Rev 16:3	¶	And the second angel poured out his vial  upon the sea; and it became as the  blood of a dead [man]:  and every living soul died in the sea.
Lexicon /  for Revelation 16:3   16:3  Καὶ ὁ δεύτερος ἄγγελος ἐξέχεεν τὴν φιάλην αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ ἐγένετο αἷμα ὡς νεκροῦ καὶ πᾶσα ψυχὴ ζῶσα ἀπέθανεν ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ English (KJV)  (Help) Strong's Root Form (Greek) Tense And g2532 καί kai thesecond g1208 δεύτερος deuteros angel g32 ἄγγελος aggelos pouredout g1632 ἐκχέω ekcheō his g846 αὐτός autos vial g5357 φιάλη phialē upon g1519 εἰς eis thesea; g2281 θάλασσα thalassa and g2532 καί kai itbecame g1096 γίνομαι ginomai as g5613 ὡς hōs theblood g129 αἷμα haima of adead g3498 νεκρός nekros [man]:and g2532 καί kai every g3956 πᾶς pas living g2198 ζάω zaō soul g5590 ψυχή psychē died g599 ἀποθνῄσκω apothnēskō in g1722 ἐν en thesea. g2281 θάλασσα thalassa

The Face of Jesus

(This is one artist's representation of the shroud's
image, not the one created on the History
Channel's program on the Shroud of Turin,
but, I really like this artistic rendition, and it's
close to the channel's scientific recreation.)

Magnificently timed, the History Channel
 presented an awesome program on the
 Shroud of Turin. I never held much faith
in the validity of the shroud, simply because
 it couldn't be verified, but, this program
opened my eyes, and blessed me
in miraculously clear resurrected
reassurances.

I watched with my dad, and I was blubbering
like a baby for the last half hour. THe sight of
the scars on his body were so brutal and
authentic that it ripped my heart open. The
finished face burned into my heart, and I
fell more in love than I thought was possible.

The artist/scientist was inspired to
finish the project with a very dark haired
and thick browed Jesus, which I think may
be too stereotypical. I think it's possible
Christ was ruddy like King David, even
red-haired, or fairer haired. It's how
our heart's see him that matter, and
it is God who gives us that love and
that image, as personal as our own
names.

However, it still bore a signature of
authenticity, and I think the program
was spot on otherwise.


Since seeing this face, I believe it is truly
the encoded face of Jesus Christ on the shroud.
This, like my faith, is just personal belief,
nothing that I can transfer to someone
else's heart and soul. I wish it was possible
to share this love, because it is the most
cleansing and pure love that exists. It
rejuvinates, and reanimates. I can honestly
say that I want nothing more than to spend
eternity worshipping HIM. I adore Him.

It made me go over the past twenty or
so years as a Christian disciple. I have
backslidden more times than I care to
remember, but, always was dragged
back and then dusted off, welcomed
back, and forgiven. It made me
question my rebellion and stupidity.
There are no answers other than
the flesh and sin.

The Bible opened up all the secrets
of the Universe. I had that one epiphany
that changed my life forever, while
seeing Abraham willing to sacrifice
Isaac, when I read Genesis. I finally
saw Christ, the Lamb of God, the
proxy for my sins, and for my life.
I saw why Abraham was the father
of our people, and with whom the
Covenant was given. He was willing
to sacrifice his son. God provided
a ram as proxy. God provided Christ,
His Son, our Savior, and from the loins
of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, of David.

Seeing His face burned into that cloth
when He was resurrected is truly
amazing. We're getting close to the
end of times, (I think), and so, this
confirmation is an affirmation for
us to hold fast to our faith and believe
now more than ever.

Remember, as the darkness descends,
the Light ascends. We are the light of
this world, now, and the Lord promised
that we will be given the weapons of
our warfare, in kind, according to our
gifts and faith.

The most important weapons we have
are prayer, and LOVE!

Love your enemies, brothers. Pray
for those who hate and curse you.
If you love only those who love
you, then you are no better than
the unbelieving masses. Let our
love be the light that transforms
those about to die.

Now is the time. Today is the right
time to nourish your soul, not when
it is too late. Nothing is more important.
Now, more than ever before in history
are we urged to hold on to our faith.

Please, rent or download this History
Channel program on the Face of Christ.
It wasn't mentioned on the program,
but, I've read that the blood on the
shroud was AB neg. I told my father
how this rare blood type is also our
blood type. I had to make that leap
of conceit to reckon we could be
related to one of Mary's other
children. My dad said, "If that's
true, why didn't she ever give
me a gift?" We cracked up
over that because it was so
silly, but, maybe Mary did
give us that gift in Jesus, and
that's enough.

