Chapter IV. Church and Kingdom

            The Church is not a continuation of the “Jewish Dispensation” under another name, nor does the Church edifice take the place of the Synagogue. It is because some religious bodies believe that the Christian Church is but another phase of what they call the “Jewish Church,” that they insist on a “Ceremonial Ritual” and retain the Priesthood with its altar, vestments, etc., and Temple-like buildings; and call the ordinances of the Christian Church “Sacrifices” and “Sacraments.” They also go further and advocate a “State Church,” with the Church as the head, and claim that all the Old Testament promises of riches and glory have been transferred from the Jew to the Church.

            The Church is not to be confounded with “The Kingdom.” The Church is compared to a “House” (1 Timothy 3:15), to a “Temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), to a “Body” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31), but never to a “Kingdom.” Christ is the “HEAD” of His Church (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18), but He is never spoken of as its KING. The Church is a “MYSTERY” and was first revealed to Paul. Ephesians 3:1-11. The Kingdom was no Mystery. The Old Testament prophets describe it in glowing terms. What they could not understand was, what was to come in between the “Sufferings” and “Glory” of Christ. 1 Peter 1:9-12. That is, between the “CROSS” and the “CROWN.” That the Gentiles were to be saved was no Mystery. Romans 9:24-30. The “Mystery” was, that God was going to form an entirely “NEW THING” composed of both “JEW” and “GENTILE,” to be called the “CHURCH.” The purpose of this Dispensation is seen in the “Divine Program” outlined by the Apostle James in his address to the First Church Council held at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-18), where he declares that God has visited the Gentiles to “take out of them ‘A PEOPLE’ for His Name.” The purpose of this Dispensation then is not the bringing in of the Kingdom, or the conversion of the world, but the gathering out of an “elect body,” the Church.

            While Israel is a “called out body” it is a “National Body,” composed exclusively of the descendants of Abraham, but the Church is not a “National Body,” for it is not composed of the people of any one nation, but of individuals from every kindred, people, tribe and nation.

I. THE CHURCH

The Church is not only a “called out Body,” it is the “BODY OF CHRIST.” In Ephesians.1:22-23, we read – “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him (Jesus) to be the ‘Head’ over all things to the Church which is His BODY.” The context shows (vs. 20) that this “Headship” was not possible until Jesus had been raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father. The Church then could not have been in existence before there was a “Head,” for God does not make headless things. The Church then is the “Body” of which Christ is the “Head.” In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 we are told how this “Body” is formed: “For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one ‘Spirit’ (Holy Spirit) are we all baptized into ‘ONE BODY,’ whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free.” From this we see that it is the “Baptism of the Spirit” that incorporates us into the “Body of Christ.” That is, there could be no Church until the “Day of Pentecost.”  

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The fact that the Church is a “Body” made up of “living members” shows that it is not an “Organization” but an “ORGANISM.” As the human body is for the manifestation of a Personality, so the Church, the “Body of Christ,” is for the purpose of manifesting “His Personality.” The only way then the world can see Christ is through His Body the Church.

            But the Church is not only the “Body” of Christ, it is to be His BRIDE. At present it is but a virgin espoused. 2 Corinthians 11:2. Some hold that the Church cannot be both the “Body” and “Bride” of Christ, and that the “Bride” must be Israel. But we must not forget that there are “Two Brides” mentioned in the Scriptures, one in the Old Testament, and the other in the New Testament. The one in the Old Testament is Israel, the Bride of Jehovah; the one in the New Testament is the Church, the Bride of Christ. Of Israel it is said – “Thy Maker is thine husband.” Isaiah 54:5-8. Because of her Whoredoms, Israel is a cast-off wife, but Jehovah, her husband, promises to take her back when she ceases from her adulteries. Jeremiah 3:1-18; Ezekiel 16:1-63; Hosea, 2:1-23, 3:1-5. She will not be taken back as a “Virgin,” but as a “Wife.” But it is a VIRGIN that the Lamb (Christ) is to marry. So the “Wife” of the Old Testament cannot be the “Bride” (Virgin) of the New Testament. Again the “Wife” (Israel) is to reside in the earthly Jerusalem during the Millennium, while the “Bride” (the Church) will reside in the New Jerusalem. These distinctions make it clear that Israel cannot be the “Bride” of Christ. As to the Church being both the “Body” and “Bride” of Christ, we have the type of Eve who was of the “body” of Adam before she became his “bride.”

WHO BELONG TO THE CHURCH?

            If the Church had its origin at Pentecost and ends at the “Rapture of the Saints” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17), then only those who are saved between those two events belong to the Church. The Old Testament Saints are the “Friends of the Bridegroom,” but they are not the “Bride.” In Revelation 19:9 we read, “Blessed are they which are called unto the ‘Marriage Supper’ of the Lamb.” The Bride is not “called” (invited) to her own wedding, she has a place there of her own right. The “called” are the “Guests.” The Old Testament Saints will be “Guests,” as will also the “Blood-washed Multitude” that come out of the Tribulation, for they are not saved until after the Rapture of the Church. Revelation 7:9-17.

            Angels and Heavenly Beings will be spectators of the scene, but they cannot be “Guests,” as that honor is reserved for those who have been redeemed by the “Blood of the Lamb.”

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

            As we have seen, the Church is not an “Organization” but an “Organism.” Therefore it is not a “Social Club,” organized and supported solely for the benefit of its members. Neither is it a “Place of Amusement” to pander to the carnal nature of man. Nor is it a “House of Merchandise” for the sale of “Indulgences,” or other commodities, whereby the money of the ungodly can be secured to save the penurious church member a little self-sacrifice. Neither is it a “Reform Bureau” to save the “bodies” of men. The reformation of men is very commendable, as are all forms of “Social Service,” but that is not the work or mission of the Church. The world was just as full, if not fuller, of the evils that afflict society today, in the days of Christ, but He never, nor did the Apostles, organize any reform agencies. All the great philanthropic and civilizing agencies of the world are “By-Products” of Christianity. We are told in Acts 5:15, that the people laid their sick in the streets that the “Shadow of Peter” might fall upon them and heal them. But if Peter had spent his time “casting shadows,” and neglected his Apostolic work of trying to save the “SOULS” of men, his shadow would have lost its power. Jesus knew that the source of all the evils in the world is SIN, and that the only way to eradicate sin is to Regenerate the Human Heart, and so He gave the GOSPEL, and the “Mission” of the Church is to carry this Gospel to the world. “EVANGELISM,” not “Social Service,” is the “Mission” of the Church. Mark 16:15-16.

