A DATE WITH DESTINY-
Roger G. Andersen
So you are a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a member of
the Church which is His Body, but do you know what that means to you?
Have you grasped both its present and future implications? You have a
date with destiny, an appointment with Jesus Christ scheduled in the
mind and plan of God from before the foundation of the world. No member
of His Body, whether living or dead, will be so much as one second late
for it. The purpose of this little booklet is to introduce you to that
date and its ensuing results. Let us begin with a look at...
I. A Fantastic Truth
.
Close your eyes for a moment and try to visualize what Heaven will be like! Are you aware that you are already on the grounds of eternity? Ephesians 1:3 tells us that He has already blessed us with "spiritual blessings in the heavenlies"; 2:6 that we have already been raised and seated with Him; and Colossians 2:10 that we are "complete in Him." Let it sink into your mind that in the sight of God we are already position-ally on the grounds of Heaven. The very moment we receive Christ as our Saviour heaven begins for us. In the great missionary passage of II Corinthians 5, Paul tells us that "we are ambassadors." An ambassador is a citizen official of one country who is conveying his government's communications to the government of the land in which he is serving. He is a stranger who has been granted diplomatic immunity in the land of his service. For this reason we read that we are not to be subject to worldly ordinances (Colossians 2:20)—that is to the spiritual rules of this present world system. The analogy is further related in Philippians 3:20-21 where the word "conversation" could better be translated commonwealth, homeland, or citizenship. An ambassador is subject to recall at any time by the homeland's administration. In this age of ambassadorship, we call the "Dispensation of the Grace of God" (Ephesians 3:2), we live in the constant expectation of recall. This recall is called the "Rapture" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). The first step in studying the destiny of the Church is for the individual member to realize that his destiny has already begun! He is already a teacher of angels (Ephesians 3:10) while ambassadoring on earth.
II. Where the Action Is
Has anyone ever asked you to name the place of your origin? How did you respond? Some will say, "I'm from Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, etc." We may be physically correct in doing so, but spiritually we have a greater place to cite—Heaven. Vacations are wonderful things, but even after the most enjoyable of them, home sure looks good. The destiny of the Church is a great and glorious homecoming. Israel, the nation, had an earthly homeland promised to it, "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8,17). When they are scattered among other nations far from their own special God-given piece of real estate, they are called the "diaspora" (dispersed ones cf. I Peter 1:1 ). They look forward to the day when they shall be regathered to their land (Ezekiel 38:11,12). The hope that kindled in the breast of the Israelite was to be at home in their land with a Son of David upon the throne (II Samuel 7) and the curse of sin removed from the land (Isaiah 35:1-10). Stand this in contrast to the fact that in the Church Epistles (Romans through Philemon) there are no earthly real estate promises. The destiny of the Church is not bound up with the earth, but with Heaven. Notice a few points of contrast between the hopes of Israel and the Church.
1. Israel awaits the Lord's return to earth (Acts 1:8; Matthew 24-25) while the Church awaits a call to ascend into Heaven (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
2. Israel is to .be manifested before the nations (Ezekiel 39:21-24) while the Church is to be manifested "in glory" with her Lord at the manifestation of His glory (Colossians 3:1-4).
3. Contrast the inheritance of the "meek" under the Kingdom program (Psalms 37:11; Matthew 5:5) with the inheritance of the saint under the administration of grace (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:5).(Here we ought to take note that I Peter 1 stipulates that Israel's hope is reserved in Heaven, as indeed it is. It is intimately tied to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is presently seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:20-23) awaiting His unveiling or revelation. However, the fulfillment of the national hope relates to the earth according to the prophets.)
When God began creating in Genesis 1:1, He created both "heaven and earth." The Bible opens and closes with a creative act involving these spheres (Revelation 21-22). Why, if all of God's purposes were centered in either locale would the other be of such scope in both creation and revelation? He has prepared redeemed men to fill and function in these areas. Saved nations for the earth, saved Israel for the land and city and a saved Body for the heavenlies.
