Lift spirits now
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Total solar eclipse streaks across Earth
Schoolchildren shouted and even scientists shed a tear as the moon's dark shadow sped across Earth's surface from Brazil to Mongolia on Wednesday, marking the first total solar eclipse in more than two years. |
Following an independent expert analysis, the Department of Water Resources today announced that it will move forward with plans to repair Riverside County's Perris Dam. Seismic weakness was recently discovered under the foundation of the dam, suggesting that major damage could occur in the event of a large earthquake. DWR took action, calling for an in-depth study and recommendation by an Independent Consulting Board. More in Meander Earth section... | ||
Audio interview with Lloyd Carpenter |
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Earthquakes in Diverse Places
FOX NEWS
FOX NEWS
Earth events a coincidence or warning signs? Read more...
Healthy environments inside and outside: What Olmsted Knew
By Richard Joseph Jackson, MD, MPH, Director, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medicine will not be adequate to deal with the health challenges of the 21st century, not even with the help of the sequenced genome and advances in robotic surgery. Even though the United States spends one of every seven dollars on medical care, we will not significantly improve health and the quality of life unless we pay more attention to how we design our living environments. Healthy living environments include not just a clean and heated kitchen, bath or bedroom, but also the landscape around us. Health for all, especially for the young, aging, poor and disabled, requires that we design healthfulness into our environments as well.
During the 19th century life
of Frederick Law Olmsted, the nation's greatest landscape architect, the average American's life span was shorter than 40 years. Today, it is 80. Surprisingly, only seven of the added years are the result of better disease care. The rest come from efforts that Olmsted would have understood perfectly: broader immunity to disease combined with higher living standards and a healthful environment, including clean water and better, safer housing and food.
Accommodating a Growing Population
Of the 21st century's many challenges, the major one for planners and designers will be designing well for population density. As we look around the nation today, we are staggered by population spread. The Census Bureau estimates that the U.S. will double its population again in this century — a whole new nation added: 600 million people! Designers and architects will be required to design for quality density.
Coupled with these demographic changes are new challenges for public health professionals who need to plan to make the nation healthier. The health challenges of the 21st century include an aging population; mental health protection; environmental threats; chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity; and eliminating disparities such as much poorer health status in low-income populations. For most of these challenges, we will need to be much smarter about how we use the land and design our housing and landscapes. This is true even for the issue of disparities in health care and survival. In many other countries, being poor does not mean one is condemned to dreadful environmental conditions.
I believe bad housing is the number one environmental health risk to children in America.
Cause and Effect
As an epidemiologist who has investigated disease outbreaks of infectious and chronic diseases (such as cancer and birth defects) as well as respiratory, intestinal and other diseases, I am convinced that for each one of them, there is an origin or major contributing factor in how we design our living environments or use our land. For example, protecting our drinking water cannot be achieved by water treatment alone. Protecting the water at its source will be essential and far more cost-effective. Air quality will not improve if we ignore housing design, heating, energy production and efficient transportation.
Better housing design that incorporates less thermal loss, more shading and evapotranspirative cooling from trees would generate less power plant emissions. Read the rest of the story...
What is a Solar Flare?
As the magnetic energy is being released, particles, including electrons, protons, and heavy nuclei,
are heated and accelerated in the solar atmosphere. The energy released during a flare is typically on the order of 1027 ergs per second. Large flares can emit up to 1032 ergs of energy. This energy is ten million times greater than the energy released from a volcanic explosion. On the other hand, it is less than one-tenth of the total energy emitted by the Sun every second.
Why Study Solar Flares?
Solar flares are the most energetic explosions in the solar system. Solar flares have a direct effect on the Earth's atmosphere. The intense radiation from a solar flare travels to Earth in eight minutes. As a result:
- The Earth's upper atmosphere becomes more ionized and expands.
Long distance radio signals can be disrupted by the resulting change in the Earth's ionosphere.
A satellite's orbit around the Earth can be disturbed by the enhanced drag on the satellite from the expanded atmosphere.
Satellites' electronic components can be damaged
Energetic particles accelerated in solar flares that escape into interplanetary space are dangerous to astronauts and to electronic instruments in space. Similar energy release processes take place in other cosmic events. These events occur on objects that are too far away to study in the detail that solar flares can be studied on the Sun. Understanding solar flares can aid in understanding these events.
