To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: 8/16/98 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 09:31:51 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
9:00 PM Eastern
TLC - QUEST FOR THE LOST CIVILIZATION - "Heaven's Mirror" -
Ancient cultures show striking similarities in observational
astronomy.(CC)(TVPG)
10:00 PM
TLC - QUEST FOR THE LOST CIVILIZATION - "Forgotten Secrets"
- Evidence suggests a technologically advanced civilization
predated the Egyptians.(CC)(TVPG)
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: Most Americans expect to go to heaven
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 09:36:04 +0000
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Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Most Americans expect to go to heaven
NEW YORK, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Most Americans are optimistic about their
long-term future -- they think they are going to heaven.
A recent Harris poll finds that 84 percent of adults believe souls
survive after death and more than three-quarters of those respondents
expect to go heaven -- 64 percent of the population. Just 2 percent
think they are headed to hell and 4 percent anticipate going to
purgatory.
Almost all interviewees who identified themselves as Christians say
they have faith in God -- 99 percent. Plus, 96 percent said they
believe in the resurrection of Christ and 91 percent in the Virgin
birth, beliefs held by 49 and 47 percent of non-Christians
respectively.
However, about one-fifth of the self-styled Christians also believe in
reincarnation, a clear conflict with traditional Christian dogma.
Almost the same percentage of the general public also think they were
once another person.
And 37 percent of public put stock in astrology, 35 percent in ghosts.
When pollsters asked the population as a whole whether they believed
in God, 94 percent said yes. An estimated nine out of 10 respondents
acknowledged heaven and 73 percent believe in the devil and in hell.
The survey was conducted among a nationwide cross section of 1,011
adults between July 17-21. The results have a statistical precision of
plus or minus 3 percentage points.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: Scottish Publisher Repackages Bible
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 09:42:22 +0000
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Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Scottish Publisher Repackages Bible
Fri, 14 Aug 1998
LONDON (AP) -- The book of Revelation with the image of an atomic bomb
cloud on its cover. A woman's figure adorning the front of the Song of
Solomon.
This is the Bible packaged for the modern age.
Canongate Books, a small publishing house based in Edinburgh,
Scotland, is putting out 12 Biblical books as separate, pocket-sized
editions, complete with introductions by leading authors such as Fay
Weldon, A.N. Wilson and Doris Lessing.
The company is aiming for a new generation of secular, as well as
religious, readers -- many of whom may never have read any of the
Scriptures before and certainly never thought of reading Biblical
stories on the train on the way to work in the mornings.
``I think they will be for all sorts of people,'' said editor Claire
Paterson. ``A lot of people will read the separate books for the very
first time.''
The company has chosen the King James version of the Bible, first
published in 1611 ``during an extraordinary flowering of English
literature,'' Paterson said.
The dozen Biblical books chosen include the four Gospels and Genesis,
Exodus and Proverbs.
They will retail for 1 pound ($1.65) each starting this fall in the
United Kingdom. American publisher Grove-Atlantic Inc. has a licensing
deal to distribute the first series in North America next spring.
Weldon is writing a forward for Corinthians, Wilson for the Matthew's
Gospel and Lessing for Ecclesiates. The forward to Genesis is being
written by a genetic scientist, while Revelations has an introduction
by novelist Will Self.
``Each of the writers finds a particular interest in that book -- it
did fit together quite well,'' Paterson said.
The idea was hatched just over a year ago when a friend of Canongate's
chairman, Jamie Byng, asked why he had never seen the Bible published
as separate books, she said.
Paterson said the company plans to publish another 12 Biblical books
next Easter, with crime novelist Ruth Rendell contributing the
introduction to Romans.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Historical Research
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 09:06:41 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
When I first started reading and studying Daniel 9, I became
interested in Darius the Mede after reading several accounts
dealing with the historical research into the identity of this
person. The following series of messages (to be posted over
the next couple of weeks) will focus on the various theories
into who Darius the Mede might have been.
-------------------
Will the Real Darius Stand Up?
Historians, theologians, and critics of the Bible have much to
say about the Book of Daniel. For various reasons, scholars
question its authenticity. One such area of debate is Daniel's
reference to a man named Darius the Mede. Historians tell us
there was no such person -- that Daniel either made him up or
has him confused with someone else. There is simply no
historical evidence, outside the Bible, that a Darius the Mede
ever reigned. Over the years, other scholars have come up
with various explanations to address this problem. (There really
isn't a "problem" in my view -- just believe the Word of God
and move on. But.. I love a good history lesson, so here it
goes).
Let's examine the various arguments one by one.
I. Darius was really Cyrus.
This viewpoint suggests that Darius was another name for
Cyrus. I sort of liken this to people today having various names
for themselves. For example, Thomas Doe may be known as
Tom to his friends, but at the office, his secretary calls Mr. Doe.
His wife may call him Tommy, while his parents call him by his
given name -- Thomas. All different names for the same
person.
"Daniel 6:28 may be translated, 'So Daniel prospered during
the reign of Darius, even the reign of Cyrus the Persian.' It was
common for ancient rulers to use different names in various
parts of their realms. Thus Darius may have been a localized
name for Cyrus. (This is the view of D.J. Wiseman, 'Some
Historical Problems in the Book of Daniel,' in Notes on Some
Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 12-14.)" [1]
The Cyrus mentioned here is Cyrus II, better known as Cyrus
the Great. Cyrus was born, according to tradition, around 590
B.C. and died in battle in 529 B.C. He was the son of
Cambyses I, a Persian King. Cyrus was also the grandson of
Astyages, the King of the Medes (remember that name, 'cause
this gets interesting later on). Before Cyrus was born, his
maternal grandfather, Astyages had a dream that his grandson
would someday overthrow him. The story goes something like
this:
"The king ordered that the infant be killed promptly after his
birth. However, the official entrusted with the job of killing the
infant had no heart for such a bloody deed, and instead
handed him over to a shepherd and his wife with instructions
that they put the child to death. But they, too, were unwilling to
kill the boy, and instead reared him as their own." [2]
Astyages' dream came true it appears. Cyrus was crowned
king of Persia in 559 B.C. and later defeated his grandfather
and king of the Medes in 550 B.C. His military expansion
continued right up to where we have Daniel's account of the
fall of Babylon in 539 B.C. Daniel's version of this event
concludes with these words:
(Dan 5:31 KJV) "And Darius the Median took the kingdom,
being about threescore and two years old."
Is Darius the Mede really Cyrus the Great? In support of this
argument, the book of Isaiah tells that Cyrus would be an
instrument of God:
(Isa 45:1 KJV) "Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him;
and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two
leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut."
The name Darius means "restrainer" or "maintainer." It's easy
to see how the "subduer" of nations in Isaiah could be referred
to as Darius (the restrainer) the Median in the book of Daniel.
(As an interesting side note, history tells us that a particular
king, Xerxes, referred to himself one time in his inscriptions as
"Xerxes the great king" and then in the next line referred to
himself as "Darius the king.")[3]
Now referring back to Dan 5:31, I wonder why Daniel thought
it important to mention Darius' age?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16).
Daniel says that Darius the Mede was 62 years old when he
"took the kingdom." It is a well-established fact that Babylon
fell on the night of Oct. 12, 539 B.C. Remembering that Cyrus
was born approximately 590 B.C., he would have only been
around 51 years old when he conquered Babylon. Daniel said
that Darius the Mede was 62. Conclusion? It appears that
Darius the Mede doesn't add up to Cyrus the Great.
However, there is a problem in dismissing this particular
viewpoint on age alone. Tradition says that Cyrus was born
around 590 B.C., but there are some references that have him
being born around 600 B.C. If the latter is the case, then Cyrus
could very well have been 62 years old at the time of the
Babylonian capture. It has also been suggested that Cyrus
was sometimes called "king of the Medes" after having
defeated his grandfather.
In the book of Daniel, however there are references to both
Darius and Cyrus. If they were the same individual, would
Daniel have used two different names to describe the same
person?
(Dan 10:1) "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing
was revealed unto Daniel..."
This would have been around 536 B.C., three years after the
fall of Babylon. If Cyrus is Darius the Mede, then why didn't
Daniel call him by that name this time? Something to think
about I suppose. Daniel has taken the time to tell us the age of
Darius the Mede, but he doesn't tell us that Cyrus and Darius
are the same person? Remember that while Daniel was a
captive in Babylon his own name was changed. Daniel points
this out to us:
(Dan 10:1 KJV) "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a
thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called
Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed
was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding
of the vision."
Daniel's three friends all had their names changed as well.
Again, Daniel tells us about it. If Darius the Mede and Cyrus
the Great are the same person, then I wonder why Daniel
didn't tell us that?
... to be continued ...
===============
[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament; CD
edition
[2] Cyrus The Great By Masoud Marvasti
[3] The Bible Companion, Appendix 57, page 80
Other references:
Holman Bible Dictionary
Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
The New Unger's Bible Dictionary
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: New Study Format
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 10:36:59 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
Hi guys...
I've been thinking about something for a couple of weeks now
concerning our list studies, and with the new dialogue and recent
questions being raised, there appears to have been a reason for my
thoughts. So, we're going to try something a little different with
our Daniel study. I was going to wait until Matthew 24, but why
wait? <g>
I'm not sure this will go as I envision, but we'll try it and see.
Here's the plan:
We will go verse by verse through Daniel 9. I will post the verse(s)
that we will be focusing on, along with a personal comment or
commentary from a reference source dealing with that particular
verse(s). The list may then feel free to comment further, disagree,
raise questions, whatever. If the comments lead us down a "rabbit
trail" as Doc puts it, then we'll see where that particular trail
goes. (We won't wander too far though. Should a rabbit trail be
more like a highway we'll save it for a future study). When I feel
that a particular verse has been exhausted and there are no more
comments, then I'll post the next verse and comment for review and
study. We will not rush through the study. (We also have other
bible projects on the side that we are working on, as I'm sure you
have other activities you're involved in as well. I want to give
everyone time to research and think about each verse before we move
on to the next one.)
If you come across another commentary that has a different view, then
post it and let the list compare and study the references. If you
personally have a different view, then feel free to comment. In our
messages though I would like to see some scriptural support for our
ideas. Posting an opinion or comment without any scriptural support
or references will likely not make it through the list. The reason
for this is that while we may value your opinion, we need to see what
the Bible has to say about it, so we'll need some scripture to see
just where you may be coming from <g>.
Please remember that the focus of our list involves bible "research"
and "study." We created this list with the hopes that we will learn
and grow in the Word. We strive to do that without arguments or debates
about the scriptures. We are very serious and strict about that
aspect of this list. Our views will most certainly disagree at
times, but I will listen and remember a well-constructed,
well-supported idea about something more so than any ranting or
raving. I mention this because we are a very young list (a few
months old) and there's still some questions regarding the "purpose"
or intentions of BPR.
Having said all of that, I hope I haven't discouraged anyone from
posting. <g> Now, let's get serious and dive into the Word.
Any questions or comments?
Contact me at owner-bpr@philologos.org.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9:1-2
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 23:53:18 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
(Dan 9:1-2 KJV) "In the first year of Darius the son of
Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king
over the realm of the Chaldeans; {2} In the first year of his reign
I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof
the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he
would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Jerusalem."
(Dan 9:1-2 NIV) "In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a
Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian
kingdom-- {2} in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood
from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given
to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem
would last seventy years."
---------------
Commentary:
The first two verses of Daniel 9 give the historical information
and setting of the chapter. Many commentators have referred
to this chapter as one of the greatest in the bible literature. It
has what Willmington calls a "double theme" -- prayer and
prophecy. Unfortunately, due the important prophetic event
that is foretold at the end of the chapter, the beginning verses
get little attention. This is a shame, for Daniel's prayer to God
in these verses serve as an excellent model for our own prayer
life.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9: Introductory
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 23:53:18 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
From the Old Testament Survey Series: Major Prophets
Chapter 9 of Daniel is dated to the first year of Darius the son
of Ahasuerus (Xerxes NIV). This is the same king called Darius
the Mede in 5:30. After the fall of Babylon to the armies of
Cyrus in 539 BC this Darius was appointed king. On behalf of
Cyrus he administered a large territory comprised, it would
seem, of the entirety of the realm formerly ruled by the
Chaldeans.
The events of Daniel 9 were triggered by the reading of
Scripture. Daniel had access to a collection of prophetic
literature which included the scroll of Jeremiah. He noted in
Jeremiah 25:11 that the desolations of Jerusalem were to end
after the termination of the seventy years of Babylonian world
rule. Since as yet the liberation of the Jews had not taken
place, Daniel was moved to pray for the fulfillment of the good
word spoken by Jeremiah. To underscore his distress and
demonstrate his repentance, Daniel fasted, donned sackcloth,
and poured ashes over his head (9:2).
Since Darius received the kingdom shortly after the fall of
Babylon (5:30), the first year of Darius would probably equate
to the first year of Cyrus. In the first year of his reign Cyrus
issued a decree which allowed the Jews to return to their
homeland from Babylon. A contingent led by Zerubbabel the
governor and Joshua the high priest took advantage of the
king's gracious decree. A list of the families who returned is
given in Ezra 2. The figures listed for each family indicate that
29,744 men made the trip back to Judah. This figure
apparently does not include women and children.
That Daniel chose to remain in Babylon is no indication of lack
of spiritual commitment on his part. His advanced age -- he
was in his eighties -- and his prominent position in the
administration of Darius (Dan 6:2) would have prevented him
from making the trip.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 10:37:59 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Hi all,
I found this book to be very informative. It is written from the
preterist standpoint (preterists believe that most or all of Bible
prophecy has already been fulfilled). The whole book is not yet
available, but the stuff that is there is relevant to what we're
discussing now. I, personally, do not agree with the author's
conclusions (yeah, yeah, I know...who cares what you think :) but I
felt I needed to say it anyway).
The Seventy Weeks and the Great Tribulation--Philip Mauro
A Study of the Last Two Visions of Daniel, and of the Olivet
Discourse of the Lord Jesus Christ
http://www.preteristarchive.com/MauroArchive/ms-wks.html
Bye,
Moza
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Re: Daniel 9:1-2 Comments
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 09:47:22 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: skip007@sprynet.com
You beat me to the punch!! ha! I was going to make the same
comments.....so many times people are waiting for God to reveal something
to them in some kind of mystical, supernatural, fashion when He has already
revealed it in His Word! Praise the Lord!
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of
our Jesus our Lord [The WORD made flesh!!], According to his divine power
hath given unto us ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virture......" 2
Peter 1-2,3
Yes, God can do what he wants, when he wants, and he can communicate to us
however he chooses, but we should follow Daniel's example and study to shew
ourselves approved unto God!...by "understanding the books!" (Daniel 9:2)
and being stedfast in prayer (Daniel 9:3).
CL
----------
> From: BPR <bpr-list@philologos.org>
> To: BPR Mailing List <bpr-list@philologos.org>
> Subject: Daniel 9:1-2 Comments
> Date: Monday, August 17, 1998 10:24 AM
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> Current Study Subject:
> Daniel Ch. 9
> -----------------------------------------------
> From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
>
>
> Daniel was reading from Jeremiah when he realized that the
> years of captivity were almost over. This revelation, not by
> vision or by dream, but by simply reading the Word of God
> came to him around 539-538 B.C., during the first year of the
> reign of Darius the Mede.
>
> I heard or read a comment that said that God didn't send
> visions or dreams to his prophets what He had already
> revealed to them in His Word. We can take a lesson from this
> in regards to our own prayer life. Many times we ask God for
> help or for an answer to a problem, when in fact, He has
> already revealed the answer to us in the Bible.
>
> >From Jeremiah, Daniel would have been reading the following
> passages:
>
> (Jer 25:11 KJV) "And this whole land shall be a desolation,
> and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of
> Babylon seventy years."
>
> (Jer 29:10 KJV) "For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy
> years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform
> my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this
> place."
>
> The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years (605-536 B.C.) for two
> reasons as explained in 2 Chr 36:14-21 -- 1) idolatry, and 2)
> failure to obey the law in giving the land its sabbatical year of
> rest. The length of captivity appears to be directly related to
> the number of sabbaticals missed, i.e. 70 times in a 490 year
> period Israel failed to keep this law.
>
> Lev 25:2-7 explains what the sabbatical law involved. As God
> created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, as
> man also is to work six and rest on the seventh, so the land
> was to be allowed a year of rest after six years of work. There
> was to be no harvesting or reaping of food from the land during
> the seventh year. Any spontaneous growth of the land
> however could be consumed by anyone, not just the owner,
> i.e. there was to be no organized buying and selling of crops.
> Slaves were to be freed and debts forgiven as well.
>
> --- BPR
>
> BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9:1-2 Comments
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 10:24:58 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Daniel was reading from Jeremiah when he realized that the
years of captivity were almost over. This revelation, not by
vision or by dream, but by simply reading the Word of God
came to him around 539-538 B.C., during the first year of the
reign of Darius the Mede.
I heard or read a comment that said that God didn't send
visions or dreams to his prophets what He had already
revealed to them in His Word. We can take a lesson from this
in regards to our own prayer life. Many times we ask God for
help or for an answer to a problem, when in fact, He has
already revealed the answer to us in the Bible.
From Jeremiah, Daniel would have been reading the following
passages:
(Jer 25:11 KJV) "And this whole land shall be a desolation,
and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of
Babylon seventy years."
(Jer 29:10 KJV) "For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy
years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform
my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this
place."
The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years (605-536 B.C.) for two
reasons as explained in 2 Chr 36:14-21 -- 1) idolatry, and 2)
failure to obey the law in giving the land its sabbatical year of
rest. The length of captivity appears to be directly related to
the number of sabbaticals missed, i.e. 70 times in a 490 year
period Israel failed to keep this law.
Lev 25:2-7 explains what the sabbatical law involved. As God
created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, as
man also is to work six and rest on the seventh, so the land
was to be allowed a year of rest after six years of work. There
was to be no harvesting or reaping of food from the land during
the seventh year. Any spontaneous growth of the land
however could be consumed by anyone, not just the owner,
i.e. there was to be no organized buying and selling of crops.
Slaves were to be freed and debts forgiven as well.
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9 Projects
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 11:04:51 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
While studying the first two verses of Dan 9, I've got a few
questions/idea running through my head that may be interesting to
look into. If your interested, pick one, do a little research, and
send your "notes" into us.
1. The spiritual significance of numbers 7, 10 (7 x 10), 70, 490.
The number 70 or perhaps, 7 x 10, is particularly interesting in
light of the Seventy Weeks prophecy at the end of the chapter. Is
this just coincidence?
2. God was certainly long-suffering in dealing with Israel in that
He waited 490 years before placing them into captivity. Are there
any other 490 year periods or blocks of time set aside in the Bible?
How about 70 years? Any other significant events occur in a 70 year
period?
3. Looking into the spiritual significance of the Sabbath and the
importance God has placed upon it may be beneficial.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Will the Real Darius Stand Up?
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 11:09:52 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
[A continuation of a study into the identity of Darius the Mede]
Will the Real Darius Stand Up?
II. Darius was Ugbaru, the governor of Kurdistan
The second explanation has Darius being the same person as
Ugbaru, the governor of Kurdistan, and a general under Cyrus'
command.
According to Daniel 9:1 Darius "was made ruler over the
Babylonian Kingdom." This wording suggests that he was
appointed ruler, rather than by conquest.
The Nabonidus Chronicle, a clay cylinder from Babylon which
records the events during the reign of Nabonidus, last king of
the Babylonian empire [4], documents that in 538 B.C. there
was a "revolt in Southern Babylonia, while the army of Cyrus
entered the country from the north. In June the Babylonian
army was completely defeated at Opis, and immediately
afterwards Sippara opened its gates to the conqueror. Gobryas
(Ugbaru), the governor of Kurdistan, was then sent to Babylon,
which surrendered 'without fighting,' and the daily services in
the temples continued without a break. In October, Cyrus
himself arrived, and proclaimed a general amnesty, which was
communicated by Gobryas to 'all the province of Babylon,' of
which he had been made governor." [5]
According to one commentator, the reign of Ugbaru (Darius)
was relatively short. He entered Babylon on October 12, 539
B.C. Cyrus arrived on October 29, a couple of weeks later. It
was during this time that Cyrus appointed Ugbaru as ruler of
Babylon on his behalf. However, just eight days later (Nov 6)
Ugbaru died at the age of 62 (Dan 5:31 "threescore and ten").
[6]
This account of the early death of Ugbaru is certainly in error,
for Darius had time to issue a couple of decrees, appoint 120
assistants over his kingdom, and throw Daniel in the lions' den.
The lions' den experience occurred late in Daniel's life, and
even after the Israelite captivity had ended. Various Persian
records suggest that Gubaru continuing serving as ruler of
Babylon in regions west of the Euphrates even after Cyrus'
death. [7]
Note: Gubaru is another spelling for Ugbaru. Gobryas is the
Greek form of the name, often mentioned by Herodotus with
respect to Babylon's conquest and government. [8]
This explantion does have its problems however. Ugbaru is
never called Darius in non-biblical texts, he is never referred to
as a king, and he is never called a Mede. Nevertheless, a
majority of bible scholars and commentators have agreed that
the identification of Darius as being Ugbaru is the most
favorable of all the other possible explanations thus far.
====================
[4] According to ancient historians, Nabonidus was the last
king of Babylon, yet Daniel clearly says it was Belshazzar that
ruler when Babylon fell. "The introduction of Belshazzar into
the narrative has for years provided liberal interpreters with a
classic case of supposed biblical error. No such character
existed in Babylonian records, and liberal scholarship
concluded that Belshazzar was a figment of the author's
imagination. However, numerous relatively recent
archaeological discoveries of unearthed tablets clearly
establish not only the existence of Belshazzar but also his
association with his father Nabonidus, king of Babylon. The
following outline of the Babylonian monarchy can now be
established. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C. and was
succeeded by his son, Evil-Merodach (Babylonian Amel-
Marduk; cf. 2 Kin. 25:27), who was then assassinated by
Neriglissar, his own brother-in-law. Neriglissar reigned four
years, then died in 556 B.C., leaving the throne to his infant
son, Labashi-Marduk. After nine months, Labashi-Marduk was
deposed by an anti-Marduk priestly revolution, and Nabonidus
was made king in 556 B.C. He was a scholar and antiquarian,
and a worshiper of the moon-god Sin, rather than of Marduk,
the god of Babylon. Most of his time was spent in Tema in
northern Arabia trying to placate his god, who he believed had
been offended. Although Nabonidus was officially king, he left
Babylon and the rule to his son Belshazzar in 550 B.C.
Belshazzar promised Daniel a post as 'third' ruler in the land
[Dan 5:16,29]. Why not make him second? The answer
verifies again the astonishing accuracy of the biblical materials.
Nabonidus was first, Belshazzar second, and Daniel would
have to be third. Therefore, the events of ch. 5 must be dated
in 539 B.C. Nabonidus had fled, leaving Belshazzar to rule in
Babylon." Nabonidus did not return to Babylon until after the
fall of its capital and the death of his son. Believer's Study
Bible, comments to Dan 5:1.
[5] Easton's Bible Dictionary; CD edition
[6] The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament; CD
edition
[7] The Bible Reader's Companion; CD edition
[8] New Commentary on the Whole Bible; CD edition
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9:3
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 13:25:49 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
(Dan 9:3 KJV) And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek
by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and
ashes:
This is Daniel's preparation before the actual prayer. Two
phrases that we may want to explore in this verse are 1) "set
my face" and 2) "with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes."
What does the phrase "set my face" mean? And what do the
sackcloth and ashes represent? Is this part of the Jewish
custom?
I'm asking because I don't immediately know. I may have an
idea, but I couldn't articulate it very well right now. <g> When I
ask questions like this in our studies, these are the immediate
thoughts that run through my head when I read and meditate
upon the verse. When I get the question, I then research for
the answer. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to
participate in the research. If you have questions or concerns
about this verse, then voice them as well.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Countdown 2000 Conference on the web
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 08:41:52 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Edward Yardeni
Countdown 2000 Conference
Wednesday, August 19, 1998
Internet audio program that will have lots of Year 2000 experts.
Lasts from 8:00-6:00 Eastern. Live broadcasts or rebroadcasts for
those who have Real Player 5.0. Information on: banking, finances;
telecommunications; energy; health care, etc.
http://www.yardeni.com/y2kconf1.html
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: Sunday School Teachers Say Diana in Hell
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 15:42:44 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Sunday School Teachers Say Diana
Is in Hell
Reuters
19-AUG-98
LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters)- Children have been withdrawn
from a Sunday school after teachers told them that
Diana, Princess of Wales, went to Hell because of the
immoral and unchristian lifestyle that she led, a
British newspaper reported on Wednesday.
``The princess's lifestyle was, on the evidence,
immoral, anti-biblical and not one of Christian
principles or one that a believer in Jesus Christ would
live,'' said Jeffrey Jones of the Bethany Christian
Fellowship in Walsall, West Midlands.
But one eight-year-old boy, Darryl Prince, who kept a
picture of the princess by his bed and had previously
been told by his mother that Diana ``was a star in
Heaven,'' was deeply upset by his teachers' comments,
the Times reported.
Sarah Bailes, the boy's mother, withdrew all her
children from the school after she discovered they were
taught Diana had gone to Hell because of her immoral
relationship with Harrods department store heir Dodi
Fayed, and had not repented for her sins.
``How dare they pick on someone they loved like Diana,
and say they are in Hell?''
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Sackcloth and Ashes
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 11:12:16 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Sackcloth and Ashes
(Dan 9:3 KJV) And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek
by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and
ashes.
(Est 4:1 KJV) When Mordecai perceived all that was done,
Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes,
and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud
and a bitter cry.
(Est 4:3 KJV) And in every province, whithersoever the king's
commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning
among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and
many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
(Jer 6:26 KJV) O daughter of my people, gird thee with
sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning,
as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall
suddenly come upon us.
(Mat 11:21 KJV) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee,
Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you,
had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
-----------------
4526. sakkos, sak'-kos; of Heb. or. [H8242]; "sack"-cloth, i.e.
mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of
grief):--sackcloth.
4700. spodos, spod-os'; of uncert. der.; ashes:--ashes.
--------------
Sackcloth was generally made out of goat's or camel's hair
which was also of a dark color (Rev 6:12). It was very coarse
and uncomfortable to wear, but this garment, the 'poorest' type
of garment that a Jewish family would own, was worn as a sign
of mourning or repentance. It could be a tunic-like garment
worn over other clothing or it could simply be a loin covering
[IVP Bible Background Commentary: Genesis-Deuteronomy]. It
expressed grief and sorrow. The garment was sometimes worn
next to the skin and would often cause chafing or skin
irritation. It was not meant to be a pleasant experience.
The "sorrowful Israelite would clothe himself in sackcloth,
place ashes upon his head, and then sit in the ashes. Our
modern Western custom of wearing dark colors to funerals
corresponds to the Israelites' gesture of wearing sackcloth."
[Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts, pg 480.]
----------------
Ashes were also a symbol or sign of mourning or sorrow in
repentance. "Defiling one's self with dead things, as ashes or
dirt, as a sign of sorrow, was common among the Orientals and
Greeks." [Vincent's Word Studies Vol 1: Synoptic Gospels]
"Stifling with ashes was a Persian mode of punishment." [Ibid.]
We see reference to this in the Apocryphal work 2
Maccabees:
"But the King of kings aroused the anger of Antiochus against
the scoundrel; and when Lysias informed him that this man was
to blame for all the trouble, he ordered them to take him to
Beroea and to put him to death by the method which is the
custom in that place. For there is a tower in that place, fifty
cubits high, full of ashes, and it has a rim running around it
which on all sides inclines precipitously into the ashes. There
they all push to destruction any man guilty of sacrilege or
notorious for other crimes. By such a fate it came about that
Menelaus the lawbreaker died, without even burial in the earth.
And this was eminently just; because he had committed many
sins against the altar whose fire and ashes were holy, he met
his death in ashes." [2 Maccabees 13:4-8]
Eating ashes is also expressive of the deepest misery and
degradation as seem in these scriptures:
(Psa 102:9 KJV) For I have eaten ashes like bread, and
mingled my drink with weeping.
(Isa 44:20 KJV) He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath
turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is
there not a lie in my right hand?
--------------
Daniel prepared himself for prayer by wearing sackcloth and
ashes. What would we substitute for sackcloth and ashes
today in our own prayer life?
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: The Number 70
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 13:09:02 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
The Number 70
(Dan 9:2 KJV) In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood
by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the
LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would
accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
---------------
The numbers 7 and 10 express different aspects of perfection
and completeness. The product of 7 and 10 (7 x 10) is 70. The
significance of each number is intensified in its product.
"Hence 7 x 10 signifies perfect spiritual order carried out with
all spiritual power and significance" (Bullinger, "Number in
Scripture").
The number is associated with Jerusalem in many instances,
but is also used to represent the "completeness of judgment."
(Harrison, "The Pattern and the Prophecy").
---------------
Some instances of the number 70:
- Jacob had 70 children when they left Canaan for Egypt. (Ex
1:5)
- God set up 70 original nations. (Gen 10)
- The Egyptians mourned for 70 days at Jacob's death (Gen
50:3)
- God called out 70 elders to help Moses (Num 11:16). The
Sanhedrin court of judgment was modeled after these 70
elders of Israel. (Harrison)
- 70 palm trees. (Ex 15:27)
- The offerings of the leaders included one silver bowl of
seventy shekels. (Num 7:13)
- Gideon had 70 sons. (Judg 8:30)
- "After Elon, Abdon, son of Hillel, from Pirathon judged Israel.
He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons who rode on 70 donkeys.
He judged Israel for eight years." (Judg 12:13-14 GWT)
- "God struck down some of the people from Beth Shemesh
because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck
down 70 people. The people mourned because the LORD
struck them with such a great blow." (1 Sam 6:19 GWT)
- "Each of us lives for 70 years--or even 80 if we are in good
health..." (Psa 90:10 GWT)
- The judgment of Tyre lasted 70 years. (Isa 23:15)
- The Babylonian captivity lasted for 70 years. Israel failed 70
times in a 490 year period to obey the sabbatical law of the
land.
- Daniel's 70 sevens. (Dan 9)
- The temple lay in ruins for 70 years (586-516 B.C.). (Zech
1:12)
- Jesus sent 70 disciples into the world (although some
manuscripts have the number as 72).(Luke 10:1)
- Jesus said to forgive "seventy times seven." (Matt 18:22)
- Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. "Intriguingly, our
calendar system has no year zero. Therefore from 1 B.C. to 1
A.D. is only one year, not two. Had it been otherwise, Titus
would have destroyed Jerusalem in 69, not 70 A.D. As we
have seen, however, the Jerusalem Number, 70, has always
been associated with the completion of judgment." (Harrison,
pg 280)
- "The ancients understood the extra-mathematical meaning of
70. It was part of their culture. Consider the actions of the
Assyrian king Sennacherib (705-681 B.C.). During a difficult,
but successful, campaign to take Babylon, his army suffered
such huge losses that he declared the city should remain
devastated for 70 years." (Harrison, p 205)
- "To complete the Septuagint (Latin for 70) translation of the
Old Testament, tradition says that Jewish scholars labored for
70 days." (Harrison, pg 205)
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: 8/20/98 TV Program
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 09:13:45 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
8:00 PM Eastern
HIST - THE HIDDEN GLORY OF PETRA - The Nabateans carve
the city of Petra out of the Jordanian
mountains.(CC)(TVG)
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: God Dealing with Clinton
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 09:13:45 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
From: "Temple Mount Faithful"
Date sent: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 20:56:11 -700
Subject: News Update: 08-18-98
G-D IS DEALING WITH CLINTON TO STOP HIM PUTTING PRESSURE
ON ISRAEL
===========================================================
The President of the United States, Mr Bill Clinton, is in trouble. It
is not an accident that these troubles started when he started to put
pressure on Israel to give away the main parts of the land which G-d
promised to Israel to the most cruel enemy of Israel, the murderer
Yasser Arafat and his terror band, the PLO. It is very clear that the
G-d of Israel will not allow anyone to give the land which He gave to
Israel in eternal covenant more than 4,000 years ago to form a
"Palestinian" state or any other authority.
These troubles started with the problems with Monica Lewinsky.and with
Saddam Hussein in the Persian Gulf. It is also not an accident that
Monica Lewinsky is Jewish (a Levi). The trouble in which the President
is very deeply involved is not only that G-d wants in this way to stop
his pressure and to move his attention from Israel to his own back
yard but also a clear message from G-d that the President of the
American people who are friendly towards Israel cannot join with the
Arab enemies of Israel and try to break the godly eternal covenant
with Abraham, the father of Israel. The American people are not a
regular nation in the world. This nation was formed by G-d more than
200 years ago for a clear purpose: to support Israel; to give a
backing to the Israeli nation against their enemies and to help the
people of Israel to fulfill their godly end-time goals and plans. Any
president who tries to run away from these godly goals will be
punished by the G-d of Israel and G-d will not allow him to do it. Why
does President Clinton not learn from the experience of President Bush
who, at the height of his popularity after the Gulf War of 1991, lost
this popularity and lost the election after he joined with the Arab
enemies of Israel and started to put pressure on Israel to give away
the Promised Land to its enemies. President Clinton is now doing the
same and G-d will not forgive him for this.
Physical and political power has no meaning in the eyes of G-d and
history. Very famous rulers and powers passed of the scene when they
lost the godly moral base to their behavior. All the major rulers and
powers who tried to join the enemies of Israel to take the Promised
Land from the seed of Abraham or to destroy Israel have completely
passed away from history because of the judgement of the G-d of
Israel. The G-d and people of Israel have great love for and feelings
of friendship to the American people. We call on the American people
not to allow their president to put pressure on Israel and to join
with the Arab enemies of Israel but to keep the traditional friendship
between the two nations. We call on President Clinton and his wife
Hilary, who called for the founding of a foreign "Palestinian" state
in the Land of Israel, to keep the friendly relationship between the
two nations. This is the only way to ask for the forgiveness of G-d
and to be saved from the troubles in which he is now so deeply
involved.
