Global Death

[Shoku]

The tsunami disaster in southeast Asia is a horrible result of the natural, but unpredictable process of plate tectonics. But as bad as it was, it is nothing to compare to what is coming, based on Biblical prophecy. One of the prophets said this:

â??The great day of the LORD is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much. The sound of the day of the LORD is bitter. There a mighty man is letting out a cry. That day is a day of fury, a day of distress and of anguish, a day of storm and of desolation, a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick gloom, a day of horn and of alarm signal, against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers. And I will cause distress to mankind, and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against the LORD that they have sinned. And their blood will actually be poured out like dust, and their bowels like the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.â?

[TheCops]

ecclesiastes... or god is just an imaginary friend for grown ups.

whatever.

[DCrazy]

Right. How long ago was this said?

[Skyalmian]

It's guessed that the end [of civilization, not Earth] will be in on December 21, 2012, at 11:11 AM GMT. That's when the Mayan Calender comes to an end at 13.0.0.0.0 [in the Long Count], the sky will show a "rare astronomical alignment - the winter solstice sun right in the "dark rift" in the Milky Way", and also when the "fifth" sun will end and the "sixth" will begin. In the process, the sun's output will supposedly switch, bombarding the planet with its output, and the result is that Earth will be turned into a live version of Hell for a bit while the the magnetic field reverses, with the North Pole switching places with the South Pole.

As it approaches, though, things will steadily worsen with regard to earthquakes and volcanos (expect more major ones, supposedly):

With increasing solar flares and tectonic plate activity, there could also be increased earthquake and volcanic activity worldwide.

Speaking of solar flares, there are a lot of major ones going on recently. Look at all the bright colors.

So, try not to stay in areas with lots of large structures and get lots of sunblock.

[Pandora]

It's guessed that the end [of civilization, not Earth] will be in on December 21, 2012, at 11:11 AM GMT.

heh... and i thought nothing interesting ever happens on my birthdays...

[Tyranny]

I give this one big

[Mobius]

Plate techtonics unpredictable???? I think not. We know the exact rate of movement, and the direction of movement of every major plate on the planet. We can predict with statictical accuracy the location amnd frequency of earthquakes as a result of these movements.

What we can not yet do is announce prior to an earthquake, the exact size, date and location of individual earthquakes. However, it is only a matter of time until we are able to do so. A rather longer period of time after that we will control the movement of the plates in such a way as to create many small, non-damaging earthquakes rather than suffer cataclysmic events.

To link ancient writings to current day events shows your ability to sort fact from fiction is severely challenged, and I'd like to offer you a REALLY good real estate deal. Come see me at low tide.

[Unix]

A rather longer period of time after that we will control the movement of the plates in such a way as to create many small, non-damaging earthquakes rather than suffer cataclysmic events.

Interesting. The only thing way that I see them being able to this is with explosives right? Do you have some sources for this?

[dissent]

It's guessed that the end [of civilization, not Earth] will be in on December 21, 2012, at 11:11 AM GMT. That's when the Mayan Calender comes to an end at 13.0.0.0.0 [in the Long Count], the sky will show a "rare astronomical alignment - the winter solstice sun right in the "dark rift" in the Milky Way", and also when the "fifth" sun will end and the "sixth" will begin. In the process, the sun's output will supposedly switch, bombarding the planet with its output, and the result is that Earth will be turned into a live version of Hell for a bit while the the magnetic field reverses, with the North Pole switching places with the South Pole.

As it approaches, though, things will steadily worsen with regard to earthquakes and volcanos (expect more major ones, supposedly):

With increasing solar flares and tectonic plate activity, there could also be increased earthquake and volcanic activity worldwide.

Speaking of solar flares, there are a lot of major ones going on recently. Look at all the bright colors.

So, try not to stay in areas with lots of large structures and get lots of sunblock.

So I guess you're trying to tell me that I should take my pension as a lump sum?

[Top Gun]

And what does the Mayan calendar have to do with the end of humanity? Last time I checked, the Mayans aren't doing so hot themselves.

Lobber, it is also said that "No one has knowledge of the time except God himself." That's what cracks me up about all the "preachers" predicting the end of the world. Trying to second-guess God? Doesn't sound very holy.

[Foil]

...it is also said that "No one has knowledge of the time except God himself."

It's not only "said", it's directly from Biblical scripture. Just after a lengthy teaching about the signs of the "end of the age", Jesus said:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

(Note: red text is traditionally used for words of Christ.)

[Shoku]

Lobber, it is also said that "No one has knowledge of the time except God himself." That's what cracks me up about all the "preachers" predicting the end of the world. Trying to second-guess God? Doesn't sound very holy.

The Prophet Zephaniah isn't proclaiming WHEN it will occur. He is proclaiming what will HAPPEN when it does occur.

It's not only "said", it's directly from Biblical scripture. Just after a lengthy teaching about the signs of the "end of the age", Jesus said:
Matthew 25:36, NIV wrote:
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Yes, Jesus did say that, but what else did he say? And more importantly, WHY did he say it?
First, his remarks were in response to a question asked at Matthew 24:3

"And as he (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?"

His answer is the rest of chapter 24 and all of chapter 25. He tells the disciples what changes in world conditions to watch for that will tell them that the end is near. All the things mentioned would be a "sign" that the end is near. Even though no one would know the exact "day" or "hour," by observing the things he mentioned, they would be able to know that the end was close at hand.

"Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he his near at the doors. Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." -Matthew 24:33-34

Then he said what you quoted above, and also this:
"Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know what day your Lord is coming." -Matthew 24:42

So, although no one knows the "day" or "hour" we can know the "season" when to expect the Lord's arrival, if we see all the parts of the 'sign" being fulfilled.

[Will Robinson]

Relax everyone, the earth won't be coming to an end until we see Mobius post "I don't know." in response to a thread with a scientific topic here on the DBB.

So I think we're safe for a millenium or two

[DCrazy]

Shoku, I hate to break it to you, but that argument has been made about six times in the past century alone. Every time there's "rock-solid evidence." And it never comes true.

[Top Gun]

Relax everyone, the earth won't be coming to an end until we see Mobius post "I don't know." in response to a thread with a scientific topic here on the DBB.

So I think we're safe for a millenium or two

And the entire population of the world breathes a sigh of relief; the Apocalypse has been averted.

[t-pilot]

I got this magazine that had an article about the end of the world (mostly predictions what would happen around the year 2k).

Everything stated there, all theories and predictions have all been proven false, as the time of the prediction has already passed now (the mag was from '98 I believe), except the 2012 one.

Though there was a predicion by some american in the early-mid 20th century, who stated that some devestation would occur in several cities. At the time of writing all predicions but one had occured (I remember one being the big quake in San Fransisco, and a fire in Chicago). The one that hasn't happened yet at the time of writing was a devestation in Manhattan... (9/11?).

They also wrote about the poles switching every 500,000 years or so. We're late by about 280,000 years.

[Foil]

Shoku, I hate to break it to you, but that argument has been made about six times in the past century alone. Every time there's "rock-solid evidence." And it never comes true.

Just six? In my lifetime alone (I'm only 27), I've heard at least ten or fifteen different self-proclaimed "Revelatory" scholars give their predicted date(s). They usually say something like, "Christ said no one knows the day or hour, but I've got it narrowed down to the week!", and they often convince a number of people with their arguments. Even my parents, soon after they became Christians, briefly fell for the teachings of a so-called "prophet" who said that the events would land on a certain weekend in the 70's.

Then he said what you quoted above, and also this:
"Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know what day your Lord is coming." -Matthew 24:42

The point of Christ's teaching in that chapter is not only to point out some of the "signs", but also to urge a sense of constant readiness, and to warn against being deceived by false claims: (Matthew 24:4,5 NIV, Matthew 24:23,24 NIV, Matthew 24:42-44 NIV).

Christ immediately follows that teaching with a parable which illustrates the point perfectly:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13), in which a group of bridesmaids are not watchful enough to carry extra oil for their lamps, since the groom did not arrive as early as he was expected. This had even more significance to the very early Christian church, since they fully expected Christ to return within their lifetimes.

Here's the point: we're asked to be watchful, but we're also warned numerous times to use discernment because so much false information is out there.

Here are some guidelines I use:
- Be careful about reactionary predictions just after natural disasters, wars, or other large tragedies
- Be careful about predictions which interpret all or most of the symbolic images as mainly relating to the United States
- Be careful about predictions which interpret all or most of the symbolic images as aspects of technology
- Pray about it

(FYI: The next two parables in chapter 25, The Parable of the Talents (25:14-30) and The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (25:31-46) also closely relate to this topic, as they point out the responsibilities of Christians until He returns, and the results of our actions during that time.)

[Shoku]

Interesting feedback to my comparison. And that's all that was intended: a comparison of the magnitude of the two events - the tsunammi and the Biblical end of the world. I never made mention of any DATES for the biblical event, only that, as stated in scripture, that is in COMMING at some future time.

Funny how some people jump on any opportunity to rant about things biblical.

[Sirius]

Why exactly is a magnetic field reversal so dangerous? I only seem to recall a movie called "The Core" that indicated some rather catastrophic consequences, but I know it's a complete crock for more reasons than just that.

I mean, yeah, it might deflect solar winds (I think), but surely we'd survive if it was zero or on some weird alignment for just a short time. We have before.

I might also note to Mobius that trying to convince Christians that their ideas are false by those methods is pretty similar to telling extremist Muslims to loosen up, attend a rave party and get laid; it just doesn't work.

[DCrazy]

A magnetic field has an orientation. Any charged particles that enter this field at an angle compared to this orientation will spin around in helix shapes, and get jettisoned out somewhere. In the case of the earth, this means that radiation particles enter the magnetic field, spin around, and fly out of the magnetic field away from the earth. The closer to the poles, the stronger the magnetic field, and therefore the stronger the repulsion force (and faster the acceleration) of the stray particle. A weak magnetic field means less protection from these particles.

[woodchip]

Hate to say this but just recently I've read where scientist are concerned at the rapid deterioration of the earths magnetic field. If memory serves the magnetic oriention of earths field has radically changed 4-6 times in the past.

[Top Gun]

From what I understand about the reversal, however, it doesn't have any real consequences in the sense of global catastrophe. However, it would obviously wreak havoc on a large amount of electronics equipment, which could in turn have widespread repercussions.

[KlubMarcus]

And what does the Mayan calendar have to do with the end of humanity? Last time I checked, the Mayans aren't doing so hot themselves.

Bwa ha ha ha ha! You're right, the Mayan Calender was ended a long time ago by a bunch of Spanish speaking guys on horses.

[kufyit]

Hate to say this but just recently I've read where scientist are concerned at the rapid deterioration of the earths magnetic field. If memory serves the magnetic oriention of earths field has radically changed 4-6 times in the past.

The magnetic field surrounding Earth is cause by the movement of molten metals in the Earth's core. Unless that is somehow cooling very rapidly (it does cool, but not rapidly, not even in geological time), our magnetic field is just fine.

In other words, the rate of deterioration in the magnetic field is directly related to the temperature (and mass) of the Earth's molten core.

[KlubMarcus]

If the Earth's magnetic field fluctuates and the magnetic poles move, then you know exactly what to do. Re-Calibrate. I'm sure you've learned that from Descent, and knowing is half the battle.

[Unix]

Couldn't we just turn it off and turn it back on again?