Are You Ready For "RAPTURE '98" ? @ Pilgrim Publications

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ARE YOU READY FOR RAPTURE 1998 ?

IF YOU MISSED "IT" IN '95, '94, '89, '88, OR SOME OTHER TIME — NOW YOU SHOULD PREPARE FOR ....RAPTURE '98 !

by BOB L. ROSS [Latest Update June 7, 1998]

Somehow, I missed all of the above Raptures — the one in 1995 sponsored by Peter Ruckman's student, Mel Turner (alias "Tale Turner") — Harold Camping's Rapture of 1994 — the "good guess" Rapture by Ruckman in 1989 — the Edgar Wisenut Rapture of '88 & again in '89 — and perhaps some other Raptures I am overlooking or didn't even hear about. And if you are reading this, I suppose you missed them all, too. At least they all have one "redeeming element" to them — they keep us posted that a Rapture is coming.

But you need not worry too much about missing all those Raptures, for their sponsors missed them, too. The only difference is, they may have made a little money off of selling their Rapture products, or gotten a little "attention" for awhile. That seems to be about all the past Rapture predictions were good for — get a little attention and make a little money. Or, they give fellows like me something to do by way of helping others to "be ready" for the next one.

Your next opportunity to make the Rapture will be May 31 of 1998 — unless someone else has already announced (or will yet announce) an earlier departure. I just wish it could come a little earlier, and knock-out having to file Tax Returns for '97; it would be worth it to catch an earlier Rapture, just to get out of filing those.

Anyway... the next one scheduled at this writing (so far I know) is the Rapture announced by "M. J. Agee," who we learned from her website is a woman. For over a year, she has boldly stated...

"Why I Expect the RAPTURE on Pentecost, May 31, 1998 — The Countdown: about _?_ months/days. We are running out of time to get right with God."

June 4, 1998 UPDATE — SOON AFTER May 31, 1998 came & went she changed to...

"Why I Expected the RAPTURE on Talmudic Pentecost, May 31, 1998, & now expect it on the Orthodox Pentecost, June 7, 1998, 31 years from the Sign of the End of the Age on June 7, 1967, when Israel took Jerusalem.

[her address is: Marilyn Agee, 8641 Sugar Gum Rd., Riverside CA 92508 USA]

Her name is "Marilyn J. Agee," so I will call here "MA" for short. Like all Rapture heralds worth their salt, MA has books for sale, which she says are the result of "a rectangle of light appearing on one verse in the Bible" [Jeremiah 50:2]. She says it took her 20 years "before I realized that God opened my eyes that night," but the wait seems to have been worth it. Now MA has three books to her namesake; she not only knows when the Rapture will take place, she also has "discovered Heaven," and you can learn its "exact location" and see it with "the naked eye." I don't know if you will actually see Heaven anymore than the "Pretseers" see Jesus' Return in A.D.70, for I haven't read the book to learn how to "see" Heaven. But if you have money you wouldn't mind donating, you can send it to MA for her book Heaven Found. And if you find it, let me know.

MA's story about the "rectangle of light" also includes her "hearing a masculine voice," and at that time she was reading Job 33:15 "in the Septuagint." Also, that "rectangle of light" appeared on her open Bible "in a darkened room." Maybe that's why I never get any "lights" like this, for I can't read in the dark and can't read the Septuagint.

Like all other Prophecy Experts, MA is greatly influenced by Matthew 24, especially 24:34. That's the verse that all the Prophecy Experts are inspired by, even if they don't all see it alike. Everything from "A.D.70-ism" to MA's Rapture '98 is based on Matthew 24:34. According to MA, the reason "1988" was not the Rapture time was because it was ten years too early. Instead of "40 years" after 1948, it should have been known that it would be "50 years." She explains all of this, and it all relates to "Pentecost" and the number "50." She has all the dates, and figures, and has it all worked out; I'll not bore you with all the details; just take her word for it. MA says it's all "LOCKED IN."

Of course, "1948" is "significant" because as we have been told 10 million times, that's when "Israel became a nation." I always thought it was in the Old Testament that Israel first was a "nation" and Israel was peculiarly a nation unto the Lord (Genesis 12:2), and was not "reckoned among the nations" (Numbers 23:9) but was reckoned unto the Lord. Ever since the Babylonian captivity, Israel has not been able to function as in the past, but a "restoration" is promised (Jeremiah 30-33). I never thought it happened in 1948 or 1967, but then, who am I? I never had a "rectangle of light" flash on my Bible in the dark, and I never heard a "masculine voice."

At any rate, MA has it all figured out, based on Matthew 24:34 and the 1948 matter, and she figures that 50 years will bring us to Pentecost Sunday in May 1998. In fact, she has it right down to the "hour," and advises you to "check your time zone." That thing in the Bible about "not knowing the day and hour" no longer applies; that only applied to "that day" before the last days. Sorta like it is with the "A.D.70" hermeneutic — Jesus didn't know the day, but He knew the "generation." All of these Prophecy Experts know how to explain all of those things so that it shouldn't give us any trouble. If we would "just listen."

Now, when something is really important in MA's writings, she noticed that her keyboard will just automatically use "CAPS." She can't explain it, for she doesn't do a thing to "lock" the caps. Well, I have had some times like that, too, but it's certainly not as MA's; mine seems to be my "flicking" my little finger on the wrong key. But with MA, it's not that, and she says it "has happened over a dozen times." She says seeing the capitals "are not of my doing." Well, we all know that "U-NO-WHO" did it, don't we?

MA also informs us that "baby church" didn't understand the prophecies (much like the "Pretskis" tell us about the church in A.D.70; it took them awhile to "catch on" to reading the Writings of Josephus, Eusebius, and Jerome). But now, MA says, the church today can understand, and she refers to Daniel 12:9-10. I personally have felt that the early church did understand, and if it had not gotten side-tracked through the writings of Josephus, it might have never misunderstood. But then — who am I?

Oh, by the way, MA says there will be "two Raptures." One will take place on Pentecost and the other one will take place before the Wrath of the Tribulation. The Church on Pentecost and the Tribulation Saints later on. Now, that ought to solve any debate about when the Rapture will occur. I don't know about you, but I am making my reservation for Rapture #1. If Peter Ruckman is right about the Antichrist coming in on a UFO to kiss people with two big black lips, I don't want any such a thing happening to me!

Now, don't think that MA got all of this information simply by her little self; she has had some help — from a fellow named "Bruce Baber." He helped on the "Two Raptures" thing. He also told her that "Enoch's and Elijah's translations foreshadow the two Raptures," and she said, "I just love to learn something new." Well, so do I! and that is certainly "a new one on me"! I'm tickled to death to learn about it!

MA says "the Rapture will probably take place during the night, which for the Jews precedes the daytime." Also, you must "remember that it will be Jerusalem time. Their days start at 6:00 P. M. the preceding day, our time. You may also need to find out how many hours they are behind or ahead of you in your time zone to calculate the correct day where you where you are located."

Now, this is getting a little "too worrisome" for a "slow-mo" like me; I wonder if anyone reading this knows about a Tour to Israel the last week of May 1998? I just might try to go on that Tour, to save me the trouble of having to figure all this "time" stuff out.

Well, that's about it, except you can read all this vital stuff at MA's website [http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/] and you are invited to copy her article and distribute it to others "at no charge." In fact, that might help MA sell a few more books, and you could "reward her" a little for helping you get ready for the next Rapture.

Too bad all you A.D.70 Pret-rappers have already had your "Rapture" in your "Matthew 24 time frame." Hope you enjoy the Great Tribulation!

[Note: I wrote this article in the summer 1997 — beware of any "changes" MA makes at her website as a result of increased publicity or her claims "to learn something new."]

NOTES OF INTEREST

by Bob L. Ross

PUT A "HOLD" ON THAT "RAPTURE" IN 1998 —

WRITER SAYS ITS NOT "DEFINITE" !

