Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to TLD with appropri... more Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to TLD with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Few biblical texts have both captivated and confounded the Christian imagination as profoundly as... more Few biblical texts have both captivated and confounded the Christian imagination as profoundly as the Book of Revelation. Its rich symbolism, startling imagery, and apocalyptic tone continue to inspire fascination and dread in equal measure. For many readers, Revelation remains a sealed book-too mysterious to understand, too wild to trust. Yet as the only book of the Bible that opens with a blessing for the one who reads and hears it (Rev. 1:3), it invites not avoidance but reverent engagement. In my years of studying the book, reading the works of many, and conversing with fellow Christians, I have observed a persistent challenge: many approach Revelation either too rigidly or too loosely-either treating it as a chronological roadmap or as an indecipherable riddle. Both extremes are errors. We need a better way. In this article, I offer five theses-conceptual pillars-for interpreting Revelation responsibly. They are intended especially for teachers, preachers, and Christian readers seeking to approach this sacred text with theological fidelity, literary sensitivity, and pastoral wisdom.
This essay examines the historical patterns of imperial rise and decline, applying them to the co... more This essay examines the historical patterns of imperial rise and decline, applying them to the contemporary status of the United States. It explores Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda as an attempt to reverse perceived American decline, comparing his strategies to past empires like Rome, the Ottomans, and the British. The essays discusses the chances of success and failure for Trump's MAGA agenda.
Fire hazards, including urban fires and wildfires, cause catastrophic losses to lives, property, ... more Fire hazards, including urban fires and wildfires, cause catastrophic losses to lives, property, and communities each year. Existing mitigation measures focus on suppression and alarms, leaving gaps in personal protection and property preservation. This proposal introduces three innovative solutions: the Fire Protection Vest, Storage Bag System, and the Fire-Protective House Enclosure System.
These solutions, which are experimental ideas, are scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable, addressing critical gaps in fire preparedness. They enhance personal and property safety while reducing fire impacts on vulnerable households and communities.
Natural disasters, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, cause massive damage in the USA on a regular... more Natural disasters, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, cause massive damage in the USA on a regular basis. Most of the actions taken to limit the damage they cause have been limited to early warning systems and recovery and restoration efforts. On the other hand, preventive measures have been far and between and few have shown any significant result. This paper presents an experimental technique which, if implemented properly, can provide a chance to develop preventive measures that can thwart developing tornado systems.
This paper is an attempt made to discern scientific truths hidden in the Bible. Equally, it is an... more This paper is an attempt made to discern scientific truths hidden in the Bible. Equally, it is an attempt to show how God predicted some of the scientific-cum-technological marvels of the modern era. The exegesis may or may not convince you, but at least it is worth trying to see how much the Bible comes to speak science.
This article builds upon the foundational insights of the earlier work, "Daniel Chapter Seven: A ... more This article builds upon the foundational insights of the earlier work, "Daniel Chapter Seven: A New Perspective," by extending it in two directions. The first section offers an integrated analysis of the visions presented in multiple chapters of the Book of Daniel, weaving them into a cohesive framework. The second section seeks to establish a correspondence between historical events and the prophetic imagery of Daniel Chapter Seven. The second section highlights the vision's relevance to the political dynamics of the last days.
Commentators frequently lean on literal and historical interpretation of Daniel's visions. Howe... more Commentators frequently lean on literal and historical interpretation of Daniel's visions. However, this approach falls short of revealing the divine mind expressed in the forms of symbols and figurative language which are the natural attributes of visions and dreams. To make this point clear and to explore its true meaning, the article focuses on Daniel Chapter 7 and uses an interpretive method that prioritizes the symbolic and figurative. Furthermore, to show the dream's end-time significance, the analysis draws parallels between the dream-vision and modern-day political realities.
This is the second part of a series of articles dealing with the (re)interpretation of Daniel Cha... more This is the second part of a series of articles dealing with the (re)interpretation of Daniel Chapter Eight. Part II focuses on discussing the historical evidences that support the (re)interpretation of the end times events described in Daniel Chapter Eight.
This article, using Daniel Chapter 8, develops and uses a non- figurative interpretative approac... more This article, using Daniel Chapter 8, develops and uses a non- figurative interpretative approach to the identification of the Antichrist. The article relies on an inductive hermeneutics for its investigation and conclusion. The paper aims at enhancing the understanding of Daniel's literature.
Daniel 9:24-27 is widely regarded as one of the most obscure and debated passages in the Bible. D... more Daniel 9:24-27 is widely regarded as one of the most obscure and debated passages in the Bible. Due to its complexity, it has given rise to divergent interpretations and has served as the foundation for differing schools of eschatology. This study offers a fresh perspective on the passage, grounded in typology and biblical cycles.
First, it reinterprets the core term in the vision, “70 weeks”, not as a reference to a seven-year cycle, as commonly assumed, but rather as a coded reference to the jubilee-year cycle. This approach aligns the prophecy with Israel’s established biblical framework of restoration and redemption.
Secondly, drawing from New Testament passages such as 1 Peter 1:10-12, this study applies the terms “thy people” and “thy city” typologically, understanding them as references to the church rather than ethnic Israel.
Thirdly, the study treats the “70 weeks” as an uninterrupted prophetic timeline, spanning the two millennia between Christ’s first and second comings. This continuous interpretation challenges traditional gap theories and presents a unified eschatological progression.
Fourthly, it draws upon the typological significance of Israel’s high holy days, particularly the fall feasts, to elucidate their eschatological meaning. By examining these feasts through the lens of biblical prophecy, the study uncovers deeper connections between God’s appointed times and the fulfillment of redemption history.
Finally, it explores the concept of the parallel restoration of modern-day Israel and the church. This perspective seeks to demonstrate how contemporary events hold eschatological significance for the global body of believers. It attempts also to reinforce the prophetic role of modern-day Israel in God’s redemptive timeline.
By integrating these key elements, this study offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to Daniel’s prophecy, shedding new light on its meaning for both Israel and the church today.
The article explores the possibility of simultaneous political liberalization and democratization... more The article explores the possibility of simultaneous political liberalization and democratization in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The paper raises points that can serve as underlying resources and principles to bring the political futures of the two countries and peoples closer, to the point of union. As the paper is written in 2016, it does not predict and discuss the 2020-21 civil war in Ethiopia, which also drew in Eritrea into the fry to a degree.
The study evaluates the track record of various international relations theory related to their p... more The study evaluates the track record of various international relations theory related to their predictions about the state of the world following the end of the Cold War in 1989. The study uses level of military spending in post-Cold War years as a indicator of global security.
Ethiopia experienced regime change in 1991 followed by market-oriented market reforms that focuse... more Ethiopia experienced regime change in 1991 followed by market-oriented market reforms that focused on privatization, retrenchment, currency devaluation, and export-orientation. However, Ethiopia in the meantime lost access to its Red Sea ports as Eritrea seceded in 1993. This study evaluates the impact of these changes on Ethiopia's external trade (i.e., exports and imports). Results show that currency devaluation shows significant linkage with imports only. Despite the loss of her ports, Ethiopia's external trade has thrived.
This study examines the issue of Sub-Saharan African economic recovery by taking three major fact... more This study examines the issue of Sub-Saharan African economic recovery by taking three major factors as its focus; namely (i) the market-based economic reform program which several SSA countries have implemented, technically known as Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP), (ii) political liberalization in the form of democratization, and (iii) the recent primary commodities price boom of which Africa has been one of the major beneficiaries. But the question is what has been the relative impact of these factors on SSA economic growth, particularly that of the controversial SAP whose effectiveness has been debated widely. To evaluate the relative effects of each of these potential drivers of economic growth, the study used pooled time series data from 25 SSA nations covering the period 1980 to 2004. Results show that even under various model specifications, SAP shows significant negative impact on SSA economic growth for the period, while democracy shows a consistent positive effect on GDP growth. On the other hand, of the various commodities price categories considered, namely, agricultural commodities, metal, and crude oil, only the international price of metals shows a significant positive impact on SSA economic growth.
Studies made on Africa's democratization were of two of kinds. Either they dealt with the initiat... more Studies made on Africa's democratization were of two of kinds. Either they dealt with the initiation of democratization in the early years of reform (1989-1991), or else they focused on country-level case studies while covering a longer time span. This study for the first time examines the continent-wide democratic consolidation by covering the period 1991-2003. The study's focus is on the identification of the important factors that have contributed to this process. Moreover, the study also develops some continent-specific typologies that are believed to enhance our understandings, and also inform future research, on the various trajectories of political change seen in Africa.
