‘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
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.
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.
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
Thank you for purchasing ‘After These Things’. Doubtless you and I share a common salvation through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a common certain hope of hearing His voice, and being with Him when He comes with His Church to reign.
So that we can enjoy sharing something very precious, please drop me an email today. I will answer you personally, and occasionally send ‘A Day of Small Things’ emails.
daniel@adoss.co.uk
Introduction to ‘After These Things’
The following words come right at the end of the Bible:
‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely… . He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus’ (Revelation 22:17-20).
Jesus continues to say, ‘I come quickly’ . This book is for His lovers who respond to Him with the words, ‘Come Lord Jesus’ – hearts which are looking for Him to come NOW.
In the mid 1800’s John Nelson Darby reawakened thousands of Christians as to the Rapture, described clearly in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15. This gave them a burning desire to hear His call, and to be amongst ‘we the living’ when our Lord Jesus calls His saints on earth to meet Him in the air. Along with these, there will be millions of sleeping saints whose bodies will be raised and changed.[1] What a joy it will be to be with Him, forming His Bride, the Church, married to Him in heaven.
A brief summary of what is to come:
It will be an awful time of Satanic deception on earth. The world will be dominated by the Beast, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. There will be pestilence and wars – the ‘great tribulation’
There will be a faithful ‘Jewish Remnant’, persons from the twelve tribes of Israel, enduring tribulation while standing for, Christ their Messiah, during the period from the ‘Rapture’ to the ‘Appearing’. After the Antichrist breaks his covenant with the Jews, they will suffer extreme persecution.
World powers will engage in battle, but Christ will return. All alive and will be judged; Satan will be bound, introducing the 1000-year benevolent reign of Christ. After the Millennium Satan will be briefly released, gathering the world’s armies to the final war. The Devil, who was really defeated at the Cross, will be consigned eternally to the lake of fire along with his agents and those not in the ‘Book of Life’. For the saints, there’s a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness – the tabernacle of God with men.
That is the future and the theme of this book in a nutshell.
It is not a book on John Nelson Darby’s eschatology. Darby did not want to create theologians[2] – he wanted us to love Jesus more.
This book is in six sections:
Section 1: A Prophetic Timeline – from the Rapture to the New Heaven and New Earth
Section 2: A summary of Darby’s prophetic thought, the dispensations, and the differences as to what applies to the Church, to Israel and the ‘Nations’, the distinction between the Rapture and the Appearing, the Resurrection of the Living and the Resurrection of the Dead, what proceeds in heaven and what on earth, the judgement seat of Christ and the Great White Throne and the thousand-year Millennium and the eternal state.
Section 3: John Nelson Darby – the man and his ministry
Section 4: Summaries of eleven lectures on the ‘Present Hope of the Church of God’. J N Darby, Geneva 1840
Section 5 – Summaries of other papers on prophecy by J N Darby, including his Prophetic Map.
Section 6 – Glossary of prophetic terms, bibliography, and other references.
These summaries have been produced from the notes of lectures or addresses as we would call them now. JND would typically end these with an appeal to the conscience or heart. These are often reproduced verbatim. After all, Darby wanted us stimulated spiritually, not intellectually. Indeed, ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Revelation 19:10) – it is to enhance His glory, not to satisfy our curiosity.
Most of these summaries were initially posted on my website www.adayofsmallthings.com. If you have comments on this book, or on my site, email me at daniel@adoss.co.uk, or use the comments form on my websit
Scriptures Quotations
Scripture quotations are from the 1611 King James Version of the Bible. Despite its age and often archaic language, it remains the only universally accepted version. Sometimes, for accuracy, I have used Darby’s translation, (1890 edition), shown as Darby after the reference. Very occasionally I use the English Standard Version (ESV), a modern language version. Most of my personal comments are footnotes.
This work, dear reader, is committed to God. May I be given diligence, understanding and in humility, serve His Son, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Your brother in Christ
Daniel Roberts
November 2020
[1] Including Paul, all the Thessalonians, and many before and since.
