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I WILL COME AGAIN, Part 3
The Church Lives Into Part of the Tribulation Nahum 1:5-8 confirms this thought. Verse 5 reveals the mountains quaking, the hills melting and the whole world being devoured by the presence of the Lord. Verse 6 asks, "who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?" Verses 7 and 8 answer this question: "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." The "day of trouble" (see also Dan. 12:1; Zeph 1:14-15), which accompanies the Lord's presence finds the church still here on the earth. And the Lord is their stronghold during this tribulation; whereas, in verse 8, he will pursue his enemies with an overrunning flood and darkness. Study Psalms 46:1-6, which deals with the tribulation period that brings the present world to an end. While the earth is being removes, while the mountains are being carried into the sea, while the sea is roaring, while the mountains are shaking, we find in verse 4 that the church, the "City of God," is still on the earth. Why is it that "she shall not be moved" during the tribulation? Is it because she is with Christ in heaven? No! "God is in the midst of her" while she is yet here on earth. The church would not need this protection if she were already taken home, but she needs it in the time of trouble while she is still here. God will not only protect her in the early stages, but in addition, He "will help her right early." The church will only experience part of the tribulation before her resurrection change. This cannot refer to "tribulation saints," since only the church, the bride of Christ, is symbolized in Scripture as the City of God (compare Psa. 46:5 and Rev. 21:2.) A deeper insight into the nature of the tribulation in Psalms 46 is obtained from the meaning of the word mountain as used in the Bible. Jeremiah 51:24-25, the nation of Babylon, because of her many military victories, is called a "destroying mountain." Speaking of the nations that opposed Israel, Isaiah 41:15 states that Israel would "thresh the mountains" and "make the hills as chaff." In Daniel 2:35, 44, 45, the Kingdom of God is spoken of as a "great mountain, and filled the whole earth." thus we see in Scriptural usage, mountains are symbolic of people (see Rev. 17:15). The roaring sea would represent the restless or anarchistic elements of mankind. When Psalms 46 says, "The waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" and "though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" it means "the great tribulation" will result in the destruction of the nations by anarchistic elements of society. A further proof that the church is still here during part of the tribulation is found in Matthew 24:21. Remember, Matthew 24 contains a series of signs or events that would denote not the imminent coming, but the secret presence of Christ. Faithful watchers would discern these signs of Christ's presence. A period of unprecedented trouble is spoken of in Matthew 24:21 as one of the signs of Christ's presence; and faithful watchers will see these signs. Therefore, some of the church will be on earth when the tribulation begins and discern it as a sign of Christ's presence. These scriptures are but a few that reveal that the church will still be on earth during part of the tribulation. Is the Tribulation a Period of Seven Years? The tribulation period is variously
referred to in Scripture as follows:
"Great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be," Matthew 24:21; "A time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation," Daniel 12:1; "a day of trouble," Isaiah 22:5; Obadiah 14; Nahum 1:7; Habakkuk 3:16; Zephaniah 1:15; Ezekiel 7:7. It is interesting to note that nowhere in these tribulation scriptures is a seven-year period mentioned. Many fundamentalists are unaware that the "seven-year tribulation" is mistakenly based on Daniel 9:24-27-a scripture that has nothing to do with the "tribulation" that closes the Christian Age. (Turn to Appendix B for a detailed discussion on the Origin and Scriptural Evaluation of The Seven-Year Tribulation' Theory.") "Caught Up Together With Him" Paul, speaking of the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, called it "that blessed hope." Titus 2:13 What a blessed hop indeed when finally united with Christ, our beloved bridegroom. Soon the warfare will be ended, the toiling and suffering over. Soon we will experience that joy of seeing him face to face and sharing the presence of his fellowship throughout eternity. Long have Christians waited for the second coming of Christ; long have they fervently prayed for the time they would be united with him whom they have grown to love so much. Inspiring thoughts of this glorious event have been the basis of many hymns. A phrase evolving from this joyous expectation is the "rapture." It is well to bear in mind that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. Consequently, we must determine if the popular rapture concept is actually Scriptural. A consideration of all the scriptures on the resurrection of the saints reveals that when Christ returns, the "dead in Christ" are raised; then, during the period between his return and the full establishment of his Kingdom, the living saints are gathered to him individually as they die over a period of time. What Say the Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, describes
the raising of the saints at Christ's second presence. Note the sequence
of time between the resurrection of the "dead in Christ" and the living
saints being caught up.
