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Title: 'End Times' Religious Groups Want Apocalypse Soon
Source:
LA Times
URL Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/l ... y?coll=la-headlines-california
Published: Jun 22, 2006
Author: Louis Sahagun
Post Date: 2006-06-22 23:56:44 by Morgana le Fay
Keywords: None
Views: 242
Comments: 14
'End times' religious groups want apocalypse sooner than later, and they're relying on high tech -- and red heifers -- to hasten its arrival. For thousands of years, prophets have predicted the end of the world. Today, various religious groups, using the latest technology, are trying to hasten it. Their endgame is to speed the promised arrival of a messiah. For some Christians this means laying the groundwork for Armageddon. With that goal in mind, mega-church pastors recently met in Inglewood to polish strategies for using global communications and aircraft to transport missionaries to fulfill the Great Commission: to make every person on Earth aware of Jesus' message. Doing so, they believe, will bring about the end, perhaps within two decades. In Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a far different vision. As mayor of Tehran in 2004, he spent millions on improvements to make the city more welcoming for the return of a Muslim messiah known as the Mahdi, according to a recent report by the American Foreign Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank. To the majority of Shiites, the Mahdi was the last of the prophet Muhammad's true heirs, his 12 righteous descendants chosen by God to lead the faithful. Ahmadinejad hopes to welcome the Mahdi to Tehran within two years. Conversely, some Jewish groups in Jerusalem hope to clear the path for their own messiah by rebuilding a temple on a site now occupied by one of Islam's holiest shrines. Artisans have re-created priestly robes of white linen, gem-studded breastplates, silver trumpets and solid-gold menorahs to be used in the Holy Temple — along with two 6½-ton marble cornerstones for the building's foundation. Then there is Clyde Lott, a Mississippi revivalist preacher and cattle rancher. He is trying to raise a unique herd of red heifers to satisfy an obscure injunction in the Book of Numbers: the sacrifice of a blemish-free red heifer for purification rituals needed to pave the way for the messiah. So far, only one of his cows has been verified by rabbis as worthy, meaning they failed to turn up even three white or black hairs on the animal's body. Linking these efforts is a belief that modern technologies and global communications have made it possible to induce completion of God's plan within this generation. Though there are myriad interpretations of how it will play out, the basic Christian apocalyptic countdown — as described by the Book of Revelation in the New Testament — is as follows: Jews return to Israel after 2,000 years, the Holy Temple is rebuilt, billions of people perish during seven years of natural disasters and plagues, the antichrist arises and rules the world, the battle of Armageddon erupts in the vicinity of Israel, Jesus returns to defeat Satan's armies and preside over Judgment Day. Generations of Christians have hoped for the Second Coming of Jesus, said UCLA historian Eugen Weber, author of the 1999 book "Apocalypses: Prophecies, Cults and Millennial Beliefs Through the Ages." "And it's always been an ultimately bloody hope, a slaughterhouse hope," he added with a sigh. "What we have now in this global age is a vaster and bloodier-than-ever Wagnerian version. But, then, we are a very imaginative race." Apocalyptic movements are nothing new; even Christopher Columbus hoped to assist in the Great Commission by evangelizing New World inhabitants. Some religious scholars saw apocalyptic fever rise as the year 2000 approached, and they expected it to subside after the millennium arrived without a hitch. It didn't. According to various polls, an estimated 40% of Americans believe that a sequence of events presaging the end times is already underway. Among the believers are pastors of some of the largest evangelical churches in America, who converged at Faith Central Bible Church in Inglewood in February to finalize plans to start 5 million new churches worldwide in 10 years. "Jesus Christ commissioned his disciples to go to the ends of the Earth and tell everyone how they could achieve eternal life," said James Davis, president of the Global Pastors Network's "Billion Souls Initiative," one of an estimated 2,000 initiatives worldwide designed to boost the Christian population. "As we advance around the world," Davis said, "we'll be shortening the time needed to fulfill that Great Commission. Then, the Bible says, the end will come." An opposing vision, invoked by Ahmadinejad in an address before the United Nations last year, suggests that the Imam Mahdi, a 9th century figure, will soon emerge from a well to conquer the world and convert everyone to Islam. "O mighty Lord," he said, "I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, the