Charlie Sue the Patterdale Terrier - Custom Watercolor from Norma Boeckler

 

This appeared about the same time as we got ready for the daily walk/run. Charlie Sue interprets any hint of a walk with excitement. We have a large grassy area at the end of the street, cul-de-sac as the French say. That gives Charlie a big area for running full speed in straight lines or circles. I yell "Run, RUN, RUN!" and she speeds up, always grinning at her speed.

Indoors, if I am failing in my obligations to please her, Charlie sits quietly and dog-whispers so I get her attention. Or, she simply gives me an evil look to express how disappointed she is that I am typing rather than serving her needs.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - "To this error they were led by two reasons, first, because Christ was not yet known to the people, but only to John; neither had he as yet performed any miracle, and no one was held in high esteem but John. Hence it appeared so strange to them that he should point them and everybody else away from himself and to some one else, inasmuch as there was no one living beside John who had gained a great name and enjoyed great fame."

 

 Tiepolo - John the Baptist Preaching

Third Sunday in Advent, Matthew 11:2-10. John in Prison: or Christ’s Answer to John’s Question; His Praise of John; and the Application of This Gospel

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.



TEXT: Matthew 11:2-10. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

I. THE QUESTION JOHN PUTS TO CHRIST.

1. The most I find on this Gospel treats of whether John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the true Christ, although this question is unnecessary and of little import. St. Ambrose thinks John asked this question neither in ignorance nor in doubt; but in a Christian spirit. Jerome and Gregory write that John asked whether he should be Christ’s forerunner also into hell, an opinion that has not the least foundation, for the text plainly says, “Art thou he that cometh or look we for another?” This looking or waiting for Christ, according to the words, relates to his coming on earth and pertains to the Jewish people, otherwise John ought to have asked, or do those in hell look for thee? And since Christ with his works answered that he had come, it is certain that John inquired about Christ’s bodily coming, as Christ himself thus understood it and answered accordingly, although I do not deny that Christ also descended into hell, as we confess in our creed.

2. Hence it is evident John knew very well that Jesus was he that should come, for he had baptized him and testified that Christ was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, and he had also seen the Holy Spirit descending upon him as a dove, and heard the voice from heaven’ “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” All is fully related by all four Evangelists. Why then did John ask this question? Answer- It was not done without good reasons In the first place, it is certain that John asked it for the sake of his disciples, as they did not yet hold Christ to be the one he really was. And John did not come in order to make disciples and draw the people to himself, but to prepare the way for Christ, to lead everybody to Christ and to make all the people subject to him.

3. Now the disciples of John had heard from him many excellent testimonies concerning Christ, namely, that he was the Lamb of God and the Son of God, and that Christ must increase while he must decrease. All this his disciples and the people did not yet believe, nor could they understand it, as they themselves and all the people thought more of John than of Christ. For this reason they clung so strongly to John, even to the extent that they for his sake became jealous and dissatisfied with Christ when they saw that he also baptized, made disciples and drew the people to himself. They complained to John about this because they feared that their master would grow less in esteem, as we read in John 8:26, “And they came unto John and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”

4. To this error they were led by two reasons, first, because Christ was not yet known to the people, but only to John; neither had he as yet performed any miracle, and no one was held in high esteem but John. Hence it appeared so strange to them that he should point them and everybody else away from himself and to some one else, inasmuch as there was no one living beside John who had gained a great name and enjoyed great fame.

The other reason was because Christ appeared so very humble and common, being the son of a poor carpenter and of a poor widow. Neither did he belong to the priesthood, nor to the learned; but was only a layman and a common apprentice. He had never studied, was brought up as a carpenter apprentice just like other lay-men; hence it seemed as though the excellent testimony of John concerning Christ and the common layman and apprentice, Jesus of Nazareth, did not at all harmonize with each other.

Therefore, though they believed that John told the truth, they still reasoned: Perhaps it will be some one else than this Jesus; and they looked for one who might appear among them in an imposing way, like a highly learned leader among the priests, or a mighty king. From such delusion John could not deliver them with his words. They clung to him, and regarded Christ as being much inferior, meanwhile looking for the glorious appearing of the great person of whom John spoke. And should he really be Jesus, then he had to assume a different attitude; he must saddle a steed, put on bright spurs, and dash forward like a lord and king of Israel, just as the kings aforetime had done. Until he should do this they would cling to John.