            The great mistake the Church has made is in appropriating to herself in this Dispensation the promises of earthly conquest and glory which belong exclusively to Israel in the “Millennial Age.” As soon as the Church enters into an “Alliance with the World,” and seeks the help of Parliaments, Congresses, Legislatures, Federations and Reform Societies, largely made up of ungodly men and women, she loses her spiritual power and becomes helpless as a redeeming force.

            When the Church is complete it is to be “caught out” at the First or “Rapture Stage” of Christ’s Second Coming. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; After the Rapture the Church is to be judged. Not for sin, but for works. Then comes

THE MARRIAGE OF THE CHURCH.

            The “Marriage” of the Church is prophetically referred to by Jesus in the Parable of the “Marriage of the King’s Son” (Matthew 22:1-14), and is consummated in Revelation 19:7-9.

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him; for the

‘Marriage of the Lamb’

is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints. And he saith unto me, write Blessed are they which are called unto the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB.”

            Notice that it does not say the “Marriage of the Bride,” but the “Marriage of the LAMB.” That grand event will be not so much the consummation of the hopes of the Bride, as it will be the consummation of the plan of God for His Son, arranged for before the foundation of the World. Ephesians 1:4. The “Marriage of the Lamb” is the consummation of the joy of Christ as a MAN. It would not have been possible if Christ had not been born in the flesh. Otherwise it would have been the union of “dissimilar natures” for the “Bride” is of “human origin.” This is why Jesus took His “human nature” back with Him to Heaven, and today we have in Heaven the MAN Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5.

            While the “Bride” was chosen for Christ “before the foundation of the world,” the “espousal” could not take place until Christ assumed humanity and ascended to Heaven as the Man Christ Jesus. There have been many long betrothals, but Christ’s has been the longest on record. He has been waiting for His Bride nearly 1900 years, but He will not have to wait much longer. Soon Heaven shall resound with the cry –

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the Marriage of the Lamb is Come.” Revelation 19:7.;

            There have been many royal weddings of international interest, where the invited guests and spectators witnessed a spectacle magnificent in its appointments, and rejoiced in a union that bound together different nations. But the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride the Church will surpass them all, for it shall unite Heaven and Earth in a bond that shall never be broken, for what God (the Father) shall join together, no man shall ever put” asunder, and that union no divorce shall ever break.

II. THE KINGDOM

            It is clear from the Scriptures that God has been trying to set up a “visible” Kingdom on this earth ever since the creation of man, to whom He gave dominion. Genesis 1:26-28. But that dominion was lost by the “Fall,” and Satan set himself up as the “Prince of this World.” Matthew 4:8-10. John 14:30. In the “Call of Abraham” God took the first step toward the setting up of a visible Kingdom on this earth, which assumed an outward form in the “Jewish Commonwealth” under Moses, but the plan was blocked by the Jews losing their “National Existence” at the time of the Babylonian Captivity B. C. 606, and the beginning of the “Times of the Gentiles.” But when 600 years of the “Times of the Gentiles” had run their course, God again made a move to set up the Kingdom, and the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the Birth of the King. Luke 1:26-33. Thirty years later the King’s forerunner, John the Baptist, announced that the Kingdom was “at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2), and when the King manifested Himself to Israel He Himself made the same announcement (Matthew 4:17-23), and later He sent out the “Twelve” (Matthew 10:7), and the “Seventy” (Luke 10:1-9), to proclaim the same thing. But the King was rejected and crucified, and the setting up of the Kingdom postponed, and the Kingdom took on its “Mystery Form” under the name of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”

            There are some who object to what they call the “Postponement Theory,” and claim that the Kingdom which was “At Hand” was not an outward visible Kingdom, but a spiritual Kingdom, and that it was not withdrawn but is seen today in “New Born” believers. They base their claim on the fact that the earthly visible Kingdom of Christ could not be set up until after He had suffered and died on the Cross as the Saviour of men, and had risen from the dead, and ascended to the Father and received the Kingdom, and that therefore the offer of an outward visible and earthly Kingdom at that time was not a “bona fide” offer, and that John the Baptist and Jesus must have meant by the “Kingdom of Heaven” something else than an outward visible and earthly Kingdom. What are the facts ? First, that the Old Testament scriptures teach that there is to be an earthly and visible Kingdom over which the Son of Man is to rule (Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 2:34-35, Daniel 2:44-45; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 14:9), and we know that at the time of Jesus’ birth there was a widespread expectation of the coming of the Messiah, and that Simeon and Anna waited in the Temple for the “Consolation of Israel.” Luke 2:25-38. We are also told that “Wise Men” came from the East to Jerusalem inquiring “Where is He that is born KING OF THE JEWS?” and when they had found Jesus they worshipped Him as KING. Matthew 2:1-11. There can be no question but that Jesus was born to be a KING. It was not until Jesus was 30 years old that John the Baptist appeared at the Jordan preaching – “Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND.” Matthew 3:2. And we are told that his mission was to “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” Matthew 3:3. Isaiah 40:3. Prepare the way of the Lord for what? Not for the “Cross” but the “Kingdom.” John’s message had no meaning to those who heard him and were looking for the setting up of the “Messianic Kingdom,” if he did not mean by the “Kingdom of Heaven” an outward and visible earthly Kingdom. That John himself so believed is evident from the question he sent his disciples while in prison to ask Jesus—“Art Thou He that should come or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3. The fact that Jesus answered John’s question by a number of miracles of healing, which are the “signs” of the Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 35:1-10), and were proofs of Christ’s Messiahship, and told John’s disciples to so report, is proof that both John and Jesus had in mind the earthly Messianic Kingdom when they proclaimed that the “Kingdom of Heaven was AT HAND.” It was the “Kingdom of Heaven,” not because it was a Heavenly or Spiritual Kingdom, but because it was not received from men, but was given from “Heaven by God the Father.

            While it is true that John the Baptist pointed out to two of his own disciples Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), this was after Jesus’ return from the “Wilderness Temptation,” and had been revealed to John at the Baptism of Jesus, and does not nullify or alter the character of his previous proclamation that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. We must not forget that as soon as Jesus was baptised He was “immediately” driven into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:11-13), and it was not until 40 days after His Baptism that John pointed out to his disciples Jesus as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” The words “next day” (John 1:29) refer not to the day after Jesus’ Baptism, but the next day after the Priests and Levites had inquired of John whether he was the Christ or Elias. John 1:19-28. In John 1:32-34, John the Baptist testifies that he knew not Jesus as the “Lamb of God” until His Baptism. Then he knew by the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove upon Christ that He was the “SON OF GOD.” Therefore John the Baptist knew nothing about Christ’s sacrificial work at the beginning of his ministry, and his proclamation that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand could have had no reference to a Spiritual Kingdom.

            When Nathanael exclaimed – “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the KING OF ISRAEL” (John 1:49), Jesus did not disclaim the title. When Jesus entered on His own ministry His message was the same as John the Baptist’s – “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND.” Matthew 4:17. The repentance called for was a “NATIONAL REPENTANCE.” The Old Testament scriptures clearly teach that the Messianic Kingdom cannot be set up until Israel as a nation REPENTS. In Matthew 4:23 we read – “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the ‘Gospel of The Kingdom.’” While this was attended with “signs of bodily healing” we are nowhere told that the “Gospel of the Kingdom” had anything to do with the salvation of the soul, and as it is to be preached again after the Rapture of the Church for a “witness” unto all nations, that the time has come for the setting up of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14) the inference is that the “Gospel of the Kingdom” has nothing to do with “salvation,” but is simply an announcement that the “Messianic Kingdom” is AT HAND.

            When Jesus sent forth the Twelve Disciples He commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the ‘lost sheep’ of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL, and as ye go, preach, saying – ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons).” Matthew 10:5-8. Note again that the works they were to perform were “Kingdom SIGNS,” and had no reference to the salvation of the soul. They did not preach the “Gospel of Salvation,” but the “Gospel of the Kingdom.” And further the “Gospel of Salvation” is for the whole world, but the Disciples were forbidden to go to any but the “House of Israel,” thus showing that what they preached was exclusively for Israel. That the Disciples were expecting the setting up of a visible earthly Kingdom is evidenced by the request of James and John that they might sit, one on the right hand, and the other on the left hand of Jesus in His Kingdom. Mark 10:35-41. If there was to be no earthly Kingdom Jesus would have disabused their minds of that idea, but He confirmed it by saying that the place of honor was not for Him to give, but would be bestowed by His Father. Matthew 20:23.

            The fact that after the miracle of the “Loaves and Fishes” the multitude was desirous to take Jesus by force and make Him a KING (John 6:15), reveals what they understood by the preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven being AT HAND. That Jesus prevented their doing so by escaping to a mountain is no evidence that He repudiated the idea of Kingship over a visible earthly Kingdom, but that to have received the Kingdom from them would have been wrong, for He is to receive the (Kingdom from the FATHER, and not from men. Daniel 7:13-14. That Jesus did not deny His Kingship of an outward and visible earthly Kingdom is clear from the fact that He accepted the “Hosannahs” of the multitude when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday in fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. John 12:12-15. And it was as “King OF THE JEWS” He was crucified. Matthew 27:37. When Pilate asked Jesus – “Art Thou the King of the JEWS?” He evaded the question, but admitted that He was a KING, and to that end had been born, but that His Kingdom was “not of this world,” that is, it would be given to Him by God the Father, and therefore would be from Heaven. John 18:33-37.

            But some one may ask, “What would have happened if the Jews, as a nation, had repented, and accepted Jesus’ as King, would the earthly Messianic Kingdom have been set up?” Certainly, but not necessarily immediately, for certain Old Testament prophecies as to Jesus’ death and resurrection had to be fulfilled, for He had to die for the redemption of the race, before He could assume His office as King. But this could and would have been fulfilled by the Roman Government seizing Jesus and crucifying Him as a usurper, and with Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, Daniel’s 69th week would have terminated, and the 70th week begun without a break, and at its close Jesus would have descended and set up His earthly Kingdom.

            But you ask, “What about the Church? If it was God’s Eternal Purpose to form the Church (Ephesians 1:4); how could it have been formed if there was no break or gap between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week, and how there-, fore could there have been a ‘bona fide’ offer of an earthly Kingdom to Israel?” The question is hypothetical and based on the supposition that something might have happened that God foresaw would not happen. God’s foreknowledge that the Jewish nation would not at that time heed the announcement that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand and repent, does not militate against the sincerity of the announcement any more than the offer of spiritual salvation by a preacher of the Gospel to an audience of sinners who he has every reason to believe will refuse his ‘ offer, is not a sincere and “bona fide” offer.  

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God’s Plan and Purpose in the Ages is based upon His FORE-KNOWLEDGE. If God had not foreseen that the Jews would reject the King and therefore the Kingdom, He would have planned for the formation of the Church at some other time than this present Dispensation. As the Church was to be purchased by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 1:18-21), it was necessary that Jesus should be rejected and crucified, and that by His own nation, for the Prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10) foretold that the Jews should look upon Him whom they had PIERCED. But God’s foreknowledge did not require or compel the Jewish nation to reject Jesus, any more than Jesus’ foreknowledge that Judas would betray Him compelled Judas to so do. The possibility of the Church being crowded out by the repentance of the Jewish nation did not enter into the “Plan of God,” who foresaw the refusal of Israel to accept Jesus as King, and that Israel would not nationally repent until after the Church had been formed and taken out of the world.

