BIOLA RADIO PROPHECY MESSAGE
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
SAVED FROM WRATH
cemed with our care. This is what Paul meant when, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he de clared to the Philippian church, “Being confident of this very thing (hope), that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). God saved us not to abandon us. He has as sured us that He will keep and pre serve us until the glorious day of re demption. Peter carries this same message to the hearts of believers as he declares, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorrupt ible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:3-5). No wonder our injunction is to “look for the Son of God from heav en and to wait for him.” This is not a doctrine over which we argue but it is an experience which we anticipate. The Greek word for “wait” is very in teresting. It means to be on the alert; to be expectant; to watch out for. Let me use this illustration. Suppose that World War II is just over. You haven’t seen your boy for three or four years. Suddenly he calls you on the phone and says, “Mother and dad, I have just arrived back in the States. I’m here at the New York airport and will catch the next plane home.” Let’s further assume that it’s about 7 o’clock in the evening. Your boy fig ures that he’ll be able to make it about midnight. Do you think you might say something like this to him, “Well son, it’s so wonderful to hear your voice. We are glad you arrived back in the country. Now, you know (continued on next page) 29
H ave you ever , in the quietness of your own heart, asked your self, “What is my future” Many peo ple today have no future. No wonder so many are despondent and discour aged. At its face value, a consideration of the future may bring to some minds only that which is temporal. How few really stop to consider eternity. They do not know God except as someone whose name can be used in profanity. Those of us who are bom again, who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Saviour, realize that we do have a blessed future. All those who have never come to this place must meet the Lord not as their Saviour, but as their Judge. Man, in that, or in any hour, cannot blame God. For it is not His divine will that any should be lost and be eternally separated from Him. In this day of grace He is demonstrat ing His matchless love, grace, and pa tience. Yet men continue to go about, totally ignoring Him. This condition will not always prevail. We believe that events are shaping up which indi cate that the day of grace is rapidly coming to a close. In the light of those things, it is wonderful to contemplate the believer’s future. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:23). It is important to notice the key word “keep” found in this text. In the midst of restlessness, distress, hopelessness and trouble there is a keeping power for the Christian. In our last messages we pointed out how God shall catch us away before that hour of judgment. To be sure, we are in a world of turmoil and trouble. Men’s hearts fail them because of fear. In the midst of individual as well as national restlessness, we can enjoy a perfect calm. How wonderfully this verse illustrates the keeping power of our God. Day after day He is con-
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