Future of the Church, The

The books of Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation offer particular revelations concerning the ending of the present age and the times surrounding the Lord’s return. Through prophecies, parables, and signs, we are given a picture of the things that are to come. Daniel presents the prophecy of the seventy weeks; Matthew speaks of the marriage dinner, the appearance of the kingdom of the heavens, and the manifestation of the kingdom; and Revelation reveals seven particular matters related to the Lord’s return. Through all these, we can see the way to wait for the Lord’s coming.

“Second Corinthians 5:10-11 says, ‘We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.’ Verse 14 then says, ‘The love of Christ constrains us.’ On the one hand, we need to know that the Lord is to be feared; on the other hand, we need to see that the Lord’s love constrains and encourages us. Our preaching of the gospel should not only cause people to enjoy grace but also cause people to know the kingdom... Paul exhorts the believers in 1 Corinthians 9: ‘Run in this way, that you may lay hold...I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest perhaps having preached to others, I myself may become disapproved’ (vv. 24, 27). We need to see the light in the Lord’s Word and pay the price so that we may obtain the reward.”