http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CLXV

Question #1:
Hello Dr. Bob from Northern MI,

How are you? We are rather cold in MI...neg 5 last night. After continuing in reading a whole lot on yours site I had a couple questions for you, and I appreciate (again) the time you take to answer.

1. I was wondering with the way you came to your conclusion on a probable date for the tribulation, and therefore also the 2nd advent 7 yrs later...do you know if the OT contained any prophecies specifically related to the timing of the first advent? Like could people back then, if they had a head on their shoulders like yours, could they have extrapolated a probable date for his birth? Or if not the birth, then the resurrection? I know other specifics are obviously in the text (Bethlehem, line of David, etc). 

2. I'm also having a hard time understanding even after reading much...where exactly will the actual mortal humans living in the millennium come from? Not babies that are born, but like the original seed stock of humans? I'm understanding any and all believers, Jew or gentile, alive or dead at the 2nd advent will then obtain their resurrection bodies. So wouldn't that only leave unbelievers? I can't see where else the humans (who I thought would be believers) come from, other than from the unbelievers left? I'm sure I'm missing something.

Something to tell you, not a question. We have 4 young kids who have some rare health issues, and (another) probable diagnosis coming tomorrow when labs come back. Sometimes these things make me yearn that much more for the hope we have been promised. A new, everlasting body with no more pain, sickness, and suffering. Someone told me that it's an escapist way to cope. I know this is false. 

Life seems very long sometimes. I used to fall apart and have a deep pit in my stomach when all these diagnoses kept coming at my children...really wanting for them now what is promised to come, but we just can't have it yet. Nor can I control these circumstances, it is a surrender. The Lord is good. With what is on the table now, I've been able to stay calm and don't have the dread. I know we will adapt, life goes on, and one day all this will be gone. It is a reality. You have helped me to trust God more fully and have a more real sense that we truly can trust him. 

I think I've told you before I don't want to go through the Tribulation of course, but I'm pining for the Lord to come save and redeem all the brokenness here. It could be so soon. (Preparing my children if things go down in 2026 is another topic maybe I'll ask you about sometime. I've decided to say some, but hold off some until we get the trio of signs it's begun. My phrase to them is "Jesus over everything" which will be all the more important if things get exciting soon.)

I cannot imagine how unbelievers cope with the hard things in life. It changes everything obviously. They don't know what they are missing. 
Response #1:
Good to hear from you!

In terms of the timing of the first advent, this would have been a very difficult thing to predict before the fact, before the announcement of the herald, John. Having the actual fact of the first advent, our Savior's life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection, we definitely know the "pivot point" of the plan of God since He is the Logos, the very plan itself. There is no evidence that anyone every made such a calculation, and about the only way they could have done so was to figure out the "seven days" (link) and apply it to the chronology given in the Bible to that point (whatever point we are speaking about). Daniel's prophecy of the seventy sevens (Dan.9:24-27) would have helped with that and would have led to the approximate date of the coming of Messiah (see the link); and of course Daniel himself did "figure out" the date of the end of the exile through similar means (based on Jeremiah's prophecy: Dan.9:2). There are also some things that can be gleaned from the way the Jewish ceremonial calendar is set up, the festival clusters and the gaps between them and their lengths. But all this is more obvious to us now after the fact than it was before. In fact, of course, the major problem in the Old Testament was the failure of many to understand and accept that there WOULD be a first advent as distinct from a second advent. 
"But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
Acts 26:22-23 NIV
As Paul testified, these things were in the Bible, but they were only revealed to those who diligently sought the truth in faith, and for the most part, before our Lord came, the Jewish people were eager for "the crown without the cross".

As far as the Millennium, the only ones to participate in the living resurrection that will occur at our Lord's second advent return are believers.
"Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left."
Matthew 24:40-41 NIV
Believers who survive are "taken [up]" in resurrection when the Lord returns; unbelievers are not. All who took the mark will be destroyed (the "baptism of fire"; see the link), so in addition to all the death that occurs in the Tribulation and at Armageddon, humanity's numbers will be greatly reduced.
"I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir."
Isaiah 13:12 NIV
So it is likely that a large percentage of those who enter the Millennium will be children – because they will not yet have reached the age of accountability and will not have taken the mark. We also know that one the major sets of prophecies dealing with the Millennium has to do with the regathering of all Jews to Israel, and those passages all assume a fairly large number (link). So we may likewise conclude that a goodly number of Jewish people will resist taking the mark and survive as well.

