Some may have never heard the term “complete streets” or “walkable communities” so allow me to enlighten you. The “Complete Streets” policy of one Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) says “it will serve to provide safe access for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and bus riders.” Sounds harmless, right? There’s more. It also says the benefits include “encouraging walking and bicycling, eases transportation mobility, encourages children to become more physically active along with reducing air emissions from single occupancy vehicles.”
By now you may be asking how does providing safe access to roads translate into reducing single occupancy vehicles? Because the “complete streets” initiatives aren’t about adding curbs and sidewalks (which indeed are needed to accommodate pedestrians and the disabled) as much as about declaring an all-out war on cars. Like “complete streets,” “walkable communities” is code for the United Nations’ Agenda 21 initiatives that seek to abolish private property, reduce the carbon footprint of humans, restrict mobility, and basically control what we eat, how many children we can have, how we travel, and where we can live, work, and play — initiatives which are already being implemented through ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in over 600 cities nationwide and in 178 countries worldwide.
Organizations like the National Conference of State Legislatures are promoting key Agenda 21 policies, including drafting sample legislation for your state representative to take home and enact into law. ‘Complete streets’ policies and public private partnerships were both on the agenda of last year’s conference and Texas State Representative Linda Harper Brown came back and introduced legislation for both initiatives this year, but her attempts to pass a state ‘complete streets” policy failed largely due to the efforts of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom exposing it as an anti-car, anti-property rights Agenda 21 scheme. However, some Texas cities have already adopted a ‘complete streets’ policy at the local level through their MPOs, including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
For instance, the San Antonio MPO has adopted into its bylaws a “complete streets” policy that requires ALL future transportation improvement projects to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. That means take already scarce highway funds and mandate part of them be spent on bike and pedestrian trails or sidewalks, etc. Few if any state highways are the appropriate place for sidewalks or pedestrians so it likely means the practical application of this is to use highway funds to build hike and bike trails elsewhere as part of every highway project. Any exceptions must be “adequately documented” and “bicycle and pedestrian components included in a project cannot be deleted from the project at a future date in accordance with this policy.”
Agenda 21
The policy not only heists gas taxes to pay for other modes, but also grows government bureaucracy. For example, the San Antonio MPO has a full time “Bicycle/Pedestrian Planner.” The City of San Antonio has also added a full-time “Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.” In 2009, the city hired a new Sustainable Transportation Coordinator, Julia Diana, as part of the City of San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy. Diana’s background has little to do with transportation and more to do with preserving open space. She’s served on the Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board and a founding board member of the Voelcker Park Conservancy.
“What we need to do is make biking and walking easier. I live in the suburbs and have access to very little infrastructure which promotes biking. I would gladly ride to my local H.E.B. (a grocery chain in Texas), but the route is dangerous, not to mention unpleasant. Therefore, I think we should focus on accessibility, directness, and continuity of bike routes while analyzing and implementing land use policies that support paths, lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, etc, ” Diana said.
Road diet = war on cars
It sounds nice enough, but the part she leaves out is that part of the plan is to reduce auto lanes to make way for bikes and pedestrians. It’s not truly about offering more choices, but government deciding for you that cars are bad and cycling and walking are better alternatives to driving in your car. So under the guise of “sustainable transportation,” the real motive is to force people out of their cars and onto their feet or bikes to get around.
The San Antonio MPO plans “to identify and analyze roadways that would benefit from a ‘road diet.’” It explains “a ‘road diet’ as a technique…to narrow the width of a road or lane or completely eliminate the through lane(s) to achieve…a more efficient, multi-modal street or roadway” under subtask 2.3 of the MPO’s Unified Planning Work Program. An MPO resolution supports achieving bike facilities through “restriping or through a road diet.” Only a government bureaucrat would call shrinking the number of auto lanes and replacing them with bike lanes an “efficient” roadway.
Here are some examples of how these policies have played out in San Antonio and around the state. First, since the “complete streets” policy was adopted by the San Antonio MPO, the city came in and re-striped a major thoroughfare, N. New Braunfels Ave., so that what used to function as two lanes in each direction is now one lane each way for autos with a dedicated bike lane in the space once used by autos. There has been no marked increase in cyclists, but the auto congestion has doubled.
Then, in recent weeks another thoroughfare, NW Military Hwy, was expanded, not for autos, but for a dedicated bike lane in each direction. So after all that time and money on a road expansion, they did not add ANY new auto lanes, only bike lanes including a 6-8 foot buffer lane of space between the auto and bike lanes without adding any new auto lanes as well. The road remains congested. Next, Bexar County Flood Control Division condemned 30 homes, in 2009, using eminent domain along El Verde Road in order to expand Huebner Creek and to add hike and bike trails and to expand a park.
Also, the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, another duplicative government agency, is currently conducting the required environmental study for two San Antonio toll projects, and both will be including bike and pedestrian facilities. There’s already discussion of completing a bike path that traverses under one road as part of the project. Yet all of these agencies repeatedly tell us there’s no money to fix/expand our roads without tolls, but we apparently have plenty of money for extensive frontage roads, sidewalks, bike trails, and lighting for those sidewalks and trails.