[2] Darby wrote ‘We must here notice a striking part. The moment one searches the word, it comes out that theology and theologians are worth nothing at all … It is impossible to read the word and to follow, even one moment, the established theological system. Poor theologians!’ (Collected Writings Vol 3 Doctrinal 1 p243).
This is culled directly from the Synopsis on the first part of Rev 21.
Revelation 21:1-5 gives us the v.9 – ch. 22:4 is the millennial city.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 5.6 The New Heaven and New Earth
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
This is culled directly from the Synopsis on the first part of Rev 21.
Synopsis vol 5 page 420
Revelation 21:1-5 gives us the v.9 – ch. 22:4 is the millennial city.
‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away’.
There was a new heaven and a new earth; but no more sea — no separation, nor part of the world not brought into an ordered earth before God. Here we do not find any mediatorial kingdom. The Lamb is not in the scene. God is all in all. No sorrow or crying more, no earthly people of God distinct from the inhabitants of the earth. These are God’s people, and God is with them Himself, but withal His tabernacle is with them. This is the holy city, New Jerusalem.
The assembly has her own character, is the habitation of God in a special way, when the unchanging state comes, and all is made new. God is the end, as the beginning. Him that is athirst now God will refresh with the fountain of the water of life — the overcomer shall inherit all things. The world for the Christian is now a great Rephidim[1].
This is the twofold portion of the final blessedness: he shall have God for his God and be His son. Those who feared this path — did not overcome the world and Satan but had walked in iniquity — would have their part in the lake of fire. This closes the history of God’s ways.
[1] Rephadim was the place of the battle against between the children of Israel and Amalek, shortly after going over the Red Sea. ‘The LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation’ (Exodus 17:16).
‘After These Things’ Section 5 – Other Papers on Prophecy by J N Darby
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
J N Darby wrote many other papers and gave various lectures on prophetic subjects. Much of this work is covered in the four ‘Prophetic’ volumes of Collected Writings. Those which have been summarised in this book are highlighted.
You will see that I have selected only a very few. However, it is my opinion that most of the essential truths relating to the period from the Rapture onwards have been covered. If I summarised much more this book would be excessively long and there would be much repetition and duplication.
A list of published books by J N Darby, along with the table of contents of the four ‘Prophetic’ volumes is presented in the Bibliography Chapter 6.
This section, therefore, covers the following:
5.1 The Power, Hopes, Calling, Present Position, and Occupation of the Church
– Source Material Vol. 12 (Evangelical 1)
5.2 After the Rapture, the Jewish Remnant – Particularly from Isaiah
– Source Material Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4)
5.3 After the Rapture, the Jewish Remnant – Particularly from the Psalms
– Source Material Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4)
5.4 After the Rapture, the Jewish Remnant – Particularly from the New Testament
– Source Material Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4)
5.5 The Lord’s Second Coming and the Church’s Witness
– Source Material Notes & Comments Vol. 2
5.6 The New Heaven and New Earth
– Source Synopsis of the Bible Vol. 5
5.7 J N Darby’s Prophetic Map
– Source Material Notes & Comments Vol. 2
5.8 The Truth of the Rapture is Clear from Scripture
‘After These Things’ Chapter 6.2 Darby’s Spiritual Songs, bearing on the Christian’s Hope
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
Thr hymns and spiritual songs (strictly speaking most are the latter are not reproduced below.
They were selected from a larger group on this website/
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.1 – The Present Hope of the Church
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 Purpose of Prophecy
A summary of the First Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘Introduction.
The study of prophecy is of little point unless we Christians are sure of our eternal salvation in Christ and have experienced its results. Without hope, we are the most miserable of all men (See 1 Corinthians 15:19). We should not only know that the Father’s house with all its privileges is our home, but we are to be happy there too. Our hearts are associated with Christ and realise His love. We are confident too: God treats us as His friends and through prophecy, He reveals the things that occupy Him in heaven. This emphasises to us that we are strangers and pilgrims here. Accordingly, we become free of human objects, cares and distractions and dependent on the One who knows the end from the beginning.
Dispensations
We are currently in the dispensation of grace, which started when the Spirit came at Pentecost (AD29) and will end at the Rapture. After that, it will be too late to be convinced of the truth, or to convict others of the terrible wrath of God at the final judgment.
The Great Tribulation will be followed by the dispensation of the fullness of times – the millennial kingdom when God will gather together all things in Christ who was typified in Abraham’s day as the Royal Priest Melchisedec. God will be known as ‘the Most High God, Possessor of heaven and earth.’ (Gen 14:19).
Note: while Darby, more than most showed how time was divided into dispensations, he did not produce a formal list of dispensations. Based on the works of C I Schofield and others, the following list forms the backdrop of this book. They are described in detail in chapter 2.2 (above) and are listed here:
We need to distinguish between that which applies to the Jews and to the ‘nations’, before the birth of Christ and after the Rapture, and that which applies to the Church. It is in the way God is known that the differences are most striking.
The Jews/Israel
The prophetic books of the Old Testament, plus Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21 centre around Israel. God’s earthly people were warned as to the consequence of disobedience to God and idolatry, which led up to the overthrow of Israel and the captivity of Judah. God made Himself known as ‘Jehovah[2]’ (or more literally ‘Yahweh’) to the Jews, though many Jews consider this name too holy to pronounce. In the Gospels, Jesus is presented as the Messiah, the centre of God’s promises and blessings to the Jewish nation. Prophecy looks forward to a kingdom here enjoyed by the ‘Remnant’.
To the Church
It is often noted that the Church, the Assembly does not form part of Old Testament prophecy in any way. To the Church, God presents Himself as ‘Father’ and Jesus as the ‘Son of God’. We are His brethren – children of God and members of His family. He, the Firstborn, is the expression of all the glory of the Father.
What is the Purpose of Prophecy?
Prophecy and its fulfilment were not written for contemporary Israel. Prophecy belongs to the Church now, and it will belong to the Remnant in a coming day, as a light or torch before things take place. God tells us the truth; Satan does not. Do we doubt God?
Most, if not all, prophecy is to be fulfilled after the end of this dispensation. Then it will be too late to be convinced as to the truth. The day of grace will be over. Those unbelievers left will experience terrible judgment.
Satan has deceived many by introducing the thought that partially fulfilled prophecies, have already been completed.
However, we are to be restful in reading God’s Word. We have been delivered from the coming wrath. We are to cleave to Jesus, rather than our own understanding for enlightenment. As things unfold, we see the purposes of the Most High, opening up His character – His faithfulness, justice and long-suffering. He will certainly judge proud iniquity and execute vengeance on these who corrupt the earth, so that His government may be established in peace and blessing.
The judgment of God is to come upon the nations; the church is informed of this; and, thanks to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, understands it, believes it, and escapes the things which are coming.
The Sceptic as to Prophecy
The sceptic views prophecy as merely speculative, vague and uninfluential, the imaginations of proud hearts. The future is conjured up and imagined: how Satan deceives! But prophecy reveals God’s thoughts as to things to come. And the Christian rejoices that ’the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea’ (Habakkuk 2:14). God will show how.
Communion with God as to Prophecy
Through communion, which is eternal, God comforts and sanctifies us to prevent our hopes being vague. Thank God ‘we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ (2 Peter 1:16-21)
[1] See Schofield Reference Bible – note to Gen 1:28, and Chapter 2.2 above.