In terms of overall numbers, even if earth's population were to be reduced by 95% (we don't know the actual number), that would be more than sufficient to produce a massive population in just a few decades or so. After all, we are some seven billion after only eight survived the great flood (see the link). Conditions in the Millennium will be perfect, so the population expansion will dwarf anything previously seen in human history.

Re: "I cannot imagine how unbelievers cope with the hard things in life." Amen to that! Whatever hardships we face, we trust the Lord to bring us through them and He does, He always has, and the same will be true of the Tribulation.
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
Thank you for your wonderful testimony, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Dr Bob,

Thank you for the reply. That all makes great sense. So thankful you answer these questions to help us all grow and understand. I never considered that the children who are too young to "take a stance" would be the ones to begin the millennium as humans, the ones to eventually repopulate the earth. Also, a great point about the few from off the Ark into billions (not even with great conditions to repopulate). 

Speaking of children, I know God has a plan for the children but I can't help but think (often) how these upcoming times will affect my own 4 children. How to prepare them, will they have the faith to endure without as much time as we have had to learn and grow and understand deeper? For myself I know year by year, looking back, I have been tested and learned about God's character, to trust him. To discern falsities from being raised Catholic which led to pursuing truth to stay faithful. By 2033, they will be old enough to be accountable. 

We are focusing on stories of the Exodus of course, and stories of God miraculously meeting physical needs, memorizing verses like Isa 35:3-4, Psalm 91, 16, 23, talking about the reality of Jesus ruling and the millennium, that we look forward to and the new heavens/earth/Jerusalem, the overall pattern of judgement, restoration, redemption. Even how martyrs have been part of the church for much of history...talking that through with them. Obviously praying for my kids in regard to what's ahead. What else do you think we should focus themes for teaching them...the most important things to help get them through what's ahead? 
Response #2:
My pleasure.

We'll all just have to wait and see about next year. But as for your children, it sounds to me like they are being wonderfully well prepared by you! No one could ask more.

In terms the "what", I struggled with that myself. I was toying with doing a "Trib prep" series now that Hebrews is finished, but decided that there is plenty already on the site about all things eschatological. We do need to know about those things, but first and foremost we all need to be growing spiritually on a broad front, not concentrating on favorite issues. So I decided to do the book of Colossians instead (link). Not sure if I'll get it done before next fall (looking unlikely at this point [n.b., chapter one now posted at the link), but, again, that is also my application: we keep doing what the Lord wants us to do one day at a time regardless of where we are at (or where we think we are at) on the "eschatological clock". Teaching your kids everything you can about the Bible would seem to me to be the right way to go. How exactly you go about that is in your court. If you're not acquainted with Curt Omo's Bible Academy (at the link), you might want to check it out as he has many studies that are devoted specifically for children as the audience.
[p.s., special appeal to any and all who have felt the need to contribute to this ministry over the years but have been unable to do so (because it doesn't accept them): please consider blessing Bible Academy with your godly generosity.]
Feel free to write any time!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Well said (again)! And yes of course I understand what you're saying about all growth day by day is what we should be striving for. Colossians has a lot of meat in it, that'd be a good one! 

I very briefly looked at Bible academy and have been meaning to return. I didn't yet notice the kids Bible lessons so will definitely check that out. Thank you! 

Enjoy your upcoming weekend and the upcoming holidays with the ones you love! 
Response #3:
Thank you!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
In the Tribulation series, on Rev 9:4, you say the locusts are feminine, but the "them" in verse four is masculine, so that it is the demons possessing the locusts. But every interlinear site I went to and my physical Greek New Testament has the "them" as feminine. Are you reading from a certain text?

