The Fall of The American Babylon, Part II

Mystery Babylon: 'Economic System' or Actual Nation?

Babylon's greatest sin was introducing into the world the Worship of Money.

Notice that before the final Beast system rises where everyone is required to its mark on their foreheads or right hands (which is easily provable to happen at the start of the Great Tribulation, or 3½ years into the 7 year period of trials for the nation of Israel), a nation called Babylon will have already fallen. This can only be the USA as Jeremiah 50, 51 and Isaiah 47, 48 and Revelation 17, 18 point to as the only candidate that fits all the Scripture on Mystery Babylon.

There are some interesting parallels between Ancient Babylon and the USA. For example, Ancient Babylon not only standardized commerce throughout the ancient world, but also exported its culture, rituals, designer clothes and fads of the time, and their pagan gods. They also were structured in a very similar manner.

Ancient Babylon was an Empire made up of many different countries it had conquered or made allegiances with. By some estimates there were as many as 127 of these “Provinces.” Contrast this with the United States of America, where originally 13 States or Countries, created a Federal Government for mutual self-interest, specifically to help govern trade between them and other outside governments, and for mutual protection.

Under the United States Constitution, the federal government was assigned specific limited powers and most government functions were left to the States. To ensure that people understood the limits on federal power, the Framers added the Constitution's Tenth Amendment:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

The Tenth Amendment embodies federalism, the idea that federal and state governments have separate areas of activity and that federal responsibilities were "few and defined," as James Madison noted. Historically, federalism acted as a safeguard of American freedoms. Indeed, President Ronald Reagan noted in a 1987 executive order:

"Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political liberties are best assured by limiting the size and scope of the national government."

In other words, today the USA is a group of 50 separate countries that have covenanted together in order to form a super-government to oversee issues of mutual concern, specifically Commerce and Protection. In doing so, they became the greatest Economic Power the world had ever known, at least since the days of Ancient Babylon.

In addition to these Political States, the USA is also comprised of the following territories, protectorates and possessions:

Territories:

·         American Samoa - since 1878 (original purpose of acquisition: coaling station)

·         Guam - since 1898 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

·         United States Virgin Islands - since 1917 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

Commonwealths:

·         Puerto Rico - under US control since 1900, became a commonwealth in 1902 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

·         Northern Mariana Islands - under US control since 1947, became a commonwealth in 1978 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance) 

Possessions:

·         Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands - since 1857 (original purpose of acquisition: guano production)

·         Navassa Island - since 1857 (original purpose of acquisition: guano production)

·         Johnston Island - since 1858 (original purpose of acquisition: guano production)

·         Midway Atolls - claimed in 1876, annexed in 1908 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

·         Palmyra Atoll - since 1898 (original purpose of acquisition: was part of the Hawaii acquisition)

·         Wake Islands - since 1898 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

·         Guantanamo Bay - since 1898 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)

·         Kingman Reef - since 1922 (original purpose of acquisition: stopping point for air traffic)

Compacts of Free Association:

·         Republic of the Marshall Islands - since 1947 (used for nuclear weapons testing)

·         Republic of Palau - under trusteeship in 1947, gained independence in 1994

·         Federated States of Micronesia - since 1978

In addition to these places it is helpful to know which places have been possessions of the United States in the past as well.  Previously occupied American territories include:

• The Philippines 1901 - 1946
• Panama Canal 1903 - 1999  
• Nicaragua 1912 - 1933
• Haiti 1915 - 1934
• Dominican Republic 1916 – 1924

·         Palua 1947—1994

On a more subjective level there are also many countries whose leaders or political systems have been controlled or influenced by the United States in some way over the years.  For the purpose of helping to understand American influence I will include some of these places here and the times in which it is generally accepted that their political systems were under significant influence of the United States.

• Nicaragua 1855 - 1860
• Liberia 1820 - 1865
• Cuba 1898 - 1952
• Germany 1945 - 1955
• Japan 1945 - 1955
• South Korea 1948 - 1960
• Congo 1960 - 1964
• Vietnam 1950 - 1973
• Chile 1964 - 1973
• Iran 1953 - 1979
• Guatemala 1953 - 1980s
• Indonesia/East Timor 1965 - 2002
• Iraq (aka: Babylon) 2003 - ?

