If you have noticed in my Bible studies, I never set a "day" date. I gave that up several years ago. I came to realize that it is a foolish waste of the time the Lord has given us, to seach for and argue over the exact date the rapture will occur.  If the Lord wants us to know the exact date, as He showed Noah, then the Lord will show us shortly before the rapture is to occur, as He showed Noah.
    In my studies I do set forth "possibilities," and I consider that sufficient to keep God's people "watching," Mark 13:35; Titus 2:11-15.
    I do think Shanthini has presented some interesting "possibilities." But at this point that is all I consider them; "possibilities."
    What I do know is that the Lord is coming this year; 2008. This has been confirmed to me so many times in so many different ways that there is no longer the slightest doubt in my mind. As far as I am concerned these confirmations of 2008 are sufficient.
    I am doing everything I know to do to draw closer to the Lord than I have ever been, including asking Him to draw me closer than I have ever been before in my life. I want this old flesh to be consumed in His holiness, purity, and love, and in His Word, so that I can meet Him with joy and rejoicing, rather than having to hang my head in shame before Him [1 John 2:28] when all of God's people are caught up to meet Him this year. May God grant all true believers a full measure of His grace is my prayer.
    I am also doing all I can to warn and win others to the Lord while we still have one day following another one. Time is running out and millions of people are lost and headed for eternity in hell. Why aren't God's people [true believers] spending their time trying to witness to and win the lost, rather than spending all their time searching for "a date?" Did the Lord tell us to "watch and witness," or did He tell us to "watch and search for a date?" Well.....??
    I personally favor a Spring rapture. I know the Spring is when the fig tree sprouts (Job 14:7-9), buds and puts forth leaves (Matthew 24:32-35). I know that Spring is the time when "kings go forth to war," 2 Samuel 11:1. I know that Spring is the time when "the flowers appear on the earth," Song of Soloman 2:10-13.  I know Spring is the time when the barley harvest is gathered, Ruth 2 - 4.
    I also know that the rapture is going to occur relative to a Jewish holy day. I know this because of what is stated in a literal reading of the Hebrew text in Habakkuk 2:2-3. Look it up for yourself. Whether the rapture occurs on or shortly before Passover, or whether it occurs on Pentecost, is immaterial to me. I am satisfied with knowing that the Lord is coming this year.
    I find no where in God's Word where any special reward will be given to the person who determines the exact date the Lord is coming to rapture His people to glory. So why are so many of God's people occupying themselves with trying to search out the exact date? Is it so that they can boast that "I found it first!" So what? I think such exact knowledge is the kind of "knowledge" that only "puffs up" people, exactly as the inspired Apostle warned against in 1 Corinthians 8:1.  It is certainly obvious that it has "puffed up" some who think they know the exact date. Some [not all] dogmatically and arrogantly declare "the exact date" of the Lord's coming as if they themselves were the "epitiome of all wisdom." Folks, such is nothing but proud heartedness. Is 1 Peter 5:5-6 still in the Bible? It was t! he last time I checked, but it appears that some of God's people need to check again.
    Folks, if you are a dedicated, studious, [one who is truly "abiding" in Christ, rather than spending their time and energy on the cares of life] true believer, then you already know that the coming of the Lord is very near. No one has to convince you of that. So let's all get back to doing what the Master set before us to do; watching and witnessing. Folks, wouldn't you like to have some souls to present to the Master when He comes? Read Matthew 25:19-21 and Luke 19:15-17. Isn't this what you want?
    "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him," Psalm 126:6.

              Pastor F. M. Riley