govern point

In 605 BCE, as a teenager, Daniel was captured by the Babylonian army, during its first attack on Jerusalem. He had been a member of the royal house or of the nobility. Daniel survived a castration operation and spent the rest of his long life in the city of Babylon, in the service of the royal court. He went by two names: Daniel and Belteschazzar.

That city was generally regarded as the most beautiful in the known world. Ancient authorities, not known for accuracy, claimed that its walls were 60 miles long, 300 feet high and 80 feet thick. The Euphrates river divided the city in to two roughly equal parts.

Isaiah 13:17-22 described it as “Babylon, fairest of kingdoms, proud beauty of the Chaldeans“  It contained one of the seven wonders of the world: the hanging gardens of Babylon, which Nebuchadnezzar build for his Queen. Both a passage in Isaiah and Jeremiah 51:37-43 prophesized that Babylon would be destroyed and never occupied again. The prophecy was partly correct: the city was destroyed. But part of it has been inhabited in recent years. It is now being rebuilt by the Government of Iraq.

Daniel is described as living in Babylon for the entire duration of the Babylonian empire, a period of 72 years. He arrived during the last year in the reign of Nabopolassar, stayed through the entire 45 year reign of Nebuchadnezzar, assisted 5 succeeding kings, survived through the occupation by the Medes and into the occupation of the Persians. He was present as Israel was taken into captivity; he died two years after a fragment of the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem.

Topical Articles

• British archaeologist finds ancient gold coins at Jerusalem dig
• British tourist strikes gold in Jerusalem car park

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The more things change the more they stay the same, the more we think we are different the more we are wrong. This is just life – while we all want to be special the reality is we are all the same the discussion, research and actions across the globe are confirming this. Obama isn’t the only one thinking inclusion is a good thing, so are researchers.

According to a scholar and theology professor who spoke Saturday in Batavia, Understanding between Christians and Muslims can begin with respecting each others’ beliefs. The crazy thing about respect is it cuts both ways and can only make things better. Thomas Finger, from the Bethany Theological Seminary, discussed commonalities between Christianity & Muslim beliefs in the Savior/Mahdi in Batavia. Finger believes that varied interpretations of the Mahdi are an example of the differences among Muslim religious leaders.

Not all people believe the same and that is life in all religions. Many believe God is protecting the Mahdi and has been living on earth since say 874 A.D. When this happens will return with Jesus to establish peace on the earth and Islam as the religion of all people. Fairly similar to the Christian return belief.

“Some religious leaders believe the Mahdi’s return will be peaceful,” Finger said. “Others make it sound like World War III…..The overwhelming majority of average citizens would rather be friends,” Finger said. “You really find the common humanity, especially in the Middle East.” So why is it that we can’t all just get along and respect that opportunities exist for all and faith holds common elements – kindness, be good and take care of others.

With the recent Gaza military conflict, I’ve got to thinking about 2009, religion and other things.  I’m not sure about the scope of the conflict, but it is definitely sustaining and causing issues.  From BBC:

Mass demonstrations are being held around the world in protest at Israel’s military offensive against Hamas, as the campaign enters its second week.

This is a significant development, what will the world think of Isreal as the conflict?  There are lots of ways to look at it, so hopefully we all keep an open mind and try to figure out the right solution to this sticky situation.

Articles of Interest on the Gaza Conflict

• Gaza propaganda
• Israel braced for Hamas response
• Hamas warns against ground attack
• Leaflets warn Gazans to get out of harm’s way
• Bombardment of Gaza Continues;So Do the Rockets
• Israel destroys Hamas homes, flattens Gaza mosque