In addition to the above, the United States also has relationships with the following 176 “Occupied Territories” which have some measure of autonomy. These areas were Judicially Established in 1978 and does not include dozens of others still attempting to gain recognition.

1. Seneca 2. Delaware, Wyandot, Potawatomi, Ottawa, Chippewa 3. Ottawa 4. Delaware, Ottawa, Shawnee, Wyandot 5. Delaware 6. Shawnee 7. Potawatomi, Ottawa, Chippewa 8. Potawatomi 9. Potawatomi 10. Potawatomi 11. Potawatomi 12. Potawatomi 13. Potawatomi 14. Potawatomi 15. Potawatomi 16. Sault Ste. Marie Band 17. Ottawa, Chippewa 18. Saginaw Chippewa 19. Saginaw Chippewa 20. Grand River Band 21. Miami, Potawatomi 22. Miami, Potawatomi 23. Miami 24. Miami, Eel River 25. Miami, Delaware 26. Miami, Wea 27. Potawatomi, Wea 28. Potawatomi, Wea, Kickapoo 29. Wea, Kickapoo 30. Wea 31. Delaware, Piankeshaw 32. Potawatomi, Kickapoo 33. Kickapoo 34. Kaskaskia, Kickapoo 35. Piankeshaw 36. Kaskaskia 37. Cherokee 38. Creek 39. Creek 40. Creek 41. Seminole 42. Lake Superior Bands, Mississippi Bands 43. Lake Superior Bands, Mississippi Bands 44. Lake Superior Bands 45. Bois Forte Band 46. Mississippi Bands 47. Lake Superior Bands, Mississippi Bands 48. Pillager & Lake Winnibigoshish Bands 49. Pillager Band 50. Red Lake Band 51. Red Lake Band, Pembina Band 52. Pembina Band 53. Potawatomi 54. Winnebago 55. Sac & Fox 56. Sac & Fox 57. Sac & Fox 58. Sac & Fox 59. Sac & Fox 60. Iowa, Sac & Fox 61. Sac & Fox 62. Iowa 63. Iowa 64. Otoe & Missouria, Iowa, Omaha, Sac & Fox 65. Omaha 66. Ponca 67. Otoe & Missouria 68. Pawnee 69. Osage 70. Osage 71. Osage 72. Quapaw 73. Caddo 74. Medawakanton Band 75. Eastern or Mississippi Sioux 76. Yankton 77. Sisseton & Wahpeton 78. Sisseton 79. Teton & Yanktonai 80. Yankton 81. Sioux (Dahcotah) Nation 82. Arikara, Mandan, Hidatsa 83. Arikara, Mandan, Hidatsa 84. Assiniboine 85. Crow 86. Blackfeet & Gros Ventre 87. Flathead 88. Upper Pend D'Oreille

89. Kootenai 90. Nez Perce 91. Coeur D'Alene 92. Kalispel 93. Spokane 94. Palus 95. Cayuse 96. Walla Walla 97. Umatilla 98. Yakima 99. Colville 100. Lake Tribe 101. Sanpoil-Nespelem 102. Okanogan 103. Methow 104. Warm Springs 105. Clatsop 106. Tillamook 107. Tillamook 108. Coquille, Chetco, Too-too-to-ney 109. Snake 110. Lemhi 111. Shoshone 112. Cheyenne & Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Northern Arapaho 113. Klamath 114. Modoc 115. Pitt River 116. Northern Paiute 117. Washoe 118. Indians of California 119. Western Shoshone 120. Goshute 121. Uintah Ute 122. Southern Paiute 123. Hopi 124. Navajo 125. Acoma 126. Laguna 127. Zia, Jemez, Santa Ana 128. Santo Domingo 129. San Ildefonso 130. Nambe 131. Santa Clara 132. Taos 133. Kiowa, Comanche & Apache 134. Jicarilla Apache 135. Mescalero Apache 136. Mescalero Apache 137. Lipan Apache 138. Chiricahua Apache 139. Chiricahua Apache 140. Western Apache 141. Tonto Apache 142. Havasupai 143. Hualapai 144. Mohave 145. Chemehuevi 146. Yavapai 147. Pima-Maricopa 148. Quechan 149. Papago 150. Nooksack 151. Lummi 152. Samish 153. Upper Skagit 154. Swinomish 155. Lower Skagit 156. Kikiallus 157. Stillaguamish 158. Makah 159. S'Klallam 160. Snohomish 161. Quileute 162. Skokomish 163. Skykomish 164. Snoqualmie 165. Suquamish 166. Duwamish 167. Quinaielt 168. Squaxin 169. Muckleshoot 170. Puyallup 171. Steilacoom 172. Nisqually 173. Lower Chehalis 174. Upper Chehalis 175. Cowlitz 176. Chinook

