BOOK ONE: Valparaíso (part 1)

Table of Contents
Introduction: Autobiography of John Cobin1
Synopsis1
Marriage to Pamela2
Early Life and Family Background3
Religious Conversion and Transformation5
Higher Education and Theological Development6
First Marriage to Joanne and Early Career in California and Hawaii7
The Oregon Years8
Doctoral Studies and Financial Arrangements10
Cross-Country Adventures and Family Travels10
Reconnecting with Friends and Extended Family11
The Chilean Adventure and New Friends12
Marriage Crisis and Divorce14
New Beginnings in California15
Marriage to Lesle and Early Years (2002-2004)16
Radio Ministry and Political Activism16
Divorce War and False Accusations17
Joshua’s Descent into Addiction and Crime17
Marriage Counseling and Church Politics18
The Custody Battle and Congressional Campaign Sabotage19
Medical Records Reveal the Truth20
The Final Battle and Its Aftermath: Lessons from a Failed Marriage22
Return to Chile and New Beginnings (2008)23
Younger Children’s Paths and Estrangement23
Finding Love in Chile-Marriage to Pamela24
Professorships and Busy Life in Chile25
Academic Career at Universidad Andrés Bello and Entrepreneurial Projects26
Chile and World Travel for Research and Consulting Activities27
Gaining a Couple More True Friends27
Real Estate Development in Reñaca and a Sad Surprise about Pamela28
Housing Changes and Family Challenges29
Spiritual Growth and Ministry29
Family Relationships and Travels with Mom30
Children’s Adult Lives and Relationships30
The Italian Side-Mom’s Heritage31
Ethnic Heritage and Italian (Maternal) Family History31
Sister Gina and Family Conflicts32
Paternal (Shubin) Ancestry, Molokan Heritage Clarified by Italian Lineage32
DNA Analysis and Ethnic Heritage Clarification34
Paternal Grandfather Michael’s Immigration and Early Life in America37
Meeting Fannie (my Maternal Grandmother) and Family Struggles During the Depression37
The Three Cobin (Macarewich) Brothers-My Paternal Uncles38
George Cobin-My Father39
Revolving the Cobin Surname Mystery40
My Life’s Work-Teaching and Ministry41
Ministry and Spiritual Struggles41
Health Challenges and Medical Procedures42
Citizenship Journey42
Final Years Before Crisis43
Volume I: Cell Blocks 118 and 10945
Chapter I: The Beginning of Sorrows45
Chapter II: And Such Were Some of You49
Chapter III: Time and Chance Happen to Them All55
Chapter IV: What Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight63
Chapter V: He Who Increases Knowledge Increases Sorrow69
Chapter VI: Wisdom and Madness and Folly73
Chapter VII: But Money Answers Everything77
Chapter VIII: And After That, They Go to the Dead82
Chapter IX: Let Him Who Stole Steal No Longer89
Chapter X: A Time to Mourn93
Chapter XI: Like a Bad Tooth and a Foot out of Joint102
Chapter XII: A Gentle Tongue Breaks a Bone110
Chapter XIII: Five Golden Tumors and Five Golden Rats117
Chapter XIV: The Wages of Sin125
Chapter XV: If I Make My Bed in Hell133
Chapter XVI: Count It All Joy141
Chapter XVII: Until His Neighbor Comes and Examines Him151
Chapter XVIII: And Then the End Will Come160
Chapter XIX: The Devil Is About to Throw Some of You into Prison165
Chapter XX: Do not Marvel at the Matter171
Chapter XXI: For What Is Your Life?177
Volume II: Redux185
Chapter I: A Man’s Heart Plans His Way185
Chapter II: The Blood of the Innocents-Men of Corrupt Minds193
Chapter III: One Will Be Taken and the Other Left199
Chapter IV: On the Side of Their Oppressors There Is Power208
Chapter V: If You Take It Patiently215
Chapter VI: Wherever He Turns, He Prospers221
Chapter VII: Glorify God in the Day of Visitation228
Chapter VIII: Let None of You Suffer232
Chapter IX: The Bread of Adversity239
Chapter X: Cast Your Bread upon the Waters244
Chapter XI: Remember My Chains250
Chapter XII: Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear, but of Power258
Chapter XIII: Redeeming the Time265
Chapter XIV: One is Hungry and Another Is Drunk [Drugged]271
Chapter XV: Pulling Them Out of the Fire278
Chapter XVI: Crush Satan Under Your Feet285
Chapter XVII: Do Not Be Overly Wicked, nor Be Foolish290
Chapter XVIII: And the Dragon Gave Him His Power294
Chapter XIX: You Could Have no Power at all302
Chapter XX: Not by Might nor by Power308
Chapter XXI: Sown In Weakness… Raised in Power315
Chapter XXII: From the Power of Satan to God322

