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ing the six-months’ period of study. Our people were called to prayer and per sonal work for a month previous to the beginning of these meetings. More of them volunteered to do personal work than ever before. “Andrew Clubs” were formed, and the members, going two by two, ^ent everywhere they could, wit nessing for Christ. The meetings began with a record attendance, and for two weeks the' auditorium was unable to care for the crowds adequately. On the part of the members, there was an evident burden of prayer for the lost. Our guest preacher was an earnest, powerful preacher of the gospel of Christ, true to the Book. What hap pened? The answer is cause for praise to God: During those two weeks, ninety- two persons united with the church, about sixty of them coming on confes- Y | -^HESE are days in which many Christians are looking with eager 1 expectancy for Christ’s coming. Let us notice that there are to be two phases in His second coming—the first, when He meetjs the saved in the clouds, and the second, when Hé returns with His saints to the earth. When the Lord Jesus returns for His saints at the close of this dispensation, He shall not, at first, touch the earth. The righteous dead of all ages shall be resurrected, the living saints immediate ly translated, and they shall be caught up together to meet Christ in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:15-17). The saints shall then enter with Him into heaven for the marriage supper, of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9), at which time they shall be re warded for their works (Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15). Those left on earth shall be involved in unprecedented tribulation (Matt. 24:21)- for a period of seven years. At the close of the seven years, Christ with His saints shall descend with power and great glory to the earth. (Mk. 13:24-26). While the word “rapture” does not appear in the Scriptures, it is used by Bible teachers to designate the first phase of our Lord’s second coming, at which time “the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). The word itself is derived from “ rapio.” a Latin term meaning “to seize quickly or suddenly” or “to snatch away.” Paul gives us this illuminating de scription of the rapture: “For this we say unto you by the word o f the Lord, that we which ¿re alive and remain unto the coming ’ Parlar. (.’ruled Brethren Church,
sion of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are saying that this was the best evangelistic meeting held in the church for years. Personally, I feel that the result is largely due to the church wide emphasis upon the study of God’s own Word. The Word is “living and powerful” and will accomplish t h a t which He pleases, if we give it oppor tunity to work. With new vision and courage, the church is now launching a building pro gram to erect a new auditorium that will seat 2,000 people. It is with humil ity and with joy that we bear testimony to the working of the Spirit of God in our midst, through the study of the Word of God. And it is with earnest desire that we pray that others also may come to share this gracious refresh ing from the Lord. of the Lord shall not prevent [pre cede] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which- are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in .the air: and so shall we ever be with thè Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). The apostle also tells us how this shall take place: “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53). It is evident from the above Scrip ture portions that the' saved who are living at the time of Christ’s return shall not die,i but their bodies shall be translated immediately from sinful into heavenly bodies. Also it is clear that the “dead in Christ”. including the saved of every dispensation—“shall be raised incorruptible,” having part in the first resurrection. The living* skints shall not precede the “dead in Christ” but “shall be caught up together with them.” • When Christ, the Bridegroom, returns for His Bride, the church, the period of great tribulation shall - be ushered in immediately. A striking picture of what will happen is given in Luke 17:34-36: “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.” At the time of the rapture the earth shall be ushered immediately into the great tribulation. Rapture o f Individuals While the rapture may seem fan tastic to some, let us remember that “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Further, the Word of God teaches that several men already have been raptured. Take Enoch for exam ple: “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Gen. 5:24). We are informed in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch did not die, but was tured: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; arid was not found, because, God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” We likewise have the account of Elijah as going “up by a whirlwind into heav en” when the fiery chariot appeared .(2 Ki. 2:1, i l ) . With these we have also the record of Philip, whom “the Spirit of the Lord caught away.” Please note that although Philip was raptured—“caught away” (cf. Acts 8:38-40)—he was neither trans formed nor taken into heaven, as we expect to be when the Lord Jesus re turns. God píaced Philip in another part of the Country.' Paul gives us this glowing picture of one who had been raptured: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven. , And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) how that he was caught up into paradise, ¿nd heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor. 12:2-4). ’ Our Part The return of Jesus Christ for His church is our blessed hope—indeed, our only hope. And it is evident, praise God, that we are living on the very threshold of His return. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Lk. 21:28). Our souls were saved when we believed and repented; however, our redemption will not be complete until Christ re turns to redeem our bodies also, at which time “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” Not only will the rapture complete our redemption, but it will also deliver us from the great tribu lation. “Watch ye therefore,' and prav always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Lk. 21:36). In view of our Lord’s soon return, [ Continued on Page 364]
The Rapture—How Near? By JOSEPH W. ARNETT* Circle, Montana
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