> Unfortunately, I know too little about how
> machines work. Can you make grease from other
> things than oil, to lubricate the turbines of a
> water power plant? Can you make solar panels
> without oil?

I'm in the same boat with you, not being able to answer that. Perhaps someone a little more knowledgeable about all things scientific should step in...

> *That* is a whole other matter, to which I
> might agree. But we have no way of knowing.
> People have said "The end is near!" for so long
> already...

That's true. Since the first century, followers of Christ have believed that He would return in their lifetimes. But that's the way we're supposed to look at it. The end is imminent; it could happen at any moment, and we're supposed to live our lives based on that truth.

But we *do* know, from prophecy in Scripture, how the end of the world will come about. We really know quite a bit; all we're lacking is the "when." This planet is not going to die of old age.

Grishny