posted April 11, 2004 04:54 PM              

quote:

---

Let's stop putting our brave troops at risk in this terrorist city. We should move all of our troops to the border surrounding the city, and then bring in the planes and bomb nonstop for days. Sorry to offend anyone, but when you sow a seed, you reap a harvest, and these guys have been sowing lots of seeds of terror with absolutely no respect for human life.

---

quote:

---

If we are talking about dictators we have a lot of them around the world that are violating human rights all the time...

Ruled by a range of military dictatorships we have Burma and Sudan, traditional repressive monarchies we have Saudi Arabia and Bhutan, dominant political parties ,as in China and North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, the north Korean leader, bought 200 Mercedes- Benz for himself. Meanwhile, at home, millions of his people are starving to death.

Extrapolations from testimonies of North Korean refugees in China suggest that up to 3.5 million people might have died from starvation and related illnesses between 1995 and 1998 and foreign occupiers as in Tibet ...

So, what's the solution ?
Kill them all ?

The problem of dictatorships is deep and I really don't believe that freedom can come through violence, especially because democracy is not a product to export, it has to come from within.

A military coup d'etat against a dictatorship might appear to be relatively one of the easiest and quickest ways to remove a particularly repugnant regime.

However, there are very serious problems with that technique.
Most importantly, it leaves in place the existing bad distribution of power between the population and the elite in control of the government and its military forces.

The removal of particular persons and cliques from the governing positions most likely will merely make it possible for another group to take their place.

Theoretically, this group might be milder in its behavior and be open in limited ways to democratic reforms. However, the opposite is as likely to be the case.

After consolidating its position, the new clique may turn out to be more ruthless and more ambitious than the old one.

Consequently, the new clique-in which hopes may have been placed-will be able to do whatever it wants without concern for democracy or human rights… of course, that is not an acceptable answer to the problem of dictatorship.

So, what's the conclusion ?
A hard one.

When one wants to bring down a dictatorship most effectively and with the least cost of lives, then one has four immediate tasks:

*One must strengthen the oppressed population themselves in their determination, self-confidence, and resistance skills;

*One must strengthen the independent social groups and institutions of the oppressed people;

*One must create a powerful internal resistance force;

*One must develop a wise grand strategic plan for liberation and implement it skillfully.

A liberation struggle is a time for self-reliance and internal strengthening of the struggle group.

As Charles Stewart Parnell said during the Irish rent strike campaign in 1879 and 1880:

It is no use relying on the Government.... You must only rely upon your own determination.... Help yourselves by standing together... strengthen those amongst yourselves who are weak..., band yourselves together, organize yourselves... and you must win...

Against a strong self-reliant force, given wise strategy, disciplined and courageous action, and genuine strength, the dictatorship will eventually crumble. Minimally, however, the above four requirements must be fulfilled.

Liberation from dictatorships ultimately depends on the people's ability to liberate themselves.

The cases of successful political defiance-or nonviolent struggle for political ends, indicate that the means do exist for populations to free themselves, but that option has remained undeveloped in Iraq's issue...

We should always first look at the issue of negotiations as a means of dismantling dictatorships...always...

In my point of view, this war means the same as break an egg with a hammer... in a short/long term, a lot will get lost and very little will be won...

I just hope that I'm wrong...

Love
Jakie

Religion had a triumphal return. Catholic, Protestants, Muslims and Jews - all demonstrate their love to God massacring each other.

---

posted April 11, 2004 04:59 PM              

quote:

---

"The lid of the pressure cooker has come off “.

---

Straw said that a year ago he could never have imagined that the country would be like this today and recognized that the Iraquian resistance is not summarized, like London and Washington insisted on the beginning, to foreign militants of Al-Qaeda or to former-members of the deposed regime.

quote:

---

—"It is plainly the fact today that there are larger numbers of people, and they are people on the ground, Iraqis, not foreign fighters, who are engaged in this insurgency,"

---

I'm sorry Randall, but as far as I know their country was invaded... so, using a metaphor, for worst than it is our house, we would never like it to be invaded...
If we believe that the things are wrong in " our house ", we have conditions of changing... it only depends on us...

