I've been reading Ezekiel and I had to stop at chapter eight when I realized I didn't know exactly what he was talking about.
First off it starts with:
"In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day".
When was that?
Well the it was the sixth year of exile of King Jehoiachin. (We know that from earlier chapters) The sixth month is Elul (around August). Six is a number of preparation... also the number of "man". It would be interesting if it were also on the sixth day, but it's not, so I won't try to read anything into that.
So imagine Ezekiel: "sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me", and all of a sudden he gets a vision of these same elders (and then some) deep in idol worship. That's pretty intense. You know he had to talk to them after this whole vision was over. I would hate to have been in his position... (To say nothing of his positions in previous chapters).
God tells him, “ look toward the north.” So he looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar he saw this idol of jealousy.
From the commentaries I read it seems to be a general consensus that this was an asherah pole that had been replaced after King Josiah had them all torn down only a generation ago. There is even mention of Jaazaniah son of Shaphan being a part of the vision. (Shaphan was the guy who brought the sacred scrolls to Josiah, which led to him tearing down all the idol worshiping monuments.)
So Ezekiel sees the asherah pole in a holy place, then God tells him to dig through a hole in a wall to see through a secret doorway. In this vision he sees 70 elders (plus Shaphan's son Jaazaniah) all holding censers with incense, and around them on the walls were "all kinds of crawling things and unclean animals and all the idols of Israel."
It's interesting to note that Jaazaniah's name means "Jehovah hears". Verse 12 says, "They say, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land." (Exactly the opposite of his name.)
Then Ezekiel gets a vision of the court of women (the only place that the women were allowed to go in the temple area). There they were mourning the god Tammuz. At first glance I thought, well, at least they are just crying over some idol, but that's not the real story. I looked up the god of Tammuz and found that in mythology he was a lover of Venus, who is basically alive for 6 months then in the under-world for 6 months. When the rivers are dry, he's gone... when they are there, he's alive. The rivers even run red (with his blood) near the end... because of the red rock and it's dye that is seen when the river is small. So in their "mourning" these women prostituted themselves and wailed and all that jazz that goes along with Satan's style of "worship".
Then God shows Ezekiel the inner court of the temple. (That's holier still.) ..."and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the rising sun in the east. He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse my anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose! Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them.”
This is where I decided to put it on the "All About The End" blog. I always look for Islam in prophetic passages. This passage is not all about the end... It's from a prophecy that has already been fulfilled. But in their Baal worship of facing the rising sun we can see clearly that Islam (which also faces the rising sun) is continuing in a detestable practice. Bowing to anything, be it Mecca or the sun, is idolatry.
I hate to even bring it up, but take Obama's rising sun symbol for example. Can anyone honestly deny his ties to Islam? God help us.
Anyway... God mentions in the visions "They will do even more detestable things than this." We know that right at the cusp of the last 3 1/2 years before Christ's return the Anti-Christ will set up the "abomination that causes desolation" in the area of the Temple. I would almost say that the Dome of the Rock is already an abomination... but I guess there will be something worse. We won't have to wait too long to find out.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Day After Elections
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Well, most of the news is in... we'll see if anything changes today. It's a small victory for both sides in my opinion. I'd like to think that it will lead to a bigger victory later for God-honoring people, but my bible tells me otherwise.
Matthew 24:10-13 "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
This verse comes directly in front of the verse warning about the "abomination that causes desolation" which happens at the beginning of the last three and a half years spoken of in Daniel and elsewhere.
The love of most has not grown cold yet. I'd say we're not even a third of the way there. Yet as time progresses everything speeds up. In my short lifetime things that were impossible before are now everyday occurrences. Everything that needs to be in place before the two witnesses come on the scene is in place. The technology to be able to allow some to buy and sell and others to not is all out there. Monitoring systems to keep tabs on everyone... it's all there.
As we see our government taking over more and more, we see the stage being set for the control that must be present when the Antichrist comes to rule the world.
How will it happen? Why would anyone accept a world dictator? We're not that stupid.
Really? I look at facebook posts and wonder sometimes. The bible says that the Antichrist will seize his kingdom through intrigue, (Daniel 11:21-23) and with only a few people he will rise to power. That means the majority will not even "elect" him, he'll just somehow take over. Verse 24 says he'll distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. So his followers become wealthy, but the rest do not. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time. (If "time" is like the rest of these chapters, that means a year.)
