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

According to God’s word, the Jewish Nation of Israel will go through their time to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Have you ever wondered why God calls it the time of JACOB’S trouble?

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)

Friendly-Fire Warning: I plan on utilizing Proverbs 26:5 KJV (look it up) throughout this article. If you have thin skin or are not willing to stand and defend truth, I’d advised you to not read any further. You’ve been forewarned.

I always find it hilarious dealing with post-tribbers. The ones I deal with can NEVER Biblically answer this question: What is the point of forcing the body of Christ to go through the time of Jacob’s trouble?? What is the purpose?? God is not the author of confusion and God specifically gives us the reason why the Jewish Nation of Israel will go through it:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Daniel 9:24 (KJV)

The angel, talking to the Jewish Daniel, said that the 70 weeks are determined upon THY people, the Jews. So according to God’s word, the Jewish Nation of Israel will go through their time to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Have you ever wondered why God calls it the time of JACOB’S trouble? (come now let us REASON together)

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THIS APPLY TO THE BODY OF CHRIST??

• To finish the transgression? – Christ said that it’s ALREADY FINISHED! (John 19:30 KJV)
• To make an end of sins? – Christ was ALREADY made sin FOR US! (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)
• To make reconciliation for iniquity? – We’ve ALREADY been reconciled! (2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV)
• To bring in everlasting righteousness? – We ALREADY possess God’s righteousness! (Romans 3:21-22 KJV
• To seal up the vision and prophecy? – We’re SEALED! (Ephesians 4:30 KJV)
• To anoint the most Holy? – We’ve ALREADY been anointed and we’re bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh! Also, we are in Heaven worshipping the Lord BEFORE the anti-christ even hits the scene! (1 John 2:27/ Revelation 5:9-10 KJV)

So once again, what is the purpose of forcing the body of Christ in the Great Tribulation? Let’s start by addressing each kind of post-tribber and their heretical stances. When you narrow it down, there are only TWO kinds of post-tribbers and both kinds have significant delays in the common sense department.

Post-Tribber #1– The eternally secure Post-Tribber:

This is the post-tribber that believes in eternal security and applies it throughout the Great Tribulation. I sarcastically mock this kind of post-tribber by pinpointing the fact they’re practically going to “fake their way” through the Tribulation. I mean seriously, if you’re an eternally secure post-tribber, what is the point of going through the Great Tribulation? Especially when you believe that you can worship the beast, get his name, mark, and number and STILL BE ETERNALLY SECURE AND GO TO HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE!  Talk about diplomatic immunity!

The Bible is quite clear when it says that people who receive the Mark will not enter into Heaven:

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4 (KJV)

Now, all eternally secure Post-Tribbers attempt to avoid acknowledging this blasphemous belief by saying that “No REAL Christian would worship the beast, etc.” However they can’t provide chapter and verse in the Holy Bible that specifically states that “REAL” Christians in the body of Christ are somehow “constrained” from worshipping the beast, getting his name, number, or mark. But this issue is no surprise since all Post-Tribbers cannot provide chapter and verse for the body of Christ being present in the Great Tribulation to begin with. The eternally secure Post-tribber is going to “endure to the end” when there’s nothing for them to endure! Maybe just for fun, they can see if they can endure until the end of their physical lives, but the Apostle Paul had the exact opposite attitude regarding playing earthly games of survival.

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” Philippians 1:23 (KJV)

So once again, what is the point of forcing the body of Christ in the Great Tribulation?? I’ve heard several pathetic answers for the eternally secure Post-Tribbers in my past:

They say “To earn a Crown of Life!” I  then tell them that the Great Tribulation is not the only time of Crown of Life is available and that this crown can also be earned by enduring temptation (James 1:12 KJV). The eternally secure Post-Tribber is completely deluded in their beliefs.

Post-Tribber #2 – The masochist Post-Tribber:

I’ll admit it; this last group of post-tribbers are the most annoying to deal with. They are by far the most blood thirsty, fear mongering, guilty conscience having, vain threatening, anti-biblical bunch out. The masochist post-tribber believes that the body of Christ is somehow mandated to go through vigorous forms of torture or “suffering” in the Great Tribulation in order to “prove” their love for Jesus, “prove” they’re truly Christian, or “prove” that they’re truly saved. The hilarious (or most annoying) part about this kind of post-tribber is that although they don’t believe in eternal security, they won’t necessarily speak against it either. This is where the empty/vain threats come in. You can easily spot the masochist post-tribber by their vain threats against Pre-Trib Bible Believers. They make vain threats such as “when the pretribulation rapture does not happen, you better not deny our Lord!” I then ask them “What if I do? Did Jesus not pay for ALL my sins?” They never reply back. Another empty threat they’ll say to a Pre-Tribber is “When the Lord doesn’t come back to get you, I fear you will not be ready”. I then ask them “Ready for what? Ready to risk losing my salvation? Going to Hell? Ready for what exactly?” No Answer. The one question masochist post-tribbers can NEVER Biblically answer is why God would only make PART of the body of Christ go through the Great Tribulation?? What about the millions of Christians in the body of Christ that died peacefully in a hospital bed like my father? Are you saying that my father and the other millions of Christians that died peacefully and full of years weren’t REAL Christians because they never shed blood or were tortured for the cause of Christ?!? Is only PART of the body of Christ going through the Tribulation to make an atonement for ALL of the members that didn’t shed blood or something?? Sounds as foolish as  Mormons baptizing for the dead.

As far as a masochist post-tribber is concerned, ANYBODY that rejects their heretical post-trib doctrine does so because they are “too scared to suffer for Christ”, which again makes absolutely no sense. The Apostle Paul was the one who revealed the pre-time of Jacob’s trouble catching away of the body of Christ and he suffered more than ANY Christian that’s ever lived! It’s also funny that a masochist post-tribber feels like their time to suffer only occurs in the Great Tribulation. If a masochist post-tribber TRULY believed in physically suffering for Christ, they’d go be a Christian in Iran, Egypt, or Iraq today, unless they’re too scared to “suffer for Christ” of course!

To be honest, the masochist post-tribbers thirst to be tortured for “the cause of Christ” reminds me of Baals servants on Mount Carmel:

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out” 1 Kings 18:27-28 (KJV)

Why a masochist post-tribber feels like their blood must be shed in order for God to deliver them I have no Idea. Sounds like another spirit to me (1 John 4 KJV).

The post-trib doctrine for the body of Christ is completely foolish and idiotic. What’s worse is that this heretical doctrine is a gateway to many other damnable heresies. Believe God’s words! The body of Christ will be CAUGHT AWAY BEFORE the time of Jacob’s Trouble! (1 Thess 4:16 KJV). If you are a post-tribber reading this, I urge you to REPENT of your heretical views!

Kent Hovind has already made you look foolish enough!