I previously wrote the article above ("Rapture '98"), reporting the findings of Marilyn J. Agee who set May 31, 1998 as the time for the Rapture. Well, I will have to "put a hold" on that, according to a recent mailing I received from a Brother Kincaid. He had a letter from MA (Agee) that it is not "definite." Here is part of the disturbing letter:

In a message dated 97-08-23 19:06:55 EDT, (Kincaid) writes:

<< > [quoting M. J. Agee — ]

> I don't say that the Rapture will definitely happen on Pentecost '98,
> just that it looks that way to me. I say to search the scriptures and
> see if these things are so. <<

Dear Kincaid: Now I am in a state of confusion! Here it is, I was making plans to take a Tour to Israel which would put me there "on time" for the Rapture — so I would not have to be "figuring out" the time-zones over here in relation to time in Jerusalem. Now MA says she is not "definite" about the matter! "It just looks that way to" MA. Jesus set the example: "We speak that we do know," not merely what "it looks" like to us (John 3:11).

This matter is too important to be peddling books on what "it looks" like. I have already "missed" several "looks-like" "raptures," and now I am hit with another "looks-like" thing. MA didn't have to tell me to "search the scriptures," as I have been doing that for years. I think she ought to "practice what she preaches," and do a little searching herself — and stop writing about what "it looks like" rather than what the Scriptures reveal. If there's no rapture next year, look for me to "write-up" MA as another case of Revelation 2:20.

"WONDERS" —

Will "wonders" ever cease?

Not as long as there's a sucker to buy the "wonder" !

All of the following comments were E-Mailed to My List during May/June 1998

YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT TO CHECK-OUT THE "RAPTURE" WEBSITE OF MRS. MARILYN J. AGEE

Her Website: http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/

I was checking-out the latest in prophetic information given on Mrs. M. J. Agee's website, and it crossed my mind that there are only a few days left till Rapture on May 31, 1998!

Mrs. Agee "saw a rectangle of light" on Jeremiah 50:2 which directed her to publish the revelation she had received about the Rapture. For the past several months she has been publishing responses from readers of her insights, and if you don't read these remarkable letters very soon, you will probably not have a chance after May 31. You will have either been Raptured, or Mrs. Agee will no doubt be deleting all of them from her website. In the latter case, you will have missed seeing just how many "suckers" have lapped up her teachings, bought her books, and been like unto those in Revelation 2:20 who followed prophetess "Jezebel."

I must confess, the latter is what I expect. "Sorry," but in all my life as a Christian since 1953 I have never read or heard a woman who is in some form of ministry over men who knew heads-or-tails about Bible doctrine. I just don't believe the Lord gives women the same gifts he gives to His God-called ministers — men who are called to do His ministerial work in public positions.

I have met many women who have made some really "weird" claims of certain "signs and wonders," but I never saw any evidence for their claims. I had one tell me once, when we doing some visitation work, that she was a preacher because she saw Jesus in a corner of the room and He "told her to preach." I read her a few passages which have to do with the work of the ministry, but she said she didn't care what the Bible said, she knew she saw Jesus and He told her to preach.

I had one stand right here at the counter in our local book store and tell me the story of how she died and then was raised from the dead. I had another lady tell me she and her husband were driving down the road and she looked up and saw Jesus in the clouds, but when she told her husband and he looked, Jesus had left.

Last December, a woman name Shirley came into our store and she told us that God had revealed to her that Jesus would return in December of 1998; I took her telephone number and I told her that if Jesus didn't come, I was going to call her on January 1, 1999 and ask her "who it was that told her that Jesus would return in December?"

A. A. Allen claimed he once cast a long snake out of a woman and the snake exited thru her mouth! He said he didn't see it himself, but a woman in audience saw it and told him what happened.

I don't mean to "pick on" the ladies, but it just seems to me that in my own observations, I have met with a whole lot of the female gender who are really very gullible and act in accordance with their subjective "feelings." I reflect back on the fact that the Scripture says Eve was "deceived," but Adam wasn't (1 Tim. 2:14). Does that perhaps indicate some sort of "inherent" difference between men and women in relation to spiritual things?

Every woman I ever heard trying to do ministry work over men is like what Spurgeon said about it: I think I recall he said a woman preacher was as strange a sight as a dog walking on its hind legs — seldom seen but a quite remarkable.

[If any of you know where this exact reference is found in Spurgeon, let me know. I may not have put it in the same words as he did, and I would like to refresh my mind.]

Anyway, check-out Marilyn's website before it is too late; you will be amazed at how many folks think she is "right on" about her Rapture prophecy. We'll see, won't we?

And wondering if the prophecy books by "MA" (Marilyn Agee) will be available if you perchance miss the Rapture on May 31, not-to-fear — YES, they will be available AFTER the Rapture.

She says —

"Revelations 2000 can also be found in B. Dalton's and other secular chains. I found it in the "New Age" section in B. Dalton's, but it is not a New Age book. Someone found it in Save-On and Target in Moreno Valley, CA.
The Lord has seen to it that my books are published and distributed world wide by Avon Books, a secular publisher so they will be available to people AFTER the Rapture."

BOB'S COMMENT: It could be that after May 31 Marilyn's books will be found at B. Dalton's discounted in the "2 for the price of 1" section and at Save-On and Target in the sci-fi section.

THE PREDICTED RAPTURE OF 1988 REPLAYED...

...IN THE PREDICTED RAPTURE OF MAY 31, 1998

Many of you may not remember that it was ten years ago that Edgar C. Whisenant ("Wise Nut") & the World Bible Society of Nashville, sent out thousands of copies of a small newsprint book, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Happen in 1988.

This book proved that the Rapture would take place in September of 1988. Its purpose was to scare the loot out people; it was priced at $2 each, or in quantities of 500 for $1 each.

Mr. "Wise Nut" sold cassettes, 4 for $12.95. He also sold his "590 Page Book of Research Notes" for $40.00. World Bible Society had an "800" number to field orders, and it of course accepted credit cards.

This line of products only benefited the author, publisher, and printer... unless you were in need of paper for starting fires, or as a "spare" when the Sears & Roebuck Catalog expired in the outhouse. Unless, of course, you believe the tall tale that "over 100,000 people either accepted Christ or rededicated their lives to Him," which would mean you believe that God uses false doctrine to win souls just as He uses the Gospel.

"Wise Nut" & World Bible Society claimed they published about 2 million books, and said they gave away 1.2 million. That means they sold about 800,000, and that is a nice sum of loot at either $2 or $1 a copy! (Barnum: "There's a sucker born every minute").

After making such a nice haul, he was inspired to do a re-run in 1989, figuring "once a sucker, always a sucker," and so he milked the suckers for another $2 in a book called The Final Shout, Rapture Report 1989.

Immediately, when I first heard about Edgar's '88 book, and saw a copy of it, I knew he was either a "nut" or a "con artist," or both. The front cover and back cover were printed so as to have one facing up, and the other facing down. You didn't know where to start or where to end. I thought, "This nut doesn't know whether he is coming or going!" And sure enough, he didn't!

The second book on 1989 was even nuttier than the first (if that is possible). Regarding the 1988 failure, the publisher had the "Alzheimer's" to say, "Mr. Whisenant MAY HAVE selected the wrong set of starting dates"!!!

"MAY HAVE"??? Where was this publisher in 1988?

He went on to say (falsely), "There are many Scriptures that point to a year's delay... I would give it at least a 50% chance in 1989; if not then, an abundance of Scriptures point to 1992. However, if the birth of Christ is off one or two years, then it could be 1990 or 1991. There seems to be a lot more evidence for '89 and '92 than any other time for the Rapture."

As I said above, the real "evidence" was that Edgar "Wise Nut" was a NUT, CON MAN, or BOTH. Take your choice. In a subsequent printing of the 1988 book, he had evidently begun to doubt his own prediction, and he changed the last part of the book title from "88 Reasons Why the Rapture WILL BE in 1988" to "COULD BE in 1988."

I made my choice early-on in 1988, writing Mr. Whisenant a letter and told him flat-out he was a FALSE PROPHET. I wrote an article entitled, "1988 Rapture Book — Pure Hokey" and posted it on our book store's bulletin board for all the customers to see. We had free copies of the article for any one to pick up and pass on.

My article said:

"To the Bible student, this book is utterly ridiculous. The only thing 'scriptural' about it is the fact that the Bible warns against such 'teachers' as Whisenant (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-9). It would be a waste of time to refute the book point-by-point — especially since the book will obviously self-destruct if the Rapture does not take place in a few months as the writer predicts. However, I am sure we will be treated to a sequel (if the Rapture does not occur), explaining how the author slightly miscalculated on a lunar date, or a Jewish feast, or the 280-day gestation period, or some other piece of 'data' on which his fables are supposedly based. But before the book self-destructs, as a Pre-millennialist I denounce this book as being on the 'lunatic fringe' and does not represent Pre-millennialism; I for one want to publicly go on record as denouncing it as being thoroughly unscriptural" (Acts 1:7 and Mark 13:33 were quoted).

