I’ve gone on record here with a theory. You can call it “educated speculation” or “gee, I wonder if this is possible” thinking.
I have been a student of Biblical prophesy since around 1982 and have heard reasonable, as well as wacky, interpretations of scripture, so let the reader decide where I fall in on that scale
Here is the idea:
The Old testament “pegs” a generation at 70 years. Prophesy says this:
Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32
I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened
This is in regards to what many see as the events leading to the second coming and “end times”. Then in the old testament we have this:
Psalm 90:10
The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Isaiah 23:15
At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king’s life. But at the end of these seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
(The focus above is it is the length of a kings life).
On a side note, search “seventy years” in the old testament. It is sprinkled throughout like pepper on a steak.
Then there is the prophesy about the fall of literal Babylon. Remember, Nineveh was destroyed by the Babylonians in ~612 BC and Babylon fell to the Medo-Persians (Daniel 5)in ~539 bc, giving a spread of ~73 years. And then the new testament discusses “Babylon the great harlot” in Revelation, which you see referenced in my tagline.
Add one last piece of the puzzle: Before 1948, Christians had great confusion about bible prophesy discussing the nation of Israel since everybody knew Israel was not a country and hadn’t been for Millennia. But everyone alive today has lived in a world where Israel has “always” been a nation and is a simple part of our reality.
Israel became a nation and, coincidentally, the existence of the Hebrew university collection of scrolls was anounced in spring of 1948.
So, back to the three gospel accounts of this: “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened”
Since the first event happened in 1948, it gives us until approximately 2018. I say that in the spirit of Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 - “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
However, the verse preceding Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30 and Luke 21:32 says this, “”Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
It is VERY clear to me that it is right at the door.
Here is another “twigs getting tender” moment:
http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse
You’ve seen me link to it before. That is for lurkers and to put it together in one post.
Also, this is VERY high level. I left out a LOT of details.
I agree with you and your "educated speculation" on the outer limits of the second coming of Jesus and the end of the age as being around 2018. - Mathew 24:3
Subtract the seven years of tribulation and you now have 2011 for the beginning of the end of the age. This doesn't mean the beginning hasn't already begun. ;)
Some people here think that the beginning of the tribulation can be narrowed down further by deciphering the meaning of the "White Horse" Rev:6 and associate this Obama's rise to power.
One of the things about Bible prophecy, that I've found, is that usually anything of importance has multiple links back to what is written. Obama's rise to power from a virtual unknown is described perfectly in the Bible. Barrack was the name of Mohammed's white horse. Obama's linage can be traced to multiple races or peoples spoken of as being "from the sea" by Bible prophets.
I could go on and on but suffice it to say, the evidence is compelling enough to believe it possible.
Rev 1:2 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
It's something that makes me go wow. If you use the theory that each seal represents one year of tribulation, you have to conclude that we're halfway through the year of the "red horse".
Rev 6:3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other.
To him was given a large sword.
