Dear Prophbuff,
 
Thank you for receiving my remarks in a congenial spirit.   I read over your posts and frankly have more remarks than could or should be posted on this board.   I am grateful for John Tng's patience in allowing us to discuss this issue, but so as not  to deter from the purpose of this board I would be willing to take further conversation to our private emails if you wish.  There are a couple issues that I would like you to think about.   In your post you stated, "I am convinced that the God I know and love will not allow His most loved of all His creation, the human race, to go though it's darkest hour, the Great Tribulation, without a great light shining in the darkness. "
 
I certainly agree. God has never left his people whether they be in the lion's den, field of battle, or deathbed.   But there is no promise that he will be with us in a greater way in the final tribulation than he was through all the tribulations up to now.  I see no scriptural basis for that belief.
 
If our Lord's coming is to be as the days of Noah and the days of Lot, then first we must see that God's   people were delivered out of the tribulation that involved his outpouring of wrath upon the unrighteous.
The tribulations of this world should not be confused with God's time of Great Tribulation designed for his wrath .   Many nations have struggled under horrific tribulations for decades and sometimes centuries.   Both the saved and unsaved have suffered alike in these conditions.   The scriptures promise a deliverance, though,  for the righteous from the final outpouring of his wrath just as Noah and Lot were delivered from God's wrath during their times.
 
You wrote a post about how we must see  scripture in the light of all times.  The Bible could hardly be understood in it's historical accuracy if we read it with that philosophy.   For example,  should we relate Jeremiah's prophecy of Israel's captivity to something other than the Babylonian conquest?  There are prophecies and events that must be understood in the light of their historical fulfillment, and others that are obviously written to cover a future time.    Were you trying to suggest the prophecy to Daniel about "Thy people Daniel" was actually written for the  future gentile nations?
 
The American church sees bible prophecy through a very narrow perspective.   They  talk of a great ourpouring that will thrust them to the forefront and the world will see them in a powerful light.  I think they miss the great trials that have been upon many nations.   They should visit the Ukraine, the Sudan, Zimbawbe, etc. and see the great sorrow of this world.   Do they think God loves these people less than the laodecian church who has suffered so little?  Much time is spent prophesying to themselves of  great power and glory while their brothers and sisters in chains go unnoticed.  They wait for a time when God's people will do great exploits, and miss the reality of miracles happening everyday in these places of great darkness and sorrow.   You might want to read Rolland and Heidi Baker's book, "More Than Enough" and glimpse what these missionaries see daily.  In the mission fields of the world, God's people are living in the power of his Holy Spirit; trusting him for their next breath and next morsel. I have read viable accounts of missionaries being translated from place to place to do God's will just as Phillip was translated. But I have seen American christians fall into bitterness  against God if they fail to get a job promotion.
 
God wants a body of people who love him and live for him everday.   Consistent, faithful, tried and true.
Why didn't the would-be prophets, rabbis, and religious people of Jesus's day know it was him when he came?   Why did Simeon and Anna know who he was?   They were being faithful to WATCH for their Savior and were  led of the Holy Spirit instead of men.   The Doves board was formed for those who daily watch.  A great groan goes up in my spirit to think of how they received their reward and saw their savior.   Their lives were simple, spent in prayer and devoted to God.
 
In closing I will "prophesy" a bit using the scriptures, giving credit to the Holy Spirit.  A great apostasy arises at the end of time which is described in 2 Tim 4:3,4.   Apostates will depart from the faith, but not from the outward profession of Christianity (3:5)   Apostate teachers will be the order of the day. 2 Tim. 4:3, 2Peter 2:1-19, Jude 4, 8, 11-13.  Apostasy is irremediable and will be judged. 2 Thess.2:10-12, 2 Peter 2:17, 21, Jude 11-15 and Rev. 3-14-16.
Blessings to all the Doves