III. A Great New Style
To achieve that destiny some changes must occur in the bodies of the "Body" members. A facet of our hope is this change. It is described in I Corinthians 15:20-57 and Philippians 3:20-21. Our new, celestial body will be incorruptible (no aging process), potent (not subject to limitations of space and matter, i.e., the post-resurrection appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ), glorious (like unto the body of His glory), spirit-centered (not soul or ego-centered as is our present one), and it will exceed this one as the plant exceeds the seed from which it grows. If you were to take a canoe trip through the boundary waters area of northern Minnesota, you would have to stop at an outfitters first. There you would be supplied with all you would need for your trip. It would be a light pack, small enough to be easily carried. Even so, the Church will be outfitted for its destiny in glory.
IV. Sitting on a Fluffy Pink Cloud
A fellow once said to me, "I don't want to go to Heaven because it would be very dull to sit on a fluffy pink cloud playing a harp forever." This comic strip view of Heaven is very inadequate. Let us consider a moment the intimations of eternity found in Scripture. Turn in your Bible and read I Corinthians 2:9,10). There it says that we cannot decide what Heaven will be like based upon our experiences (sight and sound) or our imaginations (heart cf. Romans 1:21). The other morning one of the men at our men's prayer breakfast said, "Won't it be wonderful when we get to glory and have this kind of fellowship all the time?" His sentiments were marvelous, but according to this passage, we have not yet come to such a blessed experience as that which shall be ours when the Church is summoned home. Those of us who tend to daydream have taken some wonderful imaginary trips. Think of the power of the statement that it exceeds those excursions by far. While we cannot know it either by experience or imagination, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit unveils it for us. The Spirit moved men to write the Word of God (II Peter 1:20-21) even when they did not fully grasp what they were writing (I Peter 1:10) and then becomes our interpreter (I Corinthians 2:13). While these eternal things are undiscoverable to humanity at large, they are sampled in revelation for the believer. There are many such intimations of what we shall do in glory. Let's look at a few of them:
1. The Church and the Angels: We are already knowingly or unknowingly involved in the teaching of angels. We are instructing those who from a godly vantage point are curiously seeking to understand the redemptive workings of God (Ephesians 3:10-11; I Peter 1:12) and opposing those who are actively seeking to hinder the redemptive workings of God (Ephesians 6:12). Notice the singular usage of "the evil day" in Ephesians 6:13 and contrast it with the "evil days" of Ephesians 5:16. The additional "s" is not a slip of the pen. After the Church is caught home and judged (I Corinthians 3), there is a battle
in the heavenlies (Revelation 12:7-12) following which Satan and his host have no more access to the heavens. There will be no more room for him. The heavens will be filled with the Church. It is my conviction that the present struggle, the Rapture, and the ensuing Judgment outfit the Church for its role in that final struggle which results in the cleansing of the heavenlies. The words "rulers . . . of this world" (Ephesians 6:12), are the translation of a single word, "cosmocrats" or the ruling party. Now if you will note I Corinthians 6:2-3, you will discover that the Church has a role in judging the "world" and "angels" or these beings and their system. Israel will function in a judgmental capacity over the earth and its nations, the Church over the heavens and their system.
2. The Church and Knowledge: In I Corinthians 13:12 we read, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then, / know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known."
We have made available to us all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" which are hidden in Jesus Christ our Lord (Colossians 2:3). It is estimated that even one as intelligent as Albert Einstein used only a very small fraction of his fleshly mental capacities. Think of what will be discoverable to the mind unfettered by sin and with access to the Creator Himself! A great illustration of how much there is to be learned about this present creation can be found in God's dealing with Job. When He wanted to open Job's eyes to His power and glory, He asked him a series of devastating questions about creation and the workings of God (Job 38-41). Job, in his sinful state, stood speechless before God. When the shackles of sin are removed from man's mind and God is openly communing with him for eternity, the possibilities are unlimited. If we can be struck so speechless and be so mystified by this creation, think of the wonders of the New Heavens and the New Earth which will so far outshine this one that it will. no longer come to mind (Isaiah 65:17).