5. But when Jesus began to perform miracles and became famous, then John thought he would point his disciples away from himself and lead them to Christ, in order that they might not think of establishing a new sect and becoming Johnites; but that all might cling to Christ and become Christians, John sends them to Christ so that from now on they might learn not only from the witness he bore of Christ, but also from the words and deeds of Christ himself that he was the one of whom John had spoken. It should not be expected that the works and coming of Christ would be attended by drums and bugles and like worldly pomp; but by spiritual power and grace, so that there would be no riding and walking on streets paved and carpeted; but that by virtue of such power and grace the dead would be raised up, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, and all kinds of bodily and spiritual evil be removed. That should be the glory and coming of this king, the least of whose works could not be performed by all the kings, all the learned and all the rich in the world. This is the meaning of the text. “Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples and said unto him, art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?”

Tom Fisher - On the Border Czar

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I want to earnestly ask my readers to pray for Border Czar, Tom Homan, and ALL law enforcement officer's in ICE, FBI, Border Patrol, United States Marshall's, County Sheriff's, State Police, City Police Officers, National Guard as they coordinate to remove 325,000 dangerous convicted criminals, MS 13 gangs, here illegally from the jails of Venezuela, Mexico, and other countries. President Trump has already ordered all of them to do this on day one as one well oiled law enforcement team. They are no match for Satan and his murderous minions, and TREASONOUS state Governors, City Mayors, and irrational evil citizens, and especially the dishonest, fear mongering, LYING TV news anchors. 

Pray that God will send His Holy angels to protect all of our law enforcement officers as well as innocent American citizens. 

Pray in faith without wavering:

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 1 Peter 3:12

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Say Yes! To Computer Problems

 

I am going for a computer to replace the one in the chapel. That one has multiple problems.

If all goes well, we will have the Tuesday and Thursday lectures, 11 AM, and the Wednesday Midweek Vespers.

I will post in advance what is happening. Stay tuned.

Tom Fisher - The Birth of the Christ

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I had time to reflect and ponder God's Words as I drove east on highway 24 past beautiful farms with herds of cows grazing peacefully on the hillsides. Everything was beautiful, quiet, and peaceful with just the comforting clicky clack of my tires on the road as it meandered over hills and creeks and then dropping steeply to cross Otter Creek in the valley below. The panoramic view was beautiful as I gazed down on the peaceful valley below. Then I began to ponder Philippians 4:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As I drove along I was especially pondering all the lovely, pure, and honest things of good report I should be thinking of. ONE good report outshined them all: THE BIRTH OF GOD'S INFANT CHILD JESUS, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LYING IN A MANGER OF STRAW FOR US SINNERS. Here is an event so wonderful that it compelled ALL the angels and hosts of heaven to burst into singing. 

A wave of sadness washed over me as I realized how often my thoughts rushed past God's infant child Jesus to be fixated breathlessly on NOTHING but bad, horrible fear filled news being spewed out of the dishonest mouths of fear mongering TV news anchors and internet Bible pounding fortune tellers and soothsayers who set themselves above the God who controls and sustains the future of this world. This is the one true God who sent His angel to lowly shepherds as they watched over their flocks of sheep in the darkness of night:

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:1-20

Luther said he could never even begin to fathom God's love for us sinners by giving us His Holy infant child Jesus born of the virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger of straw for us. So our thoughts MUST run breathlessly to hear the angels sing over God's Holy infant child Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger of straw for us sinners. No thoughts could be more wonderful and uplifting so let us CAST off the evil, horrible dishonest putrid TV and Internet news and cling to the TRUE, honest, pure, lovely, good report set down for us in Luke 2.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

The Second Sunday in Advent - Apologetics

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85009698246?pwd=sHnxdc5x9PPIjqfTtaaaFq2mOADlsB.1

The Hymn # 56           Jesus Came the Heavens Adoring

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation 

Collect

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle                          Romans 15:4-13

Gradual

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined: our God shall come.

V. Gather My saints together unto Me: 

those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The powers of heaven shall be shaken: 

and then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud 

with power and great glory. Hallelujah!