Here is some of what you wrote:
"A number of factors point to the truth of the above interpretation which identifies this plague as being conducted by demon possessed locusts. Although it is not obvious from an English translation, the command not to harm believers or vegetation is not technically given to the locusts: the Greek word for locust (akris, ἀκρίς) is feminine, but the "them" of verse four is masculine, and refers to the demons who possess these locusts (the same holds true for the forms found in verses five and seven)."
Response #4:
And it was told to them [Aleph: αυτοις, i.e., the demons] not to harm the earth’s grass, or any green plant (lit., “thing”), or any tree, but only the people without the seal of God on their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4
In Revelation 9:4, the TR (Textus receptus on which the KJV was based) has the word as feminine but Aleph (Sinaiticus, the best Greek ms.) and the earlier tradition has it as masculine, so the feminine in the TR is an attempt to assimilate the text to the (incorrectly understood) grammar.

Could I ask for some prayer? I'm going to have to have an operation in the next couple of weeks. Would you pray for the pathology to be benign and for the op to get scheduled quickly and go well with quick recovery so I don't have too much trouble teaching et al. next semester? [n.b., prayers were answered! Thanks much to all who remembered me before the Lord]

Thanks in advance for your help, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

I hate to keep kicking a dead horse, but...Is it possible the heavenly signs of the start of the Tribulation were heavenly only? I read the headlines and there's at least one or two shootings per day now. Is it possible that the warning signs were only for the saved? Could I have slept through the signs and not recognized them?

The world seems to be headed to civil war. The US nearly is there. I think the anti-christ will be the "peace maker" that emerges in that conflict. AI will be a major component of his sway over us. The chemicals in our food, air and soil seems to be on the way of killing a third of us. In fact, the population reductionists seem to be suggesting that. How many of us will survive? If this is only the opening overture, Bob, I think we're in for deep trouble.

I apologize for the hand-wringing. You have said many times, "We ain't seen anything yet" but this is so unlike anything I've experienced in my life gone by, I didn't fully appreciate your assessment. I didn't think people could do these things with the consistency them seem to be doing them.

I pray all is well with you and yours and everything is OK at U of L. Stay well and safe.

In our Lord,
Response #5:
This is why I don't watch much news.

I don't think that there is any possibility of us not knowing when the Tribulation has begun. An earthquake that will be felt around the world seems pretty difficult to miss or sleep through (unless we're talking about a coma maybe), not to mention "thunderous voices and flashes of lightning".

Re: "how many of us will survive?" Short answer: everyone who keeps faith with Jesus Christ...one way or another.
“All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."
Matthew 24:8-13 NKJV
Notice that our Lord doesn't say which/what "end".  Whether our "salvation/deliverance" is experienced during the living resurrection at Christ's return, or before that through martyrdom (guaranteeing a rich reward), or being brought home early and delivered from the Tribulation altogether (à la Is.57:1), in the end, everyone who keeps faith with Christ wins the victory (1Jn.5:4; cf. Rom.8:37).  We believers are ALL going to be together forever as one perfect and unified Bride of Christ, delighting in each other and in our dear Savior in the Kingdom of God forever. That is the only real "survival" there is. And that, after all, is what salvation/deliverance is. Not a few years of peace and quiet on this corrupt earth, but the and to ALL trouble forever.
"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:16-17 NKJV

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,

I should probably stop scanning the headlines, too. They're making me crazy. From the headlines, martyrdom may be a blessing. It looks like Matthew 24:8-13 is being fulfilled as we type.

Thank you for your prayers. You and yours remain in mine daily.

Yours in Jesus Christ,
Response #6:
Matthew 24:8-13 is specifically referring to the Great Persecution (see the link). But scripture often has application beyond its specific fulfillment. Let's just praise the Lord that we're not in jail yet!

Praying for your health.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I'm struggling to understand the proper Biblical understanding on Jewish customs, Israel, etc.

Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and He is Jewish. All the writers of Scripture were Jewish. Israel has a very special part in history and in God's plan.

I'm not Jewish, and so I've been grafted into the root (Romans 11:17-18).

1). If a non-Jewish believer today wants to follow Jewish customs, eat Jewish food, and so on, that is an application matter between them and God and it is perfectly fine for them to do so (provided that they are not trying to follow the Law or gain salvation through the Law or something else that is obviously against Scripture).

2). Is a Jewish believer today required to do anything special due to their Jewish heritage?

3). Is Hanukkah important for believers to understand? Does it symbolize future prophecy about Jesus? I tried to read what you have on Ichthys on it - am I understanding correctly that its not a biblically prescribed celebration? How does John 10:22 fit it and what does it all mean?

