An Apology to the Debunkers....

When I started this site just over 6 months ago I was unaware of how this Rev 12 saga would play out. All I knew was the Rev12 Sign was a big deal, people like myself were hungry for more information, and the amount of hungry people would certainly increase leading up to September 23rd.  All those things came true but the real reason I started this site was because I felt called to do it... I felt like I would have been disobeying God by not doing so.  Basically I felt this was a task God had placed before me to walk into. I had the necessary experience, connections and margin to do it...and after enough nudges I moved forward in relative obedience.... He took it from there.

My Plan

My original plan was much more simple than what this site ended up being.  I was planning to just share links to articles and videos that others wrote or produced. I reasoned that this would not take very much time once I had the site set up.  Grab a link, grab a image or two, type a small intro and then hit "publish".  It was never that simple though... especially when you make it a key point to put up new info DAILY. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

Even just 4 months from 9-23 there wasn't new information or videos being posted every single day.  Secondly, God was placing things on my heart to share as well.  So I would write my "personal thoughts" sometimes on certain slow days and early on I was eager to address various debunking articles that I felt misrepresented the facts.  I was initially shocked that prominent ministry's were coming out against the sign.  The evidence seemed so cut and dry to me and others.  Here is the Scripture, here is the sky, it matches.  I couldn't believe these people I respected were coming out against it.  For whatever reason, I personally felt called to straighten these debunkers out, not so much to change the mind of the author, but to give another voice to those who may be on the fence about the Rev12 Sign who were seeking the truth on this matter.

https://rev12daily.blogspot.com/p/debunking-attempts.html

My Shortcomings

When typing those types of articles I really did have intentions of remaining in a loving tone.  Besides being called to act this way in the Bible I also knew that words said (or typed) in love have a much greater chance of reaching their intended audience.  The problem was I fell short in this regard quite often.  I sinned....and it's been weighing on me and I feel called to repent before you today.  

Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Cor 16:14

While others may disagree with my self analysis here and think all I said was perfectly justified or even needed, I can feel in my heart that these contrite words are what I have needed to write for quite some time.  In writing those articles I knew what I should do (be 100% loving in my responses) and I was too rushed, or too proud, or too reactionary to do it.

A Strange Dynamic

Now I fully understand that I was just a nobody and the people I was addressing all had large followings, huge ministries, best selling books and extensive pedigrees in Evangelical circles.  I doubt they cared what I had to say (or the rest of us 'nobodies' for that matter), but I thought that someone needed to push back because many of us felt the information they were putting out there about the Rev12 Sign was verifiably false.  Making matters worse, it seemed like these generally good teachers had chosen to take this position without really examining the facts of the matter themselves in a fair and balanced way, something they often complain about when the shoe is on the other foot. 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17

It was a very strange dynamic seeing the PreTrib crowd divided so starkly.  The ground swell verses the establishment.  One side was calling the others astrologers and false prophets the other was calling them mockers and scoffers.  People were so sure of their positions either way and we all should have know better than to let it get so heated.  To some The Rev12 Sign was a Godsend, an undeniable indicator of the lateness of the hour.  To others it was nonsense, a distraction, an embarrassment.   It was quite the rift and as time passes the wounds on both sides are hopefully healing.  I now see this was all part of Gods plan to humble us all so that no man may boast about anything when He does in fact come.

I don't think anyone handled it perfectly on either side of the issue, certainly not me. My friend Frank even called me a few times to strongly encourage me not to address the debunkers anymore.  He thought I should stay out of the fray and should remain encouraging and uplifting. While I disagreed with Frank at the time (someone had to say something I thought) in the end I think he was more right than I was.  Another month passed and Frank's words echoed between my ears and I eventually stopped debunking the debunkers altogether.  It was all I could do to keep up with everything that was coming out and the arguments had been addressed previously anyway.   I am thankful God used Frank to remind me stay in my lane and let Him do the convicting if it was needed.  Be that as it may I feel called to apologize at this time for my tone and words in addressing those who were against the sign.

