0953. The Rapture–a Separation

The Rapture–a Separation

"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" (Luk_17:34-36)

The other shall be left.

1. The Word of God outlines for us certain calls of God where there are no discriminations. For instance, we read "Whosoever will, let him come." Again we read, "By Me if any man enter in." If there is any discrimination in these verses it is not on the part of God. The only discrimination is that which man, himself, makes. The call is for everybody who is willing. The call is for any man who will enter in. God does not exclude any one when the call for salvation is given. He simply says, "Whosoever," "Every one," "Any one."

2. The Lord makes a difference between saint and sinner during this age. We read that there was darkness in all the land of Egypt but in the land of Goshen there was light. This was because the children of Israel were in Goshen and God made a distinction between them and the Egyptians.

When Christ was praying in the upper room He differentiated between saint and sinner. He said, "I pray not for the world but I pray for those that Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine." Thus, in the present time, there is a marked difference between the saved and the unsaved. We are a chosen generation and a special people. The great dividing line lies in the Blood of the Cross.

3. Among men there is no seeming distinction between the saint and the sinner.

(1) No distinction in the business world. "Two will be in a field." As men toil at their trade, as they labor in the field, at the factory, or in the counting room, the casual onlooker could scarce tell the two apart. Saints and sinners mix together in the legitimate avenues of business life.

(2) In social life there is no seeming distinction. "Two women will be at the mill." The two women are evidently of the same class or clan; yet there is nothing by which a casual observer may distinguish them.

(3) In the family life there is no seeming distinction. "Two will be in a bed." It may be father and son, husband and wife, or mother and daughter. One may be lost and one saved, but the populace does not know the difference.

4. There is a time of marked division. "One shall be taken, the other left." A little dog is running behind two men. One can scarce tell which is the owner of the dog until, at the corner, the men separate. Then, of course, the dog follows behind his master. Whether in business life, social life, or family life, the distinction will be established when one is taken and another left.

The good fish will be gathered but the bad will be thrown away.

To-day it is most difficult to distinguish between professors and possessors. Sometimes professors make more noise and put on more airs than possessors. However "when once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door," then will the professor be found without knocking and saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us." The Lord replies: "I know you not whence ye are." It will be all in vain, in that day, for the unredeemed to say to the Lord, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets," for Christ will say, "I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me" (Luk_13:25-27).

The rapture will show many marked divisions and distinctions that are not visible today to the eyes of men. There will be some who will be crying, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out demons? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?" but Christ will profess unto them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye workers of iniquity." Let us all make our calling and election sure. We must not expect a part in the rapture upon a mere outward profession. We must know that we are born-again ones, truly the members of the Body of Christ.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR