so far, bearzinthehood is the only one that referred to 'the number of his name.' i think in revelations it is only mentioning it in reference to someone who is a ruler that causes a lot of destruction. a world ruler. someone that follows the roman ideals (world empire) and makes himself to be a god.
if it were a date - it would be impotent. after all, God says 'no man knows the day or the hour...' but, we see the 'fig tree setting forth leaves.' the moment that israel became a state in 1947 - the world understood that God would not leave israel but that it would bud and become like a rose in the desert. after all - he's returning at the mount of olives. we know from matthew that israel will be divided (and is already being divided) - that there will be war in the region (armageddon) and that a time of 'tribulation' will overtake the earth.
this isn't too nice to talk about - but if God says it - then just like noah's flood...it's going to happen. noone can stop it - if he deems that humankind is destined to fight for world domination against their Savior. that's why all the tv shows etc showing Christ to be unable to save. perhaps they will rethink after the next few years. last year showed how much we have destroyed the ozone layer with a phenomenal melting of the polar ice cap and the raging fires and heat that is taking over the planet and destroying good weather conditions. to me, the only rational take is to be on God's side. if the planet is going down - there will be nothing to grasp except faith. we are told that at the 'end time' there will be two witnesses. we should listen to whomever they end up being because they are taking the place of 'noah' at the flood and warning people to change and repent from evil ways. we can't decide for ouselves anymore what is good and evil because we see the result of our choices. it is all evil. it is destruction. God's way is peace and life. the millenium is supposed to be a rebuilding of what was destroyed. a new way of life where even the animals are at peace with humankind. that will be because sin is eliminated. sin and death entered at the same time.
that's how i understand things in my limited understanding.
about the thong - it was funny - as boliver said. i mean, it seems a likely deterrent if someone is inclined to think about the picture. of course, it depends probably on the body of the woman wearing it and if she truly believes in Christ - she wouldn't wear him on that spot. but, as life is today - many things are sacrelidge. guess that life couldn't get any worse or funnier because of how bad it is.
Topic: 6 - 6 - 06