This scripture plainly states that Christ first resurrects the saints who are "dead, having fallen asleep in death since his first advent. "Then" (afterwards, Greek epeita, "thereafter") the living saints are "caught up" to meet the Lord. The contrast of "first" and "then" denotes a difference of time. Paul doesn't tell us here how long the time difference is, but other scriptures do. Note another important point. Evidently the phrase "caught up together with them" does not denote the time, but rather the place of their being together, for in 1 Thessalonians 5:10, the same Greek word hama is again translated "together" and clearly denotes place. "That whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." Thus, nothing in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, indicates that the "dead in Christ" and the living church are taken at the same time. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52, also describes the two parts of the resurrection of the saints. "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [during] the last trump." The word "at" is a poor translation. Rotherham correctly translates it "during." The phrase "the last trump" implies previous trumpets. The only other trumpets in the New Testament are a series of seven trumpets found in Revelation. Some mistakenly believe that the trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:51 sounds during a "secret rapture" to be followed by a "seven-year tribulation" during which, among other events, the seven trumpets of Revelation literally sound. However, since the trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:51 is called the last trumpet, it must correspond with the last of the seven trumpets of Revelation. This would mean the previous six trumpets have already sounded. Evidently, the sounding of these six trumpets is not literal, since such a literal sounding would have aroused worldwide attention. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude, that the six trumpets are symbolic. And if the first six are symbolic, then the seventh trumpet is also symbolic. Scriptural proof that the symbolic meaning of the trumpets are a proclamation of truth, will be dealt with at a later point. It is during this period of the sounding of the last trump that the resurrection of the church will occur. The "day of the Lord" is also the "day of the trumpet." Zeph. 1:15,16 This symbolic trumpet, proclamation of truth, sounds during the whole "day of the Lord." "We Shall Not All Sleep, But We Shall All Be Changed" Some will have slept in death before their resurrection at Christ's return. However, Christians living during Christ's presence will be changed in the twinkling of an eye without sleeping in death. Each, at the instant of their dying, will be raised to immortality. Revelation 14:13 gives us the time element of the resurrection of the saints who are alive at Christ's return: "Blessed are the dead which diein the Lord from henceforth:…that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." All the saints, even those living today, are, in this text, considered "dead." "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3) These "dead" do die. a point of time is indicated by the word "henceforth." The point of time is Christ's return. Preceding verses describe events during Christ's presence; then Revelation 14:13 speaks of something that happens from "henceforth," that is, from the return of Christ onward. Blessed are the saints who die from that point on because, though they rest from their labours in the flesh, they will not have to wait in the sleep of death. Their "works" follow immediately with them as they are raised to meet the Lord. Thus, we see that these scriptures teach the resurrection of the sleeping saints at this return; and then, an individual resurrection of the remaining living saints as each dies and become changed "in the twinkling of an eye." The Problem of a Partial Quotation A set of verses in our Lord's Great Prophecy is frequently used to prove the instantaneous gathering of the living saints to Christ in the air. It will be seen however, that they have nothing to do with the living saints being taken to heaven. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:34-36 This is a classic example of the danger of a partial quotation. Upon the basis of this limited citation, it might be reasoned that the ones that are taken are caught up to heaven, but verse 37 rules out this possibility:
The curiosity of the disciples was aroused by Jesus' statement that two people would be in various situations and one would be taken. They specifically asked where they would be taken. Notice that Jesus did not say they would be caught up together with him at his return. His answer is "wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." Some feel the body here referred to is the body of Jesus. However, Matthew 24:28 specifies that the body of which the eagles are gathered is a dead body or carcass. The lesson of the eagle in Job 39:30 corroborates this usage of a slain body. Further, if the body is referring to the literal body of Jesus, then eagles must also be literal and thus would render the passage meaningless. Both the body and the eagles are symbolic. Jesus is evidently basing his lesson on two characteristics of eagles found in Job 39:27-30; the eagle's ability to see her prey (food) afar off; and her willingness to travel a great distance to secure this food-where the body (food) is, there the eagle will be. The Scriptures compare faithful Christians to eagles in this respect. They have the ability to see or discern spiritual food afar off and they will travel great distances to secure it. A Rich Feast This lesson of Luke 17:34-36 is beautiful. Remember, Luke 17 and Matthew 24 are accounts of our Lord's Great Prophecy in which He gave signs of his parousia, presence. The living church cannot be caught up at the moment of Christ's return, for they will be here on earth discerning the signs of Christ's presence. But their relationship to the returned Lord is blessed and unique. Chapters tow and three of Revelation describe seven churches. Many Bible-believing Christians hold to the concept that these represent seven stages of the church down through the Christian Age. To the Philadelphia, or sixth stage, the Lord said, "Behold I come quickly." (Rev. 3:11) But, the Laodicean, or seventh stage of the church, the Lord says, "I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 So it is with the returned Lord. The fulfilled signs of our Lord's Great Prophecy prove that we are in the Laodicean or seventh stage of church history, the period during which the Lord is present and some of the church remain here on earth. We might refuse to hear his knock; that is, refuse to understand the truth of his presence or even refuse to open the door of our hearts to the returned Lord. Nevertheless, he is present whether we accept it or not. To those who do accept it, there is a great spiritual feast. They sup together with their returned Lord. This feast of truth that is to be the blessed portion of the church on earth when the Lord returns is also brought out in Luke 12:37-40:
The faithful church will be watching for
the Lord's return. When he returns, they will recognize it and he will
serve them with a special feast of truth. This feast is not in heaven.
It is enjoyed by watchful servants on earth. These verses depict the
blessed conditions of faithful Christians who remain on earth for a
period of time after our Lord returns. This is one aspect of the two-fold
lesson of the eagles we are considering. When the Lord returns, the
eagle class, faithful Christians, will be gathered to this rich spiritual
feast. The second lesson is that the eagle can see food afar off and
will travel great distances to secure it. Revelation 18:1-5 reveals
what is involved in this traveling.
Many believe the mighty angel of verse one is our returned Lord. The Greek word aggelos, here translated "angel," simply means "messenger." Rev. 20:1-3 also used the word "angel" or "messenger," when referring to the returned Christ coming down from heaven and binding Satan. Malachi 3:1-3, a parallel passage to Revelation 18:1-5, speaks of our returned Lord as the "messenger of the covenant." Our returned Lord, the mighty angel of Revelation 18:1, enlightens the earth with his glory. (We will deal later with other scriptures that show a great enlightenment of truth along every line-scientific, humanitarian, philosophical, religious, etc., which causes the earth to tremble. Psalms 97:1,4) Revelation 18:2-4, reveals that the returned Lord has a message against Babylon. Most agree that Babylon is a false Christian system. Revelation 17:5 indicts both a mother system of Babylon and daughter systems. Therefore, Babylon represents a number of false Christian systems. Note the difference between the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18:2-4 before her plagues come, and the destruction of Babylon in Revelation 18:8 when the plagues come. Therefore, the Lord is present for a period of time before the destruction of Babylon. Before his return, the Lord tried to "heal" Babylon (Jer. 51:9), but she refused to be "healed." At his return, he cast her off from favor. Revelation 18:2-4 refers to Babylon's fall from divine favor. Then in Revelation 18:4, our returned Lord has a message for all true Christians in Babylon: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." This is the lesson the eagle. The returned Lord has promised a great spiritual feast of truth, yet most Christians are in Babylon when he returns. Just as the eagle can see food far away and travels a great distance to secure it, so faithful Christians will discern the lack of spiritual food in Babylon and will leave. They must flee Babylon (Jer. 51:6) in order to enjoy the spiritual feast from the returned Lord. The confirmation of applying revelation 18:1-5 to the beginning period of Christ's presence, during which the living saints are gradually caught up to the Lord, is found in Revelation 14. The time element and message of Revelation 14:8 is exactly the same as Revelation 18:2.
