http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CLX

Question #1:
Hi Bob,

I think I know what you'll say, but I haven't asked this as I recall. Q. Do we know what "fine flour" mentioned in Mosaic sacrifice law actually was? Was it sifted or just milled fine?

Jewish tradition today specifies that unleavened bread for Passover must be baked within 15 minutes of mixing. Sounds a little legalistic to me and I can't imagine how Israelites managed that on the Exodus. (I like unleavened bread -- water crackers in today's parlance. Excellent for dips though nearly always made with refined white flour.)

Please don't take time from your weekly posting for this. It's curiosity only. I mill my own flour from whole grain and it takes more than 15 minutes for the flour to absorb the water. Having recently gone through that part of the old testament, I don't think the ancient Israelites could have managed the 15 minute deadline.

Also, Moses' last address to the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan, bears repeating today -- with appropriate modifications for the New Covenant. It didn't take the Israelites long to apostatize and nothing seems to have changed in the intervening centuries.

Thanks.

I pray all is well up there in L'ville and your classes are good.

Yours in our Lord,
Response #1:
That's wild that you "mill your own"! 

And you are correct. We've spoken about this before. Here's what I wrote you earlier:
The Hebrew word sōle means "flour". KJV translates the word as "flour" in Exodus 29:2 but "fine flour" in Leviticus 2:1. In our experience in the USA, what is meant is "flour", not a rough or coarse grind or groats (whole wheat kernels as you mention) or "oatmeal" (for oats as is typical in the USA, though there is such a thing as "oat flour"). In Europe, our flour is "cake flour". When you go to the market there, you have various levels of fineness to choose from, because "cake flour" is not suitable for the type of bread they prefer.
Classes start on Monday but this week has been fraught. One of the issues: with a new dean and assoc./asst. deans and a new chair, once again I'm having to – at the very last minute (just heard this today) – defend my program. A prayer to encourage the dean's office not to cancel my upper Greek and Latin classes would be most appreciated. I don't get full credit for them anyway, so it's not as if cancelling them will save the college any money (since I'll just move my small number of "points" elsewhere and not to any other class) but will actually cost them through the loss of the credit hours.

Re: "It didn't take the Israelites long to apostatize". That's for sure. They are an example to us (1Cor.10:6) – a very negative one. One hopes that many present day Laodicean believers will react in the opposite way to what that generation repeatedly did when the Tribulation begins, possibly very shortly, but that remains to be seen.

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,

I apologize for the repeated question. (Gettin' old ain't for sissies!) I am fascinated with how the Israelites might have eaten. It's disappointing that the description isn't more specific, though that wasn't the point of the scriptures. I'm familiar with Mesoamerican methods of milling and to a limited extent, Roman and Mediterranean methods. But I've seen nothing on Middle Eastern methods. I'm convinced that "bread" then bore little relationship with what we call bread today. (As an aside: I read in scripture how people generally ate their sacrifices. It was right there in plain print and I missed it. Seems to be more common with me lately.)

Milling my own grain is not as bizarre as it may sound. Small grain mills are not expensive -- at least in some cases. The original motivation was Joseph getting the Egyptians and his family through the 7 year famine with stored grain -- (which I assume included legumes and other seeds, though I don't recall any such description.) The supply chain failures at the start of the covid fiasco was also major motivation. What I discovered is that freshly milled whole grain, ancient grains like korasan, einkorn, etc., tastes so much better than conventional flours. Milled whole grain flours go rancid quickly which I believe is why commercial varieties have a bitter taste. So long term storage of the flour isn't an option. Unmilled whole grain lasts a long time - re: Joseph, so milling 100 grams for an evenings pasta makes sense. To me, at least. Apparently, the ancient Romans also had a form of pasta, too. Not the thin strands of our spaghetti, but a flat version.

I pray daily that you keep your classes and students; I know how important that is. I'll revise my prayer to be more focused. Having new management is, by itself, a challenge. How some people ended up in management always baffled me.

Stay well and safe. I apologize for wasting your time again.

In our Lord Jesus,
Response #2:
No worries, my friend! Always great to hear from you.