As it turned out, I was the real "prophet," for note — Despite the failed Rapture (predicted for September 11, 12, or 13, 1988), the USA TODAY of Thursday, Sept. 15 carried a front-page item which quoted "Wise Nut" as saying that the Rapture would take place any day before the week-end!

It didn't take place, so he went to work on the "sequel" which predicted the Rapture for 1989! He had taken a cue from PETER RUCKMAN who had written, "Any man with any sense would have guessed 1989 as the latest possible date for a rapture IF OUR CALENDAR IS RIGHT" (BBB, 10/88, pg. 10).

Ruckman would later say, "It is now 1989. Personally, I think the Lord is coming in the late spring. I would guess somewhere between the 14th of May and the 20th of June. That, of course, is only a guess" (BBB, 1/89, pg. 5).

Ruckman proved to be about as good at guessing as his professed "correcting of 1600 years of scholarship" claim in regard to the Bible's history. In 1995, one of Ruckman's students at his Bible Institute took-up where Ruckman missed, and he predicted the Rapture for September 24, 1995. Ruckman gave him the boot, and said it was OK to make a "guess" or even "a very good guess," but it was wrong to set a "certain" date. Ruckman said this was "the third crack-pot nut we have tried to teach, who took that posture... making their teachers (Brother Donovan and myself) look like liars" (BBB, 11/95).

Now... here it is 10 years later, and we have another profiteer selling books predicting the Rapture. The date is May 31, 1998. The writer, Mrs. Marilyn Agee... has it all figured out, just like Mr. "Wise Nut" of 1988-89. She said "I saw a rectangle of light" on a verse of Scripture in Jeremiah —

"Yes, but I saw a rectangle of light on Jer. 50:2 that said to publish and conceal not. I copyrighted my first book in 1987 to prove I knew no end-time event was going to happen in 1988." [ http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/procon74.html ]

And the suckers are still buying it! Here are some of the recent comments on Mrs. Agee's website —

>> Incoming Email: Sunday, 5-24-98 "Dear Marilyn...

I don't want to wait until next week to thank you for all the time you have put into Bible study, and for being obedient to the LORD AND PUBLISHING THE TRUTHS HE REVEALED TO YOU."
[Marilyn says: Well, the all caps thing just happened to me! I thought I might have accidentally turned them on, so I erased it, turned off the caps, and was careful to see that the caps were NOT on after the "L". Still it came out in all caps again]!
"That's another confirmation to me that what you have written about the Rapture occurring this 5-31 is from the Lord.
I started this e-mail to tell you now, because in Heaven, you will probably be 'mobbed' by loving, thankful readers of "Bible Prophecy Corner" wanting to thank you for the all the time and effort you expended in clarifying and proclaiming God's Prophetic Word which previously was hidden. Now while reading in Psalms and Isaiah the Scriptures have just 'opened up' up to me...
I just wanted to tell you that today I printed out nearly all of your site, (minus pros & cons) and I plan to have them laying on my dining room table along with other letters and the video "Left Behind" by the LaLonde brothers. I will have a sign saying "Have We Vanished? You'd better read these. Your life depends on it!" I know undoubtedly it will make a profound impression on whoever comes to my home looking for me and your information may be what saves their lives."

Once again, as a Pre-mill after the order of C. H. Spurgeon and John Gill, I want to go on record as saying that Mrs. Agee does NOT represent Pre-millennialism. She's on the "lunatic fringe," just like "Wise Nut." She will probably also come out with a SEQUEL. These people NEVER repent and confess their deceptions. They always have some "explanation," and the one which is the most blasphemous of all is the one which seeks justification for their lies by saying, "Well, so many souls were won to Christ! It was worth it all, even if I was not exactly right!"

My question is, HOW can souls be won to Christ with FALSE doctrine?

GET READY FOR POST-RAPTURE "MALARKEY" BY MRS. AGEE ABOUT 1998-2001

Here is the latest on Agee's website, which gives us a clue of what she will be doing after May 31:

>> Incoming Email —

"Just want to know your thoughts on the subject matter of Rapture. What would your next thought be if it didn't happen? Would you think that you've left something out? Would you review the whole thing again and find out where you missed out? Or, would you just give up after 36 years of in-depth study of the prophecies in the Bible?"

"My reply" [Marilyn Agee says...] —

I would just say that it has to happen before the Feast of Weeks in 2001. I have said that all along.There is no giving up after the Bible gets hold of you.
For those that think we can't know the day or hour, the word "knoweth" is present tense. It was true on the day it was stated. It did not say we would never know. In Mark 13:23, Jesus said, "take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you ALL THINGS." What can we exclude from "ALL THINGS"?
I John 2:18, 20, 27 addresses the last generation: "Little children, it is THE LAST TIME...But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One, and ye know ALL THINGS... the same anointing teacheth you of ALL THINGS." All clues are in Scripture. The Holy Spirit will teach you if you are receptive.
Knowing when is not what is important, but being ready just in case is terribly important. We may only have __ days left. What have we got to lose in getting ready? NOTHING. What have we got to lose if it happens and we are not ready? PLENTY. We have to face the Tribulation without being able to buy or sell. Ouch! It is Satan's big trap. He intends for people to have no money for food, medicine, rent, no way to even get their own money out of the bank without taking the deadly forbidden Mark. Not only that, but there may be only one chance to be chosen as the Bride of Christ. Eve was not taken out of Adam's body but one time. Only the wise virgins went with the Bridegroom when he came. Absent from the body, present with the Lord means just that. It is instant cure and instant presence with the Lord. [ http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/procon108.html ]

BOB'S COMMENT —

Mrs. Agee says the Holy Spirit will teach you the things Jesus did not know, and which He did not teach to the Apostles, if you are "receptive." This means that if her predicted Rapture does not come to pass, to WHOM has she been receptive? Who shined that "rectangle of light" on her Bible?

Her use of I John, as if this teaches that we can know more about the Second Coming of Christ than Jesus and the Apostles, is a perverted interpretation. Jesus plainly said that the Holy Spirit would teach the Apostles "all truth" (John 16:13). "He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (16:15). The "all things" we can know from the Holy Spirit are the "all things" Jesus gave to the Holy Spirit, and we are NEVER told that this includes knowledge of the date of the Second Coming.

What did the Apostles learn from the Holy Spirit and teach in Spirit-inspired writings about knowing the "times and seasons," having been taught by the Holy Spirit? Paul said, "But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have NO NEED that I write unto you. For yourselves KNOW PERFECTLY that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:1).

This simply means that the Christians in Apostolic times knew everything that CAN BE KNOWN about the Second Coming, an event which is known ONLY to the Father (Mark 13:32; Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7). They were taught EVERYTHING which was necessary to prevent "the day" overtaking them as a thief in the night, for they were to always be WATCHING AND PRAYING (1 Thess. 5:1-11). The defense is in "Watching and Praying," not in discerning "times and seasons" and knowing the date. If they had known the date, they would NOT have to "watch and pray" BEFORE the date!

Marilyn Agee, Edgar Whisenant, Harold Camping, Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe, Jack Langford, Peter Ruckman, Charles Taylor, Marvin Byers and all the other prophecy teachers are living-proof that no one in 1998 knows any more about the date, times and seasons of the Second Coming of Christ... than the people at Thessalonica in the days of Paul.

"WONDERS" —

Will "wonders" ever cease?

Not as long as there's a sucker to buy the "wonder" !

JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT THEM, HERE ARE THE

TIMES OF THE PREDICTED MAY 31, 1998 RAPTURE

Here are Mrs. Marilyn J. Agee's times for the Rapture, according to time zones —

>>>

"I believe the church will be raptured on the exact hour of its birth in the country of its birth."

May 31, 9:00 a.m. ISRAELI time

May 31, 2:00 a.m. USA East Coast

May 31, 1:00 a.m. USA Central Time

May 30, 11:00 p.m. USA West Coast

"Both countries are now on daylight saving time —

move all times back one hour for God's real time."