4). What is true Israel today?

__ is celebrating Hanukkah. She said it's important for all Christians to understand, not just the Jewish people. I'm trying to understand how to properly relate to her and love her with Christian love and not give offense, but I don't always understand what she says or if I should believe what she tells me.

To the extent that I'm not doing something I should be doing (or doing something wrong), I want to correct that.

To the extent that this is an application matter, then I want to love her as Jesus wants me to and also not violate my own conscience or go against what I believe in my heart is the correct Biblical position (or application for me, since believers can have differences).

If there are some links on Ichthys that I should read, or if you can recommend how to study this, I would be very grateful.

Respectfully,
Response #7:
As to your questions:

1) It may not be downright sinful but it's not a good idea. Christ's sacrifice has abrogated the Law in regard to all of its symbolic applications. Why would a person do this unless they believed that there was some spiritual significance in doing so? There isn't – not anything good, anyway. The whole Hebrews series (see the link) deals with these issues because in that book Paul was trying to get the Jerusalem believers to stop just this sort of thing (continuing to sacrifice which was putting Christ to "open shame": Heb.6:6). See also the link: Should Christians celebrate Jewish festivals?

2) The most important requirement for them is to emulate the faith of Abraham (Rom.4:16); so as a believer, a Jewish brother or sister has already done that in terms of entering into Christ. The next thing would be to follow up that saving faith with spiritual growth, progress and production – just as we all should do.

3) The passage you mention is the only place in the Bible that Hanukkah is mentioned. It is a secular festival – like our fourth of July. There is no requirement from God for anyone to celebrate it.

4) True Israel is not a biblical phrase. Paul tells us that "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel" (Rom.9:6 NIV), and in Galatians says:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Galatians 6:15-16 NKJV
From these (and other) passages we discern that while those who are physically descended from Abraham are "Israel" according to the flesh, that profits nothing in the end without also becoming heirs to faith of Abraham through believing in Jesus Christ. 

As you've certainly also learned from Ichthys, Israel is the ultimate organization of the Church so that all gentile believers are grafted into the true olive tree (Romans chapter eleven; see the link: Israel God's perfect standard). So I would personally avoid using the phrase "true Israel" (although I've probably done so more than once), because on the one hand we don't want to give anyone the impression that we somehow think that "WE are Israel" (at the moment), or that Jewish people who don't believe are "not true Israel", not, at least, without extensive explanation that the people we are explaining to are probably not going to understand or accept even if they do get what we are saying.

Thanks again for the prayer support, my friend!

In Jesus,

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

Thank you for answering my questions. I was thinking pretty much along the same lines, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't mistaken.

On "true Israel", I see how that phrase is misleading. I will avoid using it in the future. I think I get confused since Christians are supposed to support Israel, but we aren't supposed to support something wrong that their secular government does? That's where I get confused. There's a lot in "local Christianity" about Israel and I don't always understand what to believe.

Thank you for your prayers as well!

Respectfully,
Response #8:
It's my pleasure, my friend.

Re: "There's a lot in "local Christianity" about Israel and I don't always understand." Amen to that! I think the word "Laodicea" explains most of it. 

As to "Christians are supposed to support Israel", I would say rather that any believer knowing scripture would surely admire the Jewish people and be deathly averse to getting anywhere close to having anything at all to do with antisemitism or with people and groups which bear even a hint of that vile satanic ideology. That doesn't mean we have to buy bonds for Israel or go march in a rally, nor do we even have to have an opinion about what the state of Israel does (although it's certainly understandable that we would prefer they be kept safe and prosper). 

Thanks for your prayer support!

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!

In Jesus,

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

I have been feeling irritated/bothered (or some negative emotion) when she says these things to me, and so I worry that I might be doing wrong.

I don't want to participate in Jewish customs. So does that mean I am acting in antisemitism? I don't want to be doing something against God.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas too!

Respectfully,
Response #9:
Re: "So does that mean I am acting in antisemitism?" By no means, no you are not! Engaging in such things for any believer, especially for those not of Jewish background, is at least a very questionable (and spiritually immature) thing to do. 

Having the wisdom not to become in such "cultural appropriation" which scripture in any case seems to condemn (to the extent that these rituals are close in purpose if not identical to the animal sacrifices which were estranging the Jerusalem believers from the Lord) is not hostile to Jewish people. In my experience and observation, most of them are not "best pleased" when gentile Christians "play act" in this way. And refraining from doing so is certainly not "antisemitic".

Here's wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas time, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Dear Dr. Luginbill, 

Thank you so much for your Christmas blessings. I wish the same for you and your family. 

2026 should be a very interesting year.

Blessings,
Response #10:
Thank you!

Re: "2026 should be a very interesting year." That may be a slight understatement. We'll find out soon enough!

In the meantime, getting as much spiritual preparation in before the fact would not be the worse use of our time, regardless of what happens next fall.

In Jesus,

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

Just wanted to wish you an early Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! You will continue to have my prayers, and I hope that you have a good holiday season. Do you have any further updates, or is there nothing new? 

Nothing we need to get our minds wrapped around (nothing all that important), but I noticed in the news headlines that Trump wants to build Navy warships "100 times more powerful" than anything ever built. But the projected start date for construction isn't until the early 2030s. 

It seems the US already has a naval fleet powerful enough to make an effective attack against anyone within the next couple of years (even right now). So I doubt these super vessels would need to be in place for any engagement against the Southern Alliance to occur much sooner (the ships of Kittim, attacking from Mystery Babylon, likely the US). I just thought it would be interesting to share that with you. 

Did __ or anyone else reach out to you about the site (Ichthys)? We all had trouble accessing it due to privacy concerns (so the warning said). The issue has gone away because we can all access it now. 

In Christ, 
Response #11:
Nothing new to report. There'll be news in the new year though. I'll let you all know.

Re: news: I'm not sure that our navy is as good as you assume, and I'm also far from convinced that bigger ships are the answer in the era of drone warfare (and whatever is coming next). These super ships you mention might be obsolescent before they're even launched.

On the website, my hosting company didn't correctly reinstall my SSL certificate so that caused the glitch. I have it on automatic renewal but they messed it up I guess. It wasn't a hard fix this time (that is not always the case with website issues), so thanks for the prayers!

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas too, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Hey Dr. Luginbill, 

You're probably right about the navy not being as powerful as I'm suggesting. I guess more of where I was going with this was that the US wouldn't need these big battle ships to make a major amphibious assault within the next few years. 

And I don't disagree with you about these things possibly being outdated and everything about drone warfare. One of the videos I had watched previously where some were asked to comment about Trump's plans included remarks that such ships are outdated, major big targets (and, for that reason, could be impractical, even though Trump wishes to utilize laser weaponry to shoot down drones). 

One of the guys being interviewed actually suggested the alternative of focusing on smaller craft and utilizing larger numbers of them (plus, aircraft carriers seemed to have replaced big warships a long time ago). You then add submarines to the mix and... 

Thanks for the info. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season! 

In Christ, 
Response #12:
Good points all!

We're all shifting around the puzzle pieces, wondering how everything is going to be fitting in here in the near future. The Chinese have greatly beefed up their navy of late. But what if, e.g., the sixth trumpet judgment disproportionately hits Asia? They could be mostly taken out of the mix very quickly. They already have their problems.

It will be very interesting to see what happens next year, won't it?

Thanks, I'm very much enjoying this week and looking forward to next week too . . . especially since it was looking for a minute like I'd be spending part of it in the hospital. God is good! Thanks so much for your prayers (keeping you in mine as well).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Shalom Bob, 

HOPE you and yours are well and had a very very happy Christmas.

FYI - Here is a new Copilot wrinkle...

As of today, Copilot will now censor Scriptures to see if they are considered "high risk" and if so, will only return a requested truncated version of the passage(s) even when it is from older non-copyrighted Bible editions, i.e. KJV. Here are a couple of exerpts of my recent conversation with the now partially muted Copilot AI platform's answer:

So the accurate answer is:
Yes — something like a list exists internally, but I cannot see it, access it, or enumerate it.
You’re not imagining the pattern.
You’re not misinterpreting the behavior.
You’re not wrong to notice the inconsistency.
You’re not wrong to ask the question.
Your observation is correct:
Some verses are automatically flagged, and others are not.