Yes, the Roman soldiers of late Republic and early Empire times all carried around a hand mill in their pack to mill the grain they were distributed (or "found" in living off the land when on campaign). They were very attached to their porridge. There was one occasion where a legion rebelled over having to eat meat when wheat was unavailable for an extended period of time. We are all used to what we are used to.

And, yes, the Romans had a type of pasta, sort of like lasagna noodles, which they broke up and put in soup like crackers. Hard to imagine Italian cooking without spaghetti sauce, but of course they had no tomatoes (a new world fruit).

Thanks for the prayers. I haven't heard anything further yet, but that is typical on the weekend. No classes cancelled on the schedule yet. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for those prayers!

Keeping you in mine as well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob,

It's been my experience that those promoted to management who have no boots-on-the ground experience or understanding, generally play politics. (Boy, have I got war stories!) I'm sorry to be so negative, but past experience doesn't lend itself to optimism. You remain in my daily prayers including the retention of your students and classes.

This and the next semester will get us much closer to the Tribulation. We know how things go from there. I'm convinced your estimation is accurate -- I really don't see how things can continue this way for much longer. I pray the milieu in L'ville is still safe and sane. Austin has gone to hell in a handbag. (Literally, I believe. I just came back from North Austin.)

As a side note: I'm seeing butterflies I've never seen before. The wonders the Lord has provided are breath taking. They're there for everyone to see. But, I rhapsodise...

In our Lord,
Response #3:
Yes, "failing upward" is a definite thing. As is also virtue-signaling in one direction, then doing whatever we want whenever we want to and the scapegoating-whoever-gets-in-the-way style hypocrisy in the other despite what we've claimed about ourselves.

But it has been a good year for butterflies! And squash.

Tuesday gone and nothing more about my classes. They went well yesterday and I managed to wrangle the new work computer into a state of basic functionality (the old one was fine but wouldn't do Windows 11 so come October, I would not be allowed to log in the university system on it).

Re: closeness and "I really don't see how things can continue this way for much longer". I agree. But then I've been saying that for a while and guess what? Things have been continuing to get worse. We'll see soon enough about how close we were/are. To things make me apprehensive about the fall in terms of the date. First, the absence of a figure that quite fits the bill of antichrist, i.e., someone who, for a good majority of the unbelieving world, will seem justified in his false claim to be the Messiah. Cf.:
(23) And at the end of their kingdom (i.e., during the Tribulation), when rebels are being confirmed [in their apostasy], there will arise a stern-faced king (i.e., antichrist), well-versed in deception. (24) And he will become exceptionally powerful – but not through his own power. And he will be astoundingly successful in his corrupting [activities]. And he will even undertake to corrupt the mighty men (i.e., believers) and [a part of] the holy people (i.e., Israel). (25) And on account of his cunning, [his] conspiracy will prosper under his direction. And he will [greatly] magnify himself in his own thinking, and by his seductive ways he will corrupt many. He will even take his stand against the Prince of princes, and will be shattered apart from human agency.
Daniel 8:23-25

(21) And there will arise in his place a [man of] contempt upon whom they will not bestow the honor of the kingship (i.e., he will not come to power in a legal, conventional way). Rather, he will come [to power] through seductive [methods], and will take control of his kingdom (i.e., mystery Babylon) by means of duplicity. (22) Now it is from him that the flood waters (i.e., armies: Dan.9:26; 11:40; cf. Is.8:7-8; 28:15-22; Nah.1:8; Rev.12:15) will pour forth and be shattered (i.e., at Armageddon), for he is even "the prince of the covenant" (i.e., the author of the pseudo-Messianic peace treaty with Israel: Dan.9:27). (23) After men have leagued themselves to him, he will set his conspiracy in motion and will grow [in power] and become [very] strong, even though his faction is small.
Daniel 11:21-23
And secondly, the absence of anyone – or any movement – that could fill the role of the Mahdi and his followers (whom the actual beast will proclaim to be "antichrist"). 
But things can happen fast, as we know (we had a good dose of that during Covid), and how much more so once the Tribulation begins! Only then will we know for certain.
(3) For [the Second Advent cannot come] unless the [Great] Apostasy has first occurred and the man of lawlessness, [antichrist,] has [first] been revealed, that "son of destruction" (cf. Jn.17:12 of Judas), (4) the one who will oppose and exalt himself against every so-called god and object of worship to such a degree that he will [even] take his seat in the temple of God and represent himself as being God.
2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4
Thanks for your prayers, my friend. Keeping you in mine daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,"
Matthew 24:12 NIV

This is the only scriptural reference that addresses our current milieu that I can see. Are there others? This seems to be a prominent factor in these end times. I would think Ezekiel and Isaiah would have had something to say though nothing I remember seems relevant.