Finally, San Angelo just announced its award of $3.2 million in highway funds to build a bike trail. It turns out the cost works out to be over a million dollars PER MILE! ‘Way to coerce people out of their cars’
Getting the picture yet? There’s a war on cars and politicians and bureaucrats are putting us on a “road diet” to force you out of your car and onto a hike & bike trail to help “solve” congestion. Naturally this also plays into the agenda of toll road advocates and bureaucrats that want free routes to remain congested to force you into paying tolls to get mobility. But is biking and walking really a practical solution for your daily commute and do you want your road taxes being used to expand roads for bikes only with no similar expansion for auto lanes? A larger agenda is at play and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood wants gas taxes to fund non-motorized transportation: “It is a way to coerce people out of their cars. About everything we do around here is government intrusion in people’s lives…So have at it.”
Learn to identify the signs of Agenda 21 in your community. Looks for the buzz words, ‘sustainable development,’ ‘walkable communities,’ and ‘complete street policies.’ Learn and then PURGE!
Army sergeant who gave life to save Afghan child being flown home for burial
Published March 29, 2012
| FoxNews.com
An Army sergeant and father of three from Rhode Island who gave his life to save an Afghan child from being run over by a 16-ton armored fighting vehicle is being flown back to the U.S. and will be buried Monday.
Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week after he dashed into the path of an armored fighting vehicle to scoop up the little girl, who had darted back into the roadway to pick up shell casings, according to the Army. Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, was riding in the convoy in Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan when he jumped out to save the girl, who was unhurt.
This image, obtained from WPRI.com, shows 29-year-old Sgt. Dennis Weichel.
“He would have done it for anybody,” Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, who deployed with Weichel to Iraq in 2005, said in a quote posted on the U.S. Army website. “That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was that type of guy.”
The child was one of several who were collecting the casings, which can be sold and recycled in Afghanistan. Weichel and other soldiers in the convoy got out of their vehicles to shoo the kids from danger as the heavy trucks bore down. But the girl ran back onto the road as a MRAP, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, approached. Weichel swung the girl to safety but was run over and later died from his injuries at Jalalabad Medical Treatment Facility, according to a press release from the Rhode Island National Guard.
Weichel, who had been a member of the Rhode Island National Guard since 2001, had arrived in Afghanistan a few weeks ago. He was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 143 Infantry. Weichel was previously deployed to Iraq in 2005 as a member of 3/172 Det 2 Mountain Infantry.
Weichel, who lived in Providence and was engaged to be married, leaves his parents, fiancee and three young children. His body is scheduled to be flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday. Weichel will be buried in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.
“Tragically, Spc. Weichel has made the supreme sacrifice and at this time, we are mindful of the impact of that sacrifice on his family and friends,” said Maj. Gen. Kevin McBride, adjutant general of the Rhode Island National Guard, in a written statement. “We leave no Soldier behind…. and we will not leave Spc. Weichel’s family behind.”
The Lifetime show “Dance Moms”in the Post-Gazette Magazine section, “reality” show set at a Penn Hills dance studio. Does the show give a bad name to dance? I being a father of a 2 year old Baby Girl cannot fathom the thought of my daughter being on display like a dancing topless hooker. I find it despicable that any Father or Mother would allow their child to parade around in such a provocative way as to look like strippers.
I think Abby Lee Miller is indisputably the worst example of a teacher. About the moms themselves and their willingness to put their kids on TV, opening them to ridicule for their mothers’ bad behavior is a crime and should be punishable by Law!
If I was the top cop I would have you all spend the night in jail for abuse and neglect of your children. I would not have your child taken from you but you all definitely deserve a big time out with a dunce hat sitting in the corner for all to see, how much of a Jack@$$ you really have been! Now the World thinks Americans are a bunch of idiots! I’m here to say that not all Americans agree with this despicable act!
All I can say is shame on all of you who allowed you children to be on such a abominable display. I would suggest that you all need to have a come to JESUS CHRIST moment!
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life. It typically includes anadmission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
In BiblicalHebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nicham (to feel sorrow). In the New Testament, the word translated as ‘repentance’ is the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), “after/behind one’s mind“, which is a compound word of the preposition ‘meta’ (after, with), and the verb ‘noeo’ (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing). In this compound word the preposition combines the two meanings of time and change, which may be denoted by ‘after’ and ‘different’; so that the whole compound means: ‘to think differently after’. Metanoia is therefore primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, “change of mind and heart”, or, “change of consciousness”. A description of repentance in the New Testament can be found in the parable of the prodigal son found in the Gospel of Luke (15 beginning at verse 11).
In the Hebrew Bible, repentance generally leads to salvation. In some cases, individuals or nations repent of their sins and are spared God‘s judgment. Sometimes the punishment avoided is destruction in this life, sometimes it is damnation.[1] In the book of Jonah, the prophet initially chose to disobey God’s command, and then he repented and became obedient. However, Jonah returned to disobedience when he hoped for the destruction of the city of Nineveh. In the Book of Job, Job never repented of any particular sin or activity when he went through his major dilemma. The Hebrew term teshuvah (lit. “return”) is used to refer to “repentance”. This implies that transgression and sin are the natural and inevitable consequence of man’s straying from God and His laws,[2] and that it is man’s destiny and duty to be with God. The Bible states that God’s loving-kindness is extended to the returning sinner.
The Torah (five books of Moses) distinguishes between offenses against God and offenses against man. In the first case the manifestation of repentance consists in: (1) Confession of one’s sin before God (Lev. 5:5; Num. 5:7), the essential part being a solemn promise and firm resolve not to commit the same sin again. (2) Making certain prescribed offerings (Lev. 5:1-20). Offenses against man require, in addition to confession and sacrifice, restitution in full of whatever has been wrongfully obtained or withheld from one’s fellow man, with one-fifth of its value added thereto (Lev. 5:20-26). If the wronged man has died, restitution must be made to his heir; if he has no heir, it must be given to the priest who officiates at the sacrifice made for the remission of the sin (Num. 5:7-9).
There are other manifestations of repentance mentioned in the Bible. These include pouring out water,[3] which symbolizes the pouring out of one’s heart before God;[4] prayer[5] self-affliction, as fasting; wearing sackcloth; sitting and sleeping on the ground [6] However, the Prophets disparaged all such outer manifestations of repentance, insisting rather on a complete change of the sinner’s mental and spiritual attitude.[7]In Isaiah 55:7, the Bible states that repentance brings pardon and forgiveness of sin. Apart from repentance, no other activities, such as sacrifices or religious ceremonies can secure pardon and forgiveness of sin.
Rabbinic Jewish literature contains extensive discussions on the subject of repentance. Many rabbinic sources state that repentance is of paramount importance to the existence of this world, so that it was one of the seven provisions which God made before the Creation (TalmudBavli, tractates Pesahim 54a; Nedarim 39b; Midrash Genesis Rabbah 1). “The Holy One, blessed be His name, said to Elijah, ‘Behold, the precious gift which I have bestowed on my world: though a man sins again and again, but returns in penitence, I will receive him'” (JerusalemTalmud Sanhedrin 28b). “Great is repentance: it brings healing into the world”; “it reaches to the throne of God” (Hosea 14:2, 5); “it brings redemption” (Isiah 59:20); “it prolongs man’s life” (Ezekiel 18:21; Talmud Yoma 86a). “Repentance and works of charity are man’s intercessors before God’s throne” (Talmud Shabbath 32a). Sincere repentance is equivalent to the rebuilding of the Temple, the restoration of the altar, and the offering of all the sacrifices.[8]
Sincere repentance is manifested when the same temptation to sin, under the same conditions, is ever after resolutely resisted.[9] “He that confesses his sin and still clings to it is likened to a man that holds in his hand a defiling object; though he batheth in all the waters of the world he is not cleansed; but the moment he casteth the defiling object from him a single bath will cleanse him, as it is said[10] ‘Whosoever confesses and forsakes them [his sins] shall have mercy'”.[11]
According to Jewish doctrine, repentance is the prerequisite of atonement.[12]Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, derives its significance only from the fact that it is the culmination of the ten penitential days with which the Jewish religious year begins; and therefore it is of no avail without repentance; (Midrash Sifra, Emor, 14.). Though man ought to be penitent every day (Mishna Avoth Chap 2, 10; Talmud Shabbath 153a), the first ten days of every year are the acceptable time announced by the prophet (Isaiah 55:6): “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near” (Talmud Rosh Hashan 18a; Mishneh TorahTeshuva 2:6). Repentance and the Day of Atonement only absolve one from sins committed against God; from sins against another person they absolve only when restitution has been made and the pardon of the offended party has been obtained (Talmud Yoma 87a; Mishneh TorahTeshuva2:9).
No one need despair on account of his or her sins, for every penitent sinner is graciously received by God. (Jeremiah 31:9). Jewish doctrine holds that it is never too late, even on the day of death, to return to God with sincere repentance for “as the sea is always open for every one who wishes to cleanse himself, so are the gates of repentance always open to the sinner”.[13] Jewish doctrine states that the hand of God is continually stretched out to receive a sinner.[14] One view in the Talmud holds that a repentant sinner attains a more exalted spiritual eminence than one who has never sinned (Talmud Berakhoth 34b.) It is a sin to taunt a repentant sinner by recalling their former sinful ways.[15] Repentance occupies a prominent position in all the ethical writings of the Middle Ages. Bahya ibn Paquda devotes a special section to it in his ‘Hovot ha-Levavot”, “Gate of Repentance.” Maimonides devotes the last section of “Sefer ha-Madda'” in his Mishneh Torahto the subject. One of the most significant medieval works on Repentance is “Shaarei Teshuva,” the “Gates of Repentance” by Rabbeinu Yona of Gerona.