one that will fill this world with justice and peace." At the appropriate time, according to Shiite tradition, the Mahdi will reappear and, along with Jesus, lead Muslims in a struggle to rid the world of corruption and establish justice. For Christians, the future of Israel is the key to any end-times scenario, and various groups are reaching out to Jews — or proselytizing among them — to advance the Second Coming. A growing number of fundamentalist Christians in mostly Southern states are adopting Jewish religious practices to align themselves with prophecies saying that Gentiles will stand as one with Jews when the end is near. Evangelist John C. Hagee of the 19,000-member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio has helped 12,000 Russian Jews move to Israel, and donated several million dollars to Israeli hospitals and orphanages. "We are the generation that will probably see the rapture of the church," Hagee said, referring to a moment in advance of Jesus' return when the world's true believers will be airlifted into heaven. "In Christian theology, the first thing that happens when Christ returns to Earth is the judgment of nations," said Hagee, who wears a Jewish prayer shawl when he ministers. "It will have one criterion: How did you treat the Jewish people? Anyone who understands that will want to be on the right side of that question. Those who are anti-Semitic will go to eternal damnation." On July 18, Hagee plans to lead a contingent of high-profile evangelists to Washington to make their concerns about Israel's security known to congressional leaders. More than 1,200 evangelists are expected for the gathering. "Twenty-five years ago, I called a meeting of evangelists to discuss such an effort, and the conversation didn't last an hour," he said. "This time, I called and they all came and stayed. And when the meeting was over, they all agreed to speak up for Israel." Underlining the sense of urgency is a belief that the end-times clock started ticking May 15, 1948, when the United Nations formally recognized Israel. "I'll never forget that night," Hagee said. "I was 8 years old at the time and in the kitchen with my father listening to the news about Israel's rebirth on the radio. He said, 'Son, this is the most important day in the 20th century.' " Hagee's message is carried on 160 television stations and 50 radio stations and can be seen in Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and most Third World nations. By contrast, Bill McCartney, a former University of Colorado football coach and co-founder of the evangelical Promise Keepers movement for men, which became huge in the 1990s, has had a devil of a time getting his own apocalyptic campaign off the ground. It's called The Road to Jerusalem, and its mission is to convert Jews to Christianity — while there is still time. "Our whole purpose is to hasten the end times," he said. "The Bible says Jews will be brought to jealousy when they see Christians and Jewish believers together as one — they'll want to be a part of that. That's going to signal Jesus' return." Jews and others who don't accept Jesus, he added matter-of-factly, "are toast." McCartney, who only a decade ago sermonized to stadium-size crowds of Promise Keepers, said finding people to back his sputtering cause has been "like plowing cement." Given end-times scenarios saying that non-believers will die before Jesus returns — and that the antichrist will rule from Jerusalem's rebuilt Holy Temple — Jews have mixed feelings about the outpouring of support Israel has been getting from evangelical organizations. "I truly believe John Hagee is at once a daring, beautiful person — and quite dangerous," said Orthodox Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, vice president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership in New York. "I sincerely recognize him as a hero for bringing planeloads of people to Israel at a time when people there were getting blown up by the busloads," Hirschfield said. "But he also believes that the only path to the father is through Jesus. That leaves me out." Meanwhile, in what has become a spectacular annual routine, Jews — hoping to rebuild the Holy Temple destroyed by the Romans in AD 70 — attempt to haul the 6 1/2 -ton cornerstones by truck up to the Temple Mount, the site now occupied by the Dome of the Rock shrine. Each year, they are turned back by police. Among those turned away is Gershon Solomon, spokesman for Jerusalem's Temple Institute. When the temple is built, he said, "Islam is over." "I'm grateful for all the wonderful Christian angels wanting to help us," Solomon added, acknowledging the political support from "Christians who are now Israel's best lobbyists in the United States." However, when asked to comment on the fate of non-Christians upon the Second Coming of Jesus, he said, "That's a very embarrassing question. What can I tell you? That's a very terrible Christian idea. "What kind of religion is it that expects another religion will be destroyed?" But