Randall, these people are not terrorist, they simply don't want the troops there...
They want the invaders to leave their country...to leave Iraq for the Irakis...I don't know what you guys read or see on tv in US but here, we are tired of seeing on tv Irakis asking the troops to leave...

Did you already stop to think that this is what is happening ?

What we see today is that since September 11 Al Qaeda has became the deadliest terrorist organizations of the history. More than 600 inocent people died in terrorists attacks in a dozen of countries–excluded Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, while president Bush wasted a valuable time, money and lives of civilians and military ( the coalition led by the USA counts 742 military - 639 American- died since the beginning of the war) seeking for weapons of mass destruction that were never nor will be found in Iraq and pursuing Saddam- that was never linked to any terrorist attack-, Al Qaeda was reorganized, grew and today it's" literally " capable to organize terrorists attacks in any part of the world...

Jackie

posted April 11, 2004 05:23 PM              

Love you guys

posted April 12, 2004 06:43 PM            

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

-Genesis 49:17

posted April 13, 2004 01:23 PM            

Tink, I agree. I wish it hadn't happened, but it has, and we have grave responsibilities to the people of Iraq.

We backed out of Afghanistan once upon a time, only to see the rise of the Taliban...and, well, you know the rest of the story.

*sigh*

posted April 14, 2004 12:31 PM            

OK,here we go!

After Alexander the Great died suddenly and prematurely, his empire was split into four independent kingdoms by his four top generals, each of whom selected one of the new kingdoms to govern. Hence the symbolic “four notable ones” which appear on the “goat” (Grecian Empire) after the “great horn” (i.e., Alexander the Great) is “broken.” Then an unspecified period of time goes by until the “little horn,” i.e., the “fierce king,” makes his appearance and begins to “wax exceeding great” in both a southern and eastern direction as he “destroys wonderfully.” This powerful man (the Antichrist) will “prosper” in his plans for a period of time, but eventually he will be destroyed “without hand,” and then God’s Kingdom throughout the earth will be established for eternity.

Daniel 8:8, 9
8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (KJV)

This biblical passage portrays the “little horn” Antichrist originating from one of the four major divisions of the ancient Grecian Empire which emerged soon after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great. Then the little horn, representing both a tiny, new country and the personage of Antichrist, waxes “exceeding great” very quickly as he conquers countries in a southern and eastern direction. Please note that the “pleasant land” (i.e., Israel; Palestine; Dan.11:16, 41; Ezek. 20:6, 15; Psalms 106:24; Jer. 3:19; Zech. 7:14) is mentioned specifically as one of the first countries attacked by Antichrist during his initial rise to power, thereby precluding any reasonable possibility that he might pretend to be the Messiah to the Jews. The fact that the scriptural evidence also indicates Antichrist will originate from the country of Lebanon, and not from Israel, decreases that possibility even more so.

Sometimes it is said that the “little-horn” Antichrist will originate from one of the “four winds of heaven” toward which the four goat horns sprout. However, aside from the contextual implication that the action in this passage centers on the four notable horns, logic dictates that if the little horn was suppose to appear from one of the “four winds of heaven,” meaning anywhere on earth, then it would have been pointless to mention the Persian and Grecian empires in this vision! Furthermore, the fourth vision in Daniel 11 portrays Antichrist originating from the Syrian dynasty which emerged from the four-fold split of the Grecian Empire after Alexander the Great died. So, obviously that passage only confirms our view that the little horn will originate from one of the four goat horns, not from one of the four winds of heaven.

Likewise, many commentators have taught that the “little horn” is Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian ruler who desecrated the Jewish temple by placing a sow in it and forcing the Jews to worship it. This desecration, it is alleged, is the “transgression of desolation” mentioned in verse 13. But that alternative explanation is highly improbable for several reasons:

1. Daniel makes reference to an “abomination of desolation” in two other scriptural passages that are associated with Antichrist. (Dan. 9:27) (Dan. 12:11). Therefore, in order to be consistent, it seems very likely that Daniel 8:11-14 also refers to the abomination of desolation that will be perpetrated by the Antichrist. This is especially true because the “2300 days,” during which time the Jewish sanctuary (temple) will be desecrated while the daily sacrifices are abolished, actually should be translated as “2300 evenings and mornings,” thereby giving us a total of 1150 literal days. Since this prophetic prediction, mandating 1150 days of desecration and denial of sacrifices, has never been fulfilled precisely as predicted, it still remains a future prophecy.