3. The Church and Recognition: Will we know one another in Heaven? This question gets asked very frequently. It is my conviction that there will be recognition there. Let me illustrate this with the story of Lazarus and the rich man, taken from another dispensational setting (Luke 16). A conversation takes place in vs. 23-25 which reveals some interesting things. Firstly, Dives recognizes Lazarus. This is understandable in that they were contemporaries who had seen one another frequently. However, the second thing that leaps off the page is that they both recognized Abraham, who lived 2,500 years precedent to them. Some might say this is no wonder for Lazarus was with him, but think about the other fellow, the one across the gulf. Thirdly, the location of Lazarus is paradise. Why is it called Abraham's bosom? That is not in reality the name of the location, but an indication of the fullness of the fellowship between these two non-contemporaries of earth time. It is the same kind of terminology used to indicate the fullness of the fellowship of Christ and John shortly before the time of the crucifixion (John 13:23). Surely if such recognition were possible for the people of the Kingdom, it will be for the members of the Church which is His Body.
4. Church and Life: The Lord said to His Kingdom saints that He was come to give them abundant life (John 10:10). If this were true for them, it stands to reason that it is also true for the members of His Body. It means abundant life both now and eternally. Think of what it will be like to live without the groaning of the present limitations of sin (Romans 8:22-28). Think of the opportunities of life now. There is no real cause for the believer today to be bored with life. If this is true today, then it surely will^be.for eternity. God will not allow eternity to become one bit dull. With expanded knowledge, fellowship, unity, and without the fetters of sin, the vistas of life are so wide that our minds are boggled by them.
5. The Saints and the Lord: In both the Kingdom letters and the Church letters you have statements on serving and reigning with Christ (Revelation 22:3,5 cf.Ephesians 1:10; 2:7;
II Timothy 2:12). Both of these concepts convey the idea of some administrative function. Therefore, God has a stewardship for each of us which exceeds our present functions like the resurrection body will exceed the present one. No fluffy pink clouds for the Church. see Him as He is" (I John 2:2).It will indeed be glory to be with Him while the world and its leader, the Anti-Christ, will ponder the . . .
"It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 2:2).
VI. Case of the Disappearing Saints
When will this take place? This is important to every believer for it marks the historical point of his date with destiny. Before the unfolding of the Dispensation of Grace through Paul, the Church was a secret (Ephesians 3:1-6; Colossians 1:24-29; Romans 16:25-26). There is nothing about it in the prophetic writings of Israel. It is true that there is much more about Gentile salvation, but always proselyted through Israel (Zech-ariah 8:23 cf. Matthew 28:19 where "teach" should be translated "discipling" or making followers of all nations. Now read Acts 2:42 and 21:20 cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34 to see this in action); but never such equality of position as set forth in I Corinthians 12:12,13 and Ephesians 2:11-22. It stands to reason then, if the Church is not found in prophecy its destiny cannot be found
there either. Some would feel this an inadequate reason, but the stress on the "secret" concept in the Pauline letters cannot be denied. The 1,900 plus years of grace that have elapsed are a void in Israel's prophetic calendar. This is of critical importance for the destiny of the Church is consummated in an event called the "Rapture" which is missing from the prophets.
The Rapture is described in I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13 and Philippians 3:20,21. It is the upward calling of the Church to a full reunion with its Head, our Lord. The members of the Church shall come with a specified series of events (cf. I Thessalonians 4):
1. The Lord descends to meet it (16);
2. A shout (16);
3. A trumpet (called last in I Corinthians 15) (16);
4. Dead raised (16) (result of shout as in story of Lazarus?);
5. Living raised or ascending (17);
6. Bodies changed (Phil. 3:21);
7. And a judgment (I Cor. 3).
The departure of the Church is the signal for the prophetic clock to begin ticking for the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27).
The most frequent question among believers is not whether there will be such an event, but when it will occur. Many are running about seeking the "signs of the times" as did Israel of old (I Corinthians 1:22). The disciples were not atypical in this matter either as evidenced by their question in Matthew 24:3. The most common views of what lies ahead are the four which follow:
1. One-half of Daniel's week (the Tribulation) must elapse before the Rapture which occurs before the second half of the week (wrath of God).