Now Revelation 17 and 18 specifically then must be dual, they speak of America as the Center of World Trade and Commerce (aka: The World Trade Center), and the actual reborn Nation of Babylon in the Middle East. This is why Revelation 18 and 14 say "Babylon has fallen (1), has fallen (2)". There is no reason any angel would need to declare the fall of Babylon twice unless it literally does fall twice. It's dual, and not limited to one fulfillment. America, called technically a daughter of Babylon by Jeremiah and Isaiah, can only fall once. Then the full and final embodiment of the Nation of Babylon reborn will fall at a later date.

It is important to note that the Backup World Trade computer system had already been set up and came online exactly one hour after commerce ceased in New York City on September 11, 2001. This is in fulfillment of –Revelation 18:8-17. 

⁸ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
   death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
   for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

 ⁹ “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. ¹⁰ Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

   “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
   you mighty city of Babylon! 

In one hour your doom has come!’

 ¹¹ “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— ¹² cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; ¹³ cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

 ¹⁴ “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn ¹⁶ and cry out:

   “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
   dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
   and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 

¹⁷ In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

Now you might wonder where this backup computer system is for World Commerce that came online exactly one hour after the Twin Towers fell.

Answer: Babylon 

Specifically in the city known today as Baghdad, but in ancient times was known as Babylon. 

And people wonder why the USA immediately went to war with Iraq? The computer system and world commerce needed to by protected by a multi-national force to prevent it being monopolized by a dictatorial régime.

Jeremiah 50-51 says 5 times to leave Babylon and go to Jerusalem/Zion.

–Jeremiah 50:5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to God in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

– Jeremiah 50:28

The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of God our God, the vengeance of his temple. 

–Jeremiah 51:6

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of God's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense. 

–Jeremiah 51:10

God hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of God our God. 

–Jeremiah 51:49-50

As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember God afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.

Revelation 18 also tells people to flee so to not take part in her sins and her judgment on them. I am not convinced that this means to physically leave America, but I am convinced it does mean that we should remember that this world is not our ultimate home, and that we should be prepared for anything.

–Revelation 18:4-5 

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

While these certainly work on a spiritual level (stop sinning), this does not negate plain sense literal interpretation (physical). How this will play out precisely is yet to be experienced.

Lot, too, had to physically leave Sodom before her judgment (Genesis 14). Did not Jesus say the last days would be like the days Noah (Genesis 6-9), all over again? Like Noah, if Lot had stayed in Sodom to witness to the Sodomites, we might instead be told, "Remember Lot", instead of "Remember Lot's wife" in our instructions for these last days (Luke 17:32). If Noah had not obeyed and built an ark so he could leave the land soon to be judged by being under water, he would have died prematurely and ended his testimony as a different kind of example for our admonishment.

However, Lot's wife's testimony teaches us it’s not enough to just physically leave, but we must really get the love for the world and its ways out of us as well. We need to leave Babylon and get Babylon out of us. Israel, too, had to leave Egypt and get Egypt out of them. On top of all this, Jeremiah 50 and Isaiah 13 speak of the downfall of the American Babylon as exactly like Sodom's. Perhaps the righteous will be fleeing America in the future, just as Lot fled then, or at least fleeing certain more guilty regions of the Empire known currently as the USA.

This brings me to a criticism about the Church in America that continues to preach the "prosperity" of Christians, and socially relevant messages with more foundation in secular psychology and issues of today than Biblical foundation:

Why would God give this American Christian people more of their Idol? 

