http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CLXIII

Question #1:
Hi Bob:

These dreams are pretty much in chronological order, but there are many other dreams/visions given to me by God that occurred along the way. I received several words . . . [omitted]
Response #1:
It is certainly true that we live on the precipice of very difficult times. As you probably know from reading the materials at Ichthys, I believe that scripture places the commencement of the Tribulation directly on the end of the Church Age, that is, 2,000 years after the crucifixion (with the seven year Tribulation overlapping). Since the crucifixion most likely occurred in 33 A.D., that time is very close (see the link). In fact, it is so close that it is hard for me to see how antichrist would not be among us now (although what age he might be when he assumes power during the Tribulation is unclear). However, it is also the case that scripture indicates no one will know it until after the Tribulation begins.
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.
2nd Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
As to dreams and visions (see the link), nothing is impossible for God. As to what you shared with me, as I say it is impossible for me (or any one else) to pass judgment on someone else's experiences. I always go back to what Peter said in 2nd Peter 1:19: "Yet I consider the prophetically inspired Word (i.e., the Bible) even more reliable". That is to say, Peter saw Jesus' transfiguration, a preview of the Second Advent, with his own eyes, and yet he had learned to put more stock in what he read in the Bible than even what he had seen with his own eyes. As Jesus said to Thomas, "blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed!". So no matter how important our personal experiences may seem to us, 1) they are not nearly as important as the truth of scripture, and 2) if they seem to conflict with scripture, then they are either a) wrong, or b) we are interpreting them incorrectly. 
I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
Psalm 138:2 NKJV (cf. Ps.33:4; Mk.9:7)

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
Matthew 4:4

In the beginning, there was the Word.
John 1:1a
In our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob, 

Does Joel 3:19 refer to the above verse in Ezekiel? 
Response #2:
But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.
Joel 3:19 NIV

Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “ ‘Because you said, “The Nile is mine; I made it.”
Ezekiel 29:9
I believe we have talked about Ezek.29 before, to the effect that it does have end times significance (see the link). Both passages speak of the lowly state of Egypt as a result of the beating it will take in the Tribulation (cf. Is.19 which has imagery very much like the Ezekiel passage but is clearly end-times focused like the Joel passage).

So, yes, to the extent that Ezek.29 is using the historical parallel of the Babylonian invasion as a paradigm for the end times invasion of antichrist at the head of the new "Babylonian" empire, then the Joel passage is indeed talking about the same thing (i.e., Egypt's humbling in the Tribulation and humble state at the Second Advent). 

For this phenomenon in biblical prophecy whereby the prophet is given to compare the contemporary or near contemporary situation in Israel to the (then) far distant Tribulation (parallels in judgment and deliverance), see part 1 of Coming Tribulation, section IV.1.b, "The Day of the Lord Paradigm" (at the link).

Hope all is well for you and yours! 

In Him. 

Bob L. 
Question #3:
Hi Bob,

Greetings. I have a question for you. Can the word 'pastor' ever be synonymous, or as a substitution for the word 'angel' ? Specifically, in the context of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 where Jesus is addressing the seven churches. The 'pastor/teacher' of the church I attend substitutes the word pastor for angel in these verses. I have looked both words up in the Greek and see that they are clearly not interchangeable. In my mind, this is outrageous. Please tell me if I'm wrong. This has been very upsetting to me. My boyfriend and other members of the church don't question this, and accept it as fact. I don't see how or why they would want to. 

Thank you for your help. 
Response #3:
Good to hear from you. While scripture does of course use synonyms and metaphors for all sorts of things, you are absolutely correct that "angel" is never used for "pastor teacher"; in fact, to my knowledge, it is never used for human beings at all except as an analogy (e.g., "my lord the king is like an angel of God", 2Sam.14:17). 

The "seven angels = pastors" interpretation was __'s interpretation of this usage in Revelation 1-3, and I do not know of anyone else who has adopted it outside of that circle (though it's possible). It is also incorrect. The seven angels are angels, and, importantly, the seven churches are, in addition to being contemporary churches, also symbolic of the seven eras of the church. So, for example, the last church. Laodicea, is the last era of the Church Age – and the lukewarmness of that "church" matches the contemporary church-visible to a "t".

Making the angels "pastors" means losing the significance of everything Revelation 2-3 is meant to teach us, because it reduces the meaning of the seven churches to a contemporary first-century message without any wider symbolic application. That is a failing that is near universal in interpretations of the book (not just the one you ask about). For more on this please see: Coming Tribulation 2A: The Seven Churches (at the link).

