It is good to hear from one with wisdom and understanding. I think many have taken offense because they think I am attempting to judge, saying who is or is not going in the rapture of the bride. On the contrary, I would not dare to presume I am worthy nor to insert myself into Jesus' sole right to be Judge. Surely, if I did either, I would be left standing here watching the bride ascend and playing the part of the utter fool. Let's just say if I were picking those most worthy, I would not pick me. But, I have hope and you have hope. At least we understand our status in relation to this event. A sincere self appraisal is always a good start point. Remember the man who cried "I am but a sinner". Jesus said he was more justified than the Pharisee who prayed long righteous prayers to be seen of the public.

It was my hope that people would listen to the truth of the scriptures and like Hezekiah take this precious couple months we have to cleanse their temple that they might be worthy of this special reward. All I can do is tell them and the rest is up to the Holy Spirit. I'm sure He is willing, but most are too busy with the noise of the world and never hear what He has to say. For sure, come the first week or so in June, the dye will be cast and I think wisdom and understanding will be greatly increased. People always turn and listen to God when they are in trouble. With just over 2 months left, it is no time to argue over who is and who isn't. We will know that soon enough. There is only time to get busy, get ready and warn others.

In fact, watching the reactions of the doves, I think they have become dull with the many past disappointments. Most don't really believe it is this spring, even when they were shown the very prominent double twice set of signs. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this event will occur before the 41st stripe of the sign of the Fig Tree. I would bet my life on it and that is not a casual or boasting statement.

What I am going to show you here is based on God maintaining perfect pattern and order throughout scripture and time. I'm betting He doesn't miss one tittle. If so we can count the 54 days from Passover Preparation day to Pentecost from beginning to end or end to the beginning and everything will still fall in its perfect place, to the day and day of the week. Since the Pope and the Rabbi's can't agree and the moon is out of sync with the day of the week, we will work this thing backwards from the Sign of the Fig tree, a very definite marker.

We can see the Israelites crossed over Jordan and into the Promised Land 5 days short of the 41st stripe (anniversary) of departure (Ex 12:51 & 13:4 & Joshua 4:19). I have shown you the prominence of the week and day of the week, particularly day 4 (Gen 1:14-18). Setting Passover Preparation day on Wednesday, day 4, makes everything fall into place.....as it should. Second Passover Preparation day is then on a Friday and the midnight cry follows. Second Passover Celebration day and First day of Unleavened Bread is then a Friday evening/Saturday Sabbath day. It would be both a regular 7th day Sabbath and a High Sabbath. Keep the Sabbath holy?

If we back up 5 days from the first day of the sign of the Fig Tree (5 June), then we see it falls exactly on a Saturday Sabbath, May 31. That should then be the 6th Sabbath Omer of the Feast of Weeks. Second Passover falls on the 4th Sabbath Omer, leaving exactly two weeks to carry out the 7 + 7 pattern of Hezekiah's Second Passover (2 Chron 30). The 3 events of the rapture (midnight cry - changing - ascension) will take place over that period. This midnight cry (resurrection of the dead) should fall on a Friday evening/Saturday Sabbath May 16/17.

The changing of the living wise virgins should then take place on a Friday/Saturday, May 23/24. The ascension of the bride should take place on a Thursday evening, May 29 (Isaac met Rebekah coming on the camels at even tide, Gen 24:63). This leaves exactly 10 days until Sunday Pentecost, June 8, when the Holy Spirit will be poured out on the left behind (Gen 24:55, Acts 2:1-4). It is conceivable that if God is counting June 10 (end of the war) as the specific date of the sign of the Fig tree, then we could be one week later in events. Of course I cannot guarantee anything, but these should be good planning dates. I would never tell anyone but to watch each day.

Hezekiah did begin to clean out the temple on the first day of the first month (2 Chron 29:17). He could not get the temple and priests clean and sanctified in time for First Passover, so he chose to conduct the required feast at the time of Second Passover. Even then, many people were not clean and sanctified, but took part in the Passover anyway (2 Chron 30:17-18). The point is it took more than one week, the amount of time the virgins will have when the midnight cry occurs. Maybe we have time to be worthy if we get busy. I have noted throughout scripture, God pleads and pleads and if people will hear and repent, He is faithful to forgive. But, for those who wait until God makes His move, God will not hear them. Unfortunately, what I am seeing is what Hezekiah's messengers encountered. Many in Ephraim and Manasseh laughed and mocked them to scorn.

Let's look at Matthew 20. It is the story of the Workers in the Vineyard. This begins with, "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that....". It ends in verse 16 with "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." The beginning and ending tells us this is speaking to the bride rapture event. A house holder went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. He agreed with the laborers for a penny a day and sent them into the vineyard. He then went at the third hour, sixth hour and ninth hour making the same deal. He then went and hired more standing idle at the eleventh hour and they went into the vineyard. At the end of the day, He paid them all a penny. Though those who worked all day complained, He said it was lawful for Him to do what He will with His own. It is important to note the man hired at the eleventh hour did work. He harvested the fruit of the vineyard for the house holder. He didn't agree and then sit on his butt nor did He say I am your child and have no need to work.

