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May, 1999
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - May 16, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 08:56:07 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
2:15 PM Eastern
CSPAN - The Demise of American Culture 42min Event date: 5/12/99
Republican party members talked about ways to energize the 2000
presidential campaign and ways to frame their message. They were
followed by former Speaker Gingrich who said that the elimination
of prayer from schools, lack of teaching about the Constitution,
and the steady stream of violence in the media had produced
teen-agers who were morally adrift. He also said that military
operations in Yugoslavia posed a threat to U.S. security and
prestige
2:58
CSPAN - Treasury Secretary Resignation
4:26
CSPAN - Oklahoma Tornado Damage
8:00
CNN - NEWSSTAND: TIME - Villagers living near a
Soviet nuclear test site believe it to be the cause of a
mysterious illness.(CC)
HIST - TALES OF THE GUN - "The Making of a Gun" - How guns
work.(CC)(TVG)
9:00
CBS - JOAN OF ARC , part 1, (Drama, 1999) -- Spurred by
divine voices and visions, a 15th-century teen leads French
forces against the English.
PAX - Bible's Greatest Miracles
The Holy Bible: Myth or Reality? Fact or Fable? History's most
spectacular miracles and claims...but are they true? Bible scholars
and skeptics examine four of the Bible's greatest mysteries--David
and Goliath; Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai;
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace; and the story
of strongman Samson and Delilah--to determine if they are myth or
reality.
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Ape-man = Idolater
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 13:22:20 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
In my reading of "The Legends of the Jews," I came across the
following:
[Enosh]
The generation of Enosh were [thus] the first idol worshippers, and
the punishment for their folly was not delayed long. God caused the
sea to transgress its bounds, and a portion of the earth was flooded.
This was the time also when the mountains became rocks, and the dead
bodies of men began to decay. And still another consequence of the
sin of idolatry was that the countenances of the men of the following
generations were no longer in the likeness and image of God, as the
countenances of Adam, Seth, and Enosh had been. They resembled
centaurs and apes, and the demons lost their fear of men.
[The Tower of Babel]
...none knew what the other spoke. One would ask for the mortar, and
the other handed him a brick; in a rage, he would throw the brick at
his partner and kill him. Many perished in this manner, and the rest
were punished according to the nature of their rebellious conduct.
Those who had spoken, "Let us ascend into the heavens, set up our
idols, and pay worship unto them there," God transformed into apes
and phantoms; those who had proposed to assault the heavens with
their arms, God set against each other so that they fell in the
combat; and those who had resolved to carry on a combat with God in
heaven were scattered broadcast over the earth.
Note:
The German mystics identify the woodmen, werewolves and similar
monsters, known in German folk-lore, with the
builders of the tower (their descendants?), and further maintain that
they were Japhethites, who were punished in this manner. Midrash
Aggada, Gen 11:8, remarks that when the tower fell, some of the
people found inside were thrown into the water, others into the
forest, while still others into the desert; the first became
water-sprites, the second apes, and the third demons.
--------------------
Koran 2 60:
Call to mind also when We entered into a covenant with you, and
lifted up the mountain over you:--"Take hold," said We, "on what We
have revealed to you, with resolution, and remember what is therein,
that ye may fear:"
But after this ye turned back, and but for God's grace and mercy
towards you, ye had surely been of the lost! Ye know too those of
you who transgressed on the Sabbath, and to whom We said, "Be changed
into scouted apes:"
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Hussein Tells Army Confrontation with US is Imminent
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 18:21:01 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
With NewsMax.com Staff
For the story behind the story...
Saturday May 15, 12:37 PM
Saddam Issues Threat
Earlier this week, Intelligence International LTD, the well regarded
Britain-based intelligence advisory, sent an urgent "Private Alert"
to its world wide subscribers.
Inside Cover has received a copy.
"Saddam Warns of Imminent Showdown with the U.S.," headlines the
action gram.
Intelligence International reports that Iraqi diplomatic sources in
Amman, Jordan, have claimed that Hussein recently sent a memorandum
to "senior staff in the party, state, and the army."
The memo from Hussein asserts that "the showdown with the United
States is not far away."
Hussein is said to be promising a "crucial confrontation that will
end in Iraq's favour."
The memo continues, implying Hussein may use weapons of mass
destruction, "Iraq will confront -- with determination, vigour, and
a devastating response that will be remembered throughout history --
the latest U.S. attempt to inflict harm on it."
Intelligence International notes that Hussein has made vain threats
before. This time, however, the intelligence advisory suggests
Hussein should be taken seriously because President Clinton has
entangled America's military in Kosovo. Such an entanglement may
have provided Iraq with an "unmissable opportunity," the advisory
concludes.
Already NewsMax.com and other sources have reported a massive shift
of American naval and air power from the Gulf -- leaving the region
vulnerable to Saddam.
Top military commanders like General Jack Singlaub(ret.) and Admiral
Thomas Moorer(ret.) stated at NewsMax.com's "America at Risk" Los
Angeles Conference that American naval and air power has also been
significantly drawn down in the Pacific.
They both stated that South Korea is extremely vulnerable to a North
Korean attack in the near future.
Affirming those sentiments this week, General Hugh Shelton, Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs, told Congress that North Korea has engaged in a
forward deployment suggesting a possible attack on the South. He
said American troops have been on a heightened state of alert.
Several defense think tanks, including the Center for Security
Policy headed by Frank Gaffney, have warned that America may be
faced with several, simultaneous crises, including ones with Iraq
and North Korea.
Clinton's defense policies have effectively "hollowed out" the
American military. Experts say that the American military would be
unable to deal with one crisis, let alone several.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover.shtml
via: bible_prophecy-news@onelist.com
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - May 17, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 08:26:19 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
8:00 PM Eastern
DISC - U.S. CUSTOMS - The Customs Service is responsible for
enforcing over 400 laws.(CC)(TVG)
HIST - JOAN OF ARC: SOUL ON FIRE - An illiterate
peasant girl rallies an army and enthrones a
king.(CC)(TVG)
TLC - STORM FORCE - "Floods" - Flooding and global
climatic cycles.(CC)(TVG)
9:00
HIST - ROMAN WAR MACHINE - "First Our Neighbors, Then the
World" - The Etruscans are expelled from Rome; a republic is
formed.(CC)(TVG)
10:00
DISC - TREASURES OF THE EARTH - "Diamonds" - Emerging from
coal, the diamond both decorates and aids
humans.(CC)(TVG)
HIST - NORAD: THE WAR GAME FORTRESS - Deterring Soviet sneak
attacks; early warning system; U.S. missile warning
center.(CC)(TVG)
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Religion Today News
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 08:40:17 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
C U R R E N T N E W S S U M M A R Y
by the Editors at ReligionToday.com
May 17, 1999
The death of two children in California has "really rocked
non-Christians," a pastor says. The community of Costa Mesa is
asking questions about the nature of evil after a 39-year-old man
allegedly intentionally drove his Cadillac into a day-care center
playground May 3, killing two preschoolers, ages 4 and 3, and injuring
several others. Police said Steven Abrams told them he wanted to
"execute" children because they were innocent. ..."This event brought
the reality of evil up front," Tom Brazacas, pastor of Lighthouse
Coastal Community Church, told Religion Today. Brazacas, whose church
is across the street from the day-care center, led a memorial service
for 500 people during which two reportedly collapsed with grief and
several others were led away sobbing. ...Brazacas' sermons since the
tragedy "have dealt with the reality of evil and the devil," he said.
"Non-Christians are open and responding positively. We are seeing a
growing sense of the separation between Jesus and Satan. ..."Most
people think they are good enough to get to heaven. This has instilled
the fact that we are fallen people and live in a fallen world. That
has been the shock. People are just now learning that we are all
sinners outside of a relationship with Christ. God is using this
tragedy."
A Christian group is on track with fans of stock car racing. The
Delaware Baptist Association runs a ministry at Dover Downs for
the 100,000 fans who attend races every weekend, On Mission
magazine said. Family-oriented activities include rides, clowns,
puppet shows, juggling, and face-painting, director Jim McBride
said. Volunteers run a tent where people can eat cookies and ask
questions about the Christian faith. Counselors are available,
and several pray to become Christians each week. Sunday morning
chapel services always attract a crowd, McBride said.
A Federal Communications Commission (see link #1 below) plan to
create thousands of low-tech FM radio stations has created
controversy. The stations would operate from 1 watt to 1,000
watts and could be used by churches or other groups to broadcast
one to eight miles. Their approval would reverse a 20-year ban
against such licenses.
...Proponents of creating the stations, including the National
Council of Churches (see link #2 below) and the U.S. Catholic
Conference, say they would be a low-cost way to give churches and
minorities a voice on the airwaves. A group of religious leaders met
last week with FCC Chairman William Kennard, who supports the
stations. The groups consider low-power radio "as the last opportunity
to give voice to the voiceless, because all other forms of mass media
are either unavailable or too expensive," NCC spokesman Carol Fouke
said. ...Critics, who include some in the broadcasting industry, say
the low-power service would create interference to existing FM radio
broadcasts, and could jeopardize the planned switch to higher-quality
digital technology. ...Christian stations are split about the issue,
Karl Stoll of the National Religious Broadcasters (see link #3 below)
told Religion Today. Some think the stations will pose too much of a
threat to their signals, while others are willing to overlook
potential technical problems, saying it is more important to "further
the Bible message," he said.
Wal-Mart's decision not to sell the "morning-after" contraceptive
Previn at its pharmacies is a positive step, a pro-life group says.
"They are to be congratulated for their decision and commended for
sticking to it," Judie Brown of the American Life League (see link #4
below) said. The organization praised the chain of discount stores for
not giving in to pressure from groups such as Planned Parenthood.
Wal-Mart's decision "may save human lives," Brown said. ...Previn
stops ovulation and may prevent fertilized eggs from becoming
implanted in the uterus if taken up to 72 hours after having sex, The
New York Times said. It is not similar to the RU-486 abortion pill,
which induces an abortion up to 49 days of having sex. While most
pro-life groups have opposed RU-486, many have taken no stand on
Previn. Wal-Mart, the fifth-largest distributor of pharmaceuticals in
the country, did not elaborate on its reasons for refusing to sell the
drug.
People in a region between Europe and Asia are hearing the gospel for
the first time. The Tuvin are a group of about 250,000 people between
Mongolia and Russia, International Russian Radio/TV (see link #5
below) said. Their traditional religion is Buddhism and they didn't
know anything about Christianity until recently when the Jesus film
was dubbed in their language and shown, a Tuvin worker with the
ministry said. There are now many prayer houses in the region and some
prominent people in the arts community are professing Christians, he
said. The ministry is working on a Tuvin-language children's Bible. A
version in the Russian language produced more than a million letters
of response in four weeks in 1991.
-----------
RELATED LINKS:
1: http://www.fcc.gov
2: http://www.ncccusa.org/
3: http://www.nrb.org/
4: http://www.all.org/
5: http://www.serve.com/irr-tv/index.html
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - CNV News items (5/17/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 09:50:38 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
CHAPEL DRUG ROOM
A chapel in Sydney Australia has ignited a national debate that
country. The chapel deals with heroin addiction by opening, on its
premises, an injecting room for drug-users. The "Tolerance Room",
which will operate for a month, was opened last week at the Wayside
Chapel, or can I safely say "Wayward Chapel"?
Supporters of legal injecting rooms claim that they provide a
relatively safe place for heroin addicts, bringing them off the
back-streets and making overdoses and the use of infected needles less
likely. However, injecting rooms are illegal throughout Australia.
(Excerpted from ENI-5/14/99)
PRAY FOR PAY
(Excerpted and adapted from The Sunday Times, London England)
Do you feel your relationship with the Almighty needs a little help?
Are you worried that your busy schedule isn't leaving enough time for
prayer?
Got some money? Then not to fear. PAY for PRAYER!
The Salesian Sisters, a religious order based in New Jersey is where
you can procure a nun for hire. An annual donation ensures that a nun
will pray for you every day. A minimum donation of $100 is suggested.
"We have people from all walks of life in the program who are lonely
or need somebody to pray for them," said Director of Development,
Sister Mary Rinaldi, "We don't really know people's motivations for
joining the program. They don't really tell us."
Wealthy individuals have been endowing convents and monasteries in
the hope that it may help them to climb the stairway to heaven since
as early as the twelfth century, or before. The modern "you pay, we
pray" approach to spiritual investment was suggested because we have
more need for prayer than we have for dollars.
via: CNV News Service
Andrew Neckar <andy@cnview.com>
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Scarlet worm
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 16:18:05 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Bible & Science tape series
Henry Morris
Look at the 22nd Psalm. This is the great Psalm of the crucifixion of
Christ written 1,000 years before it was fulfilled. It describes in
great detail the sufferings of Christ on the cross. "My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?" he cries out. Then down in verse
6...he says "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and
despised of the people." What did he mean by saying "I am a
worm"?...This particular worm is different from other kinds of worms.
There are different kinds of worms, different varieties, but this is
a particular worm. It means more than just he is not a man. Isaiah 52
says, "his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more
than the sons of men." He was literally made corruption personified;
he didn't even look like a man there on the cross*; it is talking
about more than that here. He says "I am a worm and no man." This is
a scarlet worm and the reason it was called that was because it had
the ability to secrete a scarlet fluid which was used in making the
scarlet dye that they used in ancient days. As a matter of fact, when
you find the word "scarlet" in the bible, it's the same word. "Though
your sins be as scarlet," it's the same word exactly. The worm was
identified with the crimson color. The life cycle of that worm is
something like this: when the mother worm was ready to give birth to
the baby worms, she would find the trunk of a tree, a post or a stick
somewhere and then she would plant her body in that wood and she
would implant her body so firmly in it that she could never leave it
again. And then the young would be brought forth and the mother's
body would provide protection for the babies as long as they needed
before they could get out and take care of themselves. Then the
mother would die, and in the process, the scarlet fluid would stain
her body and the body of the young and the tree and so on. The Lord
Jesus said "I am like that scarlet worm." He's making peace through
the blood of his cross; he's bringing many sons into glory through
the suffering. And this is a graphic testimony of the fact that
eternal life comes out of the suffering and death of the Son of God.
--------------------
*Please see "Why Did Christ Die Before the Two Robbers?"
by John D. Keyser (http://triumph.simplenet.com/stonejes.htm [65k])
for more on how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies of being scarred for
us. The basic premise of the article is that Jesus was stoned in
accordance with the Jewish law against blasphemers while hanging on
the cross.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Famine in the Land
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 11:41:04 -0500
From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>
Hi everyone...
I wanted to share some thoughts with you from my studies last week.
Keep in mind that I'm not a teacher or a preacher. I don't
even talk or write real well. <g> But I do love the Lord and
enjoy studying His Word, and with that I believe we all can
share what He is teaching each of us individually. By doing so,
I pray that God receives the glory as we, as brothers and
sisters in Christ, encourage each other to search the Word
with a hunger and a passion like we've never known before.
--------------
Famine in the Land
While reading the first verse of Ruth, I came across the phrase "a
famine in the land" and decided to see how many times and in what
instances this phrase appeared in the Bible. There are, of course,
many instances of famines mentioned in the Bible, but the particular
phrase in question occurs only four times in the KJV.
Those familiar with E.W. Bullinger's "Number in Scripture" will
recall that the number four is a reference to earth or creation. For
example, this relationship is seen in:
the four divisions of the year - spring, summer, winter, and fall.
the four divisions of the elements - earth, air, fire, and water.
the four divisions of the earth - north, south, east, and west.
the four divisions of the day - morning, noon, evening, midnight.
How fitting then that "a famine in the land" occurs four times in the
Bible.
Another interesting thing I noticed with each verse, was that with
each famine, there was movement on the part of man. This movement, of
course, was based on man's search for food -- his desire to fill his
hunger.
(Gen 12:10) "And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down
into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the
land." -- The famine was in Canaan, so Abram, in search of food,
went south to Egypt.
(Gen 26:1) "And there was a famine in the land, beside the first
famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech
king of the Philistines unto Gerar." -- Another famine occurred,
this time forcing Isaac to move his family and livestock towards
better pastures. He headed towards Gerar, which was between Gaza and
Beersheba, evidently with the intentions of going into Egypt.
However, God told Isaac not to go to Egypt (Gen. 26:2), but to stay
where he was now. It was at this time that God reconfirmed His
patriarchal promise with Isaac. He obeyed the commands of God and
received a blessing.
(Ruth 1:1) "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled,
that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of
Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his
wife, and his two sons." -- The land of Moab is west of Canaan.
The book of Ruth is the beautiful story of the Kinsman-Redeemer we
see in Jesus Christ.
(Amos 8:11-12) "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst
for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: {12} And they shall
wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they
shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find
it." -- Here we find that God will send a famine, not of food, but
of His Word. And as in the previous three famines, man will be on the
move in search of "food" but, in this case, will not find it.
The phrase "to and fro" in Amos 8:12 caught my attention and
immediately reminded me of this verse in Daniel:
(Dan 12:4) "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the
book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased."
The words "shut up" is "catham" and, according to Strong's Dictionary
it means (figuratively) "to keep secret, close up, keep hidden." In
the literal sense, we find it mostly used in the Bible as "to stop
up." For example, in Gen 26:15 -- "For all the wells which his
father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the
Philistines had stopped [catham] them, and filled them with earth."
Being led to this verse from the passage in Amos, I began to see a
type of "famine" situation in Dan 12:4. Understanding of the
prophecies in Daniel will not be completely made clear until the
"time of the end." But man's natural curiosity of what lay ahead and
a sincere hunger for knowledge and understanding of the Word of God,
leads to a search for a type of "food" that only God can supply:
(Luke 4:4) "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
(John 6:35) "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he
that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst."
In Daniel's time, it was impossible for the people to fully
comprehend what the book was foretelling. With each generation, and
with the added benefit of historical events and documents along with
a sincere search for truth and wisdom, understanding of the book of
Daniel and Revelation has certainly grown. However, Ernest Martin
reminds us
"... that each of us who loves the biblical revelation and its
prophecies must take into account if one hopes to understand the
events of the end-time. Remember, the Book of Daniel and its
prophecies have been closed and sealed and they are only destined to
be opened up (and this means even to our comprehension) at that
crucial generation which introduces the end-time to the world (Daniel
12:4,9). Even we cannot know with precision what
Daniel and the Book of Revelation are telling us until we get closer
to that time when Christ says he will reveal these matters to his
elect (Matthew 24:24)."
In the meantime, man runs "to and fro" in search of knowledge or
understanding of bible prophecy. Marvin Rosenthal comments on the
phrase "to and fro" in his book "The Prewrath Rapture of the Church":
"The running to and fro has nothing to do with increased travel and a
shrinking world as an indicator of end times, as some have suggested.
The running to and from is speaking of an increased interest in and
study of the prophetic word, particularly at the end of the age. One
writer, commenting on the phrase 'shall run to and fro,' suggested
that the running to and fro was 'mentally with a view to discovering
the secrets hidden behind the words which are shut up in the book
that is sealed.' As a result of that intensified study at the time
of the end, 'knowledge shall be increased.' This increased knowledge
is not of a general nature. It is not the accumulated facts of
history or a giant step forward in the sciences. It is theological.
It is knowledge of the events of the seventieth week as prophesied by
Daniel. They will be better comprehended in the latter days." (pg.
270)
A hunger for the Word of God and a search for understanding of bible
prophecy, even when God has "sealed up" complete understanding,
certainly has its rewards, for God will keep His promise:
(Prov 2:1-6 NIV) "My son, if you accept my words and store up my
commands within you, {2} turning your ear to wisdom and applying your
heart to understanding, {3} and if you call out for insight and cry
aloud for understanding, {4} and if you look for it as for silver and
search for it as for hidden treasure, {5} then you will understand
the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. {6} For the LORD
gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
-------
The true knowledge of God will result, not in our being puffed up
with conceit at how knowledgeable we are, but in our falling on our
faces before God in sheer wonder and crying, "O the depth of the
riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his
judgments and how unscrutable his ways!" Whenever our knowledge
becomes dry or leaves us cold, something has gone wrong. JOHN R. W.