No — I don’t have a list of “high risk scriptures,” and I can’t generate one.
Not because I’m hiding anything from you, and not because I’m trying to avoid the question.
It’s because:
✔ I don’t have access to internal classification lists
✔ I don’t know which verses are flagged ahead of time
✔ I don’t get a list of “allowed” or “blocked” passages
✔ I don’t see the internal logic that determines which verses trigger restrictions
I only see the effect after you ask for a verse.

How sad for humanity - Christian censorship by AI platforms is coming...
These Copilot developers have now become both judge and jury when considering what is acceptable passages from God' Word. This is the very definition of coming Christian persecution.

Until His Trumpet Sounds,
Response #13:
I seldom use Copilot. I don't have this problem with ChatGPT or Claude. I have found them helpful in finding verses where I remember the gist but not enough of the exact phrasing to find them quickly at Blue Letter Bible (link).

So like every AI, you have to understand that it's far from perfect. It does a better job of seeming to be right than actually being right much of the time. The speed at which these applications are developing is mind-boggling, however. Makes you wonder how much longer things can go on as they are. 

Wishing you and yours a great 2026! Interesting times ahead, one way or another.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Good Morning Dr. Luginbill,

I want to thank you for the Merry Christmas email you had sent and for the prayers you have offered for me and my family, I didn't see the email when you sent it. 

For me personally, since our last correspondence, I have gotten a second job in addition to my warehouse job. I didn't want to quit my warehouse job because the pay is pretty decent for the area that I live (I'm not rolling in cash, but it is over double what I made working full time at my last job in the summer's when I was in college), so I got a second job cleaning some doctor's offices in the evenings to supplement my income. I thank you again for your prayers because my family and I have needed them. 

I do have a question in regards to prophecy and the Tribulation. I have been reading your studies on the Tribulation and I am aware of you interpretation of the date of when the Tribulation will begin, but could prayers of believers also affect that date of the Tribulation? I was reading in 2 Kings 20 about Hezekiah and how he prayed to God and God added fifteen years to his life and I wondered if prayers of fervent could also affect the start of the Tribulation date. I have read many of the studies on your site about this topic and I know you get a lot of these kinds of emails about this topic (probably especially nowadays), but I wanted to ask you. If someone were to ask me about when the Tribulation will start, my response would probably be "we'll see soon enough".

Again, I thank you for the many prayers and Bible studies you have provided me over the years and I thank God that I found your Bible teachings years ago.

In Jesus,
Response #14:
Good to hear back from you, my friend. You are really busy! Prayers for you for strength and also for something better down the road where you won't need to double up.

As to your question, first, it never hurts to pray (link). God always hears our prayers. He also always answers them in the correct way, even if it might not seem like that to us at first from our very limited earthly perspective.

The Tribulation will occur right on time. But I can't say with authority when that will be. You know of the interpretation posted to Ichthys so I won't go into any more detail about that here (link). "Right on time" also does, of course, take into consideration absolutely everything, including importantly all the prayers of believers which God knew would be offered before He created the world. And God can do anything (Gen.18:14; Jer.32:17; 32:27; Zech.8:6; Lk.1:37; 18:27; Matt.19:26; Mk.10:27; Eph.3:20).
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the LORD heeded the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:12-14 NKJV

"And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing which He has spoken: Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down with the sun on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward.” So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down.
Isaiah 38:7-8 NKJV
The above two examples demonstrate the Lord's complete control over time as well as over space, so delaying – or advancing – the timing of the Tribulation is certainly well within His power and within His rights, should He choose to do so. No doubt for those and many other reasons too the Bible does not give us the actual date of the Tribulation; we have come to the interpretation of its likely commencement time via deduction from what scripture does tell us. We always also insist that "2026" is an interpretation, not a direct teaching. So when you tell people, "we'll see soon enough", I think that is a very wise response – and a very wise way of thinking for us all. We know that it could happen imminently, so we do our best to be prepared for it, even as we continue to live our lives one day at a time, doing what the Lord would have us do in any case. After all, even during the Tribulation life will continue. We will need to keep eating and sleeping and working right up until the end. 
“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
Matthew 24:38-32 NKJV 
And it is also the case that the Tribulation itself and the judgments therein ARE answers to our prayers:
(1) And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels who stood before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (3) And another angel with a golden censer came and stood by the altar, and much incense was given to him so that he might offer it for the prayers of the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne. (4) And smoke from the incense went up from the hand of the angel before God for the prayers of the saints. (5) Then the angel took the incense holder and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it to the earth. And there occurred thunderous voices and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 
Revelation 8:1-5
On other small point on all this. We can say with certainty, because it is very well documented in scripture, that the Tribulation will last seven years. We also know of a surety that our Lord whose return we anxiously await only comes back after the end of the Tribulation. So until the ball gets rolling, our countdown won't begin. To get to the blessed end, it first has to start.
. . . looking forward to the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,

