Salvation and End Times

1. Salvation and End Times Introduction to Doctrines View of the Scriptures Salvation Doctrines End Times Doctrines Arguments for Going Through The Tribulation Rational Arguments of Current Times Arguments Against Dispensational Premillennialism Summary

2. Introduction to Doctrines • Doctrines are a systematic attempt to understand and make sense of God’s plan. • 4 criteria contribute to Doctrines A. Natural Theology – truths about the created universe, science and human nature. B. Tradition- What has been taught by prior great Christians and their organizations? C. The scriptures, This is primary ! D. Experience

3. Some views of the Scriptures • The Protestants view is that scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is sufficient to be the basis of Christian doctrine. The holy spirit aids us in interpreting scripture; also tradition, reason, exp. • Catholics, Anglican view is to have church authorities officially interpret scriptures often in a liberal way; Doctrines from church authorities have equal weight to scriptures.

4. Some Doctrines of Salvation • Catholic, Anglican- Thru the church, and taking communion, aided by works • Protestant – by faith and not of works A. Arminianism – Salvation to all those who cooperate and don’t resist the free gift, they have faith and believe B. Calvinism- irresistible grace is offered to the elect- once saved, always saved

5. Some Important Questions • Are we saved and can salvation be lost ? • Will believer’s go through the tribulation? • What is the most protective view relative to salvation? • Will the tribulation occur in our lifetime?*

6. End Times Doctrines-Eschatology 5 Common Views • Amillennialism • Historic Premillennialism • Post Millennialism • Dispensational Premillennialism- DP • Preteirsm – Trib. Occurred in 70 AD

7. Some Main Differences in the Views • In the 1st 3 views and oldest views believers go through the Great Tribulation • In the last 2 views current believers do not go through the tribulation • The views are complex and very different, and logic would say they can’t all be true • The preteirist view is weak because of Rev. 7(writen in 96AD) and Mat. 24:29

8. Dispensational Premillennialism DP • All living believers are raptured out before the tribulation • The main purpose of the Trib. is to call 144,000 Jews to salvation* • Additional salvation of gentiles does not occur much during the Trib. • There will be a physical new Jerusalem on earth for the 1000 yr. millennium • Mainly Baptists and Assembly of God

9. Benefits of Tribulation in the Bible • The word tribulation is stated 30 times in bible a. Gaining eternal life b. Refining and purifying the believer c. Granting Patience and glorifying God d. Showing faithfulness and steadfastness e. Suffering for Christ is beneficial • The word rapture or millennium is not in bible, but it is widely used in press and books

10. Common Reasons, Facts of Tribulation • Disasters increase church attendance (9/11) • Disasters make people question and look to God for help • Preparation for a disasters is recommended by all disaster related agencies • Problem: It may be difficult to tell a major disaster from the Great Tribulation (GT) • A DP believer will never think he is in the GT, because he would be raptured out. He may not think to prepare for a disaster

11. In DP who is saved in the GT? • 144,000 Jews (1% of Jews, .002% of world) • World Population of Jews= 14.5 mill. • Jews for Jesus probably saves 1%/ 2yr by evangelism

12. By going thru GT who could be saved? • 67% of world's population, 6.8Bil, non-Christian • 33% of world's population=nominal Christians some say 2/3 of nominal are not saved =22% • God’s possible target for GT=89% of world’s population= 6 billion people, not just .002% • Winter states throughout history, disasters persecution, and resulting mixing of peoples have greatly aided the spread of Christianity.

13. Errors of wrong belief-Consequences • Believe in DP and it is not true (1)* • Believe in going thru the Trib. and it is not true 2 • Warning against false preaching and doctrines* • (1) DP is highly publicized in movies and books • DP believers might not prepare for a disaster • DP believers might accept the mark of the beast for trade and be lost • DP believers might not be willing to suffer in a Trib. because if it was the GT they are raptured

14. 2. Believe in going thru Trib. error • Many approach this doctrine stating there are different opinions and the reader should carefully weight the evidence himself* • Preparation for disasters is good in any event, there may always be a future disaster • There is less likelihood of taking the mark of the beast* • There is more likelihood of suffering for Christ and encouraging others to do the same. • The error of not distinguishing between a major disaster and the GT will not have much consequence

15. Possible errors in DP • Two 2nd comings of Christ* and several judgments • Many verses indicate a 2nd coming & judgment on last day# • DP indicates last day as and age of up 1007yrs, this is a non-literal interpretation, when DP authors favor the literal • Most say Rev. is the most symbolic and difficult book to interpret, yet much of DP is based on it & Rev. 20 • Many think the NT promises are for the new Israel (the Gentile Church) not for the old literal Israel

16. Summary • Majority view- we need to accept & and cooperate with salvation gift, it can be lost • View most protective of salvation, is to go thru tribulation and suffering for Christ, and not expect to be quickly raptured out of it. • This is a complex and important topic, the believer should study and pray for guidance as there are many different doctrines