STOTT (1921=96 )
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - What's New at BPR?
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:12:49 -0500
From: owner-bpr@philologos.org
Bible Prophecy Research
Additions and updates made since May 2 1999
Number 23
May 17, 1999
Hi everyone...
Just a couple of items to mention this week:
> Added: Bible History, Old Testament: Vol VII
by Alfred Edersheim
http://philologos.org/__eb-bhot
This is the seventh and last volume of this work.
-----------------
> Added: John 21: The 153 Fish and the Net
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/Misc_Studies/ms-025-a.htm
An interesting study done by one our list members that explores
the symbolism in John Chapter 21.
-------------
> Updated: Nicolaitanism
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/List_Studies/Revelation/rev-2-4.htm
That's it folks! Have a good week....
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Mt. Sinai
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 18:28:19 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Yesterday's (May 16, 1999) PAX net special entitled "The Bible's
Greatest Miracles: The Proof!" was rather disappointing but I did
find the following on Mt. Sinai interesting:
Narrator:
Some recent and very exciting archaeological discoveries have led
scientists away from the traditional sites on the Sinai Peninsula
across the Gulf to an intriguing site in Saudi Arabia.
Bob Cornuke, Sinai Explorer:
"In 1988 we traveled the Exodus route from the tip of the Sinai
Peninsula into Saudi Arabia using the Bible and satellite imagery to
find the actual route. Inland, 33 kilometers, we found the 'bitter
springs of Marah' as mentioned in Exodus 15. Continuing along the
route we came to the clear water springs mentioned in Exodus 15:27.
Here, caves were being excavated by Saudi archaeologists. They said
they had found writings in these caves indicating that Moses had come
through this area and that the tombs of Jethro, the father-in-law of
Moses, and Zipporah, the wife of Moses, were found in these caves."
Larry Williams, Author "Mountain of Moses":
"Important archaeological evidence was discovered at Jebel El Lawz
which further supports the biblical account. We found the stone
boundary markers for keeping the Israelites off the mountain. But,
most startling, we found an 8 foot petroglyph [a carving or
inscription on a rock--Webster's] of the Egyptian Apis bull god at a
campground large enough and with enough water for the entire Exodus
tribe."
Narrator:
Recently, in a surprising move, the Saudi government abruptly closed
down the Jebel El Lawz site and posted a military guard to prevent
further exploration.
[Sign on the site reads:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA WARNING
IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TRESPASS. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO
PENALTIES STIPULATED IN THE ANTIQUITIES REGULATIONS
PASSED BY ROYAL DECREE (followed by a date that looked like
1992 but was unclear)]
Sandra Mackey, Author "The Saudi":
"If it allows archaeological excavations of ancient Israelite sites
in Saudi Arabia, the House of Saud opens itself up to the anger of
the Arab world."
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Geography Newsletter items
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 08:51:30 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
NIMA Accused of Bad Maps
The relatively new federal agency responsible for providing
the military with maps, such as the ones used in Yugoslavia,
is being blamed for providing inaccurate maps. According to
the Los Angeles Times, the National Imagery and Mapping
Agency (NIMA), which was created in 1996 with a merger of
the Defense Mapping Agency and various other U.S.
intelligence mapping agencies, provides inaccurate maps.
The agency rebuts that the maps are only as good as the data
received from the intelligence community - data that did not
show that the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade was actually the
embassy. For the full article
http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS
/REPORTS/YUGO/lat_maps990516.htm
(copy both portions of the URL into your browser)
Landsat 7 Sends Images Home
Landsat 7, launched on April 15, sent its first image back
to earth. The first image from the new satellite was a view
of South Dakota, the home of the USGS center for Landsat
imagery. With a resolution of two times as good as images
from earlier Landsats, scientists are pleased. For more
Landsat information, see
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa020998.htm
Last Class at Balboa High
The last graduating class of Balboa High School is the U.S.
Panama Canal Zone received their diplomas last week as the
school prepares to close. The school's closure is in
anticipation of December 31, when control of the Panama
Canal itself reverts to Panama from the U.S.
via: About.Com Guide to Geography
http://geography.about.com
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Russia's Flawed Constitution
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 10:07:58 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Russia Today (5/18/99)
SPANISH SPOKESMAN: YELTSIN IN BED WITH BRONCHITIS
MOSCOW -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin is in bed with bronchitis, a
Spanish government spokesman said on Tuesday in Moscow.
http://www.russiatoday.com/rtoday/news/1999051801.html?text
--------------------
"Yeltsin Leaves Russia Open to Anarchy"
Monday, May 17, 1999
Richard C. Paddock
L.A. Times
MOSCOW - Although President Boris N. Yeltsin escaped impeachment over
the weekend, Russia faces another threat to its political
stability, this time brought on by its flawed constitution and the
president himself.
By firing Prime Minister Yevgeny M. Primakov last week, Yeltsin
thrust the nation into a brief but perilous period of
constitutional limbo in which no one is designated to succeed the
president if he should die or become incapacitated.
Under Russia's constitution, the prime minister would become
acting president if Yeltsin could no longer serve. But if the
president died now, when parliament has not confirmed a new prime
minister, there is no law spelling out who would take charge.
"The gaps in the constitution are more dangerous than they may
appear," said Igor M. Stepanov, head of the Constitutional Law
Department at the State and Law Institute in Moscow. "They not only
create a legal impasse, they could also trigger a fierce struggle
for power. It is an open door to a grave, large-scale political
crisis."
With Primakov gone, it could take anywhere from a few days to a
month before a new prime minister is installed. The untimely
death of the 68-year-old Yeltsin--who has been in fragile health for
years--could spark a violent battle for power with serious
consequences for Russia and the entire world.
Who would command the army at such a time? Russia's constitution does
not say. Who would control Russia's nuclear button? Who would
have the authority to issue decrees, fire Cabinet ministers or declare
martial law? The constitution is silent.
"In today's Russia, the procedure of succession of power is
simply nonexistent," said Vladimir B. Isakov, a lawyer who heads the
legal department of the lower house of parliament, the Duma. "This
creates tremendous uncertainty as to how power would actually be
handed over from one person to another."
Yeltsin has been Russia's only president since the Soviet Union
collapsed in 1991, so the country has never experienced a
transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to the
next. How authority passes from Yeltsin to his successor will be the
ultimate test of whether democracy has taken root in Russia.
Yeltsin, who has made a habit of ousting politicians who had
ambitions to supplant him, fired Primakov last Wednesday after it was
clear that the popular prime minister had become his main political
rival. The Duma is scheduled to vote next Wednesday on whether to
confirm the president's choice to replace him, Sergei V. Stepashin, a
longtime Yeltsin loyalist.
Under the constitution, Yeltsin and the Duma can go three rounds in
deciding on a new prime minister, but they must conclude within a
specified time period, in this case by June 16. If the deputies do
not confirm a Yeltsin nominee by the third try, the constitution says
the president must disband the Duma, appoint a prime minister and
rule by decree until new elections are held.
* Constitution Drafted Specifically for Yeltsin
It is no accident that the constitution is weighted so heavily in
Yeltsin's favor: It was drafted specifically for him to enshrine his
formidable powers and make it virtually impossible for anyone to
remove him from office.
The constitution was born in a power struggle between Yeltsin and
parliament in 1993, less than two years after the Soviet Union
fell.
Yeltsin had tried to amend the Soviet-era constitution to give
himself greater power. When lawmakers opposed him, he dissolved
parliament. In defiance, then-Vice President Alexander V. Rutskoi
declared himself president and joined lawmakers barricading
themselves inside the parliament headquarters, known as the White
House. Yeltsin ordered tanks to fire on the building and was
victorious.
Rutskoi went to jail and Yeltsin won voters' approval of the
constitution in use today. Among its features, it eliminated the post
of vice president.
"The Russian constitution is a textbook example of how a
constitution should not be written," said Isakov, the Duma legal
department chief. "Even a cursory glance at the constitution is
enough to conclude that it was written for Yeltsin, to serve his
unlimited aspirations for personal power."
* Nation Has No Succession Law
Since the constitution's adoption, Yeltsin has successfully
resisted every attempt to amend it.
Rather than relying on a vice president, the constitution
specifies that if the president should die or become
incapacitated, the prime minister would become acting president and
call a new election within 90 days. However, if the post of prime
minister should be vacant at the same time, the
constitution gives no authority to an acting prime minister or any
other official to take over as president.
In the United States, by contrast, the Constitution and the
Presidential Succession Law spell out an order of succession
carried out to 17 places. At the top of the list are the vice
president, the House speaker and the Senate president pro tem,
followed by the members of the president's Cabinet, from the
secretary of State to the secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Russian politicians, legal experts and analysts outlined several
scenarios that could occur if Yeltsin was to die in the days
before a new prime minister is installed. One of the most likely is
that Stepashin--the current acting prime minister--would declare
himself in power.
In such an event, Duma Deputy Sergei N. Yushenkov predicted, his
colleagues would quickly confirm Stepashin to avoid the chaos that
would otherwise result.
"They understand perfectly well that every minute of anarchy can take
the country closer and closer to an abyss that will swallow all and
everything," Yushenkov said.
But others predicted that the Communists would see Yeltsin's
death as their best opportunity to regain power and would
challenge Stepashin's right to rule, calling out their supporters to
stage demonstrations across the country.
Stepashin continues to hold the post of interior minister and
commands 200,000 troops and police officers. Mass protests by the
Communists would provide an excuse for him to declare a state of
emergency.
Behind the scenes, the president's family and inner circle would
desperately try to prevent the accession of an outsider who would hold
them accountable for the misdeeds of the Yeltsin years, said Dmitri Y.
Furman, senior analyst at the Institute of Europe think tank in
Moscow.
"Almost any successor would lay all the sins of the past on
Yeltsin and his close circle," Furman said.
via: SOT <war_alert@iname.com>
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Infobeat News items (5/18/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 18:54:42 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
*** Building begins at Jerusalem sites
JERUSALEM (AP) - A day after moderate opposition leader Ehud Barak's
election victory, bulldozers Tuesday cleared land for construction of
two Jewish neighborhoods in areas of Jerusalem claimed by the
Palestinians for a future capital. Building plans in the Ras al-Amud
and Har Homa neighborhoods triggered Palestinian protests in the past
and will pose a difficult test for Israel's prime minister-elect.
