From: "Root & Branch
Association, Ltd."
Subject: Prophecy/Commentary: WAR AND RELIGION
-- WAS THE NATO
INCURSION
INTO THE BALKANS A DRESS REHEARSAL FOR A NEW
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
CONFLICT? by Vendyl Jones
Prophecy/Commentary: WAR AND RELIGION -- WAS THE NATO INCURSION INTO THE
BALKANS A DRESS REHEARSAL FOR A NEW ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT?
by Vendyl Jones
President, Vendyl Jones Resarch Institutes
(Reprinted with the permission of the author from "The Researcher")
ARLINGTON, TEXAS, Yom Shlishi (Third Day -- "Tuesday"), Rosh Chodesh
Kislev, 5760 (November 9, 1999), Root & Branch: This article has very
strong political statements that are necessary to convey the significance
of certain recent events and their prophetic implications. These
statements are not politically correct. Some may even find them offensive.
Other readers may object to what they deem mixing politics with religion
in the Researcher.
But, how can we ever discuss the fate of Israel without the two? Religion
and politics were forever bound together when HaShem created a nation at
Mount Sinai and gave them their Constitution in the form of the Torah.
Pick any book of the Tanach, the so-called "Old Testament", and you will
find the prophets making very political statements. Throughout the course
of this article I have sought to be tactful without sacrificing the truth.
Whether I have succeeded will depend upon the reader's particular point of
view.
Last December, the President of the United States was impeached. Yet, due
to the overwhelming and unprecedented political prejudice of certain
elected officials, he was not removed from office. These officials stated
that the President should remain in office for "the good of the country" as
though the United States couldn't function without this particular outlaw
at the helm. In my opinion, the failure of the Senate to carry out justice
in the face of the overwhelming evidence presented is tantamount to
idolatry and therefore I have chosen to treat it as such.
Many of you are familiar the Torah teaching that it is forbidden for a Jew
to write or utter the name of a false god or an idol. If it is necessary
to mention the same, it is permissible to change a letter, syllable or a
sound of the name. Gentiles of course are under no such restriction, but
for personal reasons (my mother washed my mouth out with soap if I used a
vulgarity) I have chosen to adhere to this requirement. Throughout the
course of our article I have spelled the name of this felon as Klinton.
This is the third in a series of articles that continues to examine the
significance of the 24th day of the 9th Month. This timeframe from the
Jubilee Calendar is so full of import that the Prophet Haggai was compelled
to mention it four times. Last year this pivotal date coincided with
December 14, 1998, on the Gregorian Calendar.
During this installment we will expound on significant events spoken of by
Haggai that are, for the first time in history, coming to pass. In
addition we will reveal how the 25th day of Kislev, on the Jewish Lunar
Calendar, also synchronizes with Haggai's crucial date. We will also
expose a number of striking parallels that the above dates share with the
Feast of Lights or Hanukkah. Finally, we will demonstrate the timely
linkage of past historical past events with the troubles in the Balkans and
ultimately how it will impact the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
In the October '98 Researcher we showed how certain end-time events would
culminate in the recovery of the Mishkan and the eventual establishment of
the Third House (Temple). Haggai did not specify the year because such
prophecies were often "sealed up" until the end of days. This does not
mean, however, that the year will remain unknown or that those who witness
these events will not recognize their significance.
In the December '98 Researcher (published and mailed just before Mr.
Klinton's impeachment) we again reminded our readers of this date and
alerted them to its significance. Something was about to happen!
Indeed, on December 14, 1998, after the December issue was mailed,
something happened that literally shook the Heavens and the Earth. It
would initiate the countdown for the restoration of the Third Temple. That
is why Haggai's date is so important. If we are to determine the correct
time frame we must know which calendar Haggai used.
WILL THE REAL CALENDAR PLEASE STAND?
The Gregorian Calendar is employed almost worldwide today. The Jewish
Lunar Calendar is based on lunar cycles (Torah observant Jews use the Lunar
Calendar in order to comply with certain halachic requirements).
The ancient Jubilee Calendar is based on the solar cycle. This particular
calendar was wrongly discarded over 2000 years ago. Israel utilized it
during its first commonwealth and it was the same one that Haggai used. It
is the same calendar that the Creator gave to Israel at the time of the
Exodus.