Yours in Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Sirs, I thoroughly enjoyed your bible study on the book of Revelation. Some time ago, I read a comment (and have found it in numerous places) that brought light to the meaning of "wormwood" in the book of Revelation. The study indicated that the Ukrainian word in the Ukrainian bible for "wormwood" was Chernobyl. I personally do not know Ukrainian, so I cannot verify this. If it is true, it would provide us an insight into the potential effects of this terrible disaster that will come upon the waters of the world someday.

In Christ
Response #4:
Thanks for your encouragement. I'm delighted to hear that you are enjoying the Coming Tribulation series. It will be a while before the next installment (Antichrist) makes it into "print" [update: series complete and available at the link], but I am hoping to have it out sometime late this year. By the way, if you would like to be placed on my announcement list for newly posted studies, just say the word and I would be happy to do so. This list generates about 2-3 e-mails a year. 

As to "wormwood", that would be quite ironic if true, wouldn't it!? I also know no Ukrainian (although in my high school in Chicago they actually taught the language, and many of my H.S. chums were of Ukrainian extraction).

Thanks for the insight – I will see if my Russian counterpart at the university knows enough to weigh in on the subject (if so, I'll let you know). [update: I am told that it is a botanical name but the actual Ukrainian biblical word in Revelation is usually polyn, not Chornobyl]; n.b., since there is no unfulfilled prophecy which will occur before the Tribulation begins, any event or occurrence prior to that time cannot have any prophetic significance – even though, of course, there may be ramifications which will effect future events. For example, the foundation of the nation state of Israel in 1948 was not prophesied per se and the date has no prophetic or numerical significance (there are many reasons for that; see the link); but of course the establishment of a Jewish nation back in the land of Israel prior to the Tribulation is certainly conducive to the events that will take place there during those last seven years.

Yours in Jesus Christ, 

Bob L. 
Question #5:
Good evening sir,

My friend and I are now going through Ecclesiastes and 3:1 reads thus "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven" NASB

The word viewer in my Bible program (not sure if it is just Strong's or a Bible dictionary of some sort) lists "appointed" as H2165 zeman. It says that it is used as "appointed time" and also "definite time." These two seem quite different to me - the first indicating God decreeing that a thing will happen, and the second that He simply knows it certainly will happen. Now that God decrees certain things is evident. But all things? It does not seem so to me. What is the correct interpretation here?

Another thing I have wondered about for some time (low priority question, just a curiosity) is Joan of Arc's voices - is it possible, from a Biblical perspective, to firmly say what their source was, either divine, demonic, or dreams/hallucinations? The story is very much of a type I'd like to take at face value - an unlikely heroine receiving divine direction and restoring the morale (and if I remember right, the morality at least after a fashion) of an army and leading them (in some way) to several victories. A very nice story. But, sadly, not every nice story is actually nice below the surface. If we can know which case this is, that's great. If not, I'll wait to find out later. Best case scenario she is saved and can tell me herself someday.

Thanks very much,
Response #5:
It is true that the word zeman, "time" is not very common in scripture (the more common word is 'eth). It only occurs four times in scripture, this occurrence you ask about and also twice in Esther and once in Nehemiah. In each case it is a question of a set or fixed time or designated time, that is to say, a point of time vs. "time" in general (usually 'eth). However, 'eth can be used in that same sense (cf. Ps.104:27), and zeman is the standard word for time in Modern Hebrew. So the two words are pretty much synonymous and thus I would be leery of making any major interpretive distinctions on the basis of the difference (though I will note that is the kind of thing one hears in sermons all the time).

In terms of the RC religion, well, they have all manner of saints and "miracles" which have nothing to do with reality. Even if something of the sort were to be reported as happening today, I'd be unwilling to believe it unless I saw it with my own eyes. And even then . . . 
"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
So I have my doubts that what was reported ever even happened. If it did (in terms of demonic activity), then your "best case" scenario is even more unlikely. As in the quotation above, it's important to keep in mind that, during the Tribulation, there will be many such claims, even more than one hears bandied about at present, and even seeming "miracles" backing them up. Believers will need to be very careful to put the truth of scripture in first place before all such experiences – something that has always been most important.
(18) And these words I myself heard as they were delivered from heaven, for I was with Him on the holy mountain (i.e., the Transfiguration; cf. Matt.17:1-8). (19) Yet I consider the prophetically inspired Word (i.e. the Bible) even more reliable (i.e., than what I saw with my own eyes). You too would do well to pay the closest attention to this [prophetically inspired Word], just as to a lamp shining in a dark place (cf. Ps.119:105), until the day dawns, and the Morning Star rises (i.e. the Living Word, Jesus Christ, returns).
2nd Peter 1:18-19
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Thank you for the language knowledge, sir!

Very good point on Joan of Arc. I had taken as fact the historical report of her having had visions (or voices as they are often called). And merely questioned whether they were divine or demonic (recently leaning more towards demonic). But the possibility of the reported history being fabricated had not occurred to me at all. History's a fascinating subject, but certainly vulnerable to error. As I suppose just about everything we do is.
Response #6:
You're most welcome.

The only history of which we can be absolutely sure is what we find in the Bible.

See the link (which will lead to others): Third Party Reports

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Thanks for the prayer's sir. 
What made you choose book of Colossians? Any particular reason?
Response #7:
My pleasure, my friend.

Re: Colossians. After finishing Hebrews, I wanted to do something that was applicable to our times and time, and Colossians is largely concerned with refuting Gnostic and Jewish mystic heresies . . . which bear strong resemblance to present day "emergent church" false teaching (see the link); and which, I suspect, will figure greatly in antichrist's worldwide religion (see the link).

Also, Colossians contains one of the most explicit set of teachings about the glories and Jesus Christ – and we will all need to be walking closely to Him and keep our hearts fixed on Him if we are going to be able to navigate the difficult days to come.
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 CSB
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Good morning Bob,

Thank you for your confirmation not to worry about my dream. That helped a lot. 

On another note I think we are getting close to going into a new way of money transferring. It’s not just America it’s the entire world. I’ve heard people talking about America being prosperous in which I have no doubt at least pockets or certain areas. They keep bringing up Deuteronomy 8:18. I feel that they are taking Scripture and using it In the wrong way. 

Do you have anything on Ichthys that talks about Moses speaking to the Israelites before they entered the promise land?

Do you also have anything about prosperous times at the end of the age? ( Revelation 18)

From what I see happening right now is a pattern of economic strength, technological and knowledge growth, confidence in human systems and a belief that all things are under control. A false security during prosperity and at some point followed by a sudden reversal. 

Thank you
Response #8:
And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV
On Deuteronomy 8:18, the context is the Lord blessing Israel in their entrance into the land and warning them not to attribute their success to their own talents and effort but to the Lord who provides us with any and all blessings we receive. So to use this as a "prosperity verse" is to turn things upside down. The message is, "if you are blessed with success, remember that the Lord is the One who gave that to you", rather than some promise of wealth by "claiming it / naming it" or similar falsehoods.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1st Timothy 6:17 NIV
In Revelation, we see the hardships of the Tribulation throughout. Babylon is very rich, but the wealth is that of a brazen prostitute, and in the end she is completely destroyed. What good is temporary wealth if it leads to absolute destruction? In any case, not everyone in Babylon is going to be "rich"; only the few are, the ones in antichrist's inner circle., And that is NOT where any believer wants to be. We see this in the US and around the world as well. Even in well-to-do countries, it is the slim minority which is wealthy. Here in the US the disparity between the very rich and the rest of us is growing larger day by day. There's no expectation from the way things are trending for that to get better any time soon either, not from what I am seeing. I'm not inveighing against that. It is what it is. But it is a real disservice on the part of those preaching such lies to suggest that by following Christ we're going to get rich. We ARE rich – spiritually, not in worldly terms (Matt.6:21; 2Cor.8:9; Jas.2:5; Rev.2:9).
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1st Timothy 6:3-10 NIV
In terms of things getting better towards the end, scripture does say the following – although it strictly applies to the end of the Tribulation, not to the time just before the Tribulation begins:
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1st Thessalonians 5:1-3 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob, 

Thank you for your email. I did get it the first time. I’m so sorry I didn’t respond right away. You are always so good at responding to my emails and I so much appreciate it. I need to do the same. Life just gets so busy and also I sometimes like to think about what you write for a few days and then by the time I should respond it seems like life gets in the way. 

I’m sorry to hear you are having a few email problems. Sometimes I spend all day with dealing or running around and around all these tech/ computer issues. My mind is slowing down so I don’t think as fast as I use too. I feel bad for the elderly. How in the world can they figure this stuff out? 

Anyway back to your email. I thank you so much for your words. It’s always so encouraging and confirms my own thoughts. You’re so talented in getting all those words in the right place. 
Thank you again, 
Response #9:
Re: concern for the elderly, I'll try not to take that one personally (lol).

Re: emails: No worries! I had just received a number of indications that my mail was not making it through and so I re-sent everything that I'd sent during the period in question.

Thanks for the good words, my friend!

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hello Dr.,

In your DropBox you should find the following audio files (BB 6A MP3s link).

This one took a little longer than I thought it would, approximately 11 hours of audio. Good stuff!

Things are about the same here, no real changes to mention except the 5 inches of sleet and snow which has turned into a hard shell ice coating left over from last week’s storm. After four hours of shoveling snow and sleet I was thankful we got through it without losing electricity. Our dog, Milo, made it through his surgery with no problems and is doing fine. My work environment is just as dysfunctional as ever, but thankfully it has been quiet lately and quiet is good.

It appears the world is shaping up perfectly for the advent of it’s coming leader. The differences in perception of current events by faithful believers and the religious and secular crowds is impossible not to notice in daily interactions. People really don’t get it. People really don’t want to get it. A world full of lies coming at us from every direction, there’s something for everyone, whatever their proclivity the world has them covered, as long as it’s not the truth. The Lord shows us quite a bit as we travel through our daily routines and it could be horrifying to grasp the reality of where all this is heading, however, He promises not put more on us than we can handle and I take great comfort in that. I have no desire to experience the tribulation, however, we were born for this, and I welcome the opportunity to get all this over with so we can begin our existence with the Lord in His Kingdom.

How are you Sir? Hope the storm didn’t cause you any serious problems. I know you have medical procedures coming up, I have that and all your needs in prayer here daily. Sounds like you’re going to be migrating to a new web platform according to this week’s posting, I’ll add that to the prayer list. Thank you for your prayers and all that you do.

All the best,

Rev.22:20
Response #10:
Thanks for all this! Wow! It's a lot. At time of writing my internet is down, so I haven't yet been able to upload and test the files (this email will go out once the service is back up – which I hope won't be long since I can't do anything on the ministry or my job until it is).

I'm doing OK. My __ came back elevated but unchanged, so the doc said we could just monitor it. Very relieved about that. Procedure in mid-Feb; operation in early March [update: everything went well and I am recovering well and working on getting back in shape – thanks for the prayers!]. 

The snow has been something. Missed all of last week except for Friday. We got over 12 inches and are experiencing the same thing you are, packing down into ice. Up to three more inches expected tomorrow. Very hard to get around. I must have spent over an hour on my parking space out front and its still a hassle getting in and out. Cold temps ahead too, so the stuff isn't going anywhere.

Good comments about the present state of affairs. It will be interesting to see how things work out this coming fall. If we get a respite, it does look and feel as if it'll be more of the same anyway as things continue to get spiritually worse – even if it doesn't become "the worst" in a few short months. Interesting times indeed, and, yes, we believers who are sticking close to the Lord have the benefit of knowing that He is in charge and taking care of us no matter how bad things may get (and for whatever reason).
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Re: the migration. Those emails are all about a year old. That is what I was told, but I've heard nothing from my company since and if anything they've gotten more difficult to deal with after Network Solutions bought out Web.com.

I keep you guys and your jobs and health in my daily prayers, my friend. Thanks so much for yours!

In Jesus,

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

How are you doing after your procedure? It's been a little bit, I think, and you've been on my mind. Hope you are back to yourself! We drove thru KY and I was telling my kids this is Dr. Bobs stomping grounds! 

I am finally on the last section of my printed CT series, in the Tribulational code of conduct now. This study has been so eye opening and I think of it like a jewel in a sea of well, trash that's out there. You have fed me well between this, the SR series, and all the weekly emails and other writings of yours I've dabbled in. So thank you again. I certainly have grown to the Lord in understanding and believing; you have connected many dots for me. 

I also followed your link to the YouTube "everythingisfine" and how wonderful to hear him explaining some current world situations, and his ideas line up so well with your biblical knowledge as well. He is also helping connect some dots and helping me understand more of how things will play out. Even possibly naming Elon Musk as the false prophet, which seems a good guess. Obviously like you've said, anything before the 7 years actually begin is potentially not what it seems. Antsy to see what plays out...seems like things are happening to set the stage. Time (soon) will tell. 

Are you getting more emails about the world things going on right now? 

In our dear Lord,
Response #11:
Thanks for this encouraging email, my friend. Good to hear that you're continuing to progress with these materials. If I might suggest, Bible Basics (at the link) is also very helpful – and needful . . . as well as a bit mis-named (i.e., more "detailed" than "basic"). But it does cover most of the essential doctrines of scripture in its eleven parts.

In terms of interest, no, as a matter of fact, while I have received some questions and observations about current events, if anything email traffic to the site has continued to trend downward in recent years. When Covid hit, I expected things to heat up but likewise there seemed to be a dampening of interest, at least as far as Ichthys is concerned. I still have plenty of messages and other work (Colossians now; link) to keep me busy, however! It will be interesting to see what happens in terms of the ministry once the Tribulation actually begins (and yes, we may find out about that soon enough – we'll just have to wait and see).

Glad to hear that you are enjoying Mike C.'s ministry (link)! As you correctly discern, I'm averse to "naming names" before the time (so I won't comment on that). But I'm glad you are getting a lot out of his postings.

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend – and thanks so much for yours!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Yes no doubt you have much to keep you busy! I very much enjoyed and learned from the intro to Colossians. Looking forward to the rest. Going to use the Bible basics with our kids. I need to print it though, because I am a paper and pen kinda person! Will continue to keep you and your ministry in prayer. 
Response #12:
Re: printing. LOL that's going to take a few reams of paper at least! I call it "Basics", but it's pretty detailed and quite long. I probably should have called it, "Advanced Courses in Bible Doctrine in 11 Parts" – or some other such catchy and pithy title.

I'm glad you've enjoyed the Colossians intro! I have to say, however, that chapter one is still a long way out. This has been the busiest year I think I've ever had since I started this job thirty five years ago – and that would have been the case even without the surgery and necessary recovery time. On top of that, Colossians is very dense in terms of doctrinal issues and things that need to be explained, especially in the first two chapters. But I am getting to it!

Thanks for your prayers and enthusiasm for the truth, my friend! Keeping you in my prayers as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob,

Thanks for this encouragement and wisdom!

I will use your study on Hebrews Ch4 (link) as the basis of some of my weekly study. Thank you!

I was just thinking about testing...

The enemy's purpose of attack is the complete opposite of God's purpose of testing of course. 
https://ichthys.com/Pet5.htm

The enemy wants to extinguish our faith and if he can't do that then he will settle on weakening it. Obviously it would be foolish to continue attacking us in the same way if all it was doing to us was increasing our faith! If every time he attacks us, it causes us to grow more in faith than it is an utter failure for him! 

It was a nasty satanic attack which led me to seeking the Lord for salvation. Obviously as soon as I sought the Lord, it stopped. Like the Lord stopping the mouths of the lions to deliver Daniel.

In this test it was the moment I prayed to the Lord (genuinely from the heart) that I couldn't begin to understand what was happening but the Lord did and that (and I think this is the important part) whether the Lord was going to deliver us OR NOT, then I was going to trust Him either way.

Daniel 3:17-18
If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

That was the turning point both for me and the test. It stopped after that.

I realise that it is really important to get to the point and then onwards and beyond where we regularly can say from the heart 'and even if He doesn't deliver us' and still trust the Lord. Sometimes the deliverance comes from within the furnace itself. Abraham's hand with the knife was stopped at the final moment when it was clear that he was completely ready to go through with sacrificing Isaac.

So the deliverance comes right at that moment where to unbelieving eyes it appears to be utterly hopeless and we are sure to be destroyed or all is lost and we have been forsaken. 

Daniel had to walk inside the lion's den for his deliverance. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to literally go into the fire. Moses and the Israelites had to walk through the sea. Abraham had to raise the knife...

We have to be at the point where we absolutely trust the Lord enough to know we will walk on water and not drown. That is the 'mountain moving' faith we are all supposed to have.

It's clear that Satan doesn't want me to pursue this deepening of my faith and that is no doubt why he then used __ to put a dampener on things by negating and minimising this great deliverance the Lord gave in response to this prayer of faith. He wants me to forget that this was an important and defining moment for my faith.

I know now that is EXACTLY how to build my faith by being able to trust the Lord completely in those 'OR NOT'/ eleventh hour situations. I have to be able to walk on the water, walk through the water, into the lion's den, into the fire and be able to raise the knife in full confidence that the Lord always knows what He is doing even (and especially) when we don't!

So whenever we begin to stumble in our faith through severe testing that has gone on for a very long time and deliverance seems impossible, it behooves us to remember..

Job 32:1-3
Job replied to the LORD:
“I know that You can do all things
and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

Ultimately it is about trusting the Lord the most when the situation is at its most dire and seemingly impossible. That will no doubt be what the Great Tribulation will be about and what each of our own personal testing through it will be, whether we are really up to the test in full confidence or we just about scrape through.

Obviously it is far better to be in a position that we have full confidence no matter what we can see with our eyes. We also know though that the more we can demonstrate that we are able to have this confident faith, the more likely we will be expected to go through greater testing which glorifies our Lord and wins greater reward! Amen!

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #13:
What a wonderful testimony and witness!

You clearly did better on this test than you thought at first. Very proud of you!

Indeed, this is the kind of strong faith and habitual trust in the Lord "no matter what" that we are all going to need once the Tribulation begins. So much better to do what you are doing, developing it now, than waiting until, at least for some, it may turn out to be too late.
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
Isaiah 25:9 NIV
Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
[omitted about recent natural disasters]
Response #14:
Thanks for the update. Indeed, whatever happens to a nation does not happen independently of the planning of God (especially in regard to catastrophe). 