Barak has said he would keep Jerusalem united under Israeli control,
but has also pledged to revitalize peace negotiations with the
Palestinians. While Barak didn't authorize the latest construction,
his peace efforts could be clouded if he lets it proceed. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559591860-ae3 ***
Also: Israeli settlers have new concerns, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559592672-7b9
*** Britain, Iran upgrade relations
LONDON (AP) - Britain and Iran have agreed to upgrade diplomatic
relations, exchanging ambassadors for the first time in 20 years. The
decision marks "the end of many years of dispute," Foreign Secretary
Robin Cook said Tuesday. "It opens the way for us to rebuild healthy
and mutually beneficial friendship with Iran, and to work with Iran in
its path of reform and renewed openness to the outside world," he
said. Relations between the two countries have thawed since an
agreement in September in which Iran ended its endorsement of a 1989
"fatwa," or Islamic death sentence, ordered imposed on author Salman
Rushdie. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559589942-edd
*** Pope celebrates 79th birthday
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II turned 79 Tuesday without
fanfare or fuss, devoting part of what was his 21st birthday as
pontiff to an issue dear to his heart: peace in Kosovo. For John
Paul, it was a normal working day, or even slightly busier than
usual, owing to meetings with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and
others, Vatican spokesman Joaqin Navarro-Valls said. John Paul looked
lively and rosy-cheeked in his white cassock as he welcomed Schroeder,
who is in Italy to push European initiatives to end the fighting in
Kosovo. Schroeder wished him a happy birthday and gave the Polish
pontiff an 18th century Dutch print of the city of Krakow. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559591582-8be
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Arabia On Line (5/18/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 18:59:05 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Barak's Era Begins, World Wary
Full coverage to the aftermath of Barak's triumph, his agenda, world
reactions and the Palestinian cautious stance.
http://www.arabia.com/content/news/5_99/Israel.shtml
Turkish Push into Iraq Angers Baghdad Thousands of Turkish troops
backed by air power drove into northern Iraq.
http://www.arabia.com/content/news/5_99/turkish18.shtml
Russia Resumes Ties With Libya
The Russian decision follows the lifting of UN sanctions imposed on
Libya. http://www.arabia.com/content/news/5_99/libya18.shtml
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - CNV News items (5/18/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 22:17:41 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
CHANGING THE NAME OF SIN
The leading journal of the American Psychological Association has
published an article maintaining that sex between children and adults
is not harmful and, in fact, can be a positive experience for the
child. The article, titled "A Meta-analytic Examination of Assumed
Properties of Child Sexual Abuse," was published in a 1998 issue of
the APA Psychological Bulletin.
The authors also said that psychologists should not be so judgmental.
"Classifying a behavior as abuse simply because it is generally viewed
as immoral or defined as illegal," they said, "is problematic."
Instead of calling willing encounters "child abuse" or "molestation,"
the study suggests "value-neutral" terms, such as "adult-child sex"
and "adult-adolescent sex" (World, 4/10/99).
PROTESTANT CHURCHES PROTESTING GOD
Vivian Hickman Weaver, a "Christian astrologer" in Charlotte, North
Carolina, has been sharing her message with members of a number of
mainline churches in the Charlotte area. Weaver, a member of Myers
Park Baptist Church, writes a "Stargazing" column in Creative Loafing.
In addition to horoscopes, she also uses hypnotism, meditation/dream
interpretation, and intuitive counseling in her work (Charlotte
Christian News, 4/9/99).
AMERICA-THE LAND OF THE LOOSE AND HOME OF THE DEFIANT.
The homosexual-rights movement is poised to alter American culture
radically--perhaps irrevocably. More than 300 pro-homosexual bills are
moving through legislatures coast to coast. A February Gallup poll
showed that 50 percent of Americans now believe homosexuality is
acceptable. Just 34 percent felt that way in 1982. On March 21
Connecticut officially raised the rainbow flag above the capitol
building, where it flew for a week. The event marked the first time
the rainbow flag was officially recognized by a state government.
Newly elected California Governor Gray Davis has voiced his support
for pro-homosexual measures that would, among other things, mandate
instruction on tolerance of homosexuality in California's public
schools. Both houses of the California legislature are now controlled
by liberal Democrats, and seven pro-homosexual bills await committee
debate. "As California goes, so goes the nation," it is said (World,
4/10/99).
Web Page: http://cnview.com/
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - May 19, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 08:24:50 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
6:00 PM Eastern
HIST - HIGH POINTS IN HISTORY - Rockets!
The Vengeance Weapon. In-depth look at the world's first
operational ballistic missile, Hitler's "Vengeance Weapon Number
2." The V-2's scope stunned the world as did its production in
prison labor camps.
8:00
PBS - VOYAGE TO THE MILKY WAY - "Leaving Earth; Journey to
the Stars" - Space exploration; telescopes on the moon; Mars;
zero gravity; propulsion systems.(CC)(TVG)
9:00
DISC - THE REAL CLEOPATRA - Anjelica Huston narrates the
life of the Egyptian queen.(CC)(TVG)
HIST - ROMAN WAR MACHINE - "Roman Siege Warfare" - Rome uses
technologically advanced weapons to maintain control of the
empire.(CC)(TVG)
9:30
TBN - JACK VAN IMPE PRESENTS
10:00
DISC - CLEOPATRA'S PALACE: IN SEARCH OF A LEGEND -
Underwater explorers journey to the royal city of Alexandria;
Omar Sharif narrates.(CC)(TVG)
HIST - SALT MINES - Modern gathering techniques; the
mineral's many uses.(CC)(TVG)
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - China News Digest items (5/19/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 08:38:54 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Taiwanese President Promotes "Seven Chinas" Concept
[CND, 05/18/99] President LEE Teng-hui is marking the seventh
anniversary of his presidency this week by publishing a book that
highlights his controversial idea of dividing China into seven
self-ruling regions, reported the Hong Kong Standard on Monday.
The seven blocs, which would include Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and
others, would be free to develop their own areas of expertise. While
the blocs would compete with each other to some degree, respect for
each other's decision-making processes would ensure harmony.
Such an idea of splitting China along seven lines was said to have
been first promoted in contemporary Taiwan scholar WANG Wen-shan's
essay entitled "On Peaceful Seven States." Wang argued that the
desire, which has dated back thousands of years, to maintain Greater
China was to blame for frequent wars and instability in China,
including the tension across the Taiwan Straits as well as recent
regional insecurity.
In Lee's book, which will be printed in both Chinese and Japanese by
Yuan-Liou Publishing, the President announced that while the seven-way
division was not an immediate goal, moves in that direction could help
ensure a stable situation in the Asia-Pacific region. While Lee
stopped short of using such a phrase as "independent states" to
describe the seven regions, his conceptualization schema is sure to
arouse suspicions and anger in Beijing.
In the manuscript, Lee also elaborates on his personal political
philosophy, the reasons behind Taiwan's economic prosperity and
development, and the island's future relations with the major powers
of the United States, Japan, and the mainland. (Andrew Marble, WU
Yiyi)
Analyst Urges U.S. to Lift Ban on Hi-Tech Exports to China
[CND, 05/18/99] Washington should end its policy of banning U.S.
hi-tech exports to China if it is serious about having a balanced
trade relationship, said a researcher in Beijing's State Development
Researcher Center, AFP reported on Monday.
"The unbalanced U.S.-China trade relationship has become a sensitive
issue in recent years, and the U.S. has put increasing pressure on
China on bilateral trade," LI Zhijun said. "The key to realising and
expanding balanced Sino-U.S. trade is to remove the U.S. government's
discriminatory export control policy," he added.
Li pointed out that Japan and the European Union had lifted their
"discriminatory" export policies, and "enjoyed a surplus of several
billion U.S. dollars in their trade with China".
Currently, U.S. hi-tech exporters only take up a small share of
China's technology market, in sharp contrast to their number one
position before 1990. According to Li, the U.S. government's export
policies have cost its companies billions dollars a year in export
orders.
"Once the U.S. government relaxes or abandons its discriminatory
export control policy, and enhances U.S. firms' competitiveness by
allowing the U.S. Export-Import Bank to provide soft loans to China,
U.S. enterprises are sure to take a larger share of the market," Li
said.
Washington said the ever-increasing U.S.-China trade deficit is
unsustainable, and had climbed to 60 billion US dollars in 1998 from
49.7 billion in the previous year, according to U.S. figures. The U.S.
is also accusing China of spying on its sensitive nuclear technology.
(Xiayi KE, WU Yiyi).
Beijing Students Still Angry Over Bombing on Eve of June 4
[CND, 05/18/99] Students in Beijing continue to exhibit anger over
NATO's bombing of the Chinese Embassy, and even called on retaliation
against the United States, AFP reported Saturday.
"Big character" posters can be seen on designated poster areas but the
range of subject matters is limited to the bombing, a stark contrast
to ten years ago during the democracy movement.
The administration of Beijing University had a bill posted that
reflects government attitude on NATO protests: "No posters attacking
the party or government allowed; no posters inciting emotions allowed;
no posters threatening social stability allowed; only posters
beneficial to promoting (protests against) the barbarous attack by the
U.S.-led NATO on our embassy in Yugoslavia allowed."
Anti-American emotions were running high. Universities held forums
last week to discuss "fake American democracy and human rights, but
real American hegemony."
Kenneth Speirs, an American English Literature professor at Beijing
Normal University, said that many of his students, formerly most
pro-American, were the most fervent in protests condemning the U.S.
"I guess there is a feeling among the students that June 4 is coming,
but they won't admit it, they are in denial," said Peter Daignault,
also at Beijing Normal University. "This has been an impressive and
remarkable outpouring of anger. I've known these students all year and
we've discussed Japan, Xinjiang, Tibet, you name it, but nothing
compares to this," he said. (XU Ming Yang, WU Yiyi)
Retired Generals Call for Defense Modernization
[CND, 05/18/99] Retired Chinese army generals urged the government to
speed up the modernization of the military following the bombing of
the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, AFP reported on Monday.
"We must have whatever new weaponry other countries have. Even if they
don't have them, we need to acquire them," said 83-year-old General LI
Desheng.
General CHEN Xilian, 85, believes that China must get a balance
between economic and defense development. "A strong national defense
is the only way to guarantee the country's security," he said.
"Without a strong and big army, without a consolidated national
defense system, a country and its people cannot have a sense of
security." (Jianhui YANG, WU Yiyi)
C h i n a N e w s D i g e s t
(Global News, No. GL99-066)
Wednesday, May 19, 1999
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - NASA Science News technology news
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 08:48:13 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/sc19may99_1.htm
[Each item includes links for more info.]
May 19, 1999: Science fiction is the infinite realm of what might be,
sometimes just a few
minutes into the future. The new Star Wars movie flashes
dozens of futuristic concepts past the viewer's eyes - but
how likely are these concepts? Some might be closer than you
think. Check the possibilities below and click to the
stories about the research that NASA is conducting today to
make tomorrow happen.
Building a cool city
Want to build a city on another
world? First you'll need lots of
electricity. One way to do that
is to use the soil of Mars to
build acres of rectennas,
antennas that turn microwaves -
beamed from a satellite in
aerostationary orbit - into electrical power. And of course,
you'll want to design it from the start so it doesn't become
an "urban heat island."
Does it do windows?
Want something like C3PO, a butler to answer the door and
sweep the dust off the table and another to do odd jobs
around the house (don't forget the restraint bolt!)? It will
involve a number of technologies, including the devices that
make the arms and legs work. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena, Calif., is working on artificial muscles that
could be used as actuators in future space mini-probes, or
in droids.
The face is familiar ...
Speculations on the size, shape,
intelligence, and friendliness
of alien beings have done more
to illuminate how we perceive
ourselves and our world. Still,
how would we recognize a
non-terrestrial life form,
things a lot smaller than Jaba
the Hut? NASA's Astrobiology
Institute developing techniques
for using special microscopes
and computer programs to sift
through
soil samples in search of microbes, the first
extraterrestrials we are likely to encounter.
Speed checked by radar
Who's directing traffic? In the 21st century, the U.S. skies
could look a little bit like a scene in "Phantom Menace"
where everyone seems to by flying around town. NASA's
Advanced General Aviation Technology Experiment is
developing the tools that could make it possible.
You've got mail
Transmitting enough data through
a communications line to produce
3D images, or just satisfy
Internet access for everyone, is
one of the challenges facing
modern communications.
Traditional silica-based optical
fibers can't quite haul the
load, but exotic heavy-metal
glass fibers called ZBLAN,
manufactured in the microgravity
of space, hold
tremendous promise. For superfast computing when the data
arrive, nonlinear optics may hold the answer.
Liftoff!
Even a journey of a thousand light years starts with a
single step into low Earth orbit. One way to take that step
in the next century is on "Highways of Light ." In the near
term, we might start with a sled ride on the Maglifter, or
by some other advanced propulsion ideas.
How many light-years to the
nanogram? You don't want to hang
around in orbit when Imperial
Destroyers are on the way. NASA
scientists don't have a
hyperdrive - yet - but they are
looking at unusual propulsion
concepts, from sails and
tethers, to fusion and
everyone's favorite, antimatter.
Mysterious explosions in space
Some newspaper wags have wondered if mysterious
gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed by satellites are caused by
alien civilizations duking it out in deep space. We've
pretty much ruled that out, but we still aren't sure exactly
what does cause GRBs. For the latest, read the Autopsy of an
Explosion. - then come back in October for the Fifth
Huntsville Gamma-Ray Burst Symposium for even newer results.
Shields up
It won't stop blasters or death
rays, but aerogel may help keep
the heat out - or in - in the
21st century. NASA is using
space experiments to understand
how to form aerogel - "frozen
smoke" - so we can eliminate the
bluish tint that limits its use
as a super-insulting window.
Aerogel has already been used in
space, helping the Soujourner
Mars rover stay warm.
The droids came marching two by two
Where do the carbon-based life forms in Star Wars get all
those droids? NASA scientists plan to 'breed' better
spacecraft using artificial intelligence. Such a strategy
mimics nature, and may be one of the most efficient methods
of future spacecraft design
The original Star Wars
They ended about a millennium
before George Lucas was born.
The last four centuries of the
Maya Civilization saw the rise
of Star Wars, so named by
archeologists because they
apparently were linked to the
planet Venus and the
astrological beliefs of their
priests. Now, NASA is using
satellites and other technology
to study Mayan remains in search
of clues to how
they might have destroyed their environment so we can
prevent a repeat of that destruction as the Central American
population grows.
Can I get one in red?
Oh, yes. The light sabers. We don't do light sabers. So far,
NASA crews haven't packed anything more dangerous than a
survival knife (or the food, according to some astronauts).
But the way the Jedi Masters swing their sabers, perhaps
they could sign up for baseball on Mars.
It might all sound like science fiction - but so did papers
written in the 1920s by Robert Goddard, and Wernher von
Braun in the early 1950s, about going to the Moon. If you
want to keep up to date with the latest in NASA space
science news, click on the link at right to sign up for our
Express News Delivery.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Pilgrimage and the Shavuot Offering
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 08:49:48 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Pilgrimage and the Shavuot Offering
This year the Festival of Shavuot will be on Friday the 21st May. The
members of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement will
make the traditional Biblical pilgrimage to the Temple Mount. They
will carry with them the first-fruits offering to the G-d of Israel
exactly as our forefathers did. The special thing that we will do this
Shavuot is that we will also bring the two special challot (holy
bread) as an offering to G-d. It will be carried by a priest. All of
this will be done even though the Temple is still not rebuilt but with
the deep prayer that this soon happen and we shall bring all of this
to the Temple itself. We decided to fulfill these Biblical
commandments, to state very clearly that this process has already
started and that we are preparing the hill of G-d for the great
moment of the rebuilding of the temple. We wanted to renew this
beautiful, unique tradition and commandment of G-d, to teach the
people of Israel with the worship in the Temple and to say very
clearly in front of G-d and the people of Israel that we are ready
and that the rebuilding of the Temple fits this prophetic time and is
need more than at any time in the past for Israel and all the nations.
This will be an exciting, godly event and the unique part of this
special time that one day history will share with the coming
generations.
via: tmf-list@templemountfaithful.org
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - The Day of Jerusalem
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 08:53:25 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
The Day of Jerusalem
The March to the Temple Mount
On Thursday 13th may, the memorial day of the liberation of Jerusalem
by the G-d and army of Israel, the members of The Temple Mount and
Land of Israel Faithful Movement stood before the Schechem (Damascus)
Gate of the Old City and read and prayed the following Psalm of King
David, the greatest king of Jerusalem and Israel who, 3000 years ago
according to the Word of G-d, dedicated Jerusalem to be the eternal
capital of Israel and Mt.Moriah to be the eternal House of G-d:
A Song of Ascents of David.
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is
built as a city which is bound firmly together; There the tribes go
up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord. For thrones of judgment were set there, the
thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; those
who love you shall prosper. Peace be within your walls, and prosperity
within your palaces. For my brothers and companions' sakes, I will now
say, Peace be within you. Because of the house of the Lord our God I
will seek your good. (Psalm 122)
It was one of the top points of the march of The Temple Mount and Land
of Israel Faithful Movement from the heroic Ammunition Hill in
northern Jerusalem to the Temple Mount. This was the traditional march
of the Faithful Movement on this special day but this year it had a
special significance and a deep feeling that it took place at a very
critical time and very close to the fulfillment of our cause. We could
feel it not only in the political and historical circumstances but
also in the atmosphere in the land of Israel and Jerusalem in these
days.
On Ammunition Hill, close to the memorial tank which remains from the
difficult battle of 1967, we commemorated the many soldiers who died
for the liberation of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This battle
started after the Jordanians attacked the Israeli portion of Jerusalem
which was divided up to that time. They were defeated because it was
G-d's timing to give back Biblical Jerusalem and the Temple Mount to
its sons, the Israelis. The Jordanians were foreigners who occupied
Jerusalem in 1948 and their battle for Jerusalem had no meaning. For
the Israelis it was a battle, not only to defend their children and
their land, but to liberate and return to the heart, soul and focus of
their life of the last 4000 years. We decided to walk to the Temple
Mount along the same path that they made the battle for the liberation
of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount because we wanted to commit
ourselves before G-d and history to the same values for which they
gave their lives. Their sacrifice was for the Name of the G-d of
Israel, for the values, the land, Jerusalem, the holy hill of
Mt.Moriah and the eternal mission that the G-d of Israel gave to this
nation when He made the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. On the
way to the Temple Mount we placed flowers on the monuments for the
soldiers who died in this historical battle. We prayed for them, for
the peace of Jerusalem and for the godly accomplishment of what they
started. Near Orient House, the focus of the foreign, evil so-called
Palestinian Authority, we demonstrated against their presence in
Jerusalem. We called on the Israeli government to cancel the false,
evil Oslo agreement which gave parts of the land to the "Palestinian"
enemies of Israel, to the control of the terrorist murderer, Yasser
Arafat, as a revolt against G-d and the covenant which He made with
Israel in which He gave the land for ever only to the seed of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. We called on the Israeli government to remove the
offices of the PLO out of Orient House and Jerusalem and out of the
land of Israel and to immediately stop their campaign to make
Jerusalem the capital of a "Palestinian" state. We lit a large Temple
Menorah, which is today the symbol of the State of Israel, to
demonstrate the Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Temple
Mount. It was a special moment which clearly stated to everyone in
Israel and all over the world through the many media representatives
that the historical, prophetic event of modern Israel which G-d is
now creating in the land of Israel cannot be stopped by anyone and
that the campaign of the enemies of Israel in the Middle East and all
over the world is just a delusion which will soon end with G-d's
judgement.
We read and prayed Psalm 79:
A Psalm of Asaph.
