View From The Bunker

IT’S DIFFICULT enough explaining why we Christians believe in Jesus, but doing so with our Jewish brothers and sisters requires tact and patience made necessary by almost 1,900 years of mutual animosity. We’re joined this week by Dr. Igal German, founding director of the Institute of Biblical Apologetics (BibleApologist.org) and Yesod Bible Center (YesodBibleCenter.com). We discuss Dr. German's journey from rabbinic Judaism to faith in Jesus as the Messiah, his work in apologetics, and the current state of Christian responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Dr. German emphasizes the importance of understanding apologetics as a defense of faith, the need for a strong Christian voice in support of Israel, and the mission to reach the Jewish community with the gospel. There is a complex historical and theological relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and we explore the implications of supersessionism, the interpretation of Messianic prophecies, and the role of education in bridging the divide be

IN THE ANCIENT Near East, the dead never really went away. And if you didn’t care for them properly, they could make your life hell. With us to discuss the cult of the dead in the lands around ancient Israel is our Iron and Myth crew: Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview with the Giant; Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and a new novel based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea.  We explore the cult of the dead in ancient Israel, examining its practices, rituals, and the influence of ancestor worship. The discussion delves into archaeological findings, biblical references, and comparative analysis with other cultures, particularly focusing on the Rephaim and the significance of rituals like the Marzeah feast.   The pervasive nature of these beliefs and practices in ancient societies is evident in biblical references to the Rephaim and the cult o

PRESIDENT TRUMP made more heads explode this week with his announcements about Gaza and the creation of a White House Faith Office. Leftists and Muslims are incensed by Trump’s proposal to rebuild Gaza, which they’re calling “ethnic cleansing,” conveniently forgetting that negotiations for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli problem have yet to yield results after about 90 years of trying. Meanwhile, liberals, atheists, and many conservative Christians object, for various reasons, to the appointment of Paula White-Cain to head up the new White House Faith Office. Let’s take a breath and wait to see how this plays out. Remember, what happens in your house is more important than who’s in the White House. And regardless of your view on eschatology, we can say with confidence that President Trump is not the Antichrist. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek’s new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson,

THE TRAGIC midair collision of an American Eagle passenger jet with a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter in Washington, D. C. this week was politicized and conspiracy theorized within hours. Neither response is appropriate.   Our government and the media has created such a sense of distrust that many of us don’t believe anything we see, hear, or read anymore. That’s by design. Believing nothing will steer you wrong just as surely as believing everything. In the case of AA Flight 5342, it appears the simple explanation--human error--is correct. A pilot friend of ours recommended this analysis of the crash by an experienced pilot who reviews the recording of communications between air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport, which indicates that the pilot of the Blackhawk helicopter thought he had Flight 5342 in sight when, in fact, he was looking at the plane coming in behind it, Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek’s new book Destin

THE AI genie is out of the bottle. The big question now is whether Skynet will be Chinese or American. We discuss the announcement this week of a half-trillion dollar joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank called Stargate to build an artificial intelligence infrastructure to make the United States the world’s leader in AI technology. The venture’s name evokes images of “ancient aliens,” thanks to the movie Stargate and its long-running TV spinoff, and the remote viewing experiments run by the Defense Intelligence Agency in the late ’70s. We don’t know whether President Trump is aware of these connections, but someone on his team surely is. However, China preempted the White House announcement by releasing DeepSeek R1, an AI platform that performs as well as, if not better than, OpenAI’s latest release and is offered to users at 3% of OpenAI’s price. In addition. DeepSeek is open source, meaning users can download it and run it themselves for the cost of the electricity. In short, the AI demon h

GÖBEKLI TEPE has been called the oldest temple in the world. Who—or what—was worshipped there? Dr. Aaron Judkins and Dr. Judd Burton, authors of the new book Decoding Gobekli Tepe: Biblical Anatolia and the Watchers (https://amzn.to/3WpE3xu), join us to explore the significance of the ancient site. They discuss the archaeological evidence that supports biblical narratives, the spiritual connections to ancient Anatolia (modern Türkiye), and the cultural implications of the site's findings.  We delve into the role of the Watchers, the worship of the moon-god, and the anthropomorphic representations found at Göbekli Tepe, ultimately connecting these themes to the veneration of ancestors and the Rephaim. Aaron and Judd also discuss cultural engineering by the Watchers and their astonishing discovery of a connection between iconography at Göbekli Tepe and the Luwians, a Bronze Age people who lived in what is now southern Türkiye—thousands of years after Gobekli Tepe was built. Our new book The Gates of Hell is

THE SO-CALLED silent centuries between the books of Malachi and Matthew in the Bible were not as quiet as we’ve been told. Award-winning screenwriter and best-selling novelist Brian Godawa (Godawa.com) joins us to discuss the latest entries in his Chronicles of the Watchers series, Judah Maccabee Part 1: The Abomination of Desolation and Judah Maccabee Part 2: Against the Gods of Greece. Brian tells us why he chose this period of relatively unfamiliar Jewish history (unfamiliar to Christians, anyway) to dramatize spiritual warfare, explains why the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament is relevant to Christians, and reveals where in the Apocrypha we find accounts of angels fighting against the Greeks for the Jews. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek’s new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Follow us! • X: @viewfromb