2. The Rapture will occur after the total of the seven years has elapsed but before the Kingdom begins.
3. The Rapture is simply another name for the last great general Resurrection, occuring when the Lord returns for the Final Judgment.
4. It is the next event to occur and is precedent to the Tribulation, not relating to the prophetic writings of Israel.
To these views we attach the names: mid-tribulationist, post-tribulationist, amillenia'list, and pre-tribulationist respectively. It is not the purpose of this booklet to attack any of them, but rather to set forth what we believe to be the correct view.
We believe our hope (the Rapture) is next on the scene of spiritual world events and that the only necessary things to transpire before it becomes a reality are recorded in II Timothy 3. These things could be summed up very simply by saying that things are going to get worse and worse as time marches on. This condition has been true ever since the beginning of this dispensation. Since prophecy concerning Israel's tribulation (Jeremiah 30:7) and her Kingdom will begin at the Church's departure, the scenery may be emplaced and prepared before the curtain (Church) rises, but the events themselves will await that moment. Your date with destiny is imminent.
Here are a few of the reasons that support the immediate Rapture view.
1. One of prime importance has already been given. It is that the Church and its administration were a secret hidden from the view of the prophets. It is consistent to this view and to the nature of the Church that if the commencement and course of this age were a secret, so also is its consummation.
2.1 Thessalonians 4:17, "we which are alive and remain" and Titus 2:13, "looking," both require a constant expectation. Paul had no more knowledge of how long this dispensation would last than do you or I. If the Rapture were a part of the long history of prophetic utterances, the Scriptures would have tied their expectations with the events of Matthew 24 or Daniel 9.
3. II Thessalonians as a whole is written to correct errors in circulation at that time relating to the Rapture. Some of them quit living in the present, stopped working and began to free load (II Thessalonians 3:6-15). This was wrong! If the Lord could come momentarily, He could also wait indefinitely. On the prophetic time scale His return cannot be postponed indefinitely. Seven years after the beginning of the Tribulation, He will return. The converse error was also being taught. Some were saying that they had already missed the Rapture. In responding to this Paul cites prophecy, saying if the Rapture had occurred, the following events would be taking place (II Thessalonians 2). Since they were not, this teaching must obviously be in error. Here is a further demonstration of the exclusion of the Church from Israel's prophetic program.
4. Philippians 3:20, "we look," is another of those present tense, self inclusive statements which indicate an immediacy of expectation.
5. Compare Matthew 25:1-13 and Titus 2:13. The Kingdom parable of the ten virgins indicates a warning related to the Second Coming. There is a threat of being unprepared for Him. There is no such warning note to the Church about the Rapture. The note sounded for us is one of joyful, encouraging anticipation (I Thessalonians 4:18). The reason for this is that one is not physically born into the Church as into the nation. No one is a member of the Church unless he is saved and is therefore ready to receive his hope. No member of the Church will miss the Rapture. If it is missed, it is because the person was not a child of God.
6. An interesting comparison can be seen by laying Acts 1:7 alongside of I Thessalonians 5:2. The Kingdom apostles wanted to know when the signs would occur while the Body saints know perfectly. What caused the difference? The revelation of the Dispensation of Grace occurred between these two passages. The Lord could not tell the apostles for the message of grace was not theirs to give. Once revealed, however, the time clock of signs is fixed. It will begin ticking immediately upon the removal of the Church. (Note in I Thessalonians 5:1-3 the change from "ye" to "they" and ask yourself why this. occurs.)
7. Revelation 14:13 marks the midpoint of the Tribulation by saying, "blessed are the dead." Can you reconcile this with the tone of anticipation and joy for those yet alive as seen in I Thessalonians 4?
It has been argued that since Paul was expecting (according to his commissioning in Acts 9:15) to witness in Rome, he could not have been expecting an "any moment" Rapture. This argument only holds true because of the dispensational changes which are now fully in effect. Paul was aware of the rapid transit journey of Phillip (Acts 8:38,39) and the miraculous speed of the fishing boat on Galilee (John 6:21). He believed God could "do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think" (Ephes-ians 3:20). He saw too many miracles to to doubt that God could fulfill such an event instantaneously.
