KB Biola Broadcaster - 1971-07

to me that they are still here on earth. I thought the dead in Christ has been taken up (Rev. 20-4-6) before this time, and that we would not have to go through any of the Tribulation. A. Since this passage that she cites here is quite long, we urge you to look it up and to study it for your­ self. Be assured that all who are truly born again will be taken out of the world before the beast ap­ pears (I Thess. 4:13-18). This trans­ pires at the end of Revelation 3. Keep in mind that the Tribulation is a time of Cod's judgment upon a Christ-rejecting world. It has nothing to do with the Church which has already been judged. At the end of the Tribulation the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth ac­ companied by the army of the re­ deemed which is the host of be­ lievers. We do not see them with any weapons since there is no need for them. Out of the mouth of the Saviour will go a sharp two- edged sword, the word of Cod, which will smite the nations. This is known as the Battle of Armaged­ don. As believers the Bible does not indicate what we will be do­ ing. We know that we are not en­ gaged in the conflict as such. The antichrist, the beast and the false prophet are to be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). Satan is cast into the bottomless pit just before the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. Q. "Would you please explain Rev. 7:3-8, concerning the sealed 144,000? Some people say that these will be all the people who are going to heaven. Later, how­ ever, it speaks of the great multi­ tude beside this number." Page 15

Q. Seattle, Wash. " The Bible speaks of 'widows indeed '(I Tim. 5:3-6; 11-12). To what does this refer? People seem to think a widow should have no pleasure. Should they be able to marry again?" A. This portion of Cod's Word is an eminently practical one. A care­ ful study of the context will help to clarify your first question. "Wid­ ows indeed" are in a different cat­ egory than those who have chil­ dren or close relatives. Paulis mak­ ing a distinction between those who have families and those who are truly desolate and alone. They have no other visible means of support. The Bible does not say that a widow should not have any pleasure. Fellowship with the peo­ ple of God should bring her great joy and satisfaction. Keep in mind that Timothy was in Ephesus which was the center of idolatry. The Apostle refers to carnal pleasures in which no real Child of God would want to be involved. Any­ where we look today we likewise find people who are dead spiritu­ ally. This is a person's condition until he receives Christ as Saviour. The passage has reference to one where there is a pagan spouse in­ volved. We see this in our own churches. A woman's first husband may have died. Wanting provision for her children she marries again, however, unfortunately an unbe­ liever. Only tragedy can result when one enters into matrimony with an individual who has not been born again! Q. Seattle, Wash. "/ do not under­ stand Rev. 19:19-21 and chapter 20. I thought that the Christians were taken out of this world be­ fore the beast appears. This seems

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