In Jesus,
Response #4:
Christ's message to Laodicea and His reproving of her lukewarmness at Revelation 3:14-22 is also right on the mark . . . and no surprise because it is the divine description of this present era.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

Yes, I agree. I was thinking about the growing barbarism, but what the Lord says to the church at Laodacia indicates the moral rot that seems to characterize our age. That would promote the barbarism spreading in the world. All I do anymore is scan headlines and today, the perversion and barbarity reported as news got to me. There's only so much I can read before the eyes poop out and I'm not getting much benefit scanning the news. It's time, I think, to get serious about reading my old books -- particularly those written in the 19th century. That seemed to be a more civilized age.

I hope all is well up there in L'ville and the semester is off to a good start. I'm surprised you are still finding young people interested in the classics. I'm familiar with Ecclesiastes 7:10, and remind myself of that almost daily, but I can't help myself. Your students, I suspect were raised by more educated parents than most. You're fortunate. Many today think an education in classics will not lead to a good job. On the contrary, a sound education in the classics leads to a successful interview with cements the job. But I rhapsodize...

Thank you for reminding me of the Lord's message to the Laodaceans.

Yours in our Lord,
Response #5:
Exactly why I spend a lot less time these days reading or watching the news. But the Tribulation will be worse. All the more reason to emotionally disinvest from this world now as best we can. The "kingdom [to] come" will be wonderful beyond understanding, and that is where our eternal home resides. No newspapers in New Jerusalem. No need.

There is still some interest in the ancient world. Students come to my Greek and Latin classes from a wide variety of motivations. Some of them by accident. "I took Greek because Russian was full" or some such has been a common refrain . . . "but I ended up loving it!".

Prayers for my tenure as our dept. personnel committee chair appreciated. It's going to be a great deal of extra work (and it's not as if I've got nothing to do).

Keeping you in my prayers too, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,

I recently came across your website ichthys.com and am obsessed with it! So much great content. 

I have a question-

I used to be involved with some of the wealthiest people in the world who are involved with the Illuminati (yes, it’s real and really exists). One night I was, involuntarily, hypnotized by one of their magicians and saw my archetypes(Aphrodite, Psyche, and Athena) and my past lives…. I saw a young runaway bride being chased by men in a church and holding on to her flowers for dear life. Then I heard a male opera singer with the most beautiful and deep voice. Then I heard a beautiful male voice singing the National Anthem and faintly in the background I could hear a woman singing the song America the Beautiful. 

It made me question my faith in God as the Bible doesn’t speak about archetypes or past lives. 

Can you explain this at all? Sorry if this is out of your realm, but I don’t know where else to turn.

Thank you for your time.

Yours truly,
Response #6:
Good to make your acquaintance, and thanks for your good words.

Regarding dreams and visions, there are some postings on the site. Here is one link that will lead to others: Interpreting Dreams and Analyzing Prophetic Claims

I try never to weigh in on other people's experiences. God does give us some things which are only for us. Determining what is really from Him and what is not takes some measure of spiritual maturity so as always my main R/x is always "spiritual growth".

I can assure you, however, that we only have this one life. Our evaluation before the Lord will be based upon everything we did or didn't here down here right here right now.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
2nd Corinthians 5:10-11 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Thank you! I’m going to check out those links now. I don’t mean to take up much of your time, but forgot to mention something in my previous email. 

Do you know anything about the Akashic records? The magician I mentioned also read my Akashic records and was able to tell me stuff about myself that would be IMPOSSIBLE to know. 

It makes me sad that God would allow someone to know my inner life. I’m having a hard time with this one as well. 

