Q&A 16 - 14,000 DAYS

Q - The Bible often refers to a generation. Some say a 40 years is a generation. Are there other possibilities?

A - Matthew 24:32-24 speaks of a fig tree. There is much controversy over what this tree symbolizes. Spiritual Israel is usually allegorically symbolized by the olive tree. However, the physical nation of Israel may be the fig tree in this passage - at least in typological layering! If this is so, Israel (the fig tree) was still young (less than 20 years old), and was starting to put forth her leaves (when she was given Jerusalem), and branching out into other regions awarded her by her victories during unwanted conflict. From the timing the leaves appear, Matthew 24:34 says that a "generation" shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. This word "generation" is Strongs #1074, and means "age"; "time"; "NATION". Considering the entirety of the meaning of this word, we note that it is a time or age of a NATION. If the beginning of this "generation" was marked by the sprouting of the leaves (recovery of Jerusalem, etc.) in June of 1967, then the obvious question would be: "How long is a generation?".

I believe it is just slightly less than 40, but before I jump right out there with what I see as the strongest potential, allow me lay some foundation for it. Seven is the number of perfection in Jewish reckoning. It is used to mark finality in a number of cases in the word. Two thousand also seems to be somewhat significant, as Hosea 6:2 seems to prophetically hint that the Lord will revive us (raise us up to live in His sight) in the THIRD day (a millennial day is 1,000 years), and this would mean after the conclusion of 2,000 years from the resurrection of Yeshua. This Hosea context speaks of healing us. Combining these two numbers reveals a perfect closure of an era or age of sorts. Seven times 2,000 is 14,000.

Thirty eight years is the number of years the Hebrew people wondered in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:14). It is also the number of years the man at the Pool of Bethesda had been waiting for his healing (John 5:5). The Biblical year is reckoned to be 360 days, so 38 years would be 13,680 days. If 38 years had been completed in each of these two references, it would put the entry into the promised land and the healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in 39th year. Adding another year or 360 days to 13,680 is 14,040 days. SO - somewhere between 13,680 and 14,040 days would be the number of days the Hebrew people wondered in the wilderness and the number of days the man with the infirmity had awaited his healing.

Continuing this thought, I would direct you to the wonderful1.com website titled 14000 Days. The link to go directly to this article would be wonderful1.com/wst_page3.html. It is a very intriguing study. The author has carefully computed and documented his results pertaining to three timelines of 14,000 days. He believes that the Biblical "generation" may be exactly 14,000 days. The first of his time lines goes from the receiving of the law on Mt. Sinai to the entrance of the Promised Land. He asserts that this time span was precisely 14,000 days.

The second period of time is less able to be established in a concrete manner. It is the timing of the last week of Yeshua's life (which he believes to be in AD32) to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. The reason that questions hang in the air here is the inability to prove conclusively that Yeshua's crucifixion was in AD32. Though it is a possibility, it is not necessary for this time frame to be valid for the concept to be valid. The first and third instance are themselves adequate to be noteworthy.

The third grouping of 14,000 days is in our day and age. He calculates the number of days between the recapture of Jerusalem in June of 1967 to the Orthodox Jewish celebration of Rosh HaShannah (their secular New Year) on October 4, this year (2005) and finds that it is a span of 14,000 days. Interestingly, there is a solar eclipse on October 3, 2005 to mark the arrival of this significant day of closure. Rosh HaShannah is considered by many to be a high Rapture potential window, so the conclusion of this 14,000 day period of time may be something to consider. He also finds significance in the month of Elul which immediately precedes Rosh HaShannah. The Karaite Jews have placed the beginning of the secular New Year about one month earlier. This is due to finding ripened barley before they expected to find it this past spring (2005), which they believe prompted the advance of the Orthodox calendar by one month. For a more thorough understanding of this view, please refer to the Karaite website at karaite-korner.org. Rosh HaShannah in Karaite reckoning should be in early September on our calendar, though the precise date will be determined by the siting of the new moon in Jerusalem. Thus it is variable, rather than a predetermined calendar date.

This seems to muddy the waters regarding the expectation of the Rosh HaShannah date as being the completion of the 14,000 days, as it would only be some 13,970 days to Rosh HaShannah by the revised Karaite calendar, and it looks as though it may need to be precisely 14,000 days in order to be significant. Though I do acknowledge the Karaite method of determining the calendar dates, I have to admit that the eclipse on October 3, and the end of the 14,000 day count on October 4 really gets my attention! Rosh HaShannah would also be the outer boundary for the potential fulfillment of Isaiah 57 as found in our online book, Nether Nuggets in the chapter titled Isaiah's Intriguing Interlude. Thought I would not rule out a First Fruits departure on or near the Karaite Rosh HaShannah date in early September, I would expect that there is still potential for the Orthodox date in view of the 14,000 day angle.

Please understand that the author of the article mentioned above and I both look at POTENTIALS, and bring them to our readers. We do not prophecy as a THUS SAITH THE LORD! However, I fully intend to be found watching and waiting for my Bridegroom. I do intend to be vigilant as I wait in this human infirmity for my healing. Could my 38 year wait be about over? Is it time to enter the promised land? I do hope so ...