“Deception, Discernment, and ‘Wandering Stars’”: Mark Dankof Seminar on Matthew for Texas Homeschoolers
April 24, 2026 in Columnists, News by RBN Staff
By Mark Dankof
Mark Dankof’s Catacomb
It is clear that the events of 1990 served as a major turning point for Pastor Mark Dankof, transitioning him from the internal denominational politics of the AALC into a broader role as a theological writer for the “Remnant” church and a vocal presence in alternative media.
The articles we share highlight a consistent theological trajectory: a move away from institutional denominationalism toward a “Catacomb Church” model, emphasizing it strict confessionalism, eschatology, and a critique of modern cultural and political shifts.
📜 Theological Contributions Post-1990
Dankof’s writings for the LMS-USA and his later “Catacomb Church” series focus on several key pillars that stand in direct opposition to the “Neo-Pentecostalism” he fought in the AALC:
- The Liturgical/Confessional Anchor: In his 1996 piece, Creeds and Confessions as Liturgy, he argues that the ancient creeds are not just historical documents but vital protections against theological drift.
- The Logos and Time: His 2014 paper, The Hands of Time and the Appearance of Logos, explores the intersection of Greek philosophical concepts and biblical Christology, reinforcing the objective nature of Christ against subjective “charismatic” experiences.
- The Remnant Identity: His 2017 study on the Church of Smyrna (Revelation) and his overviews of Jonah and I John frame the faithful church as a persecuted “Remnant” or “Catacomb” body surviving in a “darkening hour.”
- Rejection of Dispensationalism: His work on Daniel’s Prophecy of 70 Weeks highlights a traditional Amillennial or historicist Lutheran view, rejecting the popular American Evangelical (Zionist/Dispensationalist) interpretations of the end times.
🎙️ Media and Investigative Career
Dankof’s 25-year career in broadcasting and investigative reporting reflects a pivot from ecclesiastical battles to global geopolitical critique.
- Republic Broadcasting Network (RBN): Based in Texas, Dankof became a fixture on this platform, often blending his theological worldviews with discussions on American foreign policy, civil liberties, and the influence of interest groups on U.S. government.
- VT Foreign Policy (formerly Veterans Today): As a contributor and reporter, he focused on deep-state politics and the “Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex,” often taking highly controversial anti-interventionist stances.
- International Presence (Press TV):His regular appearances on Press TV(Iran) and other foreign outlets made him a recognizable American critic of U.S. and Israeli foreign policy, frequently analyzing the theological underpinnings of Christian Zionism as a catalyst for Middle Eastern conflict.
⛪ Summary of the “Dankof Legacy”
| Era | Focus | Key Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Traditional Lutheran Parish Ministry | St. Matthias (AALC) |
| 1990–2010s | Confessional “Remnant” Theology | LMS-USA / Catacomb Church |
| 1990s–Present | Investigative Media & Radio | RBN / VT / Press TV |
The transition from the St. Matthias ouster attempt to his role as a “Watchman” (a term he uses in his 2012 Wisconsin address) illustrates how the conflict in Seattle led him to view the modern institutional church as largely compromised, leading to his focus on independent “Homeschool” and “Catacomb” fellowships.
It is significant that Pastor Mark Dankof has established a presence on VK (Vkontakte), as it aligns with his long-standing critique of Western corporate media and his pivot toward the “Catacomb Church” model. His well known revisionist views on 9-11 and Pearl Harbor are found there among many other places internationally.
His move to a Russian platform for his Catacomb1 profile reflects a broader trend among traditionalist and anti-interventionist thinkers who seek digital spaces they perceive as being less subject to Western “Big Tech” censorship or ideological alignment.
🛡️ The “Catacomb1” Digital Strategy
By utilizing VK for his theological and political output, Dankof effectively bridges his two primary vocations:
1. The Theological Remnant
- Decentralization: The “Catacomb” branding reinforces his belief that the faithful church must move “underground” or outside of institutional denominations (like the ELCA or AALC) which he views as having succumbed to secularism or theological error.
- Educational Hub: He uses these spaces to distribute his “Homeschool” and “Catacomb” studies, ensuring that traditional Lutheran teaching on the Word and Sacraments remains available to those who have left mainstream parishes.
2. Geopolitical Analysis
- Alternative Media Reach: VK allows him to maintain direct contact with an international audience, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia, where his views on U.S. foreign policy, Christian Zionism, and the Traditionalist movement find a receptive audience.
- Opposition to Globalism: His presence there acts as a practical application of his “Watchman” persona—communicating from outside the “famine” of information he described in his 2012 LMS-USA address.
🏛️ The Full Circle from Seattle
The trajectory from St. Matthias in 1990 to VK in 2024 illustrates a complete rejection of the “mainstream” path.
- In 1990, he fought to maintain a traditional Lutheran pulpit in a local Seattle parish against the Charismatic Renewal.
- In 2024, he utilizes global alternative digital infrastructure to bypass denominational structures entirely.
His career serves as a case study in how the internal theological disputes of the 1980s and 90s—specifically the battle over Confessionalism vs. Neo-Pentecostalism—pushed certain leaders into the “independent” or “remnant” spheres that now dominate the traditionalist landscape online.
In January, he voluntarily stepped back from his RBN radio show. He told listeners that he wanted to resume his thesis and Theological German study for his last degree. See https://vtforeignpolicy.com/2026/01/mark-dankof-bids-farewell-to-rbn-live-january-16th-2025/.
But since the beginning of the American-Israeli war with Iran which began February 28th, he has been in demand as a guest on Alt Right radio shows including Dr. Patrick Slattery’s “National Bugle Radio” on RBN and has stepped up his VT Foreign Policy op-ed pieces. Dankof lived in Iran for a series of summers in the last 5 years of the Pahlavi era. See his appearance on Tehran’s Foad Debate TV show on You Tube at https://vtforeignpolicy.com/2025/12/foad-debate-tv-from-tehran-my-interview-with-mark-dankof-4620/.
VT Foreign Policy op-eds of recent vintage include https://vtforeignpolicy.com/2026/04/mark-dankof-to-j-d-vance-its-25th-amendment-time-get-rid-of-him-now/
In a guest appearance on RBN a week ago, he did indicate that he is doing Biblical research for another homeschooling seminar in Texas.
Mark Dankof: The Dugina Assassination and the Zio-Anglo-American Empire’s Descent Into Hell (2022)
It is clear that Mark Dankof’s recent activities represent a dramatic synthesis of his theological training and his deep historical ties to Iran, especially as the geopolitical situation has escalated into the American-Israeli-Iranian war of early 2026. He briefly references this past in a 2012 essay entitled “A Reminder of God’s Existence from Long Ago” when he briefly entered Iranian airspace for the first time in decades in returning to Texas from a media trip to South Africa via Dubai and Emerati Airlines.
His transition from a full-time radio host to a scholar and high-demand commentator highlights a “full-circle” moment in his life—reconnecting with the Pahlavi-era experiences of his youth while applying Confessional Lutheran eschatology to the current conflict.
🎓 The Return to Theological Scholarship
Dankof’s decision in January 2026 to step back from his RBN show to focus on Theological German and his final degree thesis indicates a desire to formalize his legacy in the Confessional/Orthodox tradition.
- Theological German: This is essential for primary-source research into 16th- and 17th-century Lutheran scholastics (like Chemnitz or Gerhard), whose work often informs his “Remnant” ecclesiology.
- Biblical Research: His mention of a new Texas homeschooling seminar suggests that despite the global chaos, he remains committed to the “Catacomb” model of educating the next generation outside of institutional systems.
🇮🇷 The Iran Connection: Past and Present
Dankof’s unique perspective is heavily informed by his time in Iran during the final five years of the Shah’s reign (the Pahlavi era).
- Historical Context: Having lived there during the lead-up to the 1979 Revolution, he possesses a rare “on-the-ground” historical memory that few American commentators can claim.
- Modern Media Presence: His appearances on Foad Debate TV in Tehran and his “Warning to Khamenei II” articles show that he views himself as a diplomatic and theological bridge-builder—or “Watchman”—warning both sides of the catastrophic potential of the current nuclear standoff.
