The issue I have with your conclusion here is the Bible does indeed use numerology of sorts, Daniel's timelines and those of Revelation come to mind. So IMHO, Jehovah placed them there for the spiritually discerning mind to decipher. I have to admit they are confusing. I enjoy discussing them with an open mind, such as this discussion, so long as things don't get heated. It's all conjecture at this point. Honestly, I hope David1982 is wrong about his conclusions, because being right means we have up to 12 more years until Paradise begins. That said, Jesus promised that Jehovah will have to cut things short, which to me means Satan's timeline gets cut due to the destruction it's bringing once it starts to affect Jehovah's people. So I imagine the truth lies somewhere in the middle of David's calculations and our expectations of the end coming sooner rather than later... but we must gird ourselves for the possibility it's later.
The fact that Jesus said most won't notice the "days of Noah," makes me pause and rethink what that could mean. His statement about the pre-parousia world being like Sodom makes me think his arrival is imminent due to today's LGBTQ focused world. Also, his words about only Jehovah knowing the time the parousia begins makes me rethink any discussions about numerology, but I can't totally dismiss all talk of timelines completely due to the Biblical timelines placed in the Bible by Jehovah Himself, as well as Satan's minions use of numerology being well documented. As long as we discuss these topics with humility, meekness and love, then I will continue to enjoy participating. David1982 put a lot of work into his post, so I appreciate that, as well as all the comments pro and con. This site is meant for building us up, not just venting about COVID and the evils of Satan's system.
I agree with what you say Carl, especially the bit about covid etc. I hope you don’t think I’m rubbishing what David 1982 said. I appreciate the work he put into it of course, but I do feel that the bible is somewhat plain in its advice about what is worthwhile and what is not. It seems that speculation related with authority is something of a snare, though it is natural for us all. Evidencing an opinion with a film as support; though it is not without some credence given that there is a degree of mockery by the deep state in such offerings, but using them to support biblical prophesy somewhat detracts from, rather than contributes to the message, don’t you think? It just reminds me of the latest watchtower dramas with their somewhat strange references to the bible. Be that as it may, I do tend think in black and white and worse, wonder why others do not. It’s a fault. If the bible says that no one knows the day and the hour, except Jehovah, I tend to think that as final. The bible says that the days will be cut short, but as they have not really begun, we cannot speculate on when they will be cut short. It may have something to do with human degradation as you say, but it seems to me that if the tribulation it is going to be war, homosexuality would be way down the list of people’s concerns. If no one will survive unless those times are cut short it indicates quite a significant issue if it requires Jehovah to intervene - that rather discounts in my opinion, a bunch of gays flouncing down the road in women’s underwear.
Jehovah has put times-lines in the bible, it’s true, but the fact that He has not chosen to do so in terms of the times of the end, appears of significance. In their stead, we are given signs. If Satan has put a timeline into the bible, I have no knowledge of that so cannot comment, but what I have understood is that the time of the end comes as a thief. If Satan has anything to do with time-lines, it is hardly something I would want to put any effort in to understanding as their goal is to kill followers of Christ. I have enough to do trying to get myself in order. My faith is very simple. I do not complicate it with speculation other than to remark about what is significant to everyone on occasion - assuming of course if anyone is interested in what I have to say. Numeration is not one of my concerns - those that were of interest, have long since past. i said to David that physics is far more important than mathematical timelines as they obeys laws set by Jehovah. Interpretation of dates etc, can be manipulated. Laws cannot be used to lie or mislead or be manipulated. There does appear to be some reference in the scripture to the laws of physics being employed or, that such will be evidenced by the wars of man, as for instance, the elements being intensely hot.
I am not sure that I can support the thinking that Jehovah would put numerology into the bible for the scripturally minded to decipher. The invitation is not to the mathematically gifted, or to the intelligent, but to the discerning as you point out. Discerning of what, then, is the question. There is no need to speculate on that because the bible is clear in that it has everything to do with the reflection of the attributes of the spirit, to learn about and emulate the attributes and in doing so, build faith and insight into those values. Yes, the site is about building up, but how does this include speculation in numerology when we know, for certain, that no one knows the day, nor the hour, only the Father? Pointing out conditions is helpful I agree, but to look for answers through numbers? I left that with watchtower who like divination to keep the flock bound. How one can not learn from that lesson is an anomaly to me.