http://ichthys.com/ 
Eschatology Issues LXXVIII

Question #1:    
Hi Dr Bob

I hope you are well, Dear Brother. I fear very shortly that you will have to be remote teaching again. I understand how difficult that must be. I also (bc of all you have taught me over these many years) imagine we will be under lockdown soon. And I think that there won't be any lifting of it this time. History always repeats itself, maybe Satan has a playbook & just reruns the plays that work. Because we are 1939 Germany. 

I don't follow politics bc one is the frying pan, the other the fire. We did perk our ears when the previous President commented that his son in law was the ONLY MAN who could bring peace to the Middle East. Do you think that Jared Kushner is a likely candidate to be the antichrist when that time comes? I have read and read again the Tribulation series. He sets off buzzers and bells and danger signs to me. I am interested in your thoughts or your correction of my thinking if need be. 

Now to the real reason the draft has been in my folder: I am also deeply troubled and in need of much prayer. Just recently, early summer, my oldest niece confided in me that her father is beating and abusing my sister in every way imaginable. She has taken pictures to have as evidence & I cry as I write this. My sister (younger than me) has been married 22 years. This just began around the fall of last year. He beats my sister in front of her children. I have seen the bruises, strategically placed and obviously made by an object, likely a belt, as well as fingerprints on her neck & face. He has taken control of her phone & email, along with monitoring my youngest niece & my twin nephews phones to make sure my family & our parents are not texted or called. She is making a plan to leave but I'm sure you are aware of the danger in that. My oldest niece is in college so she is safe.

Of all the trials, I must say this one is the most difficult. He has threatened to shoot my Daddy on sight so I cannot tell my parents. I can't call CPS bc that would ruin the relationship my sister & I have. I pray constantly for her & the children's safety. 

I can only confide in the Lord bc only He can bear this weight. It is too great a burden for me. Please add this to the prayer requests. Oh what the days ahead are going to be....our adversary is busy. Pray for me & my family, Brother. 

In Our Loving Merciful Savior, Jesus Christ,
Response #1:
I certainly am hoping that we don't ever go back to remote – though many of my colleagues would dearly prefer it. I have a goodly number of students this year in most of my classes, so I'm looking forward to the start of things on Monday. I'm not required to mask when I lecture, but my students have to wear masks (so another year of not knowing what they look like, it seems; sigh).

As to antichrist, it is probable that he is "around", but the beast has not yet been revealed. It may be that he will be obvious to believers before the Tribulation begins, but there are many potential "false positives" out there, as there have always been. Personally, I think it most likely that at present antichrist is largely unknown and "under the radar", but that is also speculation. It's important to keep our eyes and ears open, but also not to become emotionally wedded to one scenario or possibility . . . because we really don't know, and if we convince ourselves of something that is off base, we only make ourselves vulnerable to being deceived. As a reader of the website, you probably know that there is a discussion as to whether the beast will arise from the right or the left – or even be a new sort of tertium quid. As I say, as fast as things can change now in our present world (just look at Afghanistan!), the possibilities for how things which now "are" might play out between now and then are kaleidoscopic.

I'm very distressed to hear your disturbing report! I always advise people in such situations to get out ASAP and leave the planning for the other side of the escape.

I will post a prayer request for you. I would also like to post this email – taking names out along with any other details you may feel are too personal. That will be likely to generate more immediate prayer than than just being added to the list.

Let me know – I won't be posting for at least a few hours.

Keeping you and your family and situation in my prayers.

In Jesus our Lord,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Dr Bob, 

Thank you so much for responding. I know how many sheep you count among your flock. 

Please feel free to post this bc I certainly want as many people as possible aware of the trials we face now and how we must endure this purification to become refined in the fire before the far more difficult (as you say than we can now only see in silhouette) troubles in the not so distant future start. I don't want anyone without the strength to bear it to ever be in this situation. I know from my previous "thorns" that the Lord works everything out for the good of those who love & serve Him. I know this is working for my family's strengthening & building of faith but bearing up is a daily struggle while in this flesh. Thy Grace is sufficient for me. 

My sister & brother-in-law were happy for so many years & we enjoyed many years raising babies together...there is no excuse but he had Covid shortly before this behavior began. __ says "he's not my Daddy anymore..." again no excuse but who knows how the devil is using this whole scenario for his purposes. She is studying to be a PA and postulated perhaps he had a brain tumor. The things those babies & my sister endure is so much harder to bear up under than me. We had to tell her that the methods he is employing are far too complex...the texts telling her to die, picking one of the boys to spy for him & now my nephew refers to his sisters in words I cannot say. It is bad....and I can't and know I am not supposed to save her. Pray for us, please have everyone pray he doesn't kill my sister & the children. Because he has assured her that until the end his mission is to make her as miserable as he humanly can...

I don't believe I'm wedded to the idea Kushner is "it" - he just meets a lot of criteria...that's usually when ___ begin to count off Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Caligula, Nero etc. I imagine the people that were living during those dreadful times were certain they were in the presence of evil & Christ's return must be imminent....so then we end up on, well look at what Peter, Paul & the other early Christians suffered....so, I always go to the Trib series and we do a quick review. I do believe from your description that he is alive but not aware of who he really is, though not revealed. I always appreciate your wise counsel & helping me keep the "blinders" on the true purpose of my duties & focus always on Christ, my Salvation, my Help & Refuge.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways indeed, considering the nature of the Peter series regarding marriage. How badly I needed this very study at this time. 

Again, please feel to post & pray steadfastly. I pray for you daily. I know how many people depend on your wisdom & instruction both in & out of the classroom. 

May the Lord, Our Strength and Refuge and Shelter keep you ever in His Care,
Response #2:
You're very welcome.

I'll put this up today (along with a prayer request).

Yes indeed – as long as we are doing what the Lord requires, moving forward spiritually and helping others do likewise, all of eschatology will certainly take care of itself.

Keeping you and your sister in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Hi Bob,

How are you and yours? We’ve had a very usually hot summer here. 110+ for almost a week with one day being 118! Still has been in the 100’s with a day or two here and there in the lower 90s and twice in the high 80’s. No rain to speak of. Lots of forest fires. Seems to be the new season here. Mom turned 90 last month! I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with her for all these years. She’s in good heath despite her age.

Thank you for sending the link for the latest Peter posting. It has been a real blessing and has caused me to do more “inner homework”. It’s so easy to start complaining when things are not going well. I try to keep my frustrations with the neighbor to a minimum but I have my moments. We all do. It just never sunk in that when I complain about the situation that I’m really complaining about God’s handling of it. I know it is happening for a reason and I know it is making me more like Jesus, or I sure hope it is. I’d hate to go through this and not be growing spiritually. There are other areas that were pointed out and I think it’s a good to have reminders. We read the Scriptures and think we know them well until we actually SEE it laid out, as you and Curtis Omo so wonderfully do, and then realize there’s more meat on the bone. I also enjoy the email postings that you do every weekend. I usually see them later Saturday afternoon/evening.

And speaking of the postings, I did see where you updated my last email a few weeks ago about the moratorium on evictions. Our governor did extend it, so to speak. The moratorium did end on June 30, 2021, but he mandated what he called a “bridge” to transition people from not paying to having a payment plan to paying full rent to eviction if the other steps were not completed by September 1st, 2021. I don’t know if the neighbor was paying his rent but I know he wasn’t working and I’m sure by choice since there is an incredible amount of construction going on in and around our area. 

I had mentioned previously that I went to court on June 21 and had the order extended. The judge gave me 5 years which I was told made it permanent. A few days later I sent copies of the new order and the evidence I submitted to the judge, plus correspondence with the management company to the management company AND the homeowner. The management company claims they never received emails, didn’t know what was going on, etc. so I don’t know what they are planning to do, if anything at this point. I sent the same information AND all the other information/evidence from the previous harassment to the homeowner in case she wasn’t informed by the management company. I sent it to her place of business and it was returned that she wasn’t there. I sent it to her home and it ended back at the post office. They told me she wasn’t home when it was delivered so she’ll need to pick it up there. It’s been three weeks. It’s looking like she doesn’t care what is going on. I simply told them both that enough is enough and that I’ve had two district court judges basically say the same. The next time something happens, they’ll hear from our lawyer. We’ll see what happens. The neighbor has been very quiet since July 1st. I found out last Friday that he was never served his papers from the court date in June! Seven weeks have gone by. I am SO thankful that the Lord kept him quiet during this time because if he had done something, the police wouldn’t have done anything to him since he hadn’t been served the new paperwork. I don’t know if you have seen what our governor did regarding our law enforcement for the whole state, but he has really handcuffed them. They really are nothing more than security guards for now. Many are moving out of state or retiring. 

And speaking of our governor, this past Monday he mandated that government and healthcare workers MUST be vaccinated by October 18, 2021, or be terminated. If you are terminated, you will not receive unemployment. I am classified as a healthcare worker and I refuse to take it. I have done a lot of research on the virus itself and the jab (and a lot of praying!) and I just can’t bring myself to take it. Almost everyone I know who has taken it has had problems to one degree or another. Some mild, some serious. One is now having some cognitive issues and another is having heart problems. Neither have had those issues in the past. I have patients and friends who are doctors, nurses and other frontline workers and they have almost unanimously said, “DON’T DO IT!”. So, at this point, I’m not going to. I know this means if the governor doesn’t change his mind or the Lord intervenes in the situation, I will lose the job I love but I don’t feel I should be forced to take something that I feel isn’t safe. I know I will receive backlash—I am already called “selfish” for not taking it and thinking only of myself. I have prayed so much about this and it isn’t something that I’ve taken lightly. I pray and leave it in God’s hands and KNOW it will work out the way it should.

Thank you for the prayers and as always, we keep you and yours in our.

In Him,
Response #3:
I'll be praying for you not to lose your job.

If you've been reading the weekly postings, you'll know that I had the J&J shot (almost two weeks ago now [update: over three now]). Other than some fatigue and occasional "balloon head", I haven't had any other side effects – and the fatigue has been diminishing; if memory serves, the last flu shot I got, going on thirty years ago now, was far worse. 

I can't give advice, and certainly not medical advice. I got the shot mostly because it was becoming clear that it would have been very difficult for me to do my job if I didn't – and that is becoming more and more apparent as things begin to ratchet down here with the Delta spike. I have heard of people having problems with the other vaccines – and know of some myself. We have to weigh the pros and cons. It's not a spiritual issue, but I sure hope it doesn't cost you your employment (you're in my prayers on this, as mentioned).

Sorry to hear that the neighbor problem hasn't cleared up and is still such a load. I'm praying for you on that score too.

I thought it was hot here in Louisville – but I guess we don't know what hot is! Pretty humid here though. The other day I could have swum instead of jogging.

Thanks for your good words about the ministry. It's a reflection of your good attitude, namely, to be "not merely a hearer of the Word but a doer thereof" (Jas.1:22-25). That's the only way to make spiritual progress. Good for you!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,

Thank you for your prayers. So far nothing has changed. Our governor is sticking to his guns on this. Today he added K-12 teachers, bus drivers, etc. in all schools, including private religious schools to have the jab or be fired. We’re also back to masking indoors. I haven’t spoken with my boss at the moment because I wanted to see how this would all play out. It is just a job and I know that I will find something else, if it does go that direction. At this point I think I could work as an independent but don’t know for how long. As I mentioned in the last email, I have done a lot of research and I feel I am making the right choice for me. I support everyone’s decision to do what they feel best for their body and life situations. I don’t see this as a spiritual issue but I know quite a few that do think it’s the mark of the beast. I did see that you took the J&J and I’m glad that you didn’t have any serious side effects. I have been adding this to my prayers for you when I found out. 

The neighbor is the neighbor. It’s just incredible how he constantly seems to slip by with everything he does. I have to laugh at times. At least this has quieted him down. Every storm runs out of rain eventually. Hopefully this one is almost done.

This has been the hottest summer that I can remember. We’re blessed with lower humidity, but it’s still miserable. We actually had a cool day yesterday (only got to 80) and we finally had rain. This cooler weather will last at least through the weekend, so it’s a real treat. 

Thanks again for your prayers. I really appreciate them.

In Him,
Response #4:
I understand. I am praying for you about all these matters, my friend.

*Whatever other issues there are, vaccination is definitely not the "mark", however (link).

Good to hear that things have cooled off . . . a bit!

Thanks for keeping me in the loop – hoping to hear good news of your complete deliverance soon, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Thank you Bob. I've just read through what you have written and it is perfect. I only need to think back on my own life. There was more than one occasion in which God was trying to get my attention and yet I was very stiff necked and hard hearted myself!

I look back now pretty horrified about what I was wilfully enduring or pursuing without God and it is pretty shocking to think on. The fact that God plucked me immediately away from all of that is an amazing testimony of His tender mercy and loving grace. Anyone can be changed if he is willing to believe and be changed from above. I was the least likely to be a convert and yet He left the 99 to search me out.

The only regret I have about life is that I wasn't saved a lot earlier as my life has been wasted on absolutely nothingness! Like Paul said, everything before was dung! Now I look forward rejoicing and glad to be saved and to be part of the body of Christ. What a wholly undeserved honour it is! It is this rejoicing that I want to witness to my family, especially my sister at this time.

Just thought I would share with you what a good job Viking Virtual Printhouse have done with your work! I felt quite emotional today unboxing it all. It feels a momentous occasion for me. My family doesn't understand but ___ being a bibliophile gets it, if only from a scholarly perspective. 

___ thought it was printed by your "FOLLOWERS"! Ha ha! I couldn't help but laugh imagining you with a warehouse full of zealous believers using their free time putting your ministry together in print. If only she was right and the world was full of people printing off your ministry materials instead of printing off the Watchtower or Mormon or Catholic encyclicals, wouldn't that be amazing! The whole world thirsty for the TRUTH for a change?!

I have uploaded some photos to show you how they've turned out. They mean the world to me Bob they really do! Congratulations on all your hard work for the Lord! I look forward to the day I can cheer you on when you are receiving all your heavenly rewards! What a wondrous day that will be Bob! No more mockery, unbelief or shaking of heads just faith, reward and rejoicing! AMEN!

God bless you!

In Jesus,
Response #5:
"Followers" . . . LOL that is pretty funny! Binders look great (thanks for the pics).

On wasting time, we can all look back and have regrets there. In spiritual terms, I wasted my teens and the first part of my twenties. I take Paul's advice about not looking back personally, however (Phil.3:13). Paul had a great deal to regret, after all, and if he was in the habit of looking back, it would have paralyzed him no doubt. As it was, his desire to "look back" to the temple and rites of Judaism which he loved began a long painful chapter of imprisonment (see the link). So we all have things to regret, but of course the only way to advance is one day at a time. Worrying about the past only makes us lose our "this day" focus, so it's something to be avoided. If we go to bed with the realization that, to one degree or another, we have made the day count for Jesus Christ, then in the end we'll have no regrets at all, one day added to another until we see the rainbow glory of God.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear Bob,

In your response to #5, (EI LXXVII) you quoted Psalm 7:15 but labeled it Psalm 7:5. The infernal Microsoft keyboard strikes again. There were a couple other keyboard errors, "on" for "one" in #23 "No doubt on of the main reasons." but I didn't take notes so I can't offer much more. I apologize.

Below is pearl clutching and hand wringing:

I agree with #22. The trends I'm seeing are horrifying. Example, AI has reached the point where a company called D-ID (d-id.com) has apparently commercialized face creation which Warner Bros. is marketing for one of their trailers.

https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/next-up/warner-bros-deepfake-movie-promo?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

https://www.d-id.com/

All of this, I believe. will enable the image of the beast to appear worldwide simultaneously -- unless "image" in the original means a sculpted image but given the state of robot technology, even if it were a "sculpted" image, the result would be the same. Today we are seeing signs and lying wonders.

Given that technology we see is at least 30 years behind what government and it's contractors are using makes this even more concerning. I'm not sure we can any longer believe what we see, hear or read outside of the Bible. And your comments on the "new and improved" NIV makes me wonder even about that. (That's why old books are so vitally important and I suspect why reading is barely taught today. Old books on paper are difficult to change. Information on the web can be edited in transmission in real time. If it's decided that Kung Flu is verboten, it can be changed to COVID in transmission.[Which would make for an interesting result on this email.])

Now, if only old eyes could read old books...

If you watch the evening news, do you know the newscaster is a real human or AI? Are the filmed events real or AI Memorex? If you read the evening paper, are the articles and photos AI generated? While much today is still real, do we really know how much of it is or how long it will be?

Digital currency, I believe, is also of Satan. It would certainly enable cutting off of funds so that no one without the mark could buy or sell. Not only that, but it costs of printing. (Etching rotogravure cylinders is expensive.) By law in the US, a dollar is defined as 93.7% of 99.99% pure silver (if I remember right.) The paper dollar used to be called a "silver certificate" and is now called a "Federal Reserve Note" denoting debt. So, we've been nurtured for many years to accept the future elimination of all currency except digital.

Yours in our Lord Jesus,
Response #6:
Thanks for citation and typo help. I'd love to blame Microsoft, but on this one, well, I've always been poor with keeping numbers straight in my head.

I'm pretty sure the talking heads on my TV are real people. I don't think AI is sophisticated enough yet to make them quite that stupid (or obnoxious).

Books are great! But one runs out of space. My office if full. My house is full. My attic is full (hope the beams don't collapse from the weight any time soon). I've made it a point to try and NOT buy books for some twenty years now . . . but somehow they still keep multiplying. 

I'm thinking of launching my own crypto based on cans of tuna fish. Going to call it "bite coin". And you will have something tangible too . . . although there are only so many cans of tuna you can stuff in your pockets. "You show me your bit-coin and I'll show you my bite-coin" along the lines of James 2:18ff. Cans of tuna, like works based on faith, we can actually see. 

In Jesus,

Bob L.
*PLEASE say a prayer for our friend's daughter who in ICU with serious pneumonia et al.
Question #7:
Ha! I like that. "Bite Coin" That may become very important. Not only would bite-coin be excellent and something we could see -- but also something we could eat that would nourish us. An apt analogy

I think your logic. though. is a bit flawed -- programmers create AI and I've never known programmers who could think beyond what they thought they knew. In the old days, they used to think they knew everything about everything. I don't know what's changed since I left that world many years ago but I doubt much has changed. Still, you may be right.

I note, in this week's email post, that your web traffic is down yet your eschatology posts seem to be increasing. I can't decide if that's a good sign or a disappointing sign.

I do have to thank you again for your devotion, patience and ministry. Many of us in the hinterland of society have come to rely on your guidance, thoughts and posts. I've pointed a number of people to your site though I've had no feedback that they visited. As one of your corespondents mentioned, changing old beliefs is difficult. I know it is for me. There have been many times when your responses to others have been a figurative slap up side the head and prodded me to rethink very old beliefs which I didn't realize lurked in the background -- for that, I'm thankful.

In pointing me to Abebooks, my friend, you have further corrupted me. Shame on you! I'm out of space, too. Even though I can no longer read much more than recipes or reference without severe eye strain, my love for books has not faded. I come from a family of printers and had my first paying job running a printing press at 13. Proverbs 22:6? OSHA would soil their shorts if they knew what I did. Old habits and training die hard. 

Franklin's epitaph:

The body of
B. Franklin, Printer.
Like the cover of an old book,
Its contents torn out,
And stripped of its lettering and gilding,
Lies here, food for worms;
Yet the work itself shall not be lost,
For it will as he believed
Appear once more,
In a new, and more beautiful edition,
Corrected and improved
By the Author.

-- Ben Franklin

Yours in our Lord and redeemer
Response #7:
ABE is GREAT! But yes, I do confess, that site is a notable breach in my wall of restraint.

I went to a technical h.s. Lots of math (ouch!), two years of drafting (a lot of work), plenty of science . . . and shop classes. I had wood shop, electric shop . . . and a full year of print shop. Still remember setting galleys for the school's once a year magazine. And we had our own newspaper which published weekly. We used linotype machines – at which I gained a small amount of skill. Guess that's my back up profession if this job ever deserts me. They may still use linos in Ecuador or Laos or someplace. Still, it's probably more likely than my military "comparable civilian occupation": "artillery proofs director".

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,

Since you introduced me, I haven't bought a new book. Last new book I bought fell apart. Printing (in China) was good but the binding was horrible.

You're showing your age in admitting you know what galleys and linotypes were. There is no longer a printing business in the US. Some vestiges are left in web printing for magazines, printing and die cutting for packaging and little else. After I left the "high" tech world I tried to return to the printing business but most everything was done on sophisticated color printers. Even the 4-6 color offset presses were totally computerized. High school students could run them. Judging from what I see on the web, proofreading is an ancient and mysterious art. (I should talk?!)

New question:

If I may, you have written that obligation to one's country was Biblical. (If memory serves.) In searching Ichthys, I didn't see anything that referenced scripture. Would you point me to that scripture? Or where you have explained that? I have to admit that for the second time in my life after the US tucked tail and fled, abandoning allies and this time American citizens, I'm ashamed.

Yours in our Lord,
Response #8:
Well, I'm no "spring chicken", after all. Besides, I'm pretty sure they still have a linotype . . . in the Smithsonian.

On "obligation to one's country was Biblical", it depends what you mean (I've never phrased it that way). Scripture is pretty clear about believers being responsible to accept earthly authority (there's a lot about this in Peter #34). Doesn't mean we have to emotionally invest – as I'm sure the apostles did not (there was certainly much about the Roman empire that no Christian could endorse). But I do know what you mean. It's getting easier and easier to see the USA as mystery Babylon. 

Also, I'm not surprised about this rapid turn of events: in order for the Islamic world to coalesce to a degree required to provide the necessary foil for the beast, this and many other such events will need to take place in the near future (someone who seems to know his stuff was even talking today about the Taliban taking on the Pakis next). The rapidity is also of great interest – events necessary for the end times scenario found in the Bible to take place can certainly come to pass in even the short time remaining.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob,

I read Peter #34 and Paul's comments on the subject but the only understanding I had of both was submission. Nothing I read in scripture suggested that I had to love, admire or support the authorities.

It's been quite a while since I read your email comments, many of which were lost in a couple of unfortunate technological events (and I should have known better!) I may have misremembered which seems to be happening more frequently.

I do intend to follow Paul's example in his appeal to Caesar as my model though that may be moot at this point. I suspect the muslim world will coalesce and much larger than it is now. They seem to be reprising the glory days of their first conquests in the middle ages. Between the Marxists and the muslims, we will face a formidable enemy.

If this is wrong, please let me know. I was getting concerned over my reactions to our Marxist government and the federal lies and/or bungling.

Thanks.

Yours in Jesus Christ,
Response #9:
Sounds about right. The neo-Marxists can't handle the jihadists [update: this week in Afghanistan seems to prove that point], but that will be antichrist's claim to fame (one of them, any way). People will be looking for a savior from this existential threat, someone to lead a new crusade – and who better than one who claims to be Christ?

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Dear Bob,

It has been a while. Like me I assume you would agree that the Lord would never refuse to forgive anyone who comes to him in repentance and if I end up coming across a verse which concerns me, I always trying to develop an understanding in case it becomes a doubt.

In Matthew 25 verse 10 it states that the foolish virgins 

"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut"

Surely even if they repented 10 minutes before the Lord's return they would be forgiven, so what do the words "while they went to buy.." mean? They clearly hadn't reached their destination that they needed to before the Lord arrived and they were shut out. It kind of suggests that they deliberately put off repenting until it was convenient to, they hadn't purchased their oil and so couldn't get in. I doubt the thief on the cross knowingly put off accepting Christ before repenting.

The foolish virgins seem story makes it seem that a person can leave it to the point when it is too late for whatever reason. What is the oil they went to purchase, is it repentance, accumulated spiritual maturity, lost opportunities to obey which the knowingly ignored? Why couldn't they repent along the way before the Lord came back?

Thanks
Response #10:
I don't think we can draw that type of conclusion from parables. The foolish virgins do not represent people trying to repent but those who didn't do what they should have done who are now suffering the consequences. Our Lord's whole point in telling this one is that we have to be ready. If we are not ready, well, time does run out. Plenty of people no doubt have regrets after death, when it is too late – compare the rich man who begged Abraham to send someone to his brothers, but even he knew there was no longer hope for himself.

In any case, we don't need to worry about such things. God's plan is perfect. He has always known who was willing to accept Christ and who was not. And He arranged the lives of everyone perfectly to give each a maximum opportunity to be saved (and the maximum motivation to do so). No one who is lost is so because of any defect in God's approach. All who are lost are so only account of their own hardness of heart – a hardness that would be retained no matter how much more time the Lord gave them.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #11:
So, what would happen to a person who knew the truth, had plenty of years to repent and make restitution, seek reconciliation with people they hurt, were given hundreds of opportunities to do so with people but those opportunities have passed, and they have no longer know where those people are, because they have moved, died etc.. and on top of it, it is a few days before the Lord returns in glory would the Lord forgive such a person if they repented and go with him when he returned in glory?

You state that the foolish virgins are people who didn't do what they should have done. An individual like the example I have mentioned would be such a person wouldn't they. The foolish virgins went away and while they were away looking to but oil the Lord returned and they were barred from entrance. Isn't this then saying that even if a person was to repent 2 days before the Lord's Coming, it would be too late, as they didn't obey Jesus fully when given opportunities and now, they have lost those opportunities so what is the point in repenting at that late stage then. So it would seem that even if a person repented close to the lord's return it would avail nothing as they have thrown way chances when they could have obeyed.
Response #11:
In eschatological terms, the foolish virgins are believers who allow their faith to lapse – i.e., they apostatize and become unbelievers – during the pressures of the Tribulation (their lamp of faith goes out) . . . because they don't prepare spiritually ahead of time so as to have sufficiently strong faith to endure the troubles to come.

Words to the wise.
Question #12:
Presumably there are people alive now who believe Christianity to be true and haven't matured, procrastinated who at the time of the tribulation will be able to mature quickly, because we know in any situation a crisis it just what some people need to make the grow up fast. So, can we assume that anyone who was knowingly complacent before the tribulation but during the tribulation demonstrate faith and courage are not among the foolish virgins, even if they failed in the past to obey and lost opportunities, which they can't get back?
Response #12:
What you say is absolutely true. However, it doesn't have anything to do with the parable because in the parable the "foolish" are unbelievers at the time of the second advent. It's not just that they didn't live a good Christian life: they abandoned their faith entirely and were swept up in the Great Apostasy. Only believers are saved. At the second advent, only believers will be resurrected.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
If they are unsaved how could they possess any light at all?
Response #13:
They had no light AT ALL (= no faith remaining on account of apostatizing):
And the foolish said unto the wise, "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out."
Matthew 25:8 KJV
No light, no oil, no faith, no root – their light goes out, their faith plant dies, they revert to unbelief.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
Luke 8:13 NIV
This CAN happen, so it's incumbent upon us all "upon whom the ends of the ages has come" (1Cor.10:11) to take this lesson to heart and determine to do all within our power to be prepared, strong enough in faith and truth to be able to endure whatever may come.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,

On avoiding "Theological discussions of the finer points of Calvin's 'institutes' " - I like it! I think I might stick to sharing and giving a little bit of encouragement as much as I can!

What a pain to be tagged to stand in for your dept. chair. I hope they won't need to hassle you too much with anything. I'll be praying. Great news about the seven now signed up for Greek. I hope you still make sure you get some rest over the summer. It just seems to fly by. 

Work was fine today and thankfully I'm only in on Wednesday and Friday now this week. I'll make sure I don't do four days in my sweatsuit again. I didn't feel too great at the end of that week. 

I'll be able to get to this week's typos tomorrow. And I really need to get back to CT. I've missed a few weeks there and I'm not quite sure why. I think I've gone off on a tangent somewhere and I need to get back to where I was in my own specific studies. I lose the flow when that happens and I really notice it. Does that make sense to you, Bob?

Keeping you and yours in my prayers. I'm very grateful as always for yours too.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #14:
Thanks for the prayers! I don't think it'll be too bad . . . but I guess it all depends. Anyway, it's only for two weeks so . . . [update: it went fine so I got the kudos without much hassle – thanks for your prayers, everyone!]

I like your approach to the forum. I think the more "theological" the tone, the less we are likely to see participation from those we are looking for fellowship and encouragement from, namely, like-minded Ichthys readers.

It's tough to maintain momentum . . . for all of us. But it's a worthy fight to fight. One thing I've discovered over time is that it's a trap to set such a high standard that's its unreasonable. That results in "I really don't have the oomph today to do my hour so I won't do anything" – when five minutes would be better than nothing. Way better. But this is how we are. We tend to feel worse about ourselves for doing the five minutes than for doing nothing – even when nothing has a way of repeating tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. Good patterns are hard to lay down and hard to maintain. Giving up is easy. Getting "back in the saddle" when we have had a setback is sometimes VERY hard. That is a skill we all need to master, however, because, being human and life in the 21st century being what it is, we're all going to get knocked off that hill sooner or later – even if we gave it a good fight before we gave up. 

Best thing here is to look forward, not backward. To forget about the past and not get down on ourselves about perceived failures (Phil.3:13). Sometimes, after all, we really couldn't do all we intended. What if we get sick? What if we have to work a double shift? What if there is some critical event taking place at work or in the family or with our living situation – or all three at once? There will be times. Being able to take those punches and push through is commendable, but none of us is the apostle Paul. So being able to recover quickly when we are knocked off our good spiritual routine is absolutely essential. This is a fight (I may have mentioned). There may be lulls, but these tend to be short-lived and somewhat deceptive (e.g., if things are too easy too long we tend to get softened up). When things are going way-wrong and when we are way out of our good approach, best thing is to settle down, regroup, focus on eternity, put the present in that eternal perspective, level spears with shields up and start pushing up the hill again.

You're a fighter. You'll get back to the advance right soon.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,

I've had LOTS of help and encouragement from our brothers and sisters on the forum and it's lovely to have the opportunity to do the same for them. I'm very thankful to the Lord. (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Galatians 6:2)

And thank you for your help and encouragement too! You really do understand - everything you wrote is absolutely spot on. I have to be careful not to set myself standards that are too high and unrealistic because I know there's a tendency in me to be an all or nothing person. I used to be like that with exercise. There's beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of exercise and in my thinking if I couldn't do the advanced level straightaway then anything less just wasn't good enough. And that's how I got injured. I've learnt my lesson and I'm happy to be sensible and work my way up gradually now. It's the same with our studying isn't it? And recovering from a physical injury can be very hard in the same way as you said getting "back in the saddle" with your spiritual momentum can be very hard. If I had that same attitude about my studying, if I had an all or nothing approach it could harm me spiritually. It's good that I'm aware of it though and I can keep a check on it.

I know exactly what you mean about feeling worse doing 5 minutes of study than doing none at all. Aren't we strange?! But when I've won those "5 minutes or nothing battles" I've found that the Spirit still uses that time to teach and encourage me. Sometimes I can read just one verse and go - Wow! I can learn something completely new. It's still best to get more in when you can though.

So I looked in my notebook to see where I'd got up to in CT and I'm back up and running with it today. In the fight, looking forwards not backwards with my eyes focused on eternity.

I promise to get those typos to you too!

Your friend in Jesus
Response #15:
I'm very happy to learn that the forum has been accomplishing some of its original objectives. I'm very grateful to Steven and the other believers like yourself who have made it "work".

I think we all have a lit bit of that "all or nothing" in us, some more than others. I hear you on the exercise too. The last three times I hurt myself jogging it was on the last hill in Cherokee park before turning home (a steep hill) when I was feeling something a little off . . . and decided to push through anyway. That mostly worked when I was in my twenties but now . . .

I'm very glad to hear that you are back "up and at 'em", my friend! 

Keeping you and yours in my prayers. Thanks for yours – and I'll keep an eye out for typos.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Bob,

Hope you've had a good day. Just delivering the typos!

That's all for this week. The false teaching in some of these emails that you were having to correct is terrible. I can't even begin to imagine the damage that this has done to so many individuals and families. 

I had a little look at Cherokee park - it looks beautiful! What a lovely place to go for a walk or a jog. Sounds like you've been going there for a good few years, Bob. Hope the knee is still improving - even if it is slowly.

I'll be continuing on with CT now and praying that you will be able to catch up with everything on your "to do" list and your research too. Keeping everything else in prayer for you and yours too.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #16:
Thanks for the typo help as always! Greatly appreciated, my friend.

Yes, Cherokee part is a real jewel, and it's a blessing to be able to get over there from where I live without having to pile into the car. It's just about a mile from here, give or take, and the loop is just under three miles. It's nice to watch the seasons change. With the pandemic, the animal life has staged a rebound. We've always had tortoises and butterflies and birds, but there's a small deer herd over there now. Recently beavers moved in, and now we have owls and . . . minks! The loop was closed to cars for the pandemic, but now they've just opened parts of it back up so that those who want to get to the picnic areas and such can do so without a long walk. But they only allow cars on one side of the loop (for about the last twenty years), and it seems as if they're only going to reopen part of the loop now for access (no more rolling around the whole way as in the past – at least I think that's what's going on). I've started jogging – chugging – around the loop again, walking down to the park and walking back. It'll be some months before I'm anywhere back in jogging shape, but, God helping me, the knee is holding up (and the rest of the chassis as well).

Hope you have a good end of the week! 4th of July long weekend ahead here. After that, I'm standing in for our vacationing chair. Got the plumber coming that Tuesday and will also have to be putting a big research push while there's still time. I did get some done on the next article today as well as a little fall class prep. So it goes.

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend! Keep on keeping on with the Bible study.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Teacher

How have you been, Sir? Has the summer been treating you well? I've been hearing of the heat wave in parts of the US. You don't have that in Kentucky, do you?

First, thank you for the encouragement in your last email and for the update. Regarding the learning curve, I'm very grateful for your encouragement and warning here. I really dislike failing, but then who doesn't? You taught me to learn to have a short memory in that regard, and I think I'm getting better at it, but I think that it is still quite easy to wallow in self-pity as if there is some merit to being able to feel bad about being a sinner in a sinful body in desperate need of God's mercy. Some things are better solved by simply doing what we need to do instead of enjoying their emotional feedback.

I've been silent (and I'm very sorry about that) for quite a while because I've been trying to get through the issues facing me at the moment. I think that I may have overextended myself financially in renting my new place (I must have mentioned this to you before), and now I may be a little stuck. If I had insisted on spending less than I did, I may have had some money for some furniture, I imagine. But that's a meaningless path to go down at this point, I think I've learned.

[omitted]

Still working on my new installment in the series I'm writing. In special revelation, I felt that I needed to present things a bit differently than I did the first time I wrote the section. I hope that I can get it out this week.

Your student in Jesus
Response #17:
Yes it's very hot here and worse coming later in the week (but it's not equatorial hot!). Working in the yard today after walking / jogging and might have done a little too much.

Tomorrow I have to start my "crash writing" for research as the summer is running out. Also have the plumber coming (unknown time so I'll have to get up extra early if I want to get any exercise in before that). And I'm acting chair of the dept. tomorrow for two weeks: our chair is on vacation and asked me to step in as the vice chair is out of the country. Nice compliment but I'm hoping it won't end up monopolizing what's left of my short remaining time.

"Some things are better solved by simply doing what we need to do" – Amen! That is a very wise saying we could all profit by having plastered above our bed's headboard and reminding ourselves of it twice a day.

I probably mentioned to you at some point in the past that I have known a number of people in my life who have made a living doing "technical writing". There is a great need for it. Seems whenever I read "instructions" or "product descriptions", even from companies which are very well known, the English is appalling and sometimes incomprehensible. You, on the other hand, are an excellent writer who never makes mistakes (or at least so close to never that I've never noticed it). I think you would be great at this, as long as you don't mind explaining to people how to assemble things, e.g., and how to maintain them. Medical writing is an offshoot of this, I'm thinking. I know even less about how to snag work in that arena. 

I will venture to say that, now that you've mentioned it, writing a paper about Covid may not be the best idea. That whole thing has been hyper-politicized so that you could easily offend (or scare off) the very people you're trying to impress. Unless it is a purely technical discussion, I would re-think that one if I were you.

We don't know how much time is left. I'm confident that the interpretations advanced at Ichthys are solid, but they are interpretations. Getting married is a "long horizon" decision – it has to be. So is getting an advanced degree – but that would be consonant with getting married (just saying).

Keeping you and your families in my prayers daily, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Thank you for your work! I just finished Peter lesson #34. I need to read it again, there was so much packed into it. I have a hard time discerning when to step in and fight and when to step back. 

I used to work as a research nurse in the late 90’ s and early 2000’s. I am a stay at home mom now. I worked as a liaison between the physician, the pharmaceutical company and with patients who would sign up to participate in trying a new drug (like an antibiotic or diabetes medicine). So much of what is happening in medicine with this vaccine is so corrupt. When I worked, I had to watch a training video every year on principals of ethical research so as to report anything suspicious to the Institutional Review Board in the hospital. It was considered unethical research to use prison inmates as test subjects. If a physician was going to use that as their test population, they would need to get an extra layer of administrative approval, with extra oversight since prison inmates cannot give a true consent. Pediatrics and nursing home patients are two other populations that need extra oversight, extra layers of protections since they are considered vulnerable. This shot, which is currently a study medication, is being pushed on the very populations that need ethical boundaries. So it is issues like this that anger and frustrate me. I wonder where are all the people who sit on Institutional Review Boards in all of our teaching hospitals? Why aren’t they advocating for the vulnerable people? Where is the oversight because I’m certain when I worked, I would’ve been fired if I suggested in research meeting we administer our study medicine in a drive through …what they are currently doing in our communities. I read your weekly emails and I know you have addressed many concerns, so I hate to bring up the vaccine again. I’m just explaining why I need to read your Peter series again. I am sure since you teach at a university you’ve seen ethics trampled. It’s hard to watch our institutions fall, but I know God wants us taking refuge in Him and not the institutions. 

I am also learning from Bible Academy. Thank you for being a good shepherd. Praying for your health, for encouragement and your ministry!
Response #18:
Good to hear from you!

Thanks for the info – this does put the issue in additional relief (hadn't heard about this particular batch of deficiencies). [update: I got the J&J shot about three weeks ago myself; some fatigue and fogginess, but it's mostly dissipated now; it wasn't my first choice of things to do, but I'm grateful that I didn't have to explain to my colleagues, students and the administration "why not?" No problem doing that if it were a spiritual issue, but since it's purely medical, well, as I say I'm happy to have it out of the way in plenty of time before the new term which starts Monday – prayers appreciated!]

You are right. Somehow everything has just exploded. People are subject to the doctrine of total depravity – which means that most of them only do "the right thing" because of being under the umbrella of an authority structure which consistently demands it (laws in a nation; good culture in an institution); it does all seem to be breaking down – and somewhat rapidly too. Makes a person realize that any thoughts to the effect of the beast having a hard time instituting his vile regime and its anti-God practices are misplaced – especially given the removal of Holy Spirit restraint once the Tribulation begins (see the link).

"but I know God wants us taking refuge in Him and not the institutions." Amen! He is our only ark of deliverance once the flood waters begin to rise.

Glad to hear that you're benefiting from Bible Academy as well!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hello Dr.,

Thanks for this email of thanks for the MP3 files (link); it’s a blessing to know the Lord is using this work in ways I never would have imagined. Of course, these are your teachings (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) and I’m only doing the grunt work behind the scenes, and like you have said yourself, all the mistakes are mine, any good to be had of it is all His. As I’ve said before, if it helps only one person, it’s worth it. I’ve said a prayer for this fellow believer and I wish this individual all the best. The kingdom is at hand and few see it coming, but for those of that do, it should be a source of encouragement.

We are plugging away fine here. I’ve been busy trying to get ahead on some projects with the house. I have family coming to visit in a few weeks and thought it might be nice to have some floors , doors and trim installed so the place doesn’t look like a construction site.

Work is getting weirder with the masking/ not masking, vaccinated/unvaccinated mandates. It seems to me the unvaccinated are being singled out like the Jews in Nazi Germany. There are billboards all over the City, signs and advertising campaigns everywhere and I’ve seen many give in to peer pressure (several who have suffered adverse effects and one who died five days after receiving his second shot due to problems with his heart which beforehand he had none that anybody was aware of). 

I’m keeping up with your weekend postings and I’ve finished Pastor Omo’s “God’s Plan for the Ages” and currently following along with him through the book of Proverbs. I’ll be going through your Peter series again as well and looking forward to the new Installment you are currently working on. I also intend to provide Ichthys with more mp3s in the future.

How are you Sir? I hope they aren’t going to make you get the jab at work. Colleges around here are mandating it with the exception of Liberty as far as I know. I’ve got you in prayer here daily.

All the best,

Rev.22:20
Response #19:
I'm very grateful for your help as well!

U of L has "no plans" to force vaccination, but they are making noises about checking everyone against some database and mandating testing and who knows what else (mask wearing when no one else has to). I hoping just to be able to keep flying under the radar. We'll see how that goes. 

I'm happy to hear that the home repairs are coming along. Wishing you a nice visit with family!

Thanks for those prayers – keeping you two in mine daily as well.

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Dr. Luginbill, 

Okay, I think the problem was that I tricked myself into thinking that being very ascetic moment by moment was "being controlled by the Spirit" when in reality it was my sin nature leading me to believe that I needed to be hyper-diligent to be more joyful. It became so self-destructive that everything really fell apart. I think at this point I am picking up the pieces as I try to do my best day by day. I also think part of the problem is that I obsess over certain verses and passages and aggressively try to apply them when I'm not taking a larger perspective into account, even though they are nonetheless important. I often get neurotic about passages like 1 Cor. 9:24-27, for example. I think I am still trying to find this balance between discipline and rest. 

I could go on, but I think I just need to pray and stay positive. This has all been very hard, but I don't think I'm doing much wrong at this point. I appreciate your encouragement. It's going to take some time for me to get back to normal, but hopefully it won't take long. 

In our Lord,
Response #20:
Rule of thumb: any time we are not completely at peace, we're spiritually off the rails to some degree.

A lot of people fail to understand the gift of the Spirit – most Christians in my experience. Being guided by the Spirit is letting ourselves respond to Him and to the truth He has taught it. It's letting Him "do it", whatever "it" is. In the example you hint at, it's realizing that He is God and that He is omnipotent and that there is nothing sinful that He cannot defeat . . . if we are only willing to let Him. But if we give in to temptation, that is failing to let Him "do it" – and the one thing the Spirit will NOT do is override our free will. And, importantly, if we go out and try to fight the battle ourselves from our fleshly resources, that is also failing to allow Him to "do it'. 

It's really very simple. In fact it is SO simple that it seems to take most Christians a very long time to "get it" . . . if they ever do.

So again it all boils down to the truth. Learning the truth and believing it (in which process the Spirit's role is paramount), and then relaxing and letting Him help us apply it and follow through with it. Doesn't mean it's easy; but it does mean we can be at complete peace as we do what He's telling us to do and refrain from what He's telling us to stay away from – in confidence that He is in control. That is how we follow Jesus . . . the right way. A lot about this in BB 5 and in BB 6A (at the links).

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #21:
I have a few more questions for now.

1. Is fasting required? Advice I've gotten several times is that I should fast and dedicate that time to seeking God. Does the New Testament really say we are required to?

2.what are some good bands/groups that make biblical and doctrinaly sound worship music? I feel like it could help with spiritual growth.

3.is the Sabbath commandment still binding? Its in the 10 commandments, so you would think something so important would always be binding, at least as long as this world exists.
Response #21:
There is no requirement to fast. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it – except for mature believers in special circumstances when and if the Spirit is leading them to do so (here's a link).

While we all enjoy music and while there's nothing wrong with listening to it in general, in my experience and observation, music is more often than not detrimental to spiritual growth . . . if it is being employed as putative MEANS to spiritual growth, that is, as a substitute for it as is often the case in Laodicean churches  (here's a link).  . That is because music puts emotions in control, which is the last thing people in any spiritual trouble need. Add to that the fact that "Christian music" is not written by spiritual giants but by people who are very confused about all manner of truth. The result is that the lyrics are almost always saying something not true – or at least aslant from the truth (which is sometimes worse because it is subtle). Since music has great emotional power, feeding your heart with things that are not true or that are at least misleading in a powerful way can be detrimental, obviously, and most especially if you are employing that as a substitute for what you ought to be doing – growing spiritually by taking in the truth of the Word of God.

The fourth commandment is the only one not restated in the New Testament. That is because it has been transformed. All of the commandments have spiritual power beyond what is often appreciated at first glance (see the link).  The fourth was focused on learning the truth and walking with God in the truth – by means of ritualistic observances once a week.  But we now have the Holy Spirit and the Law has been abrogated.  So the 4th commandment is now that we should be walking in complete peace and rest with the Lord at all times (not just once a week).  That requires spiritual growth (here's a link).

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #22:
Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for your encouraging email - it's such a blessing to me. TEN first year Greek students and some seed corn for next year too - amazing! Our God is so good! He never ever lets us down.

And I'm very much looking forward to Peter #35. Thanks again for all the time and effort you have given in putting this together for us. I thank the Lord for giving you the time and everything else you needed to do this (another answer to prayer!).

Bring on the treasure hunt - I'm ready for it!

I had another good night's sleep last night and I feel even better today. A "fragile" start to the week but a great end. One more day at work tomorrow then the weekend.