The following verses talk about this "king" from the North being against a king in the South. The southern king will try and wage war, but will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.
The king of the North goes back and forth venting his fury against the holy covenant. The holy covenant here obviously involves God's people. Some commentaries say it's all about Israel, others say Israel and her allies, others say the Christians. Then (verse 31-32) “his armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him."
Now is the moment in the reading where you do some introspection to answer the question "Will I be one of the ones who 'knows' my God, and will firmly resist the Antichrist?" Consider this: “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." (Again, hopefully the "time" spoken of is just a year, but who knows.) Will you resist even if it means being stolen from, martyred, or tortured? You may get help from someone you think is your friend only to find out that they are against you. You may "stumble", but it's only a purification process.
Scary times are ahead but Jesus said, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) That is the hope. No matter how bad our country gets, no matter who betrays us, no matter what they do to us, as we see more and more natural disasters, more wars and rumors of wars, even when we see the Antichrist rise to power and "vent his fury on the holy covenant" we can STAND UP and LIFT OUR HEADS, for our redemption is drawing near! AMEN!
Back in Daniel it says that the Antichrist will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will honor a god of fortresses, and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. (Most would agree that this god of war/fortresses that Daniel speaks of refers to the god of Islam; Islam being a religion spread by any means necessary.)
I've already talked in the past about Islam's messiah and how he lines up perfectly with our Antichrist. Read Joel Richardson's book "the Islamic Antichrist" for more info.
It's easy to see how after multiple natural disasters and multiple collapsed economies a world in dire straights would accept the "help" of a man who seems to have all the power in the world at his fingertips. Miracles and wonders will follow him where ever he goes. He will bring peace, and prosperity to all who follow him.
If you think the world is "blind" now... just wait, it'll get worse.
Matthew 24:10-13 "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
This verse comes directly in front of the verse warning about the "abomination that causes desolation" which happens at the beginning of the last three and a half years spoken of in Daniel and elsewhere.
The love of most has not grown cold yet. I'd say we're not even a third of the way there. Yet as time progresses everything speeds up. In my short lifetime things that were impossible before are now everyday occurrences. Everything that needs to be in place before the two witnesses come on the scene is in place. The technology to be able to allow some to buy and sell and others to not is all out there. Monitoring systems to keep tabs on everyone... it's all there.
As we see our government taking over more and more, we see the stage being set for the control that must be present when the Antichrist comes to rule the world.
How will it happen? Why would anyone accept a world dictator? We're not that stupid.
Really? I look at facebook posts and wonder sometimes. The bible says that the Antichrist will seize his kingdom through intrigue, (Daniel 11:21-23) and with only a few people he will rise to power. That means the majority will not even "elect" him, he'll just somehow take over. Verse 24 says he'll distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. So his followers become wealthy, but the rest do not. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time. (If "time" is like the rest of these chapters, that means a year.)
The following verses talk about this "king" from the North being against a king in the South. The southern king will try and wage war, but will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.
The king of the North goes back and forth venting his fury against the holy covenant. The holy covenant here obviously involves God's people. Some commentaries say it's all about Israel, others say Israel and her allies, others say the Christians. Then (verse 31-32) “his armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him."
Now is the moment in the reading where you do some introspection to answer the question "Will I be one of the ones who 'knows' my God, and will firmly resist the Antichrist?" Consider this: “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." (Again, hopefully the "time" spoken of is just a year, but who knows.) Will you resist even if it means being stolen from, martyred, or tortured? You may get help from someone you think is your friend only to find out that they are against you. You may "stumble", but it's only a purification process.
Scary times are ahead but Jesus said, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) That is the hope. No matter how bad our country gets, no matter who betrays us, no matter what they do to us, as we see more and more natural disasters, more wars and rumors of wars, even when we see the Antichrist rise to power and "vent his fury on the holy covenant" we can STAND UP and LIFT OUR HEADS, for our redemption is drawing near! AMEN!
Back in Daniel it says that the Antichrist will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will honor a god of fortresses, and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. (Most would agree that this god of war/fortresses that Daniel speaks of refers to the god of Islam; Islam being a religion spread by any means necessary.)
I've already talked in the past about Islam's messiah and how he lines up perfectly with our Antichrist. Read Joel Richardson's book "the Islamic Antichrist" for more info.
It's easy to see how after multiple natural disasters and multiple collapsed economies a world in dire straights would accept the "help" of a man who seems to have all the power in the world at his fingertips. Miracles and wonders will follow him where ever he goes. He will bring peace, and prosperity to all who follow him.