Any thoughts? 

Thanks again,
Response #7:
First of all, God loves you. Anything He does is for the good. Only those who reject Him and His grace fall under judgment. He sent His Son to die for all of our sins that we might not die but have life eternal (Jn.3:16). That is love and loving and good and goodness beyond anything imaginable. Everything else in this short life is virtually meaningless by comparison.

Second, no one can see your inner life. Not even angels can do that. But elect angels – and fallen angels – can and do observe what you say and do (1Pet.1:12; 5:8). Think about it. If you could have access to the complete video of someone's life, you would know a great deal about them – and you would be able to guess what they were thinking and feeling from their words, expressions, actions and reactions. So please don't fall for this parlor trick. Getting involved with anything new age or occult is very spiritually dangerous (see the link: Religion and the Occult in Satan's system). Better to consult the Lord and His truth through His Word.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr L,

Are you doing okay with the workload? I remember you mentioning it and I have said prayers per your request.

Oh my goodness if I look at the news the world is falling apart. And maybe they'd say that it always looks like that. But this feels different because of the religious framing-that there's a sense of everyone here in the US and there grabbing on to Christianity, whether truly or just as a cultural totem, in response to the things happening. It feels on fire now, like everyone is ready to blow now, I can only imagine a year from now. I can even feel myself getting a little caught up.

So I have to cut it down. Only looking every so often. Until then try to do His will moment to moment, which I have not been doing a good job of, but am rededicating to it, reading the Bible, Bible study, prayer, and IF there's time Ancient Greek. But I won't do as I often did the past years and just live in a rocky way. I think I am intermediate and nearing the next level on Greek, but I really feel it's important to be steady now more than ever. 

I can't wait to be free of the sin nature, and never sin again. I think I had a moment like Peter did (when he said what he said to the Lord and the Lord said get behind me). So I can't wait for it to be dead. And I can't wait to be with the Family.

Please take care of yourself, okay? Don't overwork yourself, and be careful,
Response #8:
What a wonderful email!

Re: "I can only imagine a year from now". I know what you mean about not fixating on the news. I have been a lot better about ignoring it of late and that does help "peace of mind". And, yes, we can expect a ramp up as things get closer.

Re: "rededicating to it, reading the Bible, Bible study, prayer". That's terrific! Getting and keeping our priorities straight is in large measure what this life is all about . . . for those who want a good report at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Re: "I can't wait to be free of the sin nature". Amen! Struggling and fighting against it with the help of the Spirit is possible and doable but never easy or automatic. The evil one is always looking to trick us, and we, human that we are, are never able to be 100% on alert at all times. It will indeed be wonderful in eternity just for the things that are NOT there: sin, temptation, pain, suffering, privation, sorrow, stress, debt, taxes . . . and death.

Re: "And I can't wait to be with the Family". We don't yet know or understand about all the good things that eternity will encompass – and even for those we do have some inkling about, we can't really fully appreciate them as yet (i.e., no one really knows how great it will be to have a resurrected body) – but we certainly can appreciate and anticipate how marvelous it will be to be united as one perfect Bride of Christ and one complete and perfect Family of God, enjoying each other's company without any negatives for all time in light and glory. Next to being with our Lord and heavenly Father, that has to be the best thing.

And thanks for the prayers. This week isn't so bad. The next two will be when everything happens almost at once.

Keeping you in my prayers too, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hello Dr. Luginbill:

Its been a long time since I've talked with you, but I'm still around and still trying to understand Gods word. I've copied this email to my friend Pastor Bruce who is also major reference to me on these matters.

The issue referenced below is one that is unfamiliar to us regarding the facts written that one third of actual Christians will fall into apostasy. So, we turn to you to help us understand better how this is factual... We may not be fully understanding the Bible references Dan.11:33-35 and Zech.13:8-9 being referenced.

Thank you for any help, Pastor Bruce has and is teaching on these matters to His church and also to the community. 
Response #9:
The main place at Ichthys where this is covered (The Great Apostasy, in CT 3A at the link).