2. After warning the Jews regarding the “abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet,” Jesus continued his sermon concerning other prophetic signs which would also signal the nearness of His Return, thus indicating contextually that Daniel’s prophecy was an end-time event. (Matt. 24) (Mark 13) (Luke 21). Additionally, please note that Jesus never indicated that Daniel’s prophecies, involving an abomination, had already been fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes. Instead, He based His prophecy on the assumption that Daniel had prophesied about only one desecration with any major prophetic significance. Therefore, the “little horn” seen in Daniel 8 must refer to the future actions and activities of the Antichrist.

3. There is an amazing, consistent harmony and correlation among the various elements of the visions given to Daniel. For instance, the Persian Empire was symbolized by two arms of silver in Daniel 2, two sides of a bear in Daniel 7, and two horns of a ram in Daniel 8. Likewise, the Grecian Empire was symbolized by a trunk of brass in the first vision, a leopard with four heads in the second vision, and a goat with four horns in the third vision. In like manner, since the “little horn” in Daniel’s second vision represents the Antichrist, logical consistency demands an identical meaning in Daniel’s third vision. To say otherwise clearly defies the laws of probability as a perusal of the information in the chart, Harmony Of Daniel’s Visions, located at the end of this chapter, will show.

4. Daniel emphasizes several times throughout his third vision that the vision is intended primarily for the “time of the end.” (Dan. 8:17, 19, 26, 27). Nevertheless, sometimes it is said that “the time of the end” in this prophecy really only refers to a period of time which took place soon after the Persian and Grecian empires had faded into oblivion. But if that were true, then we would have to question what Daniel could have said for some people to believe him when he clearly and distinctly stated, several times, that the vision was intended for the endtimes. In other words, if Daniel had wanted to indicate his vision was for the time of the end, then what could he have said otherwise that would have been more convincing? Obviously we must not throw away our dictionaries, or forget the rules of grammar and logic, if we are going to get very far in our scriptural quest for truth. Therefore, it seems highly probable that the “little horn” in this vision, as in the previous vision in Daniel 7, is associated with “end-time” events, not ancient history.

5. Finally, as we will observe later, Daniel’s third vision repeats the same narrative pattern that was established in the two previous visions. In each instance, detailed explanations regarding key elements presented in the prophecy were given only after the initial presentation of the prophecy was completed. Accordingly, in Daniel’s third vision, verses 20 and 21 explain that the ram and the goat represent Persia and Greece only after their initial introduction in verses 1-8. So likewise, verse 23 describes the “little horn,” presented initially in verse 9, as the “fierce king” who is prophesied to exhibit some very specific supernatural abilities and actions. For instance, it is predicted that the “little horn” will possess miraculous supernatural power from Satan which will enable him to conquer his enemies with astounding ease. Then the passage continues by predicting that first he will “destroy” (deceive) people through peace and prosperity, then destroy (kill) the holy people while proclaiming himself to be a god, and then ultimately be destroyed by God “without hand.” Furthermore, verses 10 and 11 predict that the little horn will magnify himself as a god, and will cause some of the stars (i.e., the evil angels) to fall to the earth. Obviously Antiochus Epiphanes did not fulfill any of these amazing biblical prophecies! So, we must conclude that Antiochus Epiphanes was not the little horn if we interpret words in the Bible in the same sensible manner we would employ while reading any other book.

Before continuing with our scriptural exegesis, we can summarize the forthcoming analysis by stating that there are numerous scriptures which clearly indicate the Antichrist will originate from somewhere within the geographical areas of the old Roman and Grecian and Assyrian empires, and that an additional scriptural passage even predicts that the Antichrist will originate from somewhere within the geographical area of the old Syrian dynasty. Therefore, the only modern countries which meet all of these scriptural requirements are the modern-day countries of Lebanon and Syria. However, some of the scriptures also stipulate that the country of origin for the Antichrist must be a very small and brand-new country. In fact, they even stipulate that this country, whose political leader will be the Antichrist, must spring into existence at the very same time the Antichrist first begins his rise to power because the “little horn” represents both the man, Antichrist, and his political kingdom.

