14. “J. Η.,” Fernihurst. The “Forty Days of Scripture” by F. G. P., is not printed in a separate form. The Lord alone be praised for the use He is pleased to make of this little magazine in isolated places. We look to Him to give food in it for the whole flock of God; and we especially wish those who read it to pass it on to others. In this way tracts and magazines are greatly used of God.
15. “W. C.,” Sunderland. In 1 Thess. 5:2 (compared with 2 Thess. 2:2, 3) the day of the Lord is the coming of the Lord Jesus in flaming fire, as described in chapter 1; at which coming He will destroy the wicked one, or man of sin. The important truth taught us in these chapters is this: Before the day of the Lord, He will come first to take His saints (2 Thess. 2:1, 2), so that the rapture of the saints is not the day of the Lord.
Then, again, the apostasy and manifestation of the wicked one also precedes the day of the Lord. So that the judgments on this earth, during the full apostasy of nominal Christianity, and the period of Antichrist, whilst they are preliminary judgments, yet they are not properly the day of the Lord. (Joel 2:1, 2; 3:14.) These prophecies describe the introductory judgments. “The day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” “For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” (Mal. 4:1.) “For behold the day cometh.” Again, “Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.” (Isa. 13:6-11.) “The great day of the Lord is near.” (Zeph. 1:14-18.) Thus the day of grace may be said to close when the Lord takes His saints, and judgments begin. And no doubt those judgments will be intensified when the abomination of desolation is set up. Indeed, then will be the time of tribulation, such as never was, and never shall be again. Yet it is immediately after this tribulation that the Lord Jesus comes in judgment; and that coming commences the day of the Lord. Terrible to a Christ-rejecting world; but how blessed for those who, having now believed, shall be manifested with Him.
We hesitate to answer your other question as to discipline. It is most important, in these last days, to avoid caviling on such questions, and to walk in the fear of the Lord. Where this is the case, according to Matt. 18:20, there will be the sovereign guidance of the Lord by the Holy Ghost. You might ask, Is it right for an individual believer to think that he cannot err, or make a mistake? Surely it would be blind presumption to say he was infallible. But is that any reason why he should not walk in the fear of the Lord, and firm dependence on the Holy Ghost? Is it not the same as to an assembly? If they give up humble, yet firm, dependence on the Lord in their midst, what have they in His place? The Lord teach us more of His blessed ways. We are deeply convinced there is no remedy for caviling and division but owning the presence of the Lord, when met together to consider cases of difficulty and discipline, and that in the fear of the Lord. And, no doubt, all who are walking in the same spirit will own at once the decision of such an assembly as of the Lord.