To Sherry (Shelva): I am so glad you can see the truth. When one can see that the free gift of salvation is eternal life and this is rewarded at the last day (John 6:39,40,44,54 & 11:23-24) then you can see that such things as being the bride and even the tribulation saints is a further and better reward (crown) over and above the free gift of salvation. This reward (crown) is for those who have been obedient to scripture and gone on into maturity, purging themselves of sin, crucifying their flesh, enduring chastening and working out their salvation, bearing the fruits of the spirit and the fruit of righteousness as well as gaining wisdom and understanding. These are spiritual Christians whom Jesus calls His friends. He says He comes in and sups with these who are obedient. (He does this through the Holy Spirit, therefore the mention of the oil for the virgin's lamps). Check out the church at Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-12).

Carnal Christians are those who are a friend of the world. Check out the church at Laodecia (Rev 3: 14-18). This is a real smug bunch. They have the things of this world and need of nothing. Maybe they believe they have a free ticket to be the bride and not see death. They end up surprised.

When a person can see these things, then scripture begins to make sense. The different pieces of the puzzle all fit in the respective places. Paul's preaching of the free gift of salvation then makes sense with all the urging to work toward a higher and better prize (only one can win the race). It was the same with prophecy when one finally sees the house of Joseph. In both these areas, our Christian churches have led the people astray. They taught easy Christianity because that is what the people wanted to hear. Everything about God's kingdom fits simple rules. One who works hard receives many rewards. One who does not, but buries his talent in the sand, is in deep trouble. One who does not work or take appropriate actions produces no fruit.

The people who will not accept this fair standard for recompense of rewards are the ones who deny the 10 virgins are believers of the New Testament Church. Neither can they understand the bride of Revelations 14:1-5, because it doesn't suit what they want to believe. I told you, God speaks simply to the common people in easy to understand parables. Both houses of the Hebrew Children and Jacob's tribes were called whores several times. It is speaking to spiritual whoredom. We are all born into sin and all spiritual whores. There is but one way in all the world to be a virgin again and that is to be reborn anew. This same theme of division is seen in Rev 2 & 3, Jesus' letter to the 7 churches, all New Testament believers.

Very little scripture in the New Testament is to or about the Jews. Yes, the gospel began in Judah, Jesus was a Jew and most of the disciples were Jews, but the moment Jesus' broke bread and wine at the last supper, these disciples became the first members of the New Testament Church. A new Priesthood was established and a new covenant. The vast majority of all the New Testament scripture is written to believers, whether Jew or Gentile, they are all the same. They are new creatures in Christ. In order to make easy Christianity fit, you have to deny a multitude of scripture or twist it beyond recognition. If it doesn't fit perfectly with a beautiful simplistic theme, it probably is not right.

Concerning the 144,000. There are two groups of 144,000 in Revelations. One is the bride (Rev 14:1-5, 5:9-10 and 1:5-6) and the other are those mortal men sealed (Rev 7:2-8, 9:4, 11:13 and 12:5-6,13-17). The bride is made up of the worthy believers and will be immortal kings and priests in the global government of Jesus Christ. They are seen around the throne before the seals are opened. In their description they are identified as virgins, first fruits and redeemed from among men by the blood of the lamb and of every kindred, tongue, people and nation (the many colored coat of Joseph). They sing a new song before the throne and follow the lamb wherever He goes. They have their Father's name in their forehead. That is surely the bride.

Those sealed are 12,000 of each of the 12 tribes of Israel. It does not say they are virgins, first fruits or redeemed by the blood. It does say these keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. I do believe these are those of the Jewish faith, but I would not want to limit God. They were obviously not Christians, but have been convinced of the Lordship of Jesus Christ probably by the two witnesses. These are sealed and hidden in a place prepared for the last 3.5 years of the tribulation. They will be the mortal government of the nation of Israel when all the remnants are gathered back together and given the promised land. The nations are all under the global government of Jesus and His immortal saints.

I never said that the bride would only be 144,000. Those who said that I did, deliberately lied. I said it is possible that it might be or could be as few as 144,000 as it is a select group and that is the number mentioned in Rev 14:1 & 3. Writing so simply a child could understand it, I explained that this number could be symbolic or figurative, a multiple or some amplification like 144,000,000. I said plainly that I did not know. Further I stated that due to the 144 being amplified by a thousand (000), this might mean it is symbolic or figurative.

I surely cannot control whatever is the number. For me personally, the bigger the number the better. It would considerably increase my chances. But, to me and you, one of the important things is our families. I can only point to the examples of Noah and Lot. God keeps His patterns. I would counsel my family to not look back.

We have a chance and there is hope. We should look forward with joy and anticipation as would a bride waiting for her groom. I feel fairly sure that the meek and humble person who thinks he/she might not be worthy has a better chance than the smug and confident person who thinks they guaranteed to be the bride. Jesus just seems to operate that way, something about that first shall be last and last shall be first.

Have a sister named Sherry. She is one of those who says she doesn't need to watch because whenever He comes, she is ready and knows she will go. She also has some heart, blood pressure and plugged up artery conditions. Please pray for her on both counts. Her birthday is May 16. She will be 55.