JANUARY 17TH, 1945
JANUARY 17TH, 1945
[p. 340] DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD, — ... The scriptures to which you refer with regard to the Lord’s coming have been very fully considered by the brethren for many years past, and much light has been afforded by the Lord on all parts of the subject.
We must first ask, Has the Lord given any special revelation to the saints of the assembly as to how His coming will affect them? The answer is that He has done so by a special revelation to His servant the apostle Paul (see 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18). Let nothing move you away from this; it is “the word of the Lord” to you and to all those who are of the assembly.
Now you must admit that there is not one word in Matthew 24 about saints being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There is no hint of such a thing, and this clearly proves that in uttering the words recorded in Matthew 24 the Lord had a different company of saints in view from those addressed in 1 Thessalonians 4. This is confirmed by Judea being specially mentioned in Matthew 24 as the scene of trial. The assembly, as I am sure you know, is mainly being called out of the Gentile world.
I think, upon consideration, you will conclude that it is not at all likely that the Lord would suggest to saints of the assembly that they should pray that their flight should not be on the sabbath.
Such warnings as are found in Matthew 24: 23 - 26 would not be needed by saints who are expecting, in the light of 1 Thessalonians 4, to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They will be of great value to saints who will be waiting on earth for the appearing of Christ after the saints of the assembly have been caught up.
The confusion in people’s minds as to these things nearly all arises from the fact that the distinctive place of the assembly as belonging to heaven, and having its place there, is not understood. Spiritually, and by the work of God, we are already there (see Ephesians 2) and the rapture will put us there actually. Then the ways of God in relation to prophecy, and the place of Israel in earthly blessing, will begin to unfold.
It is impossible to deny that the disciples when the Lord was here were a Jewish remnant. They became, as we know, the nucleus of the assembly. But after the assembly is translated there will again be a Jewish remnant who will need the instruction and warnings which the Lord gave in Matthew 24.
[p. 341] I am sure that if you ask the Lord about these matters, and are prepared to receive help from the brethren, you will be enabled to see all things clearly.
With love in the Lord,
Yours affectionately in Him,
January 17th, 1945.