[2] J N Darby writes as to the Name of Jehovah: ‘Jehovah was a proper name of God to Israel, and declared positively to be such, though the name of the one true supreme God. Now for the believer the use of the names of God carries blessed divine instruction with it, for all His names have a meaning: Almighty, Jehovah, Father, all have a sense to his soul… The proper place of Nothing can be more important as a key to the whole question of God being Jehovah, and the peculiar God of Israel, and yet the one supreme and universal God (a thought so easily lost, at any rate as to goodness, if not as to power, by Jewish pride). It corrects all that a Jew could draw falsely from his peculiar position. (JND Collected Writings Vol 8 Prophetic 3 page 182)
Note that in his English translation Darby uses the name Jehovah for יְהוָה֙/YHVH/Strong H3068. KJV and most modern translations use LORD in capitals. JND’s French translation used l’Éternal. I know no Hebrew, but the Jews replace that name when speaking of the normal word for Lord, אָדוֹן/Adonai/Strong H113.
I have not issued anything from A Day of Small Things since May 2020. A few short articles have been added to the website, thanks to our brother Edwin Mutton’s ‘Golden Nuggets’ but there has not been any new summary of J N Darby’s papers or ministry. A few reasons:
1. My neuropathic pain has been very trying. It has limited the number of hours I can work at a time. Thank God for the Great High Priest who sympathises with our infirmities.
2. We have been clearing out and selling the house of a local sister who has had to go into a care home.
3. In some ways, I am not sure of what to add. Most articles I read cover the same ground as summaries already published. Nonetheless, I am always open to suggestions.
Title Page
But the main reason is that I have been writing a book: ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy for Christians waiting to see the Lord of Glory when he Raptures his Church’. When finished it will be about 300 pages long, much of it being revisions of articles I had summarised over the past six years, supplemented with chapters on subjects which Christians often confuse, and which Darby strove tirelessly to clarify. Doctrine is unashamedly premillennial, based on scripture and showing clearly what pertains to the heavenly Church and earthly Israel.
Sections
Most of the book has now been written and reviewed. Five brothers, in particular Jim Hibbert of Calgary, have provided invaluable input and helpful comments. A challenging task has been a ‘Timeline’ covering events in heaven or on the earth between the Rapture and the Appearing drawing on scriptures in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Revelation, 1&2 Thessalonians, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and others.
If you reply to this email, I will send you pre-publication PDF copies of the Timeline, the Table of Contents and a summary of one of Darby’s 1840 Geneva addresses. There is still time to make minor additions or changes, so if you ask questions such as ‘Have you covered/explained . . .?’ or ‘Have you distinguished between X and Y?’ I will certainly take these into account.
It has been quite a mammoth undertaking and I feel the more cast on God for help in this holy subject. I have learned a lot while doing it, but become increasingly conscious of there being so much more to learn. Even Paul said, ‘We see now through a dim window obscurely, but then face to face’ 1 Cor 13:12 Darby). That is why I feel so dependent on the Lord, the Holy Spirit, reliable publications (rejecting what is unsound) and many dear brethren from several countries and denominations.
I hope, if the Lord will, to have it published by November. It will be available on-line at cost in hard copy and Kindle and ebook electronic formats.
2020 has been such an unusual year. Whether you are gathering physically – with restrictions, or on-line – I trust you are feeling blessed and encouraged. As a ‘second wave’ of Covid-19 now appears inevitable, people – some believers even – are fearful. May we all seize the opportunity to point persons to the One on whom we can cast all our cares. We need not fear.
Recently a brother wrote to me needing to answer the following question:
What is the heavenly vision or call of the church? People I speak to want to know what is the purpose of the church? I have spent a lot of time reading and thinking about this question, but what is the best approach or angle to take when answering? I believe it’s a very important question that I should be able to answer when I’m asked.
This question affects a lot of things. What should be our focus as a local church? The gospel, soup kitchens, ending poverty (social gospel), trying to change culture, etc.
My answer: The true Church – and what it is in the Sight of Men
I have been giving more thought to this question. We need to see what the church is in the sight of Christ – which is the true Church – and what it is in the sight of men – a religion here.
Before starting, Christians must realise that their calling is a heavenly one. ‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus’ (Heb 3:1).
