4) and is the suffering of the loss of rewards (and the Lord's displeasure!) due to the manner of material one built the church with. But which one is saved despite the loss of such, not because of. (1 Corinthians 3:8ff) 
Response #3:
Re: words that they jump at. Typical. People like that only USE the Bible to try and support what they already believe. The correct method is to go the Bible, the whole Bible, day by day in humility to find out what it has to say. The "made perfect" is from teleo, a key word in scripture which has to do with spiritual completion through faith and growth (see the link) and is talking about finishing our course on earth and then being transferred to heaven -- with no made-up intermediary stops!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
"The correct method is to go the Bible, the whole Bible, day by day in humility to find out what it has to say." Indeed, and be willing to go forever the rightly divided truth will lead
(and also differentiating btwn essentials and peripheral issues, while waiting for more light), versus being as a cultic devotee who reduces Scripture to being an abused servant, forced to support their ecclesiastical object of security.

I am glad you are still alive and able to help us laymen with language issues. 
Response #4:
Thank you!

Re: "I am glad you are still alive and able to help us laymen with language issues." My pleasure.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 1:21-24 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob L,

I added the following note in my study am I all wet.

Note: Who is being restrained? Not the anti-christ but Jesus. Jesus mentions several times that Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Great Apostrophy and the appearing of the man of evil must happen before Jesus appearing. Although, I believe the Holy Spirit restrains the anti-christ until the Prophecies are fulfilled. I also added a comment from one of your question responses. I believe the anti-christ will appear, but his influence will be curtailed/restrained/ sealed until its due time.

Instead of preventing the action of a large group of inherently evil beings (as in Genesis six), here we see the Holy Spirit actually preventing the appearance on the scene of history of the most evil human being of all time: the beast, or antichrist. By this ministry, the Spirit refuses to allow Satan's intense attack on the people of God to occur before its proper time. Not until every moment, every spiritual opportunity of this present age of Christ's Church has been played out will the Spirit stand aside and allow the Tribulation to begin. 15 Through this ministry of restraint, the Holy Spirit preserves our freedom to grow in Christ, keeping us safe from antichrist, and keeping him and his world-wide reign of terror sealed up until its due time.

Love in Christ,
Response #5:
I'm a little confused by your comment, "Not the anti-christ but Jesus", inasmuch as your note following that is fine (n.b., however, "Apostasy" not "Apostrophy"). The Spirit in this particular ministry detailed in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-10 is preventing the Tribulation from commencing through His restraint of the revelation of the beast. The whole passage has to do with Paul's readers having gotten the wrong idea (from false teachers) that the resurrection had already occurred, a false doctrine Paul had to deal without throughout his ministry.
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1st Corinthians 15:12-14 NKJV

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
2nd Timothy 2:17-18 NKJV
Paul chooses to refute that lie in this instance you ask about by demonstrating the impossibility of the resurrection occurring before the Tribulation by reminding his readers that two of that seven year period's seminal events had not yet taken place, namely, the Great Apostasy or turning away from the faith by one third of believers (2Thes.2:3a), and the revelation and rule of antichrist (2Thes.2:3b-12). Explaining the second point was no doubt necessary because "many antichrists" have ever been around during this two thousand year era (1Jn.2:18), but there is only one "the" antichrist. So Paul describes the beast and his father the devil's methodology to show that the level of evil and departure from the truth it will produce had not yet taken place – and therefore neither had the resurrection which follows all of those events (as our Lord taught very clearly; cf. Matthew chapter 24).

The quote you include comes from BB 5: Pneumatology. Please also check out the following links:
The Restraining Ministry of the Holy Spirit (in SR 2)
The Restraining Ministry of the Holy Spirit (in CT 2B)
N.b., it is always some form of evil or danger that the Spirit is restraining, not anything good and certainly not God Himself. God does exercise forbearance in His great mercy (cf. 2Pet.3:15), but that is self-imposed restraint in delay of judgment for our sake (something quite different from being restrained by the Spirit).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hello Bob,

Re: Matthew 24:4-11

While this has happened before in history, do you recall anytime when it was worldwide? It seems to perfectly describe today's milieu.

In our Lord,
Response #6:
There have been violent times before in recent histories which likewise could easily be seen as "fitting the bill" (WWI, WWII), as well as plenty of deceptions and deceivers. And yet it was not "the end" prophesied by our Lord.  
That said, I agree that things do appear to be building to a climax. Whether that comes next year (probable in my opinion) [n.b., now, this year] or not, we'll have to wait and see.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Thanks Bob,

I am coming out of it now slowly. 

