A clear view of the state of the people of God at the present time reveals many things that are calculated to cause sadness and discouragement. Worldliness, lack of brotherly love, divisions, contentions, and strife are conspicuous features of our truly deplorable condition. And along, with this there exists an astounding lack of any sense of shame because of the spectacle we present in the eyes of an observant and jeering world. Surely, if ever there was a time for humiliation on the part of God's [9] people, and for a turning to Him with sorrow of heart and shame of face, in the spirit of Daniel (Dan. ix. 3-20) that time is now.

      In this scene of spiritual decline and indifference the one most hopeful sign that greets the eye is the manifest and increasing interest (among those who take any interest at all in "those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ") in the great subject of the Return of the Son of God to this earth, where once He was rejected and put to a shameful death, and where, during His long absence, He has been preached among all nations as the Saviour of repentant sinners.

      Notwithstanding the disheartening facts mentioned in our opening paragraph, it is certainly true that never before, in the history of the Church of Christ, were there so many believers looking for the Saviour, and enquiring concerning the time and other details of His Coming Again. The number of books, pamphlets, and magazine articles on this subject, that have been issued within the last few [10] years, is really to be regarded as one of the spiritual phenomena of the time; and the fact that the great demand for publications treating of this theme shows no sign of abating is both remarkable and encouraging.

      Indeed, so much has been written and printed, and so many excellent treatises, dealing with all phases of the subject, are already within reach of the people of God, that one feels he should have some compelling reason in adding another volume to the list. The writer, therefore, would state at the outset, that he has lately felt pressed to make a fresh investigation of the Scriptures that tell of the Lord's Return, with special reference to one phase of the subject which has been brought into prominence of late, namely, the question whether the Resurrection and Rapture of the saints will precede or follow the Great Tribulation.

      So the author is able to give both a general reason, and also a specific reason for the appearance of this little volume. [11]

      The general reason is that it seems well worth while to make every effort to maintain and stimulate a real heart-interest in the subject of the Coming Again of the Son of God from heaven; for in this direction lies the most hopeful quest for a remedy for the deplorable spiritual conditions noted above. Scripture and experience both testify that the doctrine of the Coming of the Lord to take His people out of the world to be with Himself, exerts an influence for godliness, holiness, watchfulness, and separation from the world and its things, more potent than that of any other. The great need of the times is for teaching of a practical sort, that is to say, teaching which influences the walk of the saints, rather than that which merely fills their heads with Scripture facts. One might be a perfect cyclopedia of biblical information, able to give a reading at any moment on any subject, and yet be steeped in worldliness, and be coldly indifferent to the sufferings and needs of the brethren. But [12] "every man that hath THIS HOPE in (set upon) Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." In a word, the doctrine of Christ's Coming Again is pre-eminently practical and wholesome.

      The specific reason for the writing of these pages is as follows:

      Several beloved and honoured brethren have lately pressed very earnestly upon the author's attention certain publications written in support of the view that, according to the testimony of the Prophetic Scriptures, the Great Tribulation and the career of Antichrist must occur, and run their course, before the Resurrection and Rapture of the saints. Out of sincere regard for the brethren referred to, and because of the importance of the point above stated, the present writer felt constrained to devote the time and effort necessary for a thorough examination of the subject. That examination has now been made. It was made with an open mind. In fact, so confident were the brethren referred [13] to of the correctness of their view, that the writer of these pages was quite prepared to find that they had proved their case, or at least had brought forward proofs and arguments of sufficient weight to raise a very substantial doubt as to there being any scriptural warrant for looking for the Saviour as an imminent, every day possibility.

      Having now made this investigation, it seems desirable that the writer should set forth the conclusions at which he has arrived. In so doing, his aim is, not merely to make a contribution to the discussion of the disputed question, but also, and mainly, to set forth some positive points of doctrine which have come with considerable force to his mind while studying the Scriptures bearing upon the subject.

      In the first part of this volume will be found an examination of the chief reasons that have been advanced in support of the post-tribulation view of the Rapture; and in the second Part will be found some affirmative teaching on [14] the subject of the Lord's Return. The writer has not thought it necessary to repeat herein the arguments usually given in support of the pre-tribulation view of the Lord's Coming, and which have been accepted by very many as sufficient and satisfactory. Those arguments are accessible to all, having been clearly set forth in many publications, some of them being of quite recent date.

      The writer would state at the outset that, in these days when the promise of the Lord's Return has been wholly lost sight of by the great mass of nominal christians, we can but feel very closely drawn to all who are truly looking for the Saviour, even though they be such as hold that there are unfulfilled prophetic events that must first occur. Therefore we can enter upon a discussion of that question with those brethren without feeling that we are engaging in controversy. It should be both enjoyable and profitable to discuss, with those who truly "look for Him," the details of His Coming. And both writer and [15] readers can join in the prayer that we may all be brought into agreement with the teaching of Scripture on this exceedingly interesting and important subject.

PHILIP MAURO.      

      Sturry, Kent.
            December, 1913. [16]

[LFTS 9-16]