Comments on: Knock.. Knock… 666 Coming! http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/ We Still Hold The Key And Deed To Our Home In Palestine. We Will Return! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:09:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Philip http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-155410 Philip Wed, 14 Jun 2006 05:56:47 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-155410 Wow! That's quite a read. I don't quite know what to make of the red heifer! I saw some documentary in which a very Orthodox rabbi was asked about certain Christian organizations donating to efforts to reclaim the Temple Mount and rebuild the Temple. The interviewer asked him if the differences in views regarding the Messiah make it a strange relationship. He just sort of shrugged and said, "Why should it? They say it will bring Messiah. We say it will bring Messiah. Perhaps we then have the same goal." So it is rather remarkable, albeit odd. Again, I too say, let it happen. Nothing will speed it along nor slow it down, so in the meantime, do some good. The irony behind the "Holy of Holies" is that they will have it separated via a curtain designed to keep it off limits to man. Of course, as Jesus died, the veil was torn into, signifying the end of the separation between God and man. One thing, though. According to premillennial rapture theology, those left on earth are not condemned. Rather, they go through a period of intense tribulation, during which a certain "remnant of Israel," signified by the number 144,000 (likely meaning an unfathomable number rather than an actual total) will not only follow Jesus but will sort of lead the charge of a huge awakening of sorts. Millions will draw to God, while millions more will curse him, eventually pledging allegiance to the antichrist and accepting his mark as their identity. Of course, this will be a conscious decision, not an accidental acceptance of a tainted debit card! At that point they will have doomed themselves. But missing the rapture would not be condemnation. It would just suck in a big way. Wow! That’s quite a read. I don’t quite know what to make of the red heifer! I saw some documentary in which a very Orthodox rabbi was asked about certain Christian organizations donating to efforts to reclaim the Temple Mount and rebuild the Temple. The interviewer asked him if the differences in views regarding the Messiah make it a strange relationship. He just sort of shrugged and said, “Why should it? They say it will bring Messiah. We say it will bring Messiah. Perhaps we then have the same goal.” So it is rather remarkable, albeit odd. Again, I too say, let it happen. Nothing will speed it along nor slow it down, so in the meantime, do some good.
The irony behind the “Holy of Holies” is that they will have it separated via a curtain designed to keep it off limits to man. Of course, as Jesus died, the veil was torn into, signifying the end of the separation between God and man.
One thing, though. According to premillennial rapture theology, those left on earth are not condemned. Rather, they go through a period of intense tribulation, during which a certain “remnant of Israel,” signified by the number 144,000 (likely meaning an unfathomable number rather than an actual total) will not only follow Jesus but will sort of lead the charge of a huge awakening of sorts. Millions will draw to God, while millions more will curse him, eventually pledging allegiance to the antichrist and accepting his mark as their identity. Of course, this will be a conscious decision, not an accidental acceptance of a tainted debit card! At that point they will have doomed themselves. But missing the rapture would not be condemnation. It would just suck in a big way.

]]> By: Robin http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-155403 Robin Wed, 14 Jun 2006 05:32:21 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-155403 Just when you think you've kind of got the hang of this rapture theory, there's more. See there is an organization VERY active in Israel called the Temple Mount believers. Both are based in biblical prophesy of the end times and both are at the extreme end of "odd". Here is a site, the Temple Mount Institute that you should check out in detail. The two ideologies closely interelate to each other, depending on each other to fulfill the end times http://www.templeinstitute.org/ Check out the "red heifer" which supposedly was born in 2002. But I guess that wasn't the right red heifer because it needs to be three years old in order for the whole thing to work out. The whole point when this is being brought up vis a vis the political sphere, is that there are players of both beliefs who wish desperately to hurry it along by themselves making prophesy happen. This is really scarey stuff when you stop to consider it. I just imagine people sitting around and licking their chops every time some percieved event occurs that fits into the end-time philosophy. I'm sorry, but I don't WANT the world to end (just my motherly instinct acting up) and these people actually are looking forward to it, even willing to help it along. This is SICK stuff, waiting on the edge of your seat to be wisked up in a white cloud and all those people who wouldn't listen to you burn in hell. What a loving philosophy :) Just when you think you’ve kind of got the hang of this rapture theory, there’s more. See there is an organization VERY active in Israel called the Temple Mount believers. Both are based in biblical prophesy of the end times and both are at the extreme end of “odd”. Here is a site, the Temple Mount Institute that you should check out in detail. The two ideologies closely interelate to each other, depending on each other to fulfill the end times http://www.templeinstitute.org/ Check out the “red heifer” which supposedly was born in 2002. But I guess that wasn’t the right red heifer because it needs to be three years old in order for the whole thing to work out. The whole point when this is being brought up vis a vis the political sphere, is that there are players of both beliefs who wish desperately to hurry it along by themselves making prophesy happen. This is really scarey stuff when you stop to consider it. I just imagine people sitting around and licking their chops every time some percieved event occurs that fits into the end-time philosophy. I’m sorry, but I don’t WANT the world to end (just my motherly instinct acting up) and these people actually are looking forward to it, even willing to help it along. This is SICK stuff, waiting on the edge of your seat to be wisked up in a white cloud and all those people who wouldn’t listen to you burn in hell. What a loving philosophy :)

