by Gerald B. Stanton
A mounting wave of interest is sweeping across America on the subject of the return of Christ. At the crest of the wave is the tur bulent question being asked with an ever-increasing in tensity : “Will Christ return before the Tribula tion, or must the Church pass through that dread hour?” Present world unrest—the after- math of two world wars, agitated and resentful nations, uncertain in ternational leadership, the dread portent of intercontinental missiles with nuclear warheads—these are some of the clouds looming on the world horizon. Christians are won dering if the earth is ripe for anti
christ—if the Tribulation period lies beyond these clouds. Reason enough for the *solemn inquiry: “Will the rapture of the Church
precede the Tribulation? Will the believer be kept from this hour of trial?” This is the issue being consid ered with increasing urgency across the land. Walvoord of Dallas and Ockenga of Boston debate the ques tion in, the pages of Christian Life, and Christians far and wide reflect their interest. Conservative Baptists face the issue in national conven tion, their churches and seminaries called upon to declare their stand. Prophetic conferences give major emphasis to the return of Christ with its attendant problems. An occasional book appears to clarify or to justify the position held, the CONTINUED
A bout the A uthor Gerald B. Stanton holds the B.S. d e gree from Wheaton College and the Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in Theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary. He has traveled widely in the evangelistic minis try and is a popular Bible teacher and conference speaker. He is completing his fourth year as Professor of Systematic Theology at the Talbot Theological Sem inary, and writes the regular “ Theologi cally Thinking” column for T he K ing ’ s B usiness .
JULY, 1956
11
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker