The teaching that the fleshly churches of today will be caught up to meet the Commander in Chief when He comes is neither scriptural nor sensible. It is the army that will be called up, and the army of Christ is made up of disciplined warriors from every century.

The lukewarm believers of today would be out of place in the Lord's army. They would be of no use in the Battle of Armageddon, having neither the experience nor the faith nor the courage to stand in spiritual combat. Those who ride with the Lord in that day are not just called, but "called, and chosen, and faithful."

Salvation, that is, the making alive of our mortal bodies, will "be revealed in the last time." The resurrection is in us now if we are pressing forward to victory; if we are attaining the resurrection (Philippians 3:11). The inner resurrection will be revealed in our mortal body when the Lord comes.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (I Peter 1:5)

Christians who walk in the appetites of their flesh and soul in the present hour will experience corruption in the day of resurrection. By living in the flesh they are slaying their own resurrection unto eternal life (Romans 8:11-13).

The Christian redemption is destined to liberate the material realm, including our mortal bodies. The Divine redemption is coming from Heaven and it will be installed with great violence on the earth. It is a real kingdom, consisting of both the spiritual and physical realms.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)

The power of God is working throughout the world. Soon it will be time for the Kingdom of God to come to the earth. The coming of the Kingdom will include the overthrow of the last enemy—physical death.

The knowledgeable Christian is not looking toward a flight to Heaven but toward assisting in the great travail that will result in bringing the spiritual Life of God into the earth, beginning with the bodies of the saints. This transformation is the promised redemption that is to come from Heaven, the advent of the Kingdom of God, the arrival of that to which we have been sealed.

It may be noticed also, in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation, that the Kingdom and salvation are associated with overcoming the accuser by the "brothers." This Scripture means that our diligence in living a victorious life in Christ will result finally in the casting down of Satan and his wicked lords from their thrones in the heaven. This marks the end of sin and death. The filling of the creation with the eternal Life of God will follow.

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (II Timothy 1:10)

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (I Peter 1:13)

We have eternal life now, in our inner man. If we serve God faithfully we will receive the crown of life when the Lord Jesus appears. The eternal life in our spiritual nature today will extend into our physical body. Then our redemption will be complete. (from Eternal Life)