Many thought the year 1998 would be the most pivotal year in Bible prophecy, and would even include the rapture. When the rapture did not happen, most everyone wrote 1998 off as a disappointment. The prophesied scoffers came out from under their rocks, as God exposed hearts, and He still is.

In the past few days, I have meditated on Ron Reese's conviction that the October 23, 1998 Wye Agreement between Israel and the PLO, confirming the Oslo Accords of 1993, was the "confirmed covenant" of Daniel 9:27. He is persuaded that this confirming of the covenant kicked off the 70^th week of Daniel, the final seven years before the return of Christ in power. Ron is not predicting the rapture, but if he is correct it must be extremely near.

Many reject such a thesis, holding to the widely held view that the rapture must precede the 70^th week. This may be true, although not necessarily. The Scripture is really not clear on that point. It is biblically possible that a scenario such as Ron's may be correct.

Several days ago I purposed to review and summarize all the evidence prophetically pointing to 1998, which I had intended for this message. However, I soon realized that the evidence was too voluminous for one e-mail and for my slow typing. I decided to summarize instead.

Below is a summary of the evidence for the importance of 1998, with sources given. It is noteworthy that the sources give different reasons and typically do not duplicate each other.

1. Ron gives several reasons why he believes the October 23, 1998 Wye Agreement was the Daniel 9:27 confirming. One reason is the signs in the heavens. The actual signing of the covenant document was the "exact same minute" (2:34 p.m. EDT) as Saturn (Satan) came closest to earth and brightest in 20 years, in the sign of Pisces (Israel), and in conjunction with constellation Cetus (Antichrist). He says the odds against this happening at the same minute by mere coincidence were more than 10 million to 1. Additionally, Ron says that the sign of Revelation 12:1 appeared in the heavens the eve of October 23, 1998. Odds against: 912 to 1. He also says that the Day of Atonement is the most likely day for Second Coming. If you add exactly 2,520 days (seven prophetic years) to October 23, 1998, you arrive on the Day of Atonement, 2005. Odds against: 365 to 1. Combined odds for just the above three: astronomical.
   
   
2. In his January-February 1998 newsletter, "The Last Call," Pastor F.M. Riley listed and described ten biblical cycles that all came to an end in 1998.
   
   
3. In his fascinating 1988 book, "Times of the Signs" (New Wine Press, Chichester, England) New Zealand author George C. Curle describes numerous biblical dates and historical patterns that all amazingly point to 2005 for the Second Coming. Back up seven years, of course, and you arrive at 1998.
   
   
4. For many years Bible scholar Marilyn Agee looked to 1998 for the rapture. While she believes she now understands the error, God may have led her to that year for other reasons.
   
   
5. I have been puzzled at why the extremely unusual Noah Troyer prophecy in the year 1878 had not come to pass, and maybe this is an explanation. Perhaps it did. I have personally documented this and have even seen 122-year-old secular newspaper clippings. By way of review, Noah Troyer was an Amish minister, born in 1831. Troyer became ill, causing him to have repeated periods of unconsciousness, during which time he would stand and prophesy. He spoke almost the same basic message over and over again, someone counted 19 times. His wife called friends and family members to witness what he was saying. There was even newspaper coverage of the phenomenon. Basically, the message was that just as with Noah before the flood, God was warning him, also Noah, that He was giving America 120 years to repent before it will be destroyed. These words were spoken by Noah Troyer in 1878. And 1878 + 120 years = 1998. While destruction did not come in 1998, if the 70^th week began that year it would be tantamount to the destruction soon to follow and, in my opinion, a fulfillment of Troyer's prophecies.
   
   
6. The year 1998 was Israel's Jubilee year, or 50^th anniversary, surely a profound prophetic year. Ron Reese says that the last day of Israel's Jubilee year was September 21, 1998, and 32 days later was October 23, 1998. He says the number 32 is associated with a covenant.
   
   
7. Astute biblical writer Bob Schlenker sees great significance in the year 1998, beginning the Famine Week (seven years), following the Abundance Week, which began in 1991. Bob also sees the Second Coming in 2005 but the rapture in 2001. His site is at http://home.cwnet.com/crm/. See his updated chart at http://home.cwnet.com/crm/tabledocu.htm.
   
   
8. Ron mentions a book titled, "Bible Prophecies 1998-2005," by D.S. Dutcher with at least 49 separate calculations that point to 1998 as the beginning of the tribulation. (Available for $5.95 by writing author at 8306 Mills Dr., Miami, FL 33183).

Was 1998 REALLY as significant as all the above indications suggests? Stay tuned. We will soon find out.

(A copy of Ron's papers on this and probably a copy of F.M. Riley's 1998 newsletter can be obtained by writing: Ron Reese, 1201 Idle Hills Rd., Brooklyn, MI 49230. Ron might not suggest a donation to cover his expenses but I am free to do so!)

Maranatha,