Continue in Faith and Hope.  Let no one despair.  If one is born June 6-11, 1967, they are now age 40 and will be so until that date in 2008.  Back in the spring, when I wrote of the sign of the Fig Tree, i.e. the 6 day war, plus 40 years, I mentioned there was more than one way to look at the 40.  At that time, I spent    little effort on the second way, because the 40th birthday of this war was nigh upon us.  There is scripture which backs this other view as well as the parallel signs of the bush and 110.  I  write this to offer vision and hope to those who might think that as the feasts of 2007 fade, the hopes attached to the Fig Tree and 40 are another false alarm.  Nay, nay.  Our redemption draws nigh.
 
Before further is said, let me make this clear.  I personally see the spring feasts as associated with the three events of the first resurrection, but I stand with you in the watch each day through the fall feasts, the almond harvest and each day.  A watchman does not sit at his post only on days he thinks likely.  His job is to watch each day.  Patience is a virtue.  Through the multitude of Dove posts, we can see there are clues in all the feasts and other days as well.  Let us watch each day and avoid temptation to leap ahead, less we stumble.  As man is a rather fragile soul, mind and body.  The Five Doves site offers daily encouragement to maintain the hope of the saints.
 
For those who might be new or need a refresher in the background of the Sign of the Fig Tree:  When the disciples inquired about the end of the age, the most specific sign which Jesus gave was the sign of the Fig Tree (Judah).  Regardless what has happened to man's count of days/years through calendar manipulations and errors, this sign brings us current, i.e. a fresh starting point.  This passage is covered in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.  Each adds something of importance, but the specific question(s) the disciples asked and to which Jesus gave answer is found in Matthew 24:3.  When can readily see there are at least two separate questions, the signs of Jesus coming and when is the end of the world.  We can also see the disciples did not understand these events and how each should be separated.  Jesus clearly answered both and gave many signs of His coming as well as the rapture.
 
As to the end of the world (when Heaven and earth shall pass away), Jesus makes it clear that no one knows except the Father, not man, not angels, not even He.  That the answer to this question is cut short and no signs given tells us that man has no need of this knowledge.  We know by other scripture, this event is out beyond Jesus' 1000 year kingdom on earth, beyond the little season in which Satan is loosed and beyond the Great White Throne Judgement.
 
As to those things man needs to know, Mark adds that Jesus said, "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things", Mark 13:23.  Actually, the signs Jesus gives of His coming cover two separate events.  One set of signs is given for the secretive "I come as a thief" rapture of the bride.  Another set involves His coming to earth with His angels and saints in power and glory.  This event is commonly called the "Day of the Lord" and is after the dark days of the tribulation.  This event is the second advent.  The description of the rapture in 1 Thes 4:13-17 tells us the bride meets Jesus in the air.   Luke 21:36 tells us we ought to pray always to be considered worthy of standing before the Son of man and escaping the tribulation which comes upon the earth, i.e. be the bride.
 
The importance of the 40 was discussed in a letter back in the spring titled the 4, 40 and 400.  To keep this manageable, I will not repeat all the examples of the 40, but the 40 is the strongest and most repetitive symbol of testing and judgement found in God's Word.  It is first mentioned in Genesis as the number of days in which it rained during the flood.  A year for a day principle was established in Numbers 14:34.  Because of the wicked report (unbelief) of the men which spied out Canaan (the Promised Land),  God declared they must bear their iniquities, i.e. walk in the wilderness, 40 years until their death, a year for each day.  It did not apply to Caleb and Joshua who gave a good report, i.e. one of belief.  While they also walked the 40 years, they the righteous inherited the Promised Land while the wicked inherited death.  Division (separation) should be noted of the righteous vs the wicked.
 
We can see in the New testament two examples of Jesus and the 40.  After His baptism, He wandered and fasted in the wilderness 40 days, where He was tempted of the Devil.  After His resurrection, He walked 40 days upon the earth before His ascension.
 
God declares it's significance in His laws given to Moses in Deut 25:1-3.  It concerns judgement which justifies the righteous and condemns the wicked (vs 1).   A judge determined a certain number of stripes according to fault (vs 2).  Forty stripes was the maximum that a judge could give and not exceed (vs 3), i.e. 41 stripes was not permissible, less the punishment seem vile.  Though Paul says he received on 5 occasions, 40 stripes save 1, i.e. 39 stripes, the fact is God says he could have lawfully received 40 stripes if the judge had deemed him to merit it.
 
Because these stripes both justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, we should then be able to see their role in division and separation, with the 40 being a particularly noteworthy marker.  In Genesis creation day 1, God created Light to divide (separate) from darkness.  On day 4, He created the sun, moon and stars and they too provided light and were dividers (separaters) from darkness.  Additionally, they served as calendars (markers of time) and were associated with rulership, Gen 1:14-19.    We know that Jesus is the Light that divides and will rule, but it should be noted that several verses in Revelations tells us the bride and tribulation saints will serve with Him as Kings and Priests, pillars in the kingdom, i.e. rulers.  From this cardinal midpoint of the week, day 4, sprang the 40 and the 400.  Interestingly, in western numerical writing, the number 4 is the only one in which the cross is evident.
 
The Menorrah candle which lit the inner tabernacle contains the same pattern as creation week.  In Exodus 25:31-40 God tells Moses to design it after the pattern He showed him, i.e. when he was on the mountain.  I am quite sure it is the same as the 7 golden candlesticks before the throne in Rev 1:20.  Interestingly, the 4th candle of the Menorrah is the mid candle and most prominent.  It equally divides the 7 and provides the oil to the other candles.
 
