In last month’s Tidings, the words of the apostle Paul as found in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4, verse 16 and 17 were considered in their bearing on the meeting place of Christ and his saints. It was pointed out that highly figurative and metaphorical language has been used to great advantage in the Bible, adding to its message, warmth and feeling. The words of Paul in the passage above cannot be understood without any qualification, as all religionists must agree. Before attempting to comprehend the message it would be wise to find if the same type of language is used elsewhere in the Scriptures so as to give us the proper key of understanding. A tool of this nature can be found in Peter’s prophecy as recorded in 2 Peter 3:13, where mention is made of the “new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” This prophecy is one borrowed from the 65th chapter of Isaiah, where it becomes quite clear to one reading it that the events there described can only take place in the earth.
This type of metaphor is merely carrying out the eastern style of vernacular in expression. We know that men in the governments of the earth are influenced almost solely by the impulses of the flesh or the law of sin residing within their members. It is quite appropriate, therefore, for the apostle to describe them as exercising this power in the air ; that over and about those ruled over. If you will turn to the 2nd chapter of Ephesians we shall find Paul employing this language in describing the manner in which his converts formerly walked in the world ; “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience : Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:2,3).
This “prince of the power of the air”, Paul defines as the “spirit” that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” Those who allow themselves to be governed solely by the impulses of the flesh obey this spirit of disobedience. This manifestation of sin finds exhibition in men of low morals and in all walks of life. However, it is especially discernable in the governments of the world, where those falling under its power are in a position where they may exercise a strong influence on others. In Paul’s day, this was especially true of the Roman government which then and in later centuries waged such terrible persecution against the followers of Christ. The Roman system was the “heavens” of Paul’s day, and the vast dominions over which it reigned constituted the “earth”. It was, in fact “the prince of the power of the air”, whose principles and ideals, Christians are called upon to combat. The warfare, however, is not physical, for the followers of Jesus are prohibited the use of carnal weapons. Instead, they are spiritual, as Paul outlines in the 6th chapter of Ephesians, when he itemizes the warrior’s armour. In verse 12, the apostle declares, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood” (that is we are not engaged in physical combat), “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The “New World Translation” substitutes the word, “governments” for “principalities”, and the “Revised Standard Version” has “world rulers of this present darkness” for “rulers of the darkness of this world”. The governments of this world are destined to be broken in pieces by the King of kings when he returns to this earth in full manifestation of the power committed to his trust. Paul’s metaphorical “Prince of the power of the air” will then be dethroned and replaced by the Son of God, called in Isaiah’s prophecy “The Prince of Peace“. (Isaiah 9:6) Christ will then be the new Prince of the air in the new heavens and will exercise his influence in all regions of the earth.
Those who are found faithful at the return of Christ will be rewarded with places of authority and rulership in the Kingdom of God. Jesus himself, promises in Revelation 2:26,27; “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers : even as I received of my Father.” The part the faithful saints will play in the new order of things will require their position in the figurative “New heavens”, for they are to rule the nations of the world, with Christ. Having thus joined with Jesus in this new constitution, and having received places of prominence in the Kingdom of God, they are said by the Apostle Paul to meet with Christ “in the air.”
The clouds with which the live saints are to join are the resurrected faithful of all ages, the very “dead in Christ” over whom the Thessalonians had been mourning. The apostle uses this very same term in Hebrews 12:1, where after re-counting the experiences of some of the faithful of other ages, declares, “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, etc. . . .” These resurrected witnesses along with the living saints are to be summoned before the presence of Christ, and if accounted worthy, will sit down with him in his kingdom, and thus ever dwell with him.
Considering once again the words of Paul in 1 Thes. 4:16,17 we find that each of the terms employed by him have been amply used in other parts of God’s word, where their significance is more clearly discernible. It would be slanderous of the rest of the Bible to give Paul’s words a twist that places them in opposition to it. Peter has warned us, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1 :20). The word, “private” means pertaining to self, one’s own, separate, and forcefully cautions us against giving any Divine prophecy an interpretation that isolates it from the rest of Holy Writ. We would certainly be guilty of this were we to take Paul’s words to mean that the saints are to leave this earth at the return of Jesus and accompany him back to heaven. This man-made doctrine can find no support anywhere in the Bible, and can, in fact, only be entertained by a wanton abandonment of Divine doctrine.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One