The Greek word ἐκκλησίᾳ /ekklēsia/Strong 1577 . The word implies people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church or assembly comprised of all believers formed into one by the Holy Spirit. It is viewed as the body of Christ and also the habitation of God. In a more general sense. it meant simply assembly – e.g. calling together for a civil function. Incidentally, the English word ‘church’ or German ‘Kirche’ comes from the Greek word κυριακός/kyriakos/Strong 2960, ‘belonging to the Lord’ (kyrios), the French ‘église’ from ‘ekklēsia’. The Hebrew word ‘קָהָל/qahal/Strong H6951’ has a similar meaning.
We must recognise the direct role of the Spirit of God. It has been said that the Holy Spirit ‘is here; but He has taken a lowly place, . . .and has been here on earth for over 1,900 years in that lowliness. He maintains what is due to God according to what God is in heaven; there is a perfect answer to that in the presence of the Spirit down here, and the Spirit is here in the assembly; and that brings out the greatness of the assembly’s place too, but nevertheless the assembly is never part of the Deity.’ and ‘The assembly is nearest to Deity in the whole realm. What is sovereign is seen in the assembly.’ [*] That being the case what has the assembly to do with the things of this world?
The Church in the Sight of Christ
The church is a perfect vessel (for the want of a better word), formed exclusively of saints worked on by the Spirit of God, apart from sin. It has been said that it is of heaven in origin and destiny. It is here in the body of Christ and its hope is totally towards Jesus – as a bride is towards her bridegroom. Her desire is to be with Him – and therefore has no part here. But she does care for His interests here. His interests are what is for Him, His glory and to worship the Father, and for the members of His body to point to Him. The church’s view is God-ward, not man-ward.
Ministry is for those of the church universally (as there is only one church) – ‘we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness’. (Romans 12:5-7)
The fact that it is ‘called out’ is important. If it is ‘called out’ it cannot be ‘part of’. Over the centuries Christians have been called out of every other religious organisation – in the earliest days Judaism and paganism, later Catholicism, later nationally established churches, later clericalism, and more recently social liberalism, charismatic Christendom or systematic legalism. Importantly, if we are called out of something, we cannot reform it. It is in the attempt to reform the old lump that Christians have become unstuck.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 makes this clear ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.’
This brings me to:
The Church in the Sight of Man
This is something different, and different people will have different ideas.
1. A group of disparate organisations with common central beliefs and many interpretations, grouped together loosely for example in the World Council of Churches – sometimes preaching the gospel.
2 A humanitarian force for good, seeking to make the world a better place, while preaching a gospel, but not always the gospel.
3. A place of religious exhilaration and excitement with rousing music – usually with the gospel but this is sometimes distorted – or a liberal ‘inclusive’ community – no matter what the bible says.
4. Beautiful buildings, ornate robes and trained choirs, with or without the gospel
5. A system of contention and oppression, having a form of piety but denying the power of it.
Many Christians see their role and that of their ‘local church’ in terms of no 2 above, preaching the gospel, having a good church community engaged in the support of local and other needs. But think of it – it is an earthly Christianity. Whilst there are many genuine believers, sorry to say that in some places the gospel has been corrupted to salvation (if such a thought exists) through works and presenting Jesus just a Model. This is hardly Christian. I see it differently, as should all true lovers of our Lord Jesus.
So where does that leave true Christians?
Christians should do good works – towards the Lord, towards each other and towards their fellow human beings. They do this because they love their Lord and that is what He would have them to do. They are not interested in politics – national politics, charity politics or church politics. They do what the Lord gives them to do: However, they don’t do this as part of the Church, they do it as individuals.
Admittedly, Christians can work with others (informally or in registered charities) to humanitarian ends – the relief of poverty, helping those who are sick or mentally unstable, being of support to victims of crime or raising funds for such activities. Some of those with whom they might co-operate with may not be believers – so this cannot be part of the Church activity. Some might be shocked at the thought, but if it is the function of a church community, it might be a misguided one or not even a Christian one. It is not a function of the body of Christ.