When you look at the spring feasts there are the Feast of Weeks (7 weeks, Sabbath to Sabbath), First Passover,  Feast of Unleavened Bread, Second Passover and Pentecost.  The Feast of Weeks actually connects the time period from First Passover to Pentecost.  They are the beginning and end of the Feast of Weeks.  Unleavened Bread is a part of both First and Second Passovers as they are identical feasts except for the dates, Numbers 9:11-12.  Right smack in the middle of the Feast of Weeks, i.e. the 4th Sabbath, at the cardinal midpoint falls Second Passover.  If and when spring approaches, I will cover it again.
 
The role of the 4 as light which divides (separates) darkness, as a calendar or marker of time and its inherent authority as a ruler should not be taken lightly.  You can bet the 40 and 400 are also a continuation of the theme of the 4.  You can bet as well the rapture of the bride, i.e. the resurrection of the firstborn dead in Christ and subsequent changing and departure of the living worthy, will be an act in which judgement falls on both the righteous and wicked.  Like the stripes law God gave Moses and like the spies which spied out Canaan, the 40 will apparent in the timing of the judgement.  The righteous get their reward and the wicked their condemnation.
 
Now, let's get down to the meat of the other way to see the 40.  Most simply put, I become age 40 when I reach my 40th birthday.  I remain 40 until my 41st birthday.  Anything that happens during the timeframe between those two calendar points happened when I was 40 years old.  Isaac and Rebekah are considered by most Bible scholars to be the prototypical example of the groom and bride.  Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40 years of age, Gen 25:20.  It does not say he got married on his 40th birthday, but we know it was before his 41st birthday.
 
An example of year counting which supports this can be found in Solomon's building of the temple.  1 Kings 6:1 tells us they began building the temple in the 4th year of Solomon's reign, in the month of Zif, the second month. This is confirmed again in vs 37.  Vs 38 tells us it was finished in the 11th year, in the month of Bul, the eight month.  That is a total of 7 years and 6 or 7 months.  Yet vs 38 ends by saying Solomon was 7 years in building it.
 
When one receives stripes there is a pause between each stripe, i.e. a time period.  Let's say that pause or time period is a year.  Each stripe falls (strikes the back) at a cardinal point identified as birth date or anniversary.  We received the 40th stripe from the anniversary of the Fig Tree sign during the time period June 6-11, 2007.  If God sounds the trumpet and removes the worthy bride before the 41st stripe falls in June 2008, He has met the conditions of His law.  The bride will get her reward and depart for the wedding and on those left behind the seals of Revelations will begin to open.
 
Neither I nor any other man are in position to judge God.  His Word says He is Holy, faithful and true.  It stands on its own merit.  It is backed by hundreds of prophecies which have born out to be true.  Our interpretations of scripture, particularly concerning future prophecies are subject to man's fallacies.  But, if the June 67 war in which Israel (Judah) acquired Jerusalem, West Bank, Golan Heights and Sinai (the disputed lands of current and future false peace treaties) is the sign of the Fig Tree, then I do believe the bride (the good, justified by faith/belief) will be separated from the world (the evil, of unbelief) before the anniversary of the 41st stripe.
 
Joshua 5:6 states the Israelites walked 40 years in the wilderness.  It is evident in this verse that the 40 was a judgement of doom on those evil of unbelief and disobedience.  Equally, it is evident in this verse that the 40 represented a victorious reward for those of belief and obedience.  That the Israelites walked 40 years in the wilderness is stated in numerous places in scripture; however, accurately accounting for each year seems nigh impossible.  It is at least vague.  We know that the journey began the day after the midnight Passover, on Abib 15.  We can count their daily travels to arrive that they crossed the Red Sea to safety on Abib 18.  40 years later, Joshua 4:19 tells us they crossed over Jordan into the Promised Land on the 10th day of the first month (Abib).  The question is whether that was 5 days before the 40th birthday of departure or before the 41st.
 
Whether it be a matter of God's compassion or a matter of testing, our Father has a predilection to do things at the last possible moment.  Yet, He is never early nor is He ever late.  There is simply an appointed time.
 
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev 22:12.
 
Let none say He delayeth His coming.  Hold fast to what you have and be you worthy.
 
Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to write how the sign of the bush and the sign of Joseph's & Joshua's deaths at 110 are in perfect harmony and lockstep with this extended view of the 40.
 
Since letters concerning the 4 and 444 have been many as of late, let me add this:  In the English language and the western alphabet, each letter holds a place 1 through 26.  Hope adds to 44.  Faith adds to 44.  Together they add to 88.  If Jesus died on Wednesday, Abib 14, Passover Preparation Day, the Day the Lamb was to be killed and of that I have no doubt, then He ascended (inclusive counting) 44 days later.
 
For those left behind, the tribulation begins at the 4th seal when Death (antichrist) and Hell (false prophet) come to power following the pale horse, Rev 6:8.  The false prophet comes to power at the 4th trumpet and the great tribulation of God's wrath begins.
 
Division, separation, judgement, condemnation and reward are all associated with the 4, 40 and 400.  So is rulership from the 4 corners of heaven to the 4 corners of the earth.  May the Lord God show you as He has me the 44 as often as you need encouragement to maintain faith and hope.
 
Your friend in Christ, Steve