Daniel 7:7, 8
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (KJV)

The preceding passage indicates that the Antichrist will originate from somewhere within the geographical area that was once dominated by the ancient Roman Empire because the “little horn” (Antichrist) will appear among the “ten horns” (modern “Roman” countries) that are attached to the “fourth beast” (Roman Empire). Since the little horn will appear after the ten horns have been in existence for a period of time, it must represent a very small country that will be new in its existence compared to the other countries within the geographical area of the old Roman Empire. Otherwise it would have been counted as one of the original “ten horns.”

Likewise, because horns throughout Scripture represent the power and authority inherent in kingdoms or countries, this “little horn” quite logically represents a small kingdom or a small country. However, in this instance, the little horn also represents a strong-man leader or dictator because Daniel very quickly ascribes human attributes to the little horn country, attributes such as “a mouth speaking great things.” For that reason, it would seem this tiny country, and the man associated with it, appear together simultaneously in a manner which suggests that it is the man who causes the little horn country to spring into existence. Therefore, since this small country must appear together, simultaneously, with the man, Antichrist, it must, in fact, be a brand-new country that does not even exist yet at this point in time.

Daniel 8:8, 9
8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (KJV)

This passage clearly indicates that the “little horn” will originate from one of the four kingdoms which were carved from the collapsing Grecian Empire soon after Alexander the Great died prematurely. Bearing in mind we previously demonstrated that the Antichrist will also originate from a small, new country within the geographical area of the old Roman Empire, a comparison of maps portraying the ancient Roman and Grecian empires will show that the only geographical area shared in common by both empires encompasses Greece and most of the Middle East region.

However, the Antichrist not only will originate from somewhere within the geographical areas of both the Roman and Grecian empires, but Old Testament prophets also referred to him as “the Assyrian,” thereby implying that he will originate from the geographical area that was once dominated by the ancient Assyrian Empire. (Isa. 10:5, 6) (Isa. 10:20-34) (Isa. 14:24-27) (Isa. 19) (Isa. 23:13) (Isa. 27:12, 13) (Isa. 30:18-33) (Isa. 31:4-9) (Micah 5:3-15) (Micah 7:7-20). Therefore, a comparison of maps portraying the former geographical territories of the Assyrian, Grecian and Roman empires will disclose that only Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Iraq and Jordan were once a part of all three of these biblical world empires. So, we must conclude that the Antichrist will originate from a small, new country that will spring into existence within the geographical area of one of these Middle East countries.

Finally, a careful exegetical analysis of Daniel 11 will show that the first thirty-four verses in Daniel’s fourth vision use the designation “King of the North” when referring to various Syrian Kings from the old Syrian dynasty in that period of ancient history. (See footnotes for Chapter 11 in Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, or reference other Bible commentaries for a detailed exposition. Additionally, in chapter 3 of this book, we will analyze certain key verses in Daniel 11:1-34 to prove they do not describe characteristics and activities of Antichrist.) However, without question, the exploits and attributes ascribed to the “King of the North” for the remainder of Daniel 11 obviously can apply only to the Antichrist! (Dan. 11:35-45).

Accordingly, we must conclude that the Antichrist will originate from somewhere within the geographical area of the old Syrian dynasty which emerged from the four-fold split of the Grecian Empire after Alexander the Great died. However, as noted previously, since the “little horn” will be a small, new country, these characteristics automatically eliminate older or larger countries such as Syria from any consideration. But, since Lebanon was once a part of the old Syrian dynasty, a tiny, new country within its borders would satisfy all scriptural requirements. Thus, we may conclude that even though the Antichrist will originate from a tiny, new country located somewhere within the geographical area of Lebanon and Syria, additional factors narrow the probabilities down even further to southern and central Lebanon:

1. The “little horn” must be a tiny-sized country in comparison to neighboring countries throughout the geographical area of the old Roman Empire. Furthermore, the little horn must be a new country that will spring into existence just before the Antichrist begins to wax “exceeding great” in a southern and eastern direction. They will appear at the same time because the man and the country are closely identified with each other in Scripture. Accordingly, these scriptural requirements eliminate most of the possibilities in the area under consideration, thus making our task much easier. Given the current political realities in both Syria and Lebanon, it seems much more likely that a small, new country will appear somewhere within Lebanon, rather than somewhere in Syria.