Is it the fact of the Great Apostasy that you are taking issue with? There are plenty of passages which support the teaching that this will take place during the Tribulation. E.g.:
And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Daniel 11:33-35 KJV

"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Matthew 24:10-13 KJV

"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
Matthew 25:6-13

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2nd Thessalonians 2:3 KJV

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Revelation 12:4 KJV
I'm happy to discuss any of these (and other) passages that make the fact of the Great Apostasy clear. In short, scripture clearly teaches – just from the passages above read in English – that there will be a "falling away" of believers from the faith during the Tribulation (so "Apostasy" – 2Thes.2:3 actually has "unless the apostasy [Gk. apostasia / ἀποστασία] comes first") and that it will be a very significant number (so "Great").

If the question is about the precise number, namely, the "one third", let me point out that even if this were not sufficiently supported by scripture to teach as such (I firmly believe that it is), that would not be a reason to doubt that there will be a massive apostasy of believers during the Tribulation and that it will be great in terms of its numbers as, again, the passages quoted above firmly demonstrate).

But in terms of the one third:
1) Half of the virgins (believers) in the parable of Matthew 25:1-13 apostatize while an equal number do not; given that we also know that a very great number of believers will be martyred during the Tribulation by the time our Lord returns at the end of the parable (see the link: "The Great Persecution"), it is no great leap of logic to posit that these were "another five", so to speak, who are not able to meet the Lord because they have already gone to be with the Lord (martyrdom) – so that the ones locked out are one third of the overall total.

2) Revelation 12:4 states that "a third of the stars" are swept to the ground by the dragon/devil. Believers are often associated with stars (as are angels); the suborning of one third of the angels by Satan took place in the distant past before humanity was even created, so while this does apply to and mean the fallen angels, its more immediate application is to believers who "fall" during the Tribulation, meaning apostasy not martyrdom.

3) Daniel 8:10 is more specific in this regard as he splits the two groups. The "stars" there are angels and as no elect angel can be "cast down" by the devil, this has to refer to his followers; the members of the "host" who are separated out in this passage will then be believers who are likewise seduced (into apostasy) by Satan – again, one third.

4) and . . .

“In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ ”
Zechariah 13:8-9 KJV
This last passage demonstrates that, indeed, one third of the total are believers who survive (to be resurrected at our Lord's return) and that the other part is double (two thirds), meaning, based on the parable of virgins, that half apostatize (one third of the total).

Happy to discuss grammar or interpretation of individual passages et al.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Saw a video on youtube that claimed to reveal what the mark of the antichrist really is - worshipping on Sunday (labeled a roman pagan day) as opposed to on Saturday (the true sabbath and god ordained day of worship). Wonder how they get all that on your hand or forehead. Checked into who sponsored it and its an offshoot of Herbert Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God. Guess I should claim to be an Israelite since I have ancestors from England. Haven’t seen something from that particular branch of nuttiness in a long time.
Response #10:
That's hilarious. "The mark of the beast is __ (fill in the blank with anything I particularly don't like)".

I'm sure all the crazies are going to be springing out of the woodwork in time soon to come. Oldies and baddies and stuff we've not seen before.

Buckle up.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Dr L,

In Revelation 1:1, is the angel being referred to the Lord, or is it saying the Lord Christ gave to an angel to give to John? Because it is the Lord who talks to John, unless it is more like the angel comes first and makes the communication possible?

Rev 1:1 
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

Hope you are well,
Response #11:
Appearances of the Lord as "the Angel (i.e., messenger, for that is what an "angel" is in Hebrew and in Greek) of the Lord" (Christophanies) ceased after the virgin birth. Once our Lord takes on true humanity, He never again appears as the Angel of the Lord.

In Revelation, there is an angel who speaks with John throughout the book. John is told not to worship him on two occasions (Rev.19:10; 22:9), so we're talking here about an actual elect angel. The Lord Jesus and the Father both speak at various places in the book. It's not too hard to tell when this is happening (although the versions do get it wrong in one or two places). I think if you read my translation of the book (in the CT series; link), it'll be clear when which is which.

Hope your week is going well!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Oh I think I had a brain glitch with that one, thank you for your help!

Don't overwork yourself my dear friend.
Response #12:
You get those too?