Some basic astronomy will allow us to understand why these calendars differ
from one another. There are 365.2422 days in a solar year (a solar year is
the time it takes the earth to orbit the sun). Naturally, there is no way
to divide this period of time equally for the purpose of creating "months".
If there were exactly 360 days in a solar year, then the solar year could
be divided into 12 equal months of 30 days each.
If this were the case, every civilization that has ever existed would
probably have devised the same simple calendar. The variations in every
calendar reflect how different cultures dealt with the additional days and
hour.
The months of the Gregorian Calendar vary in length from 28 days to 31
days. The result is slightly less than 365.2422 days. An adjustment is
therefore necessary once every four years. This is accomplished with a
leap year. During this leap year, a day is added to the number of days in
February.
In contrast, the months of the Jewish Lunar Calendar alternate between 29
and 30 days in length. However, the beginning of any given month depends
upon the phases of the moon. The length of the lunar month is just over 29
½ days. Like the Gregorian, the end result is slightly less than 365.2422
days. An adjustment is required but the Jewish Lunar Calendar does not add
days to individual months. Instead, days are allowed to accumulate over a
period of time to create an entire month. This is done seven times every
nineteen years.
The Jubilee Calendar is computed differently. While the months of this
solar timetable vary between 29 and 31 days, the beginning of each month is
dependent upon the timing of its celestial equivalent (in the Zodiac) and
its position in relation to the gate of the sun. For a complete
explanation of these calendars you may want to read the November 1996
Researcher.
Because they are not calculated in the same manner and were instituted
during vastly different eras, none of these calendars are in sync with one
another. That is why the date on any given calendar will float with
respect to its counterpart on another. This is especially true when
attempting to compare the Gregorian Calendar with the Jubilee Calendar.
When Haggai's 24th day of the 9th month is synchronized with the 1998
Gregorian Calendar it coincides with December 14th, 1998. According to the
prophet, something would occur on this day that would mark the beginning of
a series of events culminating in the restoration of all things and lay the
foundation for the Third Temple. What were some of these events?
"I will shake the Heavens and the Earth..." [Haggai 2:6] "I
will cause a
violent noise of war among all Nations..." [Haggai 2:7] "I
will
overthrow the throne of Kingdoms..." [Haggai 2:22]
Haggai's date was so important that it was repeated four times in the
second and last chapters of the Book of Haggai. Repetition like this is
most unusual. It means we should expect something momentous and
watch for it!
I WILL OVERTHROW THE THRONE OF KINGDOMS!
What an interesting statement! Did something occur on December 14th, 1998,
that would cause G-d to overthrow certain thrones or oust certain leaders
from power; and if so, what does it signify? It was on this date that
President Klinton spoke with Abdul Rauf el-Codbi el-Husseini ("Yishar
Arafat") and the PLO in Gaza. He publicly announced that the United States
would give full support for the establishment of a Palestinian State in the
"West Bank" and Gaza. Klinton also said that Jerusalem would be its
capitol.
It is doubtful that Mr. Klinton understood that his pledge would mean an
alliance that would abrogate the covenant that HaShem had made with
Abraham. Genesis 28:13 makes it very clear that it was a covenant wherein
the Land was given to Jacob/Israel as an inheritance. The President was
surely unaware of the significance of his words in the grand scheme of
G-d's plan for Israel.
Klinton's pledge to el-Husseini ("Arafat"), this "brilliant" proposal,
was
announced to the world on the 24th day of the 9th month on the Jubilee
Calendar. That day marked the beginning of a series of events wherein G-d
would "overthrow the Throne of Kingdoms". That same week Congress
impeached President Klinton. Two weeks later King Hussein of Jordan died.
Another two weeks passed and the King of Bahrain, Sheik 'Isa Ibn Sulman Al
Khalifah died.
Thrones continue to topple. On May 16, 1999, Prime Minister Benyamin
Netanyahu of Israel was defeated in early elections. A little over a month
later, on July 23, Moroccans mourned the death of King Hassan the 2nd. The
fallen ruler enjoyed one of the longest reigns in the Arab world. King
Hassan II was a trusted friend of Israel and the Jewish People. And who
can deny that the death of young John Kennedy Jr, exactly a week before,
was another loss to a family that many regarded as American royalty? The
"Throne" of every relevant Kingdom has been shaken if not overthrown in a
very short period of time. And there are more to come.
