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every one of us shall give account of him- the world. One third of the trees will be
self to God.” 1 Corinthians 3 reveals the burnt, leaving wildlife reeling from the
assessment of our public life, particularly catastrophic consequences of natural
in relation to what we build into the local disasters. Israel will be littered with dead
assembly. Wood may seem to be a good bodies, and Jerusalem will be in ruins.
building material, but Paul teaches the Sin will unmistakably reveal its ravish-
Corinthians that it does not withstand ing effect across this planet. But Christ
the fire. In chapter 4, he unveils that even shall not return alone. By His side will be
our personal motives will be examined. In His bride, arrayed for all to admire (2Th
2 Corinthians 5, he highlights that what 1:10). The planet will be set right, and the
we’ve done in [through] these physical Church, as “joint heirs,” shall occupy the
bodies will come under scrutiny, whether esteemed place of administrating the mil-
good or bad. There shall be reward or lennial government of the world (1Co 6:2).
loss, so Paul warns, “Knowing therefore The Greek words parousia, epiphaneia
the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” and apokalupsis occur almost 50 times in
(2Co 5:11). Peter desires that, having been the NT, mostly referring to the public
“tried by fire,” we might come forth with second coming of Christ. As Christians,
a word of praise, a place of honour and a we look beyond the Rapture “for that
crown of glory (1Pe 1:7), and exhorts us blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
to add to our faith ingredients that will [epiphaneia] of the great God and our Sav-
assure us of an “abundant entrance” (2Pe iour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). In that day,
1:5-11). Numerous other places point us to the whole creation, groaning under the
this awesome day of review, James refer- weight of sin, anticipates the manifesta-
ring to it in every chapter of his book (Jas
1:12; 2:12; 3:1; 4:11-12; 5:9). tion (apokalupsis) of the sons of God (Rom
8:19). John writes in Revelation 19 that
Anticipating the Revelation when we exit heaven with our Lord, we
When God’s Son first graced this world, shall be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and
there were two parts to that humble ad- white: for the fine linen is the righteous-
vent: a public appearing for 33 years fol- ness [righteous deeds] of saints” (v8). If
lowed by a private appearing for 40 days a bride were to sew her own wedding
on resurrection ground. Likewise, but in dress, how much effort she put in would
reverse order, we find the same with the be seen on the wedding day. Likewise,
second coming of Christ. First, there is a what we are in this life will be unmistak-
private coming for the Church, succeeded ably seen by all then. Beloved, let each of
by a public descent to the earth. It may us hear this exhortation: “And now, little
surprise some that to the Church there is children, abide in him; that, when he shall
far more spoken of regarding the revela- appear, we may have confidence, and
tion of Christ than about the Rapture. The not be ashamed before him at his coming
Rapture (glorious as it will be) is just the [parousia]” (1Jn 2:28).
stepping stone to our resplendent future Having briefly noted our anticipation,
with Christ. When Christ returns, this Lord willing in successive articles we
world will be in the most devastated state shall observe the location, occupation and
ever experienced. Destruction-strewn association of the Church with Christ in
cities will lie smouldering throughout the Millennium.

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