The doctrine of Repentance in the Scriptures appears to be very prominent. See the description of repentance in the Hebrew Bible above for repentance in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, John the Baptist began his public ministry, as did Jesus, with a call to repentance (Matthew 3:1–2; Matthew 4:17). In the Acts 2 sermon on Pentecost, Peter commands repentance. In the Acts 3 sermon at the Beautiful gate of the Temple, Peter interchanges the phrase “turn again” at a similar place in his presentation. When Jesus sent forth messengers to proclaim his gospel, he commanded them to preach repentance (Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12). Teachings on repentance are found in the New Testament in Peter, (Acts 2:38); Paul, (Acts 20:21). God wants everyone to repent (2 Pet. 3:9; Acts 17:30). Indeed, failure on the part of man to heed God’s call to repentance means that he shall utterly perish (Luke 13:3).
The constant references to repentance in Peter’s preaching to his fellow countrymen in the early part of the book of Acts may indicate an exceptional need for repentance amongst those who had recently been party to the crucifixion of Christ, see Responsibility for the death of Jesus. Paul is emphatic that change take place amongst those whom he taught (see the Bible references to “turning to a true and living God”). This aversion to the Greek or idolatrous lifestyle may have come from the intense patriotism to Jewish ideals held by the well educated former Pharisee. Saint Isaac of Syria said, “This life has been given to you for repentance. Do not waste it on vain pursuits.”
The Augsburg Confession divides repentance into two parts: “One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or ofabsolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors.”[16]
There is a three-fold idea involved in true repentance in the Protestant conception. The Protestant reformer John Calvin said that repentance “may be justly defined to be “a true conversion of our life to God, proceeding from a serious fear of God, and consisting in the mortification of the flesh and of the old man, and in the vivification of the Spirit.” He further said that “it will be useful to amplify and explain the definition we have given; in which there are three points to be particularly considered.” “In the first place, when we call repentance “a conversion of the life to God, we require a transformation, not only in the external actions, but in the soul itself; which, after having put off the old nature, should produce the fruits of actions corresponding to its renovation. . . .In the second place, we represented repentance as proceeding from a serious fear of God. For before the mind of a sinner can be inclined to repentance, it must be excited by the knowledge of the Divine judgment.
“It remains for us, in the third place, to explain our position, that repentance consists of two parts—the mortification of the flesh and the vivification of the spirit. . . . Both these branches of repentance effects our participation of Christ. For if we truly partake of his death, our old man is crucified by its power, and the body of sin expires, so that the corruption of our former nature loses all its vigor. . . .If we are partakers of his resurrection, we are raised by it to a newness of life, which corresponds with the righteousness of God.” [Quotes from A Compend of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin edited by Hugh T. Kerr, The Westminster Press-Philadelphia 1939.]
Matthew 21:29: “He answered and said: I will not; but afterward he repented, and went“. The word here used for “repent” means to change one’s mind, thought, purpose, views regarding a matter; it is to have another mind about a thing. This change is well illustrated in the action of the Prodigal Son, and of the Publican in the well-known story of the Pharisee and the Publican(Luke 15 and 18). 2 Cor. 7:9–“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.” See also Luke 10:13; cf. Gen. 6:6. The Greek word for repentance in this connection means “to be a care to one afterwards,” to cause one great concern. This meaning is exemplified by the repentant person who not only has profound regret for his past but also the fulfilled hope in the potential of God’s grace to continually bear the fruit of healing and true reconciliation in himself, with others, and most especially with God. The Hebrew equivalent is strong as well, and it means to pant, to sigh, or to moan. So the publican “beat upon his breast,” indicating sorrow of heart. See also Psalms 38:18.
The issue of repentance is also discussed in connection with the will and disposition. One of the Hebrew words for repent means “to turn.” The Prodigal Son said, “I will arise… and he arose” (Luke 15:18, 20). The part of the will and disposition in repentance is shown in the Confession of sin to God: Psa. 38:18 — “For I will declare mine iniquity: I will be sorry for my sin.” The publican beat upon his breast, and said, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The prodigal said, “I have sinned against heaven” (Luke 15:21). There must be confession to man also in so far as man has been wronged in and by our sin (Matthew 5:23–24); James 5:16). Isa. 55:7 Prov. 28:13 (“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”); Matthew 3:8–10 (“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:… And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”). It is not enough to turn away from sin; we must turn unto God. 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Acts26:18.
According to Christians, acts of repentance do not earn God’s forgiveness from one’s sin; rather, forgiveness is given as a gift from God to those whom he saves. Acts 11:18–“Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” 2 Tim. 2:25 — “If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” Acts 5:30, 31. In this view, people are called upon to repent in order that we may feel our own inability to do so, and consequently be thrown upon God and petition Him to perform this work of grace in our hearts. Many church fathers have made reference to it as the “gift of repentance” or as the “gift of tears”. God calls all to repent through the hearing of the Gospel. God grants total repentance as each individual responds to repentance through faith in the expiating sacrifice of Jesus for all sin. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Repentance is given before anything else by definition. One cannot show true change in his life before he himself has changed [repented] to bring about manifestations of that change/repentance.
