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To me, this makes it crystal clear that we can't know the exact time, but we can indeed know the approximate ERA in which He will return. I believe the re-establishment of Israel as a state in 1948 started the endtime clock ticking

I believe the end times began at the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. There is nothing in Scripture that states that a state of Israel must be established before the Second Coming (Judgement Day). What connection to Israel does Jesus have? There is none. We do not even know the era in which he will return. We can see the signs and these should make us aware that He can come at any moment. But to know when and where is not know to man and the where is not in Israel but in the heavens.

What connection to Israel does Jesus have? There is none. We do not even know the era in which he will return.

I don't think we're in the same planet or twilight zone.

If you can't find the connection between Jesus and Israel, spread throughout Scripture, including the NT, then I don't think I, Britanica, all the commentaries in the world or perhaps even Holy Spirit can be of the slightest help to you.

If we don't know the era Christ will return in, then we haven't been obedient to Christ's own words about discerning the time; watching; waiting; being alert and ready for His return with our lamps trimmed and extra oil ready as well. You can IGNORE and malign Christ's exhortations to thusly be ready and aware if you wish. I prefer to obey Him.

I believe the end times began at the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. There is nothing in Scripture that states that a state of Israel must be established before the Second Coming (Judgement Day). What connection to Israel does Jesus have? There is none. We do not even know the era in which he will return. We can see the signs and these should make us aware that He can come at any moment. But to know when and where is not know to man and the where is not in Israel but in the heavens.

Taxes, I hardly know where to begin. No connection between Jesus and Israel? Israel is the lens through which the ENTIRE BIBLE was written! As for the specific reference to the rebirth of Israel as a nation, here's one:

Ezekiel 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

That, my friend, took place in 1948. And regarding the "we can't know when" statement, it utterly baffles me as to why any discussion of endtime prophecy automatically brings out references to the "can't know the hour" passage, while totally IGNORING Jesus's clear instructions to recognize the SEASON.

I also don't see how anyone could approach the issue with reasonably deep study and believe that only one incident involving Christ's return lies ahead. For example, let's visit the aforementioned "hour" issue for a moment. I think we agree that this means we cannot predict Christ's return with any detailed specificity as to time, right? If that be the case, then it CANNOT be talking about Christ's actual return to Earth to launch his 1000-year reign. Why? Because by that time, we would indeed be able to predict his return with remarkable accuracy, since it follows seven years about which more is written in the Bible than any other period of time.

Thus, the "hour" reference MUST refer to something that will be unexpected: the Rapture. To buttress this position, the Bible talks about how one worker in the field will be taken and one left behind, and also gives several other similar examples of one taken and one not. In each instance, it clearly describes people side by side, believer and unbeliever, life proceeding as normal--as in the days of Noah. This also MUST be prior to Christ's Armageddon return, because at the time of Armageddon, believers and unbelievers will DEFINITELY not be working side by side as if everything is hunky-dory. At the time of Armageddon, believers will have refused to take the mark of the beast and will therefore be forced to live separately, as an underground movement.

I'm convinced we're seeing the final pieces of prophecy shuffled around as the stage is set. The EU is evolving. We recently saw the first major tangible connection between Israel and Russia; I honestly can't recall the exact detail but within the past few months there has been some kind of proclamation about Russia working with Israel on something. This arrangement will no doubt sour, of course, since Russia is almost certainly Magog. The "falling away," which refers to the apostate church, accelerates almost daily now; look around at churches with homosexual clergy, "pastors" fighting to drive God further from public view, etc. etc. The pieces are all falling into place.

And, again, it ALL revolves around Israel. In fact, I believe our support of Israel is the only thing that has thus far saved our ever-more-hedonistic nation from the wrath of God.