us know what would come to pass. He had a deep thought in mind, while He mentioned all those things, and that is, that we may prepare ourselves to go to a heavenly place, a place where “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall be any more pain for the former things are passed away”1.
Without a doubt the end is near, even if we had not noticed it from the Bible, the scenes we are seeing today are more than enough to realize that this world has no turning back point.
The well-known Titanic ship can also be an analogy for today’s events. A man saw the iceberg from afar and let others know so that the ship could change its course and avoid crashing , but nobody did anything about that and we know what the result was.
Jesus and the Bible through proph- ecies fulfilled in the past and the ones being fulfilled right before our eyes, proves to be true, but it seems that is not enough for our unbelieving minds.

Jesus will return soon, that is not new for us anymore, everything seems to say maran-atha2 (Aramaic origin) meaning our Lord has come or our Lord is com- ing.3 “In the early days of the Christian church the expression “maran-atha” seems to have been used by the believ- ers as a greeting.”4
But there is another interpretation that could be drawn from the word “maran- atha” and that is “Oh Lord, come!” There is a big difference between saying: “Je- sus is coming” and “Lord Jesus, please come!” With our words we should be proclaiming that the Lord is coming but with our lives we should show that we desire Jesus to come. Our behavior should be a loud cry so that the coming of our Lord may be hastened.
“The blessed hope of the second ap- pearing of Christ, with its solemn reali- ties, needs to be presented often to the people. Looking for the soon appearing of our Lord will lead us to regard earthly things as emptiness and nothingness.”5
A person may devote his entire life to finding all kinds of prophecies in the Bible because it speaks about them, one may have a knowledge of all the prophecies and have a complete under- standing but unless one really focuses on the main theme of the Bible and the Love of Jesus is not within his heart, all this knowledge will mean nothing in the end.
May Jesus fill your life my dear reader and be ready “… look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”6 Amen.
Gabriel Porras, Surinam SW

* Some quotations taken from The Ency- clopedia Americana (1965), Vol III, p.9
1 Revelation 21: 4
2Vine, W.E., Vine Diccionario Exposi- tivo de Palabras del Antiguo y del Nue- vo Testamento Exhaustivo, (Nashville: Editorial Caribe) 2000, c1999.
3Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
4Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Wash- ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub- lishing Association) 1978.
5 6T 406
6 Luke 21: 28

Defining the Terms

Herbivores are animals whose anatomy dictates a plant-based diet. Some exam- ples include horses, camels, cows, sheep, and gorillas.
Omnivores are animals whose diet includes both plant and animal foods. Some examples include chimpanzees, snapping turtles, and deer mice.
Carnivores are animals whose anato- my corresponds to a animal-based diet. This group includes animals like lions, tigers, and dogs.
Particularly, herbivores and carni- vores differ drastically not only in their anatomy, physiology, but in their tem- perament and nature, as well as in their teeth.
When did the difference originate be- tween herbivores, omnivores, and carni- vores? The book of beginnings, known as Genesis, tells how the biosphere of the earth was cursed in Gods mercy..
The curse pronounced in Eden upon the plant kingdom extended to the ani- mal kingdom. “Cursed is the ground... Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth. Genesis 3:18. Many trees and bushes suddenly had thorns or thistles. The curse pronounced upon the snakes anatomy extended to other animals in

Dental Difference


Herbivores have short and flat teeth. Carnivores have long, pointy, and sharp teeth. Herbivore dentures are all united without any significant space between one tooth and another tooth. Carnivore dentures have considerable space between teeth and are signifi- cantly separated from one tooth to an- other. Herbivores have teeth of relatively the same size. Whereas, carnivores have teeth of different sizes. For example in the carnivore ani- mal, the incisor teeth are at
a noticeable distance from the canines or cuspids. The same holds for the premo- lars or bicuspids. There is a noticeable distance between the canines and the premo- lars in the carnivore. The carnivores teeth also vary in their size from one tooth to another and are very long and pointy. Why? Because carnivores were modeled to bite, tare, sheer, and swallow
flesh foods, whereas herbivores were made to chew plants.
The herbivores digestive tract is long and convulsive. The carnivores

Completing the Puzzle

The human dentistry is comparable to the herbivore dental anatomy more than to the carnivore or omnivore. The inci- sor teeth, canines, premolars, and molars are all perfectly united, primarily flat, and all of relatively the same short size like those of the herbivore. The human gastrointestinal tract is long, convulsive, and with many grooves and pockets so

A Plant-Based Diet Most scientific research findings in the area of nutrition and dietetics have been reporting the benefits of a plant-based diet. Many organizations have recom- mended that less animal-based foods be included in the diet. They have ad- vocated a more plant-based diet. For example, the American Dietetic Asso- ciation has repeatedly gone on record with its position papers declaring that a vegetarian diet is not only healthy when planned, but preventive and therapeu- tic.1, 2 The National Institutes of Health and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend that Americans eat less red meats (beef, pork), smoked, charred, and cured meats (ham, bologna, salami), and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.3, 4 Even the Food Pyramid which replaced the old Basic Four food guide, advocates a more plant-based diet by including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables at the base of the food pyramid.5 The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also calls for a reduction in animal foods which are high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and provide concentrated amounts of calories. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans on the other hand, suggests that consum- ers increase their servings of plant-based

foods, particularly whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.6 The National Institute of Cancer has even promoted a 5-A-Day for Better Health program, which advo- cates eating a minimum of five fruits and vegetables daily, through supermarkets, public health departments, and
school systems. Recently, the
National Institute of Cancer
collaborated with numerous
U.S. governmental programs,
like the Center for Disease Con- trol, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to campaign
that all Americans consume 5 to

9 servings or portions of fruits and
vegetables per day.7
Well says the old proverb, Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14.

Vegetarian Diet Benefits What makes a vegetarian diet more ad- vantages than a regular animal-based diet? Why would a herbivore lifestyle be more health-promoting, disease-pre- ventive, and therapeutic than an omni- vore and carnivore diet? First, investi- gators have identified many meaningful nutrients and health-promoting dietary factors in plant foods which are either altogether absent or deficient in animal foods. These nutrients and di-
etary factors have both preventive and thera- peutic benefits in resisting disease
and extending lon- gevity for children, youth, adults, and elderly individuals. The second princi- pal advantage is the displacement of the unhealthy food substances, toxins, heavy metals, drugs,
and microbes which are abundant in commercial meats, dairy, and eggs. In other words, by increasing whole grain, fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds in the vegan diet, other not so healthy substances in foods which are part of a carnivore or omnivore diet will be displaced.

1. Dietary Fiber (soluble and insol- uble)
Dietary fiber became quite popular in the 1970‘s, when Dr. Denis Burkitt showed from epidemiological studies that African tribes who consumed over
30 grams of fiber daily had a lower in- cidence of chronic diseases and condi- tions, like colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, diverticulosis, constipation, hemorrhoids, gallstones, and many other maladies. The American Insti- tute for Cancer Research recommends that Americans increase their intake of dietary fiber from 11 grams to 20 or 35 grams per day.8
Dietary fiber is not found in any ani- mal products. Meats (pork, beef, lamb, chicken, fish), eggs, dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter) and honey are all fiber deficient. Dietary fiber is only found in plant foods. Even those plans foods which are notorious for being fat- ty foods contain much fiber such as ol- ives, avocado, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, and all other nuts and seeds. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers are very
effective in lowering blood cholesterol, triglycerides (fat), and glucose (sugar). Thus, sol- uble fibers may be effective in the treatment of such condi- tions as heart disease, stroke, hypercholesterolemia, dys- lipidemia, and diabe-
tes mellitus. Soluble fibers are readily available in fruits, legumes (beans, len- tils, peas), and oats. Apples contain pec- tin. Oats and flax seeds contain muci- lages. Legumes and beans contain gums. Locust bean gum is found in carob, a plant pod seed, also known as St. Johns bread which is men- tioned in the New Testament. John...

2. Antioxidants (vitamins, carotein- oids, flavonoids, tocopherols) Antioxidants are substances found natu- rally occurring in foods which combat

stomach, esophagus, and colon cancer.8
Besides being found in citrus food, vita- min C is also readily available in red and green peppers, orange-yellow-red fruits like cantaloupe, mangos, peaches, straw- berries, and all green-leafy vegetables. Vitamin E and its tocopherols are found in whole grains, seeds and nuts, and vegetable oils.
They increase antibody
(an immune sub- stance secreted by lymphocytes) pro- duction which re- tards infections. They prevent the onset of cancer by protecting the cell membranes of the body. They protect the lipoproteins in the blood from oxidation.
Lipoproteins transport fats and cholesterol, and significant play a role in atherosclerosis, heart dis-
ease, and stroke. Whole grains are very good sources
of vitamin E and its tocopherols. The Psalms seems to hint on the cardio- vascular benefit of eating good whole grain bread. “Bread strengtheneth mans heart.” Psalms 104:15.