Yes, we have a date with destiny as members of the Church which is His Body. Every day should be lived in the excitement and anticipation of His coming for us and of our homecoming in glory.
I. A Fantastic Truth
.
Close your eyes for a moment and try to visualize what Heaven will be like! Are you aware that you are already on the grounds of eternity? Ephesians 1:3 tells us that He has already blessed us with "spiritual blessings in the heavenlies"; 2:6 that we have already been raised and seated with Him; and Colossians 2:10 that we are "complete in Him." Let it sink into your mind that in the sight of God we are already position-ally on the grounds of Heaven. The very moment we receive Christ as our Saviour heaven begins for us. In the great missionary passage of II Corinthians 5, Paul tells us that "we are ambassadors." An ambassador is a citizen official of one country who is conveying his government's communications to the government of the land in which he is serving. He is a stranger who has been granted diplomatic immunity in the land of his service. For this reason we read that we are not to be subject to worldly ordinances (Colossians 2:20)—that is to the spiritual rules of this present world system. The analogy is further related in Philippians 3:20-21 where the word "conversation" could better be translated commonwealth, homeland, or citizenship. An ambassador is subject to recall at any time by the homeland's administration. In this age of ambassadorship, we call the "Dispensation of the Grace of God" (Ephesians 3:2), we live in the constant expectation of recall. This recall is called the "Rapture" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). The first step in studying the destiny of the Church is for the individual member to realize that his destiny has already begun! He is already a teacher of angels (Ephesians 3:10) while ambassadoring on earth.
II. Where the Action Is
Has anyone ever asked you to name the place of your origin? How did you respond? Some will say, "I'm from Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, etc." We may be physically correct in doing so, but spiritually we have a greater place to cite—Heaven. Vacations are wonderful things, but even after the most enjoyable of them, home sure looks good. The destiny of the Church is a great and glorious homecoming. Israel, the nation, had an earthly homeland promised to it, "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8,17). When they are scattered among other nations far from their own special God-given piece of real estate, they are called the "diaspora" (dispersed ones cf. I Peter 1:1 ). They look forward to the day when they shall be regathered to their land (Ezekiel 38:11,12). The hope that kindled in the breast of the Israelite was to be at home in their land with a Son of David upon the throne (II Samuel 7) and the curse of sin removed from the land (Isaiah 35:1-10). Stand this in contrast to the fact that in the Church Epistles (Romans through Philemon) there are no earthly real estate promises. The destiny of the Church is not bound up with the earth, but with Heaven. Notice a few points of contrast between the hopes of Israel and the Church.
1. Israel awaits the Lord's return to earth (Acts 1:8; Matthew 24-25) while the Church awaits a call to ascend into Heaven (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
2. Israel is to .be manifested before the nations (Ezekiel 39:21-24) while the Church is to be manifested "in glory" with her Lord at the manifestation of His glory (Colossians 3:1-4).
3. Contrast the inheritance of the "meek" under the Kingdom program (Psalms 37:11; Matthew 5:5) with the inheritance of the saint under the administration of grace (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:5).(Here we ought to take note that I Peter 1 stipulates that Israel's hope is reserved in Heaven, as indeed it is. It is intimately tied to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is presently seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:20-23) awaiting His unveiling or revelation. However, the fulfillment of the national hope relates to the earth according to the prophets.)
When God began creating in Genesis 1:1, He created both "heaven and earth." The Bible opens and closes with a creative act involving these spheres (Revelation 21-22). Why, if all of God's purposes were centered in either locale would the other be of such scope in both creation and revelation? He has prepared redeemed men to fill and function in these areas. Saved nations for the earth, saved Israel for the land and city and a saved Body for the heavenlies.
III. A Great New Style
To achieve that destiny some changes must occur in the bodies of the "Body" members. A facet of our hope is this change. It is described in I Corinthians 15:20-57 and Philippians 3:20-21. Our new, celestial body will be incorruptible (no aging process), potent (not subject to limitations of space and matter, i.e., the post-resurrection appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ), glorious (like unto the body of His glory), spirit-centered (not soul or ego-centered as is our present one), and it will exceed this one as the plant exceeds the seed from which it grows. If you were to take a canoe trip through the boundary waters area of northern Minnesota, you would have to stop at an outfitters first. There you would be supplied with all you would need for your trip. It would be a light pack, small enough to be easily carried. Even so, the Church will be outfitted for its destiny in glory.
IV. Sitting on a Fluffy Pink Cloud
A fellow once said to me, "I don't want to go to Heaven because it would be very dull to sit on a fluffy pink cloud playing a harp forever." This comic strip view of Heaven is very inadequate. Let us consider a moment the intimations of eternity found in Scripture. Turn in your Bible and read I Corinthians 2:9,10). There it says that we cannot decide what Heaven will be like based upon our experiences (sight and sound) or our imaginations (heart cf. Romans 1:21). The other morning one of the men at our men's prayer breakfast said, "Won't it be wonderful when we get to glory and have this kind of fellowship all the time?" His sentiments were marvelous, but according to this passage, we have not yet come to such a blessed experience as that which shall be ours when the Church is summoned home. Those of us who tend to daydream have taken some wonderful imaginary trips. Think of the power of the statement that it exceeds those excursions by far. While we cannot know it either by experience or imagination, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit unveils it for us. The Spirit moved men to write the Word of God (II Peter 1:20-21) even when they did not fully grasp what they were writing (I Peter 1:10) and then becomes our interpreter (I Corinthians 2:13). While these eternal things are undiscoverable to humanity at large, they are sampled in revelation for the believer. There are many such intimations of what we shall do in glory. Let's look at a few of them:
1. The Church and the Angels: We are already knowingly or unknowingly involved in the teaching of angels. We are instructing those who from a godly vantage point are curiously seeking to understand the redemptive workings of God (Ephesians 3:10-11; I Peter 1:12) and opposing those who are actively seeking to hinder the redemptive workings of God (Ephesians 6:12). Notice the singular usage of "the evil day" in Ephesians 6:13 and contrast it with the "evil days" of Ephesians 5:16. The additional "s" is not a slip of the pen. After the Church is caught home and judged (I Corinthians 3), there is a battle
in the heavenlies (Revelation 12:7-12) following which Satan and his host have no more access to the heavens. There will be no more room for him. The heavens will be filled with the Church. It is my conviction that the present struggle, the Rapture, and the ensuing Judgment outfit the Church for its role in that final struggle which results in the cleansing of the heavenlies. The words "rulers . . . of this world" (Ephesians 6:12), are the translation of a single word, "cosmocrats" or the ruling party. Now if you will note I Corinthians 6:2-3, you will discover that the Church has a role in judging the "world" and "angels" or these beings and their system. Israel will function in a judgmental capacity over the earth and its nations, the Church over the heavens and their system.
2. The Church and Knowledge: In I Corinthians 13:12 we read, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then, / know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known."
We have made available to us all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" which are hidden in Jesus Christ our Lord (Colossians 2:3). It is estimated that even one as intelligent as Albert Einstein used only a very small fraction of his fleshly mental capacities. Think of what will be discoverable to the mind unfettered by sin and with access to the Creator Himself! A great illustration of how much there is to be learned about this present creation can be found in God's dealing with Job. When He wanted to open Job's eyes to His power and glory, He asked him a series of devastating questions about creation and the workings of God (Job 38-41). Job, in his sinful state, stood speechless before God. When the shackles of sin are removed from man's mind and God is openly communing with him for eternity, the possibilities are unlimited. If we can be struck so speechless and be so mystified by this creation, think of the wonders of the New Heavens and the New Earth which will so far outshine this one that it will. no longer come to mind (Isaiah 65:17).
