Podcast Summary: Nephilim Death Squad

Episode: Heaven Is Within You — Not in the Sky w/ Jacob Israel

Host(s): TopLobsta, Raven (David Lee Corbo)
Guest: Jacob Israel
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, TopLobsta and Raven host Jacob Israel—author, YouTuber ("Jacob's Ladder"), and former head writer for major Christian media. The conversation explores the intersection of conspiracy theories and Biblical teachings, diving into topics like the true nature of "heaven," the symbolism around Donald Trump, Christian nationalism, religious institutions, spiritual awakening, and the power of faith and language in shaping reality. Throughout, Jacob advocates for an inward, spiritually-anchored view of Christianity, emphasizing compassion over dogma, discernment over division, and the need to "wake up" to truth within ourselves.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage and Jacob's Background

• [05:43] Jacob introduces his platforms (YouTube, X) and novel "The Calling," reflecting on how its themes—originally overlooked—became relevant post-2020.
• [08:01] Shares his experience as head writer at Daystar and in WWE, observing the rise of Christian spaces in the mainstream.
• [09:27] Conversation on resisting corporatized religion; Jacob champions faith practices outside IRS-registered (501c3) church institutions.

2. Heaven: Not in the Sky, but Within

• [11:01] Jacob redefines "heaven":

  "The kingdom of heaven ... is righteousness, peace and joy and power in the Holy Ghost. So it's right thinking, it's peace and it's joy in God's spirit. That's what heaven is. ... The kingdom of heaven is within you."
  (Jacob Israel, 11:01)

• Heaven is described as a present, internal state (not an afterlife location). Religion, he argues, misuses the concept to manipulate and control.
• Memorable Moment: Jacob's vivid analogy about the oyster and pearl—"life is through suffering."

3. Trump, Prophecy, and Biblical Archetypes

• [14:31] Jacob draws parallels between modern figures and Biblical stories:
  • Trump as Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus, and Jehu—flawed leaders whom God uses for greater purposes.
  • Trump's roles not only repeat history but reflect archetypal cycles; humanity faces the same spiritual tests and opportunities for awakening.

"It's the story ... again and again ... people are murdered, and horrible things happen, but I put out and I say, let me tell you what's going to happen ... I use my faith. So instead of seeing the worst and saying that this is, I'm saying the war is over now."
(Jacob Israel, 63:02)

4. Christian Nationalism and the Politics of Identity

• [24:24] Jacob critiques literalist, exclusionary takes on Israel and Christianity:
  • "Israel isn't a literal place ... it's a people. You could be Israel ... not even know it because we were lost and scattered."
  • Followers of Christ should be defined by inner transformation, not ethnic, political, or denominational labels.
• Discusses the tension between spiritual revival and political movements—Christian nationalism—arguing the Kingdom of God is internal and transcends nation-states.
• [53:03]:

  "Render unto Caesar ... we're passing through here. ... A galvanization to Christian nationalism ... not for the right reasons, but for almost spite."

5. Baptism: Ritual vs Spiritual Reality

• [36:50] Raven discusses his upcoming baptism, prompting Jacob’s nuanced take:
  • Notes the Greek "baptizo"—to immerse—and says true baptism comes via immersion in the word and spirit.
  • Literal water baptism can be meaningful, but spiritual transformation is the true mark:

    "You're being baptized now. ... If someone is sharing the word of God and the truth of God, you're being baptized."
    (Jacob Israel, 40:55)

  • The real baptism is "by fire"—hardship and revelation purifying the soul.
• [42:01] Jacob debunks eternal damnation, emphasizing that torment in scripture refers to transformative testing (not endless torture).

6. Faith, Language, and Manifestation

• Jacob stresses the biblical/spiritual importance of language:

  • Words create reality (positive or negative)—what we speak over ourselves shapes our world.
  • [73:02]

    "If we stop cursing our lives and we start speaking life over it—'I am happy. Life is good. I am blessed.' ... I think things would be better. That's what Jesus taught."