I'll keep those prayers going for you and thanks so much for yours too.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #22:
You're very welcome, my friend!

I'm closing in on finishing my first article of the summer too. Don't know how far I'll get with the second one, the one I started last year. I'm also still waiting to hear from the journal I sent an article off to last year. Glad I'm not working on tenure! A year's delay under those circumstances can be fatal. But God worked that one out for me too. I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but the Lord has always been with me and brought me through.

I'm very glad to hear that you are feeling better. Weekend is almost here!

Hope to have Peter #35 out tomorrow! [update: posted at the link]

Thanks for those prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
[update: 13 signed up for Greek on the cusp of the fall semester which starts Monday – thank you everyone for your prayers!]
Question #23:
Dear Prof, how are you doing? Hope you're doing ok on every front. I always pray for you that the Lord keep renewing your strength.

I've not been faring so well but I'm in recovery phase. 

[omitted]

It is such an unfair system but I also thought of what you said then that it could be a test. Maybe I failed the test because I've not been as fervent as I should have been. I think I got a little weary with financial problems and some other things.

I'm getting on track again God helping me. I know He is because I was really hit hard when I first heard but I'm out of that state now. I can't afford to faint now knowing what is ahead in the scriptures. I'm hoping this will work for my good even if it is divine discipline.

By weekend I should be back at home when my daughter starts her holidays. Thanks for all your encouragement. Looking forward to more!

In Christ.
Response #23:
Good to hear from you my friend. 

I'm sorry that your health is not back 100%, but it is good to hear that you are recovering. I do pray for your health and that of you wife every day.

Things are going well here health-wise for me and also at U of L. This morning I had ten signed up for first year Greek, so I'm confident that this most vulnerable course is now "off the chopping block". God is good!

I'm also sorry to hear about the apparent set-back in your case. I will say, however, that God always works things out for the good. I can relate a similar situation where a settlement negotiation completely collapsed necessitating a long a painful trial – but with a complete victory in the end that was far beyond any possible settlement. 

I don't pretend to know the ins and the outs, but I do know that you are a good, strong Christian man, and I seriously doubt if this setback has anything to do with "discipline". If a Christian is walking with the Lord and fighting the fight, absent some catastrophic and obvious failure (along the lines of David and Bathsheba), then setbacks like this are tests – and they always work out for the good if we place our entire hope and trust in Him.

I promise to keep praying for you all the way to end – and may it be a blessed one!

Wishing you a safe journey and a happy homecoming.

In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #24:
Dear Prof, 

Your letter as usual is like an injection of the hard drug called encouragement- to me. Amen to your prayers for me. I'm so glad to hear that things are going well for you, especially with the Greek. I knew when you were down to one. He keeps giving us reasons to be thankful.

We are also praying. Anyway, like you said perhaps the Lord has saved me from a bad outcome. I WILL place my entire hope and trust in Him.

I wish I was a strong Christian man, but I will get there by His grace and mercy. Thanx for all your prayers for me, you've been such a blessing to me. I also will continue to pray for you daily regardless of my situation.

Thanks and thanks Prof. Indeed you are blessed and are a blessing.

Yours in Christ
Response #24:
I'll be praying for that too!

You ARE a "strong Christian man", and I have gained plenty of encouragement from you as well over the years.

Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #25:
How do I join the forum for ichthys? I’m so thankful to finally have assurance of others believing like me. My fellow Christian church of 20 years believed in the “ rapture”. I had long talks with my pastor , who could never convince me of the rapture. We still love each other and walk together. The church I’m in now believes in a general resurrection. That made more sense to me . But some believe we won’t know each other. I am not a believer of women up slurping authority over a man. But, we were in an adult Sunday school class, so I did ask my pastor how Elijah and Moses were recognized at the mount of transfiguration, how Jesus told Mary she would see lazuras again, she said yes Lord on the resurrection day, how did the writers know that over 500 saints came out from their graves if we won’t know each other. I never hear the 1000 years preached on. I did at the church that beloved in the rapture. I also heard the warning of Jesus is coming back , live today like it’s your last day. The church I’m in now seems to believe he is coming back, there just isn’t an urgency. I’m looked at like an alien when I told them that if Biden is elected, the end is very near. Praise God, for leading me to your site. I have a lot to learn at my old age but God is Good and honors our desires. My desire is to know as much as I can so I can help my children and grandchildren grow in the truth
Response #25:
I've sent a request to the moderator to send you an invitation with instructions on how to join the forum. 

I can't imagine why anyone would say – let alone teach – that we won't recognize each other in eternity!? Of course we will. Jesus is our model in resurrection as in everything else, and He and the disciples certainly recognized each other after He rose from the dead, the only brief exception being when His identity was deliberately withheld on the road to Emmaus – and then only initially. Yes, we will indeed know each other . . . better than before I'm sure. Your example about Moses and Elijah is a very good one: if they were recognizable before the resurrection they certainly will be afterwards. Abraham and Lazarus (the other one) were clearly themselves and visible as such in Luke chapter 16. I don't know where people get such silliness. But I'm not surprised that you're not finding good teaching out there in the "churches". This is the era of Laodicea, after all, and those like yourself who are eager for the truth are few and far between.

"My desire is to know as much as I can so I can help my children and grandchildren grow in the truth." Amen! We should all have this same attitude and desire, and more urgently "as you see the day approaching" (Heb.10:25).

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #26:
I just stand amazed that me, a little ole hair stylist who has been saved a long time. Reads the Bible, not as often as I should. Always wanting understanding of The living word, and feeling like my thoughts are wrong, or crazy, cause no one else seems to think the way I do, although sometimes they do respond with “ you could be right, I never thought of it that way”. Case in point. When someone says , they never showed proof of excepting Christ. My answer to them is “ the thief on the cross was railing on Christ , he had a change of heart. He said these words that took mere seconds. Lord remember me when you come into your Kingdom. Many people may live ungodly lives. When faced with death and a God who loves us and doesn’t want any of us to perish, I believe he can get them alone. Thru comas, death knocking at their door. He is an almighty God. I just love your response to question 16 , that we all may be surprised in heaven at the ones God got alone with, where the dying person had cast away the cares of the world , just to communicate with God. The thief on the cross , gives reason for this hope. I’m so enjoying this studies and questions, all of what I’m reading. I’m starting to feel maybe I’m not so wrong in my interpretation of what I read in God’s living word.
Response #26:
It is indeed amazing what a little common sense combined with ACTUALLY reading one's Bible – and listening to what it's telling you – can do. Really, it's amazing what the Holy Spirit DOES do. Few people really set out to seek the Lord through His truth. For all who do, it's wonderful what the Lord opens up (Lk.11:9).

In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/