BOOK TWO: Valparaíso (part 2)

Volume III: Solutions332
Chapter I: Kept by the Power of God332
Chapter II: Their Power Is in Their Mouth339
Chapter III: Head of All Principality and Power345
Chapter IV: The Leech Has Two Daughters352
Chapter V: Then Raiders Came Out of the Camp359
Chapter VI: The Power of the Tongue367
Chapter VII: An Abomination to the Wicked375
Chapter VIII: In the Midst of a Crooked and Perverse Generation383
Chapter IX: And Laban Searched All About the Tent391
Chapter X: Who Go in Search of Mixed Wine397
Chapter XI: Why Did You Steal My Gods?405
Chapter XII: He Made His Son Pass Through the Fire412
Chapter XIII: Let Us Watch and Be Sober420
Chapter XIV: He Who Has No Sword, Let Him Sell His Garment and Buy One427
Chapter XV: The Waters Will Fail from the Sea435
Chapter XVI: Watch, Stand Fast in the Faith, Be Brave, Be Strong442
Chapter XVII: Honor Your Father451
Chapter XVIII: There Shall Be No More Curse460
Chapter XIX: Bear with One Another’s Burdens466
Volume IV: Sweet and Sour473
Chapter I: Whoever Loves and Practices a Lie473
Chapter II: A Man Who Isolates Himself480
Chapter III: Knowledge Shall Increase489
Chapter IV: Faith as a Mustard Seed495
Chapter V: Rejoicing in Hope, Patient in Tribulation502
Chapter VI: We See in a Mirror, Dimly508
Chapter VII: Fulfill All Your Purpose515
Chapter VIII: Seeing You Will See, and Not Perceive521
Chapter IX: To Punish the Righteous Is Not Good529
Chapter X: Let Him Who Glories Glory in This536
Chapter XI: His Anger Is but for a Moment543
Chapter XII: Let Your Heart Cheer You551
Chapter XIII: Their Strength in the Time of Trouble558
Chapter XIV: Come Now, and Let Us Reason Together566
Chapter XV: How Is it You Do not Discern this Time?572
Chapter XVI: A New and Living Way579
Chapter XVII: Rotten Figs that Cannot Be Eaten587
Chapter XVIII: Do Not Imitate What Is Evil594
Chapter XIX: Why then Have You Deceived Me?601
Chapter XX: How Long Will You Torment My Soul?609