Acts 2:37, 38, 41. The very Gospel which calls for repentance produces it. When the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-10) heard the preaching of the word of God by Jonah they believed the message and turned unto God. Not any message, but the Gospel is the instrument that God uses to bring about this desired end. Furthermore, this message must be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:5-10). Rev. 3:19; Heb. 12:6, 10-11. The chastisements of God are sometimes for the purpose of bringing His wandering children back to repentance. 2 Tim. 2:24-25. God often uses the loving, Christian reproof of a fellow believer to be the means of bringing Christians back to God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Faith in Jesus Christ naturally leads to repentance. Latter-day Saints do not subscribe to the notion of “Original Sin,” We believe men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression (Joseph Smith Article of Faith No. 2.) Mankind may be fallen and cursed, but not doomed for being human. Sin is all manner of wickedness (1 John 5:17,) transgression of the Laws of God (1 John 3:4,) to know good and not do it (James 4:17,) and anything not done in faith (Romans 14:23.) From these passages we find different degrees of severity in sin, some being outright cruelty and visciousness and some being against written commandments. All people sin, sometimes in ignorance, or weakness, or willful disobedience. The principles of repentance are 1) recognizing the sin, 2) sorrow for the sin, 3) forsaking the sin, 4) Confessing the sin, 5) make restitution if possible, 6) forgive others, and 7) keep the commandments of God. Repentance is not a sudden change or decision in life in which a person confesses the name of Jesus Christ and then no longer is a sinner. Repentance is a life long process applied to each wrong doing a person becomes aware of. Latter-day Saints do not believe that God has given any commandment that a person cannot fully live up to and that repentance is a real and practical means to live up to those commandments. There is personal responsibility in salvation and it is a duty to repent of sin, Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence (Moses 6:57.) Repentance wasn’t meant to be vague, but the Lord has made it plain and practical, so people can understand what is required of them. This is how men are able to literally work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12)
The word tawbah (repentance) in Arabic literally means ‘to return’, and is mentioned in the Qur’an. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allah Has prohibited and returning to what He Has Commanded.
The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance “Repentance Dharma” is one of the “Eighty-Four Thousand Dharma-Doors” in Buddhism, and yet it is one of the most important and expedient dharmas. It enables people to reform to a new proper path of life.
Hoʻoponopono (ho-o-pono-pono) is an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, combined with (repentance) prayers. Similar forgiveness practices were performed on islands throughout the South Pacific, including Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. Traditionally hoʻoponopono is practiced by healing priests or kahuna lapaʻau among family members of a person who is physically ill. Modern versions are performed within the family by a family elder, or by the individual alone.
^ (Hosea 14:1-2, Hebrew). “Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:13).
Have a look at the following image of a massive land subsidence in Sweden, that mysteriously collapse to reveal a 200 foot wide open.
Revelation chapter 9 commentary
by Don Koenig
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
The fifth angel sounds his trumpet and a star falls from heaven. This star has the key to the bottomless pit. Stars sometimes have a double reference to angelic beings in the scriptures. This star is called “him” so it is an angel. The angel was given the key to open up the place under the earth where fallen angels are bound (2 Pe: 2 1-10). Some think this angel is Satan and others think it is another angel. I think this angel still has the key when he locks Satan in the bottomless pit for a thousand years after the tribulation is over (Rev 20:1-2). Therefore, the angel is from God and is not Satan.
It is too soon for Satan to be cast out of heaven permanently since the Beast he incarnates when he is cast out of heaven comes out of the pit months after the time of this fifth trumpet. The Beast comes out of the pit just prior to the seventh trumpet just before he kills the two prophets who have completed their 1,260-day testimony (Rev 11:7).
If this was actually the time when Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven by Michael and his angels there should be a description of more than one star falling from heaven. This angel appears to be on an assignment and does not appear to be an angel being banished from heaven.
Although it is clear that this star is a personality, I do not think we can say that the comet had nothing to do with opening the pit in a physical sense. Physical and spiritual events can be interrelated. Mankind being limited to four dimensions cannot understand the mystery of how the physical and the spiritual are interrelated (Mat 16:19, Mat 18:18). These physical judgments on earth are the end result of spiritual prayers. We read in the last chapter that a censor containing the prayers of the saints was filled with fire by an angel. This angel cast the censor upon the earth and then these physical judgments came.
When the comet hits the earth it will penetrate the crust of the earth and open the bottomless pit. We see this physically happens on earth by the description of the great smoke that comes out of the pit that darkens the skies. The opening of the bottomless pit provides a way out for devils or demons that have been bound in the pit (by gravitational forces perhaps?).
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
The bottomless pit is opened and tormentors come on the earth. Their satanic role probably is to make life on earth so unbearable that a counterfeit savior will be accepted. Out of the smoke of the pit comes a strange type of locust upon the earth. These locusts have power like scorpions. What these beings are is not certain and I have no natural explanation. The stinging locusts last on the earth for five months. We can be sure they are demonic beings because they come out of the bottomless pit and we are told that they will have a demonic king ruling over them.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
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.
These locusts were commanded by God not to hurt anything green so these are not normal locusts or any natural mutation. They sting only those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. The 144,000 most likely are not the only ones sealed. Those who believe and follow Jesus may also be sealed since they are also servants of God. Scripture does not tell us that believers will be sealed but I see no reason for God to let believers to be tormented by demonic beings. The fact that they are commanded and cannot harm those sealed by God say that these beings are intelligent and have no choice but to obey spiritual authority given to the angels of God.
