W d t ik . C U U enter the
This important question is being asked with increasing intensity across the land . . .
Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary T h e R a p t u r e
FROH THE H O U f \ By Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Professor of Systematic Theology Talbot Theological Seminary “ Kept From The Hour” is the most complete defense of the pretribulational return of Christ yet in print. "Readable and enjoyable . . . painstakingly thorough . . . completely documented . . . Without reservation I com mend it . . " — Dr Louis T. Talbot, Chancellor, Biola SOME V ITA L THEMES DISCUSSED: The Rapture and the Revelation. The Tribulation and the Wrath of God The Restrainer and the Man o f Sin Imminency and the Blessed Hope The Resurrection of the Saints Seventh Trumpet and the "Last Trump” The Rapture: Incidental or Fundamental? ENTHUSIASTIC COMM ENDATIONS: , - "Read it three times . . . won derful!” "Have been looking for this book for years.” "Written in a spirit of love and patience.” "The Lord surely guided.” "Our pastor is delighted with his volume.” "Will have an impact on our Conservative Baptist move ment.” "Will be decisive in the preseht debate on the rapture.” . "Received wonderful blessings from it.” AUTOGRAPH ED COPIES $3.95 POSTPA ID Send your order to: KEPT FROM THE HOUR 558 So. Hope St. (Box 635) Los Angeles 17, California -An 3 J .J cut, mad 19
T he major passage of the Word of God concerning the rapture of the saints is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. While a vast array of verses contribute their testimony to the total doctrine of the second coming of Christ, more than any other this passage describes the catching up of Church saints from the earth at the end of this present age. Such a pas sage must be carefully considered by all who raise the important and in teresting question: “W ill the Church go through the great tribulation?” A quick review of these verses will bring to light a great many facts con cerning God’s future program for living believers and for the “ dead in Christ” at the time of His ' com ing. For instance, Paul would not have us to be ignorant concerning those who sleep in Jesus. “ Sleep” is the softened word used in Scripture to describe the death of the believer (cf. John 11:11). Since Paul’s visit to Thessalonica, some of the believers in Christ had died. The apostle now writes to counteract an idea that had arisen, namely, that dead saints would have no part in the coming of Christ for His own. The truth is that the “ dead in Christ” will rise first, and their future is so blessed that we sorrow not for them as for others “ which have no hone.” This victory over death rests securely upon the two cardinal pillars of the Christian faith and gospel, the fact that Jesus died for our sins' and rose again (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3, 4). Living believers too have great hope, for the final generation within the Church shall not taste of death. Alive, they shall be caught up (rap tured, from the Latin raptos) with the resurrected dead to meet the Lord in the ■air. He shall not send an angel for them; it is to be “ the Lord himself.” Three sounds herald His coming: a shout, or signal cry to the Church; the voice of the archangel, possibly Michael (Jude, v. 9 ); and the trump of God. "There are a number of important details in this Thessalonians passage which stubbornly resist the post-tri-
bulational teaching that the true Church of Christ must go through the great tribulation. With the rapture in chapter four and the tribulation in view in chapter five, the order is dis tinctly a pre-tribulational one. The context, “ . . . study to be quiet, and to do your own business . . .” (v. 11), would hardly be a suitable exhorta tion for those who must fight a bat tle with the beast (Rev. -13: 1-8) be fore they emerge from earth’s worst hour (Matt. 24:21, 22). The dead in Christ shall be raised, but there is no indication at all that any of these are tribulation martyrs or that the living ca’ -"ht up are few in number. The passage does not describe the descent of Christ (Matt. 24:30) but the catching up of the saints. The scene is not upon the earth but “ in the air.” This is not the fearful “ day of the Lord” but the glad “ day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7, 8). The rapture is a “mystery,” unknown to the Old Testament (1 Cor. 15:51, 52; Col. 1:26), whereas the revelation of Christ is found in direct prophecy (Zech. 14:4, etc.). All of this empha sizes the fact that in 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul has something different in view from the glorious appearing of Christ just prior' to the millennial kingdom (Rev. 19:11-16). The personal exhortation which closes the- passage reads, “Wherefore comfort [encourage] one another with these words-”, (v. 18). It would be of doubtful comfort to suffering saints to learn that far worse things were in store1and that the great trib ulation must be endured before rapture and reunion with the dead in Christ could be realized. Far from an encouragement, they would view such a “ hope” with uncertainty and alarm, which is ever the result when eyes are turned away from the return of. Christ and focused upon the tribu lation and antichrist. It can be concluded that this major passage on the rapture of the saints gives strong support to the doctrine of the pre-tribulational return of our Saviour. (To be continued next month.)
NOVEMBER 1956
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