Dear John and Doves,
 
I was blessed by the Steve Berryman's article "Scriptural Interpretation of the 40 Years." It clarified how God counts(interprets) the 40.
 
I was blessed by the F.M.Riley's article "Why 2008?" as well. It reconfirmed the importance of 1967 Six Day War as the Parable of the Fig Tree.
 
We thought 2007 was the 40th year from 1967 War, and when it passed, we're confused. Now 2008 is eligible as long as it's before the 41. A question is, however, when the exact starting day and the ending day of the 40 years probation are? In my opinion, the starting day should be June 17, 1967 when Israel's leader, Moshe Dayan turned over the Temple Mount to Islam, because on that day Israel failed to demonstrate her faith and obedience to occupy the Holiest site which God allowed them to take. At that time, most of the Arab world expected Israel to demolish the Muslim mosques and rebuild the Temple, yet Israel willingly gave away the Holiest of Holies to the enemies.
 
So according to God's way to interpret the 40, the Bride shall not see June 17, 2008. Incidentally, Shavout(Pentecost) in 2008 is June 15 and 16.(Jews observe June 9 and 10) Since God of mercy and grace always waits until the last moment, once again there is a good possibility that the Rapture might occur during the up coming Shavout.
 
In my opinion, the feast of Shavout is not fulfilled yet. Shavout is the feast that the mid-harvest of early ripe wheat is offered to God, which undoubtedly represents the Pre-Trib Rapture. Holy Spirit came down in this world on the Pentecost to prepare the Brides, but the Brides(early ripe wheat) are not offered to God yet. It's still in the process. Therefore, only the half of Shavout was fulfilled, and the half is not yet. In the ancient time, Shavout was observed for 2 days.
 
I was blessed by the Marilyn Agee's article "The Firstfruits Rapture?" as well. However, I believe that it was Shavout time when Israelis marched around the wall of Jericho. Here is why. On the tenth day of the first month, Israelis encamped in Gilgal where they had done circumcising. And while they remained in camp to be healed, they kept the Passover. Although the Scripture doesn't tell us how long it took to be healed, when grown men have done circumcising, it takes about 30 days to 40 days to be fully ready for combat.(in my experience) In old days, I assume it could take longer than that. So it's not likely that Israelis marched to Jericho in the Unleavened feast week.
 
Last year, many Doves posted the wonderful articles about Shavout. Some pointed out that it was Shavout time when Moses went up to Mt. Sinai and it's associated with the exceedingly loud trumpet sound and God's voice declaring the LAW in all different languages. I believe that these are the perfect match with the last trumpet blast and Israelis' great shout at the wall of Jericho, which are also the perfect match with the last trump and the Lord's shout of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
 
If indeed The Final Peace Treaty would be signed in 2008 as it's agreed at Annapolis, certainly The Shavout Rapture is a good possibility. We're living in the most exciting time, and we should do our best to complete the Lord's work before the Departure. Maranatha!
 
In case if you're interested in my work, please visit www.TheRoseofSharonMovie.com
 
Elliot Hong