Technology could turn cellphones into wallets | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas Business News: "For many people, smart phones are almost as indispensable as wallets. And soon, your smart phone could replace your wallet.A collection of the biggest wireless carriers, handset makers and software developers are putting their weight behind a technology called near-field communication.Also see my other post on this here.
That standard will allow your cellphone to make payments at a cash register, scan computer chips embedded in ads and posters for discounts and product info, and eventually incorporate driver's licenses and other forms of ID.
Technology could turn cellphones into wallets
If this doesn't wake you up to the reality that we are moving closer to a system of monetary exchange that excludes the use of paper, I'm not sure what will. For several years, I have often thought that its use was outmoded. Recently, I received a new credit card that does not need to be swiped with a bar code. Many have already been using these. It has a chip that is embedded in the card. I do not even remove it from my wallet. I merely wave my wallet above the reader. How much more convenient would a chip in my hand be than having to find my wallet every time I need to make a payment. I lose my wallet way too much.
Decline is Inevitable
Entropy: Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.
Our world is one in which we must work continuously against the ever present demands of constant deterioration. We mow our lawns, keep our gardens, reconcile our bank accounts always working, always struggling. If we take a break, it builds up around us like a slow tide that will soon wash us out to sea. If we wait too long to work against it, sometimes it seems as though it will completely overwhelm us. That is our nature. The college student takes a few weeks off from studying and finds that there is a great deal of work to do to catch up. The road worker neglects some of the streets in town and the entire street needs to be scrapped and an entirely new one built in its place. A society forgets it first principles and soon entropy sets in and that society is on the brink of disaster either from outside forces or from an internal decay that has set in while it rested.
History has shown that when one country is weakened, it is eventually replaced by another stronger nation that has not neglected the necessary work to stave off the decay. God. Duty. Honor. What are these? What happens when an entire world succumbs to the temptation and forgets that work needs to be done? First principles, the foundation of a country - remember what they were. Work to find them and build them back up again. Fight the decay from within and reestablish the foundation that will withstand the attacks from without.
Our world is one in which we must work continuously against the ever present demands of constant deterioration. We mow our lawns, keep our gardens, reconcile our bank accounts always working, always struggling. If we take a break, it builds up around us like a slow tide that will soon wash us out to sea. If we wait too long to work against it, sometimes it seems as though it will completely overwhelm us. That is our nature. The college student takes a few weeks off from studying and finds that there is a great deal of work to do to catch up. The road worker neglects some of the streets in town and the entire street needs to be scrapped and an entirely new one built in its place. A society forgets it first principles and soon entropy sets in and that society is on the brink of disaster either from outside forces or from an internal decay that has set in while it rested.
History has shown that when one country is weakened, it is eventually replaced by another stronger nation that has not neglected the necessary work to stave off the decay. God. Duty. Honor. What are these? What happens when an entire world succumbs to the temptation and forgets that work needs to be done? First principles, the foundation of a country - remember what they were. Work to find them and build them back up again. Fight the decay from within and reestablish the foundation that will withstand the attacks from without.
Federal Reserve Forces Bank to Remove Christian Symbols
In this video, the Federal Reserve has forced a privately owned bank to remove all references to Christianity on its website and on its premises. Even though the Federal Reserve is not technically part of the Federal government, one could see this as one more step in that direction.
Israeli Sovereignty on the Temple Mount
Why Israel did not completely take over the Temple Mount in 1967 when they won the 6 Day War is a question that remains unanswered. One could only contemplate that they did not want to make matters worse for themselves in the eyes of the world. However, they had just defeated all of their foes. There is nothing their enemies could do to them. They were the absolute victors. That was the time to remove the mosque and to rebuild the temple. But that was not to be. Now, the Temple Mount is used for Islamic prayers and militant radio broadcasts. Jews and Christians cannot even bow their head in prayer on the Mount during the few times it is available to them.
Below, find a nice video of what the temple would look like.
Report Ready on Israeli Sovereignty on the Temple Mount - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News: "The facts are straightforward, Shneller said: “As of a few months ago, the Islamic Waqf [the religious Islamic body that oversees the Temple Mount – ed.] conducted a dig at the Solomon’s Stables area of the Temple Mount, in the south-eastern part of the Mount. It removed truckloads of dirt in order to build a large mosque there, causing mortal harm to historic remnants of the Jewish People. This mosque now functions today.”Look for continued trouble in the news regarding the Temple Mount here. Remember, the rebuilding of the temple is a requirement of the second coming of Christ. Look for it.
Below, find a nice video of what the temple would look like.
The Good Wife's Guide
Ok. I did not make any of the edits in The Good Wife's Guide and I am certainly not complaining about my wonderful wife. However, this is a funny and interesting look into how significantly times have changed since the publication of this article in House Keeping Monthly, May 1955. Take a look at the link above. Very funny!
Were times ever that way? Doubtful.
Were times ever that way? Doubtful.
Japan Announces Defense Policy to Counter China
As a result of the rise of China and the decline of the United States, countries once dependent on the US for defense will need to build up their military. One can see that potential in the Middle East while Iran develops nuclear weapons. Other countries in the region will do the same creating a Middle East nuclear arms race. Japan, South Korea and other Asian nations will need to depend on themselves more as the Unites States continues to build up unsustainable debt. Cuts will need to be made to vital services such as defense. The result will be a more unstable world with China taking a more prominent role. If the world thought the US was unethical in their responses to world events, China has shown it will be much worse.