No, I don't really think we're the
ancestors of Mary, just to make
that clear. Although, I suppose
anything is possible. After all,
we are Jews. But, even if our
blood is the same, the only
blood that saves is HIS, given
for our sins, washing us clean
He's provided His bloodline
with the Father for all who
believe, Jew and Gentile
equally. There are no classes
in His Kingdom. We are all
adopted by faith and rendered
worthy of standing with the
Holy ANGELS! Holy moly.
How is it possible that this
is the glorious fate that
is promised to all who
believe.

Faith is difficult at times.
We see evil and suffering,
and question why these things
happen. We see horribly
corrupt people in power, and
controlling the media, lording
obsenities and sin over the
masses, while they live like
kings, and even worshipped
like gods.

These things try our faith, but,
don't let faith be based on
anything other than Christ.
Pray for faith for it isn't a
natural condition. It is a gift
of God. Whenever I flounder,
I pray for faith, and it is incredibly
restored, and even strengthened.

Ask and ye shall receive.
This is the most important
thing you may ever do in your
lifetime, for our lives are but
a shadow, and like blades of
grass, soon withered and gone.

As far as the shroud of Turin,
even if it isn't the cloth used on Jesus,
it's miraculously inspiring, depicting
His death and resurrection. It is also
embedded with something that baffled
all scientific minds, and makes the
most skeptical mind consider
this simple Jew from Nazareth, and
how he altered this planet forever.

Soon, God willing, He will alter it
once again, forever. It will be the
end of our age, and the beginning of
the Kingdom.

We hate to admit it, but, we know
that the Antichrist is here. We
don't want to speak about it,
because we're scared of not being
ready, and not being worthy of
standing fast in our faith, but,
we have to plant our feet firmly,
and now is the time to take up
the final battle, and heed the
trumpets that are BLARING.
Can't you hear then?

Please, Lord Jesus, come soon.
Don't tarry. The daughters of
Jerusalem mock a lot, but, they
will soon see.

MABUS 666? Like in Ray Mabus our Sec. of NAVY?

Nostradomus referred to the  first Antichrist
specifically as "MABUS":

Mabus then will soon die, there will come
Of people and beasts a horrible rout:
Then suddenly one will see vengeance,
Hundred, hand, thirst, hunger when the comet will run.
Century II, Quatrain 62

The antichrist very soon annihilates the three,
twenty-seven years his war will last.
The unbelievers are dead, captive, exiled;
with blood, human bodies, water and red hail covering the earth.
Century VIII, Quatrain 77

Naval battle night will be overcome,
Fire in the ships to the West ruin:
New trick, the great ship colored,
Anger to the vanquished, and victory in a drizzle.
Century IX, Quatrain 100

A founder of sects , much trouble for the accuser:
A beast in the theater prepares the scene and plot.

In Century VIII, it refers to a "NAVAL BATTLE"

On June 18, 2009, Barak Hussein Obama swore Raymond
 Mabus in as Secretary of the Navy of the USA.

(From Wikipedia):

 On March 27, 2009, Mabus was nominated
 by President Obama as Secretary of the
 Department of the Navy.^[19] He was informally
 sworn in on May 19, 2009 ^[20], however it was
 not until an official ceremony at Washington 
Navy Yard on June 18, 2009 that Mabus 
was officially sworn in by the Secretary
 of Defense Robert Gates.


June 18= 6/18= 6/666.


Obama's Chief of Staff is Rahm Emmanuel


Emmanuel is one of the OT names
of the Messiah, meaning "God with us."


Can this  world leader we are so blessed
with now do more to be blatantly aligned
to all and every prophecy in the Bible,
and elsewhere, with 666 and the Mark
of the Beast?


Now, i don't have the wisdom or insight
to proclaim this man is the ultimate man
of sin, but, to imagine he isn't part of the
plan is being very naive, in my opinion.


Brothers, be on your knees to the LORD
for wisdom and enlightenment. I don't 
mean to elevate Nostradomus with
the Holy Prophets, but, the NWO will
use every profane prophecy to their
advantage, and have been doing this.


Should we despair? HELL NO!


I am REJOICING in the knowledge 
that the sooner the Antichrist is
revealed, the sooner CHRIST will
be revealed as VICTOR.


We know that this must happen,
so, let's turn these lemons into
lemonade.


Let me share that lately EVERY LAST
UTTERANCE in prayer to our Heavenly
Father, in Jesus Christ's Name, has
been heard and I believe attended to,
and I've been very specific, according
to my heart's need to interceding in
very vital areas.


BE ENCOURAGED! As the darkness
descends rapidly, (remember, his time
is short, so it's going to go quickly now),
our Father is WITH US, and will support
us. But, we must PRAY without ceasing.


This is the time for us to wake up and
get on our knees, and again in midday,
get on our knees, and before we slumber
to get on our knees, and in-between,
whether we are driving or bathing, or
listening to music or TV, pray in the Spirit.


Be specific, and you will reap unbelievable
rewards. You will be filled with the peace of
our LORD, and nothing going on will 
penetrate that armor.


We have the power. USE IT!


NOW IS THE TIME!


  

On the Road to Damascus

Recently, a relative exclaimed that they no longer
believed in God. They lost a child, and this reaction
is not unusual, and my heart breaks for both the loss
of their child, and the loss of connection to God,
out of deep grief.

I am not judging them, because, I can understand
lashing out at the universe, God, and nature for
losing someone so beloved as a child. But, I am
so sad, knowing that they no longer have any hope
or consolation, even in their sorrow.

There is a wonderful compensation of faith during
tragedy, even the loss of a loved one, in the hope
and belief that there will be reuniting when we
pass over, for all of us were born to die. In the
time when God could strengthen and lift them
up, the resentment and pain of loss compounds
the misery and hopelessness.

I sat silently, because, everyone lives inside of
their own hearts and souls. I can't brighten their
outlook with platitudes or encouragement, or
in defense of God. It is what it is.

When bad things happen, we often strike out
against God, or feel like we're being punished,
or targeted. Yet, an understanding of Scripture
can provide so much comfort in these situations.
Even when we feel as if we're being punished,
the Bible teaches that chastening is the mark
of being loved by God, like a Father to his
son.

Faith is not transferable. This is hard for believers
to accept, especially when we love our family
and friends who think we're crazy, deceived,
or living in a fantasy with Jesus. They can
be vicious about it, too, and all too cruel,
but, our response is to understand where they
are coming from, not to judge, and not to
correct them, at that time, in a way that
would further alenate them from us, or
God.

While we are commissioned to spread the
Gospel, we are told not to belabor the
Good News. When the light of Christ is
not well-received by our presence, we are
told to leave them alone.

Faith is the most personal aspect of our
psyche or soul. I've witnessed many of
my friends, or relatives, who mocked
and criticized me for my faith, only to
embrace the LORD later in their own
lives, when the Lord turns on the lights.

It's difficult to maintain our enthusiasm
without driving people in our family, or
our friends and acquaintances nuts. But,
it's imperative that we learn moderation
when dispensing the Gospel to those
who inform us that they don't believe.

SOmetimes, they become so abusive, that
we need to break off from them, but, not
in judgment, only love, praying that they
will one day understand.

So many will mock us, but, they mocked the
Lord Jesus. Many will show their hatred of
us through cruel and blackhearted jibes, but,
it's sometimes their own fears speaking. If
they're not ready to confront their own
mortality and relationship with God, then,
Christians are a reminder of something
missing in their lives.

I was like these people once upon a time,
and I remember my irritation at preachy
Christians. I actually hated them, too.
Just like Paul, it takes the bright and
overwhelming light to break through the
darkness, and we need to experience it
firsthand. You can't make other people
believe what you believe. You can only
pray they find themselves on the
Road to Damascus..

The Mystery of Iniquity: Babylon

I've developed a spiritual hiccup. Whenever I try to
pray, I am overwhelmed with gloom. I have long since
lost my faith in this world, but, things are coming down
so rapidly, that this phrase: "Mystery of Iniquity" echoes
in harmony to my prayers.

For g1063 γάρ gar the mystery g3466 μυστήριον mystērion of iniquity g458 ἀνομία anomia doth g1754 ἐνεργέω energeō already g2235 ἤδη ēdē work: g1754 ἐνεργέω energeō only g3440 μόνον monon he who now g737 ἄρτι arti letteth g2722 κατέχω katechō [will let], until g2193 ἕως heōs he be taken g1096 γίνομαι ginomai out of g1537 ἐκ ek the way. g3319 μέσος mesos

Strong's G458 - anomia ἀνομία Transliteration anomia Pronunciation ä-no-mē'-ä (Key) Part of Speech feminine noun Root Word (Etymology) From ἄνομος (G459) TDNT Reference 4:1085,646 Vines View Entry Outline of Biblical Usage 1) the condition of without law a) because ignorant of it b) because of violating it 2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness [View this word in Trench's Synonyms here.] Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 15 AV — iniquity 12, unrighteousness 1,  transgress the law + 4160 1, transgression of the law 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. =========================================== I don't think many of us take sin seriously. While we're under grace, there's one condition of our salvation that's not negotiable, and that is faithfulness to the LORD. We stare inwardly, sometimes with vast humility, without the insight into determining the iniquity of our worldly affection. This is not sleeping with someone, male or female, or committing a crime against another. Iniquity is a deal-breaker, and refers in context to spiritual harlotry. The great spiritual harlot is, of course, Babylon, the symbol of rivalry for God's affection . She is the seductress of our souls, and if physical sin is forgiven by our sins being washed clean by the blood of the lamb, we are not eligible for redemption if we have consistently committed spiritual fornication with her. But, who amongst any of us has truly escaped her nets? We pray in unison, "Our Father, who art in heaven..... lead us not into temptation..." Confess that in our heart of hearts, we don't understand this to mean spiritual decadence. Yet, that's what will ultimately separate us from God if we don't shrug off the robes of the harlot and stop chasing the carnal Christianity that has destroyed the Apostles' work. Only two or the seven churches in the Book of Revelations has the chance of redemption. Most scholars understand this to be a metaphor for the totality of the church, with it's different sects, and eras through the ages. Most Christians would vehemently deny adhering to the Babylonian Mystery Religion, but, they are deceived, and need to pray about it for enlightenment. Because one of the easiest examples of how the harlot has seduced the church is Christmas, a holiday dedicated to the very satanic deity of the ancient world. Just because someone slapped the name of Christ on this holiday, doesn't diminish the total corruption. The spirit of the season may appeal to the senses, but, it is dangerous spiritual adultery. If you married a wonderful man, after being engaged to a louse, would the man who married you want to be remembered by the louse's name, or birthday, or with the trappings of celebratino that is abhorrant, eg, the pagan, oh soooo pagan Christmas tree, yule logs, and mistletoe? God is a jealous God. This was one of the first mandates from God to man. He wrote it in stone, and also emphasized his standard, saying, "I will NOT give my glory to another." Here's what I've been seeing with a heavy heart: The Mystery of Iniquity, AND Babylon refer to the church or Christianity itself.. There is precedence for this in Amos, where God calls Israel and Judah whores for desiring the Mystery Religion. In Revelations 18, the glorious angel comes down with a proclamation: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage, of every unclean and hateful  bird For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come  out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. What do Christians believe the Angel is saying? Why would he beckon them to leave Babylon if Babylon was not the Church?  Do they think it refers to Iraq? Do they think it refers to Satanic Temples? Why would Christians be there? Do they think Babylon is a metaphor or for the USA? What would the Angel expect us to do, to leave a country, and for where else? No, we've been led astray, my brother. We've been under the supervision of a church system that was sabotaged long ago, first by Rome, and then by the Ecumenicals, and finally the world system. Half the churches, if not more, spend their sermons preaching social sedition, or change, ignoring the heavenly realm altogether. The others have drifted into prosperity teachings, and entitlement beliefs. Oh, we love Christmas, Easter, and the trappings of tradition, but, these seemingly good, at least innocuous mainstays are straight from the mystery religion. We're in trouble, and to save yourself, my brother, you have to do like Elijah did, like Moses did. We need to leave the church and go out into the wilderness with or hairy coats and preach holiness and salvation without the worldliness of ceremonies and rituals which are most likely abominations to God, and cherished by man. I always marvel that the most Antichristian people you can possible know always have the biggest and  most ostentatious Christmas. That's because it is a carnal holiday and dedication. To put CHrist's name on it is abomination, even the abomination of desolation. It is a symbol of the mark of the beast, insofar as we are not being true to the Gospel, but, have gone our own way, preferring the world. It's deadly dangerous, and it's time for us to put away foolishness, and grow up spiritually. This is childhood's end. We're facing the real deal, and it's no joke. I wanna leave this place. If y'all wanna leave, too, put away the trappings of sin, and pray for enlightenment.  DARE to oppose the conventions of this evil.