Thanks Bob for bearing with me in fellowship and prayer.

Better to struggle but then overcome these chinks in our spiritual armour now rather than during the Tribulation. Amen!

In Jesus,
Response #7:
I'm happy to hear that you are "coming out of it". When it comes to people we care about who are not responding to the truth the way we would wish, it is very frustrating and can make us feel powerless, but we have to remember who it is that has all the power. If we will be content to place things in His hands (and leave them there), all will be well in the end as He will work them out that way (Rom.8:28). Our job is to wait on Him, trusting in Him no matter how long it takes. 
Re: "Better to struggle but then overcome these chinks in our spiritual armour now rather than during the Tribulation." That is the stone cold truth. We are never going to be happy about testing and suffering while it's happening . . . until we get to the other side and reap the benefits fully. It is right to observe that whatever we have to endure before those seven years is likely to be a lot less – even if it feels unbearable at times – than will be the case then. All the more reason to arc our vision up and over towards the end of the race and the goal line, and not get caught up in every footfall in between.

I'm very happy to call you a friend in Jesus Christ,

In Him,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

Hope you are well!

On the one-to-one replacement of fallen angels with believers, do you teach this as true or only a theory? If we don't have a specific Bible passage that gives us this, why do you teach it?

Respectfully,
Response #8:
Thanks for the question.

There are plenty of biblical teachings which are indisputably true where we don't have a verse to quote directly which says exactly what we'd like it to say (e.g., the Trinity). There are also many principles which also are true but which are based upon interpretation of various scriptures and must be "put together" like a puzzle (so to speak). If this has done correctly, whether by the early church, or during the Reformation, or by 19th-20th century evangelicals, or by your humble servant, the truth is the truth and the proof is always "in the pudding". If the teaching stands the test of scrutiny through comparing it with the Bible to see that it really does flow from the Bible then we should accept it as true. Exercising such scrutiny in a godly way is important, so what you are asking is completely legitimate. Once we have assured ourselves of the validity of the teaching – and in confidence through long experience with the teacher – then at that point we should "put aside the bones", believe and apply. That is the only way to grow.

The Bible is written the way it is written for a reason. God could easily have made things absolutely crystal clear in such a way that no teacher and no teaching was ever necessary. But for various reasons, namely, to separate the wheat of genuine and long lasting interest from the chaff of mere curiosity, to demonstrate the need to accept authority, and to test and build our faith, among other reasons, we have been given what we have been given in the way we have been given it – as for example in our Lord's teaching via parables so that for all who were really not responsive to the truth or God's authority "Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand" (Lk.8:10 NKJV).

I wouldn't teach anything I didn't think was true. It is certainly the case that some things are more certain than others in terms of the scriptural truth that one can provide as support. But if they are "there", even if only "between the lines via deduction and comparison of scriptures and biblical principles", I've never thought it right to NOT teach what I've been given to discover in the Bible.

It's not too much to say that if I'd taken a different approach, there wouldn't be any Ichthys at all. It's easier for any man who wants to teach the Word to "go no farther" than what he has learned at seminary or from his denomination or mentors. That may seem "safe", but in the end we are responsible to the Lord for what we teach, not to human authorities or even to those who may listen to us. Since we can say for certain that much teaching of the past, even among "the best circles" of evangelicaldom, the best place to find the truth in the recent past, has been incorrect and deficient, I could not in good conscience endorse that approach. So at some point, if a pastor-teacher is going to do what Jesus Christ requires, namely, to "feed my sheep" (Jn.21:15-17), that is going to require stepping out of the safe boat and following where the Lord leads, in spite of all winds and waves – because the boat is sinking, but holding the Lord's hand we'll never sink. 