The objective of the study is to investigate the potential linkage between trade protectionism an... more The objective of the study is to investigate the potential linkage between trade protectionism and the domestic price level. International trade theory leads us to expect that high levels of barriers to imports to lead to a rise in the domestic price level. However, current research in this field lacked comprehensiveness by only looking at individual countries, and provides us only with inconclusive results. This paper by continuing the line of research in this area, looked at a panel data of 35 developing countries for the period 1987–93. Results from this study indicate inflation to be mainly a problem of unrestrained money creation, and particularly a Latin American phenomenon. However, the result failed to conform theoretical expectations of positive relations between inflation and the tariff rate.
This literary analysis examines Emily St. John Mandel’s novel Station Eleven, with a primary focu... more This literary analysis examines Emily St. John Mandel’s novel Station Eleven, with a primary focus on character development and response to crisis. The study explores how key characters react in the aftermath of the societal collapse following a devastating pandemic. Their responses are treated as typological representations of how individuals cope with the sudden disintegration of the familiar world around them.
For developing countries, large state size means greater cultural diversity and core-periphery ba... more For developing countries, large state size means greater cultural diversity and core-periphery based development and equity problems. Hence, “large size" is hypothesized to be a drag on nation-, state-, and democracy-building processes. On the other hand, “small size’’ is hypothesized to foster these processes (i) by facilitating exchange and interdependence among diverse social groups, (ii) by enabling rapid responsiveness and public service provision by the government, and (iii) by enhancing the public’s ability to organize and lobby the government for change.
On two counts, this study is different from previous studies which investigated the size of countries. First, many studies either used population as a measure of country size, or even when they used land area, they used it as a dependent variable. This study uses land area as a measure of size and uses it as its main explanatory variable. Secondly, by arguing that what is being questioned about the effects of large size can be mitigated by demography, the study also investigates the effects of population settlement patterns. Therefore, it uses population concentration and urbanization rate as alternative main explanatory variables to investigate the more nuanced aspect of country size, in its impact on indicators of governance,.
The study analyzes cross-sectional data for some 137 countries for the year 2006. Results from two-way and regression analyses show that land area, population density, and urbanization rate all have the hypothesized effect on political stability and government effectiveness. However, the expected impact of geography and demography variables on democracy is generally absent.
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These solutions, which are experimental ideas, are scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable, addressing critical gaps in fire preparedness. They enhance personal and property safety while reducing fire impacts on vulnerable households and communities.
First, it reinterprets the core term in the vision, “70 weeks”, not as a reference to a seven-year cycle, as commonly assumed, but rather as a coded reference to the jubilee-year cycle. This approach aligns the prophecy with Israel’s established biblical framework of restoration and redemption.
Secondly, drawing from New Testament passages such as 1 Peter 1:10-12, this study applies the terms “thy people” and “thy city” typologically, understanding them as references to the church rather than ethnic Israel.
Thirdly, the study treats the “70 weeks” as an uninterrupted prophetic timeline, spanning the two millennia between Christ’s first and second comings. This continuous interpretation challenges traditional gap theories and presents a unified eschatological progression.
Fourthly, it draws upon the typological significance of Israel’s high holy days, particularly the fall feasts, to elucidate their eschatological meaning. By examining these feasts through the lens of biblical prophecy, the study uncovers deeper connections between God’s appointed times and the fulfillment of redemption history.
Finally, it explores the concept of the parallel restoration of modern-day Israel and the church. This perspective seeks to demonstrate how contemporary events hold eschatological significance for the global body of believers. It attempts also to reinforce the prophetic role of modern-day Israel in God’s redemptive timeline.
By integrating these key elements, this study offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to Daniel’s prophecy, shedding new light on its meaning for both Israel and the church today.
Papers by Teddy Desta
On two counts, this study is different from previous studies which investigated the size of countries. First, many studies either used population as a measure of country size, or even when they used land area, they used it as a dependent variable. This study uses land area as a measure of size and uses it as its main explanatory variable. Secondly, by arguing that what is being questioned about the effects of large size can be mitigated by demography, the study also investigates the effects of population settlement patterns. Therefore, it uses population concentration and urbanization rate as alternative main explanatory variables to investigate the more nuanced aspect of country size, in its impact on indicators of governance,.
The study analyzes cross-sectional data for some 137 countries for the year 2006. Results from two-way and regression analyses show that land area, population density, and urbanization rate all have the hypothesized effect on political stability and government effectiveness. However, the expected impact of geography and demography variables on democracy is generally absent.