The Prophetical & Spiritual
Significance of 2018
Illustrated Numerically
                        By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                    March 20, 2018
     "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God," 2 Timothy 2:15.  
Introduction
     I keep praying and studying the Scriptures, and the Lord graciously keeps revealing spiritual truths that confirm His soon coming, and which bless my heart and soul.  Look up!  Our Lord's coming is right at the doors.....
The First Month, Day, & Year for 2018
     The Month of.......  
            January                               The Month                         1
            1st                                          The Day                              1
            2018                                     The Year                          18
     Adds up to "20," the number in the Bible signifying "Redemption."  Does this indicate that the "redemption" of all true New Covenant believers from off the earth [the rapture] will occur this year?
          February                            The Month                           2
          1st                                          The Day                                1
          2018                                     The Year                           18     
     Adds up to "21," the number in the Bible signifying "the 21 judgments of the Tribulation period."  Does this indicate that the Tribulation period  is going to begin this year?
         March                                    The Month                           3
         1st                                           The Day                                 1
         2018                                       The Year                            18
     Adds us to "22," the number in the Bible which signifies, "Light; to discern; to see."  Does this indicate that this will be the year when we true believers see the Lord Jesus Christ for ourselves at the rapture, and are made like Him? 1 John 3:1-3; Philippians 2:20-21.  
        April                                         The Month                           4
        1st                                             The Day                                 1
        2018                                        The Year                             18
     Adds up to "23," the number in the Bible which signifies "death; destruction."  Does this indicate that the Tribulation period is going to begin immediately following the coming of the Lord to resurrect and rapture His Church and believing people to glory on April 1st [Easter] this year?  Is there any Scriptural confirmation of the Tribulation occurring on or near April 1st this year?  Let's just go one more month!
        May                                           The Month                             5
        1st                                              The Day                                  1
        2018                                         The Year                               18
     Adds up to "24," the number in the Bible which signifies "Priesthood."  In Revelation 4:1 John was raptured to glory.  Glory!   
     John immediately began to be shown the scenes in Heaven.  Immediately after seeing the Lord sitting on His throne in 4:2-3, John was shown twenty-four elders, also sitting on twenty-four thrones, 4:4; 4:10-11.  In 5:8-10 these 24 elders are identified as the Lord's raptured Church and people, and in singing praise to the Lord, they plainly say, ".....Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.   And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth," 5:9-10.  
     Here these "24 elders" plainly state that they are "kings and priests," who have been redeemed from the peoples and nations of the earth.  Does this indicate that this is an inspired portrayal of the Lord's raptured Church and people in Heaven in the fifth month of this present year?
Another Note:
     This brief study is dealing with numbers.  There is no way that numbers, rightly used, can be made to lie.  2 plus 2 always equals 4.  The computations and conclusions set forth in this study will not work with any year but 2018.   Look up folks!  Our Lord's coming is right at the doors, Matthew 24:33.