WE LIVE in interesting times. And 2025 promises no end of excitement. What’s ahead for the coming year? The two biggest economic blocs on Earth, the G7 and BRICS, will launch pilot programs for Central Bank Digital Currencies, the closest thing we’ve seen to what the mark of the Beast will look like. In the Middle East, Turkey has overthrown the Assad regime in Syria, but what that means for regional security is still unknown, as is Russia’s response to Ukraine’s use of long-range British and American missiles. Meanwhile, China is looking more ready than ever to try to reintegrate Taiwan into the mainland. Politically, Donald Trump will become the second American president to serve two non-consecutive terms (the other was Grover Cleveland in 1885–89 and 1893–97). Will he be able to outmaneuver the deep state the second time around? Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek’s new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Al

IF YOU WERE looking for evidence of a global catastrophe followed by a mysterious civilization that somehow survived, you might not start with the Americas.  However, contrarian investigator and author Graham Hancock has done just that with season 2 of his Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse. Our Iron and Myth crew gather to discuss Hancock’s work in this second season. Joining us at the virtual round table is Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview with the Giant, Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and a new novel based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea. Ancient Apocalypse is very well done. We discuss the questions it raises about lost civilizations, and the implications of new archaeological discoveries. We critique the documentary’s potential biases and the role of propaganda in shaping narratives. The discussion also touches on the connections

SKEPTICS OFTEN claim that the Hebrew Bible must have been copied from older Mesopotamian texts. Frankly, this is lazy thinking by people looking for excuses not to deal with God. Our Iron and Myth crew joins us to discuss the relationship between the Bible and Mesopotamian religion: Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of Chronicles of the Nephilim, Chronicles of the Watchers, the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and a forthcoming novel based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea. Sadly, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net) was unable to join us this month. We discuss the parallels between creation stories from different cultures, including Mesopotamian and Mesoamerican myths, and the implications of these similarities for understanding the Bible. We dig into the nature of myth and history, the importance of context in biblical interpretation, and the need for a nuanced approach to understanding ancient texts.

AND THEN a whole new one begins. This has been the most bizarre presidential campaign since the Civil War. Thankfully, the campaign ends this week with Election Day Tuesday, and—we hope—a winner declared shortly thereafter. Then comes a different kind of crazy as we prepare for whoever is inaugurated January 21, 2025. Whatever happens, however, remember that God is still on His throne, none of this takes Him by surprise, and our mission as Christians has not changed. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek’s new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Follow us! • X: @viewfrombunker | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation• Facebook.com/viewfromthebunker Sharon’s novels Winds of Evil and The Armageddon Strain are available now in paperback, ebook (Kindle), and

IT WAS a common practice in the ancient world. Sadly, it’s still practiced today—and closer to us than we’d think. Joining us for our annual Halloween episode, a tradition since 2010, is Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net). We delve into the disturbing reality of human sacrifice in the modern world, exploring its historical roots, spiritual significance, and the ongoing practices that continue to occur around the world. Judd explains the connections between bloodlust, vampirism, and ritual magic, as well as the dark underbelly of human trafficking and modern slavery. We also discuss the implications of human sacrifice in ancient cultures, the legacy of figures like Vlad Dracula, and the ongoing relevance of these themes in modern society. The dialogue delves into the linguistic roots of vampirism, the significance of archaeological sites like Gobekli Tepe, and the dark legacy of biblical narratives such as Cain and Abel. This is an issue that is only properly understood through a biblical lens. These ancien

OLYMPIANS, Titans, and demigod heroes in the Bible? Yes, and the Jews of Jesus’ day knew it. Joining us to discuss what most of us call “mythology” is our Iron and Myth crew: Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), director of The Institute of Biblical Anthropology and author of Interview with the Giant and The Nephilim Chronicles, and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of Chronicles of the Nephilim, Chronicles of the Watchers, the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and a forthcoming novel relevant to this month’s discussion based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea. We discuss the intricate relationship between Greek mythology and biblical narratives, particularly focusing on the influence of Greco-Roman religion on Jewish thought, and the significance of the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Matt. 24:15). We also explore the role of demigods and the Rephaim in ancient beliefs, the reality of a

JESUS is not the lord of the Abyss.  That seems obvious, but a teacher on YouTube claims Jesus is the Mesopotamian god Enki, whose temple was the E-abzu—“House of the Abyss.”  Not only is there no textual evidence connecting Enki to Jesus, the evidence plainly suggests otherwise. Mesopotamian texts describe Enki sending forth the apkallu, which scholars have identified as the rebellious Watchers of the Book of 1 Enoch, to bring the gifts of civilization to humanity. The apkallu, like the Watchers, the sons of God from Genesis 6, the Titans of Greece and Rome, and the “former gods” of the Hittites and Hurrians, were banished to the abyss.  In short, Jesus, who explicitly identified himself as the Father, Yahweh (John 8:58, 10:30, 14:9), put a stop to a building project that archaeological evidence suggests was an attempt to to build an “abode of the gods” directly above the abzu—the abyss.  We also touch again on why Yahweh is not Enlil, who some identify as Satan: Enlil was also as Dagon (Amorites, Philis