These locusts will not be given power to kill anyone but they will have the power to torment unsealed people for five months. Some make this judgment a result of nuclear warfare. They claim that this judgment is talking about radioactive poisoning but many who suffer this do die. It is obvious from the description of these locusts that this is not what is being described. Some say that they are spiritual demons that torment man mentally but passages that follow indicate that these beings have physical form. The scorpion sting is said to be the most painful of all stings. Those on earth who are not sealed have this type of pain to look forward to for five long months.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
This is going to be so bad that people will seek death but they will not find it. Why man cannot find death is unknown but God gives and takes life. Perhaps, because the pit of hell is opened, no one can die and go there until after the five months is up. It may be 5 months of the real Night of Living Dead for people on earth.
God, for His own reasons is not allowing any unsealed person to escape this torment. I think this is the ultimate tough love program. I believe God is allowing demons to give men of flesh a five month taste of the Lake of Fire. It is given in love so they will choose not to go there for eternity when they later are required to make a choice between taking the mark of the Beast and going to this place of torments for eternity or choosing God’s Son and losing their physical lives so their soul will be saved from it. All mankind will still have another chance to come to Jesus and not choose to go to the place of eternal torments.
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
This passage gives the actual physical description of these creatures. They are not like anything we know. They are not helicopters or jets shooting missiles filled with chemical or biological weapons as some have speculated. These creatures come out of the smoke of the pit and the angel of the bottomless pit is ruling over them. This is not Satan because Satan at this point has not yet been cast out of heaven.
The king over these beings is named Abaddon. The name Abaddon actually means thedestroyer. These locusts are led by the destroying angel who is probably Satan’s commander of the dimension called the underworld. These locusts are actual physical beings that ascend out of the same pit the angel in verse two opened with his key. The five months of this torment will be a literal hell on earth.
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
After the five months of torment by these hellish creatures, one woe is past but there are still two more left to come when the sixth and seventh angels sound their trumpets.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
After the sixth trumpet blast, four angels are loosed that are bound in the Euphrates River. This prophecy gives the number of the horsemen (cavalry men) that will now be allowed to pass to the east of the Euphrates to kill one third of men. The number John said he heard was two hundred million. There never was a time when such an army was possible before this generation.
Today such an army could come from the East; there are now more than three billion people east of the Euphrates River. The CIA fact book of the year 2004 said that China alone has more than two hundred million military fit men.
Abortion and infanticide of female children in China and India in this generation will create a disposable surplus of over one hundred million adult men who will have no chance for marriage and a normal family life. To a lesser extent for much the same reason there will also be surpluses of men in other countries of the Far East. It is as if these men were born for a special time to fulfill this prophecy. That is exactly what the wording of this passage implies. There will be almost enough adult men to make up this army from just the surplus males of military age that will exist in China and other Far-East nations by 2035 AD.
Some commentators think that this is an army of demons. In all cases, demons seek to possess bodies so a reasonable compromise is that two hundred million demons will come out of the pit and possess, and control this two hundred million-man army. This army will cross the Euphrates and come into the Middle East and the West. This army will kill one third of all men that survived the previous disasters on the earth. By the time the prior judgments and this second woe is completed over half of the world’s population will be dead.
Some commentators are hung up on the word horsemen thinking that all the men would have to be riding horses. Since these believe it is not possible to assemble two hundred million horses, they dredge up demons that look like men on horses. More likely, the wording simply means the leaders are mounted on horses or the men travel on something mobile (i.e. military vehicles).
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
The description in this passage is probably only supernatural in the sense that angels were loosed for a specific time to allow this to happen and that demons are now free to deceive and inhabit those who dwell on the earth. The entire wording of this judgment makes it fairly clear to me that this is describing a great all out world war between the West and the East.
The fire that comes out of the mouths of the horsemen is every modern weapon of warfare like tanks, and artillery. The tails like serpents that had heads that did harm sound exactly like modern rockets and bombs with warheads. This will be an all out world war using nuclear, chemical and biological warfare and billions will die.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Even after mankind uses all the weapons of warfare they made with their own hands against one another they still will not repent of the works of their hands. Instead of trusting in God to save them, they trust and worship the created instead of the Creator. Most of the East will still pray to statues that represent Buddha or countless other demon gods. Instead of obeying God’s servants on earth, they will follow doctrines given by demons. Instead of coming to God to be changed and to be given a new heart they will continue in their insane practices. Instead of worshiping the God of heaven, they will now worship the image of the Beast possessed by Satan.
Because the world did not want to believe the truth, they will now be given a lie and they will acceptSatan’s counterfeit savior and his counterfeit kingdom (2Th 2:11). This deception happens because these still love to murder, use drugs, commit adultery and steal. They love evil and that is why they will not receive the truth and be saved.
With our Worlds history you will see Tyrannical Governments oppressing people! If more Governors would think like this, America would truly be a free Nation not a slave 1984 police state!