This is our main message and advice to the President of the United
States at this terrible time in his life. It is the word of G-d from
Jerusalem. Never forget that the G-d of Israel is determined to
accomplish His prophetic end-time plans with the people and the land
of Israel and then with all the nations. At the same time we know that
we are living at a time of judgement for those who try to stop G-d
from fulfilling his end-time promises.
Israel sends regards for better times to the American people and
prayers for a real godly leadership for this nation. We love you. We
trust in the G-d of Israel, our Savior, forever.
================================================
Temple Mount & Land of Israel Faithful Movement
Email Address: gershon@templemountfaithful.org
Web Site: www.templemountfaithful.org
================================================
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: "How Much Is One Man's Life Worth?"
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 10:35:27 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
WARNING: This commentary discusses scenes from the movie
Private Ryan (spoilers, I believe they are called). If you haven't
seen the movie, and are planning to, then you might want to save
this message until afterwards.
BreakPoint Commentary - August 18, 1998
"How Much is One Man's Life Worth?"
Saving Private Ryan
By Charles W. Colson
The Boston Globe calls it "the war movie to end
all war movies." Others are saying it's Steven
Spielberg's masterwork. One critic says it
"leaves no doubt that [Spielberg] is film's
premier image-maker of the last quarter-century."
The film is "Saving Private Ryan", and what makes
it so good is its brutally honest treatment of
profound moral questions--questions that lead us
to consider the infinite debt of gratitude each of
us owes for his very life, a concept that is
stunningly consistent with a Christian worldview.
The film opens with a harrowingly realistic
reenactment of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. We
see the action through the eyes of Capt. John
Miller, played by Tom Hanks. Following D-Day,
Hanks learns that he is to lead a search party to
find a certain Private Ryan, whose three brothers
have just been killed in action. The last living
son is to be sent home to his grieving mother.
But no sooner do Miller and his party begin their
search for Ryan behind German lines than a
startling Pandora's box of moral questions is
opened: Why are all these men risking their lives
to save one man? Don't they have mothers, too?
Are they just pawns in some cynical PR maneuver by
the Pentagon?
As first one, and then another of the soldiers in
the rescue party is killed, the questioning
intensifies. After all, just how much is one man's
life worth?
The answer comes in a stunning scene at the end of
the film. It's now 50 years later and Private
Ryan is visiting the graves of the men who saved
him, who literally gave their lives for his. "I
lived my life the best I could," he says to their
gravestones. "I hope in your eyes I've earned
what you've done for me."
But we can see that he has gnawing doubts.
Obviously distraught, Ryan turns to his wife:
"Tell me I've led a good life," he implores.
"Tell me I'm a good man." "You are," she answers
him.
But the answers are not convincing. And how could
they be? Behind Ryan's question is the
inescapable reality that however good you are and
however much you've accomplished in your life, you
can never, ever repay such a debt. It's a
stunning moment, because we, too, think of our
debt to the 18-year-old kids who jumped off those
landing boats into a hail of bullets.
How do we repay a debt like that? We have to
admit with humility that we cannot: We can only
express our gratitude. In fact, columnist George
Will has called the film "a summons to gratitude"
for the generation that died so we might live.
The parallel to the Gospel here is powerful. God
Himself gave His Son's life, that we might live.
How does one repay Him for such a gift? Spielberg
may not have intended to raise the parallel, but
when you portray reality as effectively as he has,
the Gospel isn't hard to find.
So, when your friends start talking about "Saving
Private Ryan", bring that final scene to their
attention. And ask them that question: "Just how
much is one man's life worth?" Tell them an
answer: "It's worth the Son of God sacrificed on
the cross for us."
(c) 1998 Prison Fellowship Ministries
Copyright notice: We encourage liberal
distribution of these transcripts through email
and print. Please do not post on the world wide
web or use this content for profit.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel's Prayer
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 21:30:03 -0500
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Daniel's prayer is verses 3-19. It can be divided into two
separate sections:
1) confession (vs 4-14)
2) petition (vs 15-19).
Here's a powerful statement -- something to think about:
"The Word of God and prayer go together (Acts 6:4). Daniel
did not go out and boast about his insight into the Word; in
fact, he did not even preach a sermon. He went to his knees
in prayer. This is the true attitude of the humble Bible student. It
is sad to see 'prophetic truth' making boasters instead of prayer
warriors out of people." (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the
Old Testament)
Daniel's confession was based upon God's promises outlined
in Lev 26:39-42. Daniel was thinking upon past promises in his
prayer -- remembering that if Israel would repent and confess
her sin, that God would remember His promise with Abraham.
Daniel's prayer was prompted by his coming to the knowledge
that the Babylonian captivity -- God's judgment upon Israel --
was almost over. This prayer in chapter 9 is similar to the
prayers in Ezra 9 and Nehemiah 9. Interesting that all of these
prayers are in the ninth chapter of the book in question, isn't it?
I think so, considering what Bullinger has to say about the
number 9: "it is the last of the digits, and thus marks the end;
and is significant of the conclusion of a matter...[it is] the
number of finality or judgment, for judgment is committed unto
Jesus as 'the Son of man.' It marks the completeness, the end
and issue of all things as to man -- the judgment of man and all
his works." ("Number in Scripture," pg 235)
Coincidence? Or does God control *every* aspect of His
Word?
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: 8/21/98 TV Program
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 09:48:11 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
10:00 PM Eastern
TLC - SUN STORMS - High-energy particles and gases disrupt
electronic systems on Earth.(CC)(TVG)
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Sun Storms
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 09:24:41 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Hello,
Last night on TLC there was program called "Sun Storms" which
explained how the sun's activity could disrupt our technology. There
is to be a repeat tomorrow (Sunday, August 23) at 1 pm. I found it
highly informative and worth a look.
Bye,
Moza
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Quest for the Lost Civilization
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 09:24:41 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Hello everyone,
There was a small series on TLC called "Quest for the Lost
Civilization" that aired this week (repeat TODAY August 22, 1998 at
6 pm and 7 pm). The theory is that there was a civilization that
predated the Egyptians. The reason for this claim is that there are
monuments in different places on earth that "bring the heavens to
earth." For instance, the Egypian pyramids are situated to mimic the
three stars of the belt of Orion, with the Nile as the Milky Way. All
three of the monuments presented show the constellation as it would
have looked in the sky in the year 10,500 BC.
These three monuments were shown with the one representing
Draco to the north, the one representing Leo to the east and the one
presenting Orion (the man) to the south.
[According to rabbinical tradition, the standard of Judah bore the
figure of a lion, that of Reuben the likeness of a man or of a
man's head, that of Ephraim the figure of an ox, and that of Dan
the figure of an eagle (the eagle having replaced the scorpion).
If we look at Numbers 2 which explains how the tribes camped
around the tabernacle in the wilderness we find Judah (lion) on
the east, Reuben (man) to the south, Dan (dragon?) to the
north and Ephraim (ox) to the west.]
Also, throwing out the evolutionary angle, is there any way to
reconcile these numbers (going back to when Adam was born and
including the days of creation?)?