If you can't say Amen, say Ouch.

The Fall of The American Babylon, Part I

Getting started

Lately, people have been asking me to speak a lot to the issue of End Times Bible events. There have been so many natural disasters in recent days that even non-religious people have taken an interest in the topic. With the recent earthquake and tidal wave in Japan, followed by nuclear meltdown in several power plant reactors, making their problems on par with or greater than the Three-Mile Island incident in the USA many years ago, is there any wonder people are concerned?

First, it needs to be noted that Jesus taught that one can look to various signs in nature as indicators regarding the changing of seasons, and we should also look at specific signs regarding  the prophetic seasons and the coming time of redemption for ourselves and our planet.

Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

–Luke 17:29-31

When evening comes, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red," and in the morning, "Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast." You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

–Matthew 16:1-3

Elsewhere, Jesus told us that among the signs of his return would be earthquakes. But the primary analogy that Jesus used to describe the last days earthquakes were birth contractions, which we all know are universally characterized by a progressive increase in both frequency and intensity:

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

–Matthew 24:7-8

And once more, the ultimate result of the return of Jesus will be a massive earthquake that literally transforms the topography of Jerusalem and devastates the whole earth:

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

–Zechariah 14:4

Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.

–Revelation 16:18

With this in mind, it is fascinating to take note of some statistics that were brought to my attention recently from the U.S. Geological Survey. Analyzing records of ancient earthquakes as well as every earthquake occurring in modern times registering a 7.0 or higher on the Richter scale, the picture that emerges is very interesting.

Ø  From 1 A.D. to 1800 there were 11 major earthquakes recorded in history. This results in an average of one major earthquake approximately every 100 years.

Ø  From 1900 to 2000 there were 10 major earthquakes 7.0 or higher. This results in an average of one major earthquake every 10 years.

This brings us to recent times. One of the most notable major earthquakes was in Bam, Iran, on Dec. 26, 2003. Exactly one year later, Dec. 26, 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia, experienced another massive earthquake and a subsequent devastating tsunami. Between these two earthquakes, more than 330,000 lives were lost.

Ø  From 2003 to 2007, there were 29 major earthquakes 7.0 or higher. Resulting in

an average of one major earthquake every 49 days.

Ø  In 2008, there were 12 major earthquakes 7.0 or higher. This results in

an average of one major earthquake every 37 days.

Ø  In 2009, there were 16 major earthquakes 7.0 or higher. This results in

an average of one major earthquake every 22 days.

Ø  In 2010, there were 24 major earthquakes 7.0 or higher. This results in

an average of one major earthquake every 15 days.

I have no doubt that there will be scoffers, but the numbers don't lie. In fact, based on the undeniable patterns, on March 4, six days before the earthquake in Japan, several people I am aware of began predicting the following:

The longest amount of time last year that the earth went without a major (7.0 or greater) earthquake was 57 days. We haven't had a major earthquake since January 18th of this year. As of today, we stand at 45 days without a major quake. I am predicting a major (7.0 or greater) earthquake BEFORE Wednesday, March 17th…there will be a major earthquake sometime within the next week!

Sadly, even within the church, there will be those who claim that this information means absolutely nothing and that Christians should pay no attention. Thankfully, for the majority of believers who are paying attention, who take Jesus' words at face value, who are watching the specific signs that Jesus spoke of, the evidence is all there. The contractions are increasing in both intensity and frequency. I believe there is a birth on the way.

Now what?

There have been several such portents in the last 40 years that have led many to conclude that we are already experiencing the events described by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. For example, Chernobyl (meaning Wormwood or bitterness), is discussed in Revelation 8:10-11, it is a town in the Ukraine where in 1986 they experienced the greatest nuclear disaster in history. In Revelation it says that one third of the Rivers would become "wormwood" or bitter. What many may not know is that the radiation from that event has in fact contaminated all the major rivers in the area, affecting Europe to the West and Asia to the South and East. Have one third of the rivers been affected yet? Perhaps not, but there is no way to stop the creeping contamination and it won't be long before that much of the word's drinking water is contaminated.

