[reposted] A.C. Gaebelein (1861-1945) was a staunch defender of the dispensational interpretation of scripture, as is well known by bible prophecy students familiar with his work, holding specifically to the 'pre-tribulation rapture' [Rev. 5:9], the tribulation-judgment of the Christ-rejecting Jews and world to follow (during which a remnant of Israel will be 'brought through' and saved - similar to the 'type' of Noah), and the physical return of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the end of that tribulation to begin the "millennial kingdom". Likewise, most students of their bibles are familiar with the account in the 9th chapter of the Book of Acts of the apostle Paul's Damascus road conversion experience. In regard to these things, Gaebelein here draws a compelling parallel between that experience of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and the yet still future day, described in the Word of God as "the time of Jacob's trouble" [Jer. 30:7], when the Lord will call an elect remnant of Israel [Isa. 65:9] and open their blinded eyes [Rom. 11:25], just as He did the apostle Paul's so long ago saying "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" [Acts 9:4]:
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Zechariah 12:10 'And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced...'
The Holy Spirit makes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus not alone very prominent, but also speaks of that event as a pattern. He has given us three lengthy accounts of it in the Book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26). In First Timothy we read: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (1Tim. 1:16). And again it is written: "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15:8) [comparing himself to the other apostles; i.e. coming along after-the-fact compared to the others, not knowing Christ Jesus on earth; see: 1Cor. 15:9 - ed.]. These are inspired statements which tell us we have to seek for a deeper significance of the conversion of him who calls himself "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5).
It has often been remarked that Saul's conversion is the model conversion and the different steps are reproduced in every genuine conversion. But this is far from being correct. Saul of Tarsus' conversion was an altogether unique one. There has, up to this time, never been a conversion like this one. Never again were the heavens opened and a light shone brighter than the sun; never again did a sinner, such a blind persecutor, behold Jesus in glory and hear His voice, and never again was one called in such a way "to be a chosen vessel" and to bear the Name of the Lord "before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. [Acts 9:15]" His conversion is certainly not a pattern or outline of every other conversion and yet it is a delineation, a hypotyposis [lifelike description of a thing or scene].
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Zechariah 12:10 'And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced...'
The Holy Spirit makes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus not alone very prominent, but also speaks of that event as a pattern. He has given us three lengthy accounts of it in the Book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26). In First Timothy we read: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (1Tim. 1:16). And again it is written: "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15:8) [comparing himself to the other apostles; i.e. coming along after-the-fact compared to the others, not knowing Christ Jesus on earth; see: 1Cor. 15:9 - ed.]. These are inspired statements which tell us we have to seek for a deeper significance of the conversion of him who calls himself "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5).
It has often been remarked that Saul's conversion is the model conversion and the different steps are reproduced in every genuine conversion. But this is far from being correct. Saul of Tarsus' conversion was an altogether unique one. There has, up to this time, never been a conversion like this one. Never again were the heavens opened and a light shone brighter than the sun; never again did a sinner, such a blind persecutor, behold Jesus in glory and hear His voice, and never again was one called in such a way "to be a chosen vessel" and to bear the Name of the Lord "before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. [Acts 9:15]" His conversion is certainly not a pattern or outline of every other conversion and yet it is a delineation, a hypotyposis [lifelike description of a thing or scene].
