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Prophecy In The Spotlight with Daniel Goodwin and Dr. Charles Hiltibidal
The Bible and UFO's
Dan Goodwin and Dr. Charles Hiltibidal on Deception, Prophecy, and the Rapture
Dan Goodwin Frames the Episode Around UFO Deception
In this episode of Prophecy in the Spotlight, hosts Dan Goodwin and Dr. Charles Hiltibidal discuss UFOs, UAPs, government disclosure, Nephilim theories, and what they view as spiritual deception. Dan opens by connecting the episode to the previous week’s discussion on apostasy and deception, arguing that the current UFO phenomenon may be part of a larger end-times deception. He says he believes UFOs may eventually be used to explain away the rapture, discredit God, and weaken people’s faith in the Bible.
Science Fiction, Culture, and the UFO Generation
The hosts begin with a humorous reference to science-fiction culture, describing the modern audience as the Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars generation. Dan says he is not opposed to science fiction as entertainment, as long as people understand it is fiction. Dr. Hiltibidal adds that the problem is that many people now treat what once belonged to fiction as reality. The hosts argue that this cultural conditioning has made people more receptive to UFO claims, alien narratives, portals, and speculative interpretations of Scripture.
Prophecy Teachers, Nephilim Theories, and Extra-Biblical Books
Dan and Dr. Hiltibidal criticize what they describe as a major trend in the prophecy world toward Nephilim, UFO, and return-of-the-giants teaching. They argue that much of this teaching rests on a weak or fictional reading of Genesis 6 and on ideas inserted into the biblical text rather than clearly taught by it. They also warn against promoting books such as Enoch or other extra-biblical writings as if they were missing parts of Scripture. The hosts maintain that such material was never part of the biblical canon and should not be treated as authoritative.
Government Files, UAPs, and Public Fascination
The hosts then discuss articles connected to recent government UFO or UAP file releases. They note that officials now often use the term UAP, or unidentified anomalous phenomenon, rather than UFO. The discussion includes references to historical State Department cables, FBI records, NASA transcripts, and a Pentagon portal created for disclosure-related materials. Dan remains skeptical that these releases will reveal the truth, arguing that many sightings are likely military technology, misunderstood light, experimental aircraft, or other explainable phenomena rather than extraterrestrial or angelic craft.
Lauren Boebert, Spiritual Dimensions, and Demonic Speculation
A portion of the discussion centers on Representative Lauren Boebert’s comments suggesting that some UFO or UAP phenomena might be spiritual rather than extraterrestrial. Dan and Dr. Hiltibidal acknowledge that she is trying to frame the issue through a biblical worldview, but they disagree with her interpretation. They object to claims that the Bible teaches modern Nephilim/UFO ideas and push back against language about portals or spiritual dimensions. While they believe demonic deception is involved in the broader UFO narrative, they do not believe fallen angels are literally piloting spacecraft.
Man-Made Technology and the Flying Wing Example
Dan uses historical military aircraft to argue that unusual things in the sky are not necessarily otherworldly. He points to Germany’s World War II-era flying-wing technology as an example of something that would have seemed impossible or alien to ordinary observers at the time. He argues that if someone had seen such a craft in the 1940s, they might have concluded it was from another world simply because they had no frame of reference. For Dan, this illustrates how advanced military technology, secrecy, and public imagination can create UFO stories without requiring extraterrestrial explanations.
The Rapture and a Possible Alien Explanation
One of the central prophetic claims of the episode is Dan’s belief that UFO or alien narratives may be used after the rapture to explain why believers disappeared. He suggests that if the rapture occurs and people are left behind, a prepared UFO framework could allow the world to believe Christians were taken by extraterrestrial forces or removed because they were harmful to society. Dr. Hiltibidal adds that this kind of narrative could help people accept the Antichrist by obscuring the biblical meaning of the rapture.
The Vatican, Telescopes, and Possible Future Claims
Dan also discusses the Vatican’s telescope in Arizona and suggests that the Roman Catholic Church may eventually claim contact with beings from space. He worries that such a claim could be used to revise or challenge biblical teaching. The hosts speculate that if the Vatican or other authoritative institutions announced contact with extraterrestrial beings, many people would accept it. They connect this possibility to their larger concern that UFO disclosure narratives could undermine confidence in Scripture.
Dangers of UFO Hype
Dan lists several dangers he sees in UFO hype. He says it can draw believers away from the clear teachings of the Bible, cause discord among Christians, lead people into fables, waste time that should be spent doing what God has called believers to do, create rabbit holes of speculation, discredit Christians before the world, and make believers unwitting partners in deception if the narrative is satanic. Dr. Hiltibidal agrees that chasing such stories can pull people away from Scripture, salvation, and the practical work of evangelism.
Closing Call to Stay Grounded in Scripture
The episode closes with Dan urging listeners not to get caught up in UFO hype from prophecy ministries, government officials, or popular culture. Dr. Hiltibidal emphasizes the need to make sure one is truly born again and to spend life trying to win others to Christ rather than chasing what he calls fairy tales. The hosts end by reinforcing their main message: believers should remain grounded in the Bible, resist sensational deception, and keep their focus on salvation, Scripture, and the return of Christ.
The Bible and UFO's
Dan Goodwin and Dr. Charles Hiltibidal on Deception, Prophecy, and the Rapture
Dan Goodwin Frames the Episode Around UFO Deception
In this episode of Prophecy in the Spotlight, hosts Dan Goodwin and Dr. Charles Hiltibidal discuss UFOs, UAPs, government disclosure, Nephilim theories, and what they view as spiritual deception. Dan opens by connecting the episode to the previous week’s discussion on apostasy and deception, arguing that the current UFO phenomenon may be part of a larger end-times deception. He says he believes UFOs may eventually be used to explain away the rapture, discredit God, and weaken people’s faith in the Bible.
Science Fiction, Culture, and the UFO Generation
The hosts begin with a humorous reference to science-fiction culture, describing the modern audience as the Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars generation. Dan says he is not opposed to science fiction as entertainment, as long as people understand it is fiction. Dr. Hiltibidal adds that the problem is that many people now treat what once belonged to fiction as reality. The hosts argue that this cultural conditioning has made people more receptive to UFO claims, alien narratives, portals, and speculative interpretations of Scripture.
Prophecy Teachers, Nephilim Theories, and Extra-Biblical Books
Dan and Dr. Hiltibidal criticize what they describe as a major trend in the prophecy world toward Nephilim, UFO, and return-of-the-giants teaching. They argue that much of this teaching rests on a weak or fictional reading of Genesis 6 and on ideas inserted into the biblical text rather than clearly taught by it. They also warn against promoting books such as Enoch or other extra-biblical writings as if they were missing parts of Scripture. The hosts maintain that such material was never part of the biblical canon and should not be treated as authoritative.
Government Files, UAPs, and Public Fascination
The hosts then discuss articles connected to recent government UFO or UAP file releases. They note that officials now often use the term UAP, or unidentified anomalous phenomenon, rather than UFO. The discussion includes references to historical State Department cables, FBI records, NASA transcripts, and a Pentagon portal created for disclosure-related materials. Dan remains skeptical that these releases will reveal the truth, arguing that many sightings are likely military technology, misunderstood light, experimental aircraft, or other explainable phenomena rather than extraterrestrial or angelic craft.
Lauren Boebert, Spiritual Dimensions, and Demonic Speculation
A portion of the discussion centers on Representative Lauren Boebert’s comments suggesting that some UFO or UAP phenomena might be spiritual rather than extraterrestrial. Dan and Dr. Hiltibidal acknowledge that she is trying to frame the issue through a biblical worldview, but they disagree with her interpretation. They object to claims that the Bible teaches modern Nephilim/UFO ideas and push back against language about portals or spiritual dimensions. While they believe demonic deception is involved in the broader UFO narrative, they do not believe fallen angels are literally piloting spacecraft.
Man-Made Technology and the Flying Wing Example
Dan uses historical military aircraft to argue that unusual things in the sky are not necessarily otherworldly. He points to Germany’s World War II-era flying-wing technology as an example of something that would have seemed impossible or alien to ordinary observers at the time. He argues that if someone had seen such a craft in the 1940s, they might have concluded it was from another world simply because they had no frame of reference. For Dan, this illustrates how advanced military technology, secrecy, and public imagination can create UFO stories without requiring extraterrestrial explanations.
The Rapture and a Possible Alien Explanation
One of the central prophetic claims of the episode is Dan’s belief that UFO or alien narratives may be used after the rapture to explain why believers disappeared. He suggests that if the rapture occurs and people are left behind, a prepared UFO framework could allow the world to believe Christians were taken by extraterrestrial forces or removed because they were harmful to society. Dr. Hiltibidal adds that this kind of narrative could help people accept the Antichrist by obscuring the biblical meaning of the rapture.
The Vatican, Telescopes, and Possible Future Claims
Dan also discusses the Vatican’s telescope in Arizona and suggests that the Roman Catholic Church may eventually claim contact with beings from space. He worries that such a claim could be used to revise or challenge biblical teaching. The hosts speculate that if the Vatican or other authoritative institutions announced contact with extraterrestrial beings, many people would accept it. They connect this possibility to their larger concern that UFO disclosure narratives could undermine confidence in Scripture.
Dangers of UFO Hype
Dan lists several dangers he sees in UFO hype. He says it can draw believers away from the clear teachings of the Bible, cause discord among Christians, lead people into fables, waste time that should be spent doing what God has called believers to do, create rabbit holes of speculation, discredit Christians before the world, and make believers unwitting partners in deception if the narrative is satanic. Dr. Hiltibidal agrees that chasing such stories can pull people away from Scripture, salvation, and the practical work of evangelism.
Closing Call to Stay Grounded in Scripture
The episode closes with Dan urging listeners not to get caught up in UFO hype from prophecy ministries, government officials, or popular culture. Dr. Hiltibidal emphasizes the need to make sure one is truly born again and to spend life trying to win others to Christ rather than chasing what he calls fairy tales. The hosts end by reinforcing their main message: believers should remain grounded in the Bible, resist sensational deception, and keep their focus on salvation, Scripture, and the return of Christ.
LaGrave Live
LIVE Evening Worship Service - Paul and the Agnostics
About The Service:
Pastor Jonker will preach on Acts 17:16-34
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
About Us:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
The Known God in an Age of Uncertainty: Paul, Athens, and the Truth Found in Christ
Reverend Peter Jonker Opens the Evening Worship Service
In this evening worship service from LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, the primary speaker, Reverend Peter Jonker, welcomes the congregation and begins with a brief correction to the bulletin regarding the opening hymn. The call to worship comes from Psalm 61, where the psalmist cries out to God for refuge, shelter, and stability when the heart grows faint. This sets the tone for the service: a worship gathering centered on finding spiritual shelter, clarity, and confidence in God amid uncertainty.
Faith, Shelter, and Ancient Words of Truth
After the opening worship, Reverend Jonker introduces the theme of truth and how Christians can find truth in a world filled with opinion and confusion. He reads from 1 Peter 1:3–9, describing the early church as an “exile church” surrounded by people who thought differently from them. He explains that Peter’s words helped anchor believers in living hope, resurrection, inheritance, faith, joy, and salvation even during trials. The congregation then recites the Nicene Creed, which Jonker frames as ancient words that have anchored Christian faith for more than 1,700 years.
Prayer Beneath the Shadow of God’s Wings
The service includes a pastoral prayer built around the image of living and singing beneath the shadow of God’s wings. Reverend Jonker prays for shelter amid global conflicts, including wars in Sudan, Iran, and Ukraine, as well as conflict and cynicism within the nation. He asks God to help the congregation become people of faith, hope, love, and truth rather than fear, anger, and cynicism. The prayer also lifts up church members facing surgery, recovery, hospice care, cancer, mission work, and grief, including the sudden loss of Lori Vanderhardt.
Paul in Athens and the Marketplace of Ideas
The sermon text is Acts 17:16–34, where Paul arrives in Athens and sees a city full of idols. Reverend Jonker imagines the Athenian marketplace as both a literal market and a “marketplace of ideas,” filled with philosophers debating, gesturing, criticizing, and chasing the latest intellectual trends. He describes Athens as the Cambridge, Oxford, or Harvard of its day, but also as a place marked by intellectual boredom and weariness. The people were always looking for something new, not necessarily because they were open-hearted, but because they were tired of hearing the same old arguments.
Epicureans, Stoics, and Modern Echoes
Reverend Jonker explains that Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. He describes the Epicureans as materialists who believed the gods had created the world but no longer cared much about it, leaving people to pursue modest happiness and avoid excess. Jonker compares this to many modern Americans who may vaguely believe in God but mostly seek comfort, amusement, and personal happiness. He describes the Stoics as more pantheistic, believing in a divine life force within and urging people to go inward to find truth and stability. He connects this to modern self-focused spiritual language such as “live your truth” or “follow your dreams.”
The Altar to the Unknown God
A central image in the sermon is the Athenian altar “to an unknown God,” or agnosto theo, from which Jonker notes we get the word agnostic. He considers several possible meanings: perhaps the Athenians sensed their gods were insufficient, perhaps the altar was a kind of religious insurance policy, or perhaps it represented an altar to unknowability itself. Jonker leans toward the third possibility, describing the altar as a philosophical shoulder shrug from educated people who had heard every argument and no longer knew what to believe.
Modern Idols to Agnosticism
Jonker then connects Athens to the present day, arguing that modern people still build idols to agnosticism. He points to the rise of the religious “nones,” the influence of postmodernism, and the belief that truth is unknowable or merely a power game. He also uses popular culture examples, including Seinfeld as a “show about nothing” and the song “Some Nights” by the band Fun, whose lyrics ask, “What do I stand for?” For Jonker, these examples reveal a culture that often shrugs at truth, meaning, and conviction.
Paul Proclaims the Known God
Into this weary and cynical environment, Paul announces that the God they call unknown can be made known. Reverend Jonker explains that Paul’s speech is brilliant because it speaks to both Epicureans and Stoics. Paul agrees that God does not live in temples made by human hands and does not need human service, which would appeal to Epicureans. But Paul also says God is not far from anyone, and that in Him “we live and move and have our being,” which would resonate with Stoic thought. Yet Paul ultimately moves beyond both systems by proclaiming repentance, judgment, resurrection, and the man God raised from the dead: Jesus Christ.
Truth Is Not Merely an Idea, but a Person
The heart of the sermon is Jonker’s claim that Paul does not simply offer the Athenians another teaching or philosophy. Instead, he points them to a person. Jonker connects this with John 1, explaining that the Greek word logos had meaning within Stoic philosophy as an organizing principle of the universe, but John declares that the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. Truth, Jonker says, is ultimately found not in winning arguments, mastering systems, or collecting ideas, but in Jesus Christ, the living Lord who calls people into relationship.
Three Responses to the Gospel
Jonker notes that Acts 17 records three responses to Paul’s message. Some people sneer and dismiss him as a babbler. Others say they would like to hear more, though Jonker wonders whether they still want to keep the conversation at the level of ideas rather than surrender to Christ. A few believe, including Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and Damaris, along with others. Jonker presents this as the choice before hearers today as well: cynicism, endless debate, or faith in the risen Christ.
Closing Prayer and Blessing
The sermon closes with Reverend Jonker acknowledging that believers will always face gaps in understanding, disagreement, uncertainty, and fog because human beings are fallen and limited. Yet when he feels overwhelmed by uncertainty, he says he turns not first to ideas, but to the person of Jesus Christ, the one who shelters him and knows his name. He closes in prayer, thanking Christ for the shelter of His wings and asking that believers become truth-seeking people who point others to relationship with Him. The service ends with a blessing: that the Lord would bless, keep, shine upon, be gracious to, and fill His people with peace.
LIVE Evening Worship Service - Paul and the Agnostics
About The Service:
Pastor Jonker will preach on Acts 17:16-34
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
About Us:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
The Known God in an Age of Uncertainty: Paul, Athens, and the Truth Found in Christ
Reverend Peter Jonker Opens the Evening Worship Service
In this evening worship service from LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, the primary speaker, Reverend Peter Jonker, welcomes the congregation and begins with a brief correction to the bulletin regarding the opening hymn. The call to worship comes from Psalm 61, where the psalmist cries out to God for refuge, shelter, and stability when the heart grows faint. This sets the tone for the service: a worship gathering centered on finding spiritual shelter, clarity, and confidence in God amid uncertainty.
Faith, Shelter, and Ancient Words of Truth
After the opening worship, Reverend Jonker introduces the theme of truth and how Christians can find truth in a world filled with opinion and confusion. He reads from 1 Peter 1:3–9, describing the early church as an “exile church” surrounded by people who thought differently from them. He explains that Peter’s words helped anchor believers in living hope, resurrection, inheritance, faith, joy, and salvation even during trials. The congregation then recites the Nicene Creed, which Jonker frames as ancient words that have anchored Christian faith for more than 1,700 years.