The three primary antioxidants and their corresponding dietary factors are principally found in a plant-based vegetarian diet. Although some animal products like milk, yogurt, butter, and specially eggs may be good sources of vitamins A and E, B-carotene and its carotenes are exclusively found in plant foods. All animal products are notori- ously very poor sources of vitamin C and its flavonoids.

3. Chlorophyll Many probably first heard of chlorophyll from their elementary school science class. Chlorophyll is the green-colored substance in plants which is responsi- ble for photosynthesis, the conversion of carbon dioxide and simple salts into usable food for plants with the help of sunlight.10 Biochemically, it is quite simi- lar to hemoglobin (a protein) found in the red blood cells of the human body which transports oxygen and carbon di- oxide in the circulatory system.

4. Alkaline Metals
(K, Mg, Na, Ca) Foods can be differen- tiated based on their acid or alkaline con- tent or reaction in the human body. In chem- istry, we have what is called a pH scale. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 to 7 being acid- ic, 7 being neutral, and
7 to 14 being basic or alkaline. Interestingly, some acidic plant foods actually have an alkaline reaction in the blood and in the

body. Why? Because they contain pri- marily alkaline metals.

Meats and animal products are no- toriously rich in acidic nonmetals like chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, and ni- trogen. Meats are very rich in protein. All protein contains nitrogen, but ani- mal proteins frequently contain amino acids which have twice as many nitro- gens. The liver converts nitrogen into uric acid. With an increase in animal protein or nitrogen, there is an increase in uric acid production. An accumula- tion of uric acid in the extremities may cause gout. Uric acid accumulation in the joints causes arthritis, and its accu- mulation in the muscles causes rheuma- tism. If uric acid increases in the kidneys, it may cause kidney stones.
Vegetable proteins have less nitro- gen and thus produce less uric acid. A simple urine analysis test shows that vegetarians, especially vegans, have a urine pH of 6-8. Whereas, those who

5. Phytochemicals (lycopene, reservatrol, allicin)
One of the most promising new areas in food science and nutrition research is identifying the phytochemicals in plant foods. Phytochemicals are dietary com- ponents in foods and herbs which traditional medicine and/or
modern research suggests as potentially preventive or therapeutic for humans. Another name commonly used for phytochemicals is phytomedicines. Some phy- tochemicals have already re- ceived noted publicity in the news, and research arenas. For example, lycopene is a phytochemical found
in tomato, tomato products, and red grapefruit. Harvard re- searchers found that it is a potent

anticarcinogen and reduces the risk of
prostate cancer in men. Meanwhile, re- searchers in Haifa, Israel, have shown that in vitro lycopene also functions as an antioxidant preventing LDL from being oxidized, and thus, delaying the forma- tion of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and plaque buildup. German researchers have joined the band wagon to suggest that lycopene, which is also a carotenoid, protects the human skin against the harmful effects of UV radia- tion and may prevent skin cancer.12
Red grapes are rich in a phytochemi- cal known as resveratrol. It is a naturally occurring antioxidant and vasodilator in red grapes. Resveratrol, as antioxidant, protects against oxidation of lipoproteins and cell death. As a vasodilator, it in- creases the volume of blood vessels. The mechanism is believed to be mediated by nitric oxide. Resveratrol increases the bodies production of nitric oxide which in turn causes vasodilation of arteries and veins.13 Thus, red grapes protect against arteriosclerotic, ischemic, and

Red Riding Hood Revisited The story of little red riding hood has a tragic ending. The big bad wolf swal-
lows her up. Allegorically, many who adopt a wolf-diet, an animal based diet, will suffer the same fate as the little red riding hood.
The foods we eat over a lifetime do have a significant effect on the lives we must live. Diet becomes a predictive fac-
tor not only on the genetic potential of living a long life, but on the quality of the life being lived. Diet can either stall disease or facilitate its development. In a way, it all starts in the mouth and with the tongue. As the wise Solomon of the Hebrew golden era once wrote, A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Prov- erbs 18:20,21.
Idel Suarez, USA. SW