This assessment is due primarily to the fact that Syria has been a relatively strong and stable country over the last couple of decades — although there has been an element of doubt hanging over the regime, recently, since long-time President Hafez Assad died in June 2000. However, in Lebanon we see ongoing domination of the country by the Syrians while various Lebanese factions bitterly oppose each other on a wide variety of political, social and sectarian issues. Likewise, Israel withdrew its military troops from southern Lebanon in May 2000, thereby permitting the Hizbullah terrorists to take control of the area since the Lebanese puppet government in Beirut refused to send troops to establish law and order. Apparently, the Lebanese government refused because it believes the Hizbullah terrorists are ‘freedom fighters’ who are opposing “evil” Israeli aggressors. Meanwhile, both Iran and Syria have been quite active in their efforts to supply the Hizbullah terrorists with massive amounts of rockets and military supplies for eventual use in launching attacks against Israel.

More recently, the Lebanese factions have challenged the presence of Syria in Lebanon because Lebanese autonomy has become a very popular public issue during the last couple of years. For that reason, it did not take long for Lebanese Druze warlord and popular politician Walid Jumblatt to capitalize on this rising tide of popular sentiment by becoming a leading critic of the Syrian occupation in Lebanon. Emotions ran so high that Syria even felt compelled to deploy military troops, temporarily, in the Chouf mountain region where Jumblatt and his Druze people live. After all, how could Syria know it was forcing a military confrontation with the man who very possibly will become the Antichrist? Then the Lebanese military, without any warning, arrested more than 250 opposition activists, including many prominent opposition leaders, for opposing the Syrian army occupation! However, it did not take very long for both Cardinal Sfeir and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt to lead widespread criticism against this crackdown — prompting the military to release most of the activists whom they had just arrested.

Moreover, Jumblatt's stature as a national leader has been enhanced considerably by accomplishments such as the reconciliation he negotiated between the Druze and Christians, the various political alliances he has formed across the entire political spectrum, and his rapidly-expanding base of support among the Druze throughout the Middle East area. In fact, such achievements have all helped to earn him a new regional role in affairs-of-state. Now that Syria has taken direct control of the Lebanese military in response to the rising unrest throughout Lebanon against its occupation, this may represent yet another reason why Jumblatt — who very possibly will be the Antichrist — could soon declare independence for a tiny, new country within Lebanon! There may be no other way to break the shackles of oppression that the Syrian military is imposing upon Lebanon. Of course, only time will tell how events actually work out.

Very recently, the puppet government in Lebanon collapsed, and a new, unpopular government — without the involvement of Lebanon’s most prominent politicians — was formed to manage domestic affairs to whatever extent it can. Then as further evidence of widespread political discontent, Lebanon’s most important Christian leaders began to condemn the new puppet regime in Beirut, and publicly proclaimed the need for a ‘good ruler’ who ‘loves the people’ to take control of the country. So, it is quite possible that Walid Jumblatt could be on the verge of declaring political independence for a tiny, new Druze country within the country of Lebanon — Daniel’s “little horn” country. This sudden break for political independence could happen as the only viable way to be free of Syrian oppression and domination; or it could happen as the result of insoluble political and economic differences among the various Lebanese factions; or it could happen if Israel invades Lebanon in response to Hizbullah attacks; or it could happen if world opinion, especially in the Arab-Muslim world, becomes sufficiently outraged because Israel will not negotiate an “acceptable” agreement with the Palestinians. However, regardless of the exact scenario that develops, the birth of the “little horn” country and the simultaneous emergence of the “little horn” Antichrist appear to be quite imminent!