I'm sorry to be so rushed and not really give a good narrative of
this theory, but I wanted to get this out in case anyone wanted to
watch the repeats this afternoon.
Bye,
Moza
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: Solar Eclipse/Hurricane Hunting
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 09:27:45 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
-----------------------------------------------
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
First story:
Live solar eclipse webcast: View the moon's shadow cross the earth
during tonight's South Pacific annular solar eclipse. full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast21aug98_1.htm
Second story:
Here comes Bonnie! Tropical storm Bonnie will be the first
opportunity for NASA and NOAA hurricane hunters to observe a hurricane
in the Atlantic, using equipment at altitudes never tried before.
full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/essd21aug98_2.htm
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: News: Calvary Contender News (8/15)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 09:33:33 +0000
----------------------------------------------
Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
THE CALVARY CONTENDER
VOL. XV NO. 16, August 15, 1998
NEWS & VIEWS, NOTES & QUOTES, TO WARN & INFORM
Jerry Huffman-Editor
1800 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35816
UN OPPOSES CHRISTIANITY - Christian relief workers charge that United
Nations efforts are prolonging war and famine in Sudan. They say they
have to register with and get permission for everything they do from
the UN. It then gives veto power over everything to Sudan's Islamic
government (8/1World). The project director for Franklin Graham's
Samaritan's Purse, Ken Isaacs, said it cannot take Bibles in with its
privately-funded food and medicine. He said, "We as an evangelical
organization cannot work with the UN because they will not let us take
Bibles in." Frontline Fellowship's Peter Hammond said, "The UN is not
against religion, it is just against Christianity."
VINS' RUSSIAN GROUPS SPLIT - With the new-found religious freedom in
the USSR in the late 1980s, Georgi Vins' beloved Council of
Evangelical Baptist Churches began taking on a stronger hierarchical
nature. Claiming higher authority over local pastors and churches, it
deposed or ex-communicated pastors who questioned it or its authority.
Autonomy of the local church is not recognized by CEBC's present
leaders. Vins' Russian Gospel Ministries began funding local churches
directly and now says its closest ties are with these independent ones
that have been planted in recent years, or have separated from the
CEBC. The CEBC has a new ministry in the West with a similar name to
RGM, Russian Evangelistic Ministries. Vins died Jan. 11. Dr. Ed Nelson
was in Ukraine in late June. He distributed copies of Strong's
Concordance in Russian and led a seminar on the Biblical basis for
forming a fellowship of churches without violating local church
autonomy.
GAMBLING A DEADLY MENACE - Even the liberal U. Methodist Church in
1996 added an anti-gambling statement to its Social Principles:
"Gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of
moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, and destructive of good
government." The poorest families have the most gambling-related
problems (8/1 World). A Miss. State University study found that poor
gamblers lost about 10 percent of their income to gambling but richer
ones lost only about 1 percent.
PK'S JAMES RYLE PULLS OUT OF VINEYARD - Pastor James Ryle withdrew his
prominent church (Boulder Valley Vineyard) from the Association of
Vineyard Churches last May (8/98 Charisma). He told AVC president Todd
Hunter: "The Vineyard as it now exists is not the same as what we
aligned our church with in 1984." The AVC changed its structure after
founder John Wimber died last year. Ryle, co-founder of Promise
Keepers with Bill McCartney (and is the latter's pastor), said his
congregation has been renamed Vinelife Community Church. Ryle,
McCartney, Promise Keepers, and Vineyard are all very ecumenical.
OPRAH'S GOSPEL - The Oprah Winfrey Show is touted as the highest-rated
talk show in television history. Oprah denies being New Age, but
spouts its philosophy. And Shirley MacLaine is a close friend and
sometimes guest. The 7/98 Vantage Point quoted Oprah: "There couldn't
possible be only one way...Does God care about your heart or whether
you called His Son Jesus?", "[Claiming exclusive Divinity] would make
Jesus the biggest egotist that ever lived.", and "You are responsible
for your life - the power of God is within you [whether you are a
Christian or not], above you and through you. You control your life."
For an expanded version of "The Gospel According to Oprah" contact
Watchman Fellowship, P.O. Box 530842, Birmingham, AL 35253, Phone
205/871-2858.
CATHOLIC SHROUD A HOAX - TBN chief Paul Crouch said he believes the
Shroud of Turin is "the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ." (7/98
PTL). But scientists from Cambridge and Oxford have called it a fake
and dated it around 1350 A.D. Bandaging was the Jewish custom for
burial in Jesus' day (10/15/88 CC). John 19:40 says Jesus' body was
"wound" in linen clothes (plural). John 20:7 says his head was covered
with a napkin, not a shroud. A 7/20 Christian News article calls the
shroud "an elaborate fake."
PRESIDENT'S 'GAY' DIRECTIVE - The liberal news media have been quiet
about a May 29 executive order Pres. Clinton issued mandating
affirmative action on the basis of homosexuality. Gary Bauer says the
President's real agenda is to force acceptance of homosexuality on
everyone (6/15 CN). He said: "This creates a special advantage in
[mostly federal] employment for people who are defined solely by
engaging in behavior that most people and all major religions declare
to be immoral and destructive."
NATIONAL ID CARD? - A New York Times article says the Clinton
Administration is quietly laying plans to assign every American a
"unique health identifier," a computer code that could be used to
create a national data base that would track every citizen's complete
medical history. A privacy consultant (8/3 USN&WR) is concerned that a
health ID would become a national ID overnight.
PRO-HOMOSEXUAL NEW EVANGELICALS? - The pro-homosexual Evangelicals
Concerned headed by Ralph Blair holds annual summer retreats. Its
Spring '98 Record states: "Since 1980, gay and lesbian Christians from
around the country have gathered...to share in fellowship and to
deepen evangelical discipleship. Over the years our keynoters have
included Rosalind Rinker...Peggy Campolo, Nancy Hardesty, Letha
Scanzoni, Virginia Mollenkott, Lewis Smedes, Mel White, Ken
Medema...and other evangelicals."
BWA PRESIDENT SAYS TUTU 'GREAT EXAMPLE' - About 500 Baptist leaders of
the general council of the Baptist World Alliance, at a meeting July
5-11 in South Africa, "sat in rapt attention" as Anglican Archbishop
Desmond Tutu described South Africa's atrocities under apartheid and
reconciliation efforts (7/23 Ala. Baptist). BWA President Nelson
Fanini told Tutu, "We have, in you, one of the greatest examples of
(leaders in) human rights." Tutu in 1996 called for the ordination of
practicing homosexuals (6/1/96 CC). In the 1980s, Tutu admitted to
being a socialist, and said: "I think the West, for my part, can go to
Hell." Some "example," he! The SBC is a major member and supporter of
the BWA.
SCHULLER MEETS WITH CHO AND POPE - Dr. Robert Schuller joined David
Yonggi Cho in Sicily's first Church Growth conference in March,
visiting Pope John Paul II en route. Korean Cho pastors the world's
largest church. The 9/19/94 Christian News called Cho "a charismatic
and occultist who rejects historic Christianity." It was "the fourth
time Schuller and the Pope had met, hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart at
the Vatican." (5-6/98 Foundation). The Pope expressed interest in how
their churches could work together in the Vatican's preparation for
the Year 2000 Jubilee celebrations.
YFC PROJECT GETS UN FUNDS - According to the Youth For Christ
International's 8/98 Global Perspective, the Uruguay YFC's Youth
Guidance Center was funded partly by the United Nations. Why would a
so-called evangelical group accept funds from the satanic UN?
Catholics, charismatics and all stripes of New Evangelicals have been
involved in YFC endeavors. The YFC (USA) list of colleges involved in
DC/LA '97 (see 9/15/96 CC) included Oral Roberts, Western Baptist
(GARBC-related), Liberty, and John MacArthur's The Masters College.
IFCA NAME CHANGE - A letter from a reader states: "You mentioned the
Independent Fundamental Churches of America in the July 15 CC....As of
the 1996 national meeting in Grand Rapids, they voted to no longer use
that name. As Richard Gregory stated publicly, he was embarrassed by
the term 'fundamental' when checking into motels and the clerk would
associate him with militant Muslims. They are now known as IFCA
International."
BIBLICAL SEPARATION - "Separation from disobedient brethren is not
'secondary separation,' it is Biblical separation. Failure to separate
from disobedient brethren is not love, it is disobedience." (Rev. E.D.
Hettinger, 7/98 Perilous Times) In the battle for truth, it is
traitorous to forge alliances with the enemies of truth. Those who aid
and abet God's enemies do His cause great harm. We must separate from,
warn, and exhort (in love) such disorderly and disobedient brethren
(II Thes. 3:6, 14-15).
SPONG'S ATHEISM - Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong says there is no
personal God (7/13 Chr. News). He rejects miracles, the Virgin Birth,
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus as historical events. He said: "I
would choose to loathe rather than to worship a deity who required
the sacrifice of his son." (6/15 Chr. Today). He favors ordaining
homosexuals, speculates that Paul was a "deeply repressed,
self-rejecting gay man," and that the Virgin Birth maybe was to cover
up Jesus' illegitimacy.
PERSONAL NOTE - Our area code has changed from 205 to 256. The new
phone and FAX number is (256) 830-1905. Our E-mail address is:
jhuffman2@juno.com Web page: www.whoisit.com/contender Question: Does
anyone out there have a sequential (by name/orgn.) data base of CC
articles for the past 3 years (preferably one that runs on Word for
Windows 95, or Word Perfect)?
METHODIST CONSERVATIVES MAY LEAVE - Some Methodist conservatives say
"we can no longer in Christian conscience remain members" of the
United Methodist Church. Some quotes from a report in the 7/25 World:
"Believers cannot be spiritual partners with those who do not affirm
the basics of the faith," "We have two separate faiths in this
denomination that cannot be held together," and, quoting Wesley on
schism: "In churches where ungodliness and apostasy prevail, the evil
of schism rests on those who make it impossible to stay." The catalyst
for much of the recent controversy is UMC pastor Jimmy Creech's recent
performance of a "covenant" union ceremony for two lesbians, and his
"preaching" at a Gay Pride Sunday service at notorious Riverside
Church (NYC). And Glide Memorial UMC pastor Cecil Williams (San
Francisco) said his moorings are in Liberation theology. He said:
"Rules and doctrines aren't what's important; relationships are." He
said he has performed union covenants for homosexuals for over 30
years.
FREDDIE GAGE SEEKS SBC UNITY - Southern Baptist evangelist Freddie
Gage is founder of Wounded Heroes, a "Christian" psychotherapy
ministry. In 1982-83 he was president of Southern Baptist Evangelists.
A 7/4 Houston Chronicle article tells of his bout with depression,
entering a psychiatric hospital, later becoming marketing director for
Rapha. His Wounded Heroes has received $50,000 from the SBC Annuity
Board and $20,000 from the SBC's North American Mission Board. Gage is
convinced that Wounded Heroes not only will help ministers and their
families, but also bring together the divided SBC. Both moderates and
conservatives sit on the board. He says "It's time for Baptists to
quit fighting and go fishing for men, to minister to wounded people."
It is unscriptural to bring moderates-liberals together with Bible
believers.
BWA ECUMENISM - At the March Executive Meeting, Baptist World Alliance
President Nilson Fanini said: "While theology sometimes divides us,
mission and evangelism can bring us together." (7-9/98 Baptist World).
Billy Graham made a similar statement a few years ago. Graham and
Coretta Scott King will be Co-Chairs for the Internat'l Summit of
Baptists Against Racism, Jan. 9-11 in Atlanta. The So. Baptist
Convention, Jerry Falwell's "new" denomination, is a member of the
apostate BWA.
THE COMPROMISERS ARE THE 'BAD GUYS' - The "fundamentalists" of our day
who insist on fraternizing in ministry with New Evangelicals try to
excuse such disobedience with an unscriptural "degree" system of
separation. Their disobedience causes a serious breach of fellowship
with historic biblical fundamentalists who they then blame for the
breach. But responsibility for the evil schism among these brethren
rests upon those who ignore or disobey separation commands.
Compromisers are the ones who break the fellowship and lack love. If
they loved their fundamentalist brethren, they would abide in the
light (1Jn. 2:10, 1:7). Their compromise with ecumenicals and New
Evangelicals demonstrates a lack of love for fundamentalists who by
God's grace cannot tolerate evil and sacrifice truth for unity, and
sadly must withdraw from the compromising brethren who have already
broken the fellowship. But even though they are "bad guys," they are
not our enemies (2Thes. 3:6, 14-15).
TOLERATION - "There is a toleration which is treachery. There is a
peace which issues in paralysis. There are hours when the church must
say NO to those who should ask communion with her, in the doing of her
work, upon the basis of compromise. Such standing aloof may produce
ostracism and persecution, but it will maintain power and
influence....The Church today has destroyed her own influence by
compromise." - G. Campbell Morgan
Send comments to "jhuffman2@juno.com"
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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: Daniel 9:24
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 08:32:13 -0500
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Current Study Subject:
Daniel Ch. 9
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From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
SEVENTY WEEKS OF PROPHECY (9:20-27)
"There was no evening sacrifice being offered in Jerusalem,
but Daniel was offering himself and his prayers at the time of
the evening offering (see Ps. 141:1-2), and the Angel Gabriel
came to give him his answer. Daniel was concerned about
Jerusalem and the holy mountain (v. 20). Would the city be
restored? Would the temple be rebuilt? Would the nation ever
be redeemed from sin and would righteousness ever dwell on
the earth? Gabriel had all the answers for Daniel, and we find
them in the famous prophecy of the 'seventy weeks.'
(Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament)
(Dan 9:24 KJV) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy
people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and
to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity,
and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the
vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Anyone care to open up the study or discussion for this
section?
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
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