My Apologies

I feel called to repent, publically, for the non Christ like tone and words I used in some, if not all of my debunking response articles. I was not as gracious or as seasoned or as loving as a believer in Christ should have been in that situation.  In a realm of study that can be so fluid as End Times Bible Prophecy, I think it was misguided on my part to address my brothers and sisters in Christ with a tone that was anything less than humble.  Even if I was correct in pointing out the shortcomings of their arguments, my tone was not justified.  I am sorry about that.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6

The worst example for sure was my late night response to JL Robb (Omega Letter).  Instead of prayerfully building off The Word for my responses to Mr Robb, I took the tone from his article and threw it back at him just like my flesh wanted me to do.  It was very hard for me to read just now.   I should have realized that Mr Robb was just doing what he felt was best for the Lord.  I should have remembered that he was not an enemy but a brother who for whatever reason could not see what I saw.  I was wrong in how I responded in that situation Mr Robb and for that I am sincerely sorry. Lord, I am sorry.

Many of us also went at Pastor Billy Crone at times.  He was one of the first to "open the floodgates" on the debunking tsunami after his appearance on Jan Markell's radio show.  Listening to what he said was excruciating... Many people were upset, but the harsh words that were sent in to them did not help at all.  His interview took place before I started this site and was perhaps part of the reason I felt the other side of the story had to get out there.  I had an email exchange with Markell and Crone afterwards that was quite civil expressing my concerns and they were completely caught off guard by the vitriol they received from others.  I wonder what would have happened if all of those people had written them in love and grace instead.  I am sure evidence of the fruits of the spirit in those words would have had a profound effect.  The negativity only made them despise The Rev12 Sign even more.   I am sure are there times on here I did not give those two the respect they deserve as servants of Christ who have been doing their work for years and years.  Jan and Billy, I am sorry.  Lord, I am sorry.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:1-2

Joel Richardson, Dr Michael Heiser, Danny Faukner (Answers in Genesis), Jack Hibbs, Ron Matson, Amir, Jan and others.  I am sorry for not sharing my point of view in a more loving and gracious way.  I am sorry for don't disagreeing in a more humble manor.  Any words (written or spoken) that came across as a personal attack on you were wrong and sinful on my part.  I do not know how far or deep these words penetrated, but I do know God heard them and read them and knows what damage they caused to His name.  If my words brought sadness to Him in anyway I am very sorry.  My goal was to defend what I felt the Lord was doing, but I am sure there were many times I did this in a way that was more fleshly and prideful than spiritual and humble, I am sorry.  Lord, I am sorry.

Lastly I want to apologize for all the accusations of scoffing and mocking that were being thrown around.  I cannot claim to understand another's motives when mine are often so veiled myself, so who are we to fling such labels about?  Even if the labels were accurate, we should have taken the high ground and turned the other cheek (Matt 5:39).  God doesn't need our help labeling people as he knows the intentions of the heart and besides causes all things to work together for our good.

A New Respect

In the few months of doing this I have gained so much respect for those who have sustained ministries for years and years.  Through this process I have grown such a respect for people like Jan Markell who put out information in such a consistent way day after day, year after year.  The guys at Unsealed, Daniel Matson, or Greg Lauer, or all the YouTubers who keep putting up videos so consistently should be greatly admired.  It is not easy being consistent.  Writing books like Richardson, Heiser, Robb must take incredible dedication.  Making videos or writing articles takes much more time than most will ever realize or appreciate.   I am blown away by how consistent and steadfast many of our siblings in Christ are....even if it is their fulltime ministry.  I on the other hand feel like such a failure at times.  My resolve and dedication is anything but consistent, especially lately.  It seems like so long ago when I was willingly staying up throughout the night to type posts and create graphics about The sign... and now I often have a hard time just doing the most essential of duties such as my quiet times with the Lord and Bible reading.

