The Book of Doctrines

Moreover, the things which the Bible says will take place when Jesus comes do not take place at the death of a Christian-thre is proof before our very eyes.

And does Christ's coming mean only our acceptance of Christ at conversion? Not at all. We accept the prophecy in the Old Testament which foretold that Jesus would literally come to the earth, being born of the house of David, in the city of Bethlehem. We condemn the Jews for rejecting Him. Let us be consistent therefore and take the prophecies concerning Christ's coming literally.

Historians agree that it was the universal belief among early Christians up to the beginning of the fourth century (About 325 A. D.), that Jesus would return to earth again. The doctrine that people of the earth would continue to grow better and more Christlike until the millennium would be ushered in was first advanced by Dr. Whitby within comparatively recent years.

The Rapture. That is the catching away of the bride by the Savior, caught up like Enoch. (1 Thes. 4:17; Eph. 5:21-32; 2 Cor. 11:2.) The Just will be resurrected, and the living believers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and we shall meet the Savior in the air.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Then will occur the marriage supper, somewhere in God's heaven, as referred to in Matt. 22:2-10; 25:10; Luke 14:15-24; Rev. 19:7,8. Thus the Church of God escapes the tribulation, which will be on the earth at this time. (See Luke 21:36; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 3:10.)

The Tribulations. This great period of tribulation will be greater than was ever visited on the world before. (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21; Luke 21:25,26.) The Church will of course have been taken out-and God will deal with Israel again bringing them back to their own land. (The fol

ter of Matthew very completely. Paul adds to them in such a way that by a careful study it appears that Jesus will return to earth soon. As to the falling away which Paul speaks of, we have surely had that. It refers in all liklihood to the falling away of spirituality, which occurred as he prophecied, reaching the depths of wickedness in the dark ages.

The wars and rumors of wars have been fulfilled with a terrible vengeance even in our own times. Pestilence, famine, and the other signs have come upon the world. The Jews are returning in multitudes to Palestine. Plans are now under way to restore the fertility of the soil to take care of the Jews. Surely the portion of Scripture that refers to their return to Palestine is being fulfilled. And besides, the latter rain that is falling upon the earth is another definite sign that Jesus is coming soon.

"Coming soon," might be many years to come. Again it might be within a short time. The times and seasons are in the Father's Power. "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

The three appearings of Christ are shown beautifully in Hebrews 9:26, 24 and 28. In John 14:20, 23; as well as in verses 2 and 3, Jesus comforts us by the promise of receiving us unto Himself.

W. E. B. in his well-known book, "Jesus is Coming," sums up the prophecies which we expect to be literally fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus:

That He shall come Himself,-

That He shall shout,

1 Thes. 4:16.

That the dead will hear His voice,- John 5:28.

That the raised and changed believers will be

caught up to meet Him in the air,

1 Thes.4:17.

That He will come to the earth again,

Acts 1:11.

To the same Mount Olivet from which He

ascended,

In flaming fire,

Zech. 14:4.

2 Thes. 1:8.

In the clouds of heaven with power and

great glory, Matt. 24:30; 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:13. And stand upon the earth,—

Job 19:25.

That His saints (the Church) shall come with Him,- Deut. 33:2; 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude 14.

Rev. 1:7.

That He shall destroy Antichrist, 2 Thes. 2:8.

That every eye shall see Him,

That He shall sit in His throne,

Matt. 25:31;
Rev. 5:13.

Matt. 25:32.

That all nations will be gathered before Him, and
He will judge them,-
That He shall have the throne of David,-- Isa. 9:
6,7; Luke 1:32; Ezek. 21:25-27.
That it will be upon the earth,- Jer. 23:5,6.
That He shall have a kingdom, Dan. 7:13,14.
And rule over it with His saints,- Dan. 7:18,22,
27; Rev. 5:10.
That all kings and nations shall serve Him,-
Psa. 72:11; Isa. 49:6,7; Rev. 15:4.
That the kingdoms of this world shall become His
kingdom,-
Zech. 9:10; Rev. 11:15.
That the people shall gather unto Him,- Gen.

49:10.

That every knee shall bow to Him, Isa. 45:23.

That they shall come and worship the King,—
Zech. 14:16; Psa. 86:9.

Psa. 102:16.

That He shall build up Zion,--
That His throne shall be in Jerusalem,-— Jer. 3:17;
Isa. 30:20, 21.

That the Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel,- Matt.
19:28; Luke 22:28-30.
That He shall rule all nations,-- Psa. 2:8, 9;
Rev. 2:27.
That He shall rule with judgment and justice,—
Isa. 9:7.
That the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt
(Ezek. chapters 40, 48), and the glory of the
Lord will come into it,-Ezek. 43:2-5; 44:4.
That the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,-

Isa. 40:5.

That the wilderness shall be a fruitful field,-
Isa. 32:15.

That the desert will blossom as the rose,-Isa.35:

Isa. 11:10.

And His rest shall be glorious,And many more we might mention. Moreover, let us remember that we celebrate the Lord's Supper "Until He comes." (1 Cor. 11:26.)

Objections Considered. Some dissenters allege that Death is the coming of Jesus. That is assuming too much. Let any one insert "death" in the following passage, as well as in many others, and you will see at once it does not apply:

"Hereafter shall ye see 'death' sitting on the
right hand of power, and coming in the clouds
of heaven." Matt. 26:64.