Dear John and Doves,
I have noticed that since Passover has gone by, many who were looking for our Lord's return this year are now looking to next year or possibly a mid-trib rapture. Every day that goes by is one day closer. We are constantly seeing signs all around us. Especially signs in the Mid-East and in the heavens. Certainly the world and also most Christians are not watching. His coming will be as a thief to them, but not to us. I believe there is a strong likelyhood of our Lord's return this year. It is very likely the rapture will occur late Spring or early Summer. We are not yet to the "Second Passover". John and others have speculated about the possibility of Pentacost. This has always seemed to have the most evidence to support it. This is the second of three feasts that all were commanded to go to worship in Jerusalem. The first being Passover which Jesus fulfilled. The third is Tabernacles which will be fulfilled mainly by the Jews later on. This leaves Pentacost. This may be reserved for the Mystery of the Church. Behold, I show you a Mystery...   A Spring Wedding. Passover represents God's courtship of His people, Jesus paid the price for His Bride. 40 days later is the Ascension. Another 10 days is Pentacost, or Shavout. Shavout is the celebration. Ruth is read on this day. Ruth was a gentile Bride. There was a famine during the Harvest in Israel.  Prophetically, the 7 years of famine began in the Fall of 2000. It is interesting that King David was born and also died on this day. Enoch was born and raptured on this day.
 
It is important to remember the 7 year agreement between Israel and the antichrist is not the same 7 years as the time of Jacob's Trouble.
The time of Jacob's Trouble is the sceond set of three sets of 7 years. Jacob worked 7 years for Rachel, but was tricked into 7 more as Laban gave away Leah first. The last 7 years were for Laban's goods. The second set of years also  parallels the 7 good and bad years, the years of plenty and famine. The first set of years started Rosh Hashanah 1993. The second, fall of 2000. About a year and a half ago, Phil Rogers made an excellent video about this.  There were a couple errors within the second 7 year timeline, but everything else was Scriptural and accurate. The count of Daniel's Days written about by Annette fit perfectly.
 
If we start a timeline in 1948, we see Israel born as a nation. Coming of age at 19 brings us to 1967. The Fig tree sprouts leaves- The Sanai, Gaza, Golan Heights, West Bank. This generation is 40 years, to 2007. I believe fall of 2007 is likely the midpoint of the 7 year treaty which is later shortened. But counting back 3.5 years we have already passed the start of it. Or have we??  Each leap year would add 30 days. We don't know if a year will have an extra month until the end of the first month. Leap years occur roughly 7 times in 19 years. It is probleble there will be one, or possibly two in the next three years. This leaves us with a possibility of a Spring rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation. We must be very close to the Arab-Israeli war spoken of in Psalm 83, also the destruction of Damascus. This would be followed by the shortened 7 year treaty.
 
I do believe there will be a pre-trib rapture, but only for those who are faithful. Some call it a split or partial rapture, but God has always made divisions.  Joseph Seiss wrote a book in 1882 called "the Gospel in the Stars".  It is interesting in that in it, he describes the Big and Little Dippers as not being Bears. The original meaning was the Greater and Lesser Sheepfolds, or Flocks. The Lesser Sheepfold being smaller, but with a more prominent position. He also believed in a division of believers. The Letters to the Churches in Revelation 2 and 3 make it clear that me must be obedient.  "Behold, I come quickly: Hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown"(Rev 3:11). Romans 8 makes the distinction over and over about walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
Awaiting His Soon Return,   Jethro  (jadams@isd.net)