The Name of God

God has identified himself by many names, but,
this one is the ultimate. He identifies himself to
Moses, in the Book of Exodus :

Exd 20:5

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

Exd 20:6

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

I the LORD
thy God
[am] a jealous
God,
visiting
the iniquity
of the fathers
upon the children
unto the third
and fourth
[generation] of them that hate

And shewing

mercy

unto thousands

of them that love

me, and keep

my commandments.

	יהוה Yĕhovah
	אלהים 'elohiym
	קנא qanna'
	אל 'el
	פקד paqad
	עון `avon
	אב 'ab
	בן ben
	שלשים shillesh
	רבע ribbea`
	שנא sane'

				עשה ` asah חסד checed אלף 'eleph אהב 'ahab שמר shamar מצוה mitsvah

For the Angels to come....and for us aware

This is my new decade dedication. I think that we could
be approaching the days when as darkness descends,
we will be visited by the celestial beings who glorify
our Lord.
.

There aren't many stories of real angels in the Bible.
But, when there are, I notice that the humans who
they bless had the insight to offer them food and
shelter, so, I hope to be able to recognize one.

Angels, in their true form, are ten feet tall,
and winged, and in the case of Cherubim, multi-
faceted, multi-dimensional, indescribably
complex. These Beings cannot walk amongst us
in this form, and the only way we have record
of them is when the prophet was transported
to their realm.

When angels visit man, they are reduced to our
very limited sphere and must conform to our
flesh. The first thing that they must feel is
discomfort from hunger, thirst, temperature,
fatigue, and all the limitations and discomforts
of flesh and blood.

That very portrait of them elaborates how precious
Christ is as our High Priest in Heaven, for He
endured our existence with all the frailties,
temptations, feelings, emotions, hungers, and
desires. He is empathetic to us because he walked
amongst us.

When he was risen and returned to the Apostles,
they were busy gushing and checking out his
pierced hands, while he was more concerned with
what they were going to feed him. It's a tad
confusing, but, so poignant and touching.

When the Angel of the Lord visited Abraham,
he didn't discuss divinities with him, but,
prepared the best darn supper he could cook,
sparing nothing. He offered him shelter and
after these, he was blessed.

It's pretty late, and my ability to describe my
image of angels is lacking. I'm no prophet,, but,
I want to be one of the saints. As a brother of
the highest order of Melchizadec, our precious
Lord Yeshua, we are also bound to his servants,
the angels. When they surround us, let's try to
remember their discomfort at having to walk in
our shoes. Let's try to consider their needs
and comfort. Give them the best meal you can.
Give them a safe place to sleep, unless they
refuse. Chances are, they won't, but, even if
they don't look like angels, treat all strangers
as if they could be one of God's own army.

Don't worry about feeding them vegetarian.
They're here to live like us, and we were
made to consume all things for the time being.
After the Advent, we will still eat, but,
only then, will nothing die, and nothing will
be killed.

I already have a list of foods that I plan to
offer them. Ice-cream is on the list.
Just an idea.

I know we're all taught to fear strangers,
but, maybe if we treat all those who we
see like angels, it would be a better world,
even without Christ living amongst us. In
fact, isn't that what Christ would want?
Better to live like that in any event,
and make living for Christ a reality
each day.

Happy New Decade! Come back Lord, our
Precious Alpha and Omega.

And Where Were Jacob Sverdlov's Sons?

Very moving poem!!!! (I take this seriously.) \

Thank you SeanMatgmna.)

Sean Matgamna

AND WHERE WERE JACOB SVERDLOV'S SONS?

Author:

Sean Matgamna

AND WHERE WERE JACOB SVERDLOV'S SONS?

Sverdlov killed the bloody Tsar,
He signed the warrant for it;
So when they struck his statue down
The Tsarists cheered who saw it:
They hauled the hollow statue down,
And the Tsarists sang when they saw it.

And where were Jacob Sverdlov's sons?
And Lenin's proud granddaughters?
And where were Trotsky's Bolsheviks?
All of them lost, slaugtered;
All of the leaders, fighters, Reds,
All of them, all, slaughtered!

They made no statues out of bronze,
The heroes Stalin killed;
In Lubianka and Vorkuta
They died, their voices stilled:
The Tsar's song fills the air this dawn
Because their voice was stilled

They died defending working folk,
And who now cares to tell
Their tale, recall the fight of those
Old Communists who fell?
With lies they've sealed the graves of those
Old Communists, too well.

When tsarists sing the Tsar's old song
And Socialism's worth a sneer,
Who cares for the Reds that Stalin killed?
Dim pictures from afar
Of the tribe wiped out to clear the way
For those who hail the Tsar.

