0947. The Church Taken Out

The Church Taken Out

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him" (2Th_2:1)

1. First of all let us study some succinct passages of Scripture which foretell the rapture of the Church. If the Church has a special age boundary with a definite beginning, it must have also a definite ending.

(1) Joh_14:3 : "If I go, * * I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Thus when Jesus comes, certain ones are to be received up to Himself.

(2) 1Th_4:16-18 : "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain 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." Clearly then those "in Christ" are to be caught up, and out.

(3) 2Th_2:1 (1911 Bible): "Now, brethren, as touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him." We are to be gathered unto Him.

These passages will suffice. They teach that the Church will be taken up and out.

We need at once to disabuse our minds that this rapture of the Church is the end of the world. The Bible too clearly discloses another age of millennial blessedness to follow this age. During the age that follows the Church will be with the Lord, with new bodies, partakers with Him of His glory and sharers with Him in His reign; but the church as a church will have completed its mission among men.

2. Let us note that the rewards of the Church lie wholly beyond this age and are to be given out at the coming of the Lord. To the minister comes the word, Feed the flock of God over which the Holy Ghost has made you an overseer and when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory. To the believer comes the assurance, We know "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Yes, our call is to "be patient unto the coming of the Lord." Paul said that his reward was laid aside for him. We are building on the foundation, wood, hay and stubble; or gold, silver and precious stones. The day shall declare what every man's work is. If there is a reward it will be given then and not now.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR