http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues CLXVII

Question #1:
Dr. Luginbill, 

Hope you are doing well! I will keep you in my prayers.

You said in a posted email response this week that if the tribulation does not start this year "I'll have to eat a healthy portion of crow." I felt compelled to write you to say that I do not see it that way. Anyone studying your teachings in good faith, seeking truth, and with the intent to grow spiritually would understand exactly what you have stated in your posts. Mainly that 2026 is/was never a prediction, and that there are a few things that can change the year. Most of us would simply be grateful for extra time for spiritual preparation; this year or not, time is short.

In Jesus, 
Response #1:
Thank you so much for this! 

I really appreciate it.

Yes indeed, I also will be very grateful for more time, if that is the way things work out. We'll know about that pretty soon. 

Meanwhile, we all need to be doing what you are doing, continuing to grow, progress and produce whether "today" is our last day or one more in a large number of "tomorrows" before we meet the Lord.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend. Thanks much for yours!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Hello Bob,

Sorry for the late reply, been a hectic couple of weeks up this way. I turned 55 today and ended up getting lambasted with a nasty bug of some sort. Suffice it to say, not the best birthday lol It could be God's way of putting me back on course, maybe not likely but possible.

I've really gotten caught up in politics lately, very angry at the rhetoric coming from what I see as very dangerous circles. I won't delve into that with you, I'm sure you're well aware of it. I also remember your telling me that politics is a trap (link). I wanted to say that I appreciate that because it wasn't until today that I remembered it. All the anger and even occasional hatred I've been feeling, it has accomplished nothing but open doors for the enemy. The best course of action at this point is to pray for everyone involved. Thanks for the sound wisdom and prayers, I hope you are well!

In Jesus,
Response #2:
No worries!

You make my day with your spiritual wisdom. Obviously, we all make mistakes, but believers who are moving forward spiritually will tend to recognize when they are on a bad path and take corrective action.

The Tribulation is going to arrive right on schedule (whatever the exact schedule turns out to be), and no politician will be able to ward it off for five minutes (link).

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I've been studying in Coming Tribulation and eschatology. I want to understand the timeline and what's coming when it does come. I'm starting to have feelings of terror again about the beast and all that. I want to handle the worry in the correct way so that I can prepare myself for what to come. It's not going to work to enter the Tribulation with this state of mind.

I know you told me that the number was just a number, a fail-safe code to identify the beast.

[omitted]

In Christ,
Response #3:
While contemplating what's to come can be pretty intimidating, we have to remember that all of the judgments Revelation contains are aimed at unbelievers who support the beast, not us. We will be in the position of the Israelites whom the Lord rescued from Pharaoh and Egypt, and we know how that turned out. They were completely delivered . . . but they didn't handle it very well at all. We resolve to do better by trusting the Lord to get us through. That will be our song of praise on the other side.
The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2a NKJV

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
We believers have nothing to worry about whatsoever. Can we be made to suffer? Yes, but not without the permission of the Lord and, if so, it will be for blessing and reward. Can they take the life from this temporary body? If the Lord allows it, but that will mean for us the even greater reward of martyrdom. All we need to do is to keep faith with Jesus Christ. 

In the Tribulation, the main thing will be not to take the mark no matter what (link). Taking the mark will be an overt act of worship of the beast, no doubt done in a formal ceremony with witnesses wherein the person in question acknowledges antichrist as God and accepts the tattoo that demonstrates that act of veneration. We will NEVER do such a thing and would be pleased to die, if need be, to avoid it. With that as our resolve, we have nothing to fear whatsoever. If we are martyred, that is the end of our suffering in the Tribulation and a guarantee of special reward.

As to "666", as I've tried to point out not only in CT but in many postings, no one knows as of yet precisely what the mark or the form of the name will look like, but that doesn't matter because of what was explained in the prior paragraph. A person could live at 666 Main St. and that has no spiritual meaning whatsoever. What WILL matter is taking the mark (whatever it ends up looking like) on one's body from the mid-point of the Tribulation forward.

As to how to navigate "now", the short answer is to believe the truth and trust the Lord. The devil is happy to use whatever false ideas anyone has bought into against them. We believers who have learned something of the truth just need to listen to the Spirit and function on the basis of the truth we have believed, paying no attention to whatever falsehoods the world pushes at us. After all, we are not "of the world".
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
John 17:14-16 NKJV
As to occurrences of the number 666 today, first, there's nothing evil about any number. It's just a number with no special significance until the Great Tribulation when it has been given to us for our benefit, as a fail-safe so that there will be no doubt in anyone's mind that this is in fact the beast's mark. That is one thing we can't accept as a mark on our bodies in violation of the Lord's command; it has no significance before that time. So from that point of view it's a "good number" – for us, since we know not to accept that mark upon our forehead or hand. Second, since God is going to do this for us, namely, specially identify the mark so that there are no misunderstandings, this is just another example of His great faithfulness to us, looking out for us ahead of time, protecting us with a special measure of protection. The more we revere Him, the less we have to fear from anything in this world, the devil and his son included.
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"
Luke 12:4-5 NKJV
The fear of God is the "beginning of wisdom", after all (Ps.111:10), because if we truly do stand in proper awe of the Lord, if we really do trust Him beyond all else, then we will realize to the depths of our hearts that we have nothing whatsoever to fear from anyone or anything else.
In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:11 NKJV

The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6 NKJV

So we may boldly say:
“The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:6 NKJV
So resolve to trust the Lord regardless of whatever you see or hear or feel or anticipate. Love Him with all your heart, and He will protect you and bring you through whatever is to come.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1st John 4:18 NKJV
I'm praying for your faith, confidence, and victory over this, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

[omitted]

Thank you for your patience in explaining this issue to me. I think I am starting to understand it more. I wish I could say that I would never struggle with this number again, but I don't think that's the case yet (I'm working on it, it's just hard to tell my heart not to fear this all). I will try to remember what you have said and apply God's truth when I am afraid however.

All I want is to get through this life and the Tribulation with my faith in Jesus solid and I am determined to do that, even if I do have to die. I just need the courage to take it if and when martyrdom comes (as well as the suffering that might proceed that event).

I think that New Jerusalem will be glorious. I also think that one day at a time down here is important. All I can live, all I know is what I am supposed to do today and I will trust God to make whatever tomorrows I have good (whatever that good is). I don't know what is good for me outside of the decisions I know God is pleased with - faith in Jesus and what comes with that.

I hope you are well.
In Christ,
Response #4:
This is wonderful!

We all have things to overcome from the past and we all struggle with one thing or another. But in the end, Jesus Christ is with us and cares for us regardless of whatever comes.
(31) So what shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over for our sake, how will He not also graciously give us everything [we need] along with [that gift of] Him? (33) Who will [dare to] bring charges against God's elect? God is the One who is pronouncing [us] justified. (34) Who is he that condemns [us]? Christ Jesus is the One who died [condemned in our place], and the One, moreover, who was raised from the dead [for us], who is [seated] at the right hand of God, who is also making petitions on our behalf. (35) What will separate us from Christ's love? Tribulation? Or privation? Or persecution? Or hunger? Or destitution? Or danger? Or violence? (36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long. We were accounted as sheep for slaughter". (37) But in all such things we are decisively victorious through Him who loved us [enough to do what He did for us]. (38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angelic nor human authorities, neither things present nor things to come, neither heavenly powers, (39) be they the highest [of the elect] or the lowest [of the fallen], nor any other created thing [on this earth] will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
No one and nothing is more powerful than the Lord – and He is watching out for us always.

I'm keeping you in my prayers about this, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

In reading headlines and assuming the insanity of what's reported is true, I wonder if the strong delusion isn't here and increasing. I had always assumed it related to the anti-christ's reign but it seems that many of the characteristics of the Tribulation are increasingly happening as we head into this fall. Is that prepping us for the Trib? Or is it encouraging those who follow Satan -- which seems to be increasing, too? Or maybe both?

I pray all is well up there in L'ville and you're surviving the horrendous (to me at least) weather in reasonable comfort. There still butterflies foraging down here. How they survived the the recent 24 degree freeze amazes me.

In our Lord,
Response #5:
Insects long gone up here! 18 tonight and 10 tomorrow (water left dripping to ward off frozen pipes). But early December was even worse (probably down there too).

2nd Thessalonians does make it clear that the "empowerment of error" is something that happens during the Tribulation. It's coupled with the removal of the Holy Spirit's restraining ministry (link and link).
(8) And then the lawless one (i.e., antichrist) will be revealed, [that same one] whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and destroy when He appears at His [glorious] return – [that same lawless one] (9) whose appearance [will come about] through Satan's empowerment [and will be] accompanied by every [sort of] false miracle, both signs and portents, (10) and by every [sort of] unrighteous deception [designed] for those who are perishing, [namely those who will believe these lies] because they did not open themselves up to the love for the truth so as to be saved. (11) And for this [very] reason God is going to send upon them an empowerment of error so that they may believe the lie, (12) in order that they may be condemned, [even all those] who have not believed the truth but have [instead] approved of unrighteousness.
2nd Thessalonians 2:8-12
People have always been susceptible to lies, and in times of social degeneration that tendency has always increased (compare the decline of spirituality in Israel leading up to the destruction of the two kingdoms). What will happen during the Tribulation, however, will be unprecedented. This explains in part why the pace of events in subordinating the entire world into antichrist's camp will be so amazingly rapid. As I've often said, there won't be anything "new" (cf. Eccl.1:9); it will just be the pace and extent of the rush into the devil's arms that will be unparalleled in human history.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Dr L,

First I really dislike AI sometimes. I wrote my 'well' like "weeeell" and it 'corrected' it. We can't let it kill our humanity!

Anyway, I'm still on prayer and Bible reading and study, I fell a little on Greek. Because I have all these other things I want to pursue and am really struggling with if I should let some go. I hate that idea. 

[omitted]

Please take care,
Response #6:
Yes, I've often had the thought, "auto-correct must die!" It's also pretty stupid when taking dictation. I mean, if you are writing someone named "Mikaela" and say it that way, if that person's name is in the email address of the email you're dictating, and in your address book, and you've written it like that many times before, it's pretty idiotic to want to correct it to "Michael". AI's not on the verge of world domination just yet.

I did watch a Chinese series recently, a long one and without dubbing ("3 Body Problem" - scifi). It was interesting because it makes it very clear that the way they see themselves and the world is not at all what you and I might think from the US perspective (and I'll bet the same thing is true in reverse).

Re: "Socrates", there's the historical person and then there's Plato's Socrates and Xenophon's and Aristophanes' – and actually about three different ones in Plato. I was never a fan of Plato . . . until I read him in Greek. The Greek is wonderful (but sometimes you have to skip pass the content, IMHO).

Hope you are doing well. 

In Jesus,

Bob L
Question #7:
Please tell me what you noticed that was different on how they view the world.
Response #7:
A lot of things, difficult to put one's finger on. For one thing, they see the whole Mao era as a mistake but still view it benevolently. For another thing, they really do see China as the center of the universe and far more important and powerful than any other country. They don't seem to see the US as particularly special.

N.b., there are many brothers and sisters over there who are under the heavy hand of persecution, not just because of communist ideology but also because "being different" is considered dangerous. Prayers for their deliverance are always appropriate. Particularly please remember pastor Wang Yi and his New Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province; he was still in prison last I heard (link).
Have a good rest this weekend! Monday will be here sooner than any of us want.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,

I hope I can frame this question coherently: In reading scripture, given Ecc.1:9, there appears to be a great deal of similarity in the way empires grow and decay. In comparing, with my limited knowledge, the Babylonian, Roman, English and American empires share similarities in behavior and decline. There were others, I know, but those four stick out. Roman, English and American debased their currencies, in large part I suspect to finance their endless international adventures. (I wonder if the Romans had military contractors?) Their governments grew ever more corrupt as time went by and the populations grew more violent. I don't know if the Babylonians debased their currency, but from the chicanery recorded in scripture, I suspect they did. God used them for His own purposes and then disposed of them. Is this analogy reasonable?

Originally, I thought your assessment of the US as the New Babylon was speculative, but I'm seeing more and more similarities and reading of the end of the new Babylon convinces me this country is headed towards that end.

My initial assessment of your New Babylon identification was based on previous assumptions, which can be very hard to break. In the 1/31/26 post, your response in #8 brought the business of what we thought we knew to the forefront. I always understood Christ riding to Jerusalem on a colt as riding on a young donkey. The mention of the donkey and the colt didn't surprise me because donkeys are very protective of their own. I assumed the donkey tagged along to protect its foal. I don't remember reading anything about Jesus riding the donkey.

Which points up another flaw in my Bible reading. Have you ever published a guide on how to read the Bible? I've always been a "put bolt A in hole B" kind of guy so it's difficult for me to see these layers of meaning and symbolism.

As an aside, I've found that after cataract surgery, the replacement lenses, while vision is clear at least at distance, the lenses are not nearly as flexible as the ones God created. Consequently, reading for any extended time makes for sever eye strain. Which I would think would be a major impediment to your work. My bucket list plan to reread all my old books is officially in the trash bucket.

I pray all is well with you and yours and you have a successful outcome of your medical issues. I hope you're staying warm.

In our Lord,
Response #8:
Good to hear from you!

There is very little to be known about the Babylonian empire outside of the Bible. We know a great deal more about Rome but only a small fraction of what we'd like to know. To take one example, Roman law was originally based upon a rudimentary legal code called "The 12 Tables", but even though it was absolutely fundamental to their system, loosely analogous to our constitution, it hasn't survived (it's been variously reconstructed by piecing together references found throughout Latin literature). 

Economic history is an even dicier business also fraught with much speculation. They had a barter economy in which they used money – and that is vastly different from the monetary economy we have. As a result, it's virtually impossible to answer the question, "how much did XYZ cost?", because purchasing power was so much different from our system. Others have seen similarities in imperial rises and falls (Oswald Spengler comes to mind). I think the main thing is the remnant. God blesses nations with a remnant of positive believers; otherwise anything can happen. So in practical terms, to the extent that we are "in decline", it should be blamed on believers not doing their job of growth, progress and production (link).

Re: "how to read the Bible". Best things I have are "Read your Bible" and BB 7: Bibliology. Somewhere in the former I say something to the effect that, "It's not as important HOW you do it as it is THAT you do it". I will also add that as we grow we start seeing things with greater clarity than was true earlier in our spiritual development.

Sorry to hear about your eyes. Did you have your lenses replaced as well? 

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob,

Didn't Caesar devalue the coinage after he took power? Though, based on what you said, I wonder how much that affected things.

I'm still working my way through BB. So far, I'm in 4B-Soterio. I'll get to 7B-Biblio eventually. Not as quickly as I expected, but eventually. Yes, the lenses were replaced -- had to be my eyes were so bad. Live and learn. Thank you for your prayers.

In our Lord,
Response #9:
Nero was the first emperor to do this (smaller coins; less silver). He's "the sixth" in Revelation, the last of the Julio-Claudians, followed in prophecy by antichrist, number seven (Rev.17:10-11; see the link).

It is interesting that these economic issues are generally present in imperial rise and decline. Not for nothing the beast will employ that method to pressure people to fall in line with him and his regime.
It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Revelation 13:16-17 NIV
OK, understood about the eyes. I'm very loath to have anything done to the old peepers, but cataract surgery is probably in my future at some point. Meanwhile, we muddle through.

Prayers for all these matters for you, my friend, and thanks for yours too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Hello Professor, I am trying to find where Russia will stand up to the Antichrist. 
Response #10:
In terms of where the nations of the world will line up during the Tribulation, the best reconstruction I have been able to produce can be found in CT 3B: Antichrist and his Kingdom (see the link). You will find the specifics to your particular question in part III. "The Kingdom of the Beast" (at the link). 

In a nutshell, I posit Greece, Russia, the Balkans and Eastern Europe to be one of the ten crowns / seven horns that constitute the European kingdom of antichrist, aka the revived Roman Empire.

Hope you're doing well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Russia was not a part of the seven major nations of the European part of the former Roman empire. If you look at the core European territories that formed the political, military, and cultural backbone of the Western Roman Empire, seven modern nations stand out as the principal heirs of those lands. 

Russia was not part of Rome’s European provinces.

Meshech/Tubal point to Anatolia, not Western Europe.

Magog points to steppe peoples north of the Black Sea.

The passage in Ezekiel uses ancient known nations to create an end-times tableau, not a forecast of specific modern European states.

Sources:
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magog
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Meshech, Tubal)
CIA/ancient maps for Roman provincial borders

"Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify it." – Fei-Fei Li
Response #11:
I think if you'd read the links I sent you, you'd see why I've made the identifications I've made.

1) Russia doesn't occur in the Bible because there was no Russia until much later. The geographic area was more akin to Greece in that the entire Black Sea coast was peppered with Greek colonies. The Romans did conquer what is today Romania (hence the name). 

Revelation delineates 10 sub-divisions of revived Rome. The Spirit was fully aware at the time John wrote Revelation that the revived Roman empire would not be exactly the same in terms of peoples or provinces as the historic one (there were more than ten provinces in historic Rome, e.g.). So the ten "horns/heads" are not to be determined strictly on the basis of historic Rome or its provincial structure (which also changed somewhat over time). 

For another thing, three of the provinces/areas of revived Rome are not within antichrist's kingdom from the start. These are conquered by him during the first half of the Tribulation. I have identified these three large areas as the region which the Mahdi or ruler of the Islamic empire will control prior to antichrist's subjugation of him. That leaves seven areas, six really, because Israel has to be one of the pro-beast areas: it's central to the two campaigns antichrist conducts against the southern alliance during the Tribulation's first half. The other six are parceled out as I have described. 

Clearly, there may well be some variation in the boundaries since Revelation only describes these in the general terms related above. Positing an easternmost "province" is necessary, both to take in the Roman areas of the time and also to have a direct frontier with the Mahdi's territory (e.g., Greece vs. Turkey). It's certainly OK to call this expansive area "Russia", except that as mentioned there's no Russia in the Bible. Russia will be part of antichrist's original power-base along with the rest of Europe since Europe is the biblical "north". 

There are four quadrants of the world in the Bible, and with revived Rome and the southern alliance we see two of them (north and south respectively). The west is the US (and the rest of the western hemisphere); the east does come into the biblical picture at all until Armageddon (Rev.16:12-14). So I wouldn't get hung up on Russia. It may well be that the crown/king of the area Greece-Balkans-Eastern Europe-Russia is based in Russia (in fact I rather suspect that will be the case), but I've used biblical descriptions to align more closely with what Revelation actually says.

2) Identifying Meschah and Tubal with Anatolia is a common misunderstanding based upon what Herodotus has to say about these peoples. But in biblical parlance, as one can see from reading Ezekiel chapters 38-39, this twin moniker is a way of summing up all of the northern gentile peoples and the western ones as well, i.e., antichrist's forces from Babylon, the revived empire, and beyond (since they will descend on Israel for Armageddon primarily from the north).

3) See the link on Magog. There is nothing in the Bible to connect Magog with the steppes of Russia. That is a modern (incorrect) interpretation. As explained at the link, the word itself in Hebrew means "place of Gog", namely, the home base of antichrist.

4) Re: "The passage in Ezekiel uses ancient known nations to create an end-times tableau, not a forecast of specific modern European states." That is what I have been trying to say for Revelation too, so Q.E.D.

More than happy to answer any and all questions you have about this (but, again, it would be helpful to read CT 3B first; at the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
-Dear Professor Luginbill-

Q1. Quite some time ago I discovered commentary from you regarding the nature of "passing" or "failing" the trials and tests that we as Christians experience in this life. If I recall correctly, your advice was that when a test was failed, possibly evidenced by Holy Spirit conviction, was to simply "repent" and "move on" and not endlessly grieve over the failure. Could you direct me to where this is located on ichthys.com?

Q2. Not sure if you saw the deathbed confession of Dilbert comic strip creator Scott Adams, if not, see the attachment. I fully appreciate the fact that only God can judge the presence of true saving faith. However, I would appreciate your observations and comments on his "confession of faith," especially regarding his indirect reference to Pascal's wager. Can you comment on the positive and maybe not so positive indications that Adams articulated?

Once again, I so appreciate your insight and teaching.
Response #12:
Good to hear from you.

On Q#1, there must be, literally, hundreds of pages on the site (mostly in email responses) where I say this and/or related, so it would be impossible for me to pin down the exact page/posting you have in mind. For a general treatment of testing, you could have a look at this link in Peter #22. Happy to try and help you find other things too.

On Dilbert, re: "Pascal's wager", I don't have anything to say. But if a person says "I'm not a believer in Jesus Christ", it's hard for me to understand how that statement could be uttered by a believer. 
"I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God."
Luke 12:8-9 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2nd Timothy 2:11-13 NIV
This will be a very important issue to have straight in our hearts as the Tribulation begins. It will be very tempting for weak believers to compromise with the beast and his regime. But "crossing one's fingers" and pledging allegiance to antichrist is not going to cut it with the Lord (as the passages just cited make clear enough). See the link: CT 7: A Tribulational Code of Conduct.

Saving faith is not about reciting a formula. It's about placing one's trust in our Savior for deliverance. It's a heart thing that will bubble over into a speech thing if the heart thing is real; but if it's not, then neither is salvation. I do agree that it'll be very clear to him on the other side. But it's also very clear here. We know very well whether or not we are saved, whether or not Jesus is our Lord. I would also add that he was of course around for at least a little bit after writing this. I would imagine that there are many actual death-bed conversions, because before a person is actually staring into the Abyss, the fantasy of effective immortality before the fact often prevents unbelievers from giving the reality of death the consideration it deserves until it's at the door.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Professor Luginbill,

A quick note to let you know that I believe I found the post I was looking for recently that addressed the necessity of moving on after failing a test. After using ChatGPT to conduct some technical research, I thought I would use the tool to search ichthys.com. Here is what I wanted to locate again. Please know that I DO NOT use ChatGPT for scriptural interpretation.

Thanks for the wise counsel!
Response #13:
Glad you found it!

Re: "Please know that I DO NOT use ChatGPT for scriptural interpretation": that's very wise! I will say that AI is a very good tool when it's used by someone who knows how to use it and possessing a depth of background knowledge about the subject queried so as to be able to discern good information from bad, sort of like a chainsaw in that regard. If you don't really know what you're doing, it can do a lot of damage.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Dear Professor,

How are you doing? I understand you’ll be having your procedures this month and in March. We pray for you every single day. If we could do more than that, we would. I’m smiling at this because I know many of “us” would just storm your house if we could and take turns spending time with you and caring for you how we can till we wear you out and make you want to to run away.

I’m still applying for internship opportunities and trusting God to open a door that is His will for me.

I started printing out the Bible Basics Series, I’ve printed out theology and angelology. Having hard copies of books is always a much better experience and who knows what they’ll do to the internet during the tribulation. These are just test copies, eventually, when we can afford to, we will print them out and bind them with hard covers and give it to anyone who is interested, we want to make several for our home. I just didn’t want to wait till we could make the more sturdy ones. 

In last week’s email posting, I didn’t understand how you answered the question about God creating light on the first day but then creating the heavenly bodies which provided the light later on but __ explained it to me.

I saw a girl who was wondering why Jesus spoke in parables to the crowd and then explained the parables to his disciples later on and I was so happy I knew the answer. I’m very glad to be able to read scripture and have a wholistic understating based on your teachings.

Could a wife’s ministry be her home? Like raising their kids in God’s truth daily and also supporting her husband and indirectly supporting his ministry or is it just part of what she should do as wife and mother and not ministry?

In Jesus,
Response #14:
That is very kind of you to say (made my day!). In a month or so, this will all be over (except for the recovery). Second colonoscopy week after next and the operation in the first week of March. Meanwhile it's very busy with teaching and admin. The weather has also been wearing. Still an inch or two of ice covering most everything although the majority of the streets are now passable. 
I'm keeping you in my prayers for just the right internship. I'm sorry it's such a difficult process over there. In my understanding of things it's the getting through that year that is the real burden on this side of the pond.

Re: "Could a wife’s ministry be her home?" Absolutely! God has something for us all to do, and you certainly have your hands full what with job apps, a husband, a daughter and a home. First things first in any case.

I'm honored to have you print out these studies. I do hope it will prove to have been unnecessary though. I'd like to think that they'll continue to be accessible via the internet for much time to come. But you are right: we're not going to know exactly what will be happening during the Tribulation until we experience it. The one thing we DO know is that the Lord will be back on the other side. Marana tha!

Keeping you all in my daily prayers, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Dr L,

I was watching some elephant rescues and preserves and they are such sweet creatures! And I feel bad that animals suffer so much because of us humans. And then I feel bad because during the Tribulation most of them probably will just be abandoned and end up dying (and possibly a hard death). My only consolation is that God is in control and so has set a limit on pain even for them. But I do still feel bad they suffer so much because of us. But then think, but that can't be right because no one in the Bible seems that worried. I suppose all the Psalms talking about God's care for animals (and what the Lord said) means maybe He engages them on a different level, like how angels and humans are on different levels.

I hope you have a great week!
Response #15:
I think it's good and right to have sympathy for animals. 
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10 NIV
Animals have spirits too – and no necessity to make a choice for or against God to determine their eternal future (see the link). 
Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
Ecclesiastes 3:21 NIV
It is really amazing to consider that whatever suffering we and they have to endure during the Tribulation, they will have no worries on the other side, but any and all believers who are foolish enough to allow the pressures of the Tribulation drive them into the arms of antichrist will be lost forever.

Hope you have a great week too!

Thanks for those prayers, my friend – keeping you in mine as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Sad that I have close friends that are good Bible Christians, well versed. Now out of the blue they are questioning the holy scripture: "There is no devil, it’s a mindset , a figure of humans mind".

So I look it up on line. The intrigue of knowledge, a trap like Eve was enticed to. It contains bible yes, but mixed in has Satan’s indoctrination all in it. A word here and there that voids the true word of God . 

I pray for them, and pray others don’t get Hooked by Satan’s tail to read it 
Response #16:
This sort of thing, promises of "secret knowledge", has been one of the "tricks" Gnosticism since the first century, the idea that "others" have some "hidden truth" that we believers don't have access to in the Bible. That is a lie, of course, and while it leads to what is false, it also leads to doubting what is true. Q.E.D. for the devil's platform. Much more about this in the intro to Colossians I'm working on [now posted at the link].

The actual truth is our armor against the devil's lies, and having a fully panoply of it fully in place will be so important during the Tribulation.
With flattery he (i.e., antichrist) will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
Daniel 11:32
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hello Dr,

I'm fairly sure I'm not the first to ask you this, but couldn't find an answer to what I've been wondering about on your site. 

The way you correctly translate the first two verses of Genesis, and the gap is therefore pretty obvious with that wording; how many more times does this kinda thing occur throughout the Bible? That the meaning is pretty much changed if the wording goes back to the original Hebrew/ Greek and is translated the right/best way... 

Is this something you come across pretty often when you compare the original text to modern translations? 

I actually just bought the 1984 NIV (after reading you liked this one!) and they allowed for the translation closest to your own from Gen 1:1-2. I don't have it here to quote as I type this... but it had that the earth "became" ruined or empty. 

Thank you for helping me grow so much! 

Thank you for your time (again)! 

In Jesus, 
Response #17:
Always good to hear from you!

Re: "how many more times does this kinda thing occur throughout the Bible?" The answer to that question depends on the translation you're reading. Some things are very straightforward to translate, but there are plenty of difficult passages in both testaments where the translation depends not only upon a good understanding of the Hebrew or the Greek and upon reading the correct text (textual criticism) but also, very importantly, understanding the meaning behind the translation. By the latter I mean that if a person knows Greek perfectly but doesn't really know much about math, then said person will probably make a good many mistakes in attempting to translate Euclid into English. So, in the case of Genesis 1:1 versus Genesis 1:1, if a person knows Hebrew well, but is predisposed to believe that the seven days are original creation, then said person will be heavily influenced to try and make the first two verses comport with that prior belief. It doesn't have to be malicious; it can even be sort of unconscious. Translators want their translations to "make sense" and so are always inclined to homogenize the actual text; when they do that, if they don't really understand 100% "what it really means", they are likely to produce something that sounds reasonable in English . . . but is incorrect. Here's another example:
For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— 
Isaiah 45:18a NIV
Here it's the NIV that has blurred the truth. My translation, fairly literal from the Hebrew:
For thus says the Lord, Creator of the heavens. He is God, Shaper of the earth. He founded it. He did not create it a ruin (tohu). Rather He formed it to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18a
NIV gives the impression that the verse is just talking about God's intentions, but in fact the verse correctly translated says exactly what a correct translation of Genesis 1:1-2 demonstrates: God created the world perfect, but it was judged and became "tohu", a ruin, as a result of Satan's revolt.

There are plenty of these sorts of things but it would be impossible to collect them all (one would have to carefully analyze every major English translation to do so). You'll see them pop up from time to time in the email exchanges or in some of the major studies when it's necessary to point some of these things out (as at the link). The really sad thing is that if the Bible were being taught generally, if there were plenty of pastor-teachers out there who loved the truth and sought to find out as much about scripture as they could, this would create a virtuous feed-back loop that would make its way into the translations eventually. But instead we have for the most part a vicious Laodicean cycle of ignorance.

Thanks much for your good words and determination to grow in the truth, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Dr Bob,

I appreciate that and it makes sense. Very interesting with that Isaiah 45 verse as well! 

Thank you for your insight and being available for someone who likes to try to understand. I have only been reading from your site maybe a year and everyday you help me understand more and more truth from the Bible. Thank joy again. 

Hope your classes are going smoothly this year. We will be driving through Louisville on our way to FL in a couple weeks and I'll be thinking of you ;) 
Response #18:
You're most welcome

Thanks for thinking of me. The next couple of weeks are tricky as I have a procedure and after that an operation to undergo (meanwhile I'm trying to keep up with my job and with this ministry). Prayers appreciated!

Safe travels.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,

Well, I'm glad you got over your heavy lifting hurdle, and also with all of the various logistics involved to move forward! Now, it's onto the rest of the obstacle course, before you break the tape at the end of the race. It's good that you'll have Spring break to catch a breath. 

You've always had the right attitude, so I'm sure you'll get past all of this with flying colors, Bob! I know you're tougher than a pine knot, so I wouldn't worry about any worst case scenarios for you. No, sir! I just wanted you to be a little careful, that's all. I know you won't try doing anything too crazy (like running, doing crunches, digging ditches, or eating too much spicy foods!).

We have prayed, and we know that our Lord has all of this covered, our good Friend, Who is carrying all of us side by side. So, we are both having "good cheer", because, thankfully, He has overcome every trouble and obstacle for us! (John 16:33). What could be better than that? And, winning in the end, after fighting in all of our "battles", is all that really matters (Matt. 24:13). Thankfully, He has already won that death-defying victory over Death for all of us, so that is the hugest relief of all, to have Life instead! (Eph. 2:8-9; John 3:16-18).

You've really helped and encouraged me on getting through a lot of my troubles, so I'm glad to have such a supportive good friend, who has been doing such a fine job for me, especially to learn more about His Word of Truth, as well as helping many others, who are being touched by your precious and gracious ministry for Him (i.e., your "real job", when you are also paying your own freight with that other one!). Thank you very much!

I sometimes wonder how you can do two remarkably fine jobs all at once! Juggling is not easy, but I really do know Someone is helping you carry the load! (Phil. 4:13). 

