Perhaps the greatest example of salvational differences in the entire Bible is that New Testament saints in the Church Age can never lose their salvation or the presence of the Holy Spirit, but that was absolutely not the case for Old Testament saints. If there is only one salvation plan, what changed?

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” Colossians 1:25,26 (KJV)

Many Christians will write into us, and take issue with our stand that the Bible teaches how God administers salvation over different dispensations. Some Christians don’t even acknowledge that there are different dispensations. Funny thing, though, when Paul started his ministry he revealed “mysteries” that the apostles had never even heard of. Peter ends 2 Peter with the admonition that wrestling with Paul’s doctrine, very different from the rest of the apostle’s doctrine, would lead to your own destruction if you don’t approach it according to 2 Timothy 2:15.

No difference in salvation plans, you say? Ha! Guess again.

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 15,16 (KJV)

So we thought it would be a good time to see who is able to answer any or all of the following 5 questions regarding the differences in dispensational salvation. When replying, please use KJV scripture to support your position if you would like a reply. Have fun!

If salvation is the same for everyone throughout the entire Bible, then:

• Why didn’t Old Testament saints go straight to Heaven after they died like New Testament Christians do?
   One of the hallmark attributes of a Christian is that because we are born again, we go immediately to Heaven when we die with no stops in-between. The Church Age has lasted so long we just assume that it was like this for all the saints who came before us. But not so. The Thief on the Cross had the wonderful good fortune to die at the side of the Saviour of the whole world. That got him into Paradise but not Heaven right away.
  “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (KJV)
  “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

2. Why were Old Testament saints mandated to shed animal blood and burnt sacrifices for sins while New Testament Christians are not?
   There is not a single Christian in the entire Church Age that was ever required to make an animal sacrifice as an atonement for sins. But in the Old Testament, failure to do so could send you to Hell. Things that are different are not the same, obviously. 
   “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Job 1:5 (KJV)

3. Why did God not justify the wicked in the Old Testament, but justifies the ungodly in the New Testament?
   Again, the differences could not be more obvious and apparent. Did God change His mind from one testament to the other or is the Bible teaching dispensational differences?
   “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” Nahum 1:2,3 (KJV)
   “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5 (KJV)

4. Why did Jesus say eternal life is given through keeping the commandments but Paul says that eternal life is given not by works of righteousness which we have done?
   Jesus in Matthew and Paul in Titus are giving two very conflicting instructions on how to have eternal life in Heaven. Paul’s doctrine absolutely conflicts with that of Jesus, yet Paul says it was Jesus that taught him that doctrine. If dispensational differences don’t exist in the Bible, then good luck explaining this one!
   “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16,17 (KJV)
   “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7 (KJV)

5. Why could the Holy Spirit leave an Old Testament saint but is sealed in the New Testament Christian?
   Perhaps the greatest example of salvational differences in the entire Bible is that New Testament saints in the Church Age can never lose their salvation or the presence of the Holy Spirit, but that was absolutely not the case for Old Testament saints. If there is only one salvation plan, what changed?
   “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11 (KJV)
   “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” 1 Samuel 16:14 (KJV)
   “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12-14 (KJV)

Is the ‘Scarlet Thread’ doctrinal or a religious lie? Non-dispensationalist claim that while it’s easy to dismiss the color of Rahab’s rope as mere coincidence, the scarlet thread color is significant.

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” 1 John 2:21 KJV

Are there multiple plans of salvation throughout the scriptures or only one? Those who study the Bible carefully can clearly see that God has dealt with man differently during different ages, or dispensations. Those who cling to one plan of salvation, however, often recite or make reference to the ‘Scarlet Thread’ that they say ‘runs all through the Bible’. Now this sounds good, but is it doctrinal? Let’s take a look.

The Scarlet Thread

The scarlet thread teaching originates from Joshua 2. Two spies had been sent to Jericho in advance of the Israelites’ taking of that city. The spies were hidden in Jericho by Rahab the harlot, who expressed her faith in Israel’s God and protected the spies (Hebrews 11:31 KJV). Rahab allowed the Hebrew spies to escape from Jericho by letting them down through her window by means of a rope made of scarlet thread. As they departed, the spies told Rahab, “thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.” (Joshua 2:18 KJV), with the promise that she and her household would be kept safe in the coming invasion. By faith, Rahab obeyed: “And she said, “According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” (verse 21).

Non-dispensationalist claim that while it’s easy to dismiss the color of Rahab’s rope as mere coincidence, the scarlet thread color is significant. They claim that the rope in her window was a “sign” of her faith and led to her salvation, as she was not destroyed with the rest of Jericho. The scarlet rope—the color of blood—worked for Rahab much as the blood of the Passover lamb had worked during the exodus, which becomes a symbol of the blood of Christ. Non-dispensationalist often refer to this as “the scarlet thread running through the Bible.” By this they mean that the Bible’s theme is Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the redemption of mankind, “the blood of Christ runs throughout the entire Bible”.

However, the problem with this interpretation is that:

1. In context, the scarlet thread is only a reference to saving Rahab and her family’s physical lives
2. To apply this doctrinally promotes both Calvinism and Mormonism heresies as Rahab’s actions also accounted for her family’s “salvation”
3. Neither Rahab nor her family were redeemed to go to Heaven when they died.
4. There is not mention of the promise of Christ’s crucifixion anywhere in the passage.

Therefore, is the “One Plan” of salvation teaching doctrinal?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Tim 3:16 KJV

Is the Scarlet thread teaching a true doctrinal reference to only ONE plan of salvation throughout the scriptures? Observe the following:

Using the law of first mention, where a doctrine is mentioned for the first time and to study the first occurrence of the same in order to get the fundamental inherent meaning of that doctrine, let us compare and contrast the first occurrence in scripture when sinful man accounted for acceptance or rejection with God (Cain & Abel), vs church age acceptance or rejection with God today.

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” Genesis 4:3-7  (KJV)

Acceptance:

Cain & Abel – acceptance or rejection of God based on THEIR works (1 John 3:12 KJV)

Church age today – acceptance or rejection based on receiving Jesus Christ (John 1:12 KJV)

Righteousness:

Cain & Abel – acceptance or rejection of God based on the righteousness of THEIR works (1 John 3:12 KJV)

Church age today – acceptance or rejection based on receiving the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-22 KJV)

Grace & Faith:

Cain & Abel – acceptance or rejection of God based on grace through faith in an animal sacrifice COMPLETELY OF THEMSELVES (1 John 3:12 KJV)

Church age today – acceptance or rejection based of God based on grace through faith in Christ Jesus and that NOT OF OURSELVES (Eph 2:8-9 KJV)

Permanent forgiveness of sins:

Cain & Abel – None (Heb 10:4 KJV)

Church age today – accomplished IN Christ (Colo 1:14 KJV)

Things that are different are not the same. Salvation in Cain & Abel’s time period was not identical to the churches in acceptance, righteousness, grace, faith, or in forgiveness of sins with God; how is this so if there is only ONE plan of salvation throughout the scriptures?

Did the OT Saints understand and preach salvation through future observation of the Scarlet thread?

“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” Isaiah 28:11-12 (KJV)

Another teaching that’s often pushed by most Non-dispensationalists is that salvation through Christ death, burial, and resurrection was always known and preached by several OT Saints. Any serious student of scripture would know this is not so. The OT Saints did not have a complete written revelation like we today have preserved in the KJV. Isaiah did not know the name of Jesus Christ when he prophesied in Isaiah 53, neither was the the gospel of the grace of God made known during Christ’s earthly ministry:

“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV)

WITNESS #1: The Lord Jesus Christ

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke 18:31-34 (KJV)

WITNESS #2: The Apostle Paul

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (KJV)

WITNESS # 3: The Apostle Peter

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:12 (KJV)

The Scarlet Thread is great when preached as instruction in righteousness and the Biblical study of types; but to doctrinally teach that the Scarlet thread was observed and trusted by OT Saints throughout the scriptures is simply a religious lie. On the contrary, the doctrinal application of the Scarlet thread proves that salvation in the OT is not the same as salvation in the NT.

References: Got Questions

Ever since man was kicked out of the garden in Genesis 3, man has dealt with tribulation on earth; followers of God specifically. Abel suffered tribulation that cost him his life and Enoch, while suffering no tribulation like Abel, simply walked with God and was caught up.

For several years post-tribbers have been using the same bait and switch tactic with the term “tribulation” to deceive many Christians into believing that they will be present on earth during the time of Jacob’s trouble. A post-tribber would often approach a newly saved believer or a Christian that was not taught to study/rightly divide God’s word and begin to spew their false doctrine.

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” Revelation 5:1-4 (KJV)

The post-tribber would teach their heresy by attempting to pair a historical ‘tribulation’ reference term (Romans 5:3 KJV) with a specific descriptive ‘tribulation’ term (Revelation 7:14) and PRESTO; the body of Christ was now going through the time of Jacob’s trouble. This lazy man’s trap door is often how the majority of those deceived into believing post-trib have fallen; totally ignoring the specific characteristics that God has given us to delineate the MAJOR doctrinal differences between historical/general tribulation suffered by many saints throughout history and the time of Jacob’s trouble. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.

