sion takes place at the end of the Tribulation while others say it oc curs at the beginning or even the middle. Because of the scope in volved, as well as the chronology, it would seem that some of this effort would carry over into the mil lennial reign of Christ. Some of the broader facets would be completed in a shorter time because of the problems of health and sanitation. We know that even after these many years following World War II, there are some areas of the world, espe cially in the Orient, where the rav ages of that conflict are still visible. Q . Phoenix, Ariz. — “Is the word taken in Matthew 24:40 the same as the phrase caught up in I Thess- lonians 4:17?” A . The first passage states, “Then shall two be in the field: the one shall be taken, and the other left.” The latter assures us, “We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” These Scriptures don’t refer to the same individuals or events. A careful study of the context wil lreveal this. In Matthew’s gospel the “taken” re fers to the unsaved who go into judgment. The picture shows what happened in the time of the flood to those who had mocked Noah. They were “taken” because of their wilful rejection of the message of God’s love. In First Thessalonians, of course, the section deals with the Rapture, when all true born-again believers of this dispensation will go into the Lord’s presence in their resurrection bodies. So the first speaks of the unredeemed, the latter the redeemed. Q . Phoenix, Ariz. — “Can a woman who was married and divorced be fore she became a Christian, re marry after she becomes a Chris tian?”
A . On the subject of marriage, di vorce and remarriage no one posi tion seems to satisfy everyone. We are not here to dispute or to be con troversial. It does seem strange that in the Christian church somehow a person who is divorced before salva tion is put in an altogether different category from that of a robber, adulterer, or even a murderer. In the latter category he can be saved and immediately go into the “higher circles” of leadership and platform testimony. Such is not the case with the former. I Corinthians 7:20 states, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” How could the woman, after she be came a Christian, undo a previous situation? Perhaps her first husband has already married. Could she tell him to do away with his second wife so that the first relationship can be reinstated? It’s impossible and two wrongs don’t make a right. Paul knew that we can’t remake events. We have to take individuals as we find them, as this verse testifies. Our faithful missionary friends could tell us more about this. On some fields, polygamy is practiced. Realize the problems when a man of this back ground receives Christ as Saviour. Which wife does he put away? Note, too, Jesus’ dealing with the adulter ous woman. The law of Moses stated that she was to be stoned. But all her accusers were conscience-stricken. The wonderful thing we see here is that the grace of God triumphs over judgment. He took upon Him self all her sins, as well as ours! Similarly, the grace of God can tri umph in such cases of marriage, di vorce and remarriage. Q . Tacoma, Wash. — “Would you ex plain the phrase found in Revelation 11:15, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ’? I f the Lord is Jesus Christ, then it should al ways read, ‘Lord Jesus Christ.’ Can
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