Dear friends:
 
This morning I was reminded of an unusual prophetic event and that it took place seven years ago.  Since seven is a special biblical number, it seemed good to review it for relevance.
 
The situation was described by friend Rev. Ron Patterson, about his then-teenage son, Ronnie, Jr., who has a severe learning disability.  Below are Ron’s own words:
 
"Ronnie was walking his dog Sandy and singing praise to the Lord on a warm September 2000 day after school. Suddenly, he was in the spirit in the presence of the Lord. Ronnie saw a huge field of beautiful flowers in heaven, each one perfect and without flaw. Then he saw a big wall with a large gate made of solid white pearl columns. On each side, outside the gate, was huge warrior-like angel about twice the size of a normal man. Ronnie said it took very powerful beings to open the enormous gate.
 
"Next, Ronnie saw past the gate into the beautiful city on the other side. Every building was made of some material that was as clear as pure water. In the middle of the city, he saw two giant chairs or thrones in an indescribable throne room. Ronnie could not see clearly the figures on the seats as they were engulfed in a cloud-like spirit similar to a force field or a glowing mist of energy.
 
"Ronnie was absolutely certain by the power and the presence that these were the thrones of Almighty God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son, surrounded by an unmistakable manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Ronnie was also amazed at a smooth, peaceful, beautiful music that seemed to be all over heaven but was most noticeable in the fields of flowers.
 
"After seeing all of this, Ronnie for the first time during this experience, heard a voice speaking directly to him saying, 'Son, look over here.' Ronnie then saw a long series of horse stables as far as he could see to the right and to the left made up of individual horse stalls. Each stall contained a magnificent white horse with angels standing with the horses as caretakers (one angel per about 20 horses). The Lord told Ronnie that after He removes His people from the earth, Jesus will remain with them in heaven a short time and then lead them back to the earth riding these white horses. He said Jesus will put an end to all who oppose Him and will establish His kingdom in the earth.
 
"As the vision concluded, the voice of God continued to speak to Ronnie. The Lord told Ronnie not to listen to the devil any longer. He said that the devil had been condemning Ronnie with lies trying to make him believe that Ronnie was worthless, helpless, without value, and on his way to hell. God told Ronnie that Ronnie is His child, 'a child of God,' and that He was well pleased with him.
 
"Next the Lord told Ronnie to stop grieving over being 18 years old and not being able to drive a car as Ronnie had driven himself almost crazy with disappointment over this. The Lord said to Ronnie, 'I am coming so soon for you and my people that there is not enough time for you to drive enough to justify learning.”
 
Postscript, June 20, 2007:
 
After 1, 2 and 3 years passed, people began to doubt that Ronnie had truly heard from the Lord.  However, God knew that He was doing.  Only God knew that Ronnie’s situation would soon deteriorate to the point where he would not be able to drive a car. 
 
It has now been seven years.  We are now in 2000 + 7 = 2007.
 
Ron says that he knows that he knows that he knows that Ronnie, Jr. had a genuine experience with the Lord in the year 2000.  That is because of the radical change and reality that he saw in his son.  He said it was truly miraculous.
 
Just yesterday I received another story from Ron.
 
Because of Ronnie Jr.’s condition, a social worker lady made a routine call on Monday.  Conversation revealed that she is a serious Christian and also a missionary.  Ron said she seemed very mature in the faith.  When she found out about Ronnie Jr.'s experience and that Ron's major ministry is to boldly proclaim the Lord's soon return, she broke down in tears.  She was extremely touched and said she knew it, that Jesus is coming soon!

The lady then told about an elderly missionary friend who was dying a few years ago.  Her loved ones were gathered around her, grieving, for her during her final few moments.  But just before she died, the old lady mustered up the energy to speak up and admonish them, saying, "Don't grieve for me.  I'll be back in six years."

That was in 2001!  My calculator tells me that 2001+ 6 = 2007.

Ron and I agreed that when they are dying some folks see and hear from the other side.  It's like they have one foot here and one foot in heaven.  And an M.D. friend commented and said: "As an internist, I collected stories of near-death experiences. Not only do the dying frequently see heaven and communicate it back to earth, but frequently those physically around them and emotionally close to them are permitted a glimpse also. This story is absolutely credible."  She could have heard something. 
 
All this makes me think of Shelby Corbitt’s visions and revelations beginning in 1986 that the rapture would be in 2007.  See http://www.2007rapture.com/.
 
Let us hope!

Jim