We clarify the links between a recently developped long wavelength iteration
scheme of Einstein's equations, the Belinski Khalatnikov Lifchitz (BKL) general
solution near a singularity and the antinewtonian scheme of Tomita's. We
determine the regimes when the long wavelength or antinewtonian scheme is
directly applicable and show how it can otherwise be implemented to yield the
BKL oscillatory approach to a spacetime singularity. When directly applicable
we obtain the generic solution of the scheme at first iteration (third order in
the gradients) for matter a perfect fluid. Specializing to spherical symmetry
for simplicity and to clarify gauge issues, we then show how the metric behaves
near a singularity when gradient effects are taken into account.Comment: 35 pages, revtex, no figure
