The best guess now is that between April 4th and Sept 19th which is Rosh Hoshanna, as being a very viable window for our departure. Remembering again the warning that "summer is near"! In any event, we should be able to finally whittle down the times as we draw closer! Maybe it's time to pack our ditty bags. What's a ditty bag?! TR March 9th - 10th is Purim - some watchers are thinking Iran might launched an attack on Israel on that holiday. April 1st is another high watch day Ditty bag is a small bag that sailors use. I’m not packing any fishing poles or tackle :negative: ... but I will have my dog’s treasures in a ditty bag ... he wants to share his toys, tennis ball, favorite blanket and goodies with his big brother. He has a twin waiting for him up in heaven. :yes: Sharing is always a good thing! If things don't fit into my wallet, I leave it behind. TR When the Full number of the Gentiles is in then that ship is going to sail. I am getting my ditty bag in order. (Q) I have been listening to your bible studies and am learning a lot. Thank you for your ministry! I sometimes read/listen to (a well known commentator) and ran across an interesting analysis of Paul’s use of the phrase “fullness of the Gentiles. He says, when Paul uses this phrase he is talking about a Gentile church which is going to become so rich and full in its spiritual riches that it will awaken again the envy of Israel. Do you think this is possibly what Paul meant? This is a perfect description of the Rapture. Rather than happening on a specific day, it will happen when the full number of members in the church is reached. Then the Church will depart, on a day no one could know in advance, and Israel’s spiritual blindness will be lifted. It’s the Rapture that finally arouses Israel to envy, because it fulfills the Lord’s warning to the Pharisees that “tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the Kingdom before you.” (Matt. 21:32) https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-full-number-of-the-gentiles/ Well said brother! Also enlightening. Thanks. My contention has been that indeed that day of the Rapture cannot be calculated by me. But the Lord knows that day and could surely reveal it. Hoping for a divine disclosure by Him. Also Paul assured his audience that they knew the day, probably the day of His return, IE second coming. TR
(A) I normally agree with (this commentator) but this time I don’t. According to my research the phrase “full number” is a nautical term that describes the number of soldiers and sailors necessary to operate a ship under sail. The ship couldn’t sail until they had the full number of crewmen. Once the full number was reached, off they went. Sometimes that meant they didn’t depart on the day people thought they would. It would have been on a date no one knew in advance.
