Dear friends:
 
Some history. This newsletter began close to 15 years ago.  It did not begin as a newsletter, but I was just sharing some Bible and prophecy related discoveries with some close friends (such as the angel encounters at http://choicesforliving.com/spirit/part3/angels.htm).  They shared with others, and people began to ask to be included on my mailing list.  The number rapidly grew and soon I could no longer handle the number of addressees from just my computer’s personal address book and I had to get a list manager.  The Lord led me to www.InJesus.com, which at the time was a free service for Christian ministries.  As time went on, they had to start charging a small amount to cover their expenses. Some of you were undoubtedly among the original subscribers.
 
In all this time, I have never done anything to increase the list size, which is now over 1,750.  It just happened.  God did it.  And messages I send out are often forwarded to others and posted on Web sites, for a total readership of probably close to 5,000.  It saddens me when anyone drops off, but most all drop-offs are from address changes where the new address was not subscribed on InJesus.com per instructions with each message. 
 
From the outset, I never claimed to be a prophet, and still don’t.  That is not in my job description.  I would badly flunk at that task.  I am really not very good at even predicting the obvious!  My calling has been mainly to report prophetic insights and revelations claimed by others that seem reasonable and biblical, or at least not unbiblical. 
 
The latest. I have debated whether or not to share this, but decided I must.  The reason is that if it turns out to be true and I did not share it, I would have failed my calling, and failed you.  If it turns out to be not true, at least I tried.  You be the judge.
 
There seems to be a growing number of very bright and knowledgeable people who claim evidence that the rapture will be in the spring of 2008, specifically before June 7, the 41st anniversary of the miracle and prophetic Six-Day War in 1967 and capture of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount by Israel. 
 
Below are four links you may want to check out.  I may not agree with everything they say but a lot of it makes sense.
 
1.  “Four Biblical Signs of the Rapture in the Spring of 2008,” by Steve Berryman (23 February 2008): http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/feb2008/steveb223.htm
 
2.  “Three Little Clues,” by Renee’ Clark (4 April 2008):
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2008/renee44.htm
 
3.  “Reasons, so far, for the Trib to begin in Spring of 2008,” by Renee’ Clark (31 December 2007): http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2007/reneec1231.htm
 
4.  "A Few Reasons Why I Think the Rapture Might Occur Spring 2008," by Amy (9 April 2008): http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2008/amy49.htm)

(Some believe the rapture cannot occur until the gospel has been preached in the whole world, but probably most believe the Great Commission will be completed during the Tribulation.)

More.  In addition, from his tireless research, retired dentist friend Dr. Glen Swanson in California has come to the same conclusion.  In fact, he thinks it may be as early as the Jewish Passover on April 19-20, 2008.  Dr. Swanson is surely a genius, or savant, when it comes to ancient dating, days between dates, and similar matters.  He mailed me 18 pages of his notes supporting his conclusion but I am not smart enough to describe it to you.  He does not have a computer and is not on the Internet, but he said it is okay if anyone wants to call him, at 915-990-3126.
 
I know many believe the rapture will be in the fall, specifically at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), especially after Perry Stone’s recent TV teaching.  That may be true, but there are also strong reasons to believe it may be in the spring, such as the symbolism in Song of Solomon chapter 2, especially verses 11-13, and the symbolism of Pentecost, which may have been in continuous fulfillment during the entire church age and will end at the rapture.
 
Yes, there were similar “revelations” and claims about 2007.  However, they may still be valid, because the Jewish year 5768 on the Hebrew calendar overlaps the Gregorian years 2007-2008.  We began year 5768 on September 13, 2007 and will remain in that same year until September 29, 2008.
 
There is some debate whether or not all born-again people will make the first rapture, or will there be another later for those who were not ready and looking for His coming.  Proponents of this two-phase view point out that salvation, which is by grace through faith alone, is not the issue, but rewards, a biblical principle.  See my essay on this possibility at http://choicesforliving.com/spirit/part3/rapture.htm.
 
The implications of all this on ourselves and our loved ones are mind-boggling to the extreme.  But God tells us to fear not, and to trust in Him with all our hearts.  He will work it out.  He loves us deeply, and He is good, all the time.
 
If you know anyone who is not born again and ready, I urge you to immediately send them to my Web site at http://choicesforliving.com/spirit/part1/part1.htm.
 
Whichever, sooner or later, spring or fall, all or partial, I have now done my job and brought you up to date as best I can.  Let us remain watchful, and pray as Jesus commanded in Luke 21:36, especially as we see the Day drawing so near: 

"Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

  As a reminder, here is God’s promise:  

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, NKJV).

Let us be hopeful, comforted, and listening for that glorious shout and trumpet sound!
 
God bless you,
 
Jim