9/16/2020

Is it the end of the six-day war (1967) the starting point?

Matthew 24:32-35

32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:28-31

28Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

 Luke 21:29-33

29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

 

     I would caution everyone from using “absolute” language when discussing future prophetic events. I have read so many posts here and elsewhere by people suggesting “time is up,” or “this is it.” These comments seem to suggest that Jesus is in a box, and simply MUST come now. While I join in the enthusiasm to be raptured out of 2020, let’s all maintain a healthy dose of humility while waiting. Keep in mind: every single prediction so far has been wrong.

We are basing our assumptions on various passages in the Word, assuming that our interpretation of each one is correct, and then applying them all together to suggest, "this could be it."

Take the three passages above for example. Many of us believe they contain a clue to the timing of the rapture. Of those, many think that 1948 is the starting point, which, taken along with various assumptions about the length of a generation (70-80 years based on Psalm 90:10), and then subtracting out a “final 7 years for the tribulation,” suggest that the rapture could happen any moment.

I hope they’re right. Nothing would please me more than to be wrong about this and be in paradise this weekend. But I have to ask myself: what if it’s not 1948 that starts the clock? What if it’s 1967?

As soon as Israel was reestablished in 1948, war broke out. They had not even established what their borders were before they were fighting to survive. As such, Israel was not really an established nation until the war was over. At what point did Israel shoot forth, or grow new leaves after their establishment? At what point did it actually start to grow? 1967, when they retook Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Israel itself was not yet twenty….still young. This event is what really got the entire earth in an uproar over territory and made Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the nations. How many times have you seen arguments for Israel to return to their pre-1967 borders? All the claims of “occupation” and other such nonsense…it’s all based on 1967.

Even if the generation is 70-80 years until we all fly away, it would be the generation which sees the event that starts the clock, and not necessarily the age of the reestablished nation of Israel.  God may still have many years left to see the work of His Church completed on earth.

Regardless of which answer proves to be correct, use every moment you have for the glory of God. The cares of this world are so insignificant next to our mission to tell the world about Jesus. There are people you can reach right now for the Kingdom. Ask God how to do it; He will show you.

Walt

walkingoutfaith@yahoo.com