Insights
The newsletter of Jim Bramlett
Does the Bible clearly point to 2011-2012 for the rapture?
3.10.11
Dear friends:
Prophecy scholars and students agree on one thing, and that is the importance of Israel and key events in Israel’s history in end-time prophecy.
Those events include May 14, 1948, when Israel was reborn as a nation after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion. This was a fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies.
Another key event was June 7, 1967, when in the Miracle Six-Day War, Israel recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This was prophesied by Jesus in Luke 21:24.
In that same passage in Luke, Jesus also said:
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is nearat the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Matthew 24:32-34).
In the Bible, national Israel is referred to as a fig tree, and spiritual Israel an olive tree.
But note that last sentence, referring to “this generation.” To what generation is He referring? In context, it is thought to be the one that sees the fig tree putting forth leaves. This is what happened in the Miracle Six-Day War, when Israel conquered Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the West Bank, the Sinai, and the Gaza strip, gaining ancient God-given territories. Israel, the fig tree, put forth its leaves, and its mortal enemies have been screaming ever since.
The year 1967 is the key. The big question is – how long is a “generation”? Counting from June 7, 1967, how much time do we have before “this generation” passes away and “all these things take place”?
The definition of a biblical generation has been long debated. Most say 40 years or 70 years. The year 1967 + 40 (2007) has already passed, so that cannot be it.
The year 1967 + 70 = 2037, which could be true, but that seems too far in the future to be relevant to the many signs being seen, events taking place, and prophecies being spoken.
There is one more strong, biblical possibility that fits the times, and that is the hint given by chronologies in Luke 3:23-38. There are 77 generations described over about a 4,000-year period, from Adam to Christ. 4,000 divided by 77 = 51.9 years. And 1967 + 51.9 = 2018.9.
This is confirmed in another passage, Matthew 1:17, where it describes 42 generations from Abraham to Christ. One blogger says that period of time is 2,160 years, for which there may be slight disagreement. But if 2,160 is correct, then divided by 42 = 51.4 years, amazingly close to the above calculation. And 1967 + 51.4 = 2018.4.
In both cases, we land on 2018-2019 for “all these things to take place.” It is amazing that these two calculations are so close.
Minus the seven-year tribulation = 2011-2012 for the rapture!!!
I have been aware of these calculations for years and have always been interested in them, but had forgotten about them. That they pointed to 2011-2012 totally slipped up on me. It was brought to me attention by old friend, Reverend Ron Patterson of Kentucky, on the telephone this week when he told me about Jack Van Impe’s teaching on the subject. Van Impe claims that God woke him up at 4:45 one morning and asked him if he had missed something when he originally made his DVD offer about 2012. He said the Lord told him that the rapture should be calculated from the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967 (as above) instead of the Israel’s rebirth date of 1948. His study resulted in the above calculations and dates.
I respect Jack Van Impe but have never been a big fan. What impresses me about this is that because of his denominational background, he is not inclined to say “The Lord told me” such and such. That he would say that got my attention.
Is all this why we recently saw video from Cairo of the pale horse of Revelation 6:8 (pale = Greek chloros, or green, the color of Islam)? Skeptics have discounted the horse as just a reflection, but that is proven impossible. The pale horse may not have yet fulfilled his main biblical role, but he has made his appearance, which is ominous. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMLHwjdXJiY -- you can clearly see the horse’s ears, and it moves its head and neck exactly like a real horse does. Close-up: Obviously a hooded, evil-looking rider at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUDB9be0d00
Is all this why Dr. David Owuor of Kenya, claimed by some to be a true prophet of God, recently said, with great and impassioned urgency, "The Lord has spoken to me. Time is over. At any moment, He will take the church. Those who are wise, let them prepare."
I say again, those who are wise, let them prepare.
Jim
NOTES:
If you are not sure how to prepare, check out this informative Web site: http://www.choicesforliving.com/spirit/part1/part1.htm
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