88 Reasons why Jesus is coming back in 1988

Twenty-one years ago Edgar Whisenant sold 4.5 million copies of a book called "88 Reasons why the Rapture will be in 1988". I don't have to tell you this book isn't selling well today. Why was Whisenant so sure that the Rapture would take place in 1988 and where did he go wrong?

First, Whisenant saw the rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948 as prophecied by Isaiah (Isaiah 66:7-8) as the key event. The reason is because Jesus said, "Learn the parable of the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place" (Matthew 24:32-34).

Whisenant saw the rebirth of Israel as the fulfillment of the parable of the fig tree. Most endtime prophesy experts totally agree with Whisenant. In short, figs represent the Jewish people and trees represent nations. The rebirth of the Jewish nation is the fulfillment of the rebirth of the fig tree.

Next Whisenant looked at the words which Jesus spoke, "This generation will not pass away until all these things take place." Whisenant surmised that a generation in the Bible is 40 years. However, throughout the Bible a generation is anywhere from 35 years up to 120 years. I believe the easiest explanation is sometimes the best explanation. The most simple explanation regarding "this generation not passing away" until all these things take place is that the entire generation that was alive on May 14, 1948 will not completely pass away, until all these things be fulfilled.

My own mother was 365 days old when Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948. Her and her generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Daniel confirms that although the Jewish people are one of two keys to fulfillment of all endtime events. The other key is Jerusalem and not the nation of Israel as a whole.

Daniel received from the angel Gabriel the prophecy which we today know as Daniel's seventy weeks. The "Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city" (Daniel 9:24). The prophecy is for the Jewish people and the holy city of Jerusalem. This prophecy predicts to the exact day when Jesus would be presented as king. Jesus Himself makes reference to the mid-tribulation event of the "Abomination which causes Desolation" (Matthew 24:15, Daniel 9:27).

The key to all endtimes prophecies is the seventy weeks of Daniel which surrounds rebirth of the Jewish people and the holy city of Jerusalem, which did not take place in 1948. The event that reconnected the Jewish people and the holy city was the "6 Day War" in June of 1967. It wasn't until 1967 that the Jewish people laid claim to the holy city of Jerusalem.

All we can be sure of is that the seventieth week of Daniel would not begin until after the Jewish people and the holy city were united. We also know that this "entire generation" will not pass away or die off until all these things regarding the second coming of Jesus comes to pass.