The Gospel                           Luke 21:25-36 

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #59      Hail to the God's Anointed

Be Ready Always 

The Hymn #314          Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray  - Henry E. Jacobs

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 47                             Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise

Prayers and Announcements

• Prayers -  Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Doc Lito, Kermit Way, Alicia Meyer. 
• Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
• Midweek Advent Service - 7 PM Wednesday

Second Sunday In Advent

Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Thy Son hast revealed to us that heaven and earth shall pass away, that our bodies shall rise again, and that we all shall appear before the judgment seat: We beseech Thee, keep us by Thy Holy Spirit in Thy word; establish us in the true faith, graciously defend us from sin and preserve us in all temptations, that our hearts may not be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, but that we may ever watch and pray and, trusting fully in Thy grace, await with joy the glorious coming of Thy Son, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Be Ready Always 

Introduction

KJV 1 Timothy 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Apologetics may be too difficult for our upcoming generations, because the New Testament word is Greek and means - a defense or an answer. Therefore, the almost completely forgotten topic is the Apology of the Augsburg Confession. The  Augsburg Confession is the bedrock of Lutherans all over the world, so they say - even in America. The Apology is an extension of Melanchthon's work in answering the Bible, especially Justification by Faith. 

    What is the answer today? Defending one synod after all others, one seminary against another, one Bible phrase after another, one hymnal the best until they sell another one. Printing in volume is a money machine, and they cling to it, though our little church has no parking lot, no baby cry-room, no hymnal more recent than 1941.

    Most will slowly realize that material gains are more pleasing in this world and completely worthless in the age to come.

KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

The best stance we should take is 

a. Realizing this could come upon us, always being ready.

b. Emphasizing the spiritual - the power of the Word of God.

Only one thing stands between us and the Father Below, aka Satan. The Son of God became incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary, so we could see and hear Him, with countless miracles taking place to this day. Satan wants all his real estate back, but the Good Shepherd knows who is a believer and who is not.

Faith in Jesus Christ stands between us - weak, fragile, and easily spooked - and the material world with its ruler, who tempted Jesus three times. We cannot battle on our own, so we have Jesus and His legions of angels helping us. He attached Himself to us when we were born from above by the Holy Spirit. Whether from infant baptism or the Gospel Word under different circumstance.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power (dynamis, dynamite) and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

When this happens, everyone will know, whether on one side or the own. We are not to know until it is final, which is why various small groups have decided on their own. Jesus taught them and teaches us to let Him give the ultimate sign, which will be without any delusion or bewilderment.

28 Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

These words from Jesus are perplexing because the various statements have them as a short term sign or the very end.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

When I was in the grocery business, I got to experience the 8 hour shifts of dealing with customers in a rush. One University of Arkansas athlete was walking around anxiously trying to get those things needed for Thanksgiving. He was totally wound up and said he was getting a migraine for sure. He was about 6 feet 5 inches, but the various products made him helpless. I told him, "I will be your personal shopper," which I did a number of times for others.

Another guy was angry because he came for the giant cans of peanut oil, which always appeared for Thanksgiving. They were all gone for the season. He was not ready. "We have one-gallon cans. Get three of those." He said, "But they cost more that way!" And he was like so many, as Christmas got closer and semi-trucks could not fill the empty spaces.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The clever ones see proof that all these passages about the end-time were fanciful and more proof of Jesus being a man, a rabbi, and nothing more. Only 40 years after Jesus rose from the dead, the Roman army arrived to end the revolt. No one was safe. The survivors were shipped far away because the value of slavery had gone down from all the survivors. And soon enough Israel was forsaken and the Roman Empire collapsed, roughly 400 AD. 

In other news, Pope Francis, Jesuit, is complaining about his bankruptcy. 

1. Everything must be fulfilled

2. There will be no mistake.

3. The Word of God will last forever, because the Son of God is the Word, the Good Shepherd, the Savior, the Redeemer, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

Every year our abode has listened to Handel's Messiah. I use that music to awaken the students who have never read much of the prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc - and the Minor Prophets - Habakkuk, Daniel, Micah.

Micah 5:

[a]Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
    for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
    on the cheek with a rod.

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”

KJV Micah 7

18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Tom Fisher

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I want to ask my readers to earnestly pray for Constitutional Attorney Robert Barnes. He is 70% recovered from a very near brush with death during 10 day hospitalization for very rare infection. Doctors wondering if he may have been poisoned.

Attorney Robert Barnes is defending Amish Farmer Amos Miller from unjust and STUPID jail sentence for producing superior food products. They wrongfully destroyed $100,000 worth of his superior food products. To learn more just type in Amos Miller Amish Farmer lawsuits.