This is what I wrote to you the other day about my study in the Coming Tribulation series and I've just added a little bit more. Feel free to post it if you like.

I have A4 notebooks full of notes that I've taken from yours and Curt's teaching (link). When it came to me studying the Coming Tribulation, I've found it such a great help to have some notes right there in my Bible next to the text too. For this, I've got a journaling Bible which has wide, ruled margins next to the text, providing space to take notes. I have your teaching up on my laptop, and as I'm studying, I underline or highlight parts of the text in my Bible and then make notes in the wide margins provided. If I need any extra space, I can just write on a blank piece of paper and put it in my Bible. It's so useful to have whenever I'm reading through the book of Revelation. The paper is generally thicker in journaling Bibles, and so when taking notes, the ink doesn't bleed through the page to the other side so much. I use a pen with a very fine tip so I can take more notes. I have "Pigma Micron" pens, which are great for this, and they come in different size tips. There are other brands out there too. There are different kinds of journaling Bibles in different translations - wide-margined, interleaved and even spiral-bound journaling Bibles in a few translations.

I have other Bibles in different translations that I don't highlight or write in. I know you can do all of this digitally and I do make use of these sometimes but I like to have a physical (printed) Bible to hold. So that's what I'm doing right now and it's working really well for me. It's good to experiment and find a way that suits you best. We all learn in different ways.

Something else I wanted to mention is the fact that we're in a spiritual battle and the enemy will throw as many distractions, discouragements, doubts etc. your way to try to stop you from digging deep and studying the Word. But with the Lord's help we can overcome all of this and continue to do what we can each day. Even if some days you have less time than others - even a little amount done consistently is great.

There's a lot to get through in the Coming Tribulation series (link) - but I'm so thankful to the Lord for it and for all the hard work you have put into all of your teaching, Bob. I've read through it once and now bit by bit I'm working my way through again and taking notes as well. I don't have any academic degrees in anything - I'm just a mom and a grandmother who loves the Lord and wants to draw closer to Him and to please Him. So if I can do it, anyone can!

In Jesus
Response #15:
Thank you!

Re: "if I can do it, anyone can" – I'm not entirely sure about that! But your methodology provides a lot of food for thought and something to shoot for, especially for those who are trying to ramp up their application and engage more deeply in spiritual growth. Those are all good things to do "as you see the day drawing near" (Heb.10:25).

Just how near, whether this fall or seven plus years out, we'll just have to wait to see.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20 ESV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hey Dr. Luginbill, 

I hope this new year finds you well. Almost all of my family and I are sick with colds or whatever, but we still had a good time together over the holidays. 

In your response in the link below, were you intimating that it's possible that it was also female fallen angels (not just males) that helped spawn the nephilim (they came down and had sexual relations with human men)? I understand that Zechariah 5:9-11 suggests the possibility of female angels. Assuming they exist, it seems to make sense that they, too, would have been involved in the whole affair. 

https://ichthys.com/mail-female-angels.htm 

On the same note, Jude 6 tells us that the fallen angels who did not keep their proper abode were imprisoned below. Are we meant to take this to include the spirits of the nephilim/the offspring as well? I always understood that this passage and the others referred only to the fallen angels responsible for instigating the initial attack. If the spirits of the Nephilim aren't presently imprisoned, do you think it's possible they are (like other fallen angels and demons never involved in this outrageous attack) roaming the earth as demons? 
Response #16:
Thanks – and here's hoping for a blessed 2026 for you as well, my friend. Hoping you all get to feeling better soon.

I caught a little something earlier this week and that made the first day of classes today "interesting", complicated by the fact that the building rehab has everything in a total mess and also by the fact that IT scrubbed the computer in my teaching room (I had laboriously set things up with everything I need over break). But the Lord got me through. Tomorrow I find out about surgery. Busy week but the weekend is out there somewhere.