And where were Jacob Sverdlov's sons,
And Trotsky's armed granddaughters?
And where were Lenin's Bolsheviks?
All of them, all, slaughtered;
All of the leaders, fighters, Reds,
All of them, all, slaughtered!

Socialist Organiser: 5-9-'91

Damn Joseph Stalin

Damn Joseph Stalin.

Historical records, as well as public records, establish
facts. Stalin had no scruples in changing or manufacturing
public records. In doing this, he could effectively establish
lies.

This picture was of my grandfather taken in Russia
when he was probably in his 30s....


Veniamin Sverdlov, Commisar of Education
under Joseph Stalin

This picture was taken of him in the 40s or early 50s in
America when he was in his 70s.

Benny Swedlow, grandfather in 1950s


The problem is that he was officially executed in 1939
by Joseph Stalin.


Except, he lived to tell his grandchildren about his past.

I wasn't one of them, because, I wasn't born yet. I was
the midlife baby of my mom, who was a midlife baby of
her mom. My first cousins were old enough to be my
parents, so, I'm out of step for nearly a generation.
Not that I'm not old, but, I'm not that old.

In the 1950s, the Rosenbergs were executed for
passing secrets to the Israeli gov't. Joseph
McCarthy was on a crusade. Somewhere in California,
my grandfather was freaking out. If they fried the
Rosenbergs, they would burn him at the stake.

He had led a completely double, or triple life.
At one point in his youth, he had been involved
in international espionage, along with the
famous spy, Sidney Reilly. Who knows what
his involvement was, but, he was also part of the
fledgling Soviet State, from it's inception.

After emigrating to America, and becoming a
citizen, he went back to the USSR, and became
part of his brother's cabinet to assist in the
formation of the Soviet system.

He went back to America after his brother died,
and during this period, he became an American
business owner.

After Stalin seized power, he was invited to come
back to the USSR, and played various roles in
the government. He was probably the only US
citizen to live a simultaneous life as a complete
Soviet official.

Secret lives. Secret families... He married a Soviet
actress.

I always thought his well-known philanderies
were part of his double life, but, in fact, his American
children were the secret.

He was a Soviet star, through and through.

He abandoned my mom's siblings in the
aftermath of his wife's poisoning death.
Did she kill herself, as was believed ?

That's what the story was, but,
it makes you wonder if a man associated with
Stalin wouldn't poison his wife. In any event,
it was shameful to abandon six children
following the death of their mother. My mom
was just a child.

They nearly starved to death, but, he went
back to Russia to assist the government of
Stalin, being Commissar of this and that. His
titles were manifold and impressive.

Only in 1939 Stalin, his friend, decided to
have him executed, ostensibly.

His life in Russia was obviously over, so, he came
back to the USA to live out his days in anonymity.
No longer Veniamin Sverdlov, he was Benny
Swerdlow. He established contact with his
older children, and by the late 40s, he wanted
to know them, except, they didn't know if they
wanted him.

My two uncles knew about him, and his
family, but, it was always a big secret.

In the mid 50s, at the height of the McCarthy
purge, he fled for his life, and turned up at
his children's doorsteps, claiming to want to
get to know them. My dad turned him away,
but, my uncle took him in. He told his
grandchildren about his life, sort of....

He died in 56, this time, for real.

It was still not a cool thing in the 1960s
to speak of it. In the 80s, my uncle Julius
told me about the "curse of Rasputin",
which I still don't understand, but, it was
in relation to his family being important
in Russia. It took me decades to piece
together threads of narrative to explain
who we came from, but, the final pieces
became clear this week, when I learned
he was listed as being executed in 1939.

I had read that before, and thought it was
an error. Obviously it wasn't true, but, now
it appears that it was an official record.

Like I said, Damn Stalin. He secured the
death of the Manchurian candidate, so
to speak, and sent him back to his secret
life. Poor man must have despaired seeing
the Rosenberg's executed. If McCarthy got
a hold of him, he'd be the only man in
history, officially executed twice, and by
two separate governments.

It's quite a story. When I began this quest
to learn of his story, I just thought it would
be a revelation how a Russian revolutionary
would find a haven in American democracy.
Boy was I mistaken.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt in my
mind what happened. He couldn't have
been executed in 1939. So much for the
history books.

A spies life is something we'll never understand.
Which side Benny was on, we'll never know.
He was either double nought, or triple nought.
He was "executed" by Stalin for being "anti
communist" and probably feared being hunted
by McCarthy for being a communist.



No wonder we're cursed.