Poppycock. Dispensationalist theology is NOT dangerous. You will NEVER understand God's Word properly UNLESS you rightly divide it. When you don't, you get theological contradictions and division. Or, you try and appropriate a promise or prophecy meant for Israel and apply it to the Body of Christ. You know what theology is VERY dangerous AND deadly - replacement theology. When, where, and how did that manifest?
Dispensationalist theology” made famous by Hal Lindsey’s “The Late Great Planet Earth,” and Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkin’s famous “Left Behind” ...
I would place none of those gentlemen in the category of dispensational theologians. Not even sure what point the author is trying to make with that paragraph.
But understand that after the Rapture, those “left behind” will have to face the Antichrist, a massive world war that will see the slaughter of billions, as well as executions of a relatively few who will turn to the Lord for salvation during this terrible time of persecution.
If you are starting with a premise of rejecting dispensational teaching, not rightly dividing the Word or understanding the difference between the Body of Christ and Israel, you will never understand end time events. Its called a time of JACOB's trouble for a good reason.
Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.
This is the danger of a works based theology. Believers are COMPLETE in Christ. The Body of Christ, those made alive in Christ and seated in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, do not need to experience God's judgment. This is really elementary stuff if you know who you are in Christ.
The spirit of antichrist is the spirit that says I’ll do it “my way.”
And what has Rome been doing for almost 2,000 years? Is Rome not made up of people? They have elevated a man and placed him as the Head of the Body instead of Jesus. Religious reasoning often trumps God's Word. Theological opinion is prized above the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Rome is Earthly, worldly, and religious. However, the Body of Christ is in this world, but not of this world. Believers are seated in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I can't say it much better than Paul, who is writing to individual Believers, not a religion or denomination. This is not theological opinion that needs interpretation. This is God's Truth, and the Believers' reality. Note the conditional statement that starts the passage. The religious among us might not believe they are risen with Christ. Therefore, they will see themselves with the rest of the world in the time of wrath, and not appearing with Christ in Glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (KJV)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This “Rapture” mentality has led to many failed predictions ...
I 100% agree that setting dates is dangerous. Believers should be aware of the seasons and signs. National Israel returning to their land should be enough to wake some folks up to how close we are to the end. I do suspect Spirit-filled Believers may have some advance notice. I base that on Elijah and the prophets all knowing the exact day when Elijah would be translated. I will not fall on a religious sword over it, its just a hunch.
The problem with many of these Rapture rants is that if you do not know WHO you are in Christ, and WHERE you are presently in Christ, how can you possibly understand what the Father has planned? You can certainly find flakes and nuts in every theological camp, but that is why Believers have God's Word and the Holy Spirit. You don't have to rely on theologians, a denomination, Christian fiction writers, or even Tim, to know God's Truth.
***If you are starting with a premise of rejecting dispensational teaching, not rightly dividing the Word or understanding the difference between the Body of Christ and Israel, you will never understand end time events. Its called a time of JACOB’s trouble for a good reason.***
And who decides who’s “rightly dividing the word?” Everyone divides it differently. I know, I used to be a Protestant.
The main problem I have with Dispensational theology is the arrogance of it. America isn’t really mentioned in the Bible because most of us will be “raptured” out of here. As if we are such better Christians than the rest of the world. So we’re better than the Christians in the Middle East who are fleeing for their lives or worse being captured and chopped in half or having their heads cut off? Not only have we killed millions of babies we are the biggest exporter of abortion in the world. Hitler got a lot of his ideas from people such as Margaret Sanger, and other Americans.
I got news for you. Iraq, Syria, Nigeria,etc., they’re experiencing Tribulation now. Pick up Revelation and read it and tell me that’s not what is happening to them. Jesus said for us to pick up our cross and follow Him. He said the slave is no better than the Master. He told us we would be hated and even killed for following Him. That means America too folks. We’re not special. In fact, we are the Babylon of Revelation, so I guess we are mentioned in the end times after all.
Well said! Amen.