On the specific question, the teaching is extrapolated from scripture generally, from observations about the plan of God and the interrelationships between mankind and the angels as far as scripture provides insights into these matters. The Satanic Rebellion series establishes the essential theme of the plan of God: Judgment, Restoration and Replacement. This occurs in three phases:

1. Phase I: Constitution: Lays the foundation for the eternal victory (the "much" phase).
a. Judgment I: the Genesis Gap
b. Restoration I: the Seven Days of Re-creation
c. Replacement I: the First and the Last Adams

2. Phase II: Completion
a. Judgment II: the Tribulation
b. Restoration II: the Millennium
c. Replacement II: Christ the King and His Church

3. Phase III: Consummation
a. Judgment III: the Final Judgments
b. Restoration III: the New Heavens and the New Earth
c. Replacement III: the Advent of the Father

Every one of these three phases and their three elements is clearly taught in scripture. Lining them up like this is unique to Ichthys, but to my mind they stand solidly in place, especially if one reads some of the details of explanation on the site (see the synopsis in BB 2B, under "God's Plan for Human History" at the link).

If one can agree with the above, then we are on to the idea of replacement, and specifically the "phase II" replacement. Our Lord and His world rule replaces that of the devil under which we are all presently suffering:
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, "The world Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ has [now] come, and He will rule forever and ever. Amen". 
Revelation 11:15

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down."
Revelation 12:10 NIV
Since the Church, all believers from Adam and Eve until our Lord's return is one with our Lord, who is it that we are replacing? In the description of the devil's rebellion in SR 1 (link), it is demonstrated that Satan sought to replace God and that his argument to his fellow angels to join him included the theory that he and they were irreplaceable – and hence safe from condemnation. Therefore replacement is God's essential repudiation of the original lie of the devil. In part three of that same series, the purpose for God's creation of mankind as a replacement for the devil and his angels is likewise demonstrated (see the link). Replacement, then, is a clear and integral part of the plan of God.

So now we are down to the issue of proportion. Specific evidence for a direct relationship between angelic organization and ultimate believer organization can be found in a comparison between the gemstones representing the tribes (on the high priest's breastplate and as foundations of the wall of New Jerusalem) and in the deliberately significant gaps in the Jewish ceremonial calendar. See the links:
Part 5 of The Satanic Rebellion series, in section II.8.c, point 5 under “The Symbolism of the Four Gaps and their Twelve-Day Groupings”, “Israel is the Ultimate Organization”
Part 5 of The Satanic Rebellion series, in section II.8.c, point 5 under “The Symbolism of the Four Gaps and their Twelve-Day Groupings”.
Coming Tribulation, part 7: "The Gemstone Foundations and the Tribal Gates of New Jerusalem"
These all point to a direct relationship between fallen angels and the believers who replace them.

There is also the fact that we believers in resurrection will be participants in sequestering the fallen angels at the battle of Armageddon (link); what else would this be but "one for one"? Finally, there is the argument of perfect proportion rather than random numbers. The millennial believers, the "friends of the Bride" ought to match her numbers in fulfillment of the "double portion" principle where in the case our Lord as the Heir receives a full complement to His Church. If this is the case, which seems to me to be clear (see the link: BB 6B: Ecclesiology), then in the eternal state, elect angels and saved believers will also be a perfect 1:1 in proportion (with the one third fallen replaced and doubled thus equaling the two thirds of the elect angels).

In sum, there is plenty here for me to be confident about the truth of this principle and that is why I teach it. As this exercise also demonstrates, it's never a matter of biblical principles coming to the fore in isolation. Good Bible teaching takes into account the totality of biblical truth. That is really the only way that any truth can be understood and properly explained, namely, as an integral part of the whole of the scriptures, for "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

This outline was nice, thank you so much. I started on the link "God's Plan for Human History". No further questions on this matter at the moment. I do appreciate you expounding, that helps me understand more. After going over your reply again several times, what you say about teaching is making more sense to me.

Thank you for willingly telling us what God has given you to understand from the Bible and not letting what other people think stop that. In truth, I think I got unsettled and had to gain some ground again, seems like the enemy is turning it up again and I don't want to give in to the pressure.

I should close here, should get sleep lol.

Respectfully,
Response #9:
It's my pleasure.

Everyone hits a bump from time to time. Best policy is always to hop over and leave the leveling out for the future.

I should probably have started by pointing out the entirety of human history is God's response to Satan's rebellion (there is a whole series about that, after all: link). And since the prior God-appointed ruler, Satan, is replaced by the ultimate God appointed Ruler, our Savior the God-man Jesus Christ, that it certainly follows that His followers would be replacing the devil's followers; and since the leadership replacement is 1:1, how would the follower replacement not be likewise?

