• National Public Radio today was full of all sorts of stuff related to Earth Day. During "Performance Today" Greg Smith was featured, along with his world premier "Requiem for the Earth." I got quite a picture of this man whose choir I almost joined years ago. (I chose the one in Montreal, instead) As I listened to the work, was reminded of stuff we sang in Montreal, "Hymns from the Rig Veda." With the acute realization that, had I stayed in professional music...likely, my voice would have been one of those heard today, extolling the worship of nature, the earth and the environment. 'Sent shuddering chills down my spine contemplating it!!

• But then, as I was working on the "Seven Churches" series recently, and getting into the Catholic church, was remembering back to all the Masses I had performed over the years...after all, they are the staple of the classical choral literature. Realizing how many times I had blasphemed my Lord by performing them!! (I didn't know any better back then!)

• Then, today I was reading some of my e-mail. A little piece in there about "World Integration and Improvement Initiative (WIII) is happy to launch registration of world citizens from 22nd April 1997, the earth day. You can fill out a little card, and receive a "number" as a "citizen" of the world.

• This evening I mowed my lawn, and as I was blowing off the driveway, thinking about the flooding in my old stomping grounds, Grand Forks, ND. And then thinking about all the flooding all over, the ice storms, tornadoes...remembering some exchanges with some of you about my thoughts how, during the past year, just about every major area in this country has been beset by some sort of extraordinary weather. I noticed in the car in my neighbor's driveway, belonging to the daughter of my neighbor, of Native American descent, the feathers and other such objects for aide in worship, hanging from the mirror. Strange thoughts...wondering how they, being of "Mother Earth", would view my blowing off the driveway as I was doing. (Ok, Ok...I said they were "strange" thoughts)

• And in the midst of those thoughts, SUDDENLY remembering a conversation with one of my customers this afternoon. Some areas around here are starting to experience flooding, and mercifully it has been cooler, so the 200% normal snow-pack is still remaining in the mountains. And this customer's comment..."they say that we are beginning a seven-year cycle. That we are supposed to have 'Seven years of this'."

Earlier, another thing I was reading in my e-mail, the writer, I gathered, has the idea that we are just about upon Christ's "Second Coming." In context, I would have thought he meant "1997." (I already knew he thinks we are "now" in the Tribulation, but this surprised me.) I know that some people think the signing of the Oslo agreement was the beginning of the Tribulation, in 1993, to culminate in 2000.

But then, as I was reading in the first article in the current "Israel My Glory" this afternoon there was a little comment about prophecy I had missed. "Then he shall [confirm] a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate." (Dan 9:27)

Notice the word "confirm." The Oslo Accords were "created" or "originally drawn up" and signed in 1993...if, in fact, they are what this prophecy refers to. To "confirm" is totally different. It means to establish something which has been, or is ALREADY, there. So, that is yet future.

Now, just think what would happen if the US continued having the kind of weather we have had, for the next seven years, as my customer was suggesting. Add a few other countries to that, and then realize the prophesied famines that would come about, on a world-wide scale.

No, we are not yet (April 22,97) in the Tribulation time. Much less, just about at the [end] of it. At least half the world's population will be annihilated, which hasn't started happening yet. At the beginning of the time, the "covenant" will be confirmed by the Anti-Christ. It's not yet definite "who" that person might be, nor has such a confirmation occured. And the Rapture must happen first, which obviously hasn't happened yet.

But, we know the time is "ripe." For an unsaved person of the world to make a comment about "seven years of this" devastation. As well as all the other stuff we are seeing. Blood moon (eclipses), Hale-Bopp, one of you told me recently of "four" major earthquakes over in Europe, mid-east, Asia?? We have world "citizenship" being offered out of India. Jerusalem is being quarreled over...and what I read seems to indicate that Israel is at a somewhat "low point" of vulnerability right now, and the Arab countries are scrambling to get their weapons in order to make another attempt at Israelie-Annihilation...as they see this as a "window of opportunity"

The time is "ripe?"

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (Mat 24:32-42)