The destruction of the World Trade Center in New York, NY is another example that many point toward as a fulfillment of events in Revelation, specifically chapters Revelation 14:8 and 18:2.

Some people have been writing in the days after the September 11th event about the question of whether the event fulfills Revelation 18's pronouncement of judgment on Mystery Babylon. Others deny that the Mystery Babylon of Revelation 18 is even speaking about America (and some inexplicably deny that the USA, the greatest nation in history, is even mentioned in prophecy). While it is true that Revelation 18 is not referring merely to the destruction of the World Trade Center, it is clear to me that the final destruction of the United States of America is mainly what Revelation 18 is about—at least economically. 

Revelation Tells Us Exactly When Mystery Babylon (America) As an Economic Power Will Fall

It is true that Babylon is a ruling system of commerce that has been with us since Nimrod (Genesis 10). It is the system behind every empire in history. But it also must be a nation, otherwise how can it fall before the Great Tribulation comes? Revelation 14 tells us it will:

–Revelation 14:6-9

And I saw another angel [#1]fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters [this message is out now, the same I share with people, for which they label me a nut, out of touch with reality]  And there followed another angel [#2], saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication[1].  And the third angel [#3] followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand

From this sequence of three angels delivering three different messages at the appropriate time we can learn the timing of the fall of Mystery Babylon. Since the second angel announces Mystery Babylon's fall before the third angel warns everyone not to take the mark of the Beast, then logically the Babylon that the Beast represents according to Isaiah 13/Revelation 18 is not the same Babylon that falls before the mark is decreed.

---

[1] This message is clearly about America and her sensual culture which you find exported to nearly every country in the world through Media, Movies, Television and Advertising. See also: Jeremiah 50:28; 51:10

The Reality of Hell and Osama bin Laden?

The long American nightmare is over. Osama bin Laden has been brought to justice, killed in Pakistan yesterday by U.S. commandos after a decade-long hunt. Justice has been served. But let's be clear: bin Laden is not now in Paradise with 72 virgins.

Bin Laden was a fanatical Radical Sunni Muslim. He hated the Lord Jesus Christ. He hated and cursed Christians and Jews. He murdered Christians and Jews and others; recruited, trained and deployed thousands of others Muslims to murder Christians, Jews and others; and pursued a life of sheer evil defiance of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unless he truly and sincerely repented at the last possible moment and received Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior -- unlikely given the speed of the raid -- he is now burning in the fires of Hell.

In the days ahead, I'll analyze how the death of bin Laden could affect the U.S., Israel and the world. But it is important to first understand the conclusion of his life. Bin Laden was deeply religious and deeply sincere, I have no doubt. But he was sincerely wrong, and the Bible teaches there is a consequence to defying the One True God.

Hell is not a topic much discussed in our world today, even by many Christians. Some pastors choose not to teach what the Bible says about Hell. One high-profile American pastor, Rob Bell, recently published a book -- Love Wins -- denying that Hell is real. "A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better," writes Bell. "It’s been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’ message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear."

As difficult as it is to conceive of such a place of eternal torment -- indeed, no one wants to think about it -- its reality is exactly what the Bible teaches. Indeed, since Jesus was God incarnate -- all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving -- He knew all too well the reality of Hell. He came to Earth to pay the penalty for our sins and to rescue all who would follow Him from having to spend their eternity there. In fact, Jesus taught more about Hell than He did about heaven. Why? Because He loved all people so much that He wanted to save the from eternal damnation. He wanted them to understand the choice of rejecting the Messiah. And He wanted to give each of us a way of escape, if only we would say yes by faith.

• Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell."
• Jesus said in Mark 9:43, "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire."
• Jesus said to corrupt, hypocritical religious leaders in Matthew 23:33, "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Hell?"
• Jesus said in John 3:16-18, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish [die and be condemned to suffer in Hell forever and ever and ever], but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
• Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-39, "Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.....He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life who lose it [in Hell], and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it [in heaven]."

Hell is real. And it's not only mass murderers like bin Laden who go there. The Bible says that unless we receive Jesus as our Savior and accept His payment for our sins, we will all end up there. May you choose eternal life instead. Why not today?