Reassuring!

Don't work too hard yourself, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,

I hope your Friday went well.

I just wanted to say that the news about Charlie Kirk's shooting is making headlines here too. For me, it really reinforces what you've always said about steering clear of politics - it's truly the devil's game. Also, Christians are leaving comments on social media (not that I'm on it much myself), with some blaming the right and others blaming the left - it's not Christlike at all. I'm sure Satan couldn't be happier. 

I thought back to what you wrote in response #15 of this week's emails.
Re: Trump and "Christianity". There is no doubt but that Christians jumping on the MAGA bandwagon is a disturbing trend, but it is a symptom rather than a cause. Getting involved in politics has always been works-salvation type behavior committed by believers (or merely people in Christian organizations) who are not interested in doing the hard work of spiritual growth which Christ desires. To the extent that they are influencing others to turn away from the truth, that is terrible. However, in my estimation of the current situation in Laodicea, there are precious few positive believers to even be vulnerable to being turned away as the vast majority has already demonstrated that they have no desire to grow, desiring rather to embrace the world. That is certainly what hitching one's wagon to this movement represents, but that is no different from embracing any other political movement instead of the Bible, whether left or right.

... All this political extremism shares in common is that it is anti-God. Focusing on one side or the other induces people to pick sides, and in the soon to come Tribulation both sides - that of the beast and his opponents - will be controlled by the devil (that has always been true of politics; how much more so in the Tribulation!). 
This says it all, Bob. It's so sad but so true.

Have a good weekend, Bob. Keeping you in my prayers and thanks so much for yours too.

In Jesus
Response #13:
Re: "I'm sure Satan couldn't be happier." Indeed. This is the sort of thing that distracts Christians from what they should be doing and draws them into the net of politics whether reacting or supporting whatever news event gets the national attention. Either way, they are just offering themselves up to be the devil's pawns. We help our country, whichever it may be, by praying for it and by becoming the saltiest "salt" we can so that the Lord will bless it for our sake (link). But if we tell God, "NO! I'm going to do that myself!", well, that is a pretty much a Satan thing to do:

Lie #1: "I don't need God"
Lie #2: "I am like God"
Lie #3: "God needs me"

Keeping him and you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend, and thanks so much for yours!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Dear brother Robert, good evening, I hope your weekend is winding up well. I have gone through your teachings, I have read about the seven churches, you have truly given out true meaning the way God gave them to you. God has prepared blessing to you and you will be blessed as you step out and step back in. I have one simple question about tribulation rupture, what do you say clearly, is rapture a special event different from the coming back of the Messiah. I am pastor based in Kenya.

Our church approves your belief and teachings. 

God bless you
Response #14:
I don't use the term "rapture" since most people will assume it's pre-Tribulation (that is the fallacy; see the link).

The resurrection of the Church occurs when our Lord returns as He spelled out for us very clearly:
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, (cf. 1Cor.15:52; 1Thes.4:16) and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV
So, indeed, we all look forward to that glorious day in rapt anticipation! That is our blessed hope (Tit.2:13)! To be with Him in resurrection along with all of our brothers and sisters forever in glory! But it is not going to happen before the Tribulation has run its entire course – and it's beyond dangerous to suggest that we believers will be spared those most difficult seven years (because such wishful thinking lends itself to lack of spiritual preparation – the hallmark of our Laodicean era).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,

Just checking in. Hoping your first week back went really well and that this one is good too. 

Thought I would update you on how things are here...We're committed to this exercise plan for __ to build him up before we go to the gym tomorrow for supervised training. I have to say it has shown how unfit I am too but I do find it difficult to keep up as much these days [omitted]