            In expounding the Scriptures we are not to take something that belongs to a “PAST” and a “FUTURE” Dispensation and put it in the “PRESENT” Dispensation.! For instance, “THE KINGDOM.” The “PAST” and “COMING” Dispensations have to do with “THE KINGDOM,” but the “Present” has to do with the CHURCH. The “Kingdom” is an outward, visible and earthly “POLITICAL ORGANIZATION,” and is to be “set up” on the earth (Daniel 2:44); while the “Church” is an invisible and heavenly “SPIRITUAL ORGANISM” that is to be “caught out.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The “Kingdom” was prepared FROM the “Foundation of the World.” Matthew 25:34. The “Church” was chosen in Him “BEFORE” the “Foundation of the World.” Ephesians 1:4, The “Church” then is not the “Kingdom.” See the Chart on “The Church Versus The Kingdom” above.

            Here we must distinguish between the “Kingdom of God,” the “Kingdom of Heaven,” and the Church. See the Chart above. The “Kingdom of God” is the “Reign of God” in the Universe over all His created creatures, and includes time and eternity, heaven and earth. It is spiritual and “cometh not with observation.” Luke 17:20,21. It is entered by the “New Birth,” (John 3:5); and is not “meat” and “drink,” but “Righteousness and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17.

            The “Kingdom of Heaven” is a New Testament term, and is found in Matthew’s Gospel only, where it is mentioned 32 times. Its character is described in the 12 “Kingdom of Heaven Parables” given in Matthew 13:1-50; Matthew 18:23-35; Matthew 20:1-16; Matthew 22:1-14; Matthew 25:1-30. From these Parables we see that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is limited as to its Time and its Sphere. Its Time is from the First to the Second Coming of Christ, and its Sphere is over that part of the world that we call Christendom. In the “Kingdom of Heaven” there is a mixture of good and evil, of “Wheat” and “Tares,” of “Good Fish” and “Bad Fish,” of “Wise Virgins” and “Foolish Virgins.”

            After the Resurrection of Jesus the hope of an earthly visible Kingdom was revived, and just before His Ascension the Disciples asked Him – “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” His reply was – “It is not for you to know the ‘Times’ and ‘Seasons’ which the Father hath put in His own power.” Acts 1:6-7. Now Jesus did not deny that there was to be a “visible earthly Kingdom,” He simply told the Disciples that it was not for them to “know” when it would be set up. If Jesus came simply to set up a “Spiritual” Kingdom in this Dispensation then common honesty demanded that He at that solemn moment when He was about to leave His Disciples and go back to the Father should have disabused His Disciples’ minds of their false hope, and told them plainly that the Kingdom He came to set up was “Spiritual” and not earthly. But He did nothing of the kind. He left them with the belief that there was to be an “earthly and visible Kingdom” some day.

            The King having been rejected it was impossible then to set up the Kingdom, so the Kingdom took on another aspect known as the “Kingdom in Mystery,” described in the twelve “Kingdom of Heaven” parables of Matthew’s Gospel. When the Disciples of Jesus said unto Him – “Why speakest Thou unto them in ‘Parables.?’ He replied, “Because it is given unto you to know the ‘MYSTERIES’ of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 13:10-11. In verse 35 He gives as His reason for speaking to them in Parables, that it might be fulfilled as spoken by the Prophet—“I will open my mouth in ‘Parables’; I will utter things which have been kept ‘SECRET’ from the foundation of the world.” The “Kingdom of Heaven Parables” therefore cannot describe the “Millennial Kingdom” for it was no “secret” to the Old Testament Prophets. Neither do they describe a “Spiritual Kingdom,” for the figures they use are all of an “earthly” nature. They must then describe the character of the Present Dispensation in its earthly aspect during the absence of the King. For a full exposition of these Parables see my Larger Work on Dispensational Truth.

THE KINGDOM IN MANIFESTATION

            Jesus is the “Certain Nobleman” who went into a “Far Country” to receive for Himself a Kingdom, and to return. Luke 19:12. And when He comes back He will reward His servants, the Jews, and give them authority over as many cities as they deserve. Jesus has not yet received the Kingdom. He must finish His High Priestly and Mediatorial work first. Daniel describes the event in Daniel 7:13-14. The form of Government will be a “Theocracy.” Christ will reign through a “King” or “Prince” called DAVID (Hosea 3:5; Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:24; Ezekiel 34:24), whose Throne shall be at Jerusalem. The Temple will be rebuilt, and the “Aaronic Priesthood” reestablished. Ezekiel 44:15-31. There will be a revival of the Land of Palestine (Joel 3:18), and the length of human life extended. Isaiah. 65 : 20-22. Zechariah 8:4. For a full description of the Kingdom and the Millennium see my Larger Work on “Dispensational Truth.”

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Chapter V. The Four Gospels

The word “Gospel” means “Good News,” and is so familiar that its application is supposed to be uniform. When, therefore, we read of

The Gospel of the KINGDOM,

The Gospel of the GRACE OF GOD,

The GLORIOUS GOSPEL, and

The EVERLASTING GOSPEL

 it is taken for granted that they all refer to one and the same thing. But this is not true.

1. THE GOSPEL OF THE “KINGDOM.”

Matthew 24:14.

            This is the “Good News” that God purposes to set up a Kingdom on this earth over which David’s Son, JESUS, shall reign, as prophesied in Luke 1:32-33. Two preachings of this Gospel are mentioned, one past, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist, and preached by Jesus and His Disciples, but it ended with the rejection of Jesus as King. This Gospel is to be preached again after the Church is taken out. It will be the fulfilment of Matthew 24:14, where it says: “This Gospel of ‘THE KINGDOM’ shall be preached in all the world for a WITNESS unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This has no reference to the Gospel that is now being preached to the nations. It is the Gospel of SALVATION, but the “Gospel of the Kingdom” is not for “Salvation” but for a WITNESS, that is, it is the announcement that the time has come to SET UP THE KINGDOM. It will be preached by Elijah the forerunner (Malachi 4:5-6), and by others who shall be commissioned to bear the news to all nations as a proclamation of the coming of Christ as King to occupy the “Throne of David,” and for the purpose of regathering Israel to the Promised Land.

2. THE GOSPEL OF “THE GRACE OF GOD.”

Acts 20:24.

            This is the “Good News” that Jesus Christ, the rejected King, died on the Cross for our SALVATION. This form of the Gospel is described in many ways. It is called the “GOSPEL OF GOD” (Romans 1:1), because it has its source in the LOVE OF GOD. John 3:16. Its Character is GRACE. Acts 20:24. Its Subject is CHRIST (Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 10:14), and it is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION. And it is the “GOSPEL OF PEACE,” because it makes peace between the sinner and God, and brings peace to the soul. Ephesians 6:15.

