Trebor, I agree with what you shared with your family when you said, "I believe that the timing of end time events, like the Rapture of the Church, the revealing of the Antichrist and the beginning of the Tribulation, will be linked to a number, and that number will be the population of the earth."

The only two numbers that make sense right now, are--6,666,666,666 or 7,000,000,000. 

 

In my post on Saturday 3/22, concerning when the population would reach 6,666,666,666--I gave a wrong time frame of April 4th to April13th.

A correct time frame when this generation (the last generation) will reach a population of 6,666,666,666--according to the two most reliable population sites below, is between April 17th and May 1st, 2008.

 

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

http://opr.princeton.edu/popclock/

 

Taking the average of these two sites you would get the date April 24th, which is about five days after Passover begins and two days before Firstfruits on April 26th.

The average date when the number 7,000,000,000 will be reached is almost 4 and 1/2 years from now, on September 11th, 2012.  On what would be the 11th anniversary of 9/11. 

That is very appropriate, but I don't think we will be around for that anniversary, because we will be with our Lord in heaven, clothed in white, awaiting our triumphant return to this earth as part of the "armies in heaven".  

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."  (Revelation 19:11-16)

There is little doubt that angels will also accompany Jesus and His people on that day, but the main idea is that the Son of God leads the people of God from heaven against the rulers of this earth. 

 

That we, the last generation, are here when 6,666,666,666 is reached is important, because there are so many right now around the world who are watching and waiting and believe more strongly than ever, that sometime during Passover week and Firstfruits (April 19th to April 26th) or on one of the days during the latter part of May and first 10 days of June, (the 41st anniversary of the Six Day War, June 5-10,1967), all those who are indeed watching and waiting, and who are ready for His coming, will be caught away to meet our King of Kings and Lord of Lords at the Rapture of His Church.  And thereby ushering in the seven year Tribulation period and rise of the Antichrist.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."  (1Thes.4:16-17)

So the Rapture and a population of 6,666,666,666 could both happen in that same time frame, and I believe we are simply seeing one more piece of the amazing endtime puzzle fall into place. And those pieces that yet remain will continue to come ever faster as that final day approaches.  Like birth pains.

    

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six."  (Rev.13:18)

The NIV version states:

"If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."   

If the Rapture does happen exactly when the worlds population reaches 6,666,666,666--by going to any of the world population websites and looking at how fast those counters tick on by, you will quickly understand why the Rapture would need to take place "in the twinkling of an eye", (1/10,000 of a second) exactly as God said it would. 

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed." (1 Cor.15:52)

 

Only God knows exactly where the population count stands at any given moment, though I would venture to guess we are somewhere in the ballpark.  And God knows exactly how many babies are being aborted each day (125,000+), how many suicides there are each day (2,500+), how many family's are being ripped apart by divorce each day (25,000+) how many murders (1000's) HIV infections (1000's) acts of violence (10's of thousands) etc. etc. etc...  God cannot, and will not allow it to go on very much longer.

 

We are that last generation, and a lot of us are continuing to watch and are learning to understand more and more the meaning of those things that Jesus spoke of in Luke 21:7-32, and other end time prophecies.  We must keep connecting the dots and putting the puzzle pieces together, in order that we may see the whole picture.  

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.  Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place." (Luke 21:32)

And by the power of the Holy Spirit He will continue to reveal His timing before the end of this age, before this very generation passes away. By no means will He allow that to happen.

 

We can be sure of our salvation.  But if you are not.  Call out to Jesus before it is to late.  Admit that you are a sinner and need His grace and forgiveness. Acknowledge that He is who is says he is. The Son of God, the Word made flesh, who went to the cross and died for our sins, but rose again on the third day.

Get yourself a Bible and start with the book of John, asking for the Holy Spirits help in leading you in the ways of truth. Because all who are called, and come, confessing their sins in the Name of Jesus, will have everlasting life.  

 

For He is Risen. 

He is Risen indeed.

Ed Gillan