are all of these efforts to hasten the end of the world a bit like, well, playing God? Some Christians, such as Roman Catholics and some Protestant denominations, believe in the Second Coming but don't try to advance it. It's important to be ready for the Second Coming, they say, though its timetable cannot be manipulated. Hirschfield said he prays every day for the coming of the Jewish messiah, but he too believes that God can't be hurried. "For me," he said, "the messiah is like the mechanical bunny at a racetrack: It always stays a little ahead of the runners but keeps the pace toward a redeemed world. "Trouble is, there are many people who want to bring a messiah who looks just like them. For me, that kind of messianism is spiritual narcissism." But some Christian leaders say they aren't playing God; they're just carrying out his will. Ted Haggard, president of the National Assn. of Evangelicals, says the commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission has naturally intensified along with the technological advances God provided to carry out his plans. Over in Mississippi, Lott believes that he is doing God's work, and that is why he wants to raise a few head of red heifers for Jewish high priests. Citing Scripture, Lott and others say a pure red heifer must be sacrificed and burned and its ashes used in purification rituals to allow Jews to rebuild the temple. But Lott's plans have been sidetracked. Facing a maze of red tape and testing involved in shipping animals overseas — and rumors of threats from Arabs and Jews alike who say the cows would only bring more trouble to the Middle East — he has given up on plans to fly planeloads of cows to Israel. For now. In the meantime, some local ranchers have expressed an interest in raising their own red heifers for Israel, and fears of hoof-and-mouth disease and blue tongue forced Lott to relocate his only verified red heifer — a female born in 1993 — to Nebraska. Cloning is out of the question, he said, because the technique "is not approved by the rabbinical council of Israel." Artificial insemination has so far failed to produce another heifer certified by rabbis. "Something deep in my heart says God wants me to be a blessing to Israel," Lott said in a telephone interview. "But it's complicated. We're just not ready to send any red heifers over there." If not now, when? "If there's a sovereign God with his hand in the affairs of men, it'll happen, and it'll be a pivotal event," he said. "That time is soon. Very soon."
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#1. To: All (#0)
Justin Raimondo: BEWARE THE RED HEIFER - How religious nutballs could start World War III
the author is dishonest #1. If he's going to say 'end of the world', then fine, but show me where these prophets are. the christian bible does not speak this way. that includes the prophets of both the old testament and new testament. it speaks about the end of an era, and that era is referred to as the 'era of the nations'. and it talks about a day of vengeance where god punishes the people for straying from him, a time when the people will learn of god's power and intentions. but it does not speak of the end of the world anywhere. If it does, then please show me where. it speaks of a kingdome of heaven to be built here on earth after this current era is over. and liars like this author above say different.
It's not just for Jim Jones and the People's Temple in Guyana anymore. http://www.religioustolera nce.org/dc_jones.htm I can only conclude that the author of this tripe prefers the rule of man. Look around yourselves! The rule of man here on earth where people have rebelled from god and instead been ruled by evil men lusting after money has resulted in great oppression of the poor, just as bible predicted. and it has resulted in great evil where the good designs for us given to us by god have been undermined and resulted in much bad results for the people. The author above prefers that to the rule of god here on earth. Consider the wars that our country has started, our country ruled by people freely elected, since 1989 the US has attacked 7 countries completely unprovoked. Consider what has happened to the Iraqis. Consider the DU poisoning. Consider how the earth is being destroyed by the pharmaceutical drugs being put into the water supply. Consider the GM food that is destroying the earth. Consider how the poor are oppressed. Consider the fiat money system where the federal reserve takes almost 10% of our gdp every year in the form of cash as interest for money creation services. consider the poor of India and Bolivia and elsewhere who cannot get water every day to drink. consider the corporations who buy up the water and make it unavailable. consider the corrupt leaders who bow to the new world order that is babylon predicted in the bible. the author above prefers the rule of man to the rule of god. that is not my opinion, that is fact. I say oh come jesus come. I say anyone who is interested in justice and peace will agree with me.