"And now, I pray you, consider from this day (the 24th day of the 9th
Month) onward (i.e. sometime in the future) before one stone shall be laid
upon another for the [building of the Third] Temple of the Lord...from this
day onward from the 24th day of the 9th month, from the day that the
foundation of the [Third] Temple of the Lord was laid, consider it...I will
shake the Heavens and the Earth and I will overthrow the Throne of
Kingdoms...I will destroy the strength of the world's Kingdoms". [Haggai
2:15, 2:18, 2:21-22]
Note the unusual wording of this prophecy. It is obvious that the
foundation of each Temple consisted of stones that were laid one upon the
other. But how could the foundation be laid "before" any stones were put
in place? That would be impossible.
The answer is really quite simple. First of all, the grammatical structure
of the Hebrew of the above verse indicates future tense. Also, Haggai was
not referring to any physical foundation. It was a symbolic foundation...a
series of events that would eventually usher in the establishment of the
Third House. Haggai then proceeds to describe those events.
The effect of Klinton's December 14th proclamation is still reverberating
around the world. One by one, the nations have given their "blessing" to
the idea. A chorus of voices from the many "thrones" of the various
"kingdoms" has said: "go ahead...take a spoil from Israel...abrogate
the
covenant...take back the Land that G-d gave to His people and give it to
their enemies who seek to cut them off".
In response, G-d reminds us of His covenant with Israel, "I will be their
G-d and they will be My people" [Ezekial 37:26-28]...and that He "...will
overthrow the Throne of Kingdoms" to make this happen, and that He "...will
destroy the strength of the world's Kingdoms" to prove it. A foundation
will be laid for a Third Temple and it will be raised as promised.
MADRID, OSLO AND WYE ARE IRRELEVANT
It is unfortunate that former Prime Minister Netanyahu signed the Wye
Agreement. Not so much for the document's content or effect as for the
fact that he signed it on Shabbat. It is forbidden for a Jew to write
anything on Shabbat. When a man writes he actually "creates" something.
HaShem refrained from creating and rested on the 7th day. That is why the
Torah forbids the Jewish people from creating anything on Shabbat. A
number of very prominent Rabbis in Jerusalem insist that this is the real
reason that G-d removed Mr. Netanyahu from office.
Once every four years (or slightly less) Israel is a real Democracy (but
only on the day when they elect their Prime Minister!) No one, it seems,
was happy with the elections of May 16th, 1999. The Right was unhappy
because Bibi was not re-elected. The Left was unhappy because the
"Religious" parties and the "Right-of-Center" parties won a majority
of the
seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
The Left referred to Ehud Barak's victory as a landslide but the truth is
that the Jewish voters gave Barak a margin of only 2% over Netanyahu (a
slim margin by any standard). The Arab vote swung the election heavily in
Barak's favor, giving him a margin of 14% overall. Their ballot was cast
due to their belief that he would support the creation of a Palestinian
State. However, no one knows for sure what Barak is going to do.
A recent Washington Post story, by Charles Babington, detailed Barak's
recent visit to the United States during the week of July 19. The new PM
promised to carry out the Wye accords but would try to persuade el-Husseini
("Arafat") to allow a delay in further withdrawal of Israeli troops from
the so-called West Bank.
The Post story revealed that when Netanyahu refused to pull remaining
troops from the territories, the U.S. punished Israel by withholding a
massive aid package that was part of the Wye agreement. The people of
Israel are, on one hand, being threatened with terrorism if they don't give
up their land while on the other, they face extortion from our own
government if they fail to comply.
It should be noted that Barak's political mentor, Yitzhak Rabin, had stated
on the lawn of the White House in 1996, that while "...we are talking about
'total autonomy for the Palestinians'...we are not negotiating for a
'Palestinian State'. We will never give up one square centimeter of the
Land of Israel that was liberated in the 1967, Six-Day War."
This present administration spent a great deal of time and U.S. taxpayer
dollars to get Barak elected. They had hoped to placate the Arab Nations
and to create a Palestinian State. Now, it appears that the horse they
backed is just as determined to prevent it as Netanyahu. The real question
facing Mr. Klinton is: "What additional leverage can be used to force
Barak to comply with our edicts and how far will we need to go?"