More...
What in the World is Happening?
By Monte Judah
The comedian Bill Cosby once said that there were no atheists in the world. “When the ground shakes, everyone looks up.” In recent weeks, the world was shocked out of its complacency by the resulting tsunami that ravaged all of the surrounding coastlines. The death toll was greater than 150,000 people, and more than one million were displaced by the damage.
This event captivated the world’s attention. Maybe this is why God uses such events.
In the days following the tsunami, people began asking whether we could predict such events and possibly warn people in harm’s way. This opened the discussion for a host of issues. What can the Government do? Where was God in all of this? But the questions raised by a group of physical earth scientists and astronomers are even more disturbing. As a result, an even greater question has now emerged in this early part of the year 2005. What in the world is happening?
I believe the ultimate answer to this question is found in the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. The Scriptures say that in the last days (the end of the ages) there will be a series of signs in the earth and in space that will join with God’s final judgment upon the earth. You probably have read these verses before, but let’s review them and compare what scientists and other experts are saying. There is a striking comparison to be made.
And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. LUK 21:11
And there will be signs in Sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." LUK 21:25-28
Given our most recent tsunami, the expression “in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves” takes on a little more emphasis. Consider this verse from the prophet Isaiah.
The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and have come. ISA 41:5
There have always been earthquakes, volcanos, tsunamis, diseases, and famines in the earth in past generations. Trying to suggest that a particular natural disaster is proof that we have reached the end-times is silly. It is true that the Bible refers to natural disasters as part of the end-time scenario, but the prophecy speaks of events so compelling that men respond to them as evidence of Almighty God’s final judgment.
And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; DAN 12:1
That is why a couple of big earthquakes, even those producing tidal waves that kill thousands, are insufficient in convincing me that we are seeing the prophecies of Luke 21 fulfilled. Aren’t we just dealing with a couple of big earthquakes? Or, is this part of something much bigger that is coming? Is there evidence that Almighty God’s judgment is forthcoming on an earthly and heavenly scale? What is really happening in the world today?
Before I try to answer those questions, let me direct you to a source location. There are many sources for the information that I am going to share, but I will only direct you to one. Internet location www.watch.org. This site is operated by Bill Koenig. He is a White House reporter. He is also a believer. His site lists news events that concern other believers and those paying attention to end-time events. On page two of his site, you will find all of the government and university research web sites that monitor earthquakes, volcanos, climate changes, special weather events including droughts, floods, and severe weather. The article your are reading was written in late January 2005. For those of you reading later, I’m sure the data I will present will be even more prolific by the time you read this. This site will give you access to real-time data.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are measured on a Richter scale. Earthquakes of the small variety occur hundreds of times each day. However, we are interested in earthquakes that are large and numerous. Is the stage being set for earthquakes described in the Bible or the one earthquake that shakes the whole world? The simple answer to that question is yes.
Here is a snapshot view of the present. In the month following the earthquake off the coast of Indonesia that produced the killer wave in South Asia, there have been hundreds of large earthquakes measured on the Richter scale. In the week of Jan 14-20, the world had 107 major earthquakes ranging from 2.1 to 6.6. At the present rate, large earthquakes number as few as a half dozen to as many as two dozen per day. Oh, by the way, it hasn’t been like this in the past. We have not just discovered the real extent of this natural phenomena. Something is definitely happening to the world that we live in today. Earthquakes are a major factor in several communities, especially those surrounding the Pacific rim. Some scientists believe that the tilt rotation of the Earth is also part of the effect, along with shifting tectonic plates. If you look at a map of specific earthquake locations for the last five years, the whole world looks like a cracked egg ready to be fried. The growing frequency and size of today’s quakes suggest even greater disasters are in the future. The idea of the whole earth being shaken is no longer beyond the realm of possibility.
And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” HEB 12:26
Volcanos
How many volcanos do you think are active in the world? How many are starting to become active and raising concerns among scientists? You probably are aware of the one in Hawaii. Many of us remember mount St. Helens a few decades ago. Maybe you remember the one in the Philippines. Can you think of others? So, when I tell you that there are thirteen presently active (huffing and puffing) within a group of thirty being monitored closely, does that surprise you? Actually, there are another forty that are also being watched. That totals seventy of them.
I should also mention another type of volcano that won’t even hit that list. It is called, for lack of a better term, a “super volcano.” An example of that would be Yellowstone National Park. In recent years, part of the park has been closed to the public. Old Faithful, the geyser, isn’t so faithful lately; it seems the old super volcano underneath the park is starting to stir. The ground is heating up, gases are leaking out that are not good for us or animals. The heating cycle of the underground water powering the geyser is becoming erratic.
The last time the super volcano located at Yellowstone erupted it blew boulder sized chunks to Nebraska. What do you think the western United States would do if Yellowstone reverted to its old ways? Things are changing in our world faster than we previously thought.
Tsunamis
Killer waves called Tsunamis recently entered the vocabulary of most people. Tsunami is a Japanese word, and the Japanese are very familiar with these waves due to the numerous earthquakes offshore from Japan. It is the rest of the world that is now learning about them. But the Tsunami that we saw in South Asia is not the anticipated one that scientists are really afraid of. Again, for lack of a better term, they refer to it as a “super tsunami.” Let me illustrate by example the difference between a tsunami and a super tsunami.
Take a bath tub and fill it with about six inches of water. Put your hand into the water and suddenly wave your hand. A wave is produced and you can see it move about in the tub. This is the kind of tsunami that hit South Asia. But let’s change our experiment. Take your hand and suddenly smack the water driving your hand to the bottom of the tub. This type of wave will most likely get you wet. This is the kind of super tsunami that is produced by something entering the water with great force.
An earthquake can cause a tsunami but what causes a super tsunami? There are three: An island suddenly falls into the sea, a landslide from a mountain falls into the sea, or an asteroid from space falls into the sea.
An island shelf occurs naturally by slowly formed volcanic islands. Volcanic lava can form a shelf over the ocean. As the recurring flow of lava comes to the coast of the island, the sea water cools the lava causing it to harden. Additional lava deposits can produce a shelf extending out from the island. This shelf can easily break off at intervals and fall deeper into the water. The south shelf on the big island of Hawaii is an example of this. It has been formed over many years. If this were to give way, it would produce a very large tidal wave.
The landslide scenario is produced by a steep volcanic mountain that becomes unstable. As the side of the mountain gives way a super tsunami is formed. Off the coast of West Africa in the Canary islands there is a steep volcanic mountain that qualifies for this scenario. This particular mountainous island was formed by two volcanos (one is extinct, the other is not). There is a geological fault running the length of the island. If the side of this mountain gives way completely along this fault line, a sizeable portion of the island (30%?) would suddenly slide into the sea. It would be like throwing the mountain into the sea. The sudden displacement of sea water would produce a tidal wave hitting the East coast of the United States from Florida to New York. The wave estimate would be horrendous, towering more than 100 feet as it approached land. The wave that recently hit South Asia was 30 feet in some places. No one really knows how far a giant wave would travel inland, but it would travel across the Atlantic at the speed of a jet airliner. People would probably think that God forgot His promise to Noah. The disaster would be compared with Noah’s flood (on the scale of Biblical proportions).
And the second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. REV 8:8-9
The deep impact scenario from an asteroid striking one of the world’s oceans is a very real possibility. Several years ago there was a movie entitled “Deep Impact.” It described what astronomers have been predicting for some time. An asteroid striking this planet is in our future. If one were to strike the ocean, it would produce an unbelievable wave.
Global Warming
You may have heard of this subject in the past. This is a phenomena reserved strictly for modern man (since 1950). It is of major concern to nations around the world. The United Nations is trying to put the Kyoto treaty in place, but they are facing major conflict with established nations such as the United States. It has to do with “greenhouse gases.” For example, modern civilization’s use of gasoline is pumping carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere at an increasing rate. This causes the Sun’s radiated heat to be retained in the earth, raising the earth’s temperature. While you might think that a mere degree increase in the earth is a very trivial thing, the earth’s delicate balance thinks differently. The United States and other developed nations cannot suddenly stop driving their vehicles and shut down the power plants.