2. Biblical scriptures predict that the Antichrist will possess a fierce-looking facial appearance and an aggressive demeanor, and that he will originate from a fierce, warlike people. For instance, Daniel states that the “little horn” (both the country and the man) will “look more stout than his fellows (i.e., the ten horns; the modern Roman countries).” (Dan. 7:20). Parenthetically, we can say that the “little horn” represents both the man, Antichrist, and the tiny country from which he will originate because, apparently, he will declare it into existence at the appropriate time and then exercise complete dictatorial control over it. Therefore, in that sense, they can be viewed in a synonymous manner with each other. So, both the man and the country will be seen as very strong and aggressive and fierce in nature. In a similar manner, Daniel also predicts that the Antichrist will be “a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences.” (Dan. 8:23). Likewise, Habakkuk predicts that the nation of Antichrist will be “bitter and hasty,” and “terrible and dreadful.” (Hab. 1:6-7). For those reasons, in a possible preview of things to come, we should note that Walid Jumblatt’s Druze mountain people achieved recognition for their fierceness and competence in warfare during the ferocious fighting that took place during the recent Lebanese Civil War.

3. Later we will prove from various scriptures that the city of Tyre will be rebuilt by Antichrist at its original location in Lebanon, and then serve as his political capital until his demise at Armageddon. Obviously it is only natural to assume he would want to establish his political base of operations somewhere within his own native country, if possible — and the current village of Tyre is in southern-central Lebanon. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to observe he will not designate the current capital city of Beirut as his political capital, so that apparent fact simply reinforces our earlier view that scriptures predict he will declare a tiny, new country into existence within the geographical area of Lebanon instead of forming a new government that governs all of Lebanon.

4. One last clue regarding this matter is found in Daniel 8:9 which states that the Antichrist will conquer armies with lightning speed while invading in both a southern and eastern direction, including down into the “pleasant land” of Israel (Dan.11:16, 41; Ezek. 20:6, 15; Psalms 106:24; Jer. 3:19; Zech. 7:14). This statement alone puts definitive limitations on the possible location of the “little horn” country, and obviously it will aid immensely in the early verification of the identity of Antichrist whenever he begins his initial ascendancy to power.

Daniel 8:10
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. (KJV)

Young’s Literal Translation renders this same verse as follows:

Daniel 8:10
10 Yea, it exerteth unto the host of the heavens, and causeth to fall to the earth of the host, and of the stars, and trampleth them down. (YLT)

Now compare verse 10 with the exact same scene that is narrated in Revelation, where Satan and his fallen angels (i.e., “some of the hosts and of the stars”) are cast out, violently, from the heavenlies and then banished down to the earth while the Rapture event is ongoing:

Revelation 12:3-4, 7-13
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (KJV)

“War In Heaven.” The sudden, “surprise” Rapture of the “manchild” Christian believers to Heaven will trigger an extraordinary war in the heavens, with the archangel Michael and his angels fighting against Satan and his evil angels in an awesome, supernatural battle of epic proportions. This stupendous, final conflict will begin when Satan attempts to destroy Christian believers as they are translated or resurrected into Heaven, and its purpose will be two-fold. Michael and his angels will not only provide safe passage for believers when they are transported supernaturally into Heaven, instantaneously, but Satan and his evil angels will be cast down to the earth and banished from the heavens forever.

Daniel 8:11-14, 26
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true... (KJV)

Although this passage states that the Sanctuary (i.e., the future rebuilt temple in Jerusalem) will be desecrated for a period of “2300 days,” a more accurate translation would read “2300 evening-mornings.” This is because the Hebrew word translated as “days” in this passage is actually two Hebrew words: BOQER, meaning “dawn” or “morning”; and `EREB, meaning “dusk” or “evening.” So, this scripture should read as “2300 evening-mornings” — which is precisely how many other translations interpret it. However, since Jewish religious law requires this kind of sacrifice each morning and each evening of every day, this scriptural passage actually predicts that 2300 such sacrifices will be abolished, and 2300 such sacrifices obviously represent a total of 1150 literal days.

“And the place of his sanctuary was cast down.” The Hebrew word for “place” is MAKOWN, meaning a “fixture,” i.e., a “basis; generally a place, especially as an abode.” The Hebrew word for “sanctuary” in this particular passage is MIQDASH, meaning a “consecrated thing or place, especially a palace, sanctuary or asylum.” And the Hebrew word for “cast down” is SHALAK, meaning to “throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively).” Therefore, this passage probably states that the Antichrist will “throw down” or demolish the most holy part of the temple, i.e., the “Holy of Holies,” the innermost sanctum of a three-sectioned temple.

