Douglas Henney (15 May 2008)
"Echoing Bruce, an ascension day rapture"

Dear Doves:
 
I am thinking along the same lines as Bruce as to timing, that a rapture event for the body of Christ is likely to take place on the ascension day.
 
I know this is debatable but I lean towards the date as being determine from the Karaite Jews who look to the scriptures to determine the beginning of months and feasts.
 
My reasoning for this is from what I glean when I look at the anouncement of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
 
I think God intends that the time can be determined by those whom the world would lable "simple", and that these do not have to look to some authority, ie Jewish Rabbis and their calender.
 
By going by the sighting of the new moon from Israel, and also knowing the beginning of the year according to when enough barley is ripe so as to allow a firstfruits offering after Passover, that the subsequent timing of the ascension and day of Pentecost can be determined.
 
From what I know looking at the Karaite website http://www.karaite-korner.org/  the ascension date would be June 5th and Pentecost June 15th.  (Double check this).
 
I had also theorized that the resurrection of the dead in Christ would take place on the day of Christ's resurrection, with us all being raptured at the day of Christ's ascension.  So I was looking towards 2009.  However, with the articles by Pastor Riley, and the principle that one is not to exceed 40 stripes per the law, I am not so sure.  (2009 will be in the 41st year after the 1967 war that appears to me to fulfill the start of the generation countdown of the fig tree lesson taught by Jesus.)
 
Unrelated, I want to make folks know of something I found on the internet.  I have not been able to confirm this with other sources so I strongly exhort folks to not give it weight beyond that.  However my hope is that some of you may be able to confirm this, or negate it, with other sources.  If Christ does not come as soon as we are hoping/thinking/longing, then the information in the following may be of benefit, if it does take place, for wise and prudent planning in prayer and resting in God.
 
"House Goes Behind Closed Doors To Debate Surveillance Bill
House secret session

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House Goes Behind Closed Doors To "Debate Surveillance Bill"
SPECIAL "CLOSED SESSION" OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSSED A LOT MORE THAN THE PENDING SECURITY SURVEILLANCE PROVISIONS

CAPITOL HILL (AP) -- The House has held a closed session for the first time in 25 years, discussing a hotly contested surveillance bill.

Read full article at:

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story...4-4a27f8407536

Comments from Richard Niemela
LAST NIGHT'S SESSION WAS ONLY THE FOURTH TIME IN 176 YEARS THAT CONGRESS CLOSED ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC
Word has begun leaking from last nights special, closed-door session of the United States House of Representatives.

Not only did members discuss new surveillance provisions as was the publicly stated reason for the closed door session, they were also bluntly warned about:

the imminent collapse of the U.S. economy to occur by September 2008,

the imminent collapse of US federal government finances by February 2009,

the possibility of Civil War inside the USA as a result of the collapse,

advance round-ups of "insurgent U.S. citizens" likely to move against the government,

The detention of those rounded-up at "REX 84" camps constructed throughout the USA,

the possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses,

the location of "safe facilities" for members of Congress and their families to reside during expected massive civil unrest

the necessary and unavoidable merger of the United States with Canada (for its natural resources) and with Mexico (for its cheap labor pool),

the issuance of a new currency - THE AMERO - for all three nations as the proposed solution to the coming economic armageddon.

Members of Congress were FORBIDDEN to reveal what was discussed and ABC News via WCPO web site at the link below CONFIRMS congress members were FORBIDDEN to talk about it!

Several are so furious and concerned about the future of the country, they have begun leaking info. "
 
I encourage those reading the above to not react with fear but with resting in the one who is God Most High. 
 
I like Ps 46:1-2:
 
"Elohim is our Refuge and Strength, a very providing Help in distresses.  Therefore we shall not fear then the earth is made to change, or when the mountains slide into the heart of the seas." (Concordant Version)
 
I think of our form of government and our economy as being "unmovable" mountains in the minds of many people.
 
Also, I like Hab 3:16-19: 
 
"I heard and my belly was disturbed; at the sound my lips quivered; rotteness entered my bones, and under me I was disturbed in my progress.  I shall wait for the day of distress to come up upon the people who are raiding us.  Though the fig tree is not budding, and there is no crop on the vines, though the yield of the olive is emaciated, and the plantations yield no food, though the flock is severed from the fold, and there is no herd in the paddocks, yet I shall be joyous in Yahweh;  I shall exult in the Elohim of my salvation.  Yahweh, my Lord, is my valor, and He will make my feet like hinds'; and on my high places He is causing me to tread."  (Concordant Version).
 
God's Spirit is inside us.  He is peace and is threatened by nothing.  All He is has been given to us in grace.  So rest in this reality!  Look to Him to lead you in peace in anything you must do.
 
Doug.