things that pertain to God, he is way off base. It is sad to know that there are some preachers who belong to this class. They have never truly been born again, and baptized by the Spir it of God. This is one of the prime causes of confusion in the theologi cal world today. No matter how bril liant a person may be, and you young people in colleges and universities keep this in mind, if that professor doesn’t know the Lord, he knows ab solutely nothing about the wisdom of God. He is a fool when it comes to spiritual things. I would rather be lieve the words of the Lord Jesus Christ than the statements of all the wise men of the world if their pro nouncements contradict the Word of the living God. Q. “We often hear a discussion of the Rapture of the Church with the emphasis on the word ‘Church’ Will the Rapture include others besides the New Testament saints?” A. One of the clearest passages on this subject is found in First Thessa- lonians 4:16-18. Be sure to have these words firmly fixed in your mind. The two expressions, “those who sleep in Jesus” and “the dead in Christ” refer to the same company. It is my conviction that this includes all of the saved through all the ages. No one has ever been saved except through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those in the Old Testament were saved looking toward the cross and trusting in the promises of God. We have an even greater privilege and responsibility since Christ has come to give His life a ransom for us. I believe Revelation 19:6-9 shows us that Old Testament saints are go ing to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb with the Bride, which is the Church. They are going to be guests at this great event. So they must be in the Rapture. Incidentally, that word rapture is a translation of the Latin for “caught up.” “Trans
lation” would be another good term to use. Q. “When does the invasion of Is rael, described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, occur? Does this refer to Armaged don at the close of the Tribulation or does it take place after the millen nial reign of Christ?” A. Both are correct. First of all, there is going to be an invasion from the north, which would include Rus sia, during the Tribulation period. Also, after the millennial reign of Christ, as suggested in the book of Revelation, there is going to be an other invasion from Gog and Magog. The first takes place between the translation of the Church and the re turn of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory. This is described here in Ezekiel 38, 39 as the Battle of Arma geddon. At the close of the thousand years’ reign, Satan will be loosed to go forth to deceive the nations. Gath ered for battle are so many that they seem “as the sand of the sea.” There’s going to be at this time a tremendous rebellion a g a i n s t the King of kings. How strange that the sinful hearts of men will remain wicked even when they have had ten centuries of peace and righteousness! While the world is converted during the millennium, keep in mind that children are going to be born. Just as young people of godly people need to be converted in this day, so in that age, too, they will need salvation. Satan will find his great multitude for evil. The invasion comes from the same source out of the north. But Christ, in all His glory, will put a final end to Satan who will be con signed, along with all from every age who have rejected Christ, to the lake of fire that burneth forever and ever, even hell. (Rev. 20:10-15.)
Q. “Some time ago I sinned with an other man’s wife. I have never con
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