It's the End Times!!

[JP1283]

Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.
Well, I'm afraid you can't exactly prove anything to them, but you could try to give them a sense of perspective by directing them here (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9941/).

Oh, and welcome to the Fora.

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.
Tell them you root for winners, and you're on the side of Satan.

[TragicMonkey]

You could reassure them that they need not fear the travails of the End Times, because they are basing their beliefs upon a false premise.

The premise that they will survive the conversation they are having with you. Imply the unlikelihood of that.

If you are sufficiently menacing in appearance, or have built up a reputation for eccentricity, this may manage to not only stop the religious talk, but to give them a new and healthy respectful fear of you.

In the end, what counts is that while you may never actually defenestrate someone to make a point, they don't know that. To them, you're capable of absolutely anything, possibly without even realizing what you're doing. This is a good position to occupy.

[Brown]

Well, so far there have been thousands (if not millions) of folks who predicted that they were living in the "End Times."

Every single one of them has turned out to be wrong. 100 percent wrong, zero percent right.

That's the worst batting average you can have.

So if someone makes a prediction about the End Times, only a sucker would take that prediction seriously.

[MRC_Hans]

Of course, some day, some sucker predicting End Times will turn out to be right ;).

Hans

[Iacchus]

The Book of Revelation has already been fulfilled (http://www.dionysus.org/x0101.html).

[jmercer]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

Ask them if they have life or health insurance. When they reply "Yes", try this "Why? If the end of the world is at hand, neither of those will do you any good, anyway!"

:D

[uruk]

Back in the 70's a friend bet me that the world would end in the year 2000. He still hasn't paid up.

[Gestahl]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

Ask them why they are wasting time at work, instead of getting their soul straight.

Ask them to be more specific so you can make plans. Don't want to be driving when the rapture happens, do you?

[Phil]

How exactly are the "Times" designated?

I mean, if we're in the End Times, that implies there were the Beginning Times. But are there only the Beginning Times and the End Times? Or are there some other Times in between?

Like were there the Well-Underway Times, or the Good Times, or the Bad Times, the Over Times, the Out-Of Times, the New York Times? How many different Times are there?

Or was there just an instant where time began and everything that followed is considered the End Times?

And "End Times" is always plural in that vernacular. How many End Times are there? Is there an Early End Time, a Midway End Time, and Late End Time? Or are they like geological periods? How does this crap work?

Excuse me, I need a cup of coffee.

[Psiload]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

Tell them...

"The boss sure will be happy when I tell him there's no need for him to keep contributing to your 401Ks."

[Iacchus]

And when we die, what happens to our relative notions of time then? That's pretty much the end of it don't you think? ;) Oops, time's up! :D

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Iacchus
And when we die, what happens to our relative notions of time then?
Relative notions of time? Is Morris Day your uncle?

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas
Relative notions of time? Is Morris Day your uncle? Are you sure you're not referring to one of Einstein's missing relatives? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0933900198/qid=1114100545/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-3435875-2534501?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Are you sure you're not referring to one of Einstein's missing relatives? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0933900198/qid=1114100545/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-3435875-2534501?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
Are you saying Morris Day is God?

[gnome]

Originally posted by Psiload
Tell them...

"The boss sure will be happy when I tell him there's no need for him to keep contributing to your 401Ks."

I love it!!! I wish I knew how some "end times" enthusiasts would react to this thought...

[Meadmaker]

Whatever you do, don't talk about the new Pope.

The day his election was announced, I typed "Benedict XVI" into a search engine, and guess what I got. The new guy was too new to show up on google with that name, but I got a whole bunch of hits on end time prophecies that predicted

A. We were living in the end times and
B. The next Pope will be named Benedict XVI.


(Several were based on the Prophecies of Saint Malachi. Those sites said Benedict XVI would reign for no more than a few years, followed by Peter II, who would be that last.)

Edit: I tried again. Now, Benedict XVI is showing up as Ratzinger, but here's the link that used to be number 1 on google for that phrase:

http://www.catholicplanet.com/articles/article41.htm

[JP1283]

Originally posted by Meadmaker
[B]Whatever you do, don't talk about the new Pope.

The day his election was announced, I typed "Benedict XVI" into a search engine, and guess what I got. The new guy was too new to show up on google with that name, but I got a whole bunch of hits on end time prophecies that predicted

A. We were living in the end times and
B. The next Pope will be named Benedict XVI.


(Several were based on the Prophecies of Saint Malachi. Those sites said Benedict XVI would reign for no more than a few years, followed by Peter II, who would be that last.)


See, that stuff freaks me out. What if it's all correct? I obsess over things like this.

[arthwollipot]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you. Sure - if it's all true, we'll all be tossed into the Lake of Fire to be nibbled by scorpions or whatever it is. But what are the chances of them being right? They have always been wrong before.

Tell them that every single generation since Christ has believed that they lived in the End Times. It would be nice if you could provide documentary evidence, but my poor googling skills have failed to bring up any good list. Does anyone have a link to a list of failed end-of-the-world prophecies?

[Zep]

Originally posted by arthwollipot
Does anyone have a link to a list of failed end-of-the-world prophecies? So far, ALL of them that predicted any date before today have been wrong. And the longer time goes on and days pass, the more of them are wrong. Most seasoned gamblers will tell you that to throw good money away after bad is a sure losing bet.

[TragicMonkey]

Originally posted by arthwollipot
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you. Sure - if it's all true, we'll all be tossed into the Lake of Fire to be nibbled by scorpions or whatever it is. But what are the chances of them being right? They have always been wrong before.


They are wrong. It's a Lake of Scorpions, where we'll be nibbled by fire.




Just kidding. It's not a Lake of Scorpions. It's a lagoon.