If you think the world is "blind" now... just wait, it'll get worse.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Olive trees
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Back to Zechariah...
I was re-reading and drawing a blank... nothing more to write about.
Then in other ares of life, as I was drawing ideas for a tattoo, I was thinking of eschatological symbolism that I wanted to incorporate in the feathers of my phoenix. The idea to put an olive branch in his mouth or talons popped into my head. I was remembering Zechariah chapter 4 about the golden lamp stand and the two olive trees, and getting it a bit mixed up with Chapter 1 where Jesus is standing among the myrtle trees.
I knew that in chapter one the trees represented God's people Israel. I just had it confused thinking that they were olive trees too, not myrtle trees. I got all excited thinking about what other verses I could now go to looking for the symbolism of Israel and Olive trees. My mind went immediately to Noah's ark. I thought of how the dove came back with an olive branch.
Well, before I go too far with the 'wrong' turn my mind took, I must say that when I went to look it all up to share it with you, I was pleasantly surprised by my mistake. All of my conclusions are just as exciting (if not more) with the correct information as they were with the wrong information.
Myrtle trees represent the people of Israel, but olive trees represent God's anointed.
The two olive trees in chapter 4, are the two witnesses (I would guess). The olive branch in the story of Noah is the anointed 'branch' of his family, saved from the flood.
So now we can look at both trees in stories we know.
Off the top of my head, I think of Esther. Her real name, Hadassah, means Myrtle. She was chosen to represent all of the Jews, not just the anointed ones.
In Romans 11 he talks about the gentiles being grafted into the olive tree. He doesn't say the Myrtle tree... We don't become Jews, but we are part of the tree that is God's true family. Not all Jews are part of the olive tree. The olive tree consists only of believers in the Messiah.
In the Bible olive oil was used for light. Myrtle trees don't make oil for lamps... only "anointed" olive trees do.
The manna from heaven in Numbers 11 tasted like "something made with olive oil." :-)
Deuteronomy 28 talks about curses for the disobedient; In verse 40 it says, "You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off." Sure, this may have been literal, but think of the symbolism of that too.
There are at least a handful of other verses that I think have a (not-so-hidden) symbolism concerning the olive tree, but I'll let you look those up for yourself if you want.
As for the myrtle tree and how it relates to Jews... Myrtle trees are strong; they start as a shrub with many stems that wrap around each other forming the trunk. It takes them a long time to grow, but they have deep roots. When you "bruise" the leaves they give off an aroma.
Anyway... interesting stuff.
I was re-reading and drawing a blank... nothing more to write about.
Then in other ares of life, as I was drawing ideas for a tattoo, I was thinking of eschatological symbolism that I wanted to incorporate in the feathers of my phoenix. The idea to put an olive branch in his mouth or talons popped into my head. I was remembering Zechariah chapter 4 about the golden lamp stand and the two olive trees, and getting it a bit mixed up with Chapter 1 where Jesus is standing among the myrtle trees.
I knew that in chapter one the trees represented God's people Israel. I just had it confused thinking that they were olive trees too, not myrtle trees. I got all excited thinking about what other verses I could now go to looking for the symbolism of Israel and Olive trees. My mind went immediately to Noah's ark. I thought of how the dove came back with an olive branch.
Well, before I go too far with the 'wrong' turn my mind took, I must say that when I went to look it all up to share it with you, I was pleasantly surprised by my mistake. All of my conclusions are just as exciting (if not more) with the correct information as they were with the wrong information.
Myrtle trees represent the people of Israel, but olive trees represent God's anointed.
The two olive trees in chapter 4, are the two witnesses (I would guess). The olive branch in the story of Noah is the anointed 'branch' of his family, saved from the flood.
So now we can look at both trees in stories we know.
Off the top of my head, I think of Esther. Her real name, Hadassah, means Myrtle. She was chosen to represent all of the Jews, not just the anointed ones.
In Romans 11 he talks about the gentiles being grafted into the olive tree. He doesn't say the Myrtle tree... We don't become Jews, but we are part of the tree that is God's true family. Not all Jews are part of the olive tree. The olive tree consists only of believers in the Messiah.
In the Bible olive oil was used for light. Myrtle trees don't make oil for lamps... only "anointed" olive trees do.