O God, nations have come into your inheritance; your holy temple have
they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of
your servants have they given to be food to the birds of the sky, the
flesh of your pious ones to the beasts of the earth. Their blood have
they shed like water around Jerusalem; and there was none to bury
them. We have become a taunt to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to
those who are around us. How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever?
Shall your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations
that have not known you, and on the kingdoms that have not called upon
your name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling
place. O do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your
tender mercies speedily come to meet us; for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and save
us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake. Why should the nations
say, Where is their God? Let the revenging of the blood of your
servants which is shed be made manifest among the nations, and before
our eyes. Let the groans of the prisoner come before you; according to
the greatness of your power preserve those who are appointed to die;
And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their insult,
with which they have insulted you, O Lord. So we your people and sheep
of your pasture will give you thanks for ever; we will tell your
praise to all generations.
>From Orient House we marched to the American Consulate where we
demonstrated against the president of the United States, Bill Clinton,
who joined with the enemies of the G-d and people of Israel, the
terrorist Yasser Arafat and the PLO, and continues to put increasing
pressure on Israel to give away the land which G-d gave to Israel to
its enemies and to create a foreign, evil state as an abomination of
the Word of G-d and a time-bomb in the midst of the State of Israel.
In the Name of t he G-d of Israel we warned Clinton of the judgement
of G-d which is soon to come on him and the enemies of Israel and not
to break the traditional love and support of the American people
towards the G-d and people of Israel. We prayed that this president
will not pull the good and friendly American people into the Gog and
Magog war that all the many enemies of Israel are planning. We call on
President Clinton to learn from history and the experience of all the
great powers of the world who tried to put pressure on and destroy
Israel and who all disappeared from history because of the terrible
judgement of G-d and they remain only a few dry pages in the pages of
history. We reminded him that only the G-d of Israel and the universe
controls the destiny of Israel and He is determined to accomplish and
to strengthen the major redemptional event which He is now fulfilling
together with his chosen people, Israel, in the holy land. We advised
him to read the Tanach as soon as possible, and then he will know more
about the G-d of Israel, His Word, the eternal covenant which He made
with Israel, His promises to his nation and His judgement of its
enemies. It is so unique and no accident that G-d located the
corner-stone for the Third Temple near the American Consulate in the
middle of a square that the municipality of Jerusalem created as a
temporary location for the corner stone until it will be located on
the Temple Mount. The Jerusalemites call this square the Temple Mount
Faithful square. In front of the American there is also a monument to
the Israeli soldiers who died in the liberation of Jerusalem. On the
other side there is the historical third wall of Jerusalem from the
Second Temple age which was discovered by Israel after 1967. Not far
from this consulate is the Old City and the Temple Mount. All of these
holy places are a permanent message to the President of the United
States and all the nations concerning the meaning of G-d with Israel
in these special times.
>From the American Consulate we walked to the Schechem (Damascus) Gate
>of
the Old City together with Israeli flags. There we read Psalms,
especially Psalm 126.
A Song of Ascents.
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like men who
dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with
singing; then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great
things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O Lord, like the streams in the Negev. Those
who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who goes forth weeping, bearing
the seed for sowing, shall come back with shouts of joy, bringing his
sheaves with him.
It was an exciting moment. We could feel the presence of G-d and the
deep significance of the times. We called on everyone, not only in
Israel, but all over the world to be a part of the exciting end-times
events which G-d is doing with his people, Israel.
Following the main street of the Old City, we continued to march to
the top of our desires, dreams, prayers and activities; the Temple
Mount, the eternal house of the G-d of Israel. It was so sad to still
meet there the Arab enemies of Israel who continue to destroy the
remains of the Temple. But we could hear the voice of G-d speaking to
our hearts that their presence on His holy hill is soon to pass away
and that our dream and campaign to immediately remove the abomination
form the hill of G-d, to rebuild the Temple and to make it the focus
and heart of Israel and all the earth again, is soon to be fulfilled.
We could see tears in the eyes of everyone including the friends from
outside Israel who were with us at this exciting moment when in front
of the Western Gate of the Temple Mount we read and prayed Psalms 124
and 125:
Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents of David.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up
against us; Then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their
wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed
us, the stream would have gone over our soul; Then the proud waters
would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given
us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the
snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our
help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
Those who trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be
removed, but abides for ever. As the mountains are around Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people from this time forth and for
evermore. For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest upon the share
allotted to the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands to
do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are
upright in their hearts. As for those who turn aside to their crooked
ways, the Lord shall lead them away with the evildoers; but peace
shall be upon Israel.
Before the G-d of Israel and the Universe, on His holy hill, we
committed ourselves and swore in terms of Psalm 137:5,6; If I forget
you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not
remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do
not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. We prayed that on the next
Jerusalem Day we shall march from Ammunition Hill to the rebuilt
Temple. We felt that time is short and it is soon to come.
Everyone who reads this report is called on to join with The Temple
Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement and to be a part of the
most important cause of these times and to give the Faithful Movement
all the help , encouragement and support which is so needed at this
critical, godly, prophetic time.
via: tmf-list@templemountfaithful.org
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Free CDs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 09:41:11 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
All of these CDs are "free" except you have to pay shipping and
handling. These are full versions of each CD (no demos):
Easy Language-17 Language Edition CD ROM
http://www.cyberbounty.com/ad?a=69&b=9999&c=1176&offer=7
So What's the Catch? There is none! You get the full version of the
software on CD ROM. And it's free! Only $7.95 for the Shipping and
Handling to anywhere in the USA
Includes English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Greek, Danish,
Dutch, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai,
Indonesian, Hebrew, Arabic.
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia '97 CD ROM
http://www.cyberbounty.com/ad?a=69&b=9999&c=1176&offer=6
"Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" CD ROM
http://www.cyberbounty.com/ad?a=69&b=9999&c=1176&offer=1
World War II CD Rom
http://www.cyberbounty.com/ad?a=69&b=9999&c=1176&offer=2
Calendar Creator CD ROM
http://www.cyberbounty.com/ad?a=69&b=9999&c=1176&offer=4
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Israel Line (5/19/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 13:27:31 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
Consulate of Israel
Wednesday, May 19, 1999
* BARAK, ARAFAT DISCUSS PEACE PROCESS
* DERI, BEGIN ANNOUNCE RESIGNATION
* SHOVAL RESIGNS AS AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON
* SHARON TO TEMPORARILY HEAD LIKUD
* ECONOMIC BRIEFS
BARAK, ARAFAT DISCUSS PEACE PROCESS
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Prime Minister-elect Ehud
Barak
promised Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat that the peace
process would be revived, according to Arafat aide Nabil Abu Rudeyna,
HA'ARETZ reported. "In the course of their phone call, Arafat and
Barak promised to continue with the peace process," Rudeyna said.
Barak intends to publish basic guidelines of his government and
invite
any party who supports these tenets to join One Israel in a coalition.
According to HA'ARETZ, the guidelines are expected to include a
commitment to the peace process based on the Oslo accords, a continued
fight against terrorism, preservation of Jerusalem's unity and status
as the capital of Israel, a proclamation that Israel will neither
return to its 1967 borders nor allow any foreign army west of the
Jordan river, and a commitment that principal settlement blocks will
remain in Israeli territory.
Barak's guidelines will not overrule the establishment of a
Palestinian
state. "A Palestinian state is not and will not be an Israeli goal.
In the event that a Palestinian state is established as a result of
final status agreements, security and political limitations will
meticulously be set forth to reflect Israel's essential interests,"
Barak declared.
PA officials welcomed Barak's victory, but expressed dismay with
Barak's
guidelines for negotiating with the Palestinians.
DERI, BEGIN ANNOUNCE RESIGNATION
One day after leading his party to one of the greatest successes
of the
1999 elections, Aryeh Deri announced that he is stepping down as head
of Shas's political operation and would not take his seat in the 15th
Knesset, THE JERUSALEM POST reported.
Several One Israel politicians speculated that Deri's announcement
paved
the way for coalition talks between Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak
and Shas, one of the country's three major political movements and
generally representative of the religious Sephardic public. Barak had
pledged not to negotiate with Shas as long as Deri, convicted in March
of taking bribes during his tenure as Interior Minister, remained at
its helm.
Knesset Member Shlomo Ben-Ami said, "We have to think hard about
whether or not we want to include or exclude such a large, important
segment of our community," adding that One Israel has learned from the
bitter lessons of the past that "exclusion and narrowness have only
led to more divisiveness in this nation."
Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, announced that former prime ministerial
candidate and leader of the National Unity party, Benny Begin, also
resigned from public service today. During an interview, Begin said
that he cannot serve in a Knesset where there are not enough members
who share his views on the future of Israel.
MK Yossi Sarid of MERETZ called upon Begin to withdraw his
resignation,
saying that there are few substitutes for Begin in politics and that
it is important that the voice of those supporting a greater state of
Israel be heard.
SHOVAL RESIGNS AS AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Zalman Shoval announced
his
resignation on Tuesday, 10 months after beginning his second term in
Washington, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Shoval concluded that
leaving was the proper step to provide Prime Minister elect Ehud Barak
with maximum maneuverability in organizing his foreign policy team.
In a short cable, Shoval congratulated Barak on his victory,
adding "I
would like you to relieve me of my duties as Israel's Ambassador to
the U.S. once you form your government. Please inform me when you
would like me to leave my post."
Shoval informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign
Minister
Ariel Sharon and U.S. officials of his plans and intends to speak
directly with Barak soon.
Meanwhile, YEDIOT AHARONOT reported that sources close to Barak
mentioned Knesset Members Uzi Baram of One Israel and Amnon Shahak of
the Center Party as possible candidates for the ambassadorial post.
Uncertainty remains about the future of other politically appointees
serving in diplomatic posts in the U.S. during the Netanyahu
administration.
SHARON TO TEMPORARILY HEAD LIKUD
Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon will temporarily take over the
reigns of
the Likud from outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, THE
JERUSALEM POST reported. The decision was made on Tuesday by the
party's ministers and senior Knesset members. Likud's central
committee will meet in 10 days to ratify Sharon's appointment. The
party's constitution provides that a temporary replacement may serve
for three months before an election is called. An extension beyond
three months requires an absolute majority vote in the central
committee.
