Liz,I enjoyed reading your post and your testimony. I’ve had some similar trying times and searching for God, prophecy and end times. It seems to me that the years 1988 and 1997/8, 2003/4 have all been significant to me in something God has done. I have noticed that these years have been looked to before for possible rapture dates. This is why I strive to find God and look for the rapture, but I also try and prepare my heart for his will, knowing that I’d always love to just be “outta here”. I think even in the Rapture that it may not happen exactly as we expect. In Habakkuk we are told that he will do something so unexpected that even if he told us in advance we would not believe. I look at it as our love relationship with God. If you love someone and you are separated you keep looking and searching no matter what.
That said, I think testimonies of the heart are the most important for faith. I try and look at both logic and personal heart testimony and tie it together. When they don’t seem to be meeting something is wrong. I think we “buy” things with our heart and then rationalize with the mind – “the heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it”…, however, how can we know God if it is not by our heart? You also, have to trust it when it comes to God. Faith, hope and love come from the heart as well.
I see both reasoning from scripture and other sources (Jewish tradition, signs in the heavens, etc.) and personal testimony that tells me that something big is in store for this Rosh Hashanah. Yes, it may certainly be the Rapture and I am in prayer to try and accept and also be prepared for whatever God may have. All the while I am trying to witness to what I know that God has revealed without overstepping my bounds. Continuing to go to him and trust him for revelation. No more, no less.
All this to say, Yes I had something happen about 17 years ago that started in March 1988 Liz. I’ve posted it and here is the link:
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2006/tonye914-2.htm
Blessings,
Tony Ellsworth