They argue that Peter was warned of his approaching martyrdom, and therefore could not expect the Lord at any moment. Another writes, " There is not a word as to our Lord's return at any moment in 2 Tim. 4:6,6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6) where the Apostle Paul alludes to his approaching martyrdom."
The Apostle Paul makes it abundantly plain that Scripture contemplates, that saints may have died, and saints may be alive at the moment of the rapture. One could scarcely imagine that the Church of God should be brought into existence on the Day of Pentecost only to finish its course in its very infancy. Peter and Paul died very early on in the history of the Church, and both were divinely told that their end would be martyrdom.
An illustration may help. Suppose a husband left his home on a business trip to a far-distant land. He informs his wife, that it might take some time to settle his business, or it might be settled quickly, but in any case he will return by the first available steamer. True at the first, she could not expect her husband at any moment. The first two or three weeks she could safely say, "I am not expecting my husband for some weeks," but given time for her husband's outward steamer, a time in which to settle his business, and a few days for the homeward trip, she could then say, " I expect my husband's return at any moment," and as day succeeded day her expectation would deepen.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the assembly at Thessalonica, concerning the coming of the Lord, says twice over, "WE, which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord "; and again, "WE, which are alive, and remain shall be caught up" (1 Thess. 4:1515For 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:15) and 17), evidently viewing that as a possibility. Yet in another Scripture he writes, "In the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)).
Moreover we are now in the last days, and we may expect the Lord at any moment. I can quite understand an aged Christian, for long an ardent believer that the Lord may come at any moment, on his dying bed making arrangements for the making of his will, and the carrying out of his own funeral, and yet to his very last breath exclaiming, " Come, Lord Jesus." There is nothing inconsistent in this, and it is happening again and again.