Republican Governor Mitch Daniels has signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in Indiana. The new law allows citizens to use deadly force against police officers they think are illegally entering their homes. Earlier this month, Addicting Info reported that the bill had passed the Senate. Republicans say the bill is designed to keep police safe, but Democrats say the bill will lead to the wanton killing ofpolice officers.
“Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin (sometimes Thomas Jefferson)
“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” Thomas Jefferson
“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” (Quoting Cesare Beccaria)
“The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” Thomas Jefferson
“I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson Quotes, to me this seems to make the most sense of why this Law is a good Idea. But as you will see in the story that I found on my facebook page disagree’s with our founding fathers Wise men who truly understood Freedom and Liberty!
“In a state of tranquillity, wealth, and luxury, our descendants would forget the arts of war* and the noble activity and zeal which made their ancestors invincible. Every art of corruption would be employed to loosen the bond of union which renders our resistance formidable. When the spirit of liberty, which now animates our hearts and gives success to our arms*, is extinct, our numbers will accelerate our ruin and render us easier victims to tyranny. If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of freedom—go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!” * Note that Adams and the Founding Fathers believed they were engaged in a defensive war against tyranny.
Indiana Governor Signs Bill Allowing Citizens To Use Deadly Force Against Police Officers Into Law
Republican Governor Mitch Daniels has signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in Indiana. The new law allows citizens to use deadly force against police officers they think are illegally entering their homes. Earlier this month, Addicting Info reported that the bill had passed the Senate. Republicans say the bill is designed to keep police safe, but Democrats say the bill will lead to the wanton killing ofpolice officers.
Rep. Craig Fry, a Democrat, says the bill “is going to cause people to die and it’s too late after somebody dies for a jury to sort it out. Somebody’s going to die, whether it’s a police officer or an individual who thinks a police officer is entering their home unlawfully. People are going to die.”
Fry’s colleague, Democratic Rep. Linda Lawson, a former police captain, says the bill would create an “open season on law enforcement,” and it is opposed by “1,250 state police officers and 14,000 men and women in blue, brown and green.”
The new law reverses a state Supreme Court ruling that homeowners do not have the right to use force against law enforcement officials who they believe are illegally entering their homes. According to the Evansville Courier Press, an Evansville resident fought a police officer who followed him into his house during a domestic dispute call. “The state Supreme Court found that officers sometimes enter homes without warrants for reasons protected by the law, such as pursuing suspects or preventing the destruction of evidence. In these situations, we find it unwise to allow a homeowner to adjudge the legality of police conduct in the heat of the moment,” the court said. “As we decline to recognize a right to resist unlawful police entry into a home, we decline to recognize a right to batter a police officer as a part of that resistance.”
While announcing his decision to sign the bill into law, Governor Daniels tried to claim that the law doesn’t declare an open season on police officers.
“Today is an important day to say: Indiana’s outstanding law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect all Hoosiers. The right thing to do is cooperate with them in every way possible. This law is not an invitation to use violence or force against law enforcement officers. In fact, it restricts when an individual can use force, specifically deadly force, on an officer, so don’t try anything. Chances are overwhelming you will be breaking the law and wind up in far worse trouble as a result.”
But Governor Daniels is merely attempting to put political spin on a bad bill. Indeed, Daniels admits that he nearly vetoed it precisely because the bill could be grossly misinterpreted and could lead to killings of police and citizens. This law is basically a loophole for citizens to kill police officers and claim self-defense. There are many people out there who think no police officers have the right to enter homes or property, even if there is a warrant.
As the state Supreme Court said, sometimes police officers have to enter homes to prevent the destruction of evidence or to prevent someone from grabbing a weapon in their home to use against police or someone else. Sometimes police must pursue suspects in their homes. But this bill reverses that ruling and gives those suspects the legal authority to slay police officers. It’s the equivalent of Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law that led to the killing of Trayvon Martin. In that incident, George Zimmerman believed he had the legal right to gun down a kid for walking through the neighborhood simply for being a young African American male strolling around the community at night. Zimmerman, believing the innocent boy to be a threat, followed him and then shot him to death. Because of the Florida law, Zimmerman remains a free man because he can claim self-defense. This Indiana law will allow people to do the same thing to police officers on their property and in their homes. It makes the already dangerous job of law enforcement even more dangerous and will ultimately lead to the legal murder of police officers who are just trying to do their job.
It seems that many people are taking to the streets for mob rules Justice! I am just afraid that if they do not get what they want that these people will turn violent and will spark a bloody Race War on the streets of America. In a time when tensions are already high because of the bad economy and so many people out of work. Having nothing better to do they may choose to join in on a flash mob mentality! Many more people will be hurt and go to jail because of a senseless death of a young man who may have been acting like a young punk and got himself shot dead! All I know is that people do not just kill you because you are a nice guy! Sure the shooter may have had a trigger finger and shot this kid but I’m sure he was not looking to kill anyone that day!
Im Sorry about the way you took my blog about Travon Martin’s death the wrong way! My point was that the black man doesn’t need another race to destroy it they are doing a good job in killing themselves with a Flashmob like Mentality. Its not a smart thing for people who want change to turn to the government for change, Just look at world history of government and you will see how “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both. … He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.” Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin (sometimes Thomas Jefferson) What people need to do is to turn to God and repent as a Nation from our sins! Forgiveness not revenge like the Black Panther Party who is willing to give $10,000 for the location of the shooter!
Also I do not want a Race War we are already in a race war a race to the bottom as a nation a race to destruction because we as a nation have turned our backs on Gods Laws! By the way I am a Native American in my blood! My Mother and Grandparents live on a reservation AKA the original American Concentration Camp! So do not tell me “You seem to be a person who would welcome the mass destruction of black people. Making pathological comments like race war sends the message that you would appreciate one. You hate us that much that you wish to see mass destruction of us by police militia?” sitesavemoneybiz
It seems that many people are taking to the streets for mob rules Justice! I am just afraid that if they do not get what they want that these people will turn violent and will spark a bloody Race War on the streets of America. In a time when tensions are already high because of the bad economy and so many people out of work. Having nothing better to do they may choose to join in on a flash mob mentality! Many more people will be hurt and go to jail because of a senseless death of a young man who may have been acting like a young punk and got himself shot dead! All I know is that people do not just kill you because you are a nice guy! Sure the shooter may have had a trigger finger and shot this kid but I’m sure he was not looking to kill anyone that day!
Black Panthers should be charged with Conspiracy To Commit Murder ! $10,000 Reward ?Just you all remember, The actions of 1 man do not reflect the feelings of the many. Most people are not prejudice. those who buy into racism are in fact racists them selves. Where is the UNITY in America? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJddw7TDZeM
I mean are you going by yourself? Is your brother going with you?
DVJr.
No. He’s doing something on the computer. I’ll be right back.
Mom
I don’t know if you should go by yourself.
DVJr.
(puzzled)
Why not? I go all the time. (pause) He lives … like 3 doors down.
Mom
I know … it’s just that …
Denmark Vesey said … My wife, like many black Black Mothers, lost a son last week.
When Travon Martin was gunned down a flash of their worst nightmare sparked a painful fire of fear and dread which burned deeply in their souls. Fueled by Facebook and 24 hour news Travon’s death was as real tangible and close to home as if they had breast fed him as a child.
When faced with fear, mothers do what mothers do. They try to protect. They try to prevent. They worry. They warn.
But fear is the cousin of death. Communicating to young men that their lives are perilous, fragile, or in constant jeopardy, can kill the spirit of a boy just as much as a bullet through the heart can kill his body.
A father’s instinct is to want his son to feel the world is his. I can’t let him grow up peeping around corners scared of a George Zimmerman.
Dad (interrupting)
Hey man! Go ahead and play some ball dude. Work on that left hand. We’ll see you when you get home.
I saw this.Have a question. What would the counter or true agenda be? Am familiar with the notion that folks should have a healthy skepticism for campaigns for “justice” in the media. But in this situation, what would the true agenda be in pushing this issue?
Denmark Vesey said …
Hey RJ,
Interesting question.
I see it a bit differently.
KONY 2012 was a “pushed” meme.
ZIMMERMAN 2012 is a “pulled” meme.
KONY 2012 was designed to illicit a particular reaction from a group of people. It was pushed because it fits the globalist agenda of raping Africa via “Humanitarian wars” and “Humanitarian vaccines”.
Its goal is to trick the peasantry into “demanding” intervention (liberal word for invasion).
ZIMMERMAN 2012 is being “pulled” via social media. Fueled by Black outrage this meme exploded to become the cause du jour. Half the cats on Facebook have already changed their profile pictures to that of young Travon Martin.
Its goal? To serve as proof white people still have power in this country and perpetuating the perception that being a black man is inherently dangerous and a disadvantage.
Yes. Zimmerman 2012 affirms the Plantation Negro mantra: The Global System of White Supremacy.
The Plantation drove the KONY meme.
The occupants of the Plantation drive the ZIMMERMAN meme.
Why? Because many Black people perceive danger from white people to be a more grave threat than danger from other Black people.
Evidence of that: Were Travon Martin shot by Quintavious Booker … none of us would have ever heard of him.
For every Travon Martin shot by a “George Zimmerman” … 20 or 30 will be shot by a JaMarcus Johnson. (Shout out to Undercover Blackman).
For every Travon Martin shot by a George Zimmerman … 200 to 300 Travon Martins will be killed by the food they put into their own mouths. (Shout out to Denmark Vesey).
…
…
I have no problem with outrage directed towards Zimmerman. I will be particularly impressed if something is done with that outrage other then a collective Negro head shake, despair and hollow demands “dat duh Guvament doo Summin!”
I will be more impressed with outrage and demands to do something about the “JaMarcus Johnson’s” who kill multiple Travon Martin’s everyday.
I will be even more impressed with outrage at ourselves for feeding ourselves food GUARANTEED to give us diabetes and to kill us.
That’s a meme that we should really blow up via social media.
Hell. That’s the meme I’ve been pushing since ’07. Hustle Hard.
Anti Deep State Party 