]]> By: Philip http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-155402 Philip Wed, 14 Jun 2006 04:46:06 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-155402 "The increase in the frequency of Hurricanes has experts wondering if there is a connection to climate change." I can help them with this answer: No. The current cycle began in 1995 (Hurricanes Erin and Opal left us reeling then) and is slated to continue for 10-20 more years. Realistically, though, they are clueless. For all we know, there will not be another hurricane anywhere on earth for the next 50 years. It's not global warming, it's not climate shifts, it's not the "birth pangs" preceding the end times. It's a relatively short period of heightened activity that has gotten a ridiculous amount of news coverage (except for Ivan, which -- despite being the 3rd costliest hurricane in US history -- seemed to be forgotten). New Orleans was hit by a hurricane almost identical to Ivan. The problem was not that it was some cataclysmic hurricane. It's that it was a typical bad one at the time of landfall, and the Big Easy's "Dear God please don't let that one hit us ... ... ... ... ... whew! We're ok, so let's forget there is a danger" attitude left them vulnerable to what amounts to an above ground sea. Spending my whole life about 200 miles from there, I got used to that scenario! But the Chicken Littles of the world, the rapture-watchers being among the most visible, look at it as some unheard of natural disaster portending the coming disaster. Not that I believe it won't eventually happen, but that there is no use trying to calculate it. Pointless and stupid. These people could spend this valuable time building homes and fixing roofs in Louisiana and Mississippi. You know, doing the things God actually told us to do, not things he told us not to try to predict. “The increase in the frequency of Hurricanes has experts wondering if there is a connection to climate change.”
I can help them with this answer: No. The current cycle began in 1995 (Hurricanes Erin and Opal left us reeling then) and is slated to continue for 10-20 more years. Realistically, though, they are clueless. For all we know, there will not be another hurricane anywhere on earth for the next 50 years. It’s not global warming, it’s not climate shifts, it’s not the “birth pangs” preceding the end times. It’s a relatively short period of heightened activity that has gotten a ridiculous amount of news coverage (except for Ivan, which — despite being the 3rd costliest hurricane in US history — seemed to be forgotten). New Orleans was hit by a hurricane almost identical to Ivan. The problem was not that it was some cataclysmic hurricane. It’s that it was a typical bad one at the time of landfall, and the Big Easy’s “Dear God please don’t let that one hit us … … … … … whew! We’re ok, so let’s forget there is a danger” attitude left them vulnerable to what amounts to an above ground sea. Spending my whole life about 200 miles from there, I got used to that scenario! But the Chicken Littles of the world, the rapture-watchers being among the most visible, look at it as some unheard of natural disaster portending the coming disaster. Not that I believe it won’t eventually happen, but that there is no use trying to calculate it. Pointless and stupid. These people could spend this valuable time building homes and fixing roofs in Louisiana and Mississippi. You know, doing the things God actually told us to do, not things he told us not to try to predict.

]]> By: Robin http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-155379 Robin Wed, 14 Jun 2006 02:30:54 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-155379 With 666 iminent and all these horrible natural disasters (as if we haven't gone through hurricane cycles before) I saw the news LATE last night and thought you might be in some deep water or holding onto your hat for dear life. Here in CA we wait for the "Big One". Whenever a "little one" hits you start thinking at the very first rumbling, is this one IT. It is NOT fun. Been through a several and would not recommend them to anyone, rapture ready or not. From the above rapture ready site I offer this, the RAPTURE INDEX. The site claims that while it is by no means a rapture indicator as to time, it is "the dow jones" of leading indicators. This is REALLY a hoot: http://www.raptureready.com/rap2.html I honestly cannot believe that someone sat down to come up with this one. With 666 iminent and all these horrible natural disasters (as if we haven’t gone through hurricane cycles before) I saw the news LATE last night and thought you might be in some deep water or holding onto your hat for dear life. Here in CA we wait for the “Big One”. Whenever a “little one” hits you start thinking at the very first rumbling, is this one IT. It is NOT fun. Been through a several and would not recommend them to anyone, rapture ready or not.
From the above rapture ready site I offer this, the RAPTURE INDEX.
The site claims that while it is by no means a rapture indicator as to time, it is “the dow jones” of leading indicators. This is REALLY a hoot: http://www.raptureready.com/rap2.html I honestly cannot believe that someone sat down to come up with this one.

]]> By: Philip http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-155370 Philip Wed, 14 Jun 2006 02:02:56 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-155370 Weather is fine here, just a few random bands of clouds and occasional mild rain showers. We are in the clear from Alberto (thanks for asking!). I do not want to see another 2004 (Ivan) or 2005 (Dennis). 2 direct hits from major hurricanes in 10 months got a wee bit nerve-wracking! Fortunately, Ivan, while pretty much obliterating our neighborhood, left our property unscathed, save for a lot of tree damage to some beautiful live oaks. Dennis, while smaller, was dead-on (the eye passed over us), and had 125 mph winds. It did some roof damage (no leaks, but it blew off enough shingles to warrant a new one paid for by insurance, and we were only a few years out from needing to replace it due to age and wear) and banged up our fence and shed, but insurance paid for it all with only a $500 deductible, and we never even saw that, because my dad and I replaced the roof ourselves. I just hope no major ones hit here (nor elsewhere) this year. There is nothing like watching update after update on the Weather Channel as some Cat 5 monster approaches (although they always seem to die down before landfall...even Katrina was only a Cat 3 when it hit New Orleans. Weather is fine here, just a few random bands of clouds and occasional mild rain showers. We are in the clear from Alberto (thanks for asking!). I do not want to see another 2004 (Ivan) or 2005 (Dennis). 2 direct hits from major hurricanes in 10 months got a wee bit nerve-wracking! Fortunately, Ivan, while pretty much obliterating our neighborhood, left our property unscathed, save for a lot of tree damage to some beautiful live oaks. Dennis, while smaller, was dead-on (the eye passed over us), and had 125 mph winds. It did some roof damage (no leaks, but it blew off enough shingles to warrant a new one paid for by insurance, and we were only a few years out from needing to replace it due to age and wear) and banged up our fence and shed, but insurance paid for it all with only a $500 deductible, and we never even saw that, because my dad and I replaced the roof ourselves.
I just hope no major ones hit here (nor elsewhere) this year. There is nothing like watching update after update on the Weather Channel as some Cat 5 monster approaches (although they always seem to die down before landfall…even Katrina was only a Cat 3 when it hit New Orleans.

]]> By: Robin http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-154268 Robin Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:43:19 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-154268 Hey Philip, How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Are you anywhere near the hurricaine? Hey Philip,
How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Are you anywhere near the hurricaine?

]]> By: Philip http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-154249 Philip Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:36:58 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-154249 I am not sorry the US is still united (I do not plan on driving for secession anytime soon!), but I do lament how it came to be held together. Besides, it was the Republicans who were behind Reconstruction! Microchipping a puppy, though, is the mark of the beast, but since a puppy is a "beast," it's ok. I am not sorry the US is still united (I do not plan on driving for secession anytime soon!), but I do lament how it came to be held together. Besides, it was the Republicans who were behind Reconstruction!
Microchipping a puppy, though, is the mark of the beast, but since a puppy is a “beast,” it’s ok.

]]> By: Robin http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-154186 Robin Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:29:00 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-154186 Here is what the ruling in New York stated concerning the NYCLU: "October 4, 2005 -- In a mixed decision, a federal judge has refused to dismiss claims by the New York Civil Liberties Union against various City and State social services agencies for the improper use of government funds by the Salvation Army to convey religious messages in their social services programs in violation of the Establishment clause of the Constitution. US District Court Judge Sidney Stein also ruled that the NYCLU may proceed against the Salvation Army with claims of retaliation against employees for filing claims of religious discrimination." The "tricky" was using public funds for religious prostelyzing in violation of the Establishment Clause and the discrimination in hiring suit is left open for further legal claims (I know I just repeated myself but the first in quotes is drawn from the site) I am in full agreement, faith based initiatives should NOT be the realm of our government. Just as "faith based laws" should not be. And on a side note, I am also a Southerner by birth(my entire family still lives there) and have a picture hanging on my wall of my great-grandfather in a civil war uniform. It is a part of history, he was my ancestor, and it is interesting to me. It does NOT mean I am sorry the North won, but it also means I recognize the tyranny the South was subjected to. History. Interesting. But as for 666, my daughter just had a micro-chip put in her puppy. Should I be afraid? Paranoia is NOT my gig! Here is what the ruling in New York stated concerning the NYCLU:
“October 4, 2005 — In a mixed decision, a federal judge has refused to dismiss claims by the New York Civil Liberties Union against various City and State social services agencies for the improper use of government funds by the Salvation Army to convey religious messages in their social services programs in violation of the Establishment clause of the Constitution. US District Court Judge Sidney Stein also ruled that the NYCLU may proceed against the Salvation Army with claims of retaliation against employees for filing claims of religious discrimination.”
The “tricky” was using public funds for religious prostelyzing in violation of the Establishment Clause and the discrimination in hiring suit is left open for further legal claims (I know I just repeated myself but the first in quotes is drawn from the site)
I am in full agreement, faith based initiatives should NOT be the realm of our government. Just as “faith based laws” should not be.
And on a side note, I am also a Southerner by birth(my entire family still lives there) and have a picture hanging on my wall of my great-grandfather in a civil war uniform. It is a part of history, he was my ancestor, and it is interesting to me. It does NOT mean I am sorry the North won, but it also means I recognize the tyranny the South was subjected to. History. Interesting.