It is during the period of this proclamation of the fall of Babylon from favor that we are given our "henceforth" period of Revelation 14:13, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." We have already seen that Revelation 14:13 proves the individual resurrection of the living church over a period of time. The synchronizing of the time element of Revelation 18:1-5 and Revelation 14 is further proof that when our Lord returns there is a gradual resurrection of the living church, not instantaneous gathering to Christ. The lesson of Luke 17:34-37 is important to all Christians now living during our Lord's presence. The eagles of verse 37 are symbolic of faithful Christians. The bed, mill and field of verses 34 through 26 are also symbolic. The represent different spiritual conditions in the nominal churches. The ones in the mill, the field, and the bed who are taken represent faithful Christians. When the Lord returns, He will call his people out of Babylon. He will attract them as eagles are attracted by food for which they have a keenness of vision and appetite. The watching and worthy are taken, this is, they leave Babylon, and the others are left to experience the plagues that destroy Babylon. The food of "present truth" now provided by our present Lord is having its intended effect of gathering his saints by and to it. It is not the gathering by one man or many men unto themselves or into a new denomination, but a gathering unto Christ himself, the true and only Master and Teacher. A Further Proof A further proof that the one in the bed, the one in the mill and the one in the field (Luke 17:34-36) do not picture the living church caught up to heaven is found in verses 30-33 of Luke 17.
If, as some feel, the living Christians are taken, the rapture takes place instantaneously, then those who are taken have no time to make a choice or do anything else. This is contrary to verses 30 to 33. When the Son of man is revealed, the one in the field has the choice of turning back and the one upon the housetop can decide to go down into the house to take his belongings. These verses harmonize with Luke 17:34-37, where, like the eagles, the one in the bed, the mill and the field are gathered to a feast. When the Lord returns and calls his people out of Babylon (the nominal churches), those on the housetops (Christians with a higher degree of spirituality) should leave immediately without taking any Babylonish encumbrances with them. And even when the flight from Babylon has begun, none should turn back as did Lot's wife, verse 32. Verse 33 further confirms that these verses refer to a condition of separation here on earth. Notice it is after one is taken that he still has the choice to turn back. After the gathering begins, his course of action will determine whether he loses or saves his life. From the foregoing scriptures discussed in this chapter, it become evident that the instantaneous change and resurrection of both the living and dead in Christ at the moment of his return, is not a Scriptural concept. 1 Corinthians 15:50, 51 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 reveal that all faithful Christians who dies before the second advent will be raised to be together with their Lord at his return. From that time onward, Revelation 14:13 reveals that members of the living church on earth will be caught up individually to their returned Lord as they complete their course on earth. Many scriptures show that the returned Lord will reveal himself in a very special way to faithful Christians on earth and provide a rich feast of spiritual truth. "Every Eye Shall See Him" Having established Scripturally that the second advent of Christ begins with a secret invisible presence which is discernible only to the church by the eye of faith, the question logically arises, will the future revealment to all mankind involve mental perception or literal sight? Harmony must be sought between two sets of scriptures relative to this matter. Matthew 24:30-31 and Revelation 1:7, if taken literally, could be interpreted to mean that all mankind will see the returned Christ with their literal eyes. On the other hand, the following four scriptures state, with clarity, that after Christ ascended into heaven, mankind would not and could not see him with the literal eye.
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