✍️ Recent “Remnant” Polemics (March–April 2026)
His recent op-eds for VT Foreign Policy use increasingly sharp biblical imagery to critique the American political establishment during this wartime period:
- “Following the Barabbas Crowd” (Maundy Thursday 2026): He likens modern support for political and military figures (Netanyahu, Trump, Hegseth) to the biblical crowd choosing Barabbas over Christ, warning of “hellfire” both temporal (war) and eternal.
- “Karbala in 2026“: By referencing the Battle of Karbala (a foundational event in Shia Islam regarding martyrdom), he bridges the gap between his Lutheran understanding of the “Theology of the Cross” and the Iranian concept of victory through sacrifice.
- The 25th Amendment Call: His direct appeal to J.D. Vance regarding the removal of the current administration underscores his belief that the executive leadership is no longer fit to manage the escalating global risk.
🎙️ Current Media Alignment
While he stepped down from his own show, his frequent guest spots on Dr. Patrick Slattery’s “National Bugle Radio” and other Alt-Right/Nationalist platforms indicate where his “Watchman” message is finding its most attentive audience. He is recently published twice at the Unz Review with longtime colleague Jonas E. Alexis. See The Secret History of the Mossad and The Closing of the Zionist Mind. He continues to target:
- Christian Zionism: Which he views as a theological heresy fueling the war contrary to American interest.
- The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC): Which he critiques as a primary driver of U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
Looking Ahead: The Texas Seminar
If you are tracking his upcoming homeschooling seminar in Texas, it will likely be the first place where he unveils the results of his recent Theological German research.
THE ROADMAP FOR “Deception, Discernment, and ‘Wandering Stars’”: Mark Dankof Seminar on Matthew for Texas Homeschoolers
RESEARCH YOUR AUTHOR OR LECTURER (LENGTHY BIOGRAPHY ABOVE ON THE OVERHEAD SCREEN)
It is great to be speaking again to a gathering of remnant Texas homeschooling parents and students. As we consider the Roadmap and Structure of my presentation tonight on Matthew, I will say tonight that my approach this evening is to take us from the Macrocosmic to the Microscopic as a methodology for studying a particular Biblical book. Point One is simply this: Whether you are reading a book, a journal article, or listening to a lecturer, learn something about who he or she is. A biography leads to historical understanding of the individual in question, and how that has shaped his or her or her ideological framework academic background, and theological and political perspectives. This is made easier in an age of the Internet and AI, with proper precautions . I have provided mine this evening in what will be the version of this talk eventually published for anyone to read. Put somewhat differently, Who is this person and where is he or she coming from? What is his or her orientation and bias? Will this enable me to do what Francis Bacon once advised: “Read/Listen not to believe and take for granted, nor to contradict and confute, but to weigh and consider.”
MACROCOSMIC OVERVIEW OF MATTHEW
The Gospel of Matthew is organized around the 5 Key Discourses of the book: The Sermon on the Mount (5:3-7:27), Instruction of the Disciples (10:5-42), Parables of the Kingdom (13:3-52), Terms of Discipleship (18:3-35), and the Olivet Discourse (24:4-25:46). The very first verse of the book announces the fulfillment of Israel’s hope in the coming of Jesus Christ and introduces a critically important Genealogy of Christ noted as both the “Son of David” and the “Son of Abraham.” Matthew was placed first in the canon of New Testament books by the early church as the book is the natural bridge between the Old Testament and the New. In the genealogy of Christ, note Matthew 1:17 which symmetrically divides the genealogy into 3 Divisions of 14 Generations for each Division: “Abraham to David (14 Generations), David to the Exile in Babylon (14 Generations), and from the Exile to the Christ (14 Generations).” This totals 42 Generations from Abraham to Jesus Christ. Matthew has more OT quotations and allusions than any other writer of a Synoptic Gospel. Arguably, the Key Chapter in the book is Chapter 12, where the turning point in the entire Gospel focuses on the Pharisees, acting as the national leadership of the nation of Israel, who formally reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah, attributing His powers to Satan. The key concept in the Olivet Discourse deals with deception. Who is deceiving whom? Who is speaking God’s truth? Who is speaking lies as the issue of the Messianic claims of Christ come to a focal point in his trial? The Johannine Gospel anticipates this growing conflict in John 8: 31-59.