While Sharon will be the interim nominee, at 71, he is already
being
ruled out as Likud Chairman on a long-term basis. On the frontier,
Finance Minister Meir Sheetrit has given notice of his intention to
compete, and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert is likely to declare his
candidacy soon, sources close to him said.
The constitution, however, states that the chairman of the central
committee, currently Justice Minister Tzahi Hanegbi, must take over
for the first 21 days in the event of a resignation.
ECONOMIC BRIEFS
* The economy grew by a moderate annual 1.3 percent during the
first
quarter of the year, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported. The
mild rise is indicative of the ongoing economic slowdown, THE
JERUSALEM POST reported. The Bureau said that based on seasonally
adjusted figures, gross domestic product rose by an annual 1.7% in the
first three months of the year, after rising by 0.8% in the fourth
quarter of 1998 and 1.2% in the third quarter. According to the
report, income from tourism and diamond exports rose while industrial
and agricultural exports decreased.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - The name of Ehud Barak
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 19:01:45 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
My Online Bible says that the name Ehud means "I will give thanks: I
will be praised" or "undivided, union." Ehud's story is told in
Judges 3:15-30 where he is described as a lefthanded deliverer with a
two edged dagger that was worn on his right thigh. He went to see fat
Eglon [calf-like], the king of Moab, and secretly killed him. Eglon's
servants thought he was using the privy and waited until they were
ashamed before entering to find their king dead. This gave Ehud
enough time to escape and he went and blew a trumpet in the mountain
of Ephraim at which all the children of Israel followed him and slew
the Moabites.
Keil & Delitzsch's Commentary on the Old Testament remarks:
"Eglon allied himself with the Ammonites and Amalekites, those
arch-foes of Israel, invaded the land, took the palm-city, i.e.
Jericho (see Judges 1:16), and made the Israelites tributary for
eighteen years. Sixty years had passed since Jericho had been burnt
by Joshua. During that time the Israelites had rebuilt the ruined
city, but they had not fortified it, on account of the curse
pronounced by Joshua upon any one who should restore it as a
fortress; so that the Moabites could easily conquer it, and using
it as a base, reduce the Israelites to servitude." History repeating
itself?
Following the exploits of Ehud in the book of Judges is the story of
Deborah the prophetess and Barak (4:1-5:31). Barak means "lightning"
or "lightning flash" and Deborah means "bee." These two come on the
scene after Israel had again done evil in the sight of the Lord after
Ehud's death, and had been sold into the hands of Jabin king of
Canaan.
The story starts with Deborah sending for Barak and asking him why he
hasn't gone down to fight Sisera, Jabin's captain, and his army down
by the river Kishon. The Lord has already commanded Barak and told
him he would be successful, yet he doesn't go. Barak replies that he
will go only if Deborah accompanies him. She says she will go and
they proceed to kill all of Sisera's men. Sisera, himself, escapes
but is killed later on by a tent nail struck into his temple with a
hammer. Curiously, it is Barak who is mentioned as a man of great
faith later in Hebrews 11:32.
After this defeat Deborah and Barak sing a song of praise to
the Lord. Keil & Delitzsch quote the beginning of verse 2 of this
song as: "That the strong in Israel showed themselves strong" and
explain it to mean that it is referring to the "comati, the hairy
ones, i.e. those who possessed strength"; it does not refer to
a leader, "but to the luxuriant growth of the hair as the sign
of great strength." I found this whole avenue interesting because the
word "comet" means the "hairy one" also and it seems to tie in with
the middle of the following verses (5:19-21) of the song: "The kings
came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the
waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from
heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river
of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon."
Keil and Delitzsch explain: "For not only did the Israelites fight
against them, but the powers of heaven also. 'From heaven' is more
minutely defined by 'the stars from their courses.' These words
explain the statement in chapter 4:15, 'the Lord discomfited Sisera';
though in our opinion not so clearly as to enable us to define more
precisely the natural phenomenon by which God threw the enemy into
confusion. In all probability we have to think of a terrible storm,
with thunder and lightning and hail, or the sudden bursting of a
cloud, which is poetically described as though the stars of heaven
had left their courses to fight for the Lord and His kingdom upon
earth." I believe a comet(s) would do the job just fine.
Besides the stars fighting from heaven in the above verses,
another interesting thing regards exactly where this battle took
place. Megiddo and the Kishon River are very interesting
places, especially with regards to the book of Revelation.
According to Grant Jeffrey in his book entitled "Messiah," Armageddon
is Greek for "Mount of Megiddo." This valley has seen more climactic
battles than any other place on earth. Originally, Megiddo was one of
the capital cities of the Canaanites. The Egyptian king Thothmes III,
the founder of an empire, once said "Megiddo is worth a thousand
cities." The reason is that it sits on the pass leading through Mount
Carmel to the Mediterranean, one of the most strategic crossroads in
Palestine. Anyone who wishes to control the Middle East must control
the vital trade and military routes which connect Europe, Africa and
Asia. Napoleon stood at Megiddo before the battle that thwarted his
attempt to conquer the East and rebuild the Roman Empire.
Contemplating the enormous plain of Armageddon, the marshal declared,
"All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast
plain."
The History Channel ran a program called "Warhorse, A Beast for
Heroes" which included the following: "We don't know of any war or
any battle before 1450 BC. This is the place where the horse entered
history. The site of the first battle with a remembered name--this is
Armageddon." It seems appropriate that the first battle is
remembered by this name.
Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, 1872 states:
"Armageddon--...the great battlefield of the Old Testament, where the
chief conflicts took place between the Israelites and the enemies of
God's people...the scene of the struggle of good and evil is suggested
by that battlefield, the plain of Esdraelon, which was famous for two
great victories...and for two great disasters...
"Esdraelon--This name is merely the Greek form of the Hebrew word
Jezreel...This is that Valley of Megiddo (so called from the city of
Megiddo, which stood on its souther border)...
"Jezreel--[Ahab] chose it for his chief residence...It is on one of
the gentle swells which rise out of the fertile plain of
Esdraelon...In the neighborhood, or within the town probably, was a
temple and grove of Astarte, with an establishment of 400 priests
supported by Jezebel (1 Kings 16:33; 2 Kings 10:11). The palace of
Ahab (1 Kings 21:1; 18:46) probably containing his 'ivory house' (1
Kings 22:39), was on the eastern side of the city, forming part of the
city wall. The seraglio [palace of a sultan], in which Jezebel lived,
was on the city wall, and had a high window facing eastward (2 Kings
9:30). Close by, if not forming part of this seraglio, was a
watch-tower, on which a sentinel stood, to give notice of arrivals
from the disturbed district beyond the Jordan (2 Kings 9:17)...The
gateway of the city on the east was also the gateway of the palace (2
Kings 9:34)...[in an easterly direction] are two springs, one 12
minutes from the town, the other 20 minutes...the latter...was called
by the Arabs 'Ain Jalud, 'the spring of Goliath.' This last name,
which it still bears, is derived from a tradition...that here David
killed Goliath." Goliath of 666 fame according to E. W. Bullinger in
his book entitled "Number in Scripture": his "height was 6 cubits,
and he had 6 pieces of armour; his spear's head weighed 600 shekels
of iron (1 Sam 17:4-7)."
The Universal Standard Bible adds a little more:
"The plain of Esdraelon has figured prominently in the history of
Palestine. According to Joshua 19:17-23, it was assigned to Issachar
in the division of Canaan among the twelve tribes. In the 14th century
BC the Israelites, under the leadership of Barak, defeated there the
Canaanites commanded by Sisera. Again in the 13th century BC Esdraelon
was the site of a great victory by Gideon over the Midianites, and the
site of Saul's final defeat at the hands of the Philistines in the
11th century BC. Josiah defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt on the
historic plain in the 7th century BC, according to 2 Kings 23:29-30.
Other biblical traditions associated with Esdraelon include the cure
of the ten lepers. Elijah is thought to have engaged in his famous
contest of 'miracles' with the prophets of Baal on the W. border of
Esdraelon."
Collier's Encyclopedia:
"Megiddo, the ancient buried city overlooking the Wadi-Arah Pass, has
been identified not only by tradition but by archaeological study as
Har-Megiddon, the Armageddon of the Bible. There, within recorded
history, Pharaoh Thutmose (Thothmes) III fought the Syrians (Battle of
Megiddo) in 1479 BC; Lejjun, the Roman city Legio, was built; Napoleon
routed the Turkish army in 1799; and Edmund Allenby defeated the Turks
there in World War I."
That pretty much takes care of Megiddo although there is a little
more on the web site (http://philologos.org/bpr) under "Armageddon"
and if you follow the links at the bottom of the article. Now,
though, let's move on to the Kishon River itself.
The Bible states:
"And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of
them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the
brook Kishon, and slew them there" (1 Kings 18:40).
And Dr. Smith's Dictionary says:
"The Nahr Mukutta [the river of slaughter], the modern representative
of the Kishon, is the drain by which the waters of the plain of
Esdraelon, and of the mountains which inclose that plain, namely,
Carmel and the Samaria range on the south, the mountains of Galilee on
the north, and Gilboa, 'Little Hermon' (so called), and Tabor on the
east, find their way to the Mediterranean. Its course is in a
direction nearly due N.W. along the lower part of the plain nearest
the foot of the Samarian hills, and close beneath the very cliffs of
Carmel, breaking through the hills which separate the plain of
Esdraelon from the maritime plain of Acre,...It is also fed by the
copious spring of Lejjun, the stream from which is probably the
'waters of Megiddo.' During the winter and spring, and after sudden
storms of rain, the upper part of the Kishon flows with a very strong
torrent; so strong, that in the battle of Mount Tabor, April 16, 1799,
some of the circumstances of the defeat of Sisera were reproduced,
many of the fugitive Turks being drowned in the wady [sic] from
Deburieh, which then inundated a part of the plain. At the same
seasons the ground about Lejjun (Megiddo) where the principal
encounter with Sisera would seem to have taken place, becomes a
morass, impassable for even single travellers, and truly destruction
for a huge horde like his army." (Most of this came from the
"Winepress" file on the site.)
