GRACE BIBLE CHURCH
06-08-2022
PASTOR ROBERT R. MCLAUGHLIN
PDF: GBC06052022NOTES
Christian Soldier 77, Doctrine Of The Rapture, 4.
We have begun the Doctrine of the Rapture.
The Doctrine of the Rapture
Point 1. Introduction.
Point 2. Definition.
Point 3. Twenty-Six Principles (Alphabet) that establish the position of a pre-tribulation Rapture.
Point 4. REV 13 and the Tribulation period as they relate to the Rapture.
Point 5. The Rapture and the doctrine of imminence.
So, once again;
The "True" church will not and cannot go through the Tribulation period and therefore
must be taken out from the earth which is what we call the Rapture.
Point 6. The Work of the Holy Spirit as the Restrainer is found in 2Th 2:1-7.
2TH 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him,
2TH 2:2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
The Thessalonians were concerned that the Rapture had already taken place and the day of the Lord was already there and they missed it.
In the Bible, "The day of the Lord" can include the Rapture, the last half of the Tribulation, Second Advent, and Millennium, totaling 1007 years.
After the Rapture, there are the seven years of Tribulation and 1000 years of the Millennium.
Therefore, Paul writes to show them that the Restrainer.
2TH 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
So,
First, Paul shows them that the day of the Lord could not take place until there was a departure.
And in order to understand this we need to note the Greek word for apostasy in verse 3.
Apostasia refers to a departure, it could either refer to the departure from the faith or the departure of the saints as mentioned in verse 1.
Secondly, Paul also reveals that there was to be the manifestation of the man of sin or the lawless one described in Rev 13.
2TH 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2TH 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so‑called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
2TH 2:5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
2TH 2:6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed.
2TH 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
Note that this lawless one could not be manifested until the "Restrainer" be taken out of the way.
In other words;
Someone is preventing Satan from coming to complete power right now and that is the Holy Spirit.
And He will keep on performing this ministry until He is removed.
And so,
Who is the Restrainer that keeps on restraining Satan?
He is God the Holy Spirit.
And,
As long as the Holy Spirit is resident within the Church, which is His temple, His restraining work will continue.
1CO 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
It is only when the church or the temple is removed that this restraining ministry ceases.
And then in Dan 9:27, Daniel reveals that this lawless one will be manifested at the beginning of the 70th week.
DAN 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering;
and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."
Point 7. The Contrasts Between the Rapture and the Second Coming or Advent of TLJC.
And this which will show that they are totally two different events.
For instance;
- The Rapture removes all living believers from the earth while the Second coming removes unbelievers from the earth; 1Co 15:51-52, Mat 24:40-41.
1CO 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1CO 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
Or look at MAT 24:40.
MAT 24:40 "Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken [Baptism of Fire], and one will be left. [referring to believers]
MAT 24:41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.
- In the Rapture, the saints are caught up in the air with Him while at the second advent of Christ, He returns to the earth.
First the Rapture:
1TH 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Then the Second Advent:
1TH 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
- In the Rapture Christ comes to claim His bride while at the Second coming He returns with the Bride.
- The Rapture results in the removal of the Church and insertion of the Tribulation while the Second coming results in the establishment of the Millennial kingdom.
- The Rapture is imminent (i.e., could take place at any moment) while the Second coming is preceded by a multitude of signs.
- The Rapture brings a message of comfort while the second advent is accompanied by a message of judgment (baptism of fire).
- The Rapture is a mystery while the Second Advent is predicted in both Testaments.
- The Rapture leaves creation unchanged while the Second advent entails the change in creation.
- The Rapture takes place before the day of wrath, but the Second advent follows it.
- The Rapture is for believers only but the Second advent has its effect on all men.
- The expectation of the Church in regard to the Rapture is "the Lord is at hand", Phi 4:5, while the expectation of Israel in regard to the Second advent is "the kingdom is at hand", Mat 24:14.
So, these are some of the contrasts which may be presented to support the fact that the rapture and the second advent are distinct events.
In continuing to prove the pre-tribulation Rapture, we need to turn to Rev 4.
This is a passage which illustrates that the Church is no longer on earth and that it is in heaven worshipping the Lord.
REV 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."
REV 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.
REV 4:3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
Now, in verse 4, John is given a vision of 24 elders who are seated on thrones.
And please notice that;
These elders who are seated on thrones are clothed in white garments, crowned with golden crowns, and in heaven in the presence of God.
Now, several answers are given as to the question of the identity of these twenty-four elders.
First of all, notice that these 24 elders are not angels.
What is said of the 24 elders could not be true of angelic beings because angels are not crowned with victor’s crowns.
The phrase, "the golden crowns" is "chrusous stephanous" which are given to church-age believers, 1Co 9:25, Phi 4:1, 1Th 2:19, 2Ti 4:8, Jam 1:12, 1Pe 5:4.
For example
1CO 9:25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self‑control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath [stephanous], but we an imperishable.
2TI 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the [stephanous] crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who
have loved His appearing [Rapture].
PHI 4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and [stephanous] crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
1TH 2:19 For who is our hope or joy or [stephanous] crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? [Rapture].
2TI 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the [stephanous] crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
1PE 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [stephanous] crown of glory.
Also, there is something which is said that I think should be very meaningful to most of you by now and that is;
In verse 4, And around the throne were twenty‑four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty‑four elders sitting.
Nowhere in the scripture are we told that angels are seated on thrones, which speaks of Royal dignity and honor.
This privilege is given to believers only because of the strategic victory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Angelic Conflict.
Therefore,
These 24 elders are resurrected, redeemed men who are clothed and crowned and seated on thrones in connection with royalty in heaven.
And there are four inerrant marks which identify these elders as representative of the church!
- Their position.
They are sitting on the thrones which make up the rainbow around the throne in REV 4:3.
REV 4:3 And He who was sitting {was} like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and {there was} a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
Now, to the church and only to the church, is co-enthronement promised, Rev 3:21-22.
REV 3:21 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
REV 3:22 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' "
Notice that this co-enthronement is said to the churches.
In Rev 4, TLJC is not seated upon the throne on earth but in heaven and these individuals have been presented faultless and have already received their rewards for glorifying God.
- The second inerrant mark which identifies these elders as representative of the church is the number of these elders.
Especially in this book where numbers are so great a part of the symbolism.
24 is the number of the choruses into which the Levitical priesthood was divided, 1Ch 24:1-19.
And so the number 24 represented priesthood.
And….
Of all the groups of the redeemed only the church is a priesthood, 1Pe 2:5-9; Rev 1:6.
REV 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Hold you place here in Revelation and turn back to 1Pe 2:5.
1PE 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1PE 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture: #"Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."#
1PE 2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, #"The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,"#
1PE 2:8 and, #"A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense";# for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
1PE 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
- The third inerrant mark which identifies these elders as representative of the church is the testimony of the enthroned elders, Rev 5:8-10.
REV 5:8 And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty‑four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
REV 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
REV 5:10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
The church and only the church can testify to being made a kingdom and priests to our God.
So, the third inerrant mark which identifies these elders as representative of the church is the testimony of the enthroned elders.
- The fourth important mark is that they are called elders, and elder-ship is a representative office for the church age, Act 15:2; Act 20:17.
ACT 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
So, the elders are members of the church and they are seen in heaven in the place which the scriptures assign to the Church.
And they are there before a "seal" is opened or a "woe" is uttered and before the "wrath" of God is poured out.
REV 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
REV 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?"
REV 5:3 And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it.
REV 5:4 And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to 0look into it;
REV 5:5 and one of the elders *said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."
Therefore, they are there before the Tribulation period begins.
And…..
They are in their redeemed state clothed with white raiment and crowned with crowns.
Also;
From this chapter to the 20th chapter the church is never once referred to as on earth.
The church is not seen or in view from REV 4 to REV 19, when she comes back with all the saints at the Second Coming following the Lord Jesus Christ.
REV 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
REV 19:8 And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
REV 19:9 And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
REV 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
REV 19:11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
REV 19:12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.
REV 19:13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.
REV 19:14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
REV 19:15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
REV 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
So,
These believers are seen to be resurrected, in heaven, evaluated, rewarded and enthroned at the beginning of the 70th week or the Tribulation period.
Therefore, we can easily conclude that the church has already been raptured.
And:
If the Church is not resurrected and if there is no such thing as a Rapture, as some insist, and not until Rev 20:4, how could the church be in heaven in REV 19:7-11?
Now, we also need to note the problem behind 1Th 4:13-18.
1TH 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.
1TH 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
1TH 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1TH 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
1TH 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1TH 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The book of The Thessalonians is probably the best two books in the Bible on the Rapture.
Back in verse 13, 1TH 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed,
The Thessalonian Christians were not ignorant or uninformed about the resurrection.
The problem that they had was their misunderstanding of the relationship between the resurrection and the saints who had died before the Rapture.
Paul writes, not to teach the fact of resurrection, but rather the fact that at the rapture the living would not have an advantage over the dead in Christ.
Now, if the Thessalonians had believed that the Church would be going through the 70th week or the Tribulation period:
They would have rejoiced that some of the brethren had missed the period of suffering and were with the Lord without experiencing the outpouring of wrath.
In other words;
If the Church were going through the Tribulation, it would be better to be with the Lord than to have to await the events of the 70th week.
And…..
The Thessalonians would be praising the Lord that their brethren were spared these events, instead of feeling that the dead had missed some of the Lord's blessing.
The principle is that the early church believed that the church would not go through the 70th week and:
In their anticipation of the return of Christ they mourned for their brethren whom they thought had missed the blessing of this event.
1TH 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The word of God teaches in Pro 30:5 that every word of God is pure.
And this means that no matter what the subject is, you need to learn it!
It also teaches that a pastor should:
2TI 2:15 Study [spoudazo] to present himself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
In fact, this same word translated study in 2Ti 2:15 is also found in 2PE 1:10.
2PE 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent [spoudazo] to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
In;
2PE 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent [study] to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
So, the pastor is to study and teach, that is his job.
And then…..
He is to take this study and in EPH 4:12 "equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;"
Now, I say all of this because one of the reasons why it is so important to document the Rapture accurately is that there are large movements in this nation which are based upon the belief that there is no rapture.
Such as movements that many of you have heard about like the Christian coalition or the Promise keepers, etc.
There is also a movement called Dominion Theology or Reconstructionism which teaches post-Millennialism and they are against dispensations and promote cleaning up the devil’s world.
And;
These conflicting views impact the "way" believers are involved in this present society.
Christian reconstruction teaches the victory of God's kingdom on earth during and continuous with our present era.
Whereas those who believe in the Rapture believe that;
Christ's will come back for His bride then seven years later His intervening judgment will destroy current society and then He will institute Millennial conditions.
Now,
Today many Christians are attracted to the dominion position because they have an agenda, such as politics or social reform for which they believe Reconstructionism provides the vision to lead them to success.
And this is nothing more than creature credit and cleaning up the devil’s world!
This movement is not concerned with the fulfillment of such passages as Eph 4:12-13, 1Ti 2:3-4 but rather fulfilling their own agenda.
Remember that EPH 4:11 says And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
EPH 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
EPH 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.
1TI 2:3-4 says This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Many believers get involved with these movements not directly but indirectly through the back door, rather than the front door of biblical study.
They arrive at these views not from the study of scripture but by the romantic attraction of changing the world.
This is why a true student of the word of God will let the scripture be the final authority not what seems pleasing to the world.
They stay away from groups like:
Ambassadors For Christ Founder: Jehovah’s Witnesses (Charles Taze Russell).
Apostolic Churches; many adhere to Oneness Pentecostalism = they teach there is only Jesus one God and Jesus is Him, not the Father and the Spirit = Jesus Only.
Aryan Nations is a Church of Jesus Christ. Founder: Wesley Swift and teaches White-Caucasian can only become members).
There is the cult of The Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong) who believe in the application of the Judicial laws of Moses in modern society.
In other words, they teach that the Christian life is following the Ten Commandments.
These beliefs will not produce believers who honor, love or respect TLJC but rather produce a group of disillusioned people, completely distracted from God's present purpose for the Church-age believer.
There is The Unification Church is also called the Moonies founded by Sun Myung Moon who claims that Jesus failed when He went to the cross and died with the cross before the crown.
Moon says that he is come to pick up the failure of Jesus that Moon says he will fulfill which is namely the crown by bypassing the Cross.
For example, what is God's present purpose for the Church-age believer?
It is 1. To be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18.
- To walk by means of the Spirit, Gal 5:16.
- To execute the PPOG, 2JO 1:6.
2JO 1:6 And this is virtue-love, that we walk according to His commands. This is the command, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
What is it?
It is the PPOG for your life!
And……
What those who do not believe in a Rapture believe that our apostate civilization can be converted into the kingdom of God.
Therefore, they ignore or spiritualize 1Th 4:16-17, 2Th 2:1-3, 1Co 15:51-52, which all speak of the Rapture.
And…
They ignore 1Th 1:7-9, Rev 19:11-16, which speaks of the Second Advent.
Also…..
They have no scriptural documentation to back up their belief of changing the world and making it a better place to live.
One of their major leaders’ states that all of God's laws, including the Mosaic Law, even till the last jot and title, as the King James says, should be applied directly to American life.
MAT 5:18 says "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished."
And….
This belief is contrary to the New Testament teaching in the Epistles, referring to the Mosaic Law as well as the subjection to Human governments.
ROM 13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
ROM 13:2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
ROM 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;
ROM 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.
ROM 13:5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
ROM 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
ROM 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Look at 1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
1PE 2:14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
1PE 2:15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
1PE 2:16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Now,
Believing in this eventual earthly triumph of the church, the reconstructionist have found a natural ally in many other organizations such as the positive confession movement.
Have you ever heard of individuals, and this is where we make enemies, but I must not be concerned with offending people;
Remember;
GAL 4:16 Have I therefore become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Have you ever heard of Pat Robertson, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Robert Schuller, Frederick Price, Norman Vincent Peal?
I’d say about half of you have heard of them.
And there are many others!
In fact, there are many other denominations.
This is in fact, some even misinterpret Mat 11:12 and Luk 16:16 and say that we are to take the kingdom that God has given us even by violence, if necessary.
MAT 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force."
LUK 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
LUK 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets {were proclaimed} until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
LUK 16:17 "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.
What happens in this movement is that they teach their adherents to use their authority in Christ to overcome all barriers to materially successful lives.
They take such scriptures like PHI 4:19 out of context which says And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Notice it says needs not wants!
And….
This is very attractive to those in the lower-middle class life hoping to escape the economic restrictions of their lifestyles.
They teach that all blessings come from God and they are to have a positive attitude which they call Name it and Claim it.
They teach all good things come from God and all bad things are from the devil.
This is known as the Positive Faith movement.
And so, rather than a trust in the provisions made available from God the Father who is intimately concerned with each one of His children;
They are hoping for the improvement of the world to make things better for them.
There is the group call the Unification Church founded by a man called Sun Myung Moon who residing over mass wedding ceremonies in the early '80s.
(Nixon was there)
Founded by the late Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church is also referred to as the "Moonies," and labeled a cult.
The point is that all these groups have no real Hope and reject TIT 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;
Their Hope is not Col 1:27 "to whom the God decreed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery in the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of the glory."
The fact that Jesus Christ indwells you is the basis and origin of your hope not changing the world and getting involved in politics.
Hope anticipates the function of the integrity of God on our behalf.
1Th 1:3 "constantly bearing in mind your work of doctrine, and labor of love, and courage under pressure from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of God the Father."
Hope is cultivated through the intake of doctrine.
Bible doctrine in the soul gives you confidence in the future and enjoyment of what God provides for you now and in eternity not changing the world and making it a better place to live.
Job 4:6 "Is not your respect for God your confidence? And is not your hope the integrity of your ways?"
Heb 11:1 "In fact, doctrine is the reality from which we receive hope, the proof of matters not being seen."
The reality of blessing for time and eternity is found in hope not in changing the world!