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob,

Please correct my understanding. I had understood this verse to apply to the Tribulation. Now, I'm not so sure. Given recent headlines, it was safer doing a tour in Vietnam than living in Chicago and other large cities today. (And I paid close attention at the time!) It appears we are gradually drifting into the Tribulation. Verse 15 of Matthew 24 seems to be the beginning of the final 3.5 years or shortly after. Am I understanding correctly?
"Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), "
Matthew 24:15
Response #10:
Yes, Matthew 24:15 marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."
Matthew 24:12 NIV
Yes, the above does refer to the situation throughout the Tribulation (see 2Thes.2:6-12; and the link). Two verses earlier, our Lord tells us that "at that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other" (Matt.24:10 NIV). So while things are bad enough at present, it doesn't hold a candle to how bad things will get once the Tribulation begins. We know from plenty of passages that true believers will be persecuted and members of their own family (along with apostate former believers) will betray them. The false teaching mentioned in between (v.11) is indeed on the rise at present, but not the abundance of actual false signs that will trip many weak believers up (Matt.24:24; Mk.13:22).

But things ARE bad. Which is why I avoid watching the news too often.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

We have been reading Isaiah and came to the following verses:

Isaiah 41, verses 1 and 2, and she asked me who this was that "whom He calls in righteous to His feet?

__ said to me, that is appears that the one whom He[Jesus] calls is the antichrist?

The same is with Isaiah 46:10-13, especially verse 11: "the man of My purpose from a far country?

And Isaiah 37:36. __ wanted to know if this was Jesus Himself, and I said, yes it is Jesus. 

Thanks for the help.

Blessings to you always.

Your friend, who is still alive.
Response #11:
Good to hear from you, my friend! 

On Isaiah 37:36, yes, THE Angel of the Lord is a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of our Lord before He took on true humanity (see the link in BB 1).

On Isaiah 41, I take this chapter to be talking about Cyrus the Great who is a type of Christ. Since the LORD calls him "in righteousness" and since it is the LORD who gives him rule over the nations, I would see this rather as a typological prophecy of Christ's victory and rule as prefigured by Cyrus.

I take Isaiah 46:11 in the same vein, inasmuch as the one called is "The man who executes My counsel". 

In both instances, moreover, this person comes "from the east", the direction of the Messiah's return (e.g., Is.59:18; 63:1; Zech.14:4), whereas antichrist comes "from the north" (e.g., Jer.8:16; 50:9; Zech.6:8 [Hebrew, not English translations; see the link]).
Glad to hear you are "still alive"! Let's keep it that way on both ends of this conversation as long as the Lord wills.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Thanks for the response that it was Cyrus instead of the antichrist.

Well, Yes, I would like to have both of us be able to converse as long as the Lord wants us here, and we have fulfilled His purpose for us.

Blessing to you always,

I have learned some much from you, and I thank the Lord for the day I found your internet site.

I am still studying the long dissertation of your teaching on Eschatology. It is very interesting and I hope I can remember all that you wrote.

With the Lord's help I will.

Your friend always,
Response #12:
If you're referring to BB 2B: Eschatology, that is essentially a synopsis of the Satanic Rebellion series and the Coming Tribulation series. So hang on and hang in – you've got a lot more to go!

Keeping you in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob, (again)

Please keep me out of the weeds. To preface my question, through most of scripture, the Lord intervenes in the affairs of men by using humans and natural events as his tool. The Exodus being a major exception.

In thinking about the events of the past five years with the shipping disruptions, destruction of livestock and consequent price rises, the covid fiasco, the farm fires and explosions, the floods and disasters, etc., it appears the Ezekiel prophecy is being fulfilled today. The hoards of Monarch butterflies that used to pass through here twice a year has dwindled to only a few. Only one example of the destruction of life. People in their 20s & 30s are dropping dead of heart failure and cancers. Then given contemporary perversions, news that's pushing soft porn an AI generated, the rampant rise of murders, the lying and corruption etc., it appears we fit the criteria of Ezekiel's prophecy.

Am I off in the weeds, again? I'm also wondering how this trend(s) fit into the Tribulation. Do you suppose we'll be guided by a pillar of smoke and fire when told to leave?

Thanks for your patience.

Yours in Jesus,
Response #13:
No doubt, things are bad and getting worse. It's good of you not be getting "frog boiled" into complacency about that. But on the other hand, it's pointless to worry about things outside of our control. The Lord will balance it all out when He returns, and that may be a lot sooner than people think. That's not up to us to choose either, but I certainly hope it's the case!