IF YOU’RE watching or listening to this program, you probably already know that. But a dangerous teaching is spreading through social media that claims Yahweh is not the Father, but the evil one. We address the claims of this teaching, which derives from the apparent contradiction between the behavior of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. It’s understandable; without a divine council worldview, God can appear violent, capricious, even bloodthirsty. Building on that false characterization, this new doctrine—which is actually one the early church had to contend with for about 300 years beginning in the middle of the 2nd century AD—separates Jesus from Yahweh, making Him a secondary deity, an evil entity who deceived the patriarchs and prophets from Abraham to Malachi. However, Jesus identified Yahweh as his Father by calling the Temple, the temple of Yahweh, “my Father’s house” (John 2:16); and then identified himself as the Father. Yahweh (John 8:58, 10

WE AMERICANS have no idea of what it’s like to live under constant threat of missile attack, but that’s a fact of life for Israelis. Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, senior reporter for Israel365News.com, joins us via video from his home in Katzrin on the Golan Heights to discuss the current situation in Israel, the impact of recent conflicts, and the political dynamics at play. Adam shares his insights on the future of Israel and its allies, emphasizing the prophetic significance of the events unfolding in the region, and describes the impact of being forced to live within 30 seconds of a bomb shelter. We also discuss the ritual of the red heifer described in Numbers chapter 19 and how it’s been misunderstood by Christians. Yes, the red heifers are at Shiloh and they are of age, but there are other critical requirements that must be met before the ritual purification of the Temple Mount can be accomplished. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Fo

WE LIVE in prophetic times. The restoration of Israel in 1948 is evidence of that—but there are some who refuse to accept modern Israel as the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Hebrew prophets. Ali Siadatan (ThinkAgainProductions.com) explores the prophetic significance of current events, particularly in relation to Israel and its role in biblical prophecy. We discuss the pushback from some evangelical Christians regarding Israel’s legitimacy, the spiritual warfare surrounding Israel, and the historical context of its restoration. Our conversation also delves into the Jewish perspective on Jesus, the nature of spiritual blindness, and the implications of the New Covenant for Israel’s future. Ultimately, we discuss the importance of Jerusalem in prophecy and the role of Gentiles in God’s plan, concluding with a call to protect Israel as a central part of God’s narrative. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Follow us! • X: @viewfrombunk

WHAT’S THE DEAL with Mount Hermon? Why has it been sacred to pagan religions for more than 4,000 years? And why did Jesus make it a focal point of his ministry? Joining us to discuss the “mountain of gods” (Ps. 68:15) is our Iron and Myth crew: Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, and Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), director of The Institute of Biblical Anthropology and author of Interview with the Giant and The Nephilim Chronicles. Sadly, Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of Chronicles of the Nephilim, Chronicles of the Watchers, and the theological thriller Cruel Logic, was unable to join us this month. We discuss the significance of Mount Hermon and its connections to ancient myths and symbolism. We also explore the esoteric ideas of David Flynn and the concept of the Great Year, a 25,920-year cycle that relates to the movement of the Earth's axis, and its possible connection to the Serpent Mound of Bashan and Gilgal Refaim, megalithic site

WHO BUILT the mysterious megalithic sites that defy what we think we know about our prehistoric ancestors—and why should we care?  Derek Olson (StargateVoyager.com) has made a life’s work of investigating megalithic sites around the world like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Egypt, questioning how these massive stones were moved and shaped with primitive tools.  Olson highlights the recent discovery at Stonehenge, where a giant stone was found to have been transported from northern Scotland, not Wales as previously believed. He also delves into the presence of elongated skulls found at many of these sites, suggesting a hidden history and advanced ancient civilizations.  The bottom line is this: As followers of the One who spoke all things into existence, we shouldn’t be afraid to investigate the purpose of these structures and speculate on the possibility of ancient technology and lost knowledge. Follow Derek Olson at: • YouTube:  @Stargate_Voyager• X:  @Derek_Olson Follow us! • X: @viewfrombunke

ISRAEL IS on the front lines of a religious and civilizational struggle that goes back 1,400 years. We visited Israel in May to see with our own eyes how Israelis are dealing with the shock of October 7 and the stresses of the ongoing war. In July, Pastor Niel Peterson invited Sharon and me to gave a talk at Harvest Revival Center in Brookville, Ohio about our takeaways from that visit in May. This one-hour talk features images and video so you can see what we saw in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and several communities attacked by Hamas last October. The bottom line is that while Israel faces an existential threat from Iran’s proxies in the region, the people of Israel are determined to survive. Most important, we see in scripture that God has not washed His hands of Israel.  Follow us! • X: @viewfrombunker | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation• Facebook.com/viewfromthebunker Sharon’s novels Winds of Evil and The Armageddon Strain are av