The Truth Will Set You Free
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave[b] to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
You Are of Your Father the Devil
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Before Abraham Was, I Am
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’[c] 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”[d] 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. (Hint for future study and both NT and OT exegesis: I am.)
NARROW FOCUS TO MATTHEW 24-MATTHEW 25:46: THE OLIVET DISCOURSE AS THE 5TH OF MAJOR DISCOURSES
The AD 70 Temple Destruction foretold; Deception and False Prophets; Wars and Rumors of War; Famines; Earthquakes; Cosmic Disturbances; Persecutions; Apostasy (falling away); Increase in Wickedness/Decrease in Love; Satanic Signs and Miracles Performed by False Christs and False Prophets (see 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13); The Fig Tree (24:32)/Contrast with The Fig Tree of Matthew 21: 18-20/Mark 11: 12-14, 20-25). Matthew 25 illustrates Dual Destiny.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 describes the end-times “lawless one” (Antichrist) appearing with counterfeit, Satanic power, performing “lying wonders” to deceive people. These miracles, authorized by Satan, serve the lie of the Antichrist’s divinity or authority and specifically target those who rejected the truth. They represent intense spiritual deception rather than divine authentication.
Key Aspects of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12:
- The Source of Power: The lawless one’s appearance is accompanied by the “working of Satan,” featuring “all power and signs and lying wonders”.
- Purpose of Counterfeit Wonders: The miracles are designed to deceive people (deception of wickedness) into believing a lie, specifically that the lawless one is worthy of worship.
- Target Audience: These wonders specifically deceive “those who are perishing” because they refused to love the truth.
- The “Strong Delusion”: As judgment, God allows a “strong delusion” (or “working of error”) to fall on those who rejected the truth and preferred unrighteousness.
- Context of Signs and Wonders: These are “lying wonders” because they support a false message, unlike true miracles that confirm the truth of God.
Biblical Context of False Signs:
- Antichrist’s Miracles: These may include supernatural events, such as bringing fire from heaven (Revelation 13:13) or giving speech to images.
- Distinction from True Miracles: While Satan can produce powerful, real wonders, they are considered “lying” because they serve to deceive, not to uphold God’s truth. Derek Prince Ministries
- Warning of Deception: Jesus, Paul, and other biblical writers warned that false prophets and the Antichrist would use signs to lead people astray, even performing “great signs and wonders” to deceive, if possible, the elect (Matthew 24:24).
The passage warns that reliance on supernatural signs alone, without testing them against the truth of God’s Word, leaves believers vulnerable to deception.
NARROW FOCUS TO THE KEY CONCEPT FOR THIS STUDY TONIGHT IN MATTHEW 24 IS πλανάω (planaō)
See what one needs below in the COMMENTARIES? KEY ARTICLE (S)? section.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS AND THE APPLICATIONS?
Questions for the Class: What is the meaning of the “Wandering Stars” imagery in Jude 1: 13?; What is the Parenthesis Theory pertaining to the 70th Week of the Book of Daniel in Chapter 9? What is the leading book ever written by an Evangelical Christian refuting this core tenet of Christian Zionism and Dispensationalism? Hint: The Princeton/Westminster Tradition; Are there Satanically empowered Signs and Wonders? Cite a Key Biblical Verse. What contemporary movement since 1901 might the Scriptures be warning us of? Seminar Humor at VK; Covenants in Scripture: Conditional or Unconditional? How is the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31 to be understood? How Biblical or Heretical is the understanding of Genesis 12:3 taught by John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and “Christians United for Israel?” Contrast the Fig Tree references of The Fig Tree (24:32)/Contrast with The Fig Tree of Matthew 21: 18-20/Mark 11: 12-14, 20-25) Is the Matthew 21: 18-20 a reference to the judgment of Christ on Israel/Judah? What is the meaning of “never again” in the passage?; The Modern State of Israel: The Israel of God today? Why or Why Not?; What is the nature of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Christ? Is it rooted in love, forgiveness of sin, and the eternal? Or is it based in racial identity, national supremacism, and the acquisition of geographic territory by war and genocide? Reference your understanding with the teachings of the Pharisees in John 8, the trial of Barabbas in Matthew 27, the Blood Curse of Matthew 27:25 (All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”) and Jesus’s prophecy of the A. D. 70 Temple Destruction at the beginning of Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse.; some Christian Nationalists and Christian Zionist believe in the teaching of “American-Israeli Exceptionalism” as God’s exemption of these modern nations from ultimate judgment and the decline of all other earthly empires in history. Is this Biblical teaching or heresy? What is Anti-Semitism?
