Section 2
aspects of prophecy: the rapture and the signs relating to the Lord's coming. However, if we ex pect to be raptured without growing in life, we are dreamers, for rapture is actually our trans figuration and glorification. No carnation seed can grow from a sprout to a blossom overnight. According to the law of life, a carnation plant must grow gradually until it reaches maturity. Then and only then will a blossom appear. Like wise, we must grow gradually until we arrive at a full-grown man (Eph. 4:13). Once we reach the stage of blossoming, we are ready to be transfig ured and glorified. Glorification with transfigu ration is possible only after we have reached maturity.
In the New Testament the rapture is likened to a harvest, and a harvest is possible only after the crop has matured and ripened. If the crop is not ripe, but is still tender and green, how can the harvest come? It is impossible. Look at the situation among the Lord's people today. Look at the crop. Is it ripe? Do you believe that according to the present stage of the growth of the crop the harvest is imminent? It is impos sible. Look at the field—nowhere is there any real growth. Although there are thousands of genuine Christians everywhere on the earth as