Of course, it is better if those who are working together have confidence in one another. If they gather regularly from the same Christian assembly, they will no doubt know one another well and be able to work together better. They may even use their meeting hall (what is a building anyway? – a person or a trust has provided a place for saints to gather)– but this is not the local assembly doing it, and should never be thought of as such,
I could go further, and this might be a bit difficult to grasp. When it comes to testimony the church’s service is heavenward, not earthward (indeed if we look at the testimony of the public church it is ruin and confusion). Paul wrote ’in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God’(Ephesians 3:10 Darby). It follows that preaching the gospel, or teaching (indeed what I am doing now) comes into the individual service – the Lord commissioned His disciples to out individually. As they did the church grew.
The church doesn’t preach; the church doesn’t teach. Christians do both.
I trust this helps. I am conscious that not all will agree totally with what I have written. However I do believe sincerely that it is accordance with scripture (which is infallible), and also the teachings of that servant of God, John Nelson Darby (not infallible) please feel free to write your comments below (or email me directly if you prefer). sosthenes@adoss.co.uk or my personal email.
I really would like to get A Day of Small Things out to a wider audience. Please feel free to pass this on – better still give me a name and email address and I will write to them and invite them to be on our emailing list. Tell me if you want me to mention your name (and give any background that you feel would be of use in writing individually).
Christ’s second coming Is the proper hope of the church.It is clearly presented in the New Testament.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 5.8 – The Truth of the Rapture is Clear from Scripture
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
Click on icon to download PDF
A Lecture by J N Darby on the Second Coming of Christ – The Rapture in Scripture
In Section 4 of the book, we have summaries of J N Darby’s lectures in 1840 on ‘The Present Hopes of the Church’. One lecture was on the Second Coming of Christ. Later Darby gave a series of lectures on the same subject in Toronto – this is a summary of the first lecture’. The Original is ‘Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ, delivered in 1863 at Toronto, Canada. (Collected Writings Vol 11 (Prophetic 4) page 206). He outlines how Christ’s second coming is presented in the New Testament.
Christ’s second coming Is the proper hope of the church. The Holy Spirit constantly brings this before us in the New Testament. It is not some vague speculation; it is a foundational truth which maintains our hearts as we wait patiently for our Saviour’s return. We are to be raised, our bodies changed, and we will be with Him. As we had been quickened and justified, there will be no resurrection of judgment for us. We do not have long to wait now.
Sadly, many Christians overlook the Rapture and think only in terms of the resurrection in the last day, a resurrection for judgement. They confuse what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 with what is in the previous chapter. The first scripture says, ‘The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them’ and ‘the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory’. This is not what we are looking for. Our expectation is, ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Those who await the final judgment, hoping that all will be well, are mistaken.
If I was comforting someone who had just lost a dear one, who had put their trust in the blood, and was therefore forgiven, cleansed and justified, and told them that their loved one would return with Jesus, they might think that think I was mad. But that is exactly the comfort that Paul gave to the Thessalonians.
The world rejects His coming, and the worldly church dismisses and devalues it. But it dominated the lives of the early disciples. It should dominate ours.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matt 25:1-6
There is the essence of the church’s calling. The virgins had lost the expectation of Christ and sank into the comfort, pleasures and the hierarchical structure of the world. The Bridegroom tarried and they had given up watching. They had to be aroused; Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him” (v.6). Those with the Holy Spirit were able to go in.
Lecture in Toronto CW Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4) p 210
Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Luke 12: 35-36
Waiting for the coming of Christ characterises the Christian. Men speak of death, but death is not ‘my lord.’
CW Vol. 32 (Miscellaneous 1 ) p 245
And as in the days of Noah and of Lot, they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, planted and builded, even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:25-27
This passage does not warn people as to sin, but as to the unholy notion that the world will go on indefinitely. As soon as Noah entered into the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. As soon as the church is taken up, Satan will fill men’s hearts with lies. Judgment follows.
Note: This does not apply to the Great White Throne. When Christ sits on that, the heavens and the earth flee away; there is total destruction of everything.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains. . .
