Serious. In the desert, an un-cut slong gets packed with sand. dirt, organic materials and bodily fluids which increase the potential for penal cancer if not cleaned regularly.

Now, this Crimean crisis actually can open the door to this - one thing Russia assumes is that Europe is dependent on its gas.  But, Israel may be able to start exporting gas to Europe - and this may alleviate the leverage Russia has.

Till then - how the US handles the current crisis may flag the end of our leadership in the West - to be replaced by a European organization that realizes the US cannot be counted on as in the past.

As past prophecies (from the Bible) have come true, so will those yet future.

One is this upcoming war involving Israel, Iran, and Russia (or whatever nation is in the uttermost north of Israel - currently and for sometime Russia), and other nations noted.

You forgot to discuss Zionism.

My girlfriend build an amazing clue game in my house for my birthday. I had to resolve puzzles and search for clues to the next ones for about two hours until I found my gifts. It was unbelievable fun and amazing.

I recall several years ago a mail carrier from a major city was fired for pepper spraying or macing a dog that had attacked him several times on his route. The training most cops get today is wrong. They are afraid of their own shadow and in fact don't have the balls to just quit. I said most because there are some excellent officers and exceptional human beings as well, unfortunately for all of us they are in short supply.

The Bible doesn't specifically describe any "mark of the devil". It tells his number, and says that his followers will be forced to receive a mark (and worship him) in order to live, and that's it.

Most viruses die when an animal is killed and body temperature drops and all viruses die when meat is cooked. Even the feared HIV dies when body temperature drops to just 32.

Oh, it does, and as I said, I need to again review it.  Nor can I say that they are wrong.  Just that, my first impression is that it seemed a bit stretched.  Thanks again.

And, unlike other sections of the Bible, prophecy seems like it can be harder in general to decipher.  The illustration that comes to mind is giving someone directions.   Many times, several of the steps in the directions do not make sense till you get to that point.

They use scripture - not sure the scripture they use back what they say.  Not comparing scripture with scripture in general (as seen on the main forum) can lead to some interesting conclusions - with prophecy, it seems this can happen even more so.


I know, for example, there are those who argue that the events of Revelation have already happened.   I even read a short fictional serious by one of its proponents (similiar to the Left Behind type of thing, except from their view that it happened inthe 1st century).  Enjoyed it, very interesting, and included some interesting historical data.  And they also bring up scripture to support it.

So, got one set of folk (Left Behind, etc) having scripture and the other (1st Century type of folk) with their scriptural quotes.  And, the quotes by themselves - in both cases can make sense.

It seems a bit forced, though, it does note the downward spirituality and morality of the US, which we have been seeing.  We as a nation have turned from God.

On the Baptists - I am not referring to them overall, but sub group of Baptists that are 7th day folk.  Focusing on Saturday instead of Sunday as the day of worship (as do most Baptists).  Not sure how big a group they are.

The problem here is that the majority is fine when it is a Christian belief, but as soon as Indians want to smoke peyote or muslims want to treat female worker differently, then you will all be singing a very different tune.......just like scalia.Im also curious about this part of the constitution.........could someone point me to the part of the constitution that says a corporation is a person?

You mean your "rudimentary understanding" of the constitution?  None of you seem to understand the unconstitutional precedent.  For example, A satanic Temple has already invoked the ruling to object to informed consent.  They wish to deny anyone seeking an abortion informed consent, based on religious objection.   Mainly because informed consent is allowed to not tell the truth.  They cite the Hobby lobby case suggesting many forms of birth control are abortifacents, when they are not.

Scalia even ruled against himself on this one. In 1990, an indian tribe wanted to use peyote for a religious ceremony and he ruled no. His words....".if I allowed American Indians to break the law by using peyote as part of a religious ceremony, all other religions would try to get exceptions. Religious belief, no matter how pious, cannot trump law". Wow...he sounds exactly like Ginsberg here. I guess its ok if its just some savage indian belief....or a dirty muslim.

Thanks.  That is a bit long, so I will try and look after work tomorrow.As an aside (you probably know) - there are also seventh day Baptists.   Usually do not hear much about them.

One thing noted about the end times referred to in the Bible is the lack of reference to the US.  The common thinking is, on this, is that it is because the US is no longer the major player during this time, that it has been.

An aside to the biblical predictions regarding the future attack on Israel - but related, and given current events, worth considering.

Not familiar myself, and I hope to review the passages, but for now, it was noted in piece by Joel Rosenberg that Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 foretell the utter destruction and annihilation of the city of Damascus in the End Times.

Usual words of wisdom on the subject, LOL.


As noted, the current Iranian crisis is not what is thought to be referenced by the passage here in question.  It may an event that eventually leads up to it.

But, it is interesting that, in the book of Esther, permission was given by the Persian king to annihilate the Jews.  In his defense, he had no idea what people he had signed the death warrant for (such was the arrogance commonly found in such high office), but was done at the behest of Haman whom the Persian king had advanced, and who was extremely anti semitic.

To use an illustration overall -a fork may prove better than most tools for handling one's food, but, it aint gonna work for soup.

Anyway, a thought - what is the 'Word of God is the Bible, not the systems imposed on it, is my point.  Ultimately, it is best to be able to talk to the Author about it, and test it where applicable also (with future prophecy, that is harder).

Fortunately, most is rather plainly understood regardless of what approach one takes -  as far as what we need to do to be saved, and what pleases the Lord in our daily walk.

My thought for the day, LOL!

I want to add something, just having had a discussion with my wife that reminded me of this.

I think dispensational thinking is the best explanation of what we read in the Bible.  But it itself, unlke the Bible, is not the Word of God.  So, what I think can and does happen sometimes is that seeing this pattern in the Bible, is to then read into the BIble certain sections that do not fit smoothly into it.

Off hand, as an example off hand, when in Rev 4, the Apostle John is told to come up here (heaven), to equate that with the rapture is stretching it.  I don't think someone would get that just reading those passages; I think the thinking is that if one comes to the conclusion that the rapture is before the tribulation, and seeing Rev 4 as the transition to the tribulation, one then assumes the satement (come up here) is referring to the rapture.

Now, that can happen with even non dispensational approaches.

During Jesus' first coming, one of the things he rebuked was how the leaders (and thus many folk) ignored the prophecies that spoke of that time.

So, we are not expected to be ignorant of future events that are foretold.  But, there is that flip side, where too many times folks have gotten ready for his 2nd return, and/or the rapture, only to find they were looking at just one piece of the puzzle (or get discouraged and fall away).