Ted’s Response:

I think that "surrealistic and on the verge of a nightmare" is a good description as well. Had things not been falling apart socio-economically and in other ways in the USA (and, actually, globally as well), especially after 2008, that alone would have made me question the validity of my 70th Week hypothesis. But up until April 4, 2010, I saw absolutely nothing that did not "fit" right into place.

That is why, on April 4, I was surprised not to see the anticipated midpoint events happening. Again, I cannot be absolutely 100% certain that they did not; but I still have seen nothing, for certain, indicating that they did. So, frankly, I do not know, for sure, whether or not we have entered the Great Tribulation or not.

I will tell you how I have been looking at things since April 4, 2010. For one thing, my faith has not been shaken one bit. I've always known that God is infinitely greater than I can imagine. The fact that nothing seems to have happened actually supports that idea for me. If the prophesied events did not fit into the time frame that I had expected, then it lets me know that whatever He has in mind will be even more clever and mind-boggling than what I had in mind, for well over 3 years. It just makes me love Him more, feel even closer to Him, and want to search out His thoughts and ways more intensely than I ever have before.

We know that He created everyone, including Hollywood producers and film makers. All of us have watched movies that have kept us right on the edges of our seats, with our fingernails dug in. Well, right now, I kind of see all of this as the most extremely intriguing, fascinating, gripping "motion picture" or "reality show" I've ever seen. I feel that the "script" the Father has written, with the Son, Jesus, as the "main Star," is going to keep everybody guessing right up to the very end (which will be at different times for various people, considering the primary and secondary rapture events).

By thinking about things in this way, paradoxically, all of the things that I do not understand make sense to me. Right now, I really would not expect anything less from God than a series of unexpected events; and, once they're all over, we will look back and see how precisely they fit into all of the ancient biblical prophecies. Yet, we won't necessarily see this before all of the end-time events take place. Basically, it has got to be infinitely more complex than any high-powered, tense, nail-biting Hollywood movie we've ever seen.

Since I have reconciled myself to the strong possibility that we simply may not be able to figure out the "script" before it plays out, then that has put my focus a great deal more on Adonai than on the "script" itself. I now am experiencing much more peace of mind and heart than I was before April 4, 2010, when I was thinking that there might be a partial mid-tribulation rapture of "firstfruits" believers during that weekend and pondering what my frame of mind would be if I were left behind.

Well, essentially, we've all been left behind; so I am in a very large boat with other believers, some of whom had been anticipating the same things I was. Yet I find myself to be less stressed out and more relaxed spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically than maybe I ever have been before. I realize that I will have absolutely no control over, and maybe even no knowledge of, events to come, as dreadful and horrifying as they might be. This has caused me to hand over all of my thoughts and feelings to Him, willingly and without reservation. I do not really know what to think or how to feel, so I am just going to trust Him to give me the thoughts and feelings that I should have, in good time.

Unlike many people, I am not at all optimistic about the path on which our nation (USA) and world are moving. I have an overwhelming sense that there is absolutely nothing we can do to change our disastrous course and our inevitably catastrophic collision with destiny. Moreover, there appears to be an increasing frequency of moderate to large earthquakes, in various places; so it seems that even the earth itself is becoming more unstable.

Somehow, these things are not bothering me, though, as much they seem to be troubling many other people. It's not that I don't care; it's that I have complete and total hope and faith in Adonai, not in mankind, to do the right thing. His "script" and "agenda" will prevail, not ours. I am not going to panic; I am going to be busy telling others about Him and doing whatever else that I feel He wants me to do, for as long as I am able.

I am convinced that, within a few years (maybe a bit later than I have been thinking, but probably not too much later), the complete collapse of the entire, manmade global system will occur. And if I happen to be a casualty somewhere along the way, so what? It's OK with me because, comparatively speaking, any suffering and anguish I might have to undergo here will be insignificant when measured alongside an eternity of pure ecstasy and joy that I know I will experience with the only One I truly love and long to be near.

So, although I have stocked up on food, water, and other things, I realize that all of my supplies could be stolen or destroyed, or that I could be killed or dragged away to a concentration camp, or that any of a number of other unknowns could happen to me or my possessions. As such, I am praying more regularly and focusing more intently on the Word of God and its eternal teachings, which are vitally important and essential in both good times and bad times. Unlike Peter, I want to strive to keep my eyes focused on Yeshua, as the storm rages around me, and thus have a better chance of staying afloat.

When I start becoming anxious and apprehensive about the ominous things that are happening around me, I like to focus on titles and attributes of God. Here are my favorites:

• Jehovah-Adonai (Sovereign Lord or Master)
• Jehovah-Jireh (Provider)
• Jehovah-Rohi (Shepherd)
• Jehovah-Shalom (Peace)
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Righteousness)
• El Olam (Everlasting or Eternal)
• Redeemer
• Rock

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)

The world only can take my physical life, but it cannot send me to hell. I will be with Him in the end, one way or another. Knowing this to be a fact provides me with solid tranquility, serenity, and calmness that no one can take away from me. I hope that others can find this as well.