In terms of leaving, at present I don't see any "safe haven" where things are proceeding "decently and in order". But when it's time to leave Babylon, there won't be any doubt about it (and see the link):
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out from her, O my people, that you may not receive a share of [the punishment for] her sins, and that you may not partake of the plagues [which are about to fall upon] her."
Revelation 18:4
In Jesus

Bob L.
Question #14:
Good morning Professor,

How have you been doing? I know 

“To whom much is given, much is expected”. Does the much that is expected refer to being able to get the three crowns? Does the much given refer to knowledge about God or to things like family and material things? Or both?

I’m reading a very beautiful book by Francine Rivers, she is a Christian author and her books are usually packed with so many lessons. My question above is from there.

I’m bursting to talk to you about everything but the words seems to be clogged in my head and I can’t release them and I’ve been trying.

Thank you Professor. Thank you!
Response #14:
I think you are right: the Lord considers everything He has given us. He is the perfect Judge. So when we stand before Him, if we've had, say, a much longer life as a believer while someone else was only in the faith a few months, e.g., we know that He will render a fair judgment. That is part of the meaning of the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt.20:1-16). So I would read this not just as a warning but also an encouragement. Our Lord wants the best from us, but He is also loving, gracious and merciful to an infinite degree. We can be absolutely sure that we will receive a "fair shake" from Him at the judgment. All the more reason to be diligent in our service to Him.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1st Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
I just saw the teachings as/misinterpreted them as kind of I don't know, oppressive to people with autistic struggles with understanding what people can mean, or to people who struggle with highly compulsive behavior or anxiety flares/bipolar spikes like me? I saw it as essentially "God doesn't care, just overcome it or you don't trust Him/care about what He wants". It shouldn't be hard to see how that's utterly unfair.

But like I said, that's just how I took it, even if it wasn't what you meant right? Im sorry about that. Even trying to cultivate joy gives sudden drops in motivation and momentary spirals into "it's too much" or "this is overbearing" that I always interpreted as sinful/proof I haven't "truly repented" or I simply don't actually want truth. I eventually stopped taking the ideas of fairness and justice and love seriously altogether because of it(most certainly, this was just what the enemy wanted me to believe!)
Response #15:
Re: "God doesn't care". Of course He does. He sacrificed His Son for you, judging Him for every one of your sins – and He did that for us all. That is love. 

Re: "cultivating joy": As I've often said, it's not always possible to be joyous, but scripture assures us that we can have God's peace even in the midst of the storm. It does require growth and practice to do this consistently, however, and it doesn't mean that we might not be really hurting as we wait for the Lord's deliverance. I expect this all to get much more challenging once the Tribulation begins. All the more reason to devote ourselves to spiritual growth while we still have the opportunity. If we are taking care to enter into His rest, the Spirit envelops us in a cocoon of peace with joy surrounding and just on the other side of whatever pain and trouble we are experiencing. But we do have to embrace that in our hearts in spite of what we may be hearing, seeing and feeling. Not the stuff of spiritual immaturity (see the link).

Re: "what the enemy wanted me to believe". Indeed, the devil is always trying to separate believers from all joy, peace and truth. But we DO have the Holy Spirit who is "greater than he who is in the world" (1Jn.4:4), so we all need to do a better job listening to His "still, small voice" (1Ki.19:12).

Re: "if my own mind rebels". As I've often said, capturing the "mental high ground" is, in many ways, the last great obstacle before achieving genuine spiritual maturity. And it's not as if once we've gotten "control" that it will ever NOT be a fight. The devil is the master of the counter-attack and he will take it back whenever/if ever we get sloppy about "capturing every thought for Christ" (2Cor.10:5). Here are some links on that:
Who Controls our Thoughts and Emotions?
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle I
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle II
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle III
Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Thanks Bob,

I remember somewhere on your site that you have written that there is a sort of 'viewing platform' of hell and I am remember in my early days of being a Christian I was shocked at this and wondered why anyone would avail themselves of being able to look at those in hell.

