Let me say up front that I have been keenly watching for and anticipating the rapture for years. Always I have paid special attention to the Jewish festivals (Col. 2:16-17)... "16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
Last year (2011) I was on high alert. Why? Well, it was 63 years since Israel became a nation. Simple math. Seventy years for a generation (Psalm 90) and subtract the 7 years of the tribulation. "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Further on in the same psalm it says... "So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Interestingly, some Bible scholars say this is the only psalm by Moses).
When the rapture didn't occur, I was reminded that scripture indicates there might be the addition of one more year. (Luke 13:7-9) "7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." It sounds like it was talking about the years of Jesus' ministry, but it might have had a double meaning.
I can't be certain that the above scripture applies to the addition of an extra year for those of us who are watching for the rapture. I just know that this last year has been trying for many. It sort of feels like the ground has been dug up around our feet and "dung" spread around. Forgive me if that sounds flippant. But, dung as smelly and nasty as it is is also something that encourages growth.
I say all that to say that I was most hopeful around Pentecost and Tu B'Av this year. With good reasons I might add. Now as Rosh Hashanah approaches, I am much more so and I am going all in for this holiday which is soon approaching. As I say this, I am mindful that if we indeed are taken in the rapture in the middle of September then we won't be here to vote in the election and that would be a "gift" for our sitting president. The election would surely go his way.
Finally, let me say that if we are still here, we should vote for whomever God leads us to vote for. But, lets not put our sole focus on any candidate. Our real focus needs to be on Jesus. Whether we are taken in the rapture this season, or we have to wait an additional 10 more years (see the additional 10 years hinted at in Psalm 90), we always need to keep our eyes focused on the one true King now and forever!
YBIC
Bruce Baber