>How about the idea of a big one on a collision course with the earth? It's
>a topic for more and more films and tv shows. Imagine the terrible fear
>over the whole earth. "In those days, men's hearts will fail them (heart
>attacks) for fear of what is coming upon the earth."

I think this is a very real possibility. Along that same vein, I was checking 
things out regarding bride/wedding stuff and came up with this interesting 
bit that seems to tie in with Revelation 8:10-11:

"And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, 
burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, 
and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called 
Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men 
died of the waters, because they were made bitter."

Interestingly enough, the "test" to uncover adultery (Numbers 5:11-31) is 
the administration of bitter water--wormwood. Here are a few points regarding 
this taken from various sources:

1. Administered only when there is a doubt if the wife has been unfaithful 
or not (this is for those on earth--they are being "tested"? as opposed to 
the true bride who is kept from this hour of testing? We should keep in mind 
that Jews were considered married from the time of betrothal on.)

2. The Mishna says that the woman should have been warned to stay away from 
someone or to be seen talking with him, etc. in front of two witnesses (the 
law and the prophets throughout history warning of spiritual adultery, with 
Moses and Elijah being the two "best" examples of these two witnesses for 
these end-times?)

3. It was used if the husband had "the spirit of jealousy come upon him" 
(there are too many examples of where God is said to be jealous to cite)

4. When the woman stood before the court, they would try anything to make 
her confess. First they would terrify her (the tribulation?) and if that 
didn't work they'd smooth talk her (just like on Law & Order--there is 
nothing new :)).

5. The woman was to be "wearied" by holding her husband's Temple offering 
of "the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal" (which is an omer [Exo 16:36], 
the quantity of manna for one man every day [Exo 16:16]--maybe has something 
to do with Rev 6:5,6 which speaks of the balances and the measure of wheat 
and barley?). Barley was considered food for the beasts.

6. No oil or frankincense was to be used because oil and frankincense denote 
joy and gladness and this was a solemn affair (again, maybe Rev 6:5,6--hurt 
not the oil and the wine?)

7. Dust from the Temple floor was put in the water (where did this "star" 
come from?).

8. The woman was given black clothing if she was wearing white, all her 
ornaments were taken away, she was unveiled and her hair messed up (this 
is in direct contrast to the undefiled bride).

9. The curses (of Numbers 5:21,22) written in a book and and then "blotted 
out" by the bitter water (there is blotting out of the book of life, but I 
don't see a connection).

10. The woman was forced to drink this water (the waters of Marah were 
changed from bitter to sweet by having a tree [Jesus, tree of life] **cast** 
into it [Exo 15:22-27]). If she was guilty her belly swelled and her thigh 
rotted. When they saw her swelling up they'd shout "Cast her out, cast her 
out that she might not defile the court" and this made me think of Satan 
(see further down). The significance of the belly and thigh being mentioned 
is another study in itself, but basically the belly is where "rivers of 
living water flow" to those who believe on Jesus (John 7:38--see also Job 
15:35; 20:23; Dan 2:32; Jonah; Rom 16:18; Rev 10:9) and the thigh is where 
the sword is gird and where promises are attested to (Psa 45:3; Gen 24:2; 
32:32; Rev 19:16).

11. The day that the draught of a women suspected of adultery was 
administered was on the 15th of Adar (around February). 

Regarding the verses in Revelation that speak of a great mountain being 
thrown into the ocean and hail, etc. this makes me think of Jewish stoning. 
Again, the theme of a wife being found guilty of adultery comes into play 
here because such a woman would be stoned. First, the witnesses (usually 2), 
would tie the person's hands behind their backs, then throw them off a 
projection (usually the height of 2 men) and this made me think of Rev 12:9 
(the dragon and his angels **cast** to earth). If this didn't kill the 
person, one witness would throw a huge stone on the offending person's 
chest (Rev 8:8--a great mountain cast into the sea). If this didn't kill 
them, then all Israel was to come and throw stones at the person until 
they died (Rev 16:21--great hail out of heaven).  Is the earth being stoned 
from heaven?

Bye,
Moza