Presently, the polar ice caps of the North and South Poles are melting. The North Pole has been losing 9% of its surface every 10 years. A major chunk of Antarctica just broke off and is adrift. More fresh water has been added to the ocean. The permafrost in the northern latitudes is melting. Forests are falling over because the tree roots are in mush instead of frozen turf. They call them drunken forests. A warmer Earth means that freezing comes later and thawing comes earlier in the northern latitudes. By the year 2100 (90+ years away), they project the sea level to rise at least 3 feet because of the polar cap thaw. This would change the coastlands of the world in a very dramatic way. Presently, more than 100 million people live and work at this 3 ft. elevation.
The National Geographic magazine ran a cover entitled Global Warming in their September 2004 issue. It is worth reading. I want to quote the editor Bill Allen from that issue.
“After a decade as Editor in Chief, I have a pretty good idea which articles will provoke a lot of angry letters. Whenever we publish stories that challenge widely held beliefs, some readers get mad, and they write to let us know. Well, we’re about to do it again. We’re devoting 74 pages of this issue to a three-part series of stories on global climate change, and I’d be willing to bet that we’ll get letters from readers who don’t believe global climate change is real, and that humans contribute to the problem. Some readers will even terminate their memberships. Why would I publish articles that make people angry enough to stop subscribing? That’s easy. These three stories cover subjects that are too important to ignore. From Antarctica to Alaska to Bangladesh, a global warming trend is altering habitats, with devastating ecological and economic effects. So I’m asking you – even those of you who don’t believe the Earth is getting warmer and that human behavior is a contributing factor – to turn to page 2. This isn’t science fiction or a Hollywood movie. We’re not going to show you waves swamping the Statue of Liberty. But we are going to take you all over the world to show the hard truth as scientists see it. I can live with some cancelled memberships. I’d have a harder time looking at myself in the mirror if I didn’t bring you the biggest story in geography today.”
And the nations were enraged, and Thy wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to Thy bond servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Thy name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth. REV 11:18
The National Geographic stories go on to discuss the evidence of a warmer Earth. They address the fact that since man has been measuring temperatures and looking at Earth’s history through ice cores and tree rings, the five hottest years on record were 1998 followed by 2002, 2003, 2001, 1997. They haven’t compared 2004 yet.
The Earth’s ocean currents have been affected. Some say that the salinity of the water has changed by adding more fresh water (melting ice cap). The melting ice cap also means less reflectivity from solar radiation. There is no question that our climate is changing. Climatologists are already claiming that we are seeing 500-year droughts and floods in recent years. We have more out-of-season severe weather occurring. Last August, we saw the strongest winter storm pattern in the middle of summer. I was in Cleveland this last August and woke up to 43 degrees one morning. Just this last January in Oklahoma, we set a new high temp record for a day with 76 degrees. I went to work with my coat and the defroster on, only to come home in short sleeves and the windows down. Go figure. A recent international weather report showed green grass and ducks paddling on the pond in front of the Kremlin. (The pond is normally frozen for ice skaters by now.) But let me share a portion of an actual article from the India Daily dated January 30, 2005 with their commentary on how weather forecasting computer models are failing. I have edited (smoothed) it slightly for American readers.
“Weather forecasting models are just failing and variation patterns are so obvious that forecasters all over the world are scratching their heads. The world is experiencing some extreme weathers and weather forecasters in all parts of the world are just failing for reasons unknown to all. In India, for example, scientists were astonished a the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and perplexed by the deviation of the weather from that predicted by the Doppler reports. In Russia, authorities are just as perplexed with bizarre patterns of snow falls. In America, the weather forecasters are similarly perplexed in their inability to tell people what will happen the next day. The recent hurricanes and typhoons all over the world have taken irregular patterns and unpredictable paths defying all established computer models. In India, China, Africa, Europe, all over the world the same story is repeating. In every country the meteorologists are thinking that these anomalies are just present in their region. But it is global and increasing every day.”
The article goes on to suggest and then dismiss that governments are developing weather manipulation weapons. The evidence from even the polar regions is that another force “someone else” is affecting the weather beyond what was is predictable for the present computer models.
Climate changes in the world are a very scary thing. They affect growing areas for the Earth’s food supply. The western regions of the United States are facing a drought. Some climatologists think we may be facing it for 500 years. In the Northwest, forest lands are drying out, bugs are killing trees, everything is dry and ready for a massive forest fires.
And the first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. REV 8:7
Most forest fires are caused by thunderstorms with their lightening strikes.
Not everything is drying out. Some places are getting too much rain (hence the resulting floods).
Climate change also effects the oceans. In particular, coral reefs are a major factor affecting sea life and they are bleaching out and dying.
And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died. REV 16:3
Solar Radiation
The Sun is the primary source of heat for the Earth. Most of us consider the Sun to be the big heat lamp in the sky, burning steady and strong. However, that is not what it really is. Astronomers first saw a solar flare (a sudden burst of radiation) back in 1859. Since then, they have monitored the Sun to learn of its ways. What they have found frightens them.
Solar scientists first discovered the eleven-year cycle for sunspot and flare activity. Next, they discovered Coronal Mass Ejections (CME’s). They are also referred to as X (1 to 10) class flares. Last year we had one that was off the scale. It was an X 20. Now they have discovered Coronal Holes. These flares, CME’s, and Holes send out incredible amounts of radiation in every frequency, including visible light. They are discovering that the Sun is increasingly “blowing up.”
A CME is a directional burst of energy (only a small percentage of the Sun’s total output), but intensive for any planet in the direction of the blast. The Earth’s magnetic shield is what protects us from this sudden burst. This is what causes the famous Northern Lights in the atmosphere (gasses in the atmosphere are ionized by the energy like a neon light bulb). However, this intensive burst of radiation has a very detrimental effect on us. The network of railroad lines and power lines sometimes collects the burst of energy. This can cause an overload in the power grid and knock out electrical service to vast areas.
The wide band of radiation from the Sun and the sudden bursts are bad for human beings as well. For every 6,500 feet in altitude, the radiation from the Sun is doubled. Traveling in an airliner at 30,000 feet has become a radiation hazard. If you are on the ground at the same radiation level, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would insist on putting radiation hazard placards on the walls and doors. You would also be required to wear special clothing and exit the area as soon as possible. It didn’t used to be this way. Long term airline employees such as pilots and attendants are now showing up with rare forms of cancer caused by radiation.
Some astronomers believe that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun has become more circular as opposed to elliptical. According to their calculations, we are in an orbital pattern that only occurs every 10,000 years. Therefore, our orbital pattern is not common. Other scientists are concerned about the Earth’s magnetic shield. They fear that it is collapsing. Their data suggests that the Earth may be preparing for a magnetic pole switch. The North Pole becomes the South Pole and vice versa. This would cause a technological disaster. But even more dangerous, we would have no shield against the Sun while it switches.
And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. REV 16:8
Asteroids
What else could hurt us? How about asteroids. They are big chunks of debris left over from creation that have not been caught by the gravity of other objects, but are flying around waiting to be caught. Before the Hubble telescope (space based telescope), scientists believed that the Universe and the Earth had been around about 160 billion years. They believed that everything had pretty much settled down for the solar system. However, the Hubble time constant came back with the results that the Universe was only 11-12 billion years old. That still does not match the book of Genesis, but it did revise their thinking about the solar system. Suddenly, they discovered that everything is not as settled as they believed. There continues to a lot of debris flying around out there waiting to land somewhere.
They call them Near Earth Objects, but lately they changed the name to PHA’s (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids). Astronomers have discovered 662 of them and admit there are another 6,000 they don’t know about. One asteroid can do more harm to the Earth than the exchange of global thermonuclear weapons by super powers. In fact, an asteroid impact has the potential not only to produce a devastating tsunami, but can blast enough dirt and debris into the atmosphere upon striking land to darken the sun, moon, and stars for several months. Scientists say that a darkened Earth for four months would destroy all life on Earth. This is the scenario described by the Bible but the darkness is for five months. Maybe this is why all life would have died unless He had returned.
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. And he opened the bottomless pit; and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. REV 9:1-2
And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short. MAT 24:22
Even an asteroid glancing off the atmosphere of the planet (a near miss) would cause a major problem. A very acidic and poisonous precipitation would result. This precipitation would literally poison the fresh waters of the Earth’s surface. This scenario is also described by the Bible.
And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter. REV 8:10-11
Signs of the Last Generation
But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase. DAN 12:4
Daniel’s prophecy of the end-time generation has three features: many people, travel, and the increase of knowledge.