Now that I have been round the block a few times and seen just how despicably evil people can be, I have begun to take comfort in the certainty of God's judgement and vengeance on the wicked. Whenever I feel cut to the quick by cruelty or wickedness against me, I comfort myself in the following:

Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

In Jesus,
Response #16:
The passage upon which this teaching is based is . . .
“For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
“And they shall go forth and look
Upon the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm does not die,
And their fire is not quenched.
They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”
Isaiah 66:22-24 NKJV
I don't pretend to know the reasons behind this but I think you give a very good and valid perspective of why this may be the case. Indeed, no evil person ever really "gets away" with anything. It can just look like that to the worldly eye. But we believers know better as you point out.  So we stick with our Lord's policy and forgive everyone everything – because WE need to be forgiven (Mk.6:14-15) – and leave the issue of recompense to Him.
A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
Psalm 73:1-20
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Thanks Bob for these verses,

[omitted

About being able to view people in hell. I was thinking that this was to glorify God and to show us that He is just and righteous and keeps His promises. It reminded me of when I learned about Jesus' descent into hell and to show the fallen angels who were detained there that He had fully refuted all the base lies that Satan had told them about Him. That showed them He is victorious over death and a God who can overcome all of Satan's false claims made through his blasphemous rebellion.

Am I on the right lines here?

So that viewing platform of hell will be for believers and elect angels alike, a constant proof and reminder of the truth God has told us and a very visible refutation of all Satan's lies about life and death (you shall not die), just as Jesus was a physically visible refutation of Satan's lies to the fallen angels in hell.

The eternal dwelling place of fallen angels and sinful humanity both being the most immediate and physical refutation of Satan's lies of all! So fitting that Satan in particular to dwell forever in a place that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that his rebellion and claims were both a baseless lie and an abject failure!

Those verses you sent really helped me. It's easy to flag and struggle when the going is tough and we see all the wicked swagger and boast of those who seem unfazed by life's struggles and even at times appear to be thriving with earthly success. I'll admit it's hard to stomach at times and made my going feel even rougher. I know this is another thing I need to keep in check and grow stronger in faith over. It encourages me that even great believers from time to time have felt this and that God wanted this to be in the Word because He understands how this may trip us up at times and so wanted to show us the eternal truth about these things to comfort us because He loves us and wants us to overcome all these understandable pitfalls (coming as they do from a fleshly perspective).

In Jesus,
Response #17:
No worries about leaving out part 1 of email 1.

 
Re: "descended into hell", that is from the apostle's creed. Jesus told the thief who repented, "today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Lk.21:43), and at 1st Peter 3:19 we are told that our Lord proclaimed his victory to the incarcerated angels. Neither place is what we think of as "hell", "Torments" before the last judgment and the Lake of fire afterwards (here's the best link for understanding the distinctions between the various compartments of the underworld, aka "Hades".). 

But, yes, it is a good observation that elect angels will likewise see the final end of those who rebelled. All the trouble the evil one and his followers caused in the end will only fall on their own heads.

I'm sorry that things have come to such a pass with __. You certainly have nothing to regret since you have consistently gone over and above in attempting to minister to __. One can only hope that as __ looks into the abyss at the end that __ may finally grab for the lifeline you have repeatedly held out. But that is something that has to come from __ (I'll say a prayer).

Re: supernatural protection – you bet! Without our Lord's merciful, gracious and supernatural protection, we would all have long been done in. It is a mark of your spiritual growth that you are seeing this.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8 NKJV
Keeping you and your health in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Thanks Bob,

I didn't realise that was part of the Apostle's Creed. I realise that most of these things have already been discussed on your site. I guess most people ask questions about things you have already covered on your site but it's because they haven't gotten around to that part yet.

With the supernatural protection, I have also realised that the Lord gives me strength to overcome things that would have easily buckled me before I was saved.

If I do get down or overwhelmed by things around me then I do know that if I trust Him in faith and keep praying to overcome then I can get through whatever comes my way, even things that seem insurmountable and enormous then I know the Lord will give me supernatural strength to get through it that wouldn't be possible through my own fleshly strength.

Always keeping you, yours and your ministry in my daily prayers.

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #18:
My pleasure, my friend.

LOL, there is a LOT of material on the website. There aren't too many (if any) who have read it all, and I dare say nobody has mastered it all (I'm systematically reviewing it and rereading it myself as well).

Re: "the Lord gives me strength to overcome things". Amen! That is the truth which we all need to aggressively embrace. We could only ever hang on and move forward spiritually in this world through our Lord's help, through prayer, attention to the truth and the ministry of the Spirit.
(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
Thanks for your prayers. Keeping you in my prayers too.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/