Daniel 9:27
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (KJV)

posted April 14, 2004 07:57 PM              

I apologize for my delay in answering...

My dear Randall, why do you think these people are part of the former regime?

Maybe they are one more group of radicals Muslims ... they are exploding as popcorn lately...exactly as Bin Laden wanted...
While Saddam was in power, thanks to his "iron-hand" al-Qaeda could not infiltrates in Iraq... now they can...

Guys, I really understand your position... "NOW" it isn’t possible a retreat of the coalition troops... if that happens AT THIS MOMENT, Iraq will dive in the chaos...
However, instead of combatting those who want to install terror in the "new Iraq" maybe the troops should begin to reorganize the cities.

Great part of the main cities, besides Baghdad, continue without water and light... People cannot find a job... They doesn't have enough medication in the hospitals for the wounded, and I'm not talking about the 10 years of embargo when 500 THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED IN IRAQ FOR LACK OF MEDICINES, AND THE MAIN VICTIMS WERE CHILDREN…

So, maybe these people think that their country is in the same chaos that was before, the difference is that now they can go to the streets and protest...

US has to do something to show to the Arab world that things are better in Iraq…President Bush must expose his restructuring's plan for Iraq ( well, I believe he has one) ... a kind of Marchall plan...the troops must have to win the sympathy of the population, instead of bombing them...that is so obvious...

It is incredible how President Bush fell in the trap of Osama when he invaded Iraq...

For me, we are living a time where there are no “solutions”. The only world’s project now is to locate gutters with bombs and poisonous letters.
This “THING” called " war against terror" is devastating with Europe's hope, that, after a century of brutalities, two world wars, WAS in the road of a peaceful solution of coexistence.

Instead of invading Iraq, the largest concern should have been with the 10 thousand men(some specialists speak in 20 thousand)that were trained in the fields of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and today are dispersed around the world forming their own terrorist cells...

That’s why I see no solution for the terrorism, thanks to the tasks that Osama ordered and President Bush executed.

Yet, with certainty, there's one thing that none of us can deny...Osama is one of the largest strategists of History: alone, he destabilized the planet, using his “enemy”'s weapons.
As well as he used the own American airplanes on 9/11, he used the president of the US against the whole world.
So, even if Osama dies, his work is already made. He sowed the terrorism and President Bush legitimated it through this invasion that up to now was totally without sense....

Jackie

"We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."
Jonathan Swift

posted April 14, 2004 08:04 PM              

I admit that I didn't get to read all your last post... but I will...yet, there's an enormous meaning in this chapter of Daniel, that I had already noticed since 9/11... I don't know if we are talking about the same thing...

Anyway, President Bush uses Christ's name in vain. Osama uses Alah's name in vain. Both pray before acting. And both, united, will put an end to the dream of reaching a future political harmony.

Jackie

"Religion had a triumphal return. Catholic, Protestants, Muslims and Jews - all demonstrate their love to God massacring each other."

posted April 16, 2004 04:01 AM              

For those that support what is happening and voicing their opinion are hypocrites and should take a look at what they are preaching.

posted April 16, 2004 02:18 PM            

I quote that because I think it is appropriate in response to mambo's post. I believe that Love and Light will triumph over all ... eventually. Why can't it be now? Because the majority of people don't want it now. It's that simple. Our world reflects us as individuals. There are some wars that have had to be fought. Obviously, theoretically, a peaceful approach was possible ... it didn't happen because people were not ready for that. Should we not have fought the Revolutionary War ... should we not have fought the Civil War ... should we not have fought in World War II? Well, if America hadn't fought then none of us would be here today to speak our minds freely. Our world would not exist. Perhaps it would be better or worse, but it definitely would be a different world.
I am not saying that I agreed with this war from it's onset. I am saying that it would be irresponsible to back out now after the havoc we've wreaked ... we have to help rebuild Iraq now, even if the "profit" does go to that infamous Carlyle group.
I would also have liked the situation to have worked itself out peacefully. What did I do to help a peaceful resolution come about? What did you do?
What are we all going to do to help make this world a peaceful place to live? This is our world. We have to take responsibility for it, and we also have to point it in the direction that we wish it to go. If we don't, well then, someone else will.