A VIOLENT NOISE OF WAR AMONG ALL NATIONS!
Now, let's take a look at some current events that are literally "shaking"
the foundations of the world (events that may reveal an alternative plan to
force Israel to create a Palestinian State with or without Barak's
consent). Just three months and ten days after Klinton's pledge in Gaza,
the US and NATO bypassed the UN and began bombing Yugoslavia. The entire
world heard "the noise of war!"
The French, Chinese, Russian and Warsaw Pact Nations were enraged by
Klinton's move and reacted violently against the illegal bombing of
Yugoslavia. For some reason, the Media has not revealed the ensuing
anti-American sentiments. Somehow, the press managed to ignore the full
story.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Chinese espionage agents stole top-secret
missile guidance systems from the United States. But were those secrets
stolen? According to the June 7 issue of U.S. New & World Report,
"...before the spying allegations, there was evidence of Chinese efforts to
funnel money into the Clinton-Gore re-election campaign."
Now, the long dormant threat of nuclear war has once again surfaced
(Haggai's words echo their theme that much more vividly..."I will cause a
violent noise of war among all Nations..." [Haggai 2:7]. Of course, all
of this could be just a coincidence. How can we be sure that the words of
Haggai refer to these events in 1998? How can we justify a claim that
December 14th, 1998, is the very day and year that the Prophet Haggai
foresaw over twenty three centuries ago? Is there perhaps another parallel?
BLESSED ARE THE PURE OF HEART FOR THEY SHALL SEE (THE HAND OF) G-D
As previously mentioned, the 24th Day of the 9th Month of the Jubilee
Calendar in Haggai's prophecy matches the 25th Day of the 12th Month on the
present Jewish Lunar Calendar. In 1998, these dates fell on December
14th...the very day that Klinton pledged to el-Husseini ("Arafat") that he
would give full support for the establishment of a Palestinian State.
This year, interestingly enough, all of these dates also coincide with
Hanukkah! What is Hanukkah? It is the commemoration of the miracle of the
Menorah Lights at the time the Second Temple was dedicated. It was the
beginning of and the foundation for the restoration of Temple Worship in
Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. Sound familiar?
In the Tanach we read: "Surely HaShem will do nothing unless he reveals it
first to His servants, the Prophets" [Amos 3:7]
Are there certain, unfulfilled historic cliffhangers in Haggai's tiny
little book that have never happened in the history of the world?
In the past few months have we not observed those things that he described
happening almost day by day before our very eyes? Or is it just a figment
of an overactive imagination?
A FOUNDATION FOR THE THIRD TEMPLE
When Haggai was given the prophecy about "laying the foundation", the
Second Temple had already been built. Obviously, its foundation was already
in place. The prophecy could only be referring to a third and final Temple.
The Book of Ezra (3:6, 8, 10-11) confirms this. According to this record,
the foundation of the Second Temple was laid in the second month of the
second year of Cyrus, which was well before the 24th Day of the 9th Month
of the same year. And from Ezra 6:15, we know that the Second Temple was
finished on the third day of the twelfth month (now called Adar) during the
rule of Darius, the son of Esther. Haggai was keenly aware that there was
a "Former House" and a "Present House," and that there would also be a
"Latter House."
Haggai spoke of the future when he wrote, "And I will shake all the
Nations. And the desire of all Nations will come. And I will fill this
House with Glory, says HaShem of Forces...The Glory of this Latter House
shall be greater than the Glory of the Former". [Haggai 2:7,9]
Not a single word of this prophecy was ever fulfilled during the Second
Temple period. After the Second Temple was finished and all the Latter
Prophets had died, the Second Temple continued. Instead of the proper
administration of the worship of G-d, it served a more political purpose
for those who controlled Israel.
The Sages of that day never referred to it as the "House of G-d!" because
it lacked the crucial items required for halachically acceptable sacrifice
and worship. These items or "treasures" were missing since the destruction
of the First House.
THE TREASURES REMAINED HIDDEN
The Prophets Haggai and Zechariah were among those that hid the Treasures
of the First House. These holy articles were those fashioned at Mount
Sinai under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Before the destruction of
Solomon's Temple (The First House), they were secreted away so that they
would not be "plundered" by the Babylonians.