So, thank you for bearing with me these past 9 years, Bob! I really appreciate your hard work for all of us, while we are waiting for the blast of that "last trumpet", signifying our wonderful deliverance time (coming soon on God's "time clock"), and announcing the greatest victory of all time, that He has won for us, making this Perfect Plan of God miracle all possible! (1 Cor. 15:52).This eternal future will be far beyond our present expectations or imaginations (1 Cor. 2:9).

In the meantime, "Time" is flying by fast when or whether we're having any fun, or ..... well, you know. But, we know things are going to be a whole lot better in our near future, on "that Day" (Titus 2:13; Heb. 10:25). That's when all of the fun will really begin. So, we are thinking strongly every day about the things above and beyond. (Col. 3:1-2). That will be the frosting on the cake, giving us His gracious "true happiness", of love and peace forever, living with Him. That time will be better than nice! And He paid for all of this (purchasing His Church), so all the Glory goes to Him! (Eph. 3:20-21; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25).

We are praying and hoping for all the best for you. Take care, and keep us posted.

Your friends in Jesus, 
Response #19:
Thank you, my friend!  I appreciate your encouraging words (Lk.17:10).

I appreciate your positive attitude. Re: "thinking strongly every day about the things above and beyond", that really is "the ticket". This life is very short and everything to come is wonderful beyond our imagination. Training ourselves to "arc over" the noise and the churn, especially when the volume and the disruption is high, really is key to getting through – now, and how much more so should we find ourselves in the Tribulation?
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8 KJV

(1) Therefore since you have been resurrected [positionally] with Christ, keep seeking after the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Keep thinking on the things above, and not the things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
Praying for an easy go of it for you, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hello Dr Bob

Wanted to ask you a quick question from what I'm reading under your CT " preparing for Tribulation".

You reference 1st Corinthians 10: 11-13 which says believers won't be tested beyond their capacity to endure it. I do believe this and it's a comfort to believe this. But it also seems like the Trib will indeed test beyond one's capacity to endure, which will result in those people giving up and losing their faith all together. 

Can you shed light and help me re- frame what this really means?

(By the way, I did take your suggestion and my 4 kids are watching Curtis Omo's children's series and we are talking about them together, they are learning more. I think I just wanted to read them your things, because of how much you've helped me understand.... but, alas, they aren't quite old enough yet! )

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the daily beauty in springtime our God gives us! Northern MI is finally warm, sunny, greening up! 

In Jesus,
Response #20:
Re: "seems like the Trib will indeed test beyond one's capacity to endure, which will result in those people giving up and losing their faith all together". People DO lose faith – even today before the Tribulation has begun. 1st Corinthians 10:13 assures us that "[God] will not allow you to be tested beyond your capacity" and that "He will grant you the way out, so that you can bear up under it". However, that does not mean that our faith will not be tested, sometimes severely. Job was tested severely – but he never lost faith. Not everyone stays faithful under pressure. 
And those [whose seed of faith fell] on the rock do receive the Word with joy when they hear it. However these [types] have no root [to their faith]. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they apostatize.
Luke 8:13
That is one of the reasons for testing and trouble in the plan of God, namely, to validate our faith as to whether or not it is genuine enough to endure even when things are not going our way.
Not only this, but let us also boast in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation develops endurance, and endurance results in proven reliability, and that such reliability brings with it hope [of eternal reward].
Romans 5:3-4

(2) Brothers, when you are being beset with all manner of trials, take pains to be joyful. (3) For you should keep in mind that this testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) So let your perseverance develop fully, that you may become fully mature and entitled to a full reward, having been found lacking in no respect.
James 1:2-4

(6) In anticipation of this ultimate deliverance, your joy overflows, though at present it may be your lot to suffer for a time through various trials (7) to the end that your faith may be shown to be genuine. This validation of your faith is far more valuable than gold, for gold, though it too is assayed by fire, ultimately perishes. But your faith, when proven genuine in the crucible of life, will result in praise, glory and honor for you at the glorious return of Jesus Christ. 
1st Peter 1:6-7
This is something we all need to keep in mind going into the Tribulation. Just because things get rough, doesn't mean that God has abandoned us. We need to hang on and hang in, trusting Him to work things out in the way that He has planned it, even if all of our plans get overturned. In the end, that will result "in praise, glory and honor for you at the glorious return of Jesus Christ".
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NKJV

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Revelation 2:10 NKJV
We're having a lovely spring in Louisville. The irises, peonies and roses are in full bloom and more glorious than ever.

Glad to hear that you're enjoying Bible Academy!
[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.]
Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/