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Good morning... always delighted to see the new thread. Thanks Chair.

... and thanks IG for your many years of public service. Hope you have more time for other things you love, like gardening, grandchildren, and reading.

Chair... your remarks about the attitudes of people in the 1930s is spot on. Serious, conservative Bible students and scholars (I've been a serious student for more than 60 years but don't consider myself a scholar) understand that the middle east, and Israel in particular, are the flashpoint of the world. 69 of the 70 weeks (of years) contained in Daniel's prophecy concerning Israel have already come to pass. The final week (7 years) will be comprised of a powerful political figure who institutes a treaty with Israel and guarantees her peace. At the midpoint (3&1/2 years) the treaty will be broken and there will be literally hell on earth.

Now, if all of Daniel's prophecy concerning the first 69 weeks of years have already been fulfilled and are validated by history, why would we not believe that the 70th week will also be fulfilled? Almost all the signs laid out in scripture are present among us NOW. Just one portion of scripture should awaken us...

"This know, also, that in the LAST DAYS perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

The words "last days" depict a period of time... "without natural affection" would describe homosexuals... "incontinent" means unable to control their actions. The other phrases are self-evident and often glaringly boasted among many as fine characteristics of mature people.

From my study of the scriptures I am convinced that all those who truly trust (not simply believe the facts) in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as their salvation from sin, will be taken out of the world (raptured) prior to the signing of that treaty with Israel and will not be present during that coming 7 year period of Daniel's 70th week. It is commonly referred to in the Bible as the "great tribulation".

As we look at the events in the world today it seems that the only thing that will prevent a nuclear holocaust in the area of the middle east will be a treaty guaranteeing Israel peace.

Note: The prime efforts on the part of the UN, Europe, and now even the US (State Dept), are focused on convincing Israel that she must give up the west bank and the Golan Heights. Only a treaty (UN?) guaranteeing her safety would convince Israel to do so. That will be the sure sign of the end of the world as we know it.