in
perfect harmony with all Scripture. How absolutely impossible for any
man to have conceived that the Lord's saints should be caught up to
meet Him in the air. Were it not true its very boldness and apparent
foolishness would be its refutation. And what would be the character
of mind that could invent such a thought? What depths of wickedness!
What cruelty! What callousness! The spring from which such a
statement, if false, could rise must be corrupt indeed. But how
different in fact! What severe righteousness! What depths of
holiness! What elevated morality! What warmth of tender affection!
What clear reasoning! Every word that he has written testifies that he
has not attempted to deceive. Paul was no deceiver, and it is equally
impossible for him to have been deceived."[2]

And the blessedness "to meet the Lord in the air"! We shall see Him
then as He is and gaze for the first time upon the face of the Beloved,
that face of glory, which was once marred and smitten on account of our
sins. And seeing Him as He is we shall be like Him. How long will be
the meeting in the air? It has been said that the stay in that meeting
place will be but momentary and that the Lord will at once resume His
descent to the earth. We know from other Scriptures that this cannot
be. Between the coming of the Lord for His saints and with His saints
there is an interval of at least seven years before the visible coming
of the Lord and His saints with Him. The judgment of the saints, by
which their works and labors become manifest must take place. There is
also to be the presentation of the church in glory (Ephes. v:27; Jude
verse 24). Furthermore the marriage of the Lamb takes place not in the
meeting place in the air, but in heaven (Rev. xix:1-10). He will take
His saints into the Father's house that they may behold His glory (John
xvii:22). But what will it mean, "So shall we be forever with the
Lord!"

Its Power and Blessedness

Such then is "that blessed hope," blessed indeed, and an imminent hope.
It is a hope which if really held in the heart will shape the life and
conduct of the believer, and fill, we make bold to say, every need he
has in the wilderness down here.

1. That blessed hope will keep the person of the Lord Jesus Christ
constantly before the heart. If we really look for Him, wait for Him,
pray and long for His Coming, to see Him face to face, He will ever be
fresh before our hearts. This