David,

Thank you for your post. I agree, most heartily, with the point you made.
Frankly, I am disheartened at the abundance of energies funneled into
formulating many of these rapture theories; some of which, as you say,
are most sophisticated. But as usual, I am sure, some will take offense -
rather than allow room for a different view.

When I ponder such things, I am reminded of what took place at the first
advent. Israel was looking for the coming Messiah, just as so many in the
Church are waiting for the rapture and subsequent return of the Lord.
Unfortunately, if you examine what took place in the Gospels concerning
the multitude who were waiting for the coming One, most did not recognize
Him when He appeared. As a matter of fact, there were only two who
recognized the Christ - Simeon and Anna. This was only a remnant. Only
two. And as two is the number of testimony, what I think is important
about the story is that only the remnant - those who are more concerned
with living out the testimony - that are truly ready and waiting. Yes,
and quite similar to how it was in the past, that is how I think it will
be once again.

We have been told about His return: He mentioned it Himself: Just how he
would come back. Unfortunately, what is often overlooked, is that these
words were offered, not to the unsaved, but to His own - His disciples
What were those words:
Mat 24:42 "Therefore, keep watching! Because you do not know in what hour
your Lord is coming (ALT).
Again, the warning Jesus gave in Matthew was to His disciples - those who
chose to follow Him. He even stated it twice. In repitition, His words
were:
Mat 24:43 "But know this, if the home owner had known in what watch the
thief is coming, he would have kept watch and would not have allowed his
house to be broken into.
Mat 24:44 "For this reason, you also become ready, because in what hour
you do not think, the Son of Humanity is coming (ALT).
It is so much easier to be caught up in a multitude of others "things" as
Christians than Christ. And one of those "things" is trying to predict
when He will return! What is not so easy, is dying to self!! And yet,
this is what is required if we are to be a testimony for Him - for Him to
live His life through us (Gal 2:30). Indeed, this is what we are called
to do (Matt. 5:29, 18:9; Mk. 9:47). Furthermore, this is what Simeon and
Anna had learned to do. So I would encourage all the Doves: What we are
all in need of is grace - if we are to live as Simeon and Anna - to be
that living testimony of Jesus; not only to a lost world, but to a
multitude of carnal Christians who are caught up in the bondages of a
Babylonian Church - or worldly Church system. Just remember, it is our
dying that facilitates that testimony - His living. Oouch!

My thoughts concerning what we should be focused on? If we are occupied
with learning to fulfill His will for our lives, each and every day, as
Simeon and Anna were, we won't need to worry about figuring out the date
of His return. Indeed, if we develop such an intimate walk with Him, that
we learn what His will is for us at any given moment, and we are drawing
upon Him for the grace needed to be obedient in fulfilling His good
pleasure through us, we shall be found among those who are ready when the
Master comes for His bondslaves.

Again, David, thank you for the post. It was uplifting to read. And for
what its worth: I have had no sense from the Holy Spirit that this will
be the year when God sets about to the reaping of the planting He made in
the earth. But if this is the year, as certain of the feasts have yet to
be fulfilled - and all things must be fulfilled (Matt. 5:18; Lk. 24:44) -
it will be during the fall feasts.

A brother in our common Savior and Lord,

Sentinel Kulp
Author/ Admin
Well of Oath