Author Archives: Royce

Mar 13 2008

The 2nd coming of Christ


“…This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

I don’t know when He will come, nor do I know much about the events surrounding His return, but I do know for sure He will come. Will it be soon? I have no way of knowing. I know His coming is sooner than when I first considered this question some 40 plus years ago.

There are scores of questions concerning the “end of the age”, few with clear answers. Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of answers but they are as varied as the people who give them and are mostly not clearly supported by scripture. Several well known preachers are supposed to be prophecy experts but for the most part I don’t put much weight on what they espouse. When a preacher is so obviously in error on other, pretty basic doctrine, I am cautious about his views on eschatology.

The several times I have been asked my view on the rapture, tribulation, the millennial reign of Christ, the role of the nation Israel, etc., my answer is usually pretty simple. “I don’t have an opinion to share on this subject because I have not studied it for myself and I am not going to just take what someone else says for truth”, or something very akin to this reply is my response.

What about you? Have you studied this topic? What are your conclusions? I would be very interested in knowing, and I’ll wager others will too.

I have recently began to study the topic by first studying the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants. I have been reading the prophets and trying to wade through the mass of texts widely considered to be prophetic. I am excited to see what I will learn. I have an open mind, no axe to grind, no dog in the fight,  I’m just a student wanting to learn. If I am able to reach the place where I believe I have some truth to share I will. Until then I’ll remain silent except to ask questions.

Your comments please!

His peace,
Royce Ogle 

Mar 11 2008

Pot Head Nation


For several decades the U.S. government has been at war with the drug trade. Multiplied millions have been spent and we haven’t made a dent in the sale and use of mind altering substances. I wonder how many millions pot smokers cost U.S. taxpayers each year?

According to the Associated Press, at the beginning of 2008, using state by state data, 3,218,358 Americans are in jail or prison. That is about 1 of 99.1. Shocking numbers huh? And, according to other data I have seen, a very conservative estimate is that about 12 % of Federal inmates are there for marijuana felony convictions and the percentage is much higher at the state and local level, perhaps as much as 25%.  A very conservative estimate is that between 300,000 to well over 400,000 U.S. citizens are in jail for marijuana offences. The numbers have improved slightly at the Federal level but have increased at the local and state level so that the net numbers are still climbing.

Government estimates are that each year $7, 500, 000 is spent fighting the drug marijuana alone. And add to that number another $7, 000, 000 users spend buying marijuana each year and you have a minimum of $14, 500,00 sucked out of the nations economy each year not counting the cost of keeping offenders in jail.

On the west coast states have allowed people to grow their own pot for years and in some jurisdictions it is even prescribed for medical purposes. Those states and towns have no worse problem with drug related offences that the rest of the country. My conclusion is that the U.S. should legalize the growing and use of marijuana. I never thought I would say such a thing but if anyone has better solution I would like to hear it.

Now, let me hasten to say, I wish there was no marijuana on the planet, we would be far better off. I don’t use it, have never used it, and don’t want others to use it. Here is my logic and the reasons I have come haltingly to this conclusion.

If pot is made legal, first prices would fall so fast that street sales would be virtually gone in a few months. And, users would stop committing crimes to get money to buy it. (Remember Prohibition?) Most of the crimes are for possession, possession with intent to distribute, etc. People who are caught driving under the influence, or misbehaving in some other way,  should be arrested and put in jail just like someone who is under the influence of alcohol.

I know the argument well, Marijuana is a “gateway drug”. It is and I am aware of that. However, alcohol is a far greater “gateway” to the drug world. And, I just read detailed statistics from the Dept of Justice showing that with the exception of two categories the use of alcohol is used more of the time than pot before crimes are committed.

Legalize pot and instantly U.S. taxpayers save $7, 500, 000 each year not counting treatment, prison related costs, public defenders etc., and another $7, 000,000 can be spent on goods and services in our economy rather than giving it to street thugs. The way to eliminate drug lords is to take their market away. Of course we will still have the curse of the more dangerous drugs but at least we could rid ourselves of part of the problem. 300,000 t0 400,000 less folks in jail would result in enormous amounts of money saved.

What do you think? How can we solve the problem? So far, all we have done is waste zillions of dollars and have saved no lives, made our society no safer or better in any way, and there is no hope on the horizon.

By the way, tobacco kills more people than any other thing I can think of and not only is it legal, some of our church members use it and by doing so teach their children and grand children its a good idea. I know someone will jump on me like a pit bull but before you leap, what about all the over the counter and prescription junk a huge percentage of our congregations are using that they don’t need?

Just wondering,
Royce Ogle

Mar 7 2008

Slaughter in a Seminary


2008_03_06t171914_450x295_us_palestinians_israel_violence.jpgWhile driving home just now I was shocked and saddened as I listened to the news of the beastly slaughter of innocents in Jerusalem. When I arrived at home I clicked on to the Drudgereport and read the gruesome details. A Palestinian gunman shot eight seminarians to death and injured more. A group called “Jalil Freedom Battalions – the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh and Gaza” has claimed responsibility.

Shots are being fired into the air to celebrate in Gaza, the enemies of Israel are calling this cowardly act “heroic” and Hamas said of it, “This is God’s vengeance”.

Is there any doubt that the murderer and those who are celebrating and praising this wickedness are adherents to the religion of peace, Islam? Just try for a moment to forget history, the biblical narrative of the struggles of middle eastern people, and answer this question. Is there any people on planet earth who are more evil,  wicked, and twisted than those who open fire with an AK-47 on seminary students? It is no more evil than when the same thing happens here in America. Here though it is usually done by someone who was mentally ill, a malcontent who has had social problems, or in some way had given signals that pointed to a disastrous end. The biggest difference is that no one here calls the act of murder “heroic” and believes the shooter was serving God’s interests.

I am not a Zionist, I am a realist. The peace talks are a waste of breath and President Bush’s suggestions are an insult to sanity. Israel can never give enough land, make enough concessions, or in any other way stop the brutality waged against them daily by their sworn enemies. Until they are either driven into the sea or Israel is drowning in the blood of its citizens their enemies will never relent. As long as one Jew is alive those who despise Jews above all else will not rest until they are all dead.

Israel’s Prime Minister has a spine made of rubber. How long will the citizens of Israel sit and wait to be annihilated? The coming weeks will be shocking in my view.

Looking for the Lord from heaven,
Royce Ogle