May 31, 8:00 a.m. ISRAELI time

May 31, 1:00 a.m. USA East Coast

May 30, midnight USA Central Time

May 30, 10:00 p.m. USA West Coast

<<<

(the poem below is based on material from Marilyn's website)

May 30, 1998

THE NIGHT BEFORE RAPTURE

by Bob L. Ross

'TWAS the nite before Rapture, and all thru the house,

Marilyn was so busy, no time now for a nap!

Her books were being boxed, for Express Mail with care,

In hopes that at Petra, the Jews would read there.

The saints were all snuggling, in their beds in all lands;

Some of them not knowing, 'bout the great angel band.'

They had no computers, and had not even heard,

To know of the Rectangle, that had shined on the Word.

When out on the Internet, there arose such a clatter,

It seemed all had collapsed, Oh! what was the matter!

Then, a dash to her keyboard, in a great fit of haste,

Marilyn got on line, with no time to waste.

She pulled up her website, so loaded with hope,

She clicked all the links, to check on the "soap."

All of a sudden, her computer just froze!

She could get no response, it was all in a doze!

"What is the matter?" — she asked of herself;

"This never happened before;" then she reached to a shelf.

She pulled down her Bible, to see if it revealed,

Something she'd missed, that was yet still sealed.

As the Book fell open, it seemed to find its own place;

It was the Book of Jeremiah, an old familiar face;

As Marilyn beheld it, a verse seemed so bright;

Could it be.... ? ...another "Rectangle of light" ?

It was at Jeremiah 14, and... strange... the 14th verse;

"Oh, Oh!" moaned Marilyn; that one's a curse!

"Surely, my dear Lord, You have made a mistake;

You don't mean to say, this verse is for my sake?!"

Then Marilyn sadly read:

"Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies

in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded

them, neither spake unto them; they prophesy unto you a

false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the

deceit of their heart."

"Oh, well," sighed Marilyn; "Maybe I just missed it by a

year or so; I'll get back to my studies and come-up with

an explanation and the 'true' date of the Rapture...

...maybe even next year!"

RAPTURE PROPHETESS

SAYS SHE "SAW A RECTANGLE OF LIGHT"

I was taking a look at the "Rapture-Site" of Mrs. Marilyn J. Agee, who is predicting the Rapture Sunday May 31, 1998, and I noticed the following comment in one of her replies to letters. The first comment is from a reader, then follows Mrs. Agee's reply —

Reader: You must realize by setting a date you are tying your credibility to that date. If May 31 comes and goes with no Rapture, it will be very hard to take anything you say as reliable anymore.
MARILYN: Yes, but I saw a "rectangle of light" on Jeremiah 50:2 that said to publish and conceal not. I copyrighted my first book in 1987 to prove I knew no end-time event was going to happen in 1988.
BOB ROSS comments:
I, too, have seen some "light," but it is in 2 Corinthians 11:14, and it says that Satan is "transformed into an angel of light." The "light" of the Word of God indicates that Satan also has some "light" to offer, but his "light" is in conflict with the "light" of God's Word. When May 31 comes tomorrow, and there is NO Rapture, we wonder if Mrs. Agee will have any thoughts about that "rectangle of light" and who it was from?

A LETTER TO MARILYN — THE PARTY'S OVER

Dear Marilyn:

I checked your website to see whether or not I missed the Rapture, and noticed your comment:

There are a few I-told-you-so types, but so few that I have more hope for the Church displaying the love of God that they are supposed to have than I ever had before.

BOB'S COMMENT: I suppose I missed another Rapture, but evidently you missed it, too... like all the other past Raptures and their predictors. I am not going to say "I-told-you-so" for the simple reason this would be taking credit that belongs to the Lord. The LORD told people a long time ago (Mark 13:32, 33; Acts 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:1-11). He tells us all, clearly.

I have already displayed the love of God toward you in reproving your folly many months ago (Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:2-4) — just about as soon I as I was made aware of your website.

Now, I am once again displaying the love of God to you, in love exhorting you to renounce this hokey-pokey, repent and apologize for misleading naive people, and for giving them false expectations and hopes. Show yourself to be as good and humble at making confession as you have been at exhorting others to make confession. Perhaps your example could be the means of helping others avoid such folly as this in the future, and you could keep this from being a total waste. Take Jim Bakker for an example; he wrote a book, "I Was Wrong."

A couple of years ago (1996), on our return from the Christian Booksellers Association Convention in Anaheim, California (mid-July), we were almost out of gas nearing San Antonio to spend the night with friends. After many miles almost on "empty," we saw a gasoline sign and got off Interstate 10; nearby we saw a Country Music type place which had a gasoline pump. I went inside, and they were just about to close for the day, but we made it just in time to get gas. The proprietor of the place went over to the jukebox and selected the last recording for the day.

It was a Willie Nelson song, and in my memory I can still hear Willie's first few words...

"Turn out the lights, The party's over..."

The proprietor then went about counting up his cash register totals for the day. For some reason, that scene was recently brought to mind. Now that your party is over, and you have counted up your cash take in sales, how much money did the Lord bless you with?

written by Bob L. Ross

APOLOGY FROM BIBLE CODES AUTHOR

I was checking on the "Rapture websites" and actually, was pleasantly surprised to find the following apology from Peter Hader, the man who had thought he "found the date" of the Rapture in "Bible Codes." I did not see any apology on Mrs. Marilyn Agee's website. — Bob Ross

The Official Rapture In Bible Codes Web Site

Peter Hader's 5/31/98 Prediction & his Apology

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
May 31, 1998 came and went and nothing happened.
This letter is not easy for me to write. I'm devastated that the Rapture did not happen on this day. My head is spinning in confusion, and I'm dismayed. No individual wants to admit that he made a mistake, but I have. I'm telling you that I made a very big mistake. I admit it. I'm not running away from my responsibility.
Please hear me out.
My intentions were never to deceive, nor to give false hope, or false security. My intentions were pure and done out of love. I'm a Christian who deeply desires to see our Lord and Savior. I also wanted others to desire that too and to make themselves ready for His return. After much reading and studying I truly believed and was convinced that we would be gathered together by our Lord on Pentecost Day, May 31, 1998. I took that belief and applied it to the Bible Codes to see if that event was encoded. I thought that a Gregorian date was a valid entry. It was NOT. I know that now. I guess I was trying to make the date fit.
I cannot right this situation but I would like to try. I first want to apologize. I truly am deeply sorry in suggesting Christ's return on Pentecost. Second, I want to encourage everyone not to loose hope. Jesus Christ is that hope. It is Him that we desire to see, not some date on a calendar that comes and goes. Continue to seek Him out. I know that a great many of you are upset and hurt. Again, I am sorry. But please think of that day as a practice run.
On that day I fasted. I prayed with great passion and excitement as never before. I prayed for many others. I praised and thanked the Lord with tears of joy for all that he has done. I went about my daily duties in great anticipation, patiently waiting and hoping. The day came and went. Disappointment, confusion, great hurt, and horror followed. After some time and quiet thinking, I realized that I had to turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness, reassurance, and comfort. I received it.
That day was lived with great zeal. I'm going to carry that zeal over to the rest of the days I have left before He calls me up to Heaven whenever that day is. Yes I still believe He will Rapture away His Bride before the tribulation starts.
Thirdly, I'm going to put away my pen, keyboard, computer, and especially the Bible Codes software. I've misused a great gift, the Bible Codes. I feel that the Bible Codes are a beautiful gift from God revealing His power and greatness. I'm not worthy or spiritually mature to touch such a gift again. I've done enough damage. I think it is best if I leave it alone or for others to work on. I plan to stop, pray, meditate on God's words and listen to what God's will is for my life at this time. Stepping back, I can clearly see now that what I've done, I've done out of my own will, not God's. I thought it would be encouraging to others and make them get right with God. Again my intentions were never to deceive, nor to give false hope, or false security. My intentions were pure and out of love for others.
My research, although greatly flawed, will remain at this web address for some time for others to see.
>> Rapture in Bible Code Web Site <<
Yes, it is humiliating and embarrassing to have your name on flawed work, but I feel strongly that others can and should learn something from my mistakes.
What I've learned —
Use the Hebrew calendar (Hebrew dates) only. Never stray from the surface text's theme, topic, or subject when looking for encoded words — there should be a relationship between the two = text & encoded word. Concentrate on past or present events, topics or subjects.
I would like to apologize to God Himself, His angels in Heaven, and to all those who placed their hopes in what I've suggested to be our Lord and Saviour's date of return to Rapture us away. I'm sorry. I seek your forgiveness, mercy, and your prayers.
Your friend in Jesus Christ
Peter Hader
P.S. This small message goes out to the vicious, vial, and vulgar individuals who threw their stones [words] at me. You're truly the salt of the Earth — salt meant to be walked on. Before you start using that kind of language, examine yourselves to see if you are blameless and spotless of sin. What you have written, is not constructive criticism, but destructive. If you have nothing good or constructive to say keep your mouth shut. I never claimed to be a prophet. So don't call me a false prophet. Just a misguided Christian.

BOB'S COMMENT: I don't know if "congratulations" is the right word, but I am thankful that Peter has made this statement. It may serve as a reminder to others who get over-enthusiastic about discerning the "secret things that belong to God" (Deut. 29:29). We have so many revealed truths to attract our love and duty that we should not get distracted by trying to do things which might prove to be unprofitable.

READER REBUKES MARILYN'S PROPHECY

"BOB, below is an e-mail I sent to Marilyn yesterday, her reply, and my reply to her."

Subject: It's Time to Stop...

Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 16:02:56 -0700

From: William Kilgore <thinkman@flash.net>

Organization: http://www.flash.net/~thinkman/

To: mjagee@kiwi.net

Dear Marilyn:

I have held off writing until now, though I never gave your theories a second thought before. But enough is enough. Your sincerity is obvious, but so is your neglect of Scripture: NO ONE KNOWS, Marilyn — PERIOD!

Just repent of this error and heed the Word of God... forget this nonsense before you move from "sincerely deluded" to FALSE PROPHETESS status.

In Christ's Love,

William Kilgore

thinkman@flash.net

Marilyn's Reply

Subject: Re: It's Time to Stop...

Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 05:47:12 -0800

From: Marilyn Agee <mjagee@kiwi.net>

To: thinkman@flash.net

Hi — Don't give up yet.

I now expect the Rapture June 7, 1998. There is a calendar I did not know about. "The Calendar of the Orthodox Church" by Lewis Patsavos, says, "Jews originally celebrated Passover ON THE FIRST FULL MOON following the vernal equinox. Christians, therefore, celebrated Easter ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE FIRST FULL MOON following the vernal equinox."
This year, since the full moon was Saturday, April 11, that would have been the Jewish Passover. The Feast of Unleavened Bread would have been Sunday, April 12. The Feast of Firstfruits would not be the same day as Unleavened Bread. Thus, The Feast of Firstfruits would have been on the following Sunday, April 19. In the countdown of the Omer, day one would have been April 19. This places the 50th day, Pentecost, on June 7, and it is to be kept June 7 by the Orthodox Church.
In His love, Marilyn Agee <mjagee@kiwi.net>

Subject: It's Time to Stop... (2nd Time)

Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 09:20:04 -0700

From: William Kilgore <thinkman@flash.net>

Organization: http://www.flash.net/~thinkman/

To: Marilyn Agee <mjagee@kiwi.net>

References: 1, 2

Marilyn,

You really don't see what you're doing, do you? I actually feel for you... you must really long for His coming. BUT YOU ARE DELUDING YOURSELF AND MANY OTHERS.

I'll try one more time... here it goes — NO ONE KNOWS!!

That's it. End of story.

Don't you find it significant that MANY before you have engaged in this same thing and nearly ALL of them, after disapointment, have attempted RECALCULATIONS?!?! You are simply repeating the mistakes of others, Marilyn! They didn't know, and neither do you! NO ONE KNOWS!!

I believe the Word of God... THAT is why if anyone comes to me with a calculated date for the second coming I write them off immediately. WHY?? — NO ONE KNOWS!!

Quit trying to rationalize your mistakes by appealing to the "good" you think you've done for others. The "blessed hope" was already "blessed" LONG BEFORE you tried cramming it into your "carefully researched" timetable.

To sum up my point — NO ONE... KNOWS!!!!!

In Christ, William Kilgore

(after mailing the above & visiting Marilyn's site again, a further message to Bob Ross),

"Uh... don't know if you noticed or not, but WHY IN THE WORLD was Marilyn bothering to VACUUM on, of all nights, RAPTURE night?!?" — Bill Kilgore

Billy, this shows that " THINKMAN " is a worthy title for you! — Bob

"Thanks. Alas, my notes to Marilyn were sincere as can be. I genuinely feel sorry for the woman. She is a sad case. However, as I warned her, she has gone far enough. She originally seems to have made a (albeit, serious) error out of zeal without knowledge. But now with the amount of gullible followers that she has, her 'recalculations' are just plain IRRESPONSIBLE, much like Whisenant's 'second try.' "
"The really sad thing is... HAVE YOU SEEN HER WEBSITE?? I cannot believe how many believers have obviously not been equipped by their churches and fall for this stuff!" — Bill Kilgore

>> — MORE COMMENTS from others...

"But because the Agees and Campings of the 'christian' world are peddling their tractates to the naive, ignorant, and deluded, they have to get defensive to retain the loyalty of their true-believers in the face of rapture disappointment. I tire of these charlatans, but wonder what all we can do about 'em, save exposing them." — Tom

BOB'S COMMENT: One can only hope. Those silly, deluded, or warped enough to desire to *follow* the pin-the-tail-on-the-antichrist, set-the-rapture-date heretic dujour probably deserve what they are going to get if they accept the non-apology 'excuses' of the Agees and Campings of the prophecy portico.

I checked her website and she is now extending her "watch" through the next weekend. 'Course this is usually the way it goes with the date-setters... they just can't give it up. I was really shocked when Paul Hader was so quick to offer his apology. But I don't think he had any books for sale! — Bob

"Yup. Keep up the good work. It must be very painful for you sometimes to have to keep reading through all this slop. But you are an excellent choice, with your breadth of christian charity, knowledge, and experience. Young turks like me would make people mad, and accomplish less in the doing." — Tom

Another Reader's COMMENT: I tire of these charlatans, but wonder what all we can do about 'em, save exposing them. I view them in the light of 1 Corinthians 11:19, "There must needs be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

>> (another reader sends Marilyn a letter)

Dear Mrs. Agee,

I think that this is perhaps the most amazing thing that I have ever seen. You predict May 31, 1998 as the date of the rapture, and you "blunder" big-time. But that's OK! Because your speech is so smooth and your intentions so "pure" you convince others that it really is supposed to happen on June 7, 1998.

When June 7 comes and goes with no rapture (just like May 31), what sort of "spin" will you put on it then? People can only be "duped" so many times.

As the saying goes "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I am happy to say that you haven't fooled me even once yet.

Down throughout all of human history mankind has had this irresistible desire for secret, unknown knowledge. We want to have the "scoop". This is what fueled gnosticism, and this is what fuels your failed attempts. And come June 7, we will mark up one more failure to Mrs. Marilyn Agee.

Of course, I suspect that if you even reply to this, it will be something like "Why do you have to be so mean-spirited? Why do you tear down? Why can't you build up?" Such is the standard reply for those who make far-fetched false prophecies. When their "system" begins to crumble, they will feign persecution. "Why are you persecuting me?" they will say. And I suspect this is just what you will say.

Now here is what I would like to "hear" from you —

When June 7 comes-and-goes with no rapture, I would like for you to make a public apology to everyone that you have "suckered" into believing you. Admit that you were a false-prophetess and had absolutely NO RIGHT to try predicting the date of Christ's return.

Better yet: OFFER A FULL REFUND TO ALL WHO WERE "SUCKERED" INTO BUYING YOUR BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS.

Sincerely, Warren

THE SECOND RAPTURE IS PAST...

THE THIRD COMETH IN DECEMBER

by Bob L. Ross

Rapture Prediction #1 in 1998 (Garland TX, USA)

March 31, 1998 passed... without the Return of Christ.

Rapture Prediction #2 in 1998 (Riverside CA, USA)

Now, May 31 has passed... without the Return of Christ.

I am aware of one more precisely predicted Rapture, and that is in the month of December, no later than December 31, 1998. My local friend, Shirley, [of whom I have written before in previous e-mails], says that "God told her" that it would be in December, no later than the 31st. She does not profess to know the day, but it will be in the month of December.

