I enjoyed reading what Jim had to say in his thoughts post. I just wanted to comment that I can see some reasons folks believe in different positions on the issue. I have also studied preterist, historicist, and futurist positions on prophecy and can see some of each's points too. I have discovered in my life that if I expect God to do things a certain way, He usually does whatever it is in a different, much better way than I had expected. More than once I have had to say to Him,"God you sure are smart. I never would have thought to do it this way, which is better".  I have my own beliefs about the future but I expect God to do it His way and for me to be surprised as to how it all happens.  I think that sometimes God puts prophetic things in the bible so we will have to study them. But we still cant be one hundred percent sure how things are going to happen. It shows that God is greater than we are and in control of His creation. So I read all the different positions on things that are supposed to happen and I choose to wait and see how it all works out, knowing God will do it the best way. Another thing I try to do is not to spend time trying to decide when the rapture is coming. If I picked a certain day, it wouldnt come on that date anyway. If it did then I could claim that I was somebody special and knew the date when God says no one can know the day or the hour. He would be a liar if someone figured out the time.  It will happen when He's ready. I think there are other things I need to be studying like the Word itself. Just my two cents worth. Libby Ashmore