My Weakness, His Strength

I feel so weak lately, but my weakness gives me hope.  I know God can use us better when we are weak because then His power can drive us.  He can then take over, steer us, and give us momentum forward.  I do not know what the immediate future holds for me.  I don't know what the immediate future holds for this site.  But I have faith that God loves me in spite of my many shortcomings.  He loved me even when I was unlovable long before I even realized my need for Him and accepted Him into my life just over 9 years ago (11-14-08).

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 2:19

I know His grace abounds, but I still felt like I needed to say these words to you guys and to Him and to those who were on the receiving end of my defenses of the sign.  I am sorry for being less than loving.  I am sorry for treating my brothers and sisters in Christ like enemy's at times.  I am sorry for not taking more time before posting my thoughts, and for not prayerfully considering whether they were even necessary or helpful.  I am sorry for not following Christ's lead and letting all that I do be done in love.

Now What?

I fully admit I don't understand God's plan right now.  The sign was so real, but here we sit, still waiting.  I feel this contrition in my heart over the tone of some of my debunking articles, while at the same time still fully confident behind the points I was trying to make.  If you read those articles I am sure you are aware that I was not in some blind rage... flying off the handle with unfounded accusations or anything. I was usually responding to statements made against The Rev12 Sign and those of us who felt it was legit.  Reponses to arguments that I felt were contrary to the truth of God's Word and reality as I saw it.   And as the days go on those who came out against the sign look to all the world as the wise ones.  I still feel like we were on the right track, but I really don't care about who was right and who was wrong,  I just want to be home with Him.  I so wish we were on the floor of that throne room bathing in His Glory knowing that the end of evil was within sight.

But here we sit and I can't help but think of what all those curious onlookers are thinking now two months after the sign. I think of the agnostic man who shared how the Rev12 Sign was an example to the world that God was real.  To him this sign was something tangible and real...something he could see that helped him believe.  I wonder what he thinks now?  Did he need to see something major happen to believe?   I think of one of my closest friends who I shared the sign with to quite the skeptical response.  He seemed to be eagerly watching as the day came wondering if this Bible thing that had so touched his friend was real.  When nothing big happened in the days, weeks, and months following I am afraid his position against God was only hardened.  I wonder what he thinks now?  I am almost too afraid to ask.  I think of all those we shared with, I know we were careful with our words, guarded our expectations, but the hope was palatable... they were excited too.  I can't think of a time when more end times conversations were happening in homes around the world than on that weekend in September.    I wonder what all those people are thinking now?  I fall back on the fact that this too is all part of God's plan. 

Things Hoped For...

I can't end this post without giving some hope.  God is helping me find it, even as I type this. Here are few praise reports directly related to the sign I have not shared before.

1. A co-worker friend of mine accepted Christ in the days leading up to 9-23.... the sign made him realize that time could be short and that he didn't want to reject God's free gift while there was time.  He thought the alignment was compelling and clear, and after months of thinking about the sign he responded with a prayer of faith when I asked him if he wanted to be saved.  It was a great day.

2. I think of all the friendships that have been made and the many wonderful comments I have read on these pages. Amazing connections from across the world.  People don't feel alone anymore because of fellowship on this site.  Believe it or not, a marriage even took place that was initially sparked on these pages! (Don't ask more, I am sworn to secrecy, but how awesome is that!?)  I pray God is happy with what I have tried to do for Him, as imperfect as it has been.  Confirmations like that are encouraging.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

3.  Lastly, how many of us have such a deeper appreciation for God's Word, and His creation after this journey.  Seeing how intricately woven the heavenly bodies are with His Word has been so eye opening for me.  I will never look up at the sky the same way, and I am sure many of you feel the same.

Closing Thought

In the spirit of Thanksgiving just want to close by saying I am so thankful for God's grace.  I am so thankful to still be able to repent and receive forgiveness for my many faults. Sadly many will soon miss out on that option at some point in the future. I again ask Him and you for forgiveness in all the ways I fall short on this blog and sincerely thank you all for your prayers, love and much needed grace. 

I love you all in Christ Jesus.