The judgment of 11 and the year 2008 Part Two
 
The sabbatical cycles as mentioned in Daniel 9:24-27 are one principle but the Metonic cycles are something entirely different; however, they both seem to be pointing to 2008 as the starting point for the 7 year tribulation period. Back in 2006, I did write articles hinting that 2008 seems to be the opening of the beginning of a 7 year sabbatical cycle for Israel. This is when and where I believe Jacob's trouble will probably start. The rapture of the Church is very close because it seems to take place right around the outset of 7 years of judgment poured out from God in this world from heaven as spoken of in Revelation chapters 6 through 19.
 
I remember some people thought that the 7 year tribulation could start in the middle of a 7 year sabbatical cycle for Israel but at that point Israel was not ready to confirm a peace covenant with the Arabs and European Community. Now preparations are being made for this as Israel is literally surrounded by enemies on every side. Negotiations have already taking place in Annapolis for a peace covenant. I personally believe it will fail and then the antichrist will have to step in and confirm a 7 year peace treaty which will start the 7 year tribulation period according to Daniel 9:27. Too much land for peace has been given away. It has never been a success in any way,shape or form.
 
Another observation that I would like to make is the world economy was not on the brink of collapse about 3 years ago (the middle of a 7 year sabbatical cycle). Now the world finance system is beginning to look like the books of James and Revelation in the Bible. James chapter 5 and Revelation chapter 6 speak of the beginning of the first year of 7 regarding a financial crash. This has to be in that order because the antichrist has to step in and set up his world economy after the market collapses. This is what the Bible teaches.
 
It seems to me that the timeline of God is perfect because every sign is pointing to the "beginning" of this cycle for Israel which I believe will be in the Spring/Summer of 2008. Keep in mind this is just an opinion. I can not prove this starting point. 2+2 can be proved. The answer would be 4. I can build a pretty good defense for what I am seeing; however,some very astute prophecy students believe the next sabbatical cycle for Israel will start next Fall (Tisheri).
 
I am not inclined to believe this for various reasons but I do leave room for the fact that I could be wrong. There is specific evidence in the Word of God that seems to suggest otherwise. I enjoy reading and listening to people that have a different reasoning on this issue. Perhaps you may desire to read some of my observations regarding the starting point of the 7 year tribulation period. This time frame also seems to match the prophetic Psalms which adds more credence to what I am trying to say.
 
I already spoke of this reasoning in some of my previous articles; however, I would urge you to be ready for the rapture at any moment being that I personally believe this is an imminent event. Another way of phrasing this would be if our blessed hope does not happen today/tonight then we are still very close.
 
On the other hand some very good prophecy students believe the rapture will start the 7 year tribulation period with no time gap. Only you can decide what your position is on this issue. If the rapture does start Jacob's trouble then Christians have a little more time before their departure but not much.
 
I would never promote an exact date for the rapture and the 7 year tribulation for many reasons. Let me give you one factor. "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abominations that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is he that waited and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." Daniel 12:11-12. The 30 days after the 7 year tribulation might be reserved for Jesus Christ judging the nations. Matthew 25:31-46. The additional 45 days might be preparation for the millennial Kingdom.
 
Another factor would be that the years of the tribulation period seem to be shortened from 365 days down to 360. The idea of setting a date for the (1) rapture (2) start of the 7 year tribulation period or (3) start of the millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ would be the mathematical equivalent of trying to find a needle in a haystack for me. I'm not too concerned with the exact date as much as I am with the clues and evidence coming in on a daily basis. We can not be to far from our blessed hope. God is granting watchers a gift for His coming hope. Just to know we are right on the edge of being with the Lord is good enough for me!
 
To talk about end time Bible prophecy from the backdrop of 11 and Metonic cycles will be interesting because it is just another piece of evidence that shows us the closeness of the hour.
 
Meton of Athens in 442 b.c. wanted to reconcile the Jewish year of 360 days with the Gregorian year of 365 days so he discovered an intercalation. It is a cycle of every 19 years in the field of astronomy. Somehow this man must have had the wisdom to go from Spring to Spring (the Sacred Calendar of God) by looking at the last month before Nisan which would be Adar. This month is right before Nisan in the Spring. He found out that these Metonic cycles run every 19 years all the time. He added an extra Adar month "only" in years 3,6,8,"11",14,17 and 19. By doing this he was able to reconcile the Jewish and Gregorian years; however, these Metonic cycles run from Tishrei (Fall) to Tishrei (Fall). The Metonic years are "only" the 7 out of 19. By doing this the Gentile calendar synchronizes with the Jewish lunar calendar.
 
Meton of Athens was not the only one able to figure this out. Other sources include Kidinnu in the fourth century. The Baha i calendar in the middle of the 19th century or Hipparchis who discovered precision of the equinoxes c. in 130 b.c.The Babylonians seemed to have known about this even before Meton.
 
To figure out a little bit regarding timing as to when the next Metonic cycle of years takes place, Arthur Spier's Jewish calendar book has a reputation for being pretty accurate. Dr. Spier states on page 14 that Rosh Hashanah 5720,1959 is the first year of a 19 year Metonic cycle. The book is called "The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar." There is no date on the book but we do know he came over to America from Germany during the 1940s, from the Talmud Torah Tealschule of Hamburg. He was an expert on the Jewish calendar and other discoveries related to this subject.The year 1959 gives me something to work with regarding when Metonic cycles will take place.
 
This is the way it works. Whatever you do, don't get intimidated with how I am gong to describe this subject. It is very easy. During a 19 year cycle "only" 7 years matter. The month of Adar is added "only" to years 3,6,8,"11," 14,17 and 19. This is sometimes referred to as Adar 2 or the 13th month. Notice "11" is in the middle of a 7 candlestick menorah design. I need you to store this in your mind because little by little I am gong to make my point regarding timing and the probable starting point of the 7 year tribulation period.
 
If one were to calculate back from the year 1959
 
(1) 451 b.c. (3rd year)
 
(2) 448 b.c. (6th year)
 
(3) 446 b.c. (8th year)
 
(4) 443 b.c. (11th year)
 
(5) 440 b.c.. (14th year)
 
(6) 437 b.c. (17th year)
 
(7) 435 b.c. (19th year)
 
If I were to go forward believe it or not the year 2000 a.d would be the first year in a 19 year Metonic cycle.
 
(1) 2000 a.d. (3rd year)
 
(2) 2003 a.d. (6th year)
 
(3) 2005 a.d. (8th year)
 
(4) 2008 a.d. (11th year)-----This represents the servant candle in this very unique 7 candlestick menorah design. Notice the "11" (11th year) is the number of judgment and it is positioned or couched in the year 2008.
 
(5) 2011 a.d. (14th year) -Could this year represent the middle of the 7 year tribulation period?
 
(6) 2014 a.d. (17th year)
 
(7) 2016 a.d. (19th year)-Could this year represent the first full year of the millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ?
 
If you continue reading these articles, 2 years will continually show up.These years will be 2008 and 2011. Are you thinking what I am thinking?
 
Just in case I lost you, the Hebrew month of Adar is only added to years 3,6,8,"11", 14,17 and 19. I have to repeat myself because I know some people may be asking something like "what is he even talking about?" If I were reading this I would be scratching my head too, but it is the last thing I want for readers.
 
Let me look at this from three different angles. I have believed for a while that the probable "beginning" of a 7 year sabbatical cycle for Israel starts in the Spring/Summer of 2008. I won't get into detail as to why because I wrote too many previous articles on this subject.
 
The second common fact/factor about the year 2008 is what I just wrote about regarding the astronomical Metonic cycles. As you just saw the year 2008 was the middle year (servant candle) of the whole 19 year time frame.In my opinion this depicts the starting year of judgment because it is the 11th year in the cycle.Eleven is the number of judgment in the Bible.
 
The third factor I would like to point out is that the Great Solar years take place every 28 years.This is when the sun goes back to the original position of where it was centered at Creation. Somebody at the date of November 28th (every "28" years and November "28th") on five doves said that the Holy Spirit prodded her regarding this number 28 and the soon to be rapture of the Church. Take a wild guess as to when the next Great 28th Solar year is going to take place? The answer would be 2008.
 
One piece of calendar evidence would be that the first year after the 28th Solar year ALWAYS has April 8th falling on a Wednesday which would be Nisan 14. How could this possibly be a reality every 28 years? Because God designed the calendar to fall into perfect place in cycles. Many experts believe 456 b.c was not only a 49th year but also started the beginning year of Daniel's 70 weeks.This was a Great Solar year! It seems to me that based on the evidence, the 7 year tribulation period will take place on a Great Solar year.The year 2008 fits this description.
 
(1) The first year of a 7 year Sabbatical cycle for Israel (2008).
 
(2) The Servant Candle in this 19 year Metonic cycle (2008).
 
(3) The 28th Great Solar year when the Sun goes back to it's original position of Creation (2008).
 
These 3 cycles that I just spoke of are totally independent of each other yet they all get together for a reunion in the year 2008. The year 200  "8". Eight is the number of new beginnings in the Bible. It seems to me that God is trying to say this particular year (2008) will enter into a new direction of His plan for the world. This will have to end Part Two. I will have many facts for you regarding the year 2008 which will include the apex of sun spots. I also told you in Part One that I would explain the two roles Jesus Christ will fulfill in the Fall and the Spring. I will explain why these are clues for the general starting point of the 7 year tribulation period. This obviously means that the rapture of the Church is close. My hope and prayer is that these articles will bless you and enhance our blessed hope as we become more excited that our departure is very near.
 
Bob D.