It was bank holiday yesterday so for a treat we went to a local food and drink festival which is meant to be the largest in the country. It was the usual food and gift stalls but also live music, funfair rides and street performances. The main reason we went was because I bought tickets to see a cooking demonstration by a 'celebrity chef' that __ really likes. He has a cooking show on TV every Saturday morning. It was very revealing as this man had everything that most people could only dream about and yet he didn't seem that happy at all! He was grumbling about having his photo taken and then about people with air fryers and then grumbling about people changing his recipes and then grumbling about people not cooking with butter! The thing that struck me the most was that he was also grumbling about the cost of the food stalls selling street food right outside for the festival and yet didn't miss a beat saying he paid €150 to eat chicken last week in France and that his apron (which apparently was the Rolls Royce of chef's aprons) cost him £130!!! I have noticed how many people cannot hear the irony in their own lives and how much hypocrisy is present therein. This chef used to date a Hollywood celebrity producer and I looked the story up as he gave her up because she was more famous, successful and richer than he was! Apparently she gave him whatever he wanted: if he liked a Picasso painting, she just went out and bought it for him! She bought him three in the end and he had to keep them all in a bank vault where he could visit it from time to time! How insane is that?! What's the point of owning paintings you can't even display or look at? Another funny story is that they were on the set of a Bond movie and they were picking out the next flash car which was being made for the film, this chef fantasised out loud what his choice would be and this Hollywood girlfriend immediately went to work commissioning a car which would cost over £180,000! That was when he ended the relationship as he felt he couldn't keep up with all this throwing money around.

__ speculated that if you could afford everything in the world, even the rarest and most expensive of items then would become empty and lose their value. These coveted items are only sought because they are exclusive and unattainable to most but they must become boring when your life is full of these toys. I really had a feeling for the emptiness of that world and yet these people seemed to be hooked on it like a drug. These toys made them feel empty and yet all that made them do was to seek more and more expensive toys. No doubt like drugs, nothing will ever give them the same 'high' as the first time they could buy whatever they wanted without worrying about the price tag! On top of that though is becoming 'top of the league' only to be told there is a league even higher that you have no chance of getting near! I am relieved that money/status addiction is not part of my life! After all, keeping up such appearances will be a huge push for most to take the Mark of the Beast. So glad I am already wary and wearied of such things, that I have reached a point that so much of what people value in this fallen world now exhausts me and has no appeal at all.

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecc 1:14

On the other side of the spectrum, at the supermarket today a man was begging for change so I asked him if he wanted anything to eat. He asked for a sandwich and a milkshake so I bought him those things. I then noticed that he was sitting on a huge pile of sandwiches which he covered with a blanket and that he already had a huge stack of chocolate milkshakes. When I told him that I used to volunteer with a homeless charity and the local council could help him out, he then got angry and said he needed money for his gas bill and started getting aggressive saying "you lot need to give me ten quid!!!" I walked away sad for all those people he had lied to about needing food and feeling foolish that I was fooled along with them. It has become so hard giving money or food to truly needful people. I am sure such matters will contribute to people becoming more and more wearied of doing good.

Whether we have money or not in this life, what does it really matter one way or the other? The Lord will always provide for those who trust Him and heaping up anything here truly is one of the biggest wastes of time there is! 

I wanted to mention that people are starting to fly the Union Jack everywhere (or St George's flag) in protest against the mass migration and how disruptive and chaotic it has become. We live right in the centre of our town and overnight people had unofficially (and possibly illegally) tied up flags to every lamppost whilst everyone was sleeping. 

Maybe this is more evidence that the Beast will be a champion of nationalism and separate identities rather than globalism and multiculturalism. Like in the U.S., migration is another deeply divisive issue here.

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #15:
I'll keep your health/exercise issue in my prayers.

Very insightful report! It's absolutely the case that nothing in this world can ever satisfy anyone apart from the gift of Jesus Christ. About the best unbelievers can hope to achieve is being satisfied with their lot.
There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a severe evil—Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger. Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:13-20 NKJV
Re: a right wing movement as the base for the beast. It is certainly possible, possibly even more likely than from the other side. However, it's also possible that the beast will provide a "middle way" which is in some ways all inclusive. As swiftly as things have been changing in the last few years, I'd be very reluctant to place a bet.  We are likely to find out very soon indeed, although I'm not sure we'll know very much before the actual commencement of the Tribulation.  Antichrist himself is said not to be "revealed" until it starts (2Thes.2:3).  When it does, we'll all be immensely grateful for whatever standoff we've managed to develop through spiritual growth from overdependence on the things of this world.

I keep you and yours and also the situation with your family in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

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