June 18

Matthew 24:3
IN order to get the true viewpoint it should be remembered that the great mystery of the one Body had not yet been revealed—so our Lord addressed His disciples as the believing remnant in Israel. A similar group will be found in the world (many in Palestine itself) in the time of the end (Dan. 12:44But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)), during the dark days of the Great Tribulation (Dan. 12:11And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1); Matt. 24:21,2221For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21‑22)), after the present parenthetical age has come to a close. We should not read this prophecy, therefore, as though addressed to the Church as such, but rather to the faithful in Israel waiting for the coming again of Messiah to bring in the promised Kingdom, when heaven’s authority will be acknowledged over all the earth. There are general principles that are applicable to all believers so long as Christ is absent. But the distinctive truth of the Church as the Body of Christ is not found here, nor is there any definite teaching as to the rapture of the saints when our Lord descends to the air at the close of this present dispensation (1 Thess. 4:13-1813But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18)).
“There’s a whisper from the glory
of the coming of the Lord!
Oh, the joy my heart is tasting
as I rest upon His Word,
And what peace amid earth’s tumult
doth this precious truth afford,
The Lord is coming soon!
In the glory of His promise
I am living day by day,
And the light of Heav’n is dawning
on earth’s dreary, desert way,
While I wait that sweetest whisper.
‘Up, my child, and come away,’
The Lord is coming soon!”
—Margaret E. Barber.