Dear friends:

After my recent email (post) about the prophetic significance of 1998, Pastor F.M. Riley reminded me of the astounding appearance of the Hale-Bopp comet, which came closest to the earth on March 22, 1997. It was discovered by two Jewish men. You probably saw it in the sky for days. It was truly awesome. You could not view it without wondering about its possible prophetic significance.

Riley pointed out something amazing I had forgotten. Some astronomers have carefully calculated the comet's orbit to have last entered our solar system 4,210 years ago, right at the time of Noah and the flood! That would make Hale-Bopp the "Noah" comet.

But there's more . Just after Hale-Bopp left our skies came 1998, the Jewish year 5758, which c onverted to its equivalent Hebrew letters, means "season of Noah" ! This confirms that the comet and 1998 probably began a series of events "as in the days of Noah."

But there's still more . I remembered that the ancient Jewish-Roman historian Josephus, described a comet hanging like a sword over Jerusalem before the Roman siege and destruction of the city in AD 70. No doubt, the comet had been a portent, omen, or sign.

Was comet Hale-Bopp a prophetic sign, appearing to us again in this modern-day "season of Noah," at the beginning of a final countdown?

The evidence would say yes.