The manna from heaven in Numbers 11 tasted like "something made with olive oil." :-)
Deuteronomy 28 talks about curses for the disobedient; In verse 40 it says, "You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off." Sure, this may have been literal, but think of the symbolism of that too.
There are at least a handful of other verses that I think have a (not-so-hidden) symbolism concerning the olive tree, but I'll let you look those up for yourself if you want.
As for the myrtle tree and how it relates to Jews... Myrtle trees are strong; they start as a shrub with many stems that wrap around each other forming the trunk. It takes them a long time to grow, but they have deep roots. When you "bruise" the leaves they give off an aroma.
Anyway... interesting stuff.
Monday, August 2, 2010
"Hebrew"
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In my reading today I came across the passage that says, "I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (Matthew 10:23)
I hate verses like this that get me all confused. I mean obviously the disciples aren't here now (and though the two witnesses {which could include John} will be at the end, that's clearly not meant). So even though my mind goes immediately to the second coming, that doesn't quite fit. I read a few commentaries with various ideas. One of which was about the coming 'wrath' of the Son of Man, when Israel was destroyed in 70 AD. That argument made sense, and I could go for that. There was another that pulled up Luke 21 and paralleled the two passages. It spoke of a double prophecy; both the destruction in 70 AD as well as the Tribulation period.
You know I like double prophecies, so I liked that one too. The rest weren't worth mentioning.
Well, later I was doing my 'other' reading ("Breaking the Jewish Code") and I found this:
"The name Hebrew originated out of Shem's great grandson's name Eber. It comes from the verb 'abar''pass through' or 'region beyond'. Abraham was the first Hebrew, because he passed over from his native land to the promised land. The Abrahamic covenant was sealed when God passed through the sacrifices, and in Egypt God passed over the Israelite homes that were protected by the lamb's blood. Joshua and Israel passed over the Jordan, possessing their inheritance..." etc. meaning to
The phrase "passing through" hit my spirit from my earlier reading in Matthew (even though it says "going through"), Then I noticed that I was reading a page in the book that I had read months ago. I had opened to my husband's bookmark... not mine, which is literally 140 pages ahead. It had been so long since I picked up the book, I had forgotten what I read.
But it was clear to me that God wanted me to read that part again. As I said, my spirit leapt at the similarity between "going through" and "passing through".
I lost my "e-sword" software when my husband upgraded my computer, and I don't feel like uploading it right now, but I bet that the root word of both phrases are related, if not the same.
"I tell you the truth, you will not finish {being} Hebrew {in} the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
Now I'm not saying my new interpretation is the end all be all. But I like it.
And yes, I know, I supposed to be blogging about Zechariah now... I've slacked on that... But I'm sure you'll allow me this break. :)
I hate verses like this that get me all confused. I mean obviously the disciples aren't here now (and though the two witnesses {which could include John} will be at the end, that's clearly not meant). So even though my mind goes immediately to the second coming, that doesn't quite fit. I read a few commentaries with various ideas. One of which was about the coming 'wrath' of the Son of Man, when Israel was destroyed in 70 AD. That argument made sense, and I could go for that. There was another that pulled up Luke 21 and paralleled the two passages. It spoke of a double prophecy; both the destruction in 70 AD as well as the Tribulation period.
You know I like double prophecies, so I liked that one too. The rest weren't worth mentioning.
Well, later I was doing my 'other' reading ("Breaking the Jewish Code") and I found this:
"The name Hebrew originated out of Shem's great grandson's name Eber. It comes from the verb 'abar''pass through' or 'region beyond'. Abraham was the first Hebrew, because he passed over from his native land to the promised land. The Abrahamic covenant was sealed when God passed through the sacrifices, and in Egypt God passed over the Israelite homes that were protected by the lamb's blood. Joshua and Israel passed over the Jordan, possessing their inheritance..." etc. meaning to
The phrase "passing through" hit my spirit from my earlier reading in Matthew (even though it says "going through"), Then I noticed that I was reading a page in the book that I had read months ago. I had opened to my husband's bookmark... not mine, which is literally 140 pages ahead. It had been so long since I picked up the book, I had forgotten what I read.
But it was clear to me that God wanted me to read that part again. As I said, my spirit leapt at the similarity between "going through" and "passing through".
I lost my "e-sword" software when my husband upgraded my computer, and I don't feel like uploading it right now, but I bet that the root word of both phrases are related, if not the same.
"I tell you the truth, you will not finish {being} Hebrew {in} the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
Now I'm not saying my new interpretation is the end all be all. But I like it.