3. The Church and Recognition: Will we know one another in Heaven? This question gets asked very frequently. It is my conviction that there will be recognition there. Let me illustrate this with the story of Lazarus and the rich man, taken from another dispensational setting (Luke 16). A conversation takes place in vs. 23-25 which reveals some interesting things. Firstly, Dives recognizes Lazarus. This is understandable in that they were contemporaries who had seen one another frequently. However, the second thing that leaps off the page is that they both recognized Abraham, who lived 2,500 years precedent to them. Some might say this is no wonder for Lazarus was with him, but think about the other fellow, the one across the gulf. Thirdly, the location of Lazarus is paradise. Why is it called Abraham's bosom? That is not in reality the name of the location, but an indication of the fullness of the fellowship between these two non-contemporaries of earth time. It is the same kind of terminology used to indicate the fullness of the fellowship of Christ and John shortly before the time of the crucifixion (John 13:23). Surely if such recognition were possible for the people of the Kingdom, it will be for the members of the Church which is His Body.
4. Church and Life: The Lord said to His Kingdom saints that He was come to give them abundant life (John 10:10). If this were true for them, it stands to reason that it is also true for the members of His Body. It means abundant life both now and eternally. Think of what it will be like to live without the groaning of the present limitations of sin (Romans 8:22-28). Think of the opportunities of life now. There is no real cause for the believer today to be bored with life. If this is true today, then it surely will^be.for eternity. God will not allow eternity to become one bit dull. With expanded knowledge, fellowship, unity, and without the fetters of sin, the vistas of life are so wide that our minds are boggled by them.
5. The Saints and the Lord: In both the Kingdom letters and the Church letters you have statements on serving and reigning with Christ (Revelation 22:3,5 cf.Ephesians 1:10; 2:7;
II Timothy 2:12). Both of these concepts convey the idea of some administrative function. Therefore, God has a stewardship for each of us which exceeds our present functions like the resurrection body will exceed the present one. No fluffy pink clouds for the Church. see Him as He is" (I John 2:2).It will indeed be glory to be with Him while the world and its leader, the Anti-Christ, will ponder the . . .
"It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 2:2).
VI. Case of the Disappearing Saints
When will this take place? This is important to every believer for it marks the historical point of his date with destiny. Before the unfolding of the Dispensation of Grace through Paul, the Church was a secret (Ephesians 3:1-6; Colossians 1:24-29; Romans 16:25-26). There is nothing about it in the prophetic writings of Israel. It is true that there is much more about Gentile salvation, but always proselyted through Israel (Zech-ariah 8:23 cf. Matthew 28:19 where "teach" should be translated "discipling" or making followers of all nations. Now read Acts 2:42 and 21:20 cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34 to see this in action); but never such equality of position as set forth in I Corinthians 12:12,13 and Ephesians 2:11-22. It stands to reason then, if the Church is not found in prophecy its destiny cannot be found
there either. Some would feel this an inadequate reason, but the stress on the "secret" concept in the Pauline letters cannot be denied. The 1,900 plus years of grace that have elapsed are a void in Israel's prophetic calendar. This is of critical importance for the destiny of the Church is consummated in an event called the "Rapture" which is missing from the prophets.
The Rapture is described in I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13 and Philippians 3:20,21. It is the upward calling of the Church to a full reunion with its Head, our Lord. The members of the Church shall come with a specified series of events (cf. I Thessalonians 4):
1. The Lord descends to meet it (16);
2. A shout (16);
3. A trumpet (called last in I Corinthians 15) (16);
4. Dead raised (16) (result of shout as in story of Lazarus?);
5. Living raised or ascending (17);
6. Bodies changed (Phil. 3:21);
7. And a judgment (I Cor. 3).
The departure of the Church is the signal for the prophetic clock to begin ticking for the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27).
The most frequent question among believers is not whether there will be such an event, but when it will occur. Many are running about seeking the "signs of the times" as did Israel of old (I Corinthians 1:22). The disciples were not atypical in this matter either as evidenced by their question in Matthew 24:3. The most common views of what lies ahead are the four which follow:
1. One-half of Daniel's week (the Tribulation) must elapse before the Rapture which occurs before the second half of the week (wrath of God).
2. The Rapture will occur after the total of the seven years has elapsed but before the Kingdom begins.
3. The Rapture is simply another name for the last great general Resurrection, occuring when the Lord returns for the Final Judgment.