These same Prophets wrote "the four records": the Copper Scroll, the
Silver Scroll, the Marble Tablets and the Temple Scroll. The latter tells
how to re-institute Temple worship once the Treasures of the Copper Scroll
are recovered.
These same Prophets knew where these treasures were hidden. They were
present when the Second Temple was dedicated yet they allowed the precious
vessels to remain hidden. Why?
They were not destined for the Second Temple! The Temple Scroll, found at
Qumran, and the Jubilee Scroll distinctly state that these "Treasures will
be recovered" but only "after the Children of Israel are re-gathered from
the Nations" in the End of Days.
II Maccabees 2:1-6 recounts how certain men tried to "follow" Jeremiah and
his companions when they hid the Tabernacle and the Ark of G-d, but they
could not find the way. When Jeremiah perceived it, he cursed them and
said: "This place will be unknown until HaShem re-gathers His people
together and receives them unto mercy."
Even before they were taken captive to Babylon, these Prophets knew that
the Second Temple would be as nothing compared to the First Temple! Even
before they were taken to Babylon, these Prophets knew they would not
recover them in their lifetimes. That's why the Copper Scroll, for
example, was written on Copper...because it would need to survive the
ravages of time. It would have to remain "readable" for those who would
recover it 2500 years in the future!
Haggai and Zechariah were distraught when they saw the Second Temple. They
cried out, asking: "Who is left among you that saw the First House in her
Glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison as
nothing?" [Haggai 2:3]
They were also distressed by the attitude of the people toward HaShem and
His House. "Thus says HaShem of Forces saying: 'These people say:
The
time has not yet come, that HaShem's House should be built.'" [Haggai 1:2]
Sounds like the attitude of many people in our day, does it not?
Frustrated with the prevailing attitude of the people, these two Prophets
began to foretell things concerning the Last Days and the Third House.
Haggai gave the Priest two questions concerning what defiles a man from the
outside and what defiles him from the inside. In each case, the Priest
responded that either condition would make one unclean.
Haggai answered by the Word of HaShem and said: "So is this People and so
is this Nation before me says HaShem. And so is every work of their hands
(e.g. the Second Temple); and that which they offer there is unclean"
[Haggai 2:14] This rebuke against the Second Temple was never suspended.
HaTirshatha (Nehemiah the Prophet) said the priests would "...not eat of
the most Holy Things until there stand up a priest [among them] with the
Urim and Tummim". [Ezra 2:63)
The Urim and Tummim were actually the lights and reflections on the
Breastplate of the High Priest. It is how the High Priest communicated
with HaShem. The 12-Jewelled Breastplate was also hidden with the other
sacred vessels from the First Temple.
From the above statement, by Ezra, we know that the Urim and Tummim will be
used in the Third Temple. We also know that this Temple will include
Israel's Ancient Tabernacle. According to the Prophet Ezekiel, the
Tabernacle will stand in the midst of a superstructure that will extend out
over the Kidron Valley.
HaShem said through Ezekiel..."My Sanctuary [will be] in the midst of them
forevermore...My Tabernacle also..." [Ezekiel 37: 26-27]
There was never a prophet, priest or king anointed during the Second Temple
Period. Why? Because there was no Shemen Mishkhan with which to anoint
them as required by halacha (Jewish law). The last of this Holy Anointing
Oil was hidden before the destruction of the First Temple. Again, its
location never revealed by Haggai and Zechariah.
The Second Temple period was an impersonation (an impostor) of the First
Temple Period. By 175 B.C.E., the Syrian Greeks had taken over the land of
Israel and converted the Second Temple into a sanctuary for the god
Jupiter. After long years of cruel subjugation, a Hashmonean family of
guerrilla fighters began to battle the Greeks. They were led by Judas the
Maccabee which means, "hammer". It also is an acronym for their battle cry
in Hebrew, "Who is like Thee among the powers, O Lord!"
In 165 B.C.E., the army of Judas Maccabee re-took the Temple. The
dedication ceremony was marked by the miracle of Hanukkah.
AN ECHO FROM THE PAST: THE FIRST HANUKKAH!
There are no references to a "celebration" of the Feast of Hanukkah
anywhere in the Jewish Scriptures. This is one of the reasons why many
Christian Theologians and Reform Jews insist that Torah-True ("Orthodox")
Rabbis invented Hanukkah in the Middle Ages.
We read however, in the Gospels, in John 10:22, that the Nazarene observed
this Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah is Hebrew for dedication). This text
reveals that it occurred in "the winter".
Interestingly, this is one of many references in the so-called "New
Testament" that validates Torah-True ("Orthodox") Judaism against the
"Higher" Critics and Reform opponents. These critics are unaware, or
perhaps unwilling to examine such records as those found in the Apocrypha,
specifically the book of II Maccabees. Here we find the entire story of
the first Hanukkah.
According to II Maccabees, the Jewish people had just finished driving the
Greeks from the "akra" or edge of the plateau above the Temple Mount. The
Temple area was now secure and they could celebrate the Feast of
Tabernacles that had been delayed because of the Greek occupation. There
was only one problem...there was no halachically acceptable Oil to fill the
Lamps (Menorot) in the Temple.
On the very day the Jews overcame the Greeks, however, they discovered a
small jug of Holy Oil from the time of the First Temple. It was only a
small amount of oil, sufficient for just one day (but the Feast of
Tabernacles lasts 8 days). What would they do? There was no time to
prepare more!
Miraculously, the oil burned for eight full days. The celebration of this
Feast of Sukkoth would normally have begun on the 15th day of the 7th
month, but instead, it began on the 25th day of Kislev. This event was the
origin of the new festival celebrated annually by the Jewish people as the
Apocryphal Feast of Lights or Hanukkah.
Since it commemorates the dedication of a House of Prayer for All Nations
the gentiles should celebrate it as well. Seventy bulls were offered for
the seventy gentile nations during Sukkoth. In a sense the gentiles do
celebrate this holiday. The Feast usually proceeds Christmas by one or two
weeks and some have suggested that this is perhaps HaShem's way to get
Christians to unconsciously honor, with all the lights of Noel, the
dedication of the Temple. And perhaps, also, in this way, a remnant of
lost souls may recognize an echo from the past...
WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
Hanukkah marked the victory of the Jewish people over a Gentile power.
Amazingly, history would repeat itself once again. In 1917, General
Allenby marched into Jerusalem without firing a shot, freeing the Holy City
from another Gentile power, the Ottoman Turks. The event occurred on the
First Night of Hanukkah! In addition, the Turk forces were undermanned due
to losing so many troops to wars, in the Balkans.
In 1998, Hanukkah fell on December 14th. On the Jubilee Calendar this was
the 24th day of the 9th month. Since the prophet Haggai spoke these words
more than twenty-four centuries ago, over two thousand four hundred "24th
day of the 9th month's" have passed without incident. The date passed void
of any event that would directly affect Israel, the Jewish people, or any
of G-d's Covenants. This seemingly obscure Prophecy of Haggai has remained
an enigma until last year! It is extremely rare for all three calendars to
synchronize in such a way but in 1998, all three dates fell on the exact
same day...
December 14th on the Gregorian Calendar
25th day of Kislev or Hanukkah on the Jewish Lunar Calendar
24th day of the 9th month on the solar Jubilee Calendar
On that very day the "Throne" of the greatest and most powerful of all
Gentile Kingdoms declared that the Covenant with Abraham would be set
aside...the Land would be taken from the Jewish People and given to their
enemies...Jerusalem would be their capital...and the Temple Mount would
remain the exclusive property of the Palestinians!
This eerily echoes the Greeks who had said: "There will be no Temple and
there will be no dedication!"
But the strength of this Gentile Nation was overthrown. Indeed, the events
of that first Hanukkah foreshadowed the 1998 Hanukkah. The "Throne" of a
Kingdom was overthrown (the President was impeached)!
Shortly thereafter, Klinton began bombing Yugoslavia. He formed a
coalition and the nations heard the ominous noise of war!
One by one, various Heads of State were removed from office...some died in
office; some were removed by the will of the people. Oddly enough, for the
first time in U.S. history the Senate refused to remove a convicted
President from office. He remained there to fulfill his destiny...to wreak
havoc...to lay a foundation for certain things to come.
This was not an accident! In the words of Daniel the Prophet "...[the
dominion was] taken away. But [it was] prolonged for a season and a time"
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