Torch, Fall 1980

•. •i The trumpet is tuned and ready to blow! rystal balls, astrology charts, palm readers , and syndicated horoscope columns have one thing in common-they claim to have the answers about the future. Millions rely daily on such false means for direc– tion and hope for the future. Unbelievable? Perhaps. Yet in light of the tremendous woes faced by our nation and the frustrations of its peo– ple, such an acceptance is somewhat understandable. Look at the moral deterioration all around us, the tur– moils facing the American family, and our energy crisis. Is it any wonder why people are concerned about the future and their fate? In contrast, the believer in Christ is filled with hope even under these cir– cumstances. The Christian under– stands God's blueprint and knows His time clock is right on schedule. And we are looking up- for our redemp– tion draweth nighl Praise God, the trumpet is tuned and ready to blowl The preparation has been completed for that great shout to penetrate our ears. Our Lord is about to appear in the sky and return for His ownl Yes, Jesus is coming again! At Cedarville College, we believe in the premillennial, pretribulational return of Christ. Every trustee, admini strator, faculty and staff member must sign an annual state- ment that he/ she is in full agreement with this position. Without apology, we teach this doctrine to our students in the class– room and in our daily chapelservices. Recently, Dr. Robert Gromacki , chairman of our Bible department and distinguished author of Are These the Last Days? (Regular Bap– tist Press), delivered a series in chapel on "The Rapture, Before or After the Tribulation?" This past summer, hundreds of teens attended sessions on The Teenager and Prophecy during the annual "Salute to Sum– mer" program on campus. Why is prophecy important to us? Because to God it is important. Six– teen books of the Old Testament are prophetic in nature, and one verse out of every twenty in the New Testa– ment speaks of the second coming of Christ. As Christians, we need to know what God's Word says about prophecy. This knowledge will not help us set the date of His return, for we know that is unscriptural. But it shou ld motivate us to evangelism-to help bring the lost to Christ. Yes, Jesus Christ's return is immi– nent! I trust this glorious truth excites you as much as it does me. And Itrust this prophecy issue of the TORCH will help you to understand and appreciate even more this great promise given to us by God. 3