[Dr Adequate]

Armageddon Online (http://www.armageddononline.org/failed_armageddon.php) has three pages of failed end time prophecies.

You really can find anything on the Internet, can't you?

[arthwollipot]

I think this is what I was thinking of:

Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

And in fact I think one of the best things to show to those End-Timers would be the words of Saint John the Freaked-Out himself:

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

The very first words in Revelation indicate that these things must shortly come to pass. This was written almost two thousand years ago. God must sure have a weird definition of the word "shortly".

[Dr Adequate]

Originally posted by JP1283
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it. That's quite some attitude you've got there by the way. Not a good attitude, but an attitude. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Heck, it's just one more religious dogma. So long as they don't get involved with some weird cult, what's the harm?

[arthwollipot]

Originally posted by Dr Adequate
That's quite some attitude you've got there by the way. Not a good attitude, but an attitude. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Heck, it's just one more religious dogma. So long as they don't get involved with some weird cult, what's the harm?

Hm. You obviously haven't been reading the "what's the harm" threads.

[Kopji]

Rt has some decent advice:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/harra_wk.htm

The advice about meeting with them quietly on an individual basis is pretty good. Most people don't think they are being offensive and respond well to finding out that they are.

I doubt there will be anything you can say to change their minds. Impress your co-workers by not wasting time discussing religion at work.

[Meadmaker]

I had an interesting experience about 20 years ago, in my college days. I was doing some research in the graduate library at the University of Illinois. U of I has a fantastic library, and it's full of dusty old books.

There was a section of books on Biblical prophecy, and unlike in a bookstore, there were lots of old ones. So, there was a whole shelf of books with titles like, "1865: Year of Armageddon", and "1910-1917: Years of Tribulation".

The Antichrist was identified as coming from Turkey, Germany, and of course Rome, where every Pope since Pius IX got his turn as Antichrist, or at least as False Prophet.


Interestingly, the footnotes to my Bible, an authorized Catholic version, points out that the predictions of revelations bore a lot of resemblance to the events of John's own day. The Emperor Diocletian's name, when spelled in Hebrew and added up in the manner of Hebrew numbers, totalled 666.

[Skeptical Greg]

Originally posted by arthwollipot


The very first words in Revelation indicate that these things must shortly come to pass. This was written almost two thousand years ago. God must sure have a weird definition of the word "shortly". The stock fundie answer to this is something like:

" A thousand years is like a second to God ."

They always have an out... Even though it is apparent that the intended audience for Revelation was not God.

[Meadmaker]

Practical advice to "prove they are full of it" or "shut them up".


There is none. These times fit the end times prophecies just as well as lots of other times, so you are not going to prove that these are not the end times. The end times prophecies are so vague that anything could be made to fit.

You could attempt to show that some previous times were equally good candidates for the end times, but there is one problem. They obviously weren't the end times, so they aren't very interesting.

The only way to possibly alter what they are saying in any way would be to engage them on their own turf. Accept that there truly is an Antichrist, and then see what revelations says about him, and see if there are any suitable candidates today. If you can show there are none, these aren't the end times. However, I doubt that would solve your real problem, which is that you don't want to hear them talking about it in the first place.

Originally posted by Diogenes
The stock fundie answer to this is something like:

" A thousand years is like a second to God ."

They always have an out... Even though it is apparent that the intended audience for Revelation was not God.

I wish they would accept that answer when discussing the age of the Earth. If the first seven days could have lasted about 4.5 billions years, the Bible could still be true, because to God, seven days and 4.5 billion years are about the same. Somehow, though, those seven days seem very important to them, and they seem to think that it matters very much that they be no more than 24 hours long, in standard measurments.

[TriangleMan]

Originally posted by Gestahl
[B]Ask them why they are wasting time at work, instead of getting their soul straight.

My thoughts exactly! Tell them since it's the "End Times" shouldn't they quit to prepare for them? Hopefully that'll solve your problem.

[spejic]

Originally posted by TriangleMan
My thoughts exactly! Tell them since it's the "End Times" shouldn't they quit to prepare for them? Hopefully that'll solve your problem. No, I think it would be even better to help the co-workers with the coming end of time. Tell them, "You and I both know that I am destined for hellfire. Therefore, let me help you get into heaven. According to the Bible, rich people cannot get into heaven. So give all your worldly possessions to me so that you can easily be reunited with JC."

[DarkMagician]

My thoughts on the end times. (http://goforit.keenspace.com/d/20050420.html)

[c4ts]

Heh.

[Iamme]

Well, those people who predicted the end times in the past just didn't know their Bible. For those that do...know that we *are* in the end times, because things started to happen in 1914 (or was it 1917 ? Ask a Jehovah's Witness if you don't believe me.) that fulfill Bible prophesy. And most importantly ,as predicted, Israel has come together as a nation (1948).

But very believable evangelists like Jack and Rexella (I like Rexela!) Van Impe have emphatically stated that the end times are at hand and will occur sometime between 2006 and 2012, with 2012 being the most oft cited looming date, because of not only the Bible, but it just so happens that that is the year that the Mayan calender runs out! Yikes!

Also, according to interpretation of Revelation there will be 2 more Popes before the end times. The last Pope will be the anti-Christ or usher in the anti-Christ. The anti-Christ comes..then Jesus returns!

Well, in the newspaper last night, do you know what Pope Benedict XVI or his brother said? One of them said that the reign of Pope Benedict XVI probably will not last very long. Yikes. That means after *him* that will be the anti-Christ Pope!

Another thing I read that is scary: The paper said that it is feared that Putin is getting too much power. In the Bible, it says that during Armegedon, the bear will come down from the north. The bear is Russia. Also there is to be millions of soldiers I believe out of the east. Hmmmm. China. And Bible prophesy regarding the end times revolves around Israel and the New Jerusalem. Consider our tie in with Israel, and how seemingly all world affairs go thru Israel. Everything that is going on regarding mideast tensions is because of Israel! Like the lion in the Wizard of Oz said in the movie, "Tell me when it's over!"