4. It is the next event to occur and is precedent to the Tribulation, not relating to the prophetic writings of Israel.
To these views we attach the names: mid-tribulationist, post-tribulationist, amillenia'list, and pre-tribulationist respectively. It is not the purpose of this booklet to attack any of them, but rather to set forth what we believe to be the correct view.
We believe our hope (the Rapture) is next on the scene of spiritual world events and that the only necessary things to transpire before it becomes a reality are recorded in II Timothy 3. These things could be summed up very simply by saying that things are going to get worse and worse as time marches on. This condition has been true ever since the beginning of this dispensation. Since prophecy concerning Israel's tribulation (Jeremiah 30:7) and her Kingdom will begin at the Church's departure, the scenery may be emplaced and prepared before the curtain (Church) rises, but the events themselves will await that moment. Your date with destiny is imminent.
Here are a few of the reasons that support the immediate Rapture view.
1. One of prime importance has already been given. It is that the Church and its administration were a secret hidden from the view of the prophets. It is consistent to this view and to the nature of the Church that if the commencement and course of this age were a secret, so also is its consummation.
2.1 Thessalonians 4:17, "we which are alive and remain" and Titus 2:13, "looking," both require a constant expectation. Paul had no more knowledge of how long this dispensation would last than do you or I. If the Rapture were a part of the long history of prophetic utterances, the Scriptures would have tied their expectations with the events of Matthew 24 or Daniel 9.
3. II Thessalonians as a whole is written to correct errors in circulation at that time relating to the Rapture. Some of them quit living in the present, stopped working and began to free load (II Thessalonians 3:6-15). This was wrong! If the Lord could come momentarily, He could also wait indefinitely. On the prophetic time scale His return cannot be postponed indefinitely. Seven years after the beginning of the Tribulation, He will return. The converse error was also being taught. Some were saying that they had already missed the Rapture. In responding to this Paul cites prophecy, saying if the Rapture had occurred, the following events would be taking place (II Thessalonians 2). Since they were not, this teaching must obviously be in error. Here is a further demonstration of the exclusion of the Church from Israel's prophetic program.
4. Philippians 3:20, "we look," is another of those present tense, self inclusive statements which indicate an immediacy of expectation.
5. Compare Matthew 25:1-13 and Titus 2:13. The Kingdom parable of the ten virgins indicates a warning related to the Second Coming. There is a threat of being unprepared for Him. There is no such warning note to the Church about the Rapture. The note sounded for us is one of joyful, encouraging anticipation (I Thessalonians 4:18). The reason for this is that one is not physically born into the Church as into the nation. No one is a member of the Church unless he is saved and is therefore ready to receive his hope. No member of the Church will miss the Rapture. If it is missed, it is because the person was not a child of God.
6. An interesting comparison can be seen by laying Acts 1:7 alongside of I Thessalonians 5:2. The Kingdom apostles wanted to know when the signs would occur while the Body saints know perfectly. What caused the difference? The revelation of the Dispensation of Grace occurred between these two passages. The Lord could not tell the apostles for the message of grace was not theirs to give. Once revealed, however, the time clock of signs is fixed. It will begin ticking immediately upon the removal of the Church. (Note in I Thessalonians 5:1-3 the change from "ye" to "they" and ask yourself why this. occurs.)
7. Revelation 14:13 marks the midpoint of the Tribulation by saying, "blessed are the dead." Can you reconcile this with the tone of anticipation and joy for those yet alive as seen in I Thessalonians 4?
It has been argued that since Paul was expecting (according to his commissioning in Acts 9:15) to witness in Rome, he could not have been expecting an "any moment" Rapture. This argument only holds true because of the dispensational changes which are now fully in effect. Paul was aware of the rapid transit journey of Phillip (Acts 8:38,39) and the miraculous speed of the fishing boat on Galilee (John 6:21). He believed God could "do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think" (Ephes-ians 3:20). He saw too many miracles to to doubt that God could fulfill such an event instantaneously.
Yes, we have a date with destiny as members of the Church which is His Body. Every day should be lived in the excitement and anticipation of His coming for us and of our homecoming in glory.