Worldwide Population (many)
In October of 1999, the population of the world exceeded 6 billion people. At that moment, we crossed a very unusual threshold. We now have as many people alive, walking on earth, as have ever lived in the history of the Earth since Creation. It is now 2005 and we have 6.3 billion people in the world. The population explosion has done a couple of things. We are now consuming more resources than the world has to replenish and continue supporting us. Some globalists think that we need to reduce the world population and get back to only 2 billion people. They are actually suggesting that if we have a war or a worldwide epidemic killing half of us it would be a “good thing” in the long run. This kind of devastation to people is addressed in the prophecies. There are two great judgments coming in the tribulation that will affect world population: one causes the death of one quarter of mankind, the other causes the death of one third of mankind.
And I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. And authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. REV 6:8
And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they might kill a third of mankind. A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. REV 9:15, 18
No matter how you do the math, the result of these two judgments is approximately that one half of mankind dies in the days of the Great Tribulation. The last generation heading into the Great Tribulation was prophesied to be many people.
Worldwide Travel (going back and forth)
The generation previous to us did not travel as we do. Just traveling outside of one’s state was a major adventure. Traveling to another country or from coast to coast was the trip of a lifetime. The same trip today is done in a day. Travel in this generation is beyond anything imagined by our ancestors. Men have been to the tallest mountains, both the North and South Poles, the deepest seas and to the Moon and back. International travel is now both commonplace for business and pleasure. No other generation of people have seen such things.
Increasing Knowledge
But the increase in knowledge is the one characteristic that amazes even me in these days. I have shared this story with others before, but permit me to review it again.
In 1958, I was in the 5th grade at Garfield elementary school in Abilene, Kansas. I don’t remember many other things that happened in those days, but I remember getting my Weekly Reader one week and being taken by one particular story. The article said that the knowledge of the world had doubled. I’m still not sure how this was measured, but it said that the combined knowledge of the world from 1900 to 1958 equaled the knowledge gained from creation to 1900.
This is the amazing part! Since 1958, the knowledge of the world has doubled again in 1970, 1990, 2000, and now in 2005. It is expected to double again in 2007, 2009, and then (get ready) six times in 2010! The doubling rate will be in months that year.
In parallel fashion, medical knowledge from 1948 to 1994 doubled every 4.4 years. It is now even faster. From a pure informational standpoint, data and information freely available on the internet is now doubling every six months. Television network news is about to go the way of the steam locomotive for news and information.
Information about people is of major concern for privacy advocates. Last year, the integration of people with computers moved forward in a very significant way. It is an implant chip about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted under the skin. This is not science fiction. People actually are volunteering to receive these implants for a host of reasons. This technology is strikingly similar to a very powerful end-time Bible prophecy.
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. REV 13:16-17
Globalism (UN) and the European Union
The European Union started in 1993. Since then, they have successfully issued their own money in the form of the Euro Dollar. They have increased their membership of nations from twelve to twenty-five. They are in the process of writing their constitution. A draft has been developed. They have come up with a unique way to elect their top executive leader. A group of council ministers actually decides who the final leader is by giving their authority to rule to him. Each minister has six months. By voting for a specific leader, you actually give your six months of rulership to him.
The present problem is determining how many ministers there will be. For example, if every nation has a minister (25 total), and a minimum majority of them (13) gave the final leader their authority to rule; i.e., 13 X 6 mos = 6.5 years. The final leader would have a minimum of 6.5 years but could rule for 12.5 years. The EU wants their leader to serve a similar time frame to the U.S. president (somewhere between 3-5 years). Therefore, the ideal number of voting ministers should be ten. But which nations would have ministers or would have to share a minister? The debate goes on.
The prophecy says that the antimessiah emerges from a group of ten kings. It says that seven give their power to him (three are opposed) 7 X 6 mos = 42 mos. Presently, the constitution is still being negotiated by all the countries, and its final ratification is still to be accomplished. However, it appears to be moving in this direction.
The European Union is formed out of the remnants of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire is historically remembered by seven emperors, all with the name Charles. The first was Charlemagne. The Catholic Church is well established as an entity exercising great influence in this matter. Interestingly enough, the EU chose the symbol of a woman riding a beast for its one dollar coin. There is enmity between the Catholic Church and the political forces of the EU. The same enmity is described in the book of Revelation.
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. REV 17:3
And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot [the woman riding the beast] and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. REV 17:16
Another powerful symbol from the Scriptures used by the EU is their flag (12 gold stars in a circle on a blue field). According to The Economist magazine in an article entitled Real Politics, at last? dated October 28, 2004, Arsene Heitz, a devout Catholic and designer of the EU flag, he stated that his inspiration for the design was based on the Revelation 12 passage where the woman is clothed with the Sun and has a crown of twelve stars is on her head.
If the EU forms a ten member council of ministers, we will have an organization based on the Holy Roman Empire with seven heads (seven ancient emperors) and ten horns (ten modern rulers) as the Bible describes.
Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. And the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast. REV 17:9-13
In Israel
With Arafat gone, the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority are pressing toward some kind of inevitable conclusion. Prime Minister Sharon has been fearsome in forcing a number of political decisions. The rumors are starting to fly with soldiers threatening to disobey orders for Jewish evacuation in Gaza. (See article regarding Gaza evacuation). The Jewish settlers in Samaria and Judea are faced with the very real possibility of having their own uprising. Jewish civil war is a very real possibility.
I took note of Sharon’s complaint against the settlers, particularly those that were arguing for the Biblical definition of the land of Israel. He said that the settlers were becoming too Messianic. This expression by Sharon means that the hearts of the people in the land are turning to the Lord for their help instead of men and the government.
Maybe this is the reason why the Rabbis have also formed the Sanhedrin again. Not since the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem have we had this level of leadership. This group of Rabbis is calling a Messianic Monarchy form of government, sacrifices on the temple mount, and addressing a return to other Biblical ways. The governments decision to go forward with a two-state solution with the Palestinians is not only in conflict with the Messianic settlers, it also appears to be in conflict with the Messiah Himself.
I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land. JOEL 3:2
Conclusion
What in the world is happening?
Earthquakes, volcanos, tsunamis, global warming, climate changes, solar radiation, asteroids, world population, travel, increasing technology, the emerging EU government, and events in Israel all match the Bible prophecies of the end-times. Asking the question, “What in the world is happening?” is clearly justified. Everything happening in the world these days seems to match the end-time prophecy.
I find it fascinating that the Revelation passages are taking on a very literal application for our world. So, what does this all mean? Where will all this end? Obviously, there is still much to happen, but maybe we should go ahead and read the final part of the end-time prophecy.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, REV 21:1
YAVOH, He is Coming is a monthly newsletter published as an outreach ministry of Lion and Lamb Ministries Inc. The ministry is a non-profit organization with an end time prophetic message in a Messianic Jewish context. Subscription to YAVOH, He is Coming is without cost and supported only by donation.
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Frequent flyers at risk for radiation exposure
Get a preflight briefing on solar flare activity. Until recently, solar storms were considered to be unpredictable events. In recent years, however, astronomers have discovered that certain observable patterns on the surface of the sun are good predictors of upcoming solar flare activity. One radiation physicist has recommended a real-time warning system to alert airlines (and crewmembers and frequent flyers) of forecast solar flare activity that increases in-flight radiation risk. Until such a system exists, you can research the subject yourself by checking the current solar activity reports (updated daily) at http://www.sel.noaa.gov/forecast.html. Unfortunately, these forecasts are written for astronomers, not pilots, and are a bit difficult to decipher.
If you're pregnant, minimize your exposure. Female crewmembers need to take special precautions to avoid occupational exposure to radiation during pregnancy. Try to avoid bidding long-haul, high-altitude routes, especially those that involve flights in polar regions. If your employer has difficulty with such requests, point out the reduced maximum permissible radiation dose during pregnancy recommended by both the NCRP and ICRP, as well as the FAA policy statement quoted earlier.Airline crewmembers and frequent flyers
A 1996 paper in the American Journal of Epidemiology examined the incidence of cancer among 2,740 Air Canada pilots. The pilot group had a significantly lower overall incidence of cancer than the general population, which was not surprising because airline pilots as a group are in better shape and tend to live healthier lifestyles (e.g., with regard to smoking, diet and exercise) than non-pilots. In fact, only 125 cancers were found in the Air Canada pilot group, compared with 175 that would be expected in a like-sized group from the general population. What was surprising, however, was that the Air Canada pilot group had a sharply higher incidence of four specific types of cancer compared to the general population: myeloid leukemia, astrocytoma, prostate cancer, and malignant melanoma.