[AWPrime]

Just glass Jerusalem and the 'end times' is prevented.:D

[Piscivore]

Originally posted by Iamme
In the Bible, it says that during Armegedon, the bear will come down from the north.

No it doesn't.

Originally posted by Iamme
Also there is to be millions of soldiers I believe out of the east.

No, it says "and [Satan] will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth–Gog and Magog–to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. "

Really, if you insist on basing your life off a work of fiction, you should at least try actually reading the damn thing first.

[Iamme]

For those of you who think I make things up, without naming names, because i am such a nice guy and dont' want to go to hell....read this Google first page ccp:

Web Images Groups News Froogle LocalNew! more »

Advanced Search
Preferences





Web Results 1 - 10 of about 340,000 for Bear + Russia + Bible. (0.19 seconds)

Sponsored Links

Foreign Language Bibles
Find Bibles in over 60 different
languages - Order Now!
www.bibles.com


Russian Bear in Prophecy!... Understanding Bible Prophecy. Israel, Russia, Iran and Certain Arab ... The King James Bible ] [ Iraq and Armageddon! ] [ Russian Bear in Prophecy! ...
www.tribulation.com/prt_gog.htm - 28k - Cached - Similar pages


Russian Bear in Prophecy!... Russian Bear in Prophecy! ] [ Jerusalem! ] [ Two Witnesses! ... Understanding Bible Prophecy. Israel, Russia, Iran and Certain Arab / North African ...
www.tribulation.com/gogmagog.htm - 52k - Cached - Similar pages


Chaos in Russia -- is it headed for dictatorship? -- will the ...... will the Antichrist come out of Russia?-- a Bible prophecy and New Age analysis ... So this angry red bear Russia could be a very dangerous mother bear, ...
www.revelation13.net/Russians.html - 56k - Cached - Similar pages


Saddam Hussein, the former evil dictator of a modern-day Babylon ...... and the 2003 War in Iraq -- A Bible prophecy and New Age analysis ... lion in Daniel's vision was Babylon, which is now Iraq) and the bear is Russia. ...
www.revelation13.net/Iraq.html - 20k - Cached - Similar pages


LP: OLD BEAR RUSSIA BULLISH ON ISRAELLiberty Post: OLD BEAR RUSSIA BULLISH ON ISRAEL. ... An acknowledgment that Russia has a legit grievance with the nasties in Chechnya and that Russians ...
www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=89462 - 15k - Cached - Similar pages


Bible Doctrine News Headlines 2001BIBLE DOCTRINE NEWS. Grace Oriented Divine Viewpoint of Current Events ... August 29 (Day 242, Baal, Bear, Russia): Tropical Storm Gaston made landfall just ...
biblenews1.com/news.htm - 37k - Cached - Similar pages


RUSSIA IN BIBLE PROPHECY... Then the Bible goes on to name in Ezekiel 38:5-6 Russia's allies, ... not only will Russia be weakened by having to bear all the losses, ...
www.churchoftrueisrael.com/comparet/comp-russia.html - 24k - Cached - Similar pages


Bible Code Prophecy: Genesis 49 Acrostic, Russia invades Israel.Genesis 49 massive acrostic bible prophecy. Russia invades Israel. ... "For the bull grew into an swift bear charging toward her. ...
www.bible-codes.org/acrostic-simple-bible_ code-genesis-riddles-prophecy.htm - 37k - Cached - Similar pages


Jehovah's Witnesses--Who are They? - Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia... and teaching the good news of the Bible in Russia for more than a century. ... they bear witness concerning his name, his Godship, and his purposes. ...
www.jw-media.org/region/europe/ russia/english/prb_who/article_01.htm - 14k - Cached - Similar pages


Russia, China and the Middle East... Russia, China and the Middle East. BlueBar. The Bible prophets predicted that ... Now, Russia is like a bear backed into a corner and Putin envisions no ...
hissheep.org/israeli/russia_ china_and_the_middle_east.html - 13k - Cached - Similar pages

[Iamme]

Here is a partial ccp from a link within the above ccp:

Daniel's prophecies help explain the Book of Revelation's prophecies of a future empire to come, in Revelation 13. In chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel, Daniel saw a vision of 4 beasts rising out of the sea, representing future empires to come. The first beast was like a lion, and had a man's heart. The second beast was a bear with three ribs in its mouth. The third beast was a leopard with wings and 4 heads. The fourth beast had iron teeth and 10 horns, one of which was a man that spoke great things. These are believed the represent the Babylonian empire (the lion), Medo-Persian empire (the bear), and Greek empire of Alexander (the leopard-- Alexander had the speed of a leopard during military conquest), and the Roman empire (with iron teeth). It is also believed that the final empire may be talking about the Antichrist -- the man who speaks great things. Note that these beasts are combined into the 10-horned beast of Revelation 13, which has the mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, the speed of a leopard, and 10 horns representing a confederation of 10 states. This could be Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, evolving into this angry beast. Since Revelation 13 describes the empire of the Antichrist as having the mouth of a lion and the feet of a bear, this could mean that the lion had been Iraq under Saddam Hussein (where the lion in Daniel's vision was Babylon, which is now Iraq) and the bear is Russia.

[JP1283]

Lamme,

Just make sure that when you are Raptured(tm) make sure that you are "wearing white raiment, so that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear."