• Hosts and Jacob swap anecdotes about "spell-casting," media manipulation (Mockingbird media), and the need for collective positive vision.

7. Navigating Divisive Times: Compassion over Division

• Jacob repeatedly cautions against generalization and division—whether by religious, political, or cultural labels especially in online discourse.
• Urges compassion and understanding toward marginalized groups; reminds the audience God "looks to the heart":

  "God doesn't look to the flesh. The flesh profits nothing. The works of the flesh ... fade away. The inward man is what's renewed day to day. ... God doesn't care about any of this stuff."
  (Jacob Israel, 91:27)

8. The Role of Suffering and Story in Spiritual Growth

• [97:06] Jacob: The Bible runs through archetypes—first man (Ego/carnal/fallen), second man (spirit/Christ).
• Suffering, both personal and collective, produces growth, empathy, and an opportunity for spiritual rebirth.

9. Closing Reflections & Fun

• [102:57] Favorite closing question: "Are you having fun?" Jacob, despite hardships (recent accident, tinnitus), expresses gratitude and joy in helping people, teaching, and "having fun."
• Light moments as they discuss WWE/John Cena, pop culture, and the surreal moments that connect Jacob’s life with his message.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Heaven as a Present State
  "You can't say, look here or look there. Behold, the kingdom of heaven is within you."
  (Jacob Israel, 11:01)

• On Religious Manipulation
  "Religion dangles a carrot ahead of you ... then it manipulates you into thinking a certain way, voting a certain way and sending your money in. ... But it's necessary, and I think it's still a good thing."
  (Jacob Israel, 12:45)

• On Spiritual Power
  "With faith, you could say to the mountain, be cast into the sea. ... I think the listener has more power than they know."
  (Jacob Israel, 68:41)

• On Compassion
  "God looks to the heart. ... They need to be nurtured, they need to be encouraged so they can find things out."
  (Jacob Israel, 91:27)

• On Words as Spellcraft
  "That's the sword. ... That tongue, it cuts both ways."
  (Jacob Israel, 43:32)

• On the Role of Suffering
  "Our hard times, they're producing something ... life is through suffering. Even Jesus, the scripture says that he learned obedience through the things he suffered."
  (Jacob Israel, 11:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:43] Jacob's intro and book background
• [11:01] Heaven as an internal reality
• [14:31] Trump/Nebuchadnezzar/Cyrus archetype
• [24:24] Israel as spiritual concept; Christian nationalism
• [36:50] Baptism—external ritual vs. internal transformation
• [53:03] Christian nationalism as a reaction
• [63:02] Faith, language, and real-world manifestation
• [73:02] Words shape collective and personal destiny
• [91:27] Compassion for marginalized communities
• [102:57] Are you having fun? Jacob's closing reflection

Takeaways

• The kingdom is within: True spiritual transformation is internal, accessible now, not deferred to a distant afterlife.
• Archetypes repeat: Modern leaders and current events often embody Biblical stories—offering lessons if we’re awake to them.
• Rituals matter most when they reflect inner change: Baptism and religious forms are meaningful only insofar as they reflect deeper shifts in heart and mind.
• Words, faith, and vision have real power: What we collectively believe and speak can shape outcomes, both personal and societal.
• Reject division, practice compassion: Trivial, superficial divides distract from the real work of awakening and loving others as self.
• Spirituality is for everyone: The show closes on a note of humility and joy—spirituality is not just for the holy, but for the flawed, the seekers, and all who long for meaning.

Find Jacob Israel:

• YouTube: Jacob Israel / Jacob's Ladder
• X: @JacobIsrael71
• Book: The Calling: The Book of Thomas James (Amazon)

For listeners and the spiritually curious, this episode exemplifies the stated purpose of Nephilim Death Squad: blending open-minded, sometimes conspiratorial inquiry with a grounding, ultimately hopeful Biblical perspective.