Prophetic Events — page 10

[ Note: *At the rapture the world will not be emptied of its children. "God will not rob the cradle of the unbeliever in the rapture" (C.H. Brown). The types of judgment poured out on the world in the book of Genesis give us indications of this. At the time of the flood the unbelievers and their families were not taken away before the judgment fell, as happened in the case of Noah and his family. Likewise, in the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah the unbelieving families of those cities were not taken away before the fire and brimstone fell, as happened with Lot's family. ] The Spirit of God, in the way He acts today, will also be taken from the earth. Today He dwells in the Church that is on the earth -- the Church is His dwelling place. The Lord promised that the Spirit would never leave the Church, once He had come to dwell in it (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Cor 12:13; John 14:16). When the Church is called to glory, the Holy Spirit will leave this world together with her, never again to come here to dwell. This does not mean that the Spirit will cease to work upon the earth, but from that hour onward He will do His work in this world from His place in heaven, as He did before Pentecost (in Old Testament times).

He will continue to operate in a diversity of actions (Rev 1:4), as in the awakening of souls, etc. 2 Thess 2:6,7.* [ Note: *Some might ask: "How can we know when the Spirit will be taken away?" We believe that from the following three passages it is evident that this will happen at the time of the rapture. John 14:16,17. On the night He was betrayed, the Lord promised His disciples that when the Spirit of God came to take up residence in the Church (Acts 2), this would be forever. When the Church is called out of this world, at the rapture, the Spirit of God will go along, for the Lord said that He (the Spirit) would never leave them. This is also found in the book of Revelation. In the first three chapters, when the Church is seen as being on the earth, the Spirit is found constantly speaking to the Church. But after chapter 4:1,2, when the Church is represented as being taken out of the world, the Spirit is no longer mentioned until chapters 14:13 and 22:17, which take place after the tribulation. Compare also chapters 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 with chapter 13:9 -- note the evident absence of any mention of the Spirit. This is also seen typified in Gen 24 where a bride (the Church) is sought for Isaac (Christ) by the servant (the Spirit of God). As soon as the bride was secured by the servant, he took her along the whole way back home, to Isaac, who was waiting for her. Just as the servant returned home with the bride, so too the Holy Spirit will return Home with the Church when the Lord comes (at the rapture). This does not mean that the Spirit of God will cease to act upon the earth. He will continue to do so from His place in heaven, just as He did in Old Testament times, giving life to souls, etc. But when the Church is called out of this world, the Spirit will cease to dwell on the earth. ] From that occasion onward, the Bridegroom (Christ), the Bride (the Church), and the friends of the Bridegroom (the Old Testament saints, etc.) will be together forever. 1 Thess 4:17; Heb 11:40.

I and He, in radiant glory, Will enjoy deep joy; My joy will be to be with Him forever, And His, to have me in His Home.

The Church will not pass through the tribulation. She will be taken to glory at the coming of the Lord (the rapture). ("I will keep you from the hour of temptation (tribulation) that is to come upon the whole world" Rev 3:10.)

It will all take place "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye". 1 Cor 15:51-56.