3. THE “GLORIOUS “ GOSPEL.

2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Timothy 1:11.

            The “GLORIOUS GOSPEL” is that phase of the Gospel of “The Grace of God” that speaks of Him who is in the GLORY, and has been GLORIFIED, and who is bringing many sons TO GLORY. Hebrews 2:10. It has special reference to His Second Coming, and is especially comforting to those who are looking for His GLORIOUS APPEARING (Titus 2:13), and it is to this Gospel that Satan, the “God of this Age,” is particularly anxious to “blind the minds” of those who believe not in the Pre-Millennial coming of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

4. THE “EVERLASTING “ GOSPEL.

Revelation. 14 :6.

            This Gospel will be proclaimed just before the “Vial Judgments,” and by an angel. It is the only Gospel committed to an angel. It is neither the Gospel of the “Kingdom,” nor of “Grace.” Its burden is not SALVATION but JUDGMENT – “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME.”

            It is “Good News” to Israel, and all who are passing through the “fires of Judgment,” because it declares that their troubles will soon end in the Judgment and Destruction of Antichrist and his followers. It calls on men to worship God as “CREATOR,” and not as “Saviour” and so it is called [A statement concerning the Revised Version was removed from this paragraph at this point] – “THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL,” the Gospel that has been proclaimed front Eden down by Patriarchs and Prophets, and not an “Everlasting Gospel” in the sense that it saves men for all eternity. Its burden is not “Repent,” or “do this” or “do that,” but – “FEAR GOD, and give GLORY TO HIM; for the HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME; and WORSHIP HIM THAT MADE HEAVEN, AND EARTH, AND THE SEA, AND THE FOUNTAINS OF WATERS.” From this we see how important it is to distinguish between the various Gospels, not only as to their message, but the period to which they apply, otherwise there will be confusion and false teaching. See Chart, “The Four Gospels.”.

            There is also “ANOTHER GOSPEL” (Galatians 1:6-12, 2 Corinthians 11:4), which is not another, and which Paul repudiated. It is a perversion of the true Gospel and has many seductive forms, and in the main teaches that “FAITH” is NOT SUFFICIENT to Salvation, nor able to keep and perfect, and so emphasizes “GOOD WORKS.” Colossians 2:18-23, Hebrews 6:1, Hebrews 9:14. The Apostle Paul pronounces a fearful “Anathema” upon its preachers and teachers. Galatians 1:8-9.

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Chapter VI. The Two Advents

            The careful reader of the Old Testament will perceive that there are two lines of prophecy in reference to the Messiah. The first speaks of Him as a

SUFFERING SAVIOUR

1. The TIME of His First Coming. Daniel 9:25.

2. The PLACE of His Birth. Micah 5:2 (Luke 2:4).

3. His VIRGIN BIRTH. Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:18).

4. His ANOINTING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Isaiah 61:1 (John 1:32-34).

5. DESPISED and REJECTED, a MAN OF SORROWS and acquainted with GRIEF. Isaiah 53:3. (Matthew 26:36-39).

6. SOLD for 30 pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12 (Matthew 26:15).

7. BETRAYED by a friend. Psalm 41:9 (Matthew 26:49-50).

8. FORSAKEN by His Disciples. Zechariah 13:7 (Mark 14:27).

9. ACCUSED by “False Witnesses.” Psalm 35:11 (Matthew 26:59-60).

10. SPIT UPON and SCOURGED. Isaiah 50:6 (Mark 14:65).

11. NAILED to the Cross. Psalm 22:16 (Luke 23:33).

12. MOCKED on the Cross. Psalm 22:7-8. (Matthew 27:39-40).

13. INTENSE SUFFERER. Psalm 22:14. (Luke 22:44).

14. CRUCIFIED with thieves. Isaiah 53:12 (Mark 15:27-28).

15. BURIED as a rich man. Isaiah 53:9 (Matthew 27:57-60).

            The second line of prophecy speaks of Messiah as a

GLORIOUS KING.

1. He was to be a “RIGHTEOUS BRANCH.” Jeremiah 23:5-8.

2. He was to have a “KINGDOM.” Daniel 2:44. Daniel 7:13-14.

3. He was to reign on the “THRONE OF DAVID.” 1 Samuel 7 : 16. Isaiah 9:6-7.

4. He was to rule the nations with a “ROD OF IRON.” Psalm 2:6-9.

5. His reign was to be GLORIOUS. Psalm 72:1-20. Isaiah 2:1-4. Isaiah 32:1-4, Isaiah 32:15-20. Zechariah 14:16-21.

            These are but a few of the many prophecies contained in the Old Testament as to the coming of the Messiah.

            Peter tells us (1 Peter 1:10-11) that the Old Testament prophets did not perceive the difference between the “Sufferings” and “Glory” of Christ. That is, they did not see that there was a “TIME SPACE,” between the “CROSS” and the “CROWN” covering the “Present Dispensation,” and that the “Cross” would precede the “Crown.” It was because of this that the religious leaders of Christ’s day rejected Him. But we have no such excuse. We live on this side of the “Cross,” and we can readily pick out all the prophecies that were fulfilled at Christ’s “First Coming” and apply the remainder to His “Second Coming.” It is clear then that Christ’s “First Coming,” important as it was, is not the “doctrinal centre” of the Scriptures, that is, Christ’s “First Coming” was not the centre of a circle that contains all doctrine, but was one of the foci of an ellipse of which the other is the “SECOND COMING.” See the Chart of “The Two Comings,” above.

On this Chart the “First Coming” is indicated by the “CROSS,” and the “Second Coming” by the “CROWN.” Between the “Comings” we have the “TABLE” which points backward to the “Cross” and forward to the “Crown.”

            While the First and Second Comings of Christ are separated by this Dispensation they are nevertheless not complete in themselves, the Second necessitated the First, and the First demands the Second. They are both necessary to complete the Plan of Salvation. The First Coming was for the salvation of my “SOUL”; the Second is for the salvation of my “BODY,” for there can be no resurrection of the body until Christ comes back.

