Relate4ever Resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGBL5bOTE-w

Rosa canina or dog rose for your natural immune system during cold season!

R4E121226 – What exactly is the battle of Armageddon? by Douglas Jacoby 21:27

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What exactly is the battle of Armageddon? Is there going to be a literal battle, as Revelation 16 seems to indicate? And how can we prepare for this awful battle at the end of time?

1. Around 95 AD, the clear and present challenge to the Christian faith is emperor worship. Domitian is the first emperor to demand it in his lifetime. The center of emperor worship was Asia Minor, esp. the province of Asia (where Ephesus is).
2. Armageddon comes from the Hebrew har-Megiddo, hill/mountain of Megiddo, on the edge of the Valley of Jezreel.
3. Revelation is a book rich with symbolism, including 100s of allusions to the Old Testament.
4. The general environs of Megiddo was a frequent battleground. Here are 34:

BC
2350 Pepi I and the “Gazelle’s Head” — Jezreel Valley
1479 Thutmose III v. Canaanites – Megiddo
1430 Amenhotep II in the Valley — Jezreel Valley
1360-1350 Biridiya v. Labayu – Megiddo
1125 Deborah & Barak v. Sisera — Taanach & Mount Tabor
1090 Gideon v. Midianites/Amalekites — Hill of Moreh/Endor
1016 Saul & Jonathan v. Philistines — Mount Gilboa
925 Shosenq I (Shishak) — Megiddo
841 Jehu v. Joram & Ahaziah –Jezreel
609 Necho II v. Josiah — Megiddo
218 Antiochus III v. Ptolemy IV — Mount Tabor
55 Gabinius v. Alexander — Mount Tabor
AD
67 Vespasian v. Jewish rebels — Mount Tabor
940 Ikhshidids v. Abbasids – Lejjun
946 Ikhshidids v. Hamdanids — Lejjun/Aksal
975 Byzantines v. Fatimids — Mount Tabor
1113 Maudud v. Crusaders — Mount Tabor
1182 Saladin v. Daburiyans – Daburiya
1182 Saladin v. Crusaders – Forbelet
1183 Saladin v. Crusaders — Ayn Jalut
1187 Saladin v. Crusaders — Mount Tabor
1217 Fifth Crusade v. Moslems — Mount Tabor
1247 Ayyubids v. Crusaders — Mount Tabor
1260 Mamlukes v. Mongols — Ayn Jalut
1263 Mamlukes v. Hospitallers — Mount Tabor
1264 Hospitallers/Templars v. Mamlukes — Lejjun
1735 Zahir al-‘Umar v. Nablus-Saqr alliance — al‐Rawdah
1771-73 Zahir al-‘Umar at Lejjun — Lejjun
1799 Napoleon v. Ottomans — Mount Tabor
1918 Allenby v. Ottomans — Megiddo
1948 Israelis v. Arabs Mishmar — Haemek
1948 Israelis v. Arabs — Zarin, Megiddo, Lejjun
1967 Israelis v. Arabs — Ramat David Airfield
1973 Israelis v. Syrians — Ramat David Airfield
Comments on Rev 16

• Background: Plagues on Egypt (Exodus 6-13)
• The plagues are not fulfilled literally.
• Rome will fall and this is just: Invasions, plagues, corruption, ultimate demise.
• Not only to show she will fall, but to show that she has fallen….She is nothing but a cheap harlot (Rev 17).
• Metaphors involving sun, moon, and stars are common in apocalyptic literature.
• The God whom the Romans are defying is in control of the sun (not Apollo); he’s in charge of the entire universe!
• Refusal to repent, refusal to admit God is right.
  • Natural disasters
  • Economic slumps
  • Inept and pleasure-seeking leadership
  • Stupid laws and brutality in the government
  • Invasions
  • All warning signs ignored! (Are we paying attention to the “warning signs” in our own day?
• Eastern kings the threat to Rome – never subdued the Parthians.
• Dragon (ch 12) – Satan – the true power behind Rome.
  • Don’t be impressed by her power, or her false wonders.
  • She is directly opposed to the Lord God Almighty!
• Rev 16:16 refers to Megiddo, where Sisera thrashed Jabin, Judges 4; and Necho slew Josiah, 2 Chron 35.
• Next chapter describes the Great Harlot, and in chapter 18-19 we read of her fall–the battle has in effect already taken place. Revelation is filled with different ways of describing God’s ultimate defeat of Satan.
• This is speaking about Rome, yet the cosmic truths behind the description could just as well refer to any enemy of God. He’s got no chance.
• There are many obstacles to taking the language of Revelation literally; I am afraid the preachers on pop religious radio are misleading many. The earliest recorded “battle of Armageddon” took place nearly 4400 years ago, and there have been dozens — perhaps scores — of battles in the region of Megiddo since that time. In other words, “Armageddon” is an image of warfare, for it reminds us of the battles waged from time immemorial.
• What would Revelation 16:16 conjure up in the mind of the reader/listener familiar with O.T. history?
  • What does Gettysburg signify to an American? Normandy to a European? How about Waterloo?
    
  • Focus on theology, not literal history. What is God trying to tell his people?
  • Warfare–a showdown. The forces of good will ultimately triumph over the forces of evil, for Rome is not ultimately sovereign. Only Jesus Christ is the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Conclusions

1. There will be no literal “Battle of Armageddon,” radio preachers notwithstanding! Yet through the millennia, there have been numerous literal battles in the vicinity of Armageddon.
2. It’s an encouraging image, an apt picture of the cosmic battle between God and Satan, indeed! God’s word assures us, in the book of Revelation, that ultimately he will vanquish every cause that sets itself up against him, his Son, and his kingdom. And in order to walk the walk of disciples, we need that assurance!
3. If this is not a literal battle, there is no way to prepare for it physically. And yet both testaments urge us always to be ready to meet God. So rather than stockpiling water, canned goods, and ammunition — as some survivalist groups practice — it is the Lord’s will that we heap up righteousness and good deeds, sharing what we have (not hoarding it) with as many as possible.
4. Revelation 12:11 is in many ways the key to understanding the central message of the book of Revelation.

What cause most deaths worldwide? All time mortality rate report!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpSfDYFSCk

Most deaths are upon health issues, official statistics show http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate

Although morally speaking it seems that the no1 unofficial cause is abortion.

Anyway the point of the video is to move your body and eat healthy, then prepare for any kind of life events.

Respect for people that are learning, living, loving and leaving a legacy!

R4E121224 – Christmas Thoughts by Douglas Jacoby 10:03

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I wrote the following piece in the mid-1980s. Following is another, more humorous, piece. Hope you enjoy them! — DJ

The Man Who Came in from the Cold

I remember the night. It was chilly, especially for Florida, and Dad had a fire burning in the hearth. Even as a seven year old, I realized that this spelled certain doom for the jolly man who later that night would squeeze down the chimney. I mustered the courage to ask Dad, ‘Is there really a Santa?’ I was devastated. Doubts soon began to flood my mind as to the existence of ‘the Stork,’ the Easter Bunny, even of God himself. In later years I learned that Santa Claus (alias Father Christmas, Saint Martin, der Weihnachtsmann, Père Noël) was merely a corruption of Saint Nicholas, a Roman Catholic bishop of the 4th century. His attributes (red suit, reindeer, residence at the North Pole) derive from a blend of pagan legends with traditions about the saints. Good heavens!

25 December?
When was Jesus born? Does anyone really know? Early Christians were unsure. Cyprian thought 28 March, Clement of Alexandria guessed 20 May, Hippolytus supposed 2 June. If these early Christian writers (3rd century), who lived close to the time of Christ, had to guess the date of his birth, how is it that we know better?

The Shepherds
According to Luke 2:8, the shepherds were ‘living out in the fields’ keeping watch over their flocks at night.’ But what is Israel like in late December, the time traditionally assigned to ‘Christmas’? It is cold. It is the rainy season (Ezra 10:9, 13; Song 2:11). The shepherds would not be found dwelling in the fields in the winter season, and certainly not at night. It is therefore unlikely Jesus was born after Halloween! Whence then the notion that he was born 25 December?