To recap, the name Ehud Barak alludes to a deliverer of Israel, with
a two edged sword girt on his right thigh, a great defeat of an army
down in the area of Megiddo/Jezreel Valley/Plain of Esdraelon and the
Kishon River which is the same area where Elijah (who some believe
is one of the two witnesses--see website file) did some of his
greatest works, who after this defeat composes a song of victory.
This Ehud Barak is a military man if I'm not mistaken and he seems to
be a man of destiny if he lives up to his name.
A few more names need to be added before I'm through for the day,
though. They include:
Binyamin/Benjamin="son of the right hand"
Netanyahu="gift of God"
Ariel="lion of God"; it's also another name for Jerusalem
Sharon="a plain"; a district in Israel
[Collier's Encyclopedia:
"Esdraelon, Plain of, The plain has been a key transportation zone,
and a battleground in many periods. It is important to the trade
routes of Asia and Africa--giving access to the Mediterranean
coast, northwest through the Kishon River Valley to Haifa and the
Plain of Acre, and southwest through the Wadi-Arah Pass in the
Carmel Ridge to the Plain of Sharon and Tel Aviv; and providing an
eastward approach, between Mount Gilboa and Mount Moreh, to the
Jordan River Valley."]
Shimon="desert"
Peres="to break in two"; "divide"
Will Israel be singing a new song soon to be added to the ones by
Moses (Exo 15:1-21) and Deborah and Barak? The book of Revelation
speaks of a new song of victory (Rev 5:8,9, 14:2,3) which deals with
the end times. (See website under "Harps/New Song" for more). Is it
time? I've seen Rabbis quoted as saying they can hear the footsteps
of the Messiah approaching--may we be accounted worthy to stand in
his presence.
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Edupage items (5/19/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 19:06:31 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
GOV'T PROVIDES FREE WEB SEARCH
After launching a new search service for government Web sites
Monday and then pulling the service hours later due to concerns
about the fees involved, the Commerce Department says the service is
now online again, although it is not charging for the service. The
site (www.usgovsearch.com) initially charged a fee of $15 for one day
or $30 for monthly access, but the charge was temporarily cancelled
because it may conflict with the federal policy that all government
information be unrestricted to the public. Renee Edwards, a
spokeswoman for the National Technical Information Service, which
jointly developed the site with Northern Light Technology, says the
search engine will be available for free while the government reviews
its policy of unrestricted information. (Associated Press 05/19/99)
CANADA WON'T REGULATE NET
The Canadian government has decided against regulating the
Internet, according to the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CRTC is in charge of
the Broadcast Act, which requires that up to 60 percent of all
music and television broadcast in the country must be
Canadian-created. The Commission had previously discussed
applying the quotas to the Internet, but CRTC vice-chair David
Colville said yesterday that the commission will never play any
type of role in the development of the Internet in Canada. The
announcement was greeted enthusiastically by Canada's Internet
industry, although some were critical of the amount of time (10
months) it took the commission to make its decision. The
commission cited the large amount of textual material on the
Internet as a factor in its decision. Text is not covered by the
Broadcasting Act. (Wired News 05/17/99)
HITACHI TEAM IN 'SUPERCHIP' BREAKTHROUGH
A team of British and Japanese scientists funded by Hitachi have made
a breakthrough in semiconductor memory technology that would allow the
creation of a thumbnail-sized chip so powerful that it could replace
storage devices such as hard disk drives. The chip opens new
possibilities for lightweight devices such as computers, mobile
phones, and entertainment systems, and, if successful, could put
Hitachi into the spotlight as a leading chipmaker. The chip could
represent a turning point for the industry, as it promises to overcome
the physics that currently slow down the development of more powerful
chips. The breakthrough is one of many as the team of scientists work
to develop a single electron chip that can store one thousand billion
bits of data. The fastest RAM chips currently can store only up to
246 million bits of data. (Financial Times 05/18/99)
via: "Edupage" <edupage@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
--- BPR
BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Web Site looks for Second Coming
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 19:08:36 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
End Times News Update
Re: Gospel Preached to All (sort of)
Scripture: Matthew 24:14
News Source: Electronic Telegraph
URL:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001136033854542&rtmo=wsj0KlQb&atm
o=mmmm0w SR&pg=/et/99/5/18/nmes18.html Date: 5-18-99
================================================
Web site looks for Second Coming
By Victoria Combe
Religion Correspondent
CHRISTIANS are being offered a 24-hour live Internet link to
Jerusalem's Golden Gate where they can watch for the Second Coming
from the comfort of their own homes.
A group of evangelicals in Hereford has set up a web site to monitor
the Golden or Eastern Gate of Jerusalem's old city walls via a fixed
camera in the hope of recording the Messiah's return. The group is
part of Daystar International, a registered charity in America, and is
one of several Christian organisations that believe that Christ will
return at the turn of the Millennium.
The choice of the Golden Gate is based on a prophecy in the Old
Testament Book of Ezekial, which declares that the eastern gate of the
city will remain sealed until the Messiah comes.
Christine Darg, who runs the Hereford Group said: "We believe Jesus
could return close to the Millennium. Jews, Muslims and Christians
believe He will enter Jerusalem through the gate that our 'Messiahcam'
is watching daily. Many people want to go to the Holy Land at the
Millennium, but cannot. Our website allows them to be virtual watchmen
for the Second Coming."
The MessiahCam can be found at:
http://www.olivetree.org/Default.htm" Daystar International
Ministries - Home Page - MessiahCam
via: End_Times_News@onelist.com
========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Infobeat News items (5/19/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 19:16:58 +0000
From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>
*** Woman seeks to outlaw infidelity
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A woman fed up with unfaithful spouses wants to
make infidelity a crime in California, which has a no-fault divorce
policy. Adulterers in California could be forced to make a public
apology and pay for therapy if voters approve the ballot proposal from
Laura Onate-Palacios. The twice-married 52-year-old woman wrote the
initiative because of the suffering she believes infidelity has caused
people - including herself. She hasn't told her husband about it,
though. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559600217-5a8
*** Barak: Peace process to move forward
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's rival religious and secular parties vied
Wednesday for a place in the government of Prime Minister-elect Ehud
Barak, who reached out to world leaders to assure them the
Arab-Israeli peace process would move forward. Palestinians, though,
signaled that any honeymoon with Barak be might be brief, renewing
pressure for speedy statehood. The Palestinians are already urging
Barak to halt Jewish settlement construction in Jerusalem, whose
status is one of the thorniest issues dividing Israel and the
Palestinians. Barak's camp said it was too early for him to tackle the
question of Jewish construction in east Jerusalem because he won't
take office for several weeks. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559602912-bab ***
And: Barak nixes Shas party negotiations, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559600236-5fe
*** Russia approves new prime minister
MOSCOW (AP) - Sergei Stepashin was easily approved as Russia's new
prime minister today after he warned lawmakers that Russia needed
immediate and courageous policies to rescue its battered economy and
avoid social unrest. The State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament,
voted 301-55 to approve Stepashin following the dismissal last week of
his popular predecessor, Yevgeny Primakov. The vote count was adjusted
slightly after glitches were reported in the electronic voting. It
took the usually hostile Duma just three hours to debate and approve
the confirmation of a man who is a top loyalist of President Boris
Yeltsin. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559603389-438 ***
And: Loyalty served Russian premier well, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559602514-ced ***
Also: Russia: IMF loan a priority, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559602936-7a0 ***
Sidebar: Priorities of Russian PM, see
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559602618-8e5
*** G8 envoys meet in Germany on Kosovo
BONN, Germany (AP) - Envoys from seven Western powers and Russia met
at a government guest house overlooking the Rhine River to discuss the
Kosovo crisis Wednesday after Yugoslavia indicated it was open to
their peace initiative. The Group of Eight foreign ministry officials
are drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution backing NATO terms for
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic that could also be passed by
Russia and China, both of which oppose the allied bombing campaign.
The officials were being briefed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State
Strobe Talbott, who arrived from two days of talks with Russian and
Finnish officials in Helsinki, Finland. The Helsinki talks ended
without an announcement of the final proposal. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559604887-2b4
*** Jordan king seeks debt forgiveness
WASHINGTON (AP) - King Abdullah of Jordan openly appealed to leading
industrialized nations Wednesday to give him a $3 billion break by
forgiving almost half of what his troubled Arab kingdom owes them.
Abdullah, with President Clinton's support, asked for the debt
forgiveness at a news conference in which he said Jordan had a $700
million deficit in trade with the Palestinians, while Israel and the
Palestinians do $3 billion in business annually. "The dividends of
peace we haven't been able to see," he said. But the king, who
succeeded his peacemaking father, King Hussein, three months ago,
pledged economic and bureaucratic reform at home. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559604974-7b1
*** Entire Dutch cabinet resigns
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The entire Cabinet of Prime Minister Wim
Kok resigned Wednesday after a bitter fight over whether to give Dutch
citizens the right to vote in referendums split the ruling coalition.
Kok informed Queen Beatrix of the resignations, but it was not
immediately known if he would form a new Cabinet or call for new
parliamentary elections. The government collapse began before dawn,
when a lone lawmaker in Parliament's upper chamber blocked a bill to
let the Dutch public vote in referendums, a longtime goal of the
Democrats 66 party, the junior member of the three-party ruling
coalition. The bill would have permitted citizens to decide certain
economic and social issues through a referendum. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559604607-5ef
*** Egypt turns down Iraq opposition
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Egypt has turned down a request by Saddam
Hussein's opponents to host a key strategy session in Cairo, Arab
diplomats said Wednesday. The diplomats said a delegation from the
newly formed leadership of the Iraqi National Congress visited Cairo
last week to discuss the meeting with Egyptian officials. Egypt
refused to allow them to hold a session to set up an Iraqi parliament
in exile and agree on a military and political strategy to oust
Saddam. The dissidents shifted the meeting, set for July, to a
northern Iraqi area controlled by Kurdish dissidents. Egypt's
relations with Iraq improved recently after Baghdad increased its
trade with Cairo under the U.N.-sponsored oil-for-food deal. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559605030-db6
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