Jim Jones was a CIA set-up. the people who rule worship molech at the bohemian grove. the bible says not to worship molech. it is foolish to think that the people who rule are christian. and it is dishonest as well.
A website every rapture ready fundie should bookmark: the people who rule worship molech at the bohemian grove. the bible says not to worship molech. it is foolish to think that the people who rule are Christian. and it is dishonest as well." Hey, the whole thing was so bizarre bizarre trés trés bizarre, I don't find your words hard to believe. ;-)
Socionomics ping.
#2. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
For thousands of years, prophets have predicted the end of the world.
#3. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
"Jones developed a belief called Translation in which he and his followers would all die together, and would move to another planet for a life of bliss. Mass suicides were practiced in which his followers pretended to drink poison and fell to the ground."
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” Plato
#4. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
#5. To: Ferret Mike (#3)
#6. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” Plato
#7. To: Red Jones (#5)
"Jim Jones was a CIA set-up.
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” Plato
#8. To: Arete, Starwind, Tauzero (#1)
 | A libertarian is a conservative who has been mugged ...by his own government |
#9. To: Red Jones (#4)
Assuming the Christian religion is correct, Jesus will come when the Father says it is time and not one moment before. These people don't know their own faith if they think they can "cause" something to happen sooner.
Press 1 for English. Press 2 for Deportation.
#10. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
Best of luck, guys.
#11. To: mirage (#9)
that is correct. and that is why I have always said the 'dominion' christians are dangerous and crazy. 'christian' people who believe that 'end-times' are here or would welcome the kingdom of heaven & jesus' return and the violence that will come with it did not cause george bush to be elected. and they did not cause the evil that is coming from the people who rule us today. the evil that spews out of the human heart caused these bad things. The crooked voting machines, the lying news media, the corrupted institutions, the love of money, these are the things that caused these bad things to happen. not some christians who are deceived by those who rule. and then some journalist takes advantage to bash christians and the bible. the one who made us is powerful enough to destroy us, if he chooses to. and he is powerful enough to teach us the lessons he wants us to learn. and to do it in the way that he chooses. the one who made us will see the injustices done to the poor on earth, the one who made us will intervene at our time of greatest need when all will appear to be lost due to the wars created by man. and the one who made us will establish his rule here. and he will separate the people. he's given us the choice of life or death. and we each will choose. and when judgement comes, his judgements will be just. we are in an era when we can each choose. Choose wisely. and remember that this era will end. but nowhere in the bible does it say that this will be the end of the world. On the contrary it says otherwise. This author above has chosen to lie about it. not a good choice. but the one who made us has given us the ability to choose in this manner and arranged things so that we can and must choose. choose to believe in the ways of man and you choose death, that should be obvious today for everyone. The world is arranged so that it is obvious. but many will choose to lie. that is the nature of the creation that the one who made us has made.
These people don't know their own faith if they think they can "cause" something to happen sooner.
#12. To: Morgana le Fay (#0)
Like raindancing, it might even appear to work.
With that goal in mind, mega-church pastors recently met in Inglewood to polish strategies for using global communications and aircraft to transport missionaries to fulfill the Great Commission: to make every person on Earth aware of Jesus' message. Doing so, they believe, will bring about the end, perhaps within two decades.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
#13. To: Red Jones (#11)
A site lampooning the bizarre baboons of doom and gloom: http://www.bettybowers.com/nl-nov2001.html 
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” Plato#14. To: Red Jones (#11)
Personally, I think its a "wrong priority" thing. A lot of fundies I know couldn't give two craps about their families and then wonder why their kids vacate the premises and their spouses are out running around. Priorities, priorities, priorities :) BUT, what do I know? All I can do is watch and try to figure it out.
Press 1 for English. Press 2 for Deportation.
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