The bible indicates the rise of China and its activity in the Middle East. I have written about it here back in the mid 1990's. The only country in the world that could wield a 200 million man army is China, the most populous country in the world.
The bible indicates the rise of China and its activity in the Middle East. I have written about it here back in the mid 1990's. The only country in the world that could wield a 200 million man army is China, the most populous country in the world.
Japan Announces Defense Policy to Counter China - NYTimes.com: "TOKYO — Japan announced a new defense policy on Friday that will respond to China’s rising military might by building more submarines and other mobile forces capable of defending Japan’s southernmost islands.
John MacArthur Rebukes Joel Osteen
In this video, John MacArthur shows how the teaching of Joel Osteen is really satanic. Osteen's message is that we can have it all now - your best life now. As MacArther indicates, that would only be true if one were going to hell.
If one looks at Osteen's "church", it is actually a converted sporting arena that holds over 16,000 at one time. Is this a sign of truth? I think not. When Jesus preached the truth, he actually lost disciples. If you only preach what the people want to hear, they will come. Hitler knew this. He led people by talking about their basest, ugliest desires. Osteen's message is a little prettier, but no more Godly.
If one looks at Osteen's "church", it is actually a converted sporting arena that holds over 16,000 at one time. Is this a sign of truth? I think not. When Jesus preached the truth, he actually lost disciples. If you only preach what the people want to hear, they will come. Hitler knew this. He led people by talking about their basest, ugliest desires. Osteen's message is a little prettier, but no more Godly.
What or Who is Our god?-Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Benevolent
Are people today a-theists; oblivious to the need for a higher power in their lives? Do they live like there is no god or do they worship a god of their own making? History has shown that throughout the world and in every era, various people groups have developed systems of religion. They have worshipped nature, created things, demonic spirits, and even their own ancestors. There has always been an inherent need to have a religion; a need to explain, and consequently, to try to control the uncontrollable events that happen to us and to others. However today, there does not appear to be this need. We go to sporting events, buy toys, and working to climb the corporate ladder. Apparently, these are adequate distractions that make the otherwise inherent need for religion unnecessary. But do we really operate without a god? Are we truly religionless? Actually, we do have a god. We may even have many gods. One of the more obvious gods is the god of self. We think about ourselves, pamper ourselves, and basically spend all our time, talent, and treasure attempting to please only ourselves. Even our acts of kindness are done in order to make ourselves feel good about ourselves. However one god that is often overlooked, but is taking more of an active role in our lives is the god of government.
Government is:
Omnipotent -All powerful
The government is able to create. It is able to create jobs and wealth and health for all of it citizens at all times.
Omniscient-All knowing
The government is expected to know when tragedy is about to happen. President Bush should have known that 911 was about to happen, so he could prevent it. He was also supposed to know that the stock market was going to crash in 2008, so he could prevent it.
Omnipresent-Everywhere
The government is expected to be everywhere at all times. The government was supposed to be in New Orleans moments after the hurricane Katrina hit. It should be everywhere there is a need at all times.
Benevolence
The government is expected to be kind to all its citizens at all times. Even those who commit heinous crimes are to be treated kindly. Those on “death row” are put to death in a “humane” way. It also takes several years for them to reach their end which is supposed to be more just.
Eternal
The government is expected to be eternal. People today do not know their history. We think we are unlike other people in other times where governments have risen and fallen. Since we live in the (post) modern era, a change in government would be unthinkable. Even a change in border due to war is unthinkable. For example, it has been over 40 years that Israel has taken over the “occupied territory” of the “west bank”. How many years does a country need to occupy territory before it is accepted as being theirs? The United States took land from the original inhabitants over 200 years ago. It is now accepted as being the United States, but there are still those who say it should never have happened; that somehow the United States should not be geographically be the United States.
As time goes on and more of us come to depend on government for our food and our income, our shelter and all of our needs and wants, government will become more and more of our god. Our expectations will increase and when our god does not satisfy, we change the makeup of the government, so our needs and wants will be met.
See this video to illustrate:
China's Influence - Nobel Peace Prize
China is not our friend. Why do we continue to do business with them? One does not have to wait for our leaders to act. We can make the decision not to buy from this country on our own.
Eighteen more countries refuse to attend Nobel peace prize ceremony | World news | The Guardian: "China and 18 other countries have declined invitations to Friday's Nobel peace prize ceremony, organisers said today, as Beijing launched a fresh attack on the decision to honour the jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo.
Norway's Nobel committee dismissed the Chinese foreign ministry's claim that the international community did not support the award.
Beijing has urged diplomats in Oslo to stay away from the event, warning of 'consequences' if they do not do so.
Several of those who have turned down invitations are long-term allies or trade partners. The full list comprises Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the Philippines, Egypt, Ukraine, Cuba and Morocco.
Global Economic Collapse
These are headlines from just today. They were not accumulated over a period of time. Anybody see a pattern here? Looks like a total collapse of the entire globe’s economy is immanent. A perfect situation for a “strong man”/messiah to take over and make things right again. Watch for this from the left and the right.
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Obama’s answer to a deflated economy: buy more of your own debt. Has any other economy prospered by buying its own debt? As I have said before, we need to make things. Export more, import less. Look at the tags on the products you buy and buy from America!
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Obama’s answer to a deflated economy: buy more of your own debt. Has any other economy prospered by buying its own debt? As I have said before, we need to make things. Export more, import less. Look at the tags on the products you buy and buy from America!
Bloomberg: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the economy is barely expanding at a sustainable pace and that it’s possible the Fed may expand bond purchases beyond the $600 billion announced last month to spur growth.
This commission had some pretty hard solutions. Most of them need to be implemented, but that will take a long-term approach that today’s politicians do not have. I doubt many of the recommendations will be passed.
The Economist: When Barack Obama created his deficit commission Kent Conrad, a Democratic senator named to the commission, gave it no more than 10% odds of success. And indeed, today just 11 of its 18 members voted for the deficit-reduction proposal tabled by its two chairmen this week, falling short of the 14 required for the full Congress to vote on it.
TheHill.com: The Dodd-Frank financial reform law provides a new way forward for managing the financial system, but tough steps still need to be taken to get the nation's fiscal house in order, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila Bair said in a speech. Speaking before the Consumer Federation of America, Bair acknowledged the financial overhaul has created some unsettling uncertainty, but changes were needed to avoid future crises.
The Telegraph: The International Monetary Fund has called on the EU authorities to boost their rescue fund and step up bond purchases to insure against a fresh financial crisis in the eurozone periphery.
“The recovery could still stay the course, but this scenario could now easily be derailed by the renewed financial market turmoil,” the IMF says in a report for eurozone finance ministers today, according to Reuters. “The sovereign and financial market storm affecting the periphery constitutes a severe downside risk.”
http://tinyurl.com/635le3k
Joel Osteen Cannot Say Whether Atheists or If Anyone is Going to Hell
In this video, Joel Osteen is given many opportunities to say that Jesus is the only Way to heaven as is taught by orthodox, historic Christianity:
How are a few verses that indicate that Jesus is the only Way:
(Acts 4:12) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(John 8:24) "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
(1 Cor 3:11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(1 Tim 2:5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
(John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
There are more, of course. The bible is clear. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (heaven). All others will, sadly, be in hell. We must pray for as many that have ears to hear will hear.
How are a few verses that indicate that Jesus is the only Way:
(Acts 4:12) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(John 8:24) "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
(1 Cor 3:11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(1 Tim 2:5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
(John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
There are more, of course. The bible is clear. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (heaven). All others will, sadly, be in hell. We must pray for as many that have ears to hear will hear.
The Sliding Scale of Morality and Law
1 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
If our laws and our morals as a society are not grounded in something that does not change, then what we believe to be acceptable at one time will certainly change over time. Anyone can see this as they reflect on those activities that were prohibited years ago. It is the same concept when one hears that we should be led by the “first principles” when referring to the constitution of the United States. The founders of this country believed that if we strayed too far from these first principles, the state of the union would be in jeopardy. Equally, our Creator has dictated that if we stray from His First Principles, we too, as as society and individually, are in jeopardy.
Below is a listing of those state statutes that are repealed or were put into law years ago and are being completely ignored today:
Sunday Liquor Sales (MCL 436.2114 Selling, giving away, furnishing, or buying alcoholic liquor or spirits on Sunday): Just repealed for the want of more money. See my post on my other site here. It used to be restricted on Sunday morning from 2:00am to 12:00 noon.
Abortion: MCL 750.14 Administering drugs, etc., with intent to procure miscarriage—Any person who shall wilfully administer to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, substance or thing whatever, or shall employ any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of any such woman, unless the same shall have been necessary to preserve the life of such woman, shall be guilty of a felony, and in case the death of such pregnant woman be thereby produced, the offense shall be deemed manslaughter.MCL 750.90g(b) That a live infant partially outside his or her mother is neither a fetus nor potential life, but is a person.
Adultery: MCL 750.30 Punishment—Any person who shall commit adultery shall be guilty of a felony; and when the crime is committed between a married woman and a man who is unmarried, the man shall be guilty of adultery, and liable to the same punishment.
Advertising relating to sexual diseases: MCL 750.34 A person who advertises ... the treating or curing of venereal diseases, the restoration of “lost manhood” or “lost vitality or vigor”, or advertises in any manner that he or she is a specialist in diseases of the sexual organs, or diseases caused by sexual vice or masturbation, or in any diseases of like cause, or shall advertise in any manner any medicine, drug, compound, appliance, or any means whatever whereby sexual diseases of men or women may be cured or relieved, or miscarriage or abortion produced, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
Blasphemy: MCL 750.102 Any person who shall wilfully blaspheme the holy name of God, by cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Cursing and Swearing: MCL 750.103 Any person who has arrived at the age of discretion, who shall profanely curse or damn or swear by the name of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. No such prosecution shall be sustained unless it shall be commenced within 5 days after the commission of such offense.
Homosexuality/Sodomy: MCL 750.158 Any person who shall commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life. MCL 750.159 In any prosecution for sodomy, it shall not be necessary to prove emission, and any sexual penetration, however slight, shall be deemed sufficient to complete the crime specified in the next preceding section.
Desertion of Spouse: MCL 750.161 (1) A person who deserts and abandons his or her spouse or deserts and abandons his or her children under 17 years of age, without providing necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for them, and a person who being of sufficient ability fails, neglects, or refuses to provide necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for his or her spouse or his or her children under 17 years of age, is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year.
Fortune Telling (repealed 1993): MCL 750.267-270 Repealed. 1993, Act 282, Eff. Apr. 1, 1994.