I don't think I would wish to limit God's wrath to one geographic area or to one area of sin – our whole country would do well to repent and has many areas of sinfulness of which to repent. Also, there are no doubt people in the affected areas who are dear to God and living godly lives, just as there are those living safely and securely in other places who are evil to the core. 

Most particularly, the believers in this country seem to me to have turned their back upon the truth of the Word of God, and the political, economic, terroristic, and natural upheavals we are suffering are surely not unrelated to that key point. 
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Does a lion roar in the thicket when it has no prey? Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing? Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything? When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
Amos 3:3-6 NIV
Believers are the preservative, the "salt" that acts to preserve the nation – when and if we are carrying out the mandates of our Lord, growing spiritually, progressing in our growth through trusting the Lord under pressure, and helping others through ministering to them. But what if the salt "loses its savor"? In that case, " It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot" (Matt.5:13). Therefore whatever those believers who are willing to keep moving forward do is of the greatest benefit, not only to ourselves and our families – but to our entire nation.

For the "salt principle", see the link: Politics versus Spiritual Growth II

In our Lord, 

Bob L.
Question #15:
Please Robert… Cause or Allow ?

“Did God destroy all mankind? Did God cause the flood or was that a pre-ordained outcome known and “allowed” by God and not intervened with to stop?“ 

The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (Genesis 6:6, NASB)

Then God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13, NASB)

-of all the places in Scripture where it appears 

God “did or caused” an evil” (death/destruction)… ?

We know He knew of it before creation and before time, so did he “allow” this fallen mankind and fallen world to have a natural consequence of justice FLOOD (and Ultimate glory to God) 

OR, did God intervene to cause an specific destruction?? 

Obviously, very complex question and why God uses anthropomorphic language in scripture… so we can understand better, but his nature is Never compromised…
Response #15:
Not complex:
"And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die."
Genesis 6:17 NKJV

So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.
Genesis 7:23 NKJV

. . . and [if God] did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly . . . 
2nd Peter 2:5 NKJV
In His perfect justice, God does bring judgment, and He will soon be doing so in a comparably dramatic fashion during the Tribulation with the Trumpet Judgments to warn the world, the Bowl Judgments to punish the evil people on it who have persecuted us, and the Thunder Judgments to bring an end to Satan's rule in preparation for the Messiah's millennial kingdom (see the links).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Thanks Bob,

The complexity seems to stem from several points?

God knows the beginning from the end… Isaiah 46:10

And …

ALL literal interpretations in Scripture Support ALL other Scripture, and ALL attributes and Character of GOD. Omnipotent, omnipresent, Immutable, Infinite, Love, Gracious, HOLY, Creator, Wise, Faithful, Good, Just, Merciful…Infinitely more than we can Understand fully 

Does God DESTROY or ?

Look at Genesis. God in the beginning is creating, ordering all things, and giving his creation purpose, it’s important to note that God’s original creation was “Good” and God was pleased with everything that he had made.

AND, knew EVERY millisecond of occurrence and thought that would EVER BE !

When man fell, it wasn’t just that they had disobeyed, but now they had mixed death, mortality, pain, and sin into God’s creation. While God brings life, the disobedience of men brought death, destruction, and every problem we have had ever since.

God “DESTROYS” by withdrawing protection…? “Destroy” being an anthropomorphism ?

What some call the mechanism by which God destroys: withdrawal of protection and blessing… the Trumpets, Bowls , thunder etc. All known and pre-ordained (approved…allowed to come to pass) for His Greater Glory Theodicy ?

This Concept/Theodicy Supports God’s Holy attributes, Character and EVERY scriptural truth and backup ?

It would seem that the God who knew every millisecond of all of history from beginning to end Isaiah 46… before creation ! and knew ALL that would happen from Genesis through revelation? And keeping consistent with his character and nature which you’ve written so many eloquent studies about…

God is a creator, not a destroyer?

And I understand if God did not intervene and draw us onto Him , all would reject in free will, and choose against God …1Corinthian's 2:14 (and many others) …

Similarly, if God did not intervene, all mankind Colossians 1:13 and the whole world would be gone long ago(or at least much faster)? Colossians 1:17 

In the case of the flood was God actually “Sorry he had created” Genesis 6:6…? Had God not intervened, Noah’s 8 would not have had 100+ years of warning to build the ark … did God change his mind since creation, did he not know a flood was coming ? Did he intervene and hold off the effects of sin and evil and in love and mercy postpone justice… does he use anthropomorphic terms to reveal and support His Character?

In this case blot out or destroy or “allow to finally come to pass” ?
Response #16:
You've wrapped up a number of different question in these emails so apologies if I don't hit it all.

