I have never posted on Five Doves before, but I have read letters occasionally.  I was interested in replying to Bob D.  Bob, I appreciate your posts and your interesting numerical analysis. I agree that 2008 could probably be the year that the seven year countdown starts to Jesus' second coming.  If the major international agreement is signed concerning Israel and Jerusalem's boundaries, and it confirms Israel's right to exist, then definitely the clock could start ticking.   (President Bush wants the treaty/covenant signed before he leaves office.)  I have a few differences of opinion, however.  I believe you wrote that you don't mind reading opposing opinions.  Because of Christ's love, I think Christians should be able to peacefully reason together.
 
Because of Jesus' words in Matthew 24, I have gradually changed from believing in the pretrib rapture to thinking that a posttrib rapture is more in line with scripture.   However, I believe that the seventh trumpet of Revelation is due to sound, which is a war that will kill one third of the population, or about two billion people. The terrorist attack of 9/11 might have started this war and unfortunately some experts think that 2008 might be the year terrorists attack several of our cities with nuclear devices.  (Read "Day of Islam" by Paul Williams.)  His interview is available on Endtime in the archived radio broadcasts.  According to him, the three most likely dates that terrorists would attack are May 14th (Israel's birthday), August 6th, (anniversary of Hiroshima), and Sept. 11th.
 
I regularly listen to Irving Baxter Jr.'s www.endtime.com so his teachings have influenced me.  Baxter teaches that the 7 year period will be 3 and half years of relative peace as one world government, one world religion, and one world economy will make great strides, but then the last 3 and a half years will be the great tribulation, followed by the final war and Jesus's return. (His divided 7 years theory are because of a scripture in the book of Daniel.)
 
Although I am not Roman Catholic, I am also very interested in the prophecy/vision of St. Malachy.  You can find it online.  It seems to line up with the timeline of Revelations.  Malachy's vision said that THIS pope would be the last, followed by a time of great persecution (perhaps a terrorist attack on the Vatican?), after which the church would be shepherded by a non pope, and then the judgment of the Righteous Judge.
 
I would like to thank someone (Jan ?) who posted on Five Doves for directing me to the Sid Roth website.  I have ordered the book "A Message from God"  and look forward to reading it.