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The Chart on the “Mountain Peaks of Prophecy,” just above, illustrates how it was that the Old Testament Prophets failed to distinguish between the “First” and “Second” Comings. From the Prophets’ “viewpoint” they saw the Birth of Jesus, the Crucifixion, the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Antichrist, Christ coming as the “Sun of Righteousness,” the Kingdom, as peaks of one great mountain, they did not see what we standing off to the side now see, that those peaks belonged to two different mountains separated by the “Valley of the Church.”

            The Chart of “The Two Advents”, will give us a clear idea of the “Two Advents.” The “First Advent,” like the “Second Advent” was in “Two Stages.” In the “First Stage” Jesus came “SECRETLY” from Heaven and was born of a virgin as had been foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 7:14. Matthew 1:18-23. In the “Second Stage” He came “PUBLICLY” and was proclaimed as King, as foretold by the Prophet Zechariah. Zechariah 9:9. Luke 19:28-40. Matthew 21:4-5. Between the two stages of His First Coming there was a “Time Space” of 33 years, from B. C. 4 to A. D. 30.

            At His “Second Coming” there will also be “Two Stages.” At the “First Stage” He will come “SECRETLY” into the atmosphere of the earth, and the Church will be “caught out” to meet Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This was not revealed to the Old Testament Prophets. This is known as the “Rapture.” At the “Second Stage” He will come “PUBLICLY” all the way to the earth and stand again on the Mount of Olives from which He ascended, as foretold by the Prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 14:1-4), and by the “Two MEN” (Moses and Elijah) who stood by when He ascended. Acts 1:9-11. This is spoken of as the “Revelation.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. The “Time Space” between the “Rapture” and the “Revelation” will be at least 7 years, unless it be shortened (Matthew 24:22), but probably it will be longer, as the “Rapture of the Church” may take place some time before the commencement of the “Last Week” of Daniel’s “Seventy Weeks.” Daniel 9:27. See the Chart of “Daniel’s Seventy Weeks,” below. When Christ comes at the “Rapture” He will be the “Bright and Morning Star,” 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16. When He comes at the “Revelation” He will be the “Sun of Righteousness.” Malachi 4:2.

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As the prophecies in reference to Christ’s First Advent were literally fulfilled, so must the prophecies of His Second Advent. We cannot literalize one and spiritualize the other. Let us see what the New Testament has to say about

THE SECOND ADVENT.

I. AS TO THE FACT

1. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS HIMSELF.

John 14:2-3. “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

2. THE TESTIMONY OF HEAVENLY BEINGS.

            Acts 1:10-11. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This SAME JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

            This passage declares that the SAME JESUS shall return IN LIKE MANNER as He went, that is, that His return will be visible and personal. The two “men” that “stood by” were probably Moses and Elijah. They appeared with Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration, they were doubtless the “two men” who testified to the women at the tomb that Jesus had risen (Luke 24:4-5), and they will be the “Two Witnesses” that shall testify during the Tribulation. Revelation 11:3-12.

3. THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES.

PAUL –

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20-21.

JAMES –

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” James 5 :7.

PETER –

            “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16.

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 Peter here refers to the Transfiguration of Christ on the mount (Matthew 17:1-5), which was a type of His Second Coming. Moses was a type of the “resurrection saints,” and Elijah of those who shall be translated without dying.

JOHN –

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 1 John 2:28.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7.

4. THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26.

            The Lord’s Supper is not a permanent ordinance. It will be discontinued when the Lord returns. It is a Memorial Feast. It looks back to the “Cross” and forward to the “Coming.”

THE FIVE THEORIES

            While the majority of professing Christians admit the fact of the Second Coming of Christ, they are not agreed as to the “manner” or “time.” There are five theories as to the Second Coming.

1. That His Coming Again Is “SPIRITUAL” and Was Fulfilled at Pentecost.

            It was not Christ but the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost, and his coming was conditioned on Christ’s absence, for Jesus said, “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter (H. S.) will not come unto you; but if I DEPART, I will SEND HIM UNTO YOU.” John 16:7. If the Holy Spirit is only another manifestation of Christ, then they are identical, and that NULLIFIES THE TRINITY. The fact is, the whole New Testament was written after Pentecost, and declares over 150 times that the Second Coming of Christ was still future. And more, none of the events predicted as accompanying the Second Coming occurred at Pentecost, such as the Resurrection of the “Dead in Christ,” the Translation of the “Living Saints,” the “Binding of Satan,” etc.

2. That the “CONVERSION OF THE SINNER” is the Coming of the Lord.

            This cannot be, for at conversion the sinner comes to Christ, not Christ to the sinner; and the sinner’s conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, and not the work of Christ. It is true that there is such a thing as the spiritual indwelling of Christ in the believer, but His Second Coming, like His First Coming is to be an outward, visible, personal coming.

3. That “DEATH” is the Coming of the Lord.

            The text that is used more than any other for funeral sermons is – “Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.” Matthew 25:13. The context shows that this refers to a future coming of Christ. Christ could not come to the earth every time a person dies for two reasons –

(1) A soul passes into eternity every second, and this would necessitate Christ’s remaining continuously on the earth.

(2) Christ is engaged in His High Priestly functions in the Heavenlies, and could not leave them to come to the earth for the souls of the dying.

            The fact is, that at death the believer goes to Christ. ‘Christ does not come for him. Death is always spoken of as a departure. “Absent from the body, present (at home) with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.

            If Jesus had meant by His Second Coming “Death,” he would have said to His Disciples – “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will send ‘Death’ to bring you to myself,” but He did not. He said – “I will come again and receive you unto myself.” The last chapter of John’s Gospel settles the matter. Peter said to Jesus – “Lord, and what shall this man (referring to John) do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple (John) should not DIE.” John 21:21-23. We see from this that the Disciples did not think that the “Coming of the Lord” meant “death.” There was a great difference between these two things in their mind. Death is an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26, 1 Corinthians 15:55), it holds us in the grave, it robs the body of its attractiveness, it is the “Wages of Sin” (Romans 6:23), and the result of God’s wrath, while the Second Coming of Christ is a manifestation of His love. Christ is the “Prince of Life.” There can be no death where He is. Death flees at His coming. When He was on earth nothing could remain dead in His presence. His Coming is not death but resurrection. He is the “Resurrection” and the “Life,” and when He Comes, He will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His “Glorious Body.” Philippians 3:20-21.

4. That the “DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM” in A. D. 70 by the Romans

Was the Second Coming of the Lord.

            The Lord was not present at the destruction of Jerusalem. It was destroyed by Roman soldiers and none of the things that are to occur at the “Second Coming” occurred at the destruction of Jerusalem such as the resurrection of the dead, the translation of living saints, and the physical changes that are to occur at Jerusalem and in the land of Palestine at Christ’s coming. Zechariah 14:411. Ezekiel 47:1-12. Christ’s purpose in coming back is not to destroy Jerusalem, but to RESTORE it. It must be trodden down of the Gentiles until the “Times of the Gentiles” are fulfilled, “then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:24-28. The Book of Revelation, written 26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem, speaks of the Second Coming of Christ as still future.

5. That the “DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY” is the Second Coming of the Lord.

This cannot be true, for the “Diffusion of Christianity” is gradual, whereas the Scriptures declare that the “Return of the Lord” shall be SUDDEN and UNEXPECTED, as a “Thief in the Night.” Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:44. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Revelation 3:3. Again the “Diffusion of Christianity” is a process, while the Scriptures invariably speak of the “Return of the Lord” as an EVENT. The diffusion of Christianity brings Salvation to the wicked, whereas the “Return of the Lord” is said to bring not salvation but SUDDEN DESTRUCTION. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

II. AS TO THE TIME

            Of the exact time we cannot be certain. When Jesus was on the earth He said – “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither (not yet) the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32. After His Resurrection and before His Ascension, He refused to satisfy the curiosity of His Disciples, saying to them – “It is not for you to know the ‘times’ or the ‘seasons’ which the Father hath put in his own power.” Acts 1:7.

            While we do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s Coming we know that it will be

PRE-MILLENNIAL.

            By Pre-Millennial we mean before the Millennium. That is, before the period of a “Thousand Years” spoken of in Revelation 20:1-6. This period is spoken of in other scriptures as “The Kingdom,” and is described in glowing terms by the prophets as a time when the earth shall be blessed with a universal rule of righteousness. The passage in Revelation 20:1-6 simply tells us that the length of the period shall be 1000 years.

            The very structure of the New Testament demands that Christ shall return before the Millennium. Here are a few reasons.

            1. When Christ comes He will RAISE THE DEAD, but the Righteous dead are to be raised BEFORE the Millennium, that they may reign with Christ during the 1000 years, hence there can be no Millennium before Christ comes. Revelation 20:5.

            2. When Christ comes He will SEPARATE THE “TARES “ FROM THE “WHEAT,” but as the Millennium is a period of UNIVERSAL RIGHTEOUSNESS the separation of the “Tares” and “Wheat” must take place BEFORE the Millennium, therefore there can be no Millennium before Christ comes. Matthew 13:40-43.

            3. When Christ comes Satan SHALL BE BOUND, but as Satan is to be bound during the Millennium, there can be no Millennium until Christ comes. Revelation 20:1-3.

            4. When Christ comes Antichrist is to be DESTROYED, but as Antichrist is to be destroyed before the Millennium there can be no Millennium until Christ comes. 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:20.

            5. When Christ comes the Jews are to be RESTORED TO THEIR OWN LAND, but as they are to be restored to their own land BEFORE the Millennium, there can be no Millennium before Christ comes. Ezekiel 36:24-28; Revelation 1:7 (Zechariah 12:10).

            6. When Christ comes it will be unexpectedly, and we are commanded to watch lest He take us unawares. Now if He is not coming until AFTER the Millennium, and the Millennium is not yet here, why command us to watch for an event that is over 1000 years off?

III. AS TO THE MANNER

            He will return in the SAME MANNER as He went. Acts 1:11. He went up BODILY and VISIBLY and He shall come in like manner. He went in a cloud, and He will return in a cloud. “Behold, He cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” Revelation 1:7. The only difference will be that He went up alone, He will return as a King (Luke 19:12), followed by a retinue of the angelic hosts. “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with his angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27. His “Return” however will be in

TWO STAGES.

He will come first into the region of our atmosphere, and the “dead in Christ,” and the “living saints” shall be “caught up” to meet Him “IN THE AIR.” Then after the risen and translated saints have been judged and rewarded for their works, and they, as the Church, the Bride of Christ, have been married to Him, He will come with them to the earth and land on the Mount of Olives, the place from whence He ascended. Zechariah 14:4.

            The First Stage of His Return is called “THE RAPTURE”; the Second Stage – “THE REVELATION.” The time between the two Stages is not less than seven years, and is occupied in the heavens by the “JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS FOR WORKS,” and on the earth by “THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

THE RAPTURE

            The Rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel (Michael) and with the trump of God; and the DEAD IN CHRIST shall rise first; then we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN (saints only) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord IN THE AIR, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

            From this we see that “The Rapture” will be twofold.

1. The Resurrection of the “DEAD IN CHRIST.”

2. The Translation of the “LIVING SAINTS.”

            This twofold character of “The Rapture” Jesus revealed to Martha when He was about to raise her brother Lazarus. He said to her:

“I am the ‘Resurrection and the Life,’ he that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he LIVE (First Resurrection Saints); and whosoever LIVETH (is alive when I come back) and believeth in Me shall NEVER DIE.” John 11:25-26.

            This twofold character of The Rapture, Paul emphasizes in his immortal chapter on the Resurrection.

“Behold, I show you a Mystery, we shall not all Sleep, 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, and we shall be changed. For this Corruptible (the dead in Christ) must put on incorruption, and this mortal (the living saints) must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.

O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?

O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?”

1 Corinthians 15:51-57.

The last two lines refer only to those who are “changed without dying,” for it is only those who will not die who can shout –

“O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?

“O Grave, Where Is Thy Victory?”

            In 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, Paul expresses his longing, and the longing of the Saints, to be among those who should not be “unclothed” by Death, but who should be “clothed upon” by Immortality “without dying.”