He is also defending whistleblower Brook Jackson.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Advent 2 - "Aristotle clearly teaches that these are but natural phenomena.” Let us pass these by and know that God’s Word and tokens are despised by the wisdom of the gods. Do you hold fast to the Gospel — this teaches you to believe that storms and detonations in the sea are signs and tokens. And however many times such signals have been given in other days, they shall nevertheless become more numerous and terrible as the day of doom approaches."

 

Second Sunday in Advent, Luke 21:25-36. Christ’s Second Coming: or the Signs of the Day of Judgment; and the Comfort Christians Have from Them

19. It is indeed true that the masses do not become so afflicted, but only the few and generally the most sensible, scrupulous, and good-hearted individuals who have no desire to harm any one and would live honorable lives. It may be they foster some secret sin, as for example unchastity. This burdens them day and night so that they never are truly happy. But this is game for the monks and priests, for here they can practice extortion, especially with women; here people confess, are taught, absolved, and go whithersoever the confessor directs. Meanwhile the people are the Lord’s token of the last day. To such the Gospel is light and comfort while it condemns the others.

20. Neither can anyone deny this sign, for it has been so common these hundreds of years that many have become insane over it, as Gerson informs us. Although at all times there have been people so distressed and perplexed, it was formerly not so common as now. From the beginning of the world no human doctrine exercised, the tenth part or even the hundreth part of the influence, or tortured and seared so many consciences as the doctrines of the pope and his disciples, the monks and priests. Such perplexed hearts will necessarily grow out of the papal doctrine of confession which has never been so earnestly promulgated as now.

Therefore this has never been a token of the judgment until now. There must be many and great signs, therefore, and they be despised by most men. “For the roaring of the sea and the billows.”

21. This will take place through the winds, for all roaring of the waters comes by means of the storm. Therefore the Lord would say by these words that many and great storms will arise. By sea, however, is not to be understood simply the ocean, but all gathered waters, according to the language of Scripture, Genesis 1:10: “And the gathering together of the waters called he seas,” be they oceans, seas or lakes. Rivers on the other hand are changeable flowing waters.

22. It is not to be supposed that all waters, streams, lakes, seas, oceans, will, at the same time and in the same way, be come stormy and boisterous.

Some seas are thus to be moved and this is to be the sign unto us. For as not all stars fall and not all nations are distressed in perplexity, so shall not all waters roar nor all places be visited by the storm.

23. Here heathen art will sit in the schools and with wide open mouth will say, “Did you see the storm or hear the sea and the waves roaring?

Aristotle clearly teaches that these are but natural phenomena.” Let us pass these by and know that God’s Word and tokens are despised by the wisdom of the gods. Do you hold fast to the Gospel — this teaches you to believe that storms and detonations in the sea are signs and tokens. And however many times such signals have been given in other days, they shall nevertheless become more numerous and terrible as the day of doom approaches.

24. It seems to me that within the space of ten or twelve years, there have been such storms and tempests and waters roaring as have never before been seen or heard. We are to consider, therefore, that although in former times these signs came singly and at less frequent intervals, now they appear many and frequent. In our time both sun and moon are darkened, stars fall, distress of nations is present, winds and waves are roaring, and many other signs are being fulfilled. They are all coming in a heap. 

CFW Walther was always a Pietist and he learned Universal Objective Justification from his syphilitic mentor, Martin Stephan, whom he deposed by creating a riot that made Walther into the leader.

25. We have lately also seen so many comets and so many calamities have fallen from the skies and there has arisen the hitherto unknown disease, syphilis. Also how many signs and wonders have been seen in the heavens, as suns, moons, stars, rainbows, and many other strange sights. Dear hearer, let them be signs, great signs, tokens that mean much; so that neither the astronomers nor heathen astrologers can say they simply follow the ordinary course of nature, for they knew nothing of them before nor did they prophesy of them.

The self-appointed bishops - Stephan, DeJaynes, Heiser.

DeJaynes was an LCA pastor. Do they wear home-plate hats in the Lutheran Confessional Synod?  Jay Webber and Kincaid Smith brought DeJaynes into the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, with the blessings of ELS Bishop John Molstad. They even prayed together.

Pearl Harbor Attack, December 7, 1941