This is a Layman's compilation of what the scripture literally says, apart from modification by denominational doctrine, theological views, or historical interpretations. It is intended as an aid to other lay persons to obtain a better and truer understanding of scriptures as contained in contempory translations of the Bible. Special emphasis is given to the unfolding of God's endtimes scenario, as foretold by Jesus Christ in His Olivet Discourse, and as further outlined in the Book of Revelation. A special 8 page recap of this prophecy is provided.
Born in 1921 in the small town of Turtle Lake, Richard C. Hirsch lived his first 13 years as a farm boy riding horses and herding cattle on the plains of North Dakota. There he received his first seven years of elementary schooling while attending a small one room schoolhouse, with one lone teacher. He moved to Washington state in 1933 with his family, where he completed schooling through high school. Richard enlisted in the United States Army, Corps of Engineers, in September of 1939. After 3 1/2 years of enlisted service, he attended Officers Candidate School to earn a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Continuing on as an officer in the Corps of Engineers, he had overseas duty in the European Theater of Operations, and Japan and Vietnam in the Far East Command. He completed 22 years of active service before retiring in 1961, shortly after selection for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. During this time he also acquired three years of college credits at various schools, mostly by correspondence with the University of Washington. After retirement from the military service, Richard spent the next 15 years building his own small business corporation providing bookkeeping and income tax service to the general public in Kerrville, TX. He sold his corporate interest in 1986 to retire completely from an occupational status. In 1991, he and his wife Huguette moved from Texas to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where they lived for 12 years. During this time he became active in a local church that promoted regular Bible study. This contributed to his decision to write a commentary on the Bible from a layman's viewpoint, that would help other students to gain a better understanding of the book. Over the next five years, he invested over 1000 hours of study and analysis, to complete the writing of a commentary on Part 1, the Old Testament. After submitting his manuscript to a publisher, he began his writing of Part 2, the New Testament, which he completed in 2005. Briefly, Richard's experience in the Christian faith began on a rather weak basis after he was baptized in 1935 in the icy cold waters of the Skykomish River in Washington state. During his military service, his Christian walk was not on the straight and narrow path of God's approval. While attending an evangelical crusade in 1967, he committed himself to a changed life to honor and please his Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now at age 98, Richard is blessed with reasonably good health, which he considers to be a gift from God, and is dedicated to using his God given talents in His service, for the rest of his days. The Hirsch's now live in the rarefied atmosphere of a remote village adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest southwest of the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, which lends itself to a more productive life as a Christian, and a member of a local Methodist Church. __