And yes, I know, I supposed to be blogging about Zechariah now... I've slacked on that... But I'm sure you'll allow me this break. :)
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Horsemen
1 comments
Two days ago I randomly opened my Bible for my daily reading. I opened to Zechariah. I shortly realized that I have not read Zechariah since I started my End Times study; crazy, I know. How could I have over looked this prophetic book?
Well, I have enjoyed reading it over the past two days, and now I'm buckling down to study it.
Soon, there will be more on the blog about Zechariah... but for now I encourage you to read it yourself.
Just in the first little bit of my study I've been interested to find that Zechariah had 7 visions in all... which basically means he had the 'complete' story laid out.
He also got some information that was omitted in other places, like the direction of the Horsemen.
He didn't get what each stood for though. That makes it fun to fit the other books together with Zechariah like a puzzle.
Revelation gives us what the colors of the Horses meant, and Zechariah tells us where they went:
Revelation 6:2... White horse = conqueror bent on conquest Zech 6:6 White horse went towards the west. (I would say it's safe to say that the west is categorized by a quest for conquest.)
Rev 6:4 ... red horse = taking peace from the earth, men killing men. Zechariah doesn't mention where he was going... but to my understanding, the red horse stayed right there in the middle east... Islam. (It's safe to say that the middle east is known for war and ongoing conflict.)
Rev 6:5... black horse with scales for weighing wheat and barley... for a day's wages... and don't spill/damage the oil and wine. Zech. 6:6 that chariot was going to the north. (I could make a joke about how the people of the north like to drink a lot... but I'm not even sure if the verse means that wine would be plentiful, or costly... I've read commentaries that say both. There have been, and will be, famines in the north, but I'm not sure if you could say the north is 'known' for such things. Maybe somebody with more knowledge could help me out on this one?)
Rev 6:8 Pale/dappled horse... death (disease, pestilence) Zech. 6:6 toward the south. (It's safe to say that Africa is indeed plagued with disease and death.)
This is just the tip of the iceberg for the study of Zechariah, but small doses are good. :-)
Well, I have enjoyed reading it over the past two days, and now I'm buckling down to study it.
Soon, there will be more on the blog about Zechariah... but for now I encourage you to read it yourself.
Just in the first little bit of my study I've been interested to find that Zechariah had 7 visions in all... which basically means he had the 'complete' story laid out.
He also got some information that was omitted in other places, like the direction of the Horsemen.
He didn't get what each stood for though. That makes it fun to fit the other books together with Zechariah like a puzzle.
Revelation gives us what the colors of the Horses meant, and Zechariah tells us where they went:
Revelation 6:2... White horse = conqueror bent on conquest Zech 6:6 White horse went towards the west. (I would say it's safe to say that the west is categorized by a quest for conquest.)
Rev 6:4 ... red horse = taking peace from the earth, men killing men. Zechariah doesn't mention where he was going... but to my understanding, the red horse stayed right there in the middle east... Islam. (It's safe to say that the middle east is known for war and ongoing conflict.)
Rev 6:5... black horse with scales for weighing wheat and barley... for a day's wages... and don't spill/damage the oil and wine. Zech. 6:6 that chariot was going to the north. (I could make a joke about how the people of the north like to drink a lot... but I'm not even sure if the verse means that wine would be plentiful, or costly... I've read commentaries that say both. There have been, and will be, famines in the north, but I'm not sure if you could say the north is 'known' for such things. Maybe somebody with more knowledge could help me out on this one?)
Rev 6:8 Pale/dappled horse... death (disease, pestilence) Zech. 6:6 toward the south. (It's safe to say that Africa is indeed plagued with disease and death.)
This is just the tip of the iceberg for the study of Zechariah, but small doses are good. :-)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Another interesting article
0 commentsOne of my Twitter peeps posted this today:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1164149.html
I find it interesting. It's talking about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's prediction that a quake is certain to hit Tehran. He has advised that at least 5 million of its 12 million inhabitants to relocate.
Minister of Welfare and Social Security Sadeq Mahsooli's only answer to avoid the earthquake that has been "due" for a couple decades now is to "avoid sins, to pray, to seek forgiveness, pay alms and self-sacrifice."
He has the right idea, for sure, but I'm not sure 'Allah' will answer.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Eartquakes, Volcanos... locusts
0 commentsI'm not allowed to "rewrite" this information, so I'll just give you the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28917174/ns/technology_and_science-science/
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