But... despite the failure of the predicted Rapture, we did have a glorious Rapture here in Pasadena! It has been an "awful" month or more in this city. We have been engulfed by gray skies day-after-day due to smoke in the air which has drifted up from the fires in old Mexico. I have been made to be Thankful for sunshine and blue skies, for without them, it is rather depressing. Thank you, Lord, for sunshine, blue skies, and pretty white clouds!

But today, the gray was Raptured out — it's gone! I once again see blue skies and floating white clouds! Thank you, Lord!

Of course, that was the only Rapture we had, so far as I know. Unless you count the record temperature, which was raptured up to 97 yesterday, and the weatherman says it's a record.

MATTHEW 24:34 — THE POTHOLE OF DATE-SETTERS

I have said it before, but on this occasion of Marilyn Agee's May 31 1998 Prediction-Failure, I think it merits a repeat. The common error of most of the "prophecy experts" who deal with the "times and seasons" of the Second Coming of Christ is their error on Matthew 24:34:

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass way, till all these things be fulfilled."

They usually choke on the word "generation" in Matthew 24:34. That's what got Hal Lindsey; it got Edgar Whisenant, it got John Myers ("1981 Rapture"), it just got Marilyn Agee, and I could name some more who hold the same interpretation. They make the same common errors —

(1) They erroneously believe Jesus is "predicting" a time, contrary to His saying He did NOT know (Mark 13:32).

(2) They erroneously interpret "generation" as a "time period."

(3) They disregard the fact that the "generation" to which Jesus referred was RETROACTIVE to the days of Cain (Matthew 23:33-35; 2 Chronicles 24:20), and thus was not a "time period," but referred to people of a particular character, which He described as "a generation of vipers" (Matthew 23:33; 12:34, 39, 41, 45).

The "generation" of Matthew 24:34 corresponds to the same strain of unrighteous progeny presented in Proverbs 30:12-14. It is a term which means "progeny" (New Analytical Greek Lexicon, #1074, #1081, #1085), and refers to PERSONS, not to a span of time. [I have email articles on file which discuss this. Ask for articles on Matthew 24:34].

The date-setters and predictors hold to the same error on the word "generation" as the Preterists hold, only the "Prets" claim Matthew 24:34 was predicting the Second Coming in A.D. 70. Of course, this interpretation was post-hoc to A.D. 70, and it is somewhat of a retroactive "date-setting."

Modern Preterists picked it up from J. Stuart Russell's book, "The Parousia," and modern writers like Campbellite Max King, Campbellite Don Preston, and Southern Baptist John L. Bray spend most of their waking hours trying to substantiate the idea that Jesus returned as the Roman Army to destroy Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Since no one saw Jesus, not even Josephus, they have to find Him somewhere, so they make His coming synonymous with the Roman Army.

So the "time period" view is held in common by the extremists who set dates in the future and the Preterists who set the date in the past, A.D. 70. They presume Jesus was "predicting" a time, when in fact it was not in His "power" [commission] to teach any such idea as a date or a "time." He was simply teaching the CERTAINTY of His Return, which is as certain to take place as the certainty of God's indestructible Word:

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

It is in the Father's power ONLY to know the day, the "times and seasons," of Christ's Return (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7).

See my related Article —

The TIME of JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN

ISRAEL AND THE YEAR 1948

The modern date-setters usually take 1948 as their starting-point, for they believe this is "when Israel became a nation." They take the word "generation" to mean 40 years, then they start their spiritual mathematics, calculating the date.

Hal Lindsey said it would be "within 40 years or so" from 1948 (Late Great Planet Earth, pg. 43, Bantam 1990 edition).

John Myers said 1981 was "the latest possible date for the rapture" (News Outlook, The Moore County News, 9/10/80, pg. 11). John subtracted the 7 years of the tribulation from the 40 years, meaning 1948 plus 40 minus 7 equals 1981.

"Wisenut" taught the "time" idea — applying Matthew 24:34 from 1948, but did not subtract 7 years of the tribulation, meaning 1948 plus 40 equals 1988 (88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Happen in 1988, pg. 10).

Marilyn Agee focused on 1948 and noted there were 19 years to the 1967 war, plus 40 = 2007, then backed-up to 1998 via her calculations which you might still be able to read on her website (if not deleted).

All the date-setters calculated from 1948 and based their mathematics on a "time" concept on the word "generation." Well, my friend Shirley's method is much simpler: she simply says that "God told her" it would be no later than December 31. She hasn't offered any calculations, any theories about Jewish feasts, the 1948 date, or any other signs of that type. She just says God told her. At least she seems to be by-passing the effort to make the Scripture say what it doesn't say, or Jesus to know what He said He didn't know.

Of Shirley's claim to have heard from God about the Rapture, all we can do is wait and see.

MRS. MARILYN AGEE... 1 WEEK LATER...

IS STILL LOOKING FOR THE RAPTURE — "TARRYING" ?

HER DEFENSE OF ANOTHER PREDICTION

Remember the old "Millerite Adventist" movement in the 1840's? They missed the prediction for the Second Coming in 1843, then shifted it to 1844 and said they were in "tarrying time" till October 22, 1844 (see Froom's Prophetic Faith of our Fathers, Vol. 4, chapter 37).

Then they missed it on October 22, 1844, and here is Froom's description —

"At last October 22 dawned, bright and clear. The Adventists repaired to their meetinghouses or held small religious services in their homes. They met at an early hour and continued in watchful prayer, meditation, and song most of the day. Those were solemn hours, hours big with hope — the last hours of time, they believed. They were standing on the brink of eternity, and would soon see Him whom, not having seen, they loved. There were at peace with all men, with every sin confessed. Their work was done, and they were anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of God's promise. Within a few hours they believed the heavens would roll together as a scroll, the elements melt with fervent heat, and their Saviour would appear."
"From one home, as the day was ending and the Saviour had not come, the sun was seen sinking over the western hills. Its last rays lighted up a cloud near the horizon, and it shone like burnished silver and gold. It was a glorious scene, and the father rose expectantly from his chair, thinking it might be the Saviour coming. But it was only a 'sun-kissed cloud,' and the family resumed its waiting. Thus the day wore slowly on to its weary close, though far into the night the faithful kept vigil. But from those exalted heights they were soon dashed to the depths of despair.
"The Lord came not, and the day of sweet expectation had become the day of bitter disappointment."
(pgs. 825, 826)

Froom goes on to describe the "courses" adopted by the disappointed in accounting for no-return of Christ. Theories of a "Shut Door" and a "Heavenly Sanctuary" were proposed.

Miller excused himself in his calculations by saying he had "no absolute chronology" as his guide, but insisted that "The signs of the times thicken on every hand; and the prophetic periods I think must certainly have brought us into the neighborhood of the events."

One Adventist splinter "saw in the Disappointment a test of those who were willing to make every sacrifice to be ready to meet their Lord, and then to hold their faith in the face of bitter disappointment" (ibid, pg. 841).

This group developed the "cleansing of the sanctuary" concept and became the largest of the Adventist movement, according to Froom.

It seems that Mrs. Agee has fallen into a similar "defense mechanism" of sorts, rather than acknowledging her basic error of contradicting plain Scripture (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7).