The Wandering Stars of Jude 1:13: Astrophotography of Jon Hartwein of St. Louis, Missouri: The Blowdryer Galaxy, 55 million light years distant.
The Wandering Stars of Jude 1:13: Astrophotography of Jon Hartwein of St. Louis, Missouri.: “The Whirlygig Galaxy.”
COMMENTARIES? KEY ARTICLE (S)?
The Earliest View of New Testament Tongues. Understood as Non-Supernatural, Learned Earthly Languages by Maurice E. Vellacott. Eugene, OR. Resource Publications, 2024, 356 pp. Reviewed in JETS (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society), Volume 68, Number 4, December 2025.
πλανάω: New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Volume 3. Pages 772-775. Zondervan 2014 Second Edition. Moises Silva (Revision Editor).
STRONGS NT 4105: πλανάω
πλανάω, πλανῶ; future πλανήσω; 1 aorist ἐπλάνησα; passive, present πλανωμαι; perfect πεπλάνημαι; 1 aorist ἐπλανήθην; (πλάνη); from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. for הִתְעָה; to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the rigid way;
a. properly; in passive, the Sept. chiefly for תָּעָה, to go astray, wander, roam about (first so in Homer, Iliad 23, 321): Matthew 18:12; 1 Peter 2:25 (from Isaiah 53:6, cf. Exodus 23:4; Psalm 118:176 (); Hebrews 11:38.
b. metaphorically, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive: τινα, Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5, 6; John 7:12; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:13a; Revelation 2:20 G L T Tr WH; ; ἑαυτόν, 1 John 1:8; passive, to be led into error (R. V. be led astray): Luke 21:8; John 7:47; Revelation 2:20 Rec.; to err, Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24, 27; μή πλανᾶσθε, 1 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7; James 1:16; especially through ignorance to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin: Titus 3:3; Hebrews 5:2; τῇ καρδία, Hebrews 3:10; ἀπό τῆς ἀληθείας, James 5:19; to wander or fall away from the true faith, of heretics, 2 Timothy 3:13b; 2 Peter 2:15; to be led away into error and sin, Revelation 18:23. (Compare: ἀποπλανάω.)
• The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8) repeatedly warns, “See to it that no one deceives you,” tying end-time deception to false messiahs, prophets, and counterfeit signs.
“Jesus was hated and persecuted by the Jews because they saw in Him the one who led the people astray.” (p. 774/NIDNTT/Silva as Revision Editor.)
In Matthew 27:63-64, the Greek words for “deceiver” and “deception” used by the Pharisees to describe Jesus and his followers are planos (πλάνος, “deceiver/imposter”) and planē (πλάνη, “deception/error”). These terms imply misleading others, fraud, or leading people astray.
- Matthew 27:63 – Planos (πλάνος): The leaders call Jesus ekeinos ho planos (ἐκεῖνος ὁ πλάνος), meaning “that deceiver” or “that impostor”. It denotes someone who is a vagabond or a dangerous fraud.
- Matthew 27:64 – Planē (πλάνη): They fear that the “last deception” (ἡ ἐσχάτη πλάνη) will be worse than the first, referring to the potential claim of his resurrection.
Key Implications
- The use of planos reveals the leaders viewed Jesus as a calculated charlatan rather than just a false teacher.
- The noun planē in verse 64 creates a direct link to the noun in verse 63, emphasizing that the resurrection story was considered a “lie” or “fraud”. (AI Google on Planos (πλάνος) and Matthew 27:64 – Planē (πλάνη).