Myeloid leukemia is definitely associated with radiation exposure, and occurred in the Air Canada pilot group four times more frequently than in the general population. Astrocytoma (a type of brain cancer) occurred twice as often in the pilot group as in the general population, and increased incidence has also been found in other studies of airline pilots.
Significantly higher incidences of prostate cancer were found in both the Air Canada study and another study of British Airways pilots. Current thinking is that this might be related to electromagnetic radiation from weather radar and other avionics rather than from cosmic radiation.
Malignant melanoma is a skin cancer normally associated with sun exposure. British Airways pilots were found to have a six times greater risk of melanoma than the general population, and a significantly increased incidence was also found in the Air Canada study. However, increased incidence in these pilot groups might simply be a function of that group's increased opportunity to travel to sunny vacation spots.
A study of female airline flight attendants in Finland and Denmark showed an increased incidence of breast cancer, which researchers have suggested is due to the crewmembers' simultaneous exposure to both magnetic fields and cosmic radiation. It is thought that magnetic fields suppress the function of a gland called the pineal body, which produces the hormone melatonin, and that reduced melatonin increases the risk of developing certain cancers, particularly breast cancer. Another study showed that infection-fighting white blood cells develop more chromosomal aberrations when exposed to both radiation and magnetic fields than under radiation alone.
Finally, a study of male U.S. Air Force pilots showed they had significantly more genital and testicular cancer than non-flying USAF officers. Again, nobody is sure why.
Radiation dose levels represent a complex function of duration of flight, latitude, and altitude. Based on data collected for this study, radiation dose levels that would be experienced by a flight crew are well below current occupational limits recommended by the ICRP and the FAA of 2,000 mrem/year. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) recommends a monthly equivalent dose limit of 50 mrem. The ICRP recommends the radiation limit during pregnancy be 200 mrem.
Only flight crew flying both a large number of hours during pregnancy (for example, 100 hours per month) and strictly the highest dose-rate routes (typically global routes-United States to Buenos Aires or United States to Tokyo, etc.) would exceed the NCRP monthly guideline.
An annual radiation dose limit of 1 mSv (100 mrem) for members of the public has been recommended by both the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) here in the United States and by its overseas counterpart, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). In June 2003 the Health Physics Society, the organization of radiation protection professionals that sponsors this Web site, reaffirmed that these limits are appropriate. This recommended limit, unchanged for more than 10 years, has generally been adopted into law or regulation by the government agencies that mandate radiation protection programs. No distinction is made between the exposure of adults or minors. However, radiation exposure to the flying public (versus someone who works as a crew member) is not regulated-it is considered a "voluntary" activity. So at least as far as any legal limits are concerned, there are none for this category of exposure, for adult flyers or anyone else.
Seattle to Portland: 3 mrem per 100 block hours
New York to Chicago: 39 mrem per 100 block hours
Los Angeles to Honolulu: 26 mrem per 100 block hours
London to New York: 51 mrem per 100 block hours
Athens to New York: 63 mrem per 100 block hours
Tokyo to New York: 55 mrem per 100 block hours
Because incoming cosmic radiation particles are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field, the intensity of in-flight radiation is a function of both altitude and latitude. In general, radiation shielding by the geomagnetic field is greatest at the equator and decreases as one goes north or south. At typical flight altitudes of 30,000 to 40,000 feet, the difference between the cosmic ray dose rates at the equator and at high latitudes is about a factor of 2 to 3, depending on where one is in the approximately 11-year solar cycle. So if all your flying is in the equatorial zone, you would expect that the dose rates at altitude are 2 to 3 times lower than for your colleagues flying more northern or southern routes. Of course, your total exposure will be a function of the hours you spend at altitude. In any case, your annual radiation burden will be well within the limits considered acceptable for occupational exposure by such organizations as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
At present, the Airline Pilots Association is conducting dosimetry studies for its membership and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is engaged in a study of reproductive disorders among flight attendants. Several studies have already been published; some show an increase in various malignancies among crew members while others show no increased risk. The following references all present data showing an increase in malignancies among flight crew members with the exception of the second British Airways paper which, as discussed above, reevaluates data published in the earlier reference. These papers can be obtained through your local library.