BOOK THREE: Valparaíso (part 3) and Rancagua

Volume V: Beating the Air615
Chapter I: And He Was Eaten by Worms and Died615
Chapter II: On Some Have Compassion622
Chapter III: Your Reward Will Be Great630
Chapter IV: Those Who Hunger and Thirst637
Chapter V: New Wine into Old Wineskins644
Chapter VI: High Official Watches over High Official652
Chapter VII: Let Your Words Be Few659
Chapter VIII: Behold, I Make All Things New667
Chapter IX: The Leaven of Herod673
Chapter X: You Are Beside Yourself!679
Chapter XI: The Blessed Hope686
Chapter XII: Is Anyone Among You Sick?692
Chapter XIII: The Discretion of a Man700
Chapter XIV: Every Idle Word that Men May Speak706
Chapter XV: He Shook Off the Creature into the Fire713
Chapter XVI: Taken Captive by Him to do His Will720
Chapter XVII: The Souls of Those Who Had Been Slain727
Chapter XVIII: As Cold Water to a Weary Soul735
Chapter XIX: Do Not Give Your Strength to Women741
Chapter XX: Those from Italy Greet You749
Volume VI: Cell Blocks 118B, 118A, and back to 109757
Chapter I: You Anoint My Head with Oil757
Chapter II: Buy the Truth and do Not Sell It765
Chapter III: I Will Fear No Evil774
Chapter IV: Children of Wrath781
Chapter V: A Serpent May Bite when It Is Not Charmed788
Chapter VI: Their Angels Always See the Face of My Father794
Chapter VII: Wisdom Brings Success800
Chapter VIII: Not from Men nor Through Man805
Chapter IX: Do Your Utmost to Come Before Winter812
Chapter X: Why Do You Forget Us Forever?820
Chapter XI: I Was Among the Captives826
Chapter XII: Untaught and Unstable People Twist to Their Own Destruction833
Chapter XIII: That Which We Have Seen and Heard We Declare to You840
Chapter XIV: Make Friends for Yourselves by Unrighteous Mammon846
Chapter XV: The Race Is Not to the Swift, nor the Battle to the Strong853
Chapter XVI: I Did Not Immediately Confer with Flesh and Blood861
Chapter XVII: Prepared for the Devil and His Angels867
Volume VII: Cell Blocks 45 and 84874
Chapter I: In the Dungeon There Was No Water, but Mire874
Chapter II: They Shall Walk with Me in White882
Chapter III: Many Are Weak and Sick890
Chapter IV: We Ourselves Were Also Once Foolish, Disobedient, Deceived897
Chapter V: And They Cast Their Lots904
Chapter VI: It Was Decided that We Should Sail to Italy911
Chapter VII: At Least the Shadow of Peter918
Chapter VIII: We Will Not Ride on Horses921

BOOK FOUR: Casablanca (part 1)

Volume VIII: Dormitory 3 and Yard 5927
Chapter I: To the Righteous, Good Shall Be Repaid927
Chapter II: A Faithful Man Will Abound with Blessings936
Chapter III: The Beast or His Image944
Chapter IV: Then I Saw the Souls of Those Who Had Been Beheaded952
Chapter V: Received His Mark on Their Foreheads or on Their Hands960
Chapter VI: And I Saw Thrones970
Chapter VII: Whoever Walks Blamelessly Will Be Saved977
Chapter VIII: He Who Is Perverse in His Ways Will Suddenly Fall985
Chapter IX: The Thought of Foolishness992
Chapter X: He Who Covers His Sins Will Not Prosper1000
Chapter XI: Whoever Causes the Upright to Go Astray in an Evil Way1009
Chapter XII: The Splendor of Old Men is Their Gray Head1017
Chapter XIII: Your Hope Will Not Be Cut Off1026
Chapter XIV: The Blameless Will Inherit Good1034
Chapter XV: A Righteous Man May Fall Seven Times and Rise Again1042
Chapter XVI: The Companion of Fools Will Be Destroyed1048
Chapter XVII: Who Can Find a Faithful Man?1058
Chapter XVIII: He Himself Will Fall into His Own Pit1066
Chapter XIX: Evil Pursues Sinners1075
Chapter XX: He Who Walks with Wise Men Will Be Wise1083
Volume IX: Incompetence, Runaround, Heterodoxy, and Evil1092
Chapter I: What Have I to do Anymore with Idols?1092
Chapter II: Wringing the Nose Produces Blood1101
Chapter III: Let Him Drink and Forget His Poverty1109
Chapter IV: Open Your Mouth for the Speechless1117
Chapter V: Surely I Am More Stupid than Any Man1125
Chapter VI: Remove Falsehood and Lies Far from Me1132
Chapter VII: The Breath of Life1140
Chapter VIII: The Way of an Eagle in the Air1148
Chapter IX: Justice for Man Comes from the Lord1156
Chapter X: When the Wicked Are Multiplied1163
Chapter XI: A Ruler Pays Attention to Lies1171
Chapter XII: Evil Men Do Not Understand Justice1178
Chapter XIII: To Show Partiality Is Not Good1186
Chapter XIV: When the Wicked Arise Men Hide Themselves1194
Chapter XV: They Have Struck Me but I Was Not Hurt1203
Chapter XVI: The Ways of the Lord Are Right1212
Chapter XVII: Those Who Dwell Under His Shadow1221
Chapter XVIII: Now I, John, Saw and Heard These Things1229
Chapter XIX: And When I Heard and Saw1237
Chapter XX: They Shall Be Revived Like Grain1246
Chapter XXI: His Branches Shall Spread1254
Chapter XXII: Whoever Digs a Pit Will Fall into It1262

