‘After These Things’ Chapter 1.1 Introduction to the Timeline

From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE

The present is now; the future starts at the Rapture.

All we can say is that the church is not yet complete – the last soul to be saved has not yet been saved.  Other than this, no further events need to happen before the Rapture.  A brother who helped us much in our area often said, ‘The prophetic clock has stopped’.  He also said that we are not told about the future to satisfy our curiosity, but only things that have a present moral bearing.  Please, dear reader, bear this in mind when reading this book.

Corinthians says ‘Now’:  ‘For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation’ (2 Corinthians  6:2) quoting from Isaiah 49:8

Hebrews says ‘Today’:  ‘To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts’ (Hebrews 3:15) quoting from Psalm 95:7

With that in mind, we begin our timeline from the Rapture. 

The period from the Rapture to the Appearing

 

We anticipate two great events

1. Christ’s coming ‘to the air’ to take the living believers on Him to be with Him, and to raise the bodies of those who have ‘fallen asleep’. This is known as ‘The Rapture’.  It could happen today.

 

2. To come with His saints to reign over the earth for 1000 years. This is known as ‘The Appearing’.  It follows the Great Tribulation and precedes the Millennium.

Chapter 2.3 contrasts the two.