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The existence of Israel, in and of itself, is not an imminent sign. There's nothing to contradict the notion that perhaps the Jews will be scattered and re-gathered two or three more times over the next 1000 years before the full number of Gentiles "enter in". I understand it's important to be prepared - but that goes for every single day - and this is why God withholds the timing of His return from us. If I'm hit by a train, that's the end of my world, whether or not Damascus is turned into a smoking crater in the next five years. While LaHaye can work people up into a lather in anticipation of "the rapture", what are his fans REALLY doing to spread the Gospel?

Someone else on this thread said they're "tired and want to go home" -- I can't agree with that sentiment more heartily! But like Paul working out his salvation in fear and trembling, we don't get a free pass to sit on the couch and wait for Jesus to ring the doorbell. Resigning ourselves to some king of imminent demise of the world sounds like an easy way to just hang onto the ball and run out the clock.

I think the very fact that we are discussing Lahaye right now demonstrates that he has done a pretty good job spreading the gospel. There are lots of non-christians who have read the books and I'm sure some percentage have investigated further.

I agree with what you are saying about not sitting around and waiting but it would seem to me to be an individual problem. A huge portion of the Bible is prophecy so I don't see how you can avoid the topic as it relates to the end times.

Someone else on this thread said they're "tired and want to go home" -- I can't agree with that sentiment more heartily! But like Paul working out his salvation in fear and trembling, we don't get a free pass to sit on the couch and wait for Jesus to ring the doorbell.

No free passes here, we are continuing our work for Him knowing full well that we will be rewarded in the end. We just recently pulled another drug addict out of the rubble his life had become and have him back on the right path. Geez...I'm tired of working every day too, but that doesn't mean I can call in sick. Last time I took a vacation, the employees {jokingly} told me I am never allowed to do that again : )

There's nothing to contradict the notion that perhaps the Jews will be scattered and re-gathered two or three more times over the next 1000 years before the full number of Gentiles "enter in".
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"Just" Scripture. The generation that sees Israel become a nation again in a day after the 70 AD dispersion is to see the rest of the End Times Prophecies come to pass as well.

But why let Scripture get in the way of one's assumptions and biases! /sar

There's nothing to contradict the notion that perhaps the Jews will be scattered and re-gathered two or three more times over the next 1000 years before the full number of Gentiles "enter in".

I believe the bible tells us that the Jews would be dispersed from their land 2 times...And they would return, 2 times...The second time was in 1948 or so...

Someone else on this thread said they're "tired and want to go home" -- I can't agree with that sentiment more heartily!

I agree mostly, but there is one thing I have to say. I'm young, but I would like to undergo the experience of building a family. That has to be done here, as marriage is not given in heaven. So call me self-centered if you'd like, but I'm gonna be a little upset if I miss out on that entire section of life.