The same precious truth is taught in many other scriptures; Christ is coming for His own. In Philippians 3:20-21, speaking of the Christian, we read, “For our conversation (or commonwealth) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” He who has already subdued our souls, will then by divine power subdue our bodies, fashioning them like His own, and shortly after subdue all things to Himself.
The Christian’s portion is not on earth, but on high, from whence He looks for “the Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior,” for such is the real force of the passage. Having received the salvation of his soul (1 Peter 1:9) he waits for the adoption, to-wit, the redemption of his body, not for death and corruption (Rom. 8:23). He waits for the Lord Jesus Christ to come forth as the Savior, to accomplish the salvation of his body; to change it, this vile body, or body of humiliation, that it may be fashioned like to the Lord’s own glorious body. Mark, not a new body, but this very same one, in which we now tabernacle, changed.
The bodies of believers are already the members of Christ (1 Cor. 6:15), even now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). At that moment He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal body by His Spirit that dwelleth in you (Rom. 8:11). And take note again here, it is not the quickening of a corruptible body, as of those dead when Christ comes, but our mortal body, those who are alive and remain, who are indwelt by the Spirit of God. And this wondrous change is wrought according to the working whereby our Lord “is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”
The same precious truth is connected with the remembrance of Christ in the Lord’s Supper; for the apostle says, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come;” not until we go into death, but “till He come” (1 Cor. 11:26).
The question will probably arise in the minds of some who may read this paper, “But are we not to look for signs and events happening on the earth, as indicating the approaching coming of the Lord? Do not many scriptures teach that many things will transpire beforehand?” This mistake arises from the confusion that I have already spoken of, in the minds of many, respecting two actions quite distinct as to the times of their accomplishment. There is unquestionably much to take place before Christ, the Son of man, comes in power and great glory to judge and reign, but nothing of necessity before He descends into the air for His people. Much before the glorious appearing, but at any moment, even whilst you read these words, this latter marvelous event may happen, and all the redeemed be caught away. After this, and before the manifestation of Christ with His saints in glory, will be an interval of terrible judgments, and the hour of tribulation (Matt. 24:21-22).
(To be continued.)