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:20-21,25-28
V. 20-21 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70.
The rest is much later – the time of the Gentiles will have been fulfilled. The last beast’s – the Antichrist’s wickedness will be exposed.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
Such is the promise: the comfort Christ gave to His disciples when He was leaving them. He comes to receive them to Himself.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:10, 11.
This too is not the end of time. The angels comfort-ed them, indicating that Jesus would come again. Scripture points to His return.
It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and to them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:27, 28.
That is the allotted portion of the seed of the first Adam. The Christian awaits His coming, with no reference to sin.
We shall not all die; 1 Corinthians 15:51
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Romans 11:25-27
When the church is complete, and its last member will have been brought in, Israel will be saved as a nation. Christ will appear for their deliverance.
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8
All the promises of the prophets will be fulfilled at that coming.
He nowcommandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world (i.e., this habitable earth) in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained, whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.
Acts 17:30-31
Though God winked at the times of ignorance, there was now a clear testimony which could not be ignored.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1 Corinthians 15:23
The distinctive resurrection of the saints will be at His coming.
Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven, from when also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:19-21
No comment
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3: 1-4
No comment
1 & 2 Thessalonians
The theme of both letters – see Synopsis
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6:14
The apostle exhorts Timothy to go on diligently and faithfully looking for the appearing. When the word of God speaks of joy to the saints, it is referring to the Rapture; when God speaks of responsibility to the world or the saints, it always refers to His appearing.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8
Love! – Do you love, can you love, that which will put a stop to everything pleasant in the world?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Hebrews 2:5, 6
The world to come is the habitable earth here. Christ is now at God’s right hand till God puts all things under His feet.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24
Man was tried, up to the death of Christ, by the law, the prophets, and finally, by the mission of God’s Son, but in vain. Man finds out that he is lost, and that redemption is by the cross. When sin was complete Christ appeared to put away sin by His sacrifice. Now that that work is complete, those who through grace believe, await the same Saviour to come again for their final deliverance.
Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
James 5:8
We are to be patient in our daily life as yet knowing what will change the whole state of the world.
Jesus Christ: whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom [though] not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with [the] glory, receiving the end of your faith, [the] salvation of [your] souls. Concerning which salvation prophets, who have prophesied of the grace towards you, sought out and searched out; searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which [was] in them pointed out, testifying before of the sufferings which [belonged] to Christ, and the glories after these. To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves but to you they ministered those things, which have now been announced to you by those who have declared to you the glad tidings by [the] Holy Spirit, sent from heaven, which angels desire to look into.
1 Peter 1:7-13
In 1 Peter we have a remarkable testimony to the order of God’s ways.
1. The prophets
2. The gospel
3. The appearing of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, we love.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming
1 John 2:28
Our consciences are clear
It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is: and everyone that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3
His appearing rejoices the heart and affects the walk of the saints. Our blessed and assured hope is to be like Christ Himself. The present effect of this special hope is that the saint purifies himself even as He is pure, and seeks to be like Him now.
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints
Jude v.14
The epistle looked at the decline of the professing church – the false brethren coming in unawares. It would be the object of the judgment of the Lord when He would appear.
God’s moral glory was seen
[1] Notes from (JND Collected Writings Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4) p206-216 – Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ, unless otherwise stated.
The next event for us is the rapture. It could be at any time – today even – and applies only to the church. Because of that, there is no reference to it in the Old Testament. In scripture, the in Greek word ἁρπαγησόμεθα/harpagēsometha/Strong 726 in 1Thess 4:17. Is translated ‘caught up’. The word ‘rapture’ is a noun with the same meaning.
We should ask why is the rapture so little understood, or even accepted amongst many sincere Christians? This scripture in 1 Thess 14:13-18 is very clear:
A few weeks ago I was talking to some of my younger Christian friends regarding the various things which had happened and were yet to happen. They had little problem with the history – creation, the fall, the flood, the Exodus, Moses receiving the law, David, the captivity, the birth of Christ, His death and resurrection, Pentecost etc., but they had real problems with what is to come. I thought therefore in this and a few coming letters to look at these future events so that we might be sure where we are in relation to them.
The Rapture
The next event for us is the rapture. It could be at any time – today even – and applies only to the church. Because of that, there is no reference to it in the Old Testament. In scripture, the in Greek word ἁρπαγησόμεθα/harpagēsometha/Strong 726 in 1Thess 4:17. Is translated ‘caught up’. The word ‘rapture’ is a noun with the same meaning.
We should ask why is the rapture so little understood, or even accepted amongst many sincere Christians? This scripture in 1 Thess 14:13-18 is very clear: ‘But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them [Darby – are in no way to anticipate those] which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words’. Look at a few phrases ‘the dead in Christ shall rise first’ – that encompasses all those who have been ransomed by His blood from creation onwards. Whether we who are alive now will be taken before the rapture, none of us knows. Paul referred to ‘we, the living’, as if he thought it would be within his lifetime. Of course we know it was not, but he was looking forward to the Lord’s coming – we should be too.[1]
Paul also says, ‘we shall ever be with the Lord’ (v.17), and ‘them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him’. Now when Jesus comes (the public second coming, often referred to in scripture as ‘the appearing’) the dead in Christ will be with Him – and so will be those lovers of the Lord who were alive at the rapture. Also, ‘When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory’ (Col 3:4). Clearly, we could not come with Him, if we were still on the earth.
The church is heavenly entity: she belongs to Christ in heaven, and her hope and glory is Christ Himself. She looks forward to and His return to take up His rights. Therefore the church has nothing to do with the course of events of the earth. This makes its rapture and return with Christ so simple and clear, as we see from Col 3:4, ‘When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.’ [2]
1 Cor 15:51-52 is another scripture which describes the rapture: ‘We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ’ From this we can deduce that there will be a rallying trumpet, the whole event will be very quick, and our bodies will be changed. The latter is also referred to in Rom 8:23 ‘waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body’.
When the Lord was discoursing with his disciples immediately prior to the crucifixion, He tells them that a place was being prepared for the saints to be with Him, where He is. ‘I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2-3).
Therefore:
The rapture will be sudden
No one knows when the rapture will be
The rapture will be private
At the rapture there will be a voice (or trumpet sound) which only Christians will hear
At the rapture the Lord will not come quite to the earth – just to the air
The rapture will affect people, whether raptured or left here: the world carries on
At the rapture bodies will be changed
The question often arises as to what the effect of the saints being taken will be. Suddenly millions of people will just vanish! Hal Lindsey, who awakened many Christians to the rapture in the 1970’s in a popular book ‘The Late Great Planet Earth’, said that there would be confusion. I doubt it. Christians who are ‘not of the world’ will not be missed. Writing about future events in his second epistle to the Thessalonians Paul said, ‘God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie’ (2 Thess 2:11). The Antichrist will conjure up a satisfactory credible explanation which will be accepted universally.
The Rapture and the Appearing
We must not confuse the second coming with the rapture. At the rapture the Lord comes to the atmosphere immediately above the earth. At the appearing He comes to the earth. Here are some differences between the rapture and the appearing:
Something else many Christians do not realise is the fact there will be two resurrections. The Old Testament did not distinguish between the two. John made the distinction very clear. When the Lord was here, He said ‘all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation’ (John 5:28-29). Also in Revelation, ‘Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power’ (Rev 20:6). The second death is to the Great White Throne – the resurrection of the dead for judgment[3].
The first resurrection (the resurrection of the just) is primarily at the rapture. J N Darby says that it will be the consummation of our happiness[4]. Having given life to our souls, He will give life to our glorified bodies.
Satan is the author of this confusion. He does not want Christians to burn with anticipation of the Lord’s immediate coming. He certainly does not want us saying ‘Come Lord Jesus’ (Rev 22:20).
Dear Christian friends, may we keep near Him, and be assured as to the immediacy of His return.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 1.1 Introduction to the Timeline
Recently a brother wrote to me needing to answer the following question:
