: I feel obliged to clarify some misunderstandings re: the Apocalypse as foretold in the books of Daniel and Revelation [Apocalypse in the Catholic Bible]. All indications are that we live in the "latter days" as so often referred to in the Bible. The Old Testament prophet Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's [sp?] dream to be symbolic of a series of rulers over Babylon from Nebuchadezzar through the Meades and Persions, Greek and finally, the Roman Empire. The fall of the Roman Empire was to be proceeded by a revived Roman Empire that was to come about near the "end of days". In our time, the revived Roman Empire is represented by the European Union. Shortly after the Rapture, the antichrist will come onto the world scene, he will [at first] be a man of peace. He will sign a 7 yr peace treaty between Israel and the Arab nations. The world will be enamored with this man. He will be the head of the one-world government, first as a political leader, then around 31/2 yrs into the 7yr peace treaty he will desecrate the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by declaring himself to be God. He will require that all people bear his mark [the Mark of the Beast] 666 that will be part of a bar-code that will be inbedded just under the skin of either the forehead or right hand. These events occur in what is referred to as "The Tribulation" by biblical literalists. The Tribulation culminates at the "Battle of Armageddon" when the nations of Gog and Magog [present day Russia] and a "great army from the East" [China?] converge on the plain of Meggedo with the armies of the antichrist in a battle that will end all battles. Christ left this world as the "Lamb of Bethlehem", He will come back as "The Lion of Juda" with His army of Saints [I will be there!] and defeat the antichrist. After this Jesus will reign on Earth for 1000 yrs over all nations and peoples, there will be no more war, disease, famine, sorrow or sin. I know some of you think I am suffering from delusions or am some kind of fanatic [actually the second part is true]. Let's put it this way; if what I say is the truth, then this is the most important few paragraphs most of you have ever read. Prudence dictates that one prepares himself for the worst; if this is just bunch of baloney then so be it, just do some research for yourselves, if you don't beleive it then save it in the back of your minds for when the day comes, it could save your immortal soul.

***Lets just say for a moment that there is a god. Let us assume that a person or demon or computer claims to be god. Is it worth all that armaggedon stuff to show the world that he is the true god? Alot of people will suffer over this gods insistance that we respect it and not allow another to steal its label. If all these things were true, it would not have my respect to begin with, surely one with all that total power could find a more peaceful way of working things out, it did invent politics no? As far as the label is concerned, it did not work in the past, in which its truth was forced upon people who doughted it though fear and pain and death. But it did repress the idea that it did not exist for quite a long time, it is ingrained from birth in so many people in so many intricate ways. So what is the reality of all this? If it exists, why does it ONLY use people to ensure his acceptance when people are so prone to screwing up and even if we were finally accepted as from the animal kingdom, we would have to be classified as the most harmful species to the rest of life on this planet. This script if followed, is only a religious recipe for disaster for our world, and for what purpose will all these inhumane things happen? I may be a fool, but at least I will not follow those even more foolish into trying to destroy anything that goes against my beliefs by warfare. Peace