>> Here is Marilyn's latest submission on her website (June 3, 1998) —

In Mt. 25:2, the ten virgins "took their lamps, and WENT FORTH TO MEET the bridegroom. Could this symbolize our expectancy last week end? Now look at verse 5. The KJV has "While the bridegroom TARRIED." That follows after what happened in verse 2. For whatever reason, he is now tarrying.
Then in verse 6, "at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." This follows the tarrying, which follows the going forth to meet Him. During the tarrying, "they all slumbered and slept." The tarrying was long enough after their going forth for them to sleep. And remember, the Jews stay up all night on Pentecost. They read the book of Ruth, who was a type of the Bride, and in the morning read the Ten Commandments. The next night, they sleep. This seems to put sleeping off at least one more night.
The Lord gives insight to different people in different areas. No one person knows it all. We can put more of the picture together by comparing notes. With that in mind, take a look at a section of a FAX I received.
It says, "I saw the reference to Noah being shut up for seven days before the flood started. I have been wondering for some time how we should interpret that for a present day correlation. It doesn't sound logical to pass Pentecost for a seven day waiting period unless there is a correlation and a reason for the waiting period. As I was typing this I may have come up with the reason, based on Noah. What happened in Noah's time: Noah tried to save the people and no one would listen. People could be saved until a certain day. At that certain time Noah and his family were sealed. No one could be added to that group after that. The flood was not happening but the choosing had been done. Marilyn, do you think Pentecost (May 31) could have been the end of the time anyone could make a choice? That means the Bride was selected and sealed. No one may be added. The selection process is over. Now we are in the seven day waiting period, the same waiting period Noah had. COULD THIS BE IT? It is biblical and fits."
Not that it has to be significant, or tie in, but this wheat in the field near my house is READY, but not yet harvested. Right now, the Bride seems to be READY, but not yet harvested too. What do you think about the quote above? Does it make sense? It is certain that no one else got to go into the Ark after the day Noah's family entered. Gen. 7:13,16 says, In the selfsame day entered Noah... And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." Verse 10 says, "And it came to pass AFTER SEVEN DAYS, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth."
Water can stand for God. The Holy Spirit is as a well of living water welling up within you, and Jesus Christ is "the great rain of his (God's) strength" (Job 37:6). Does this tie in with the great rain in Noah's day that came after seven days of waiting?
We are supposed to watch. For me, I am going to watch that wheat in the field. THEY CAN'T WAIT A YEAR TO HARVEST IT. I am going to stay ready and wait patiently and expectantly the rest of these seven days, which will end with the Greek Orthodox celebration of Pentecost. Just maybe, this all expands on what we knew before. Let me know what you think.

BOB'S COMMENT: "What do I think?" I think you might consider calling your neighbor and ask him when he is expecting to do his harvesting; then you can make an accurate prediction on the Rapture! If the wheat has any significance to the Rapture, it surely makes more sense than anything I have read on your website thus far.

Marilyn says, "We are supposed to watch. For me, I am going to watch that wheat in the field. THEY CAN'T WAIT A YEAR TO HARVEST IT." Marilyn, just call your neighbor and find out when the harvest is expected to be done; surely this wheat farmer has some expected date of the harvesttime. "Looks like some weeds have been cleared in the wheat field on the far side. Harvest approaches." Please, Marilyn, P-L-E-A-S-E... just give your neighbor a call! If you can't call him, send me his telephone number and I will call him, find out the date of harvest, and let you know!

>> Marilyn says —

Some have asked what I did the night of May 30/31. Didn't mean to, but I slept. My shoulder and hand ached, I threw my back out of place vacuuming, so laid down "for a few minutes" and woke up the next morning still in my clothes. I don't think there was anything that didn't hurt. I was in what seemed like total pain from head to foot. I had planned to stay up all night like the Jews. Didn't work out that way. Maybe I'll do better next week. Anyway, like the ten virgins, I "slumbered and slept."

BOB'S COMMENT: Marilyn, this really looks bad... I mean, really bad. You say you want to be the "Wake Up Call," yet you are Asleep at the Wheel? It sorta reminds me of the story of the young bride-to-be who prepared feverishly for weeks for her wedding, then on wedding day she failed to show. She had taken a nap before the time of the wedding and slept right through it!

I thought the Rapture was supposed to deliver us OUT OF the tribulation; whereas in Noah's Ark, they were saved DURING the flood of rain? That doesn't seem to "fit." Also, will my little friend, Baby, my little Yorky, be raptured, too (considering the animals in Noah's Ark)? I sure hope so! Baby always goes with me — everywhere.

I think the Noah idea is very much like the "Shut Door" idea of the Adventists, and the same deceiving spirit that was at work in 1844 may be at work in 1998! In fact, when one reads the comments from William Miller after the no-return, and compares them with Mrs. Agee's post May 31 comments, they are remarkably alike. Note Miller's comments:

"It is to me almost a demonstration, that God's hand is seen in this thing. Many thousands, to all human appearance, have been made to study the Scriptures by the preaching of the time; and by that means, through faith and the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, have been reconciled to God" (ibid, pg. 859).

And a new Cult was born... One wonders if a new Cult will be born out of the Marilyn Agee Rapture prediction.

Marilyn, when we used to play ball back in younger days, we always let the girls have "an extra strike" if they missed on third strike. We are going to be generous and give you one more "strike" this weekend. But after that, Marilyn, we are going to propose that your head measurements be taken to have a "pattern" for sculpturing your image, to be added to the famous images of prophecy predictors past on the Mount Rushmore of Prophecy Predictions.

If it does not take place this weekend, surely after two misses you will have earned your place with the likes of the Millerites, Whisenant, Camping, Lindsey, Ruckman, Turner, Taylor, and others of like prophetic notoriety. — Bob Ross

(another poem based on material from Marilyn's website)

June 6, 1998

THE NIGHT BEFORE RAPTURE #2

by Bob L. Ross

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL ?

Last Saturday night, I watched for the Rapture,

Checking the clock on the wall;

MA* had assured it would happen,

And I was prepared for the call.

Out in the state near the sunset,

MA was vacuum'n over the house;

She was leaving it all in good order,

With Computer, Printer, and Mouse.

As she tired from predict'n and mous'n,

And webbing and bookmarking links;

She took time out from her laboring,

To take some well-deserved winks.

But lo! the morn' did soon come,

And MA was "dead" in her rest;

When she awoke and was not up in Heaven,

She wondered if she'd failed the test!

She checked on the Wheat, and 'twas there,

And no clamor outside did she see;

It looked like no Rapture had happened,

Now... what would the next date be?

She thought 'bout Noah and the Deluge,

How they were inside thru day number 7;

"That's it!" exclaimed MA in excitement!

It's next week we'll go up to Heaven!"

"That's the Greek Orthodox calendar's Pentecost,

Why didn't I see it before!?

I'll report to my loyal e-mailers —

'We'll go up in just 7 days more!"

So now, we again watch our clocks,

And the world will soon have the first Seal;

Let's hope and pray that this weekend,

MA won't be ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL !

* Dedicated to MA [Marilyn Agee], who says she went to sleep on the night of the predicted Rapture, and slept right through it! http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/

RAPTURE "PROPHETESS" MARILYN J. AGEE

SAYS SHE IS PRAYING FOR THE MOCKERS

I checked Mrs. Marilyn Agee's website and took note of the following remarks, to which I am replying to her, who is making a second vain prediction that the Rapture will take place on June 7, 1998 (after missing her prediction of May 31).

>> Mrs. Agee writes —

Don't worry. I forgive all. I have and do pray for everyone that has sent me letters or email, good or filled with hatred. Lord, forgive them all, in Jesus' name, Amen. I have even prayed for mockers, like Bob Ross and Frank Lee Tulloch that certainly exude no love of God toward me, to make it in this Rapture.

BOB'S COMMENT: Dear Mrs. Agee —

I know it is difficult to accept rebuke as an expression of love, as it is difficult for a child to accept chastening from a responsible, loving parent; but the fact is, I am grateful to the Lord for His chastenings, for if I did not receive them, it might be evidence that I am not His child.

Hebrews 12:5-11 —

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when there art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, where all [of God's own children] are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but GRIEVOUS: nevertheless AFTERWARD it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

So, you see, Mrs. Agee, it is because of love for the Lord, His Word, your welfare, and the welfare of those to whom you are writing that some of us have rebuked you with what is so obviously the Truth: Neither the Son, nor the Angels, nor the Apostles, nor any other BUT THE FATHER ONLY knows the time of our Lord's Return (Matthew 24:36).

It was not for the Disciples to know the times or seasons which the Father hath put IN HIS OWN POWER (Acts 1:7).

Paul told the Thessalonians that as to the times and the seasons of the Lord's Return, YE HAVE NO NEED that I write unto you (1 Thess. 5:1).

Mrs. Agee, if a church in Apostolic times had no need for instruction in the "times and seasons," surely the same is true of the rest of time. Like them, we ALREADY KNOW all there is for us to know about the "times and seasons."

How many times must we be told? How many Rapture predictions must fail? How many Hal Lindseys, Edgar Whisenants, Harold Campings, Peter Haders and Marilyn Agees must it take to confirm the Word of God of over 1900 years ago? [uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Mark 13:32, 33; Acts 1:7) and repeated by the Holy Spirit thru inspiring the words of Paul (1 Thess. 5:1, 2)]

Mrs. Marilyn Agee —

IF...

your prediction were to come to pass, know what it means?

It would simply mean that you have DISPROVED the WORD OF THE LORD!

YOU would have proved JESUS to be a LIAR!

That is not very commendable of one's profession to believe in and love the Lord.

