When I dusted off the cover and opened the book...the first passage I saw was Ezekiel 21 THE LORD'S SWORD
The Lord spoke to me. "Mortal man," he said, "denounce Jerusalem. Denounce the places where people worship. Warn the land of Israel the I, the Lord, am saying: I am your enemy. I will draw my sword and kill all of you, good and evil alike. I will use my sword against everyone form south to north.Everyone will know that I, the Lord, have drawn my sword and that I will not put it away.
Mortal man, groan as if your heart is breaking with despair. Groan in sorrow where everyone can watch you. When they ask why you are groaning, tell them that it is because of the news that is coming. When it comes, their hearts will be filled with fear, their hands will hand limp, their courage will fail, and their knees will tremble.The time has come; it is here." The Sovereign Lord has spoken.
The Lord said to me, "Mortal man, prophesy. Tell the people what I, the Lord, am saying: A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished It is sharpened to kill, polished to flash like lightening. There can be no rejoicing, for my people have disregarded every warning and punishment. The sword is being polished, to make it ready for use. It is sharpened and polished, to be put in the hands of a killer. Howl in grief, mortal man; this sword is meant for my people and for all the leaders of Israel. They are going to be killed with all the rest of my people. Beat your breast in despair! I am testing my people, and if they refuse to repent, all these things will happen to them.
It’s been said history is not a straight line, but a spiral path winding its way up a mountain. (Elevation gives perspective)
This from one of the monks of Mt. Athos in a Homily on the book of Revelation Make of it what you will.