But as for 666, my daughter just had a micro-chip put in her puppy. Should I be afraid? Paranoia is NOT my gig!

]]> By: Philip http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-154182 Philip Mon, 12 Jun 2006 18:33:46 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-154182 Fair enough. Let it be noted, though, that Robin hates the homeless! JUST KIDDING! The Salvation Army is great. I was their eastern territory graphic designer for 3 years. The "discrimination" suits are ironic, in that the Army does not hire homosexuals for clergy positions nor for any other direct faith-involved positions. The conflict is this: certain governments do not allow discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, non-profits are generally exempt from such rules (obviously the Army could not very well hire, say, a Jewish man as a clergyman and should not be required to by law). But when distribution of funds for charitable programs is involved, things get sticky. The thing is, the Salvation Army gets results leaps and bounds above secular programs, so the question arises, "Do we only fund less-effective programs in order to be politically correct?" The best solution is to get government 99% out of charity and let people who are good at it (like the Salvation Army) do it all. I admit my Lincoln thing was a stretch. It was more allegorical, but probably a little excessive! Truly, though, Lincoln was not who history books paint him to be. <a href="http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams032702.asp" rel="nofollow">Here is a short synopsis by one of my favorite columnists</a> (and probably the closest to my political thinking that I have found). As a Southerner, though, shouldn't I be something of a conspiracy theorist? Look at the countless war crimes committed against Southerners (black and white) by union forces, most notably terrorist William Tecumseh Sherman's famed "March to the Sea." And then there was Reconstruction. I'm boring, though. Married another Christian, though she's about as psycho as me. Fair enough.
Let it be noted, though, that Robin hates the homeless! JUST KIDDING!
The Salvation Army is great. I was their eastern territory graphic designer for 3 years. The “discrimination” suits are ironic, in that the Army does not hire homosexuals for clergy positions nor for any other direct faith-involved positions. The conflict is this: certain governments do not allow discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, non-profits are generally exempt from such rules (obviously the Army could not very well hire, say, a Jewish man as a clergyman and should not be required to by law). But when distribution of funds for charitable programs is involved, things get sticky. The thing is, the Salvation Army gets results leaps and bounds above secular programs, so the question arises, “Do we only fund less-effective programs in order to be politically correct?” The best solution is to get government 99% out of charity and let people who are good at it (like the Salvation Army) do it all.
I admit my Lincoln thing was a stretch. It was more allegorical, but probably a little excessive! Truly, though, Lincoln was not who history books paint him to be. Here is a short synopsis by one of my favorite columnists (and probably the closest to my political thinking that I have found).
As a Southerner, though, shouldn’t I be something of a conspiracy theorist? Look at the countless war crimes committed against Southerners (black and white) by union forces, most notably terrorist William Tecumseh Sherman’s famed “March to the Sea.” And then there was Reconstruction.
I’m boring, though. Married another Christian, though she’s about as psycho as me.

]]> By: Robin http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/06/06/knock-knock-666-coming/#comment-154032 Robin Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:57:36 +0000 http://sabbah.biz/mt/?p=1378#comment-154032 Lest my reference to "wobegons on skid row" be misconstrued as perjorative, let me make one thing clear. For more than twenty years I have worked with the homeless of my community and also helped establish a home for homeless families as well as maintain friendships with many friends I have made along the way. I also donate regularly to homeless causes both monetarily and with my own time. DEEDS, not prostelyzing. You also must realize I was married to a Moslem and am currently married to an atheist. If I were not comfortable in my own faith and instead had the dire urge to influence others in their choice of personal belief, three beautiful daughters would have never been born of these unions. Now that I have laid out my own personal reasons, I leave it at that. Lest my reference to “wobegons on skid row” be misconstrued as perjorative, let me make one thing clear. For more than twenty years I have worked with the homeless of my community and also helped establish a home for homeless families as well as maintain friendships with many friends I have made along the way. I also donate regularly to homeless causes both monetarily and with my own time. DEEDS, not prostelyzing.
You also must realize I was married to a Moslem and am currently married to an atheist. If I were not comfortable in my own faith and instead had the dire urge to influence others in their choice of personal belief, three beautiful daughters would have never been born of these unions. Now that I have laid out my own personal reasons, I leave it at that.

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