:crazy:

[TragicMonkey]

How would the prophet Daniel know what a bear was? Were they common in the Middle East back then?

eta: And didn't Elijah sic bears on some children? I didn't think bears inhabited the region. Do they?

eta2: did some Googling. http://www.bearbiology.com/specdesc.html lists bear species. The brown bear habitat includes Eastern Europe, and the asiatic black bear habitat includes Pakistan. That's quite a distance, either way, from Israel. So either the ranges were wider back in Daniel's day, or there was another species of bear now extinct, or the bears are a scripting/translation error introduced at some point, or else the book of Daniel was written after Daniel and in a time and place familiar with bears.

[rppa]

Originally posted by Meadmaker
Whatever you do, don't talk about the new Pope.

The day his election was announced, I typed "Benedict XVI" into a search engine, and guess what I got. The new guy was too new to show up on google with that name, but I got a whole bunch of hits on end time prophecies that predicted

A. We were living in the end times and
B. The next Pope will be named Benedict XVI.

The question that comes to my mind is not "Oh [small-g] god, what if the End Times prophets are right?" but "Oh god, why would Ratzinger, aware of these prophesies, deliberately choose to feed them?"

[Piscivore]

Originally posted by Iamme
For those of you who think I make things up, without naming names,

I didn't accuse you of "making things up," I said you were wrong. Which is a common characteristic of those who rely on other's interpretations of texts instead of reading them themselves (see Iacchus).

Show me, chapter and verse, where "in the bible, it says that during Armegedon, the bear will come down from the north."

The Daniel cite mentions ribs, but not armageddon or movement of any kind.

[Iacchus]

And, as I understand it, "a bear," in the spiritual sense, signifies ignorance (http://www.dionysus.org/x0901.html).

[Meadmaker]

I got curious about something. I had googled "Benedict XVI", and found lots of end times prophecies. But had I just been overly selective? What if I had googled "Paul VII"? Would that also have produced end times prophecies? Was I "counting the hits?"

So I tried it. "Paul VII", "John XXIV". Few if any end times prophecies. Not like "Benedict XVI". But when I tried "Pius XIII", I found a site that proved none of the prophecies about Benedict XVI were accurate after all. It seems the new Pope is Piux XIII, and he was elected in 1998. It say so here (http://www.truecatholic.org/pope/)

[thatguywhojuggles]

Looking over some of the websites that list failed end of world prophecies, I noticed the frequency of the predictions rises the closer you get to present date.

I'm guessing this is because our ability as a society to gather and store information is improving so we have much more data to work with. However, I could imagine someone looking at that list and thinking the reason for the increase is because more and more of the "signs" are coming true.

I find it interesting that a large portion of the predictions are in some way or another linked to religion--most often Christian/Catholic. What other religions predict the end of the world?

[Bodhi Dharma Zen]

Originally posted by JP1283
Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

It is always the "end of times" for some group or other. Funny thing is that, if at some point it really happens, the group holding the view at the time will claim that they "really" knew! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
And, as I understand it, "a bear," in the spiritual sense, signifies ignorance (http://www.dionysus.org/x0901.html).
Actually that is not the case;

In Native American Totems & Their Meanings the bear represents

Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, will power, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength

Also as to the Native American the Bear represents spiritual strength, self-reliance and many kinds of medicine. The bear was also the patron of mischief and fun.

Ursa Major, the big bear, represents the larger reasoning part of the mind

In dream symbolism the Bear

“To dream that you are being pursued or attacked by a bear, denotes aggression, overwhelming obstacles and competition. You may find yourself in a threatening situation. Alternatively, bears symbolize the cycle of life and death and renewal. It may signal of period of introspection and thinking. The dream may also be a pun on "bare". Perhaps you need to bare your soul and let everything out into the open.�

To see a polar bear in your dream, signifies a reawakening.

In Finnish mythology a bear is thought to be an intelligent, strong, stabilizing and comforting and soulful creature.

Most early cultures and even today For example, in Russian Karelia as late as in the early 20th century people didn't eat bear because of the common belief that bears were relatives of man.

“Some scholars believed that King Arthur (Arth is Welsh for Bear) may have originally been a god, and was derived from the Gallic god Artaius. Though, Artaius had also been identified with another Welsh figure, named Gwydion.

The female form of this deity was Artio or Dea Artio, the bear-goddess. There's a Roman statue of Artio, now housed in the Historisches Museum, in Bern. The statue depicts the goddess seated, facing a bear. Unless of course the bear is the goddess and the woman a supplicant.� http://druidry.org/obod/lore/animal/bear.html

People who believe in Animal and Spiritual Guides believe the Bear represents
Power, mother cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming.

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
“To dream that you are being pursued or attacked by a bear, denotes aggression, overwhelming obstacles and competition. You may find yourself in a threatening situation. Alternatively, bears symbolize the cycle of life and death and renewal. It may signal of period of introspection and thinking.And to the 42 children -- a number which, by the way, signifies blasphemy -- who, out of ignorance uttered blasphemy against God by mocking the prophet Elisha, they were attacked by the two she-bears which came from out of the woods. ~ 2 Kings 2:23-24 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=12&chapter=2&version=9)

While something similar is signified by the beast out of the sea in Revelation 13 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=13&version=9), which has the feet of the bear (hence grounded in its ignorance) and speaks blasphemy against God for 42 months.

The dream may also be a pun on "bare". Perhaps you need to bare your soul and let everything out into the open.�Or, perhaps "bare with me," with respect to your ignorance?

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
And to the 42 children -- a number which, by the way, signifies blasphemy -- who, out of ignorance uttered blasphemy against God by mocking the prophet Elisha, they were attacked by the two she-bears which came from out of the woods. ~ 2 Kings 2:23-24 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=12&chapter=2&version=9)

While something similar is signified by the beast out of the sea in Revelation 13 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=13&version=9), which has the feet of the bear (hence grounded in its ignorance) and speaks blasphemy against God for 42 months.