267 Fortune telling by cards, etc., for gain - Any person who shall pretend for money or gain, to predict future events by cards, tokens, trances, the inspection of the hands or the conformation of the skull of any person, mind reading so-called, or by consulting the movements of the heavenly bodies, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Gambling: MCL 750.301 Any person or his or her agent or employee who, directly or indirectly, takes, receives, or accepts from any person any money or valuable thing with the agreement, understanding or allegation that any money or valuable thing will be paid or delivered to any person where the payment or delivery is alleged to be or will be contingent upon the result of any race, contest, or game or upon the happening of any event not known by the parties to be certain, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
Incest (repealed 1974 and 1999): MCL 750.333 Any person who is within the degree of consanguinity with another within which marriages are prohibited or declared by law to be incestuous and void...and shall marry such other person, or shall commit adultery or fornication with such other person, shall be guilt of a felony.
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation and gross lewdness: MCL 750.335 Any man or woman, not being married to each other, who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together, and any man or woman, married or unmarried, who is guilty of open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a fine of not more than $1,000.00. No prosecution shall be commenced under this section after 1 year from the time of committing the offense.
Women and children; improper language in presence: MCL 750.337 Any person who shall use any indecent, immoral, obscene, vulgar or insulting language in the presence or hearing of any woman or child shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Gross indecency; between male persons: MCL 750.338 Any male person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of any act of gross indecency with another male person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Gross indecency; female persons: MCL 750.338a Any female person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of, or any person who procures or attempts to procure the commission by any female person of any act of gross indecency with another female person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Gross indecency; between male and female persons: MCL 750.338b Any male person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of any act of gross indecency with a female person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable as provided in this section. Any female person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of any act of gross indecency with a male person shall be guilty of a felony punishable as provided in this section. Any person who procures or attempts to procure the commission of any act of gross indecency by and between any male person and any female person shall be guilty of a felony punishable as provided in this section. Any person convicted of a felony as provided in this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Obscene, sadistic, or masochistic literature; recording or image, penalty for sale, transmutation, or possession: MCL 750.343a Repealed. 1957, Act 265, Imd. Eff. June 13, 1957.
Any person who knowingly either sells, lends, gives away, distributes, shows or transmutes or offers either to sell, lend, give away, distribute, show or transmute, or advertise in any manner, or who otherwise knowingly offers for either loan, gift, sale or distribution, any obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, sadistic or masochistic book magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, story paper, writing, paper, phonograph record, picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture film, figure, image, wire or tape recording or any written,printed or recorded matter of an indecent character which may or may not require mechanical or other means to be transmuted into auditory, visual or sensory representations of such character, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. MCL 750.343b The test to be applied in cases under section 343a of this act shall not be whether sexual desires or sexually improper thoughts would be aroused in those comprising a particular segment of the community, the young, the immature or the highly prudish, or would leave another segment, the scientific or highly educated or the so-call worldly wise and sophisticated, indifferent and unmoved. But such test shall be the effect of the book, picture or other subject to complaint considered as a whole, not upon any particular class, but upon all those whom it is likely to reach, that is, its impact upon the average person in the community. The book, picture or other subject of complaint must be judged as a whole in its entire context, not by considering detached or separate portions only, and by the standards of common conscience of the community of the contemporary period of the violation charged.
Seduction: MCL 750.532 Any man who shall seduce and debauch any unmarried woman shall be guilty of a felony
Penal Code
If our laws and our morals as a society are not grounded in something that does not change, then what we believe to be acceptable at one time will certainly change over time. Anyone can see this as they reflect on those activities that were prohibited years ago. It is the same concept when one hears that we should be led by the “first principles” when referring to the constitution of the United States. The founders of this country believed that if we strayed too far from these first principles, the state of the union would be in jeopardy. Equally, our Creator has dictated that if we stray from His First Principles, we too, as as society and individually, are in jeopardy.
Below is a listing of those state statutes that are repealed or were put into law years ago and are being completely ignored today:
Sunday Liquor Sales (MCL 436.2114 Selling, giving away, furnishing, or buying alcoholic liquor or spirits on Sunday): Just repealed for the want of more money. See my post on my other site here. It used to be restricted on Sunday morning from 2:00am to 12:00 noon.
Abortion: MCL 750.14 Administering drugs, etc., with intent to procure miscarriage—Any person who shall wilfully administer to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, substance or thing whatever, or shall employ any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of any such woman, unless the same shall have been necessary to preserve the life of such woman, shall be guilty of a felony, and in case the death of such pregnant woman be thereby produced, the offense shall be deemed manslaughter.MCL 750.90g(b) That a live infant partially outside his or her mother is neither a fetus nor potential life, but is a person.
Adultery: MCL 750.30 Punishment—Any person who shall commit adultery shall be guilty of a felony; and when the crime is committed between a married woman and a man who is unmarried, the man shall be guilty of adultery, and liable to the same punishment.
Advertising relating to sexual diseases: MCL 750.34 A person who advertises ... the treating or curing of venereal diseases, the restoration of “lost manhood” or “lost vitality or vigor”, or advertises in any manner that he or she is a specialist in diseases of the sexual organs, or diseases caused by sexual vice or masturbation, or in any diseases of like cause, or shall advertise in any manner any medicine, drug, compound, appliance, or any means whatever whereby sexual diseases of men or women may be cured or relieved, or miscarriage or abortion produced, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
Blasphemy: MCL 750.102 Any person who shall wilfully blaspheme the holy name of God, by cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Cursing and Swearing: MCL 750.103 Any person who has arrived at the age of discretion, who shall profanely curse or damn or swear by the name of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. No such prosecution shall be sustained unless it shall be commenced within 5 days after the commission of such offense.
Homosexuality/Sodomy: MCL 750.158 Any person who shall commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life. MCL 750.159 In any prosecution for sodomy, it shall not be necessary to prove emission, and any sexual penetration, however slight, shall be deemed sufficient to complete the crime specified in the next preceding section.