Roman History
In 274 AD the Emperor Aurelian, influenced by the Persian cult of Mithras, designated 25 December as the ‘birthday’ of the sun god, ‘Sol Invictus’ the invincible sun. (In Mithraic tradition, the deity was born 25 December, and celebrated for twelve days. Sound familiar?) In some circles worship of the sun became identified with worship of the Son (see Malachi 4:2). Then in 354 Liberius of Rome ordered Christmas celebrated. This was popular among the Romans, who had already been celebrating the Saturnalia (12-24 December) as well as the Brumalia (25 December) — times of merrymaking and exchanging presents. Houses were decorated with greenery and festal lights. Gifts were given to children and the poor. Yes, Christmas has pagan origins. On top of all this, it is not even the actual birthday of Christ!

Teutonic History
As with the Romans, the Teutonic peoples too had their celebrations of the winter solstice. The idea was that the sun god was dying or dead, and there werecertain things one should do to assist it on its way, thus speeding the recovery of the world from its winter torpor. As the days lengthened after around 22 December, there was great rejoicing and partying. Thousands of years of Teutonic history make their contribution to the customs of Christmas, and these customs spread with the people into Central Europe, Gaul, and Britain. At the Yuletide, special cakes were consumed, Yule logs were burnt as an incentive to the waxing sun, fir trees were adorned with lights in honor of the tree spirits, special greetings and gifts were exchanged, many went a-wassailing, and of course there was the mistletoe, under which one stood and began (only a kiss, mind you) the headlong rush into a night of pagan revelry (1 Peter 4:3)! Remember that all of this was going on long before Christ was born.

Shopping Sprees
What would Christmas be without the frenzied shopping that characterizes our society? Listen to Libanius, a 4th century Roman writer, as he describes the scene in pre-Christian Rome:

Everywhere may be seen well-laden tables. The impulse to spend seizes everyone. He who through the whole year has taken pleasure in saving–becomes suddenly extravagant–a stream of presents pours itself out on all sides.

Yes, Christmas ‘spirit,’ often sustained by big business to sell merchandise, is nothing new, but rather an ancient and time-honored tradition.

Nordic Mythology
The Norse thunder god was Thor, who flew through the skies in a chariot drawn by two magical goats. Their names: Gnasher and Cracker. Sound familiar? Perhaps this piece of mythology moved Robert May to pen Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1939), which became a song ten years later.

“Christmas”
The modern word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes mæsse, or Christ’s mass. In medieval Catholicism, this was the Mass. The word mass itself appears to come from the Latin missa, from the end of the Old Latin liturgy, where the priest dismissed the congregation, “Ite, missa est.” (“Go, it is [the] dismissal.”)  Anyway, these words of dismissal in time became applied to the entire church service. (One wonders, were people that eager to get out?) So really Christmas is simply the liturgical celebration of Christ (really, of his birth), in a church service.

“Santa Claus”
There was a Turkish bishop of the 4th century, Nicholas, well known for deeds of charity and kindness to the poor. (For more on this remarkable man, see Adam C. English, The Saint Who Would be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra.) In accord with the Catholic custom of “promoting” various Christians to sainthood, in time he became Saint Nicholas. By way of the Dutch name of this man, Sinter Klaas, the Americans corrupted the name to Santa Claus in English.

Closing considerations
We have seen that ‘Christmas’ is essentially 100% tradition — and non-Christian at that! Yet traditions are condemned in the Bible only if they directly contradict the word of God (Mark 7:6-8). Jesus commanded us to remember his death, yet there is no harm in commemorating his entrance into the world. As one of the few who understands the true origins of this holiday, you can now enjoy the season in a more enlightened manner. So be of good cheer!

Merry Christmas!

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Note: The following humorous piece is based on the well-known poem The Night Before Christmas along with a hint of the premillennial doctrine of the rapture. Don’t critique it too seriously — yet be sure to consider its serious and important message.

 
Poem on the second coming of Christ and the coming of Santa

 
‘Twas the Night Jesus Came — and all through the house
Not a person was praying (not one in the house!):

The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby in lap
Was watching the Late Show, while I took a nap:

When out of the east there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window — I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!

The light of his face made me cover my head —
It was Jesus returning, just as he had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw him, in spite of myself:

In the Book of Life which he held in his hand
Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
When he said “It’s not there,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to his father above.

With those who were ready he rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees — but it was too late —
I’d waited too long, and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight!
Oh, if only I’d known that this was the night!

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear:
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible… was true after all!