Ray Stedman has proposed the interesting possibility that Jesus Christ, following the
rapture of the Church, will be present on the Earth during this time, appearing and disappearing
at will as he did for a few weeks following the Resurrection.
In contrast to the false propaganda of the last days, in Matthew 24:27-28, Jesus unveils
the true method for locating him in the day of his presence. To do so he uses a parable from
nature and a proverb from life: “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the
west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be
gathered together.”
The word the Lord uses for “coming” here is the now familiar “parousia.” It is quite a
different word than he uses a few verses farther on when he speaks of “the Son of man coming on
the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” It is easy to confuse these two comings
because of his reference to lightning in verse 27. Since lightning is a form of power and glory,
many feel the Lord is using it as symbol of his coming in glory. But note carefully what he says.
Lightning flashes in the east, but the effect of it is seen all over the sky. Yet the flash
itself does not involve the whole inverted dome of the heavens from east to west. When he uses
the symbol of lightning, therefore, he is not describing a universally visible manifestation of his
glory, but the universal effect of his presence behind the scenes. Like lightning flashes he will be
seen by his own in different places, at all different times, but the effect of those appearances will
be felt throughout the earth.
Furthermore, lightning is sovereign, unpredictable, uncontrollable. So will be the
presence, the parousia, of the Son of man. He will appear and disappear at will. Whenever there is
need for him he will be there, just as he was during the post-resurrection period. There will be no
need to search for him for he cannot be found that way. There will be no need to look for him in
the wilderness nor in the inner rooms, for he will come whenever and wherever he finds a heart
ready to know him. In the passage parallel to this in Luke 17, Jesus says, “For as the lightning
flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day.” A
“day” used in that sense always refers to a period of time, not a sudden, climactic event.123
We won’t be dogmatic about this, but if Ray Stedman’s interpretation is correct, it would
certainly help explain the supernatural protection that the refugees from Israel will enjoy during
this time.
An interesting corollary to this idea is that the raptured Church might be involved in this
activity of protecting the Saints during the Tribulation. This could be true because we know that
we, the Church, are destined to rule and reign with him when he appears later as King of Kings.
In any case, we are assured in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that once we have met The Lord in the air,
we will always be with him! The church is called the “Body of Christ” in the New Testament, so
wherever the Lord of the Church is at work, there also is his Body, the Church.
If the above scenario is correct, it is important to remember that the members of the
Church as well as their Lord will all have their new resurrection bodies. It should not surprise us
that our ministry during this time period might well be like that of our Lord Jesus during the 40
days after his resurrection and prior to his ascension when he came and went at will, appearing
and disappearing in the midst of followers to continue to teach them and guide them. The Church
may well have a similar role of encouragement in the lives of the 144,000 who will still be
mortal and not immune from suffering and martyrdom in their heroic acts of evangelism.
Next we turn our attention to the plight of those who do not have God‘s special protection during
the awful three and a half years of the Great Tribulation. The events prescribed for this period of
time are almost beyond belief.