HISTORICAL/ GENERAL SAINT TRIBULATION:

Ever since man was kicked out of the garden in Genesis 3, man has dealt with tribulation on earth; followers of God specifically. Abel suffered tribulation that cost him his life and Enoch, while suffering no tribulation like Abel, simply walked with God and was caught up. If there is one Christian in the Bible that knows anything about suffering everyday tribulation for following God it would be the Apostle Paul:

“I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:21-28 (KJV)

 Even though the Apostle Paul suffered much tribulation for Christ, the Apostle Paul was NOT in the time of Jacob’s trouble. As a Christian, the Apostle Paul suffered prison, suffered stripes, suffered being beaten with rods, stoning, shipwreck, robbers, weather trouble, countrymen trouble, heathen trouble, city trouble, wilderness trouble, sea trouble, false brethren, endured and suffered cold/nakedness, hunger and thirst, weary and painfulness, and died a martyr for Christ. Once again, the Apostle Paul was NOT in the time of Jacob’s trouble. As a Christian, he was experiencing historical/everyday tribulations that many followers of God had gone through since the beginning. Even though the Apostle Paul suffered a greater measure than most, the Apostle Paul was STILL NOT in the time of Jacob’s trouble nor did he preach that Christians would be mandated to go through Jacob’s trouble.

As a Christian today, just because you may suffer or may know someone that has suffered from one of the former above does NOT mean that Christians are in or mandated to go through the time of Jacob’s trouble. There are Christians TODAY in countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, China, Turkey, and Arabia that are being persecuted, tortured, and killed for their faith, but neither they nor we in America are in the time of Jacob’s trouble. DO NOT confuse historical/general tribulation as suffered by many saints throughout history as being associated with the time of Jacob’s trouble. IT IS NOT THE SAME. There are MAJOR doctrinal differences that clearly delineate the two.

MAJOR DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY one who can initiate the time of Jacob’s trouble:

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” Revelation 5:6-9 (KJV)

The time of Jacob’s trouble does not initiate from the government taking away your rights, terrorists’ attacks, or underground entities such as illuminati, masons, Jesuits, etc. The time of Jacob’s trouble does not initiate from mass murders/persecutions of Christians from country to country. The time of Jacob’s trouble BEGINS with the body of Christ in Heaven (pre-trib catching away) rejoicing and praising the Lord as he takes the book. If the body of Christ is STILL on earth, this cannot take place!

MANDATED: No buying or selling unless having the mark, name, or number of the beast!

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:15-17 (KJV)

This is not historical/general tribulation. Never in history has ANY Christian been forbidden from buying or selling unless they receive the name, number, or mark of the beast. It is also critical to note that the time of Jacob’s trouble is WORLDWIDE tribulation that subjects everyone on earth. This is not the case with historical persecution against the saints that differed in severity from country to country. Even today, Christian persecution is American is definitely less severe than Christian persecution in Iraq.

MANDATED Hell fire DAMNATION to ANYONE that worships the beast, his image, or receive his mark, name, or number!

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11 (KJV)

The ULTIMATE post-trib stumbling stone! In the time of Jacob’s trouble, EVERYONE is mandated to KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS which INCLUDES not getting the mark, name, or number of the beast! Post-tribbers never want to Biblically address this in their “tribulation” rant. Is the gospel believing on the Lord Jesus Christ? Or don’t get the mark? You can’t preach both unless you rightly divide the word of truth! This mandate is specifically reserved for the time of Jacob’s trouble. A Christian can’t be present on earth during this time period because a Christian is already SEALED unto the day of redemption (Eph 4:30 KJV). It is utter blasphemy for post-trib theology to proclaim that a Christian can both be sealed and take the mark and STILL go to Heaven, and it is utter blasphemy to claim that a Christian must “endure to the end” by not taking the mark of the beast to be or remain saved! A Christian is a member of the body of Christ, and any person that proclaims to be a “Christian” while also believing they must have works to be saved or works to stay saved is NOT a saved! They are LOST and on their way to a devil’s Hell.

In the time of Jacob’s trouble, the believer is looking to flee from/endure the anti-christ BEFORE they look for the Lord to appear!

“When ye therefore shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:” Matthew 24:15-16 (KJV)

Nowhere in the Pauline epistles does the Apostle Paul instruct the body of Christ to flee when we SEE the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place. The holy place for a Christian is the physical body (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV) which in context is impossible for the devil the ‘stand in’. On the contrary, the Apostle Paul constantly instructs the Christian to look for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to appear BEFORE the time of Jacob’s trouble:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJV)

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (KJV)

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we LOOK FOR the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:21-22 (KJV)

So why is it today when some Christians experience some “tribulation” they automatically want to place themselves in the time of Jacob’s trouble?

Pure Bible ignorance is the only answer.

The Bible does not revolve around America. Just because the majority of Christendom in America has gone lukewarm means nothing as far as Christendom globally. Any post-trib theologian with a desire to “shed their blood” for the Lord today is welcomed to hop a one-way ticket to Iran and street preach by a mosque. But the body of Christ is not appointed to go through the time of Jacob’s trouble. You MUST rightly divide the word of truth

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)