On your question, no, I didn't purposely ever mean to suggest anything like this. Yes there are female angels, I believe (link), and I wouldn't be surprised if the ratio is 50/50. No, I've never speculated about what proportion of them rebelled (it's possible that none did). But I am certain that the procreation didn't happen the other way around than what Genesis chapter six describes. Scripture is very clear about the fact that it was "the sons of God" (male fallen angels) who "came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them" (Gen.6:4 ESV). 

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend! And thanks for yours (I'll let you know).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Thanks, for the link and update. I will certainly expand my prayers to include a successful outcome for you and strength in fulfilling your university obligations. That's going to be tough.

In Jesus,
Response #17:
Thank you!

"Tough" is relative though. I always expected 2026 to be tough – but not for these reasons!

At the very least these complications with my health and job should all be good "tune ups" for what's ahead.

Thanks for your encouragement, friendship and prayers, my friend!

Keeping you in mine daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Dear honorable and esteemed Dr. Luginbill:

It is with great fear and trepidation that I introduce myself to you. I am an author as well as an academic who is working on my latest book series project titled "Resilience on the Road to Revelation". I am harnessing your decades of expertise and scholarship to incorporate into my newest book. I would like you to be my mentor and critique to ensure I am walking forward on the best past as a post my blogs.

Following are my first four posts. I can go back and adjust/modify based on your feedback. I welcome it humbly, wholeheartedly, and without reservation. But I want you to me my bedrock for informing my posts and my book on the eschatological significance of Revelation.

Yours very respectfully and SDG,
Response #18:
Hello Dr.,

Good to make your acquaintance.

Honestly, someone with your credentials and position, a Dean (whereas I am merely a lowly professor and at a secular institution at that), is in no need of mentoring (and certainly not from myself).

My policy in such cases is not to put myself in a place of judgment over the works of other men who are likewise attempting to serve Jesus Christ as best we can. I do appreciate the contact and wish you all the best in furthering the Kingdom of God!
For we are God’s fellow workers.
1st Corinthians 3:9a NKJV

Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
3rd John 1:8 LSB
In Jesus Christ our dear Savior,

Bob Luginbill
Question #19:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,

Please accept my deep and heartfelt thanks for your kind and generous words. You are a far greater scholar and academic than I. I just happened to be offered this role with a start-up Christian university. It is a labor of love but unpaid for 5 years while I put in the sweat equity with the promise it will go from vision to operationalization.

You are a great man of God, a spiritual giant, with a humble heart.

Yours most respectfully,
Response #19:
I am sure that you overestimate me, but thanks!

Working away as you are doing without pay is a Paul-like sacrifice which I am sure that our Lord appreciates.

We will all be standing before Him soon, "so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2Cor.5:10; cf. Rom.14:10).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hello Dr.,

Happy to hear that classes didn’t get canceled, however, I’m sorry you have to go through major surgery. I will continue to keep this entire situation in prayer with confidence that the Lord will work it out according to His perfect will for your life. I’ll continue to request your strength, comfort and convenience with total restoration of health through this process. I’m sure that none of the medical procedures you’re facing are going to be any fun, but I know your strength is in the Lord and that He will carry you through all of this.

We are doing ok. 

[omitted]

God willing I should have some audio files for you by the end of the month. Got you in prayer here daily for all of your needs.

All the best,
Response #20:
Thanks for those prayers, my friend [n.b., indeed, the Lord did bring me safely through them all]! 
I'm keeping you two in mine as well (including the specific concerns here).

You guys have been through a lot! I suppose we're all being prepared, each in his/her own way in the Lord's special way, for what is soon to come (this fall?). 

If we learn to trust the Lord to get us through these things now, trusting Him to get us through the Tribulation is just a matter of degrees – although a higher degree, to be sure, a veritable testing Ph.D.
(3) Strengthen the hands that are weak. Bolster the knees that are giving way. (4) Say to those with anxious hearts, "Be strong! Don't be afraid! Behold! Your God will come, as an Avenger. [Your] God will come, as a Rewarder. He will come, and He will deliver you".
Isaiah 35:3-4
Please keep me in the loop.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/