Or, perhaps "bare with me," with respect to your ignorance?

Or, perhaps "bare with me," with respect to your ignorance?

It is interesting that when someone using factual data disputes in a respectful way one of your post your first response is to launch a meaningless and childish personal attack. Sad, such does little to support your beliefs and cast only a poor light on you and perhaps your low self-image.

And to the 42 children -- a number which, by the way, signifies blasphemy -- who, out of ignorance uttered blasphemy against God by mocking the prophet Elisha, they were attacked by the two she-bears which came from out of the woods. ~ 2 Kings 2:23-24


1st of course this passage is a great example of the God of the Judeo-Christian belief/Bible a evil hateful child killer. Tearing apart small children for name calling, which is a thing you as an adult do all the time.

Mark Twain, said "Blasphemy? No, it is not blasphemy. If God is as vast as that, he is above blasphemy; if He is as little as that, He is beneath it."
..........Mark Twain, a Biography

The God you speak of in the Kings passage is an example of a small and evil being, also a good example of how this God idea is nothing more then a fear tool used to control..

Yet another example of how your post help only to make your belief look more meaningless rather then more meaningful.. I believe you can do better then this.

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
It is interesting that when someone using factual data disputes in a respectful way one of your post your first response is to launch a meaningless and childish personal attack. Sad, such does little to support your beliefs and cast only a poor light on you and perhaps your low self-image. So, what are you calling me ignorant, and would have me "bare" with you? So, which is it? :con2: And why should you respond so "childishly" when ignorance is just a word? It could apply to just about anyone, even me. I just don't care to have people apply it to me when they don't understand what I'm talking about. In which case I would have to ask that they "bare" with me. Get it?

1st of course this passage is a great example of the God of the Judeo-Christian belief/Bible a evil hateful child killer. Tearing apart small children for name calling, which is a thing you as an adult do all the time.Does God protect little children who, out of ignorance, decide to walk over the edge of a cliff? LOL!

Mark Twain, said "Blasphemy? No, it is not blasphemy. If God is as vast as that, he is above blasphemy; if He is as little as that, He is beneath it."
..........Mark Twain, a BiographyIf the God of the Old Testament could be evoked with such few words, you damn well better be careful with what you say. Otherwise He might be obliged to answer one or two requests.

The God you speak of in the Kings passage is an example of a small and evil being, also a good example of how this God idea is nothing more then a fear tool used to control..Either that or it helps to underscore how important God was to these people back in those days, especially since they were not so over-reliant on their technologies as we are nowadays, and more "tuned-in" so to speak. Indeed, where survival was of the utmost, you dare not go against the nature of that which was deemed responsible for it.

Yet another example of how your post help only to make your belief look more meaningless rather then more meaningful.. I believe you can do better then this. And how should I take this from someone who believes life is just an illusion? With great respect and dignity? LOL! :D

[Iacchus]

By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd. And here, the number 43 signifies something similar to the advent of the New Church which occurs in Revelation 12 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=12&version=9), following the 42 months of prophecy of the Two Witnessess (in response to the blasphemy of the gentiles) in Revelation 11 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=11&version=9).

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

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

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. ~ Revelation 12:1-5 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=12&version=9)I have detailed something similar in my book, regarding the number 43 (http://www.dionysus.org/x0401.html).

[Iacchus]

Oops, my mistake. Piscivore's was the 42nd post and mine was the 43rd, where I initially brought up the notion of ignorance. And here I had two windows open and happened to think the post I just made was the 43rd post ... as the other window hadn't been updated yet. While if it wasn't for that, it wouldn't have even occurred to me. Hmm ...

[Pahansiri]

So, what are you calling me ignorant, and would have me "bare" with you?

1- shame on you. You incorporate in your belief Christianity so I am sure you know it is a sin to “bear� false witness and to tell lies…. PLEASE show me and all here using my post where I called you ignorant…
2- I also did not ask or care if you “"bare" with me�. As I have pointed out many times these are discussion boards, when one speaks ( post) what will follow is discussion. If you see to preach I offer you may serve your delicate ego better if you go else were.

And why should you respond so "childishly" when ignorance is just a word?

Shame on you PLEASE show me and all here using my post where I responded so "childishly" …

I find it sad you believe when others point out mistakes in your post and beliefs, offer you facts that you find these things “ignorance�, would not your flawed post be the “ignorance�,?

I do not judge peoples beliefs or statements as “ignorance�, or non “ignorance� I only post my opinions and if I say I believe something is wrong I offer facts to support what I have said. You should try this method as it will help to cast a better light on your beliefs.

It could apply to just about anyone, even me.

WOW EVEN YOU LOL…. The fact was it would have to apply to you. As I demonstrated most cultures and beliefs do not view the bear as a symbol of ignorance. In anyway or fashion as I have proven.

You simply pick out 2 passages from the Bible as proof f what you want to believe yet ignore all other facts.

You then also make a statement that 42 -- a number which, by the way, signifies blasphemy

How silly, you base this on your interpretation of 2 Bible passages but ignore the other 1 billion trillion squared times 42 is used having nothing to do with “blasphemy’. How silly.

I just don't care to have people apply it to me when they don't understand what I'm talking about. In which case I would have to ask that they "bare" with me. Get it?

How silly I did show I fully understand what you mistakenly believed. Get it?

Does God protect little children who, out of ignorance, decide to walk over the edge of a cliff? LOL!

WOW do you not understand the difference between personally killing someone and not stopping someone from killing themselves?

You are making yourself look so silly.

As you your very strange question yes it would seem a loving father would not stand by while a child was playing near a cliff when he fully knew the child would fall off. This God and religion of yours is so evil.

If the God of the Old Testament could be evoked with such few words, you damn well better be careful with what you say. Otherwise He might be obliged to answer one or two requests.

If pink unicorns could pick lottery numbers they would have won that 200 million mega lottery on Friday. The odds of that are the same as the OT God or any God it would seem existing.

Either that or it helps to underscore how important God was to these people back in those days, especially since they were not so over-reliant on their technologies as we are nowadays, and more "tuned-in" so to speak. Indeed, where survival was of the utmost, you dare not go against the nature of that which was deemed responsible for it.

No it just demonstrates how silly this belief in such a God is, how silly it would be to live in fear of such a small and evil childish God. One who kill little children for simply saying things kids do.. How sad...


And how should I take this from someone who believes life is just an illusion? With great respect and dignity?

Shame on you still grasping to a lie? Your actions can be so dishonest, Please show in my words where I said “life� was an illusion.. Remember I said reality is an illusion albeit a persistent one. There is a physical perceived “reality�.

I would again ask you to show me ONE thing that is in and of itself “self� but we know you will, can not..
:rub:

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd. And here, the number 43 signifies something similar to the advent of the New Church which occurs in Revelation 12 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=12&version=9), following the 42 months of prophecy of the Two Witnessess (in response to the blasphemy of the gentiles) in Revelation 11 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=73&chapter=11&version=9).

I have detailed something similar in my book, regarding the number 43 (http://www.dionysus.org/x0401.html).

By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.


LOL, your math skills are as poor as your reading comprehension skills..


RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43.

My first post was the 48th

Man even Jethro Bodine was better at "cyphering" then you and he done “graeated “the 8th grade….

Your foot must be very sore from the many times you shoot your self in it.

And here, the number 43 signifies something similar to the advent of the New Church which occurs in Revelation 12, following the 42 months of prophecy of the Two Witnessess (in response to the blasphemy of the gentiles) in Revelation 11.


Really so Piscivoze is the “New Church�….lol


So everyone who makes the 43rd post is the leader of “the New Church�….

Every athlete who wears #43 is the leader of “the New Church�….

I have detailed something similar in my book, regarding the number 43.

Web page not a book. When someone publishes it let me know.
;)

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Oops, my mistake. Piscivore's was the 42nd post and mine was the 43rd, where I initially brought up the notion of ignorance. And here I had two windows open and happened to think the post I just made was the 43rd post ... as the other window hadn't been updated yet. While if it wasn't for that, it wouldn't have even occurred to me. Hmm ... :dl: :crazy:

WRONG

RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43.

me the 48th

you 44th.. ( my old football number wonder what that means...lol)

[Pahansiri]

I must say I am sorry for the :crazy: that was a mistake and over the top, uncalled for. I do not believe you are crazy..

So again sorry for the :crazy:, I do stand behind the rest.

[Iacchus]

http://www.dionysus.org/images/post-56.gif

Now that we know which "reply" yours is (the one preceding this reply), try counting backwards. It was my mistake for referring to the post count, however, because it doesn't include the original post in the number of replies. Of course it would be much easier to go to the top of the page and acknowledge that as the "40th reply," and count from there. So yes, Piscivore's was the 42nd reply to this thread and mine was the 43rd.

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
http://www.dionysus.org/images/post-56.gif

Now that we know which "reply" yours is (the one preceding this reply), try counting backwards. It was my mistake for referring to the post count, however, because it doesn't include the original post in the number of replies. Of course it would be much easier to go to the top of the page and acknowledge that as the "40th reply," and count from there. So yes, Piscivore's was the 42nd reply to this thread and mine was the 43rd.

And I quote: Originally posted by Iacchus By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.

Now in an effort to avoid being proven wrong you simply wish not to count the first post of the thread and only count replies. Now that we know which "reply" yours

Nice try, not very honest but nice try, let us again look to your original statement And I quote: Originally posted by Iacchus By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.


The FACT is RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43.

me the 48th

you 44th. And you are again wrong..

Be the honest person I believe you are and just admit you are wrong.. Seems the founder of� the new church� would be honest.

Lets see LG is the leader of the new revolution bent on singly handed “saving God� and you are the Leader of “The New Church� as such you should be able to be honest and admit a mistake.
;)

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
2- I also did not ask or care if you “"bare" with me�. As I have pointed out many times these are discussion boards, when one speaks ( post) what will follow is discussion.No, not necessarily.

If you see to preach I offer you may serve your delicate ego better if you go else were.And I'm sorry, but if you want to understand me, you're just going to have to "bear" with me. So yes, unless we "bear" certain things in mind, we will never get past our ignorance. Oh, and did you notice I used the word "bear" correctly this time? It was my mistake for using the word "bare" previous to that. While indeed, it can be a heavy burden to "bear," but only because those around you "do not" understand.

WOW EVEN YOU LOL…. The fact was it would have to apply to you. As I demonstrated most cultures and beliefs do not view the bear as a symbol of ignorance. In anyway or fashion as I have proven.

You simply pick out 2 passages from the Bible as proof f what you want to believe yet ignore all other facts.
Yet the English language is my native tongue, and the Bible is the most common religious/spiritual document spoken of therein. In which case context is everything. Perhaps you should "bear" this in mind? Or, would you suggest we argue about this in some other language? LOL! :D

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
And I quote:

Now in an effort to avoid being proven wrong you simply wish not to count the first post of the thread and only count replies.

Nice try, not very honest but nice try, let us again look to your original statement And I quote:

The FACT is RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43.

me the 48th

you 44th. And you are again wrong..

Be the honest person I believe you are and just admit you are wrong.. Seems the founder of� the new church� would be honest.

Lets see LG is the leader of the new revolution bent on singly handed “saving God� and you are the Leader of “The New Church� as such you should be able to be honest and admit a mistake.
;) If you can't understand where I derived the number from, then I can't help you. :con2: It's an easy thing to do, indeed, to mistake the number of replies for the post count. So yes, Piscivore's was the 42nd reply to this thread, and mine was the 43rd. Now, if we wish to refer to the actual post count, including the original post (again, my mistake), Piscivore's would be the 43rd post and mine would be the 44th.

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
1- shame on you. You incorporate in your belief Christianity so I am sure you know it is a sin to “bear� false witness and to tell lies… Yes, and when we "bear" false witness, what is it specifically designed to do, but to appeal to someone's "ignorance" ...

[Mercutio]

I must say, I have missed Iacchus's forays into numerology. It always seemed such a crucial part of his philosophy--that, and dreaming, were the two shaky legs upon which it tried to stand.

Of course, around here, numerology got shot full of holes, so I guess it had to dissappear for a while. But now, the cycle begins again. A number is analyzed, then Iacchus's numbers are shown to be in error, at which time we find out that the new interpretation is *gasp* even more supportive of his philosophy! All roads lead to his misunderstood dualism, so long as all roads are composed of bad numerology and vivid dreams.

I find it interesting that Iacchus practically dares people to call him ignorant, and considers it a victory when they are too polite to oblige him. Of course, it might not be ignorance; there is a strong possibility that it is dishonesty.

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
No, not necessarily.

And I'm sorry, but if you want to understand me, you're just going to have to "bear" with me. So yes, unless we "bear" certain things in mind, we will never get past our ignorance. Oh, and did you notice I used the word "bear" correctly this time? It was my mistake for using the word "bare" previous to that. While indeed, it can be a heavy burden to "bear," but only because those around you "do not" understand.

Yet the English language is my native tongue, and the Bible is the most common religious/spiritual document spoken of therein. In which case context is everything. Perhaps you should "bear" this in mind? Or, would you suggest we argue about this in some other language? LOL! :D



No, not necessarily.

Really, a discussion board is not by nature a place of discussion?? I am sure you are looking for a “preaching board� a place for blind followers to drink Kool-Aid and nod mindlessly at you their leader.

And I'm sorry, but if you want to understand me, you're just going to have to "bear" with me.

We all have, yet all you have done is make statements you demand are true but offer no supporting facts stating only that you do not answer questions you only ask them.

I must assume what you really mean is we need just say “ yes Iacchus what ever you say we believe is truth�


So yes, unless we "bear" certain things in mind, we will never get past our ignorance.


Should not you take that to heart? I have shown you where you are wrong using facts, yet you go off on these tangents demanding I am wrong for posting facts proving you wrong. Seems very silly.

Oh, and did you notice I used the word "bear" correctly this time?

I knew you could learn.


It was my mistake for using the word "bare" previous to that.

We must all learn from our mistakes.


While indeed, it can be a heavy burden to "bear," but only because those around you "do not" understand.

If you wish us to “understand you� prove what you say is fact rather then just saying it is fact and we are all lost for not simply believing you.


Yet the English language is my native tongue, and the Bible is the most common religious/spiritual document spoken of therein.


1- what does that have to do with what I said??
2- Prove the Bible is the most common religious/spiritual document spoken of therein. Only 26 % of the worlds population is one of the many forms of Christianity and Judaism is a tiny % of the worlds population.
3- My point was you take 2 small Bible passages and believe they say that a bear signifies ignorance. As I proved it does not in the vast majority of the world.

In which case context is everything. Perhaps you should "bear" this in mind? Or, would you suggest we argue about this in some other language? LOL!

1- The Bible was not written in the English language
2- Post to me ONE supporting fact that a "a bear," in the spiritual sense, signifies ignorance. Not your opinion, supply references and places I can read to support this.

OK??? I will not hold my breath:rub:

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
If you can't understand where I derived the number from, then I can't help you. :con2: It's an easy thing to do, indeed, to mistake the number of replies for the post count. So yes, Piscivore's was the 42nd reply to this thread, and mine was the 43rd. Now, if we wish to refer to the actual post count, including the original post (again, my mistake), Piscivore's would be the 43rd post and mine would be the 44th.

If you can't understand where I derived the number from, then I can't help you. It's an easy thing to do, indeed, to mistake the number of replies for the post count. So yes, Piscivore's was the 42nd reply to this thread, and mine was the 43rd. Now, if we wish to refer to the actual post count, including the original post (again, my mistake), Piscivore's would be the 43rd post and mine would be the 44th.

You simply can not be honest can you even when your own words show you to be wrong.. Sad..

Here allow me to again post them.

Originally posted by Iacchus By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.

Now in an effort to avoid being proven wrong you simply wish not to count the first post of the thread and only count replies.

Now that we know which "reply" yours

Nice try, not very honest but nice try, let us again look to your original statement And I quote:
:Originally posted by Iacchus By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.


The FACT is RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43.

me the 48th

you 44th. And you are again wrong..

Be the honest person I believe you are and just admit you are wrong.. Seems the founder of� the new church� would be honest.


You keep wanting your mistake to be mine, you believe if you keep saying it everyone will simply believe you and ignore the facts.. I really don't think that will happen here. Remember most do not follow blindly here.;)

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Yes, and when we "bear" false witness, what is it specifically designed to do, but to appeal to someone's "ignorance" ...

In English please?

[Pahansiri]

Hello my friend.


Originally posted by Mercutio

Of course, around here, numerology got shot full of holes, so I guess it had to dissappear for a while. But now, the cycle begins again.

Yes, he has not spoken of it in some time and now has started again. I respect he Believes it but can not respect that when you show the flaws in his reasoning he reverts to personal attacks.

A number is analyzed, then Iacchus's numbers are shown to be in error, at which time we find out that the new interpretation is *gasp* even more supportive of his philosophy!

Strange how that works is it not?

I find it interesting that Iacchus practically dares people to call him ignorant, and considers it a victory when they are too polite to oblige him. Of course, it might not be ignorance; there is a strong possibility that it is dishonesty.

I believe he is a good man who believes what he does and put a great deal of hard work into his belief and cyber “book�.

I personally find he does not do it or himself justice by refusing to carry on a real interaction of thoughts and beliefs, an honest conversation. He seems to become very upset when others question him or will not simply believe him taking his word for it.

I would never buy a bridge from a bridge maker who refused to allow anyone to test the sturdiness of the bridge before buying it.

Someone who has nothing to fear fears nothing, someone who has nothing to hide hides nothing.

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Mercutio
I find it interesting that Iacchus practically dares people to call him ignorant, and considers it a victory when they are too polite to oblige him. Of course, it might not be ignorance; there is a strong possibility that it is dishonesty. Wow, amazing!

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
You simply can not be honest can you even when your own words show you to be wrong.. Sad..

Here allow me to again post them.

Now in an effort to avoid being proven wrong you simply wish not to count the first post of the thread and only count replies.

Nice try, not very honest but nice try, let us again look to your original statement And I quote:

The FACT is RPPA made the 42 post.

Piscivoze made the 43. Try looking at the "43rd reply" in the other thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55941&perpage=40&pagenumber=2) ...

http://www.dionysus.org/images/43rd-reply.gif

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Try looking at the "43rd reply" in the other thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55941&perpage=40&pagenumber=2) ...

http://www.dionysus.org/images/43rd-reply.gif

Originally posted by Iacchus By the way, yours was the 42nd post in this thread, and mine was the 43rd.

You make a fine dancer, now you are saying you were talking about the other thread????LOL

You made that post at New Post 04-24-2005 03:43 PM

You made this 44th not 43 post here at Old Post 04-23-2005 09:04 PM so what in the world are you talking about??? Are you spray painting with the windows closed again?

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Iacchus
Try looking at the "43rd reply" in the other thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55941&perpage=40&pagenumber=2) ...

http://www.dionysus.org/images/43rd-reply.gif Oh, and did you happen to notice what time it says? Hmm ... Now what was I saying about something occurring in chapter 12, in conjunction with the 43rd month? Just another coincidence? ;)


"And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." ~ Revelation 41:32 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=41&version=9)

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Iacchus
And, as I understand it, "a bear," in the spiritual sense, signifies ignorance (http://www.dionysus.org/x0901.html). And did you bother to follow this link at all? While it's funny, because I posted this link before I even saw the movie (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55941&perpage=40&pagenumber=2) yesterday. Just another reccurring theme like in the movie I posted on my webpage? (http://www.dionysus.org/x0901.html)


"And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." ~ Revelation 41:32 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=41&version=9)

[Iacchus]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
You make a fine dancer, now you are saying you were talking about the other thread????LOL

You made that post at New Post 04-24-2005 03:43 PM No, if you go to that thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55941&perpage=40&pagenumber=2) and count the number of actual posts, it would still be the 44th post. However, it's still the "43rd reply" in response to the original post, and this is what that number is indicating.

While come to find out this has now "duplicated" itself in "two threads" ... the only two threads I have participated in since yesterday by the way. ;)

[Nex]

Do you have nothing better to argue about than who posted what number reply? *sheesh*

Oh, I forgot. It's Iacchus. Nope. :p

[JP1283]

Seriously. Let's get back to the topic of the End Times.

[Kiless]

I thought this thread was going to be about this!

http://news.independent.co.uk/media/story.jsp?story=632311

But apparently not. :(

[arthwollipot]

Originally posted by Dr Adequate
Armageddon Online (http://www.armageddononline.org/failed_armageddon.php) has three pages of failed end time prophecies.

You really can find anything on the Internet, can't you?

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Dr A.

[Piscivore]

Originally posted by Pahansiri
Piscivoze made the 43.

Really so Piscivoze is the “New Church�….lol


Earlier (months ago) his numerology "told" him I was the "High Priest".

I think this is getting creepy now.

[Pahansiri]

Originally posted by Piscivore
Earlier (months ago) his numerology "told" him I was the "High Priest".

I think this is getting creepy now.

"High Priest" as hitting the pipe? lol

hey if he says you are the "High Priest" I believe him I don't need no stinking facts and it seems the numbers add up....

[ceo_esq]

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
How would the prophet Daniel know what a bear was? Were they common in the Middle East back then?

eta: And didn't Elijah sic bears on some children? I didn't think bears inhabited the region. Do they?

eta2: did some Googling. http://www.bearbiology.com/specdesc.html lists bear species. The brown bear habitat includes Eastern Europe, and the asiatic black bear habitat includes Pakistan. That's quite a distance, either way, from Israel. So either the ranges were wider back in Daniel's day, or there was another species of bear now extinct, or the bears are a scripting/translation error introduced at some point, or else the book of Daniel was written after Daniel and in a time and place familiar with bears.

Apparently there were wild bears in Israel until relatively recently. The last one was spotted in 1918, according to this article (http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2001/5/Focus%20on%20Israel-%20Reintroducing%20Biblical%20Wildlife) on an Israeli government website.

[Ladewig]

I found this thread while checking for previous end times threads.

I curious:

Hello all,
My coworkers are always rambling on about the End Times. What can I say to them to shut them up? I'm looking for evidence to prove to them that they are full of it.

Do they still think we are in the end-times? Has it gotten worse? Is Obama an important figure in their beliefs?

[bokonon]

Well, so far there have been thousands (if not millions) of folks who predicted that they were living in the "End Times."

Every single one of them has turned out to be wrong. 100 percent wrong, zero percent right.
Actually, they've all been right. They've been living in the last century or so of the universe, as far as their personal experience of it goes.