BOOK FIVE: Casablanca (part 2), tables, graphs, and indices

Volume X: A Fistful of Impediments and Ballistics1273
Chapter I: He Who Rolls a Stone Will Have It Roll Back on Him1273
Chapter II: I Am Your Fellow Servant1282
Chapter III: Most Men Will Proclaim Each His Own Goodness1290
Chapter IV: The Wicked Shall Fall by Calamity1298
Chapter V: He Who Justifies the Wicked and He Who Condemns the Just1307
Chapter VI: Neither Cold Nor Hot1317
Chapter VII: One Who Speaks Like the Piercings of a Sword1326
Chapter VIII: He Who Trusts in His Own Heart Is a Fool1335
Chapter IX: Through a Land of Deserts and Pits1349
Chapter X: Like a Club, a Sword, and a Sharp Arrow1358
Chapter XI: The Things Which Must Shortly Take Place1366
Chapter XII: Let Him Be Unjust Still1374
Chapter XIII: Outside Are Dogs and Sorcerers1385
Chapter XIV: I also Will Laugh at Your Calamity1396
Chapter XV: The Tongue of the Wise Promotes Health1406
Chapter XVI: I Will Mock When Your Terror Comes1415
Chapter XVII: Break Their Teeth in Their Mouth1424
Chapter XIX: The Way of the Wicked Leads Them Astray1444
Chapter XX: Rise Before the Gray Headed and Honor the Presence of an Old Man1453
Chapter XXI: Let Death Seize Them1462
Volume XI: Enduring to the End in Dormitories 2, 4, 5, and Yard 31471
Chapter I: The Steps of a Good Man1471
Chapter II: One Who Sows Discord Among Brethren1481
Chapter III: Made as the Filth of the World1489
Chapter IV: We Have Found This Man a Plague1499
Chapter V: In Labors More Abundant1508
Chapter VI: I Speak as a Fool1517
Chapter VII: In Prisons more Frequently1525
Chapter VIII: In Stripes Above Measure1534
Chapter IX: It Is Actually Reported1541
Chapter X: Do I Seek to Please Men?1549
Chapter XI: When You Go out to Battle Against Your Enemies1560
Chapter XII: The Lord Will Rejoice over You to Destroy You and Bring You to Nothing1569
Chapter XIII: If the Blind Leads the Blind1575
Chapter XIV: The Furnace of Fire1583
Chapter XV: Beaten with Many Stripes1591
Chapter XVI: Things Deserving of Stripes1599
Chapter XVII: A Son of Peace Is There1607
Chapter XVIII: They Watched Him Closely1616
Chapter XIX: Neither Fit for the Land nor for the Dunghill1625
Chapter XX: Do I Not Loathe Those Who Rise Up Against You1634
Chapter XXI: A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven1642
Chapter XXII: Then the Sons Are Free1650
Epilogue: Post-Prison Life of John Cobin1658
Appendix 1: Bible verses from which the chapter titles were derived1670
Appendix 2: Tables and Graphs1686
Table 1: Names, Location, and John’s Grade of Gendarmes 1627
Table 2: Summary of Donations Made to John, through August 16, 2025 1628
Table 3: Number of Times Each Character’s Name Appears 1631
Table 4: Titles, Scripture Texts, Places, and Dates of John’s Sermons 1632
Table 5: Summary of Books John Read While in Prison 1786
Table 6: Lawyers Contacted, Hired, Fees Paid, and Results in John’s Case 1811
Appendix 3: AI Ballistics Analysis1687
Ballistics Analysis Charts1701
Indices
Index of Names1709
Index of Names of John’s Family1710
Index of Names of Gendarmes1711
Index of Names of Prisoners1712
Index of Names of Judges, Bureaucrats, and Politicians1712
Index of Lawyers, Public Defenders, Expert Witnesses, and Witnesses1713
Index of Places1714
Index of Books Read by John1715
Index of Medical Doctors Consulted or Cited by John1716
Index of Bible Verses Cited1717
General Subject Index1718
About the author1720