Prayer Beneath the Shadow of God’s Wings
The service includes a pastoral prayer built around the image of living and singing beneath the shadow of God’s wings. Reverend Jonker prays for shelter amid global conflicts, including wars in Sudan, Iran, and Ukraine, as well as conflict and cynicism within the nation. He asks God to help the congregation become people of faith, hope, love, and truth rather than fear, anger, and cynicism. The prayer also lifts up church members facing surgery, recovery, hospice care, cancer, mission work, and grief, including the sudden loss of Lori Vanderhardt.
Paul in Athens and the Marketplace of Ideas
The sermon text is Acts 17:16–34, where Paul arrives in Athens and sees a city full of idols. Reverend Jonker imagines the Athenian marketplace as both a literal market and a “marketplace of ideas,” filled with philosophers debating, gesturing, criticizing, and chasing the latest intellectual trends. He describes Athens as the Cambridge, Oxford, or Harvard of its day, but also as a place marked by intellectual boredom and weariness. The people were always looking for something new, not necessarily because they were open-hearted, but because they were tired of hearing the same old arguments.
Epicureans, Stoics, and Modern Echoes
Reverend Jonker explains that Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. He describes the Epicureans as materialists who believed the gods had created the world but no longer cared much about it, leaving people to pursue modest happiness and avoid excess. Jonker compares this to many modern Americans who may vaguely believe in God but mostly seek comfort, amusement, and personal happiness. He describes the Stoics as more pantheistic, believing in a divine life force within and urging people to go inward to find truth and stability. He connects this to modern self-focused spiritual language such as “live your truth” or “follow your dreams.”
The Altar to the Unknown God
A central image in the sermon is the Athenian altar “to an unknown God,” or agnosto theo, from which Jonker notes we get the word agnostic. He considers several possible meanings: perhaps the Athenians sensed their gods were insufficient, perhaps the altar was a kind of religious insurance policy, or perhaps it represented an altar to unknowability itself. Jonker leans toward the third possibility, describing the altar as a philosophical shoulder shrug from educated people who had heard every argument and no longer knew what to believe.
Modern Idols to Agnosticism
Jonker then connects Athens to the present day, arguing that modern people still build idols to agnosticism. He points to the rise of the religious “nones,” the influence of postmodernism, and the belief that truth is unknowable or merely a power game. He also uses popular culture examples, including Seinfeld as a “show about nothing” and the song “Some Nights” by the band Fun, whose lyrics ask, “What do I stand for?” For Jonker, these examples reveal a culture that often shrugs at truth, meaning, and conviction.
Paul Proclaims the Known God
Into this weary and cynical environment, Paul announces that the God they call unknown can be made known. Reverend Jonker explains that Paul’s speech is brilliant because it speaks to both Epicureans and Stoics. Paul agrees that God does not live in temples made by human hands and does not need human service, which would appeal to Epicureans. But Paul also says God is not far from anyone, and that in Him “we live and move and have our being,” which would resonate with Stoic thought. Yet Paul ultimately moves beyond both systems by proclaiming repentance, judgment, resurrection, and the man God raised from the dead: Jesus Christ.
Truth Is Not Merely an Idea, but a Person
The heart of the sermon is Jonker’s claim that Paul does not simply offer the Athenians another teaching or philosophy. Instead, he points them to a person. Jonker connects this with John 1, explaining that the Greek word logos had meaning within Stoic philosophy as an organizing principle of the universe, but John declares that the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. Truth, Jonker says, is ultimately found not in winning arguments, mastering systems, or collecting ideas, but in Jesus Christ, the living Lord who calls people into relationship.
Three Responses to the Gospel
Jonker notes that Acts 17 records three responses to Paul’s message. Some people sneer and dismiss him as a babbler. Others say they would like to hear more, though Jonker wonders whether they still want to keep the conversation at the level of ideas rather than surrender to Christ. A few believe, including Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and Damaris, along with others. Jonker presents this as the choice before hearers today as well: cynicism, endless debate, or faith in the risen Christ.
Closing Prayer and Blessing
The sermon closes with Reverend Jonker acknowledging that believers will always face gaps in understanding, disagreement, uncertainty, and fog because human beings are fallen and limited. Yet when he feels overwhelmed by uncertainty, he says he turns not first to ideas, but to the person of Jesus Christ, the one who shelters him and knows his name. He closes in prayer, thanking Christ for the shelter of His wings and asking that believers become truth-seeking people who point others to relationship with Him. The service ends with a blessing: that the Lord would bless, keep, shine upon, be gracious to, and fill His people with peace.