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (the body), were dissolved (that is die), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. For in this (body) we groan, earnestly desiring to be ‘clothed upon’ with our house which is from heaven; if so be that being ‘clothed’ we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle (the body) do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be ‘unclothed’ (by death), but ‘clothed upon’ (by immortality), that ‘mortality’ might be swallowed up of life.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

In his letter to the Philippians, while Paul hopes that –

“If by any means he may attain unto The (out from among the dead) Resurrection,” yet he pressed “toward the mark for the ‘prize’ of the High (out and up) Calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:11-14.

            That is, while Paul would esteem it a great thing to “rise from the dead” at the First Resurrection, and be “caught up” with those who should be “changed,” yet he would esteem it a “prize” if he could be caught up “without dying,” that is, live until Jesus came back.

THE RAPTURE WILL BE A “SURPRISE”

“Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man COMETH.” Matthew 24:42-44.

            We see from this that when Christ comes back it will be when we are not expecting Him. He will come as a thief comes. A thief does not announce his coming. He comes for a certain purpose. He does not take everything there is in the house. He takes only the precious things. The jewels, the gold, the silver and fine wearing apparel. He does not come to stay. As soon as he secures what he is after he departs. So Jesus at the Rapture will come and take away the saints only. The thief leaves much more than he takes. He leaves the house and the furniture and the household utensils. So the Lord at the Rapture will leave the wicked and the great mass of the heathen behind, for those who will be taken will be comparatively few.

THE RAPTURE WILL BE “ELECTIVE”

            It will not only separate the saints from unbelievers, but it will separate husbands from wives, brothers from sisters, friends from friends.

“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.” Luke 17:34-36.

            [Larkin’s comments on what this passage should read have been removed.] Two in “bed” indicates night; two grinding at the mill, morning or evening; two in the field mid-day. This shows that the Rapture will happen all over the earth at the same time or as the Apostle describes it in a “moment,” or the “twinkling of an eye.” “As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man Be” (Matthew 24:27) is the way Jesus puts it.

            The “Rapture” will be the most startling “event” of this Age and Dispensation. As it is to occur in the “twinkling of an eye” and all over the earth at the same time, that part of the world that is not asleep will witness the event. As to the “Shout of the Lord,” the Voice of the Archangel,” and the “Trump of God” we do not know whether their sound will be heard and distinguished by others than the “dead in Christ” and the “living saints.” We know that one day the Father spoke to Christ in a voice that He understood, but the people who stood by mistook it for “thunder.” John 12:28, John 12:29. If the dead slip out of their places of sepulchre without disturbing them, the First Resurrection will be secret and probably unknown to the world, but it will not be so with the “Living Saints” who are translated. If it is night on our side of the globe when the Rapture occurs the community will wake up in the morning to find all the real Christians gone, disappeared in the night.

            If it be day, the “EVENT” will be startling. If it be at a pleasant time of the year, the boats, and cars, and parks will be filled with pleasure seekers. If it be in the midst of the week, and during the business hours of the day, the shops and stores will be filled with shoppers and the mills with toilers, and the streets of the cities lined with men and women and children on pleasure and business bent. Suddenly a noise from heaven will be heard like a great peal of thunder. The people will rush to doors and windows, and those on the streets and in the fields will look up to see what has happened. To the vast majority it will be but a startling and alarming sound, but to many it will be the

“VOICE OF THE LORD.”

            But when the people recover from their surprised and affrighted condition they will discover that a great many people are missing, and that the missing were the best people in the community.

            At first the whole thing will be a Mystery, until some one who had heard or read about the “Rapture of the Saints,” realizing what has happened, will explain the situation.

But one of the surprises of that day will be that so many professing Christians, and among them many ministers and Christian workers, will be left behind, while some who were not known to be Christians will be missing. For a few days the excitement will be intense. Then the people will settle down to the inevitable. With the exception of a few who will repent and turn to God, the mass of the people will become more hardened and wicked than before, and some who lost loved ones will be embittered. As the Holy Spirit will have gone back with the “Raptured Ones,” and the “Saints,” the SALT of the earth, been taken out, there will be nothing to prevent the rapid degeneration and “Moral Putrefaction” of those who are “left,” and sin and iniquity and all manner of crime and worldliness will increase and pave the way for the manifestation of Antichrist, under whose administration the world will rapidly ripen for judgment.

THE REVELATION

            At the “Second Stage” of Christ’s Second Coming, the “Revelation,” we shall behold His “Glory.” When Jesus came the first time He was disguised in the flesh. The “Incarnation” was the hiding of His Power, the veiling of His Deity. Now and then gleams of glory shot forth as on the Mt. of Transfiguration; but when He comes the Second Time we shall behold Him clothed with the glory He had with the Father before the world was. The “Revelation” will be as sudden and unexpected as was the “Rapture.” The people will be buying and selling, building and planting, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. The statesmen will be revolving in their minds new plans for the world’s betterment. The pleasure-loving will be seeking new sources of pleasure. The wicked will be plotting dark deeds; and the unbelieving will be proving to their own satisfaction that there is no God, no heaven, no hell, no coming judgment, when suddenly there will be a change. In the distant heaven there will appear a

“POINT OF LIGHT,”

outshining the sun. It will be seen descending toward the earth. As it descends it will assume the form of a bright cloud, out of which shall stream dazzling beams of light, and flashes of lightning. It will descend apace as if on the wings of the whirlwind, and when it reaches its destination over the brow of the Mt. of Olives it will stop and unfold itself to the terrified and awestricken beholders, and there will be revealed to them Jesus seated on a “White Horse” (Revelation 19:11-16) and accompanied with His Saints and the armies of Heaven. Then shall be fulfilled what Jesus foretold in His Olivet Discourse— “Then shall appear the sign (a cloud) of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY.” Matthew 24:30.

            Following the “Revelation” will be the “Battle of Armageddon,” and then Christ will sit upon the “THRONE OF HIS GLORY” and judge “The Nations,” (Matthew 25:31-46), after which He will set up His “Millennial Kingdom.” * (* See my booklet on “The Second Coming,” containing 46 pages and 8 Charts, price 25 cents, for a fuller description of the “Second Advent.”)