I do love you, Mrs. Agee, and am rebuking you in the name of the Lord, on the basis of what His Word plainly says — not in a "CODE" and not according to an apostate Church's (Greek Orthodox) calendar and observance of a Jewish day which has already been fulfilled:

"Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (Galatians 4:11, 12).

The Old Testament Jewish days and ceremonies had their significance as shadows, figures, and patterns (Hebrew 11), but they were not designed to teach something that is known ONLY TO THE FATHER.

Mrs. Marilyn Agee —

Jesus SAID "We speak that we do know" (John 3:11).

You "spoke" once — May 31, 1998; but you knew nothing. You have "spoken" twice — June 7, 1998. You know NOTHING!

You say you are praying for me; I appreciate the prayers of any person; but I do hope there is more efficacy to your praying than to your knowledge of the Bible on prophecy.

After your second missed prediction on June 7, as a professed Child of God, then go back and read the verses from Hebrews 11, and submit to the chastening of the Lord for a froward spirit in "intruding into those things" which you HAVE "NOT SEEN, vainly puffed up" by your "FLESHLY MIND" (Colossians 2:18).

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee (Titus 2:13-15).

This is what I have done, Marilyn. I have exhorted you and rebuked you in the authority of the plain and clear, unambiguous teachings of the Lord. You will not "despise" (overlord) me in this matter, for I am presenting to you the authoritative Word of the Lord. — Bob L. Ross

WHAT THE HOLY SCRIPTURES REVEAL ABOUT KNOWING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN

Dear Marilyn —

On this eve of another Failed Rapture prediction, I want to share with you where I believe you have basically gone wrong. I noticed from your website that you evidently are misunderstanding the following Scriptures, as presented on your website:

>> Marilyn says —

Timing of All Major End-time Events Foretold

In the New Testament, Jesus clearly stated that ALL things were foretold and that NOTHING was hidden that would not be known. That includes the dates of the Rapture and the Second Coming. He said, But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things (Mark 13:23).

>> BOB'S COMMENT:

Did you not notice in the same chapter that one of the "THINGS" which the Lord FORETOLD to His disciples was that no man, no angel, neither the Son, "but the Father" only knew the time of His return? That was one of the "THINGS" He foretold.

>> Marilyn says —

there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known (Matthew 10:26).

>> BOB'S COMMENT:

Jesus did not "cover" the fact that ONLY the Father knows the time of the Return. Otherwise, the Apostles might have done the same thing you are doing — WASTING TIME trying to "find out" the time of the Return. In the Father's own time, the coming of Christ will be made known, for "every eye shall see Him" (Rev. 1:7). One day you WILL know.

>> Marilyn says —

Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest: neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad (Luke 8:17).

>> BOB'S COMMENT:

The fact that no one but THE FATHER knows the time of Christ's Return is not "secret," it has been made manifest, and it has come abroad. I even have it on our website:

(read) The TIME of JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN

No one with a Bible has any excuse for not knowing the fact that the time of the Return of Christ is known ONLY to the FATHER.

>> Marilyn says —

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known (Luke 12:2).

>> BOB'S COMMENT:

Jesus did not "cover" the fact that only the FATHER has the time of the Return in His knowledge, and this has been "revealed" in the Scriptures, and is known — even YOU know it, but you apparently refuse to obey this teaching, and you are seeking to disprove it. You will die trying!

>> Marilyn says —

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Ifany man have ears to hear, let him hear (Mark 4:22).

>> BOB'S COMMENT:

And indeed, ALL THROUGH HISTORY it has been known that the FATHER ONLY knows the time of the Return. How many hundreds, perhaps even thousands, have dared to say otherwise... and made predictions, guesses, charts, codes, had dreams, visions, heard voices, seen signs, and had other alleged revelations about the Return, yet they ONE AND ALL are TESTIMONIES TO THE TRUTH OF CHRIST, in His Resurrection Glory, as He spoke to His Apostles before His Ascension back to the Father:

"IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR THE SEASONS, WHICH THE FATHER HATH PUT IN HIS OWN POWER" — Acts 1:7

This passage is the Death Knell to all supposed times of the Return of Christ, everything from Preterism's "A.D. 70" date to your 1998 dates, and all dates which shall be proposed hereafter — and there will be many. I noticed another such proposal on a website a few minutes ago — 2000 A.D.

Within a matter a few hours, you will have learned for the SECOND TIME what you already knew from the Word of God, but did not believe: "MY FATHER ONLY" (Matthew 24:36).

S-O-S!!!!

MARILYN'S DINGHY SMASHES INTO THE ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (MARK 13:32) ONCE AGAIN!

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" — Mark 13:32

This "Rock of Gibraltar" has been assaulted the last two weekends, May 31 and June 7, but not even a sliver was splintered from it. The pretentious California dinghy, "Wake Up Call," tossed to and fro by the foamy, scumy waves of internet pollution, twice was hurled against the impenetrable embodiment of Divine Revelation, and both times was utterly repelled, forced to flounder without rudder or sail, while the deluded Shipmaster drained the last drop of intoxicating dregs from a grail of Greek Orthodox White Lightning.

While out in California a local Southern Gospel radio station expectantly played Albert Brumley's classic, "I'll Fly Away," and the "Wake Up Call" was gurgling toward starboard side, beginning to resemble the "ship of Alexandria" (Acts 27), a stanza of another song was softly heard on board the distraught dinghy, beginning with, "In times like these..."

Back to the shipyard for Marilyn, Peter, Jack, and others of the "Prophetic Phantasies, Codes, & Fancy Twistings and Turnings Manufacturing Co."

ON THE "SERIOUS SIDE" —

Not as a defense of Mrs. Marilyn Agee by any means — for she has had more than ample exposure to the Scriptures — but something must be said about her "roots" with regard to her fabulous flights of prophetic phantasy. How did she ever arrive at such deviant delusions? Who are those who influenced her thinking on predictive prophecy?

Much of her thinking on prophecy, as she has revealed, is derived from people such as R. B. Thieme, Hal Lindsey, David Hocking, and men of this "school of thought," which would include Van Impe, Church, LaHaye, Robertson, TBN, etc.

The plague of "preterism," which essentially is a presumption to discern and pronounce fulfillments of prophecy, permeates the theories of such prophecy teachers. Their particular brand of "premill preterism" focuses upon theories about Israel in 1948 and the 24th chapter of Matthew, especially the word "generation" (24:34). Such fallacious presumption was imbibed by Mrs. Agee long, long ago, and her mind ultimately shipwrecked in the extremities of the swirling waters of predictive error. It was the same delusion which shipwrecked Edgar Wisenut in 1988-89 and Harold Camping in 1994.

Some of the ultimate responsibility for such cases of scriptural absurdity must be placed at the doorsteps of those who have presumptuously declared "fulfillments" of various sorts, beginning in 1948 with Israel. This "golden calf" of practically all current "prophecy ministries" is a "compass" which will lead any vessel into the destructive waters of prophetic shipwreck. It is a convenient guide for prophetic commerce ($$$), but its cargo is as stable as Mrs. Agee's experience has demonstrated.

We wait to see how Shipmistress Marilyn goes about recovering the splinters of her disintegrated dinghy and what course she will next pursue in her efforts to navigate around the Rock of Gibraltar, Mark 13:32.

MORE UPDATES & COMMENTS WILL BE POSTED SOON

*****************************************************************

C. H. SPURGEON ON THINGS TO COME —

"We are to expect the literal advent of Jesus Christ, for he himself by his angel told us, 'This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,' which must mean literally and in person. We expect a reigning Christ on earth; that seems to us to be very plain, and to be put so literally that we dare not spiritualise it. We anticipate a first and a second resurrection; a first resurrection of the righteous, and a second resurrection of the ungodly, who shall be judged, condemned, and punished for ever by the sentence of the great King." [from Things to Come MTP Vol 15, Year 1869, pg. 329, 1 Corinthians 3:22 (age 35)]

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"The day will come, when the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the trump of the archangel and the voice of God. Some think that this descent of the Lord will be postmillennial — that is, after the thousand years of his reign. I cannot think so. I conceive that the advent will be PREMILLENNIAL — that he will come first, and then will come the millennium as the result of His personal reign upon the earth."

| from Justification & Glory MTP Vol 11, Year 1865, pg. 249, Romans 8:30 |

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