Imagine a recently-married husband who is called away from his bride and family circle to serve in another country for a considerable length of time. Their only contact is by letter and telephone.
One evening, however, when the entire family circle is together in one of their homes, this young man unexpectedly steps into the house. What joy and excitement resounds through the house! He is here! It is him!

Why will the unspeakable joy of the Church (Christ's bride) be yet greater than the family's in this illustration, when her great Bridegroom and Elder Brother unexpectedly returns?

The reaction of the wicked to Christ's glorious appearance will be the opposite from that of the righteous. Great fear and anguish shall take hold of the wicked. How shall they appear before the almighty King they despised, rejected, and disobeyed? How shall they escape His righteous anger?

In that day the unsaved shall cry out' 'to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:16-17).

On that day, cries of joy shall mix with cries of terror. The truth of God and Christ, sin and holiness, salvation and judgment, and a host of related matters shall become living reality in one moment. Some shall be taken up to be with Christ, but others shall be left. The sheep shall be separated from the goats. In which group will you be?