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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Manifestation of Christ, #2
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:3)
But there are some aspects of the coming of the Lord that may not be given enough emphasis in current Christian teaching:
The direct, thorough involvement of Christ in our personal growth to maturity; His close attention to every detail of our life and ministry. He is not a God afar off nor does He sleep.
The increase of the "coming" of the Lord Jesus to His saints as we approach the Day of the Lord.
"He shall come unto us" (above).
The extent to which the appearing of the Lord to the nations will be in and through His saints rather than as an Individual to them. How else would the unsaved be able to behold the Lord Jesus or relate to Him? Even the Apostle John "fell at his feet as dead."
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (II Thessalonians 1:10)
The doctrine of the "rapture," as it is taught commonly, does not place nearly enough emphasis on the spiritual aspects of the coming of the Lord, on the inner Kingdom that is being established in the present hour. The "rapture" teaching stresses an any-moment "blind" coming. No transformation is required in the inner moral character of the saints. Suddenly the Lord will appear and all of our inheritance will be given to us in a moment. This is impossible!
One problem caused by the external "rapture" teaching is that the believers do not spend the time required to know the Lord for themselves. They do not spend enough time in the "prayer closet." They talk about the need to pray and seek the Lord but they do not do it!
The citizens of the wealthy nations, believers and nonbelievers alike, are increasingly immersing themselves in inventions such as the television, the computer, and the automobile. These inventions attract the mind and do not leave the believer enough time to develop inner communion with the Lord. It is in the inner communion that we come to know the Lord and have fellowship with Him.
The hope of the external "rapture" and coming of the Lord is directed toward external experiences. As a result the inner knowledge of God, which must precede participation in the external kingdom, is not being developed nearly enough.
It is our ability to shut ourselves in with God, an ability possessed only by the saints who pray much, that will sustain us throughout the tribulations that are ahead.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (Isaiah 26:20)
The Christian who has been living an external life solely, not growing rich in the development of the inner Kingdom of God, not learning how to wait on the Lord and draw strength, comfort, inspiration, and guidance from Him, will lose his confidence during the days of trouble and spiritual darkness that are ahead. The Lord will protect and defend us throughout the tribulation if we look to Him for safety. But knowing how to trust the Lord during times of trouble and danger is not learned in a moment.
To be continued.