1) God does judge (see prior email); that judgment often involves destruction. The entire city of Jerusalem was destroyed . . . twice . . . on account of divine judgment. And the present heavens and earth are the result of God's reconstruction of them after His destruction of the entire universe in response to the devil's rebellion (link).

2) But it is all part of the perfect plan. 
All things have been created through him and for him (i.e., Jesus Christ)
Colossians 1:13b NIV
So no, He is never surprised. That is impossible. His foreknowledge is perfect. In fact, nothing could happen that was not previously decreed.

3) Free will is from our creature point of view the entire reason for creation. God wants "willing worshipers" (Jn.4:23). He knew who would and who would not chose for Him when He decreed our choices in the prefect plan (see prior link).

4) Passages like the one you cite here are not anthropomorphisms but anthropopathisms, that is, God describing Himself for us in terms of human emotions and reactions in order for us to better understand Him and His purposes. As God, He does not actually get angry, but yet there is "the wrath of God" of which we rightly fear in a godly way (here is link on that).
"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things."
Isaiah 45:7 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hey Robert, so sorry if I was pestering you. I just saw this. It does clarify and I love that term.
Anthropopathisms, THX,

Please see that last breakdown to a simpler question haha which includes this term I think ?
God is not a destroyer. It’s not his character? So the literal interpretation (destroy) , which is the question here …seems inappropriate?
Response #17:
But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jude 1:5 NKJV
God creates. He also renders judgment on those who arrogantly oppose Him. The devil, his followers, and all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire at the end of history, after all. That is all part of the plan. 

God is love, and so much so that He judged all of mankind's sins in His Son to give all the opportunity to be saved. But all who oppose Him and throw that sacrifice in His face will be destroyed. That is what all "this" is all about, namely, giving us a very clear choice. What is amazing is how many choose to face His wrath when He is holding His hands out in mercy all day long.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
So Sorry Robert, 

But more clarification on the thoughts below…”judgement”
Proverbs 1:20-33
Romans 1:24

Simple more possible interpretation of “Destroy or Kill” and God’s “role” defined?…?

The “rendering of Judgement” is not in question…It’s the Means by which, and the Scripture verbiage by which, that “Judgement” is defined ?

That’s why I’m pressing the point…judgement could be defined as “ALLOWING” the consequences of sin to come to fruition …sometimes by removing God’s Protection? Or by Empowering his agents (angels or men) to expedite or complete the judgement ?

AGAIN, God is not a Killer or Destroyer or Liar…Satan IS.

So Interpreting any Scripture Literally, that accuses God of these Characteristics Must be wrong?

What’s missing…?
Response #18:
And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD (i.e., Jesus Christ; see the link) went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.
2nd Kings 19:35
Seems pretty clear. And at the second advent, our Lord Jesus Christ will personally destroy the armies of the beast at Armageddon. There's never been a greater or more bloody destruction/judgment and there is nothing metaphorical about it.
And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Revelation 14:18-20 KJV

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:11-15 KJV
Here's the main link at Ichthys where this is discussed: "The Second Advent and Armageddon"

It's never good to be on the wrong side of God's perfect justice.
Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against that wicked nation, against those who help evildoers.
Isaiah 31:2
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Thanks Robert, 

Uou are very very eloquent on every issue of the last 25 years that I’ve seen your work. I appreciate it…This issue seems to be a bit of a complex conundrum in my mind nonetheless…:))

AGAIN, God is not a Killer or Destroyer or Liar…Satan IS. 

So Interpreting any Scripture Literally, that accuses God of these Characteristics Must be wrong?

That’s why I’m pressing the point…judgement could be defined as “ALLOWING” the consequences of sin to come to fruition …sometimes by removing God’s Protection? Or by Empowering his agents (angels or men) to expedite or complete the judgement ?

Or even the second person of the Trinity at some point in time manifesting the wrath and judgment?
Response #19:
No one ever said that God is a liar – except for Satan who IS the liar.

Destroying and putting to death, however, are not characteristics. They are actions. So the question is, I suppose, whether or not a loving God can put to death and destroy? Conversely, can a just God not destroy and put to death all that is evil and unjust? 

These characteristics of God, love and justice, have to do with His character, not His nature. His nature is infinite and exists completely apart from this creation of His. God's character has to do with how He comports Himself toward us, His creatures within this creation of His. In those terms, He is sovereign, meaning that He has complete authority. No one can tell Him what He can and can't do or how or when. Satan tried that and it resulted in his expulsion and the destruction of the world. 
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 115:3 NKJV
It is true that God is perfectly loving but He is also perfectly just. These characteristics flow from His goodness and holiness respectively, and they are resolved by His life-giving character which flows from His perfect truth and faithfulness (see the link in BB 1: Theology). All who respond to His justice are embraced by His love and have life; all who oppose Him are shut out from His love to face His justice and have death. In all this there is no contradiction or violation of anything that He has said or promised, although the devil often plays that game. We who belong to Him know that we are only just, justified, through faith in Jesus Christ by the grace of God who took away all of our sins in Him. Everyone who rejects His grace will be destroyed, and justly so.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Hebrews 9:27 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Again Robert, 

Thank you so much! 

No, the lying and “liar” wasn’t any point of contention, just a bad example of Any possible perversion of God’s character; and I get the difference between character and actions… God is perfectly just and perfect love…

This started with many of the literal interpretations regarding Many Scriptures, including the flood…Destroyer. Where it seemed like those Anthropopathisms (emotions)…. And whatever the proper term is for actions ? Anthro…(actions) 

Seem more Hermetically consistent… that God withdrew his grace and mercy and patience and allowed sin and rejection of Him to take their inevitable course on a particular situation that he knew before time ?…like the flood and many other sections of scripture?
Proverbs 1:23-33
Romans 1:24
Colossians 1:16-17

Thanks,
Response #20:
In interpreting scripture, it's important to take literal things literally and non-literal things non-literally. Many "exegetes" do the exact opposite (link).

I have no problem with the observation that God allows His creature to go their own way and suffer the natural consequences of their actions. That is certainly true. But it is also true that God directly intervenes on occasion, just as scripture documents. And it is also important to note that everything that happens in history from the beginning until the end has been completely ordained by God, so that nothing is accidental, with the perfect plan perfectly anticipating and perfectly incorporating every free will decision of every moral creature to bring about the ultimate, perfect result.

Anthropopathisms are God's way of explaining to His creatures what is good and what is bad for them to do, and the results and/or consequences of both. But if scripture says that God does something we would need a very good reason in the specific context to try to claim that He really didn't/doesn't do what His Word says He did/does. Scripture says He brought about the flood as a consequence/judgment on evil (similar to the destruction of the pre-Genesis 1:2 world). And after all, a flood large enough to cover the entire globe to a depth of twenty feet above the highest mountains (Gen.7:20) could never happen without supernatural agency. And it is certainly clear that no human action would/could have this result. 

The Bible clearly teaches the great flood as an actual event in both testaments. If we were to try and allegorize this away, then where would we stop (see the link: "Symbolism and Allegory")? In that case, no scripture would be safe from being interpreted away into nothingness. At some point, we believe the Bible or we don't.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Thanks Robert,

I love your analysis of interpretation and agree with everything …with a few “possibilities”…
In the case of the worldwide flood, easily consistent with God‘s foreknowledge and nature that you mention and I agree…the inevitability of a downfall in mankind and nature, the protective Vapor canopy breaking down (rain) and the earth’s crust breaking apart( water below and above) with an inevitable occurrence? 
Proverbs 3:19-20 

God, certainly could’ve been delaying, in protection with mercy and grace, by giving the whole world who had denied him rejected him and wanted him to depart …and still gave them 120 years to repent as Noah built and preached? It could’ve happened 500 years earlier, but with mercy and Grace delayed the “destruction” and finally simply “allowed by withdrawing” the “destruction” caused by Sin and Satan. “Perfect justice and wrath by God” while consistent with ALL His Nature ?
Colossians 1:17 as I mentioned, God Just “released” and let Sin’s Effects come to fruition? 
IS this even a possible valid interpretation in your opinion, or heresy in a way ? 
Thx , God Bless your ministry !
Response #21:
If God causes something, well, it doesn't really matter (theologically) how He causes it, does it?

Here's what I read about the flood:
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Genesis 7:11 NKJV
So there are two sources of the water, not just the one. Also, this happened all at once on a particular day recorded above, not as a gradual result of some process. For me, it's hard to see it any other way that the way it's literally described, namely, as a direct action by God in order to bring judgment on a sinful world.
So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
Genesis 6:7 NKJV
God wasn't surprised and was only "sorry" for our sake – expressing things this way in order to help us understand His great displeasure with the way the world of that time had acted. 

Incidentally, the situation on earth at present is not much better. We are promised no more literal worldwide flood (as His rainbow attests), but there is a different sort of cataclysm coming, and every believer would do well to take all prudent spiritual means to prepare for it.
See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants—it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The LORD has spoken this word. The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.
Isaiah 24:1-6 NIV
But for us who love the Lord, there will be deliverance when our Savior returns.
(14) They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord's majesty. (15) Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. (16) From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.”
Isaiah 24:14-16a NIV
Looking forward to that day!  Amen!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/