Desertion of Spouse: MCL 750.161 (1) A person who deserts and abandons his or her spouse or deserts and abandons his or her children under 17 years of age, without providing necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for them, and a person who being of sufficient ability fails, neglects, or refuses to provide necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for his or her spouse or his or her children under 17 years of age, is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year.
Fortune Telling (repealed 1993): MCL 750.267-270 Repealed. 1993, Act 282, Eff. Apr. 1, 1994.
267 Fortune telling by cards, etc., for gain - Any person who shall pretend for money or gain, to predict future events by cards, tokens, trances, the inspection of the hands or the conformation of the skull of any person, mind reading so-called, or by consulting the movements of the heavenly bodies, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Gambling: MCL 750.301 Any person or his or her agent or employee who, directly or indirectly, takes, receives, or accepts from any person any money or valuable thing with the agreement, understanding or allegation that any money or valuable thing will be paid or delivered to any person where the payment or delivery is alleged to be or will be contingent upon the result of any race, contest, or game or upon the happening of any event not known by the parties to be certain, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
Incest (repealed 1974 and 1999): MCL 750.333 Any person who is within the degree of consanguinity with another within which marriages are prohibited or declared by law to be incestuous and void...and shall marry such other person, or shall commit adultery or fornication with such other person, shall be guilt of a felony.
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation and gross lewdness: MCL 750.335 Any man or woman, not being married to each other, who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together, and any man or woman, married or unmarried, who is guilty of open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a fine of not more than $1,000.00. No prosecution shall be commenced under this section after 1 year from the time of committing the offense.
Women and children; improper language in presence: MCL 750.337 Any person who shall use any indecent, immoral, obscene, vulgar or insulting language in the presence or hearing of any woman or child shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Gross indecency; between male persons: MCL 750.338 Any male person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of any act of gross indecency with another male person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Gross indecency; female persons: MCL 750.338a Any female person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of, or any person who procures or attempts to procure the commission by any female person of any act of gross indecency with another female person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Gross indecency; between male and female persons: MCL 750.338b Any male person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of any act of gross indecency with a female person shall be guilty of a felony, punishable as provided in this section. Any female person who, in public or in private, commits or is a party to the commission of any act of gross indecency with a male person shall be guilty of a felony punishable as provided in this section. Any person who procures or attempts to procure the commission of any act of gross indecency by and between any male person and any female person shall be guilty of a felony punishable as provided in this section. Any person convicted of a felony as provided in this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
Obscene, sadistic, or masochistic literature; recording or image, penalty for sale, transmutation, or possession: MCL 750.343a Repealed. 1957, Act 265, Imd. Eff. June 13, 1957.
Any person who knowingly either sells, lends, gives away, distributes, shows or transmutes or offers either to sell, lend, give away, distribute, show or transmute, or advertise in any manner, or who otherwise knowingly offers for either loan, gift, sale or distribution, any obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, sadistic or masochistic book magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, story paper, writing, paper, phonograph record, picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture film, figure, image, wire or tape recording or any written,printed or recorded matter of an indecent character which may or may not require mechanical or other means to be transmuted into auditory, visual or sensory representations of such character, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. MCL 750.343b The test to be applied in cases under section 343a of this act shall not be whether sexual desires or sexually improper thoughts would be aroused in those comprising a particular segment of the community, the young, the immature or the highly prudish, or would leave another segment, the scientific or highly educated or the so-call worldly wise and sophisticated, indifferent and unmoved. But such test shall be the effect of the book, picture or other subject to complaint considered as a whole, not upon any particular class, but upon all those whom it is likely to reach, that is, its impact upon the average person in the community. The book, picture or other subject of complaint must be judged as a whole in its entire context, not by considering detached or separate portions only, and by the standards of common conscience of the community of the contemporary period of the violation charged.
Seduction: MCL 750.532 Any man who shall seduce and debauch any unmarried woman shall be guilty of a felony
Penal Code
Communist Control Law - Public Act 117 of 1952 - Repealed
Repealed 1978 Michigan MCL 752.321 The legislature hereby finds and declares that there are present in the state of Michigan subversive groups and elements, particularly of the communist party and certain of its affiliated organizations, which have infiltrated into both private and public employment and into the public schools of the state. The consequence of any such infiltration in the public schools is that subversive propaganda can be disseminated among children of tender years by those who teach them and to whom the children look for guidance, authority and leadership...The legislature finds that such dissemination of propaganda may be and frequently is sufficiently subtle to escape detection in the classroom. It is difficult, therefore, to measure the menace of such infiltration in the schools by conduct in the classroom. The legislature further finds and declares that in order to protect the children and our state institutions from such subversive influence it is essential that the communist party and its affiliated organizations, from obtaining or retaining employment in the public schools or sate financed positions, be vigorously enforced. The legislature deplores the failure heretofore to prevent such infiltration which threatens dangerously to become a commonplace in our schools and institutions.Not only have the communist/socialist ideologies become commonplace, but they have virtually taken over.
Judgment Day: May 21, 2011
The new day for the rapture is October 21. Anybody worried about this? I didn't think so.
After May 21
Harold Camping's first interview on May 23:
This is the same guy, Harold Camping, who has set dates for the end of the world before. Sad, but interesting. Someday, end time events will actually take place and nobody will pay attention because of people like this.
Video from the Al Jazeera Network of all places:
Here is a screen shot and some files from the Pre-May 21 Harold Camping site.
Infallible Proof
Judgment Day May 21, 2011
Harold Camping's Goodbye Letter
After May 21
Harold Camping's first interview on May 23:
"October 21, the world will be destroyed."Before May 21
"No more advertising."
"The world has been warned."
"The world is under judgment."
"We aren’t changing the date at all."
"It won’t be spiritual on October 21."
"It won’t be five months of difficulty."
"We had all the dates, we had all the proofs correct."
"God had not opened our eyes that May 21 was a spiritual coming."
"He now has the world under judgment.
This is the same guy, Harold Camping, who has set dates for the end of the world before. Sad, but interesting. Someday, end time events will actually take place and nobody will pay attention because of people like this.
Family Radio (FR) Worldwide - Judgment Day: May 21, 2011:If you are one who believes that this day is approaching and the rapture or the return of Christ will take place, do not be discouraged on May 22. Nothing happened that should shake your faith. Have faith in the essentials which include things like the death and bodily resurrection of Christ. The End Times are interesting and these things (not the rapture) will definitely take place. But the timing is not for us to know. When May 22 comes, question your teacher, but do not question your faith.
The end of the world is almost here!
Holy God will bring judgment day on
May 21, 2011
Video from the Al Jazeera Network of all places:
Here is a screen shot and some files from the Pre-May 21 Harold Camping site.
Infallible Proof
Judgment Day May 21, 2011
Harold Camping's Goodbye Letter
Joel Osteen's Skewed Mission - Video
Joel Osteen says his mission is to help people forgive and to have "right thoughts". Those thousands of individuals that you see in the video need to know they they can be forgiven by the perfect and Holy God by the sacrifice of the Perfect and Holy Son, Jesus Christ. They need to understand that some of their thoughts that are not "right" are sinful and they need a savior. They need forgiveness while learning to forgive others.
If he was a motivational speaker, there would not be such a problem with his "mission". However, he purports to be a minister of the Word of God. Consequently, he should be held to a higher standard. We should be in prayer for him and those that follow him.
If he was a motivational speaker, there would not be such a problem with his "mission". However, he purports to be a minister of the Word of God. Consequently, he should be held to a higher standard. We should be in prayer for him and those that follow him.
America's New Religion at the Church of Oprah
The folks at today's Oprah program were in rapture over all the new stuff America's Priestess of all things Spiritual (and material) was handing out.
Are there Different Paths to God?
There are multiple paths to the same God. This is the standard answer I get from others when discussing other religions. Consequently, the Hindu and the Mormon, the Muslim and the Spiritualist, they will all get there along with the Christian, but just on different paths.
But, let us not answer that question. Let’s answer a different question.
Are there different paths that Christians take to God? Does the Christian God allow various Christians to “find” Him in different ways? Some believe that we find God in various ways. Others believe that God finds us in specific ways. However, how do the folks in sacred scripture come to believe?
God chose Israel as His people.
Jesus chose Paul on the road to Damascus where he was going to persecute the church and kill Christians.
Jesus chose each one of his disciples. Judas, the son of perdition, was even chosen to betray Him.
God chose David to be king of Israel.
If God did indeed choose these individuals to Himself, how then do the rest of us come to God? If we choose God and the individuals such as Paul were chosen by God, then there must be at least two different ways to come to God: 1) God chooses some, and 2) others choose God.
If it is both, then God is inconsistent in the “paths” to God. If we choose God, then one must ask what good is there in us prior to our conversion that chooses God? Considering this is the greatest choice, or the greatest good, anyone can do in this life, where does this good come from considering we are dead in our sins, sinful since birth? The only clear answer is that God chooses us even while were were sinners. He transforms our will that was formally at enmity against Him and makes us born again, new creatures in Christ, who can now choose to do good. Our wills are changed so much, we can even believe that we did the choosing in the first place. The only response to this is unhindered praise and thanks to God through Christ Jesus who, due to nothing found in ourselves, chose us to be with Him. Praise God it was not left up to us!
But, let us not answer that question. Let’s answer a different question.
Are there different paths that Christians take to God? Does the Christian God allow various Christians to “find” Him in different ways? Some believe that we find God in various ways. Others believe that God finds us in specific ways. However, how do the folks in sacred scripture come to believe?
God chose Israel as His people.
Jesus chose Paul on the road to Damascus where he was going to persecute the church and kill Christians.
Jesus chose each one of his disciples. Judas, the son of perdition, was even chosen to betray Him.
God chose David to be king of Israel.
If God did indeed choose these individuals to Himself, how then do the rest of us come to God? If we choose God and the individuals such as Paul were chosen by God, then there must be at least two different ways to come to God: 1) God chooses some, and 2) others choose God.
If it is both, then God is inconsistent in the “paths” to God. If we choose God, then one must ask what good is there in us prior to our conversion that chooses God? Considering this is the greatest choice, or the greatest good, anyone can do in this life, where does this good come from considering we are dead in our sins, sinful since birth? The only clear answer is that God chooses us even while were were sinners. He transforms our will that was formally at enmity against Him and makes us born again, new creatures in Christ, who can now choose to do good. Our wills are changed so much, we can even believe that we did the choosing in the first place. The only response to this is unhindered praise and thanks to God through Christ Jesus who, due to nothing found in ourselves, chose us to be with Him. Praise God it was not left up to us!
General Motors IPO and Industrial Smoothing
Our economy is in the poor position that it is in because our imports are more than our exports. See my post about our trade deficit with China here. Also see my other postings on the Economy. There you will see that the solution to our economic problems is to "make more stuff" and stop importing from our enemies. Pretty simple, but obviously hard to do for some.
A couple of years ago, I bought $2,000 worth of "old" GM stock. It was around $5/share, a pretty good buy at the time since "GM could never go bankrupt". Well, that was then. Now I have about $200 worth of Motors Liquidation Company, the government and the union own GM, and the "new" GM is issuing their new stock. I think I will take a pass.
Here's a good video as a supplement to my post regarding QE2 (printing more money). Looks like we are our own worst enemy when it comes to doing what is best for our country.
A couple of years ago, I bought $2,000 worth of "old" GM stock. It was around $5/share, a pretty good buy at the time since "GM could never go bankrupt". Well, that was then. Now I have about $200 worth of Motors Liquidation Company, the government and the union own GM, and the "new" GM is issuing their new stock. I think I will take a pass.
Here's a good video as a supplement to my post regarding QE2 (printing more money). Looks like we are our own worst enemy when it comes to doing what is best for our country.
Islam Will Dominate-VIDEO
This video shows how Islam will shortly be the dominate people group in the Western world. Very interesting. It is difficult to see how it can be reversed. Even if the numbers are not completely accurate (they may be), personal observation indicates a marked increase of the Islamic culture in Western countries.
Payments by Mobile Phone and Revelation 13:16
In 1995, I wrote about how the growing use of debit cards and credit cards were setting the infrastructure in place for the "mark of the beast" as found in Revelation 13:16. While many believe what the bible says is true, many do not take too seriously the predictions that some have had since most have been inaccurate and many downright hokey. I have tried to take a more reasoned view of events. Consequently, not every headline is filled with signs of the end times. However, one must carefully view technological progress from an objective point of view. Because we are familiar with technology does not make it off limits to scrutiny.
One of the primary hurdles of implementing such a "mark" is the person-to-person transactions that will be required. We have been able to make electronic purchases from retail outlets for years. However, we have not been able to transfer funds from one person to another easily. This cell phone news is big in this regard. Many if not most have cell phones. It is only one small step from using them at a retail store to using them between individuals.
One of the primary hurdles of implementing such a "mark" is the person-to-person transactions that will be required. We have been able to make electronic purchases from retail outlets for years. However, we have not been able to transfer funds from one person to another easily. This cell phone news is big in this regard. Many if not most have cell phones. It is only one small step from using them at a retail store to using them between individuals.
Wall Street Journal - AT&T, Verizon Unveil Mobile Payment Venture
By ROGER CHENG And SCOTT MORRISON
Three major U.S. wireless carriers announced a joint venture to allow their customers to pay for goods and services with their cellphones.
Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA are participating in the venture, dubbed Isis, which will compete with credit card companies. It will use near-field communications technology that allows a person to wave their phone in front of a scanner to pay for purchases.
NFC is already found in cards, and can be accepted at drugstore chains and gas stations. NFC chips transmit signals short distances and are considered to be a key emerging technology that will enable consumers to use their phones to make payments at brick-and mortar locations.
Quoted in part. November 16, 2010
Mathew 16:3b Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.
Glenn Beck on George Soros, The Puppet Master-Video
In this video, Glenn Beck summarized three nights of reviewing the actions and motives of George Soros whom Beck calls the "Puppet Master". Beck gives compelling evidence of Soros' hand in felling four governments from around the world include crashing the English Sterling.
Next on Soros' list, according to Beck, is the United States. If it is not Soros, the evidence points to at least someone or some group attempting to reduce the influence and power of the United States. Take a look and judge for yourself. The video is 18 minutes, but it is very interesting.
Next on Soros' list, according to Beck, is the United States. If it is not Soros, the evidence points to at least someone or some group attempting to reduce the influence and power of the United States. Take a look and judge for yourself. The video is 18 minutes, but it is very interesting.
Sunday Liquor Sales
In the State of Michigan, our legislature recently passed a new law making it legal to sell liquor in the early morning on Sundays - for a price. Formerly, it was illegal to sell liquor on Sunday between 2am and 12 noon. In a deal with the Devil, Michigan will now allow those vendors who pay a fee to make these sales. This marks the ending of what formally was a Christian society. Most “Blue Laws, laws prohibiting business activity on Sunday, have already been stricken from the books in order to obtain more profits for business allowing us all to have more fun on what was formally considered by most to be the Lord’s Day.
Now, thanks to our new “values”, we are able to shop and drink and have all sorts of fun distracting ourselves with the flashy lovers of our time instead of being in church worshiping our Lord and Creator. When will it end? I do not know. Unfortunately I know how it will end.
Now, thanks to our new “values”, we are able to shop and drink and have all sorts of fun distracting ourselves with the flashy lovers of our time instead of being in church worshiping our Lord and Creator. When will it end? I do not know. Unfortunately I know how it will end.
FDR's Four Freedoms - Iran's New World Order
"The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world."
This speech was given on January 6, 1941. Unfortunately, Europe had been living according to this fourth freedom since the end of World War I - with one exception - Nazi Germany.
Today, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "We need a new order, wherein all nations and governments can equally play a role in world management." His new world order would not be new, but would be the world order of Islam which almost overran Europe and Western civilization a few hundred years ago if not for the strength of the Christian Byzantine Empire.
All nations are not equal. There will always be differences. There is evil in the world and those nations that strive to be better, while sometimes failing, must continue to be strong in the face of evil. FDR said that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. No, one thing we have to fear is his "fourth freedom".
http://tinyurl.com/6dldnxo
http://tinyurl.com/6dldnxo
Solution to our economy: Make things!
The United States' continued importation of more than it exports thereby increasing the trade deficit and the National Debt is equivalent to a foreign country invading our land and stripping us of our possessions. In some ways, it is worse. It is worse because we are doing it to ourselves. We have within our power to stop and reverse the slow decline and eventual economic collapse of our country. A country that declines economically will eventually decline militarily. The sad part about this is that we are sending our money to our enemy, China - just because we want cheap shoes.
Great VIDEO of what we were and what we can be again:
Donald Trump says it best here.
Great VIDEO of what we were and what we can be again:
Donald Trump says it best here.
Trump on China and the Trade Deficit - Great Video!
I am not particularly a Donald Trump fan. I can take him or leave him. However, this is simply the best narrative on what is so wrong with the foreign trade policy of the United States.
Do not miss this video. Its short and its good!
If you are reading this outside of my website, you may need to go there to see the video. Sorry.
Do not miss this video. Its short and its good!
If you are reading this outside of my website, you may need to go there to see the video. Sorry.
Monetizing Debt - QE2 - Quantitative Easing - Industrial Smoothing
So I received a breaking news alert from CNN today. Apparently, the Obama administration is going issue another $600,000,000.00 stimulus to kick-start our economy. This time, the Federal Reserve is going to buy our bonds. Another words, one "part" of our government (if you can call the Federal Reserve that - really a consortium of banks) is going to buy the debt of the other part of our government. This last ditch effort to stimulate our economy continues to put us on the road to where Greece is today or where Germany was before WWII.
VIDEO from about a year ago, but it is related:
Oh. I thought I would throw Industrial Smoothing into the title just because it seemed to go along with the other wacky things going on. George Costanza would be proud.
VIDEO from about a year ago, but it is related:
Oh. I thought I would throw Industrial Smoothing into the title just because it seemed to go along with the other wacky things going on. George Costanza would be proud.
Sabbath Day or No Sabbath Day
Today, we have disregarded one of God’s top-ten commands, remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. When we read that, we can imagine that we keep His day holy in various ways. However, we should read a little further in the text. The primary way, God’s way, to keep it holy is not to work. You, nor your son, nor your daughter, not even your cattle should do any work. Of course, there are other ways to keep it holy. We do that by attending church or studying His word; perhaps even doing good deeds for others. However the primary way to keep it holy has been ignored. If we think about it, the primary reason for breaking this command is to do more activities for ourselves. Blue laws, laws that States and communities passed to restrict businesses from doing business on Sundays, have been taken off the books or ignored as well because we want to shop and spend more. Consequently, we force others to work and break the Holy day for our pleasure. What does the command say? God rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Its hard to keep these days, but let’s try.
"Let nothing ever tempt you to become a Sabbath-breaker. I press this on your attention. Make conscience of giving all your Sabbath to God. A spirit of disregard for this holy day is growing up among us with fearful rapidity, and not least among young men. Sunday traveling, Sunday visiting, Sunday outings, are becoming every year more common than they were, and are doing infinite harm to souls…Once you give up caring for the Sabbath, in the end you will give up caring for your soul. The steps which lead to this conclusion are easy and regular. Begin with not honoring God's Day, and you will soon not honor God's House; -cease to honor God's House, and you will soon cease to honor God's Book; cease to honor God's Book, and ultimately you will give God no honor at all. Let a man lay the foundation of having no Sabbath, and I am never surprised if he finishes with the top-stone of no God". (Thoughts for Young Men, J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), p74, 75)
"Let nothing ever tempt you to become a Sabbath-breaker. I press this on your attention. Make conscience of giving all your Sabbath to God. A spirit of disregard for this holy day is growing up among us with fearful rapidity, and not least among young men. Sunday traveling, Sunday visiting, Sunday outings, are becoming every year more common than they were, and are doing infinite harm to souls…Once you give up caring for the Sabbath, in the end you will give up caring for your soul. The steps which lead to this conclusion are easy and regular. Begin with not honoring God's Day, and you will soon not honor God's House; -cease to honor God's House, and you will soon cease to honor God's Book; cease to honor God's Book, and ultimately you will give God no honor at all. Let a man lay the foundation of having no Sabbath, and I am never surprised if he finishes with the top-stone of no God". (Thoughts for Young Men, J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), p74, 75)
United States - Martial Law
Why does President Obama want a civilian national security force that is just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded as our military?
Martial Law Enacted http://tinyurl.com/34v5clp
The survivors of this nuclear war will soon face more hardships. Because of the chaos of a post-nuclear war, martial law is implemented from the remnants of the governments around the earth. Military equipment will be used to govern the populations and to put down uprisings, looting, and robberies.
(Rev 9:3-4) Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. {4} They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
It would take about five months to restore order in many of the societies. Grasses and natural plants and animals would also be a prime commodity. Many of the governments would protect these remaining areas at all costs.
(Rev 9:5-9) And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. {6} In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. {7} The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. {8} They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. {9} And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle.
These "locusts" describe in detail the way a military helicopter would look to someone in ancient Israel. The crown, the breastplate of iron, and the sound of chariots is as good a description as one could expect. These would have to be some kind of manmade device, for locusts do not exist like this in nature.
Also notice how Joel describes these same "locusts". Could real locusts really do this?
(Joel 2:1-11) Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand: {2} A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. {3} A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them. {4} Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run. {5} With a noise like chariots Over mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, Like a strong people set in battle array. {6} Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color. {7} They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks. {8} They do not push one another; Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between the weapons, They are not cut down. {9} They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief. {10} The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness. {11} The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?
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