Old Testament Salvation
First, let’s compare Galatians 2:16 to James 2:24.
The verse below tells us that justification is by faith without works.
Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” KJV
The next verse tells us that justification is not only by faith, but with works. If you read the context, you will see that this verse is not referring to the outward proof of a Christian. Instead of interpreting and twisting scripture to match your doctrine, try being honest and believing what it says.
James 2:24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” KJV
In the next verse, we see that people that are not committing good works will die in their sins.
Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” KJV
Yet, in the John 8:24, we see that people that do not believe in Jesus Christ will die in their sins.
John 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” KJV
By comparing these verses, we see that either God is contradicting Himself or there are different Salvation plans throughout different periods of times.
A Christian that believes all scripture teaches Salvation is by faith alone will never win a debate with someone, such as a Seventh-day Adventist because there are too many Old Testament scriptures that teach that Salvation is by works. Please realize that the entire Bible was not written only to YOU, but for all people throughout history.
Critics of my position use Hebrews 11 and point out that it says “By Faith”, yet the words do not mean the Old Testament Saints were saved by faith alone without works. Every time the Bible mentions that Salvation is by faith alone, it is referring to the gospel that Paul preached in 1 Corinthians 15:1-12.
When “faith” is mentioned in the Bible, it is not always referring to the gospel that Paul preached. For example, in Matthew 14:31, Peter is said to had “little faith”. In Romans 14:1-23, Paul talks about a saved person that was weak in faith. Obviously, these examples are not the same faith as in Paul’s gospel.
The definition of faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Never does it say that faith means Salvation by faith alone according to Paul’s gospel. Therefore, in Hebrews 11, we understand that the Old Testament Saints simply believed what God said, even when they did not see it, by committing good WORKS.
The “faith” in Hebrews 11 is referring to Old Testament Saints maintaining works for Salvation. This is clear in the next verse.
Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” KJV
Notice the phrase, “his faith”, which is explained as the person not being a corrupt soul as the others(verses 5-18). The souls that are not upright are not ” the just” according to verse 4-18. This faith clearly contains works. For the Church Age Saint, we are not saved by OUR faith according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-12.
There are numerous verses in Hebrews 11 that clearly shows that works were involved in the Old Testament Saint’s faith according to Habakkuk 2:4. Verse 7 in Hebrews 11 shows that Noah was saved by his OWN faith by preparing the ark. The Church Age Saint is never saved by faith with works in it according to Romans 4:4; 11:6.
Critics also bring up Genesis 6:8 and try to say that Noah was saved by grace, which is simply not so because the verse does not say that. In verse 9, we see that Noah found grace by being a just man. If Noah was living wicked, then God would have drowned Noah with the rest of the world.
Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” KJV
Just like the word “faith” does not always apply to Paul’s gospel, neither does the word “grace”. Grace is given by God in every age. Examples would be Noah’s Ark, God giving Samson extra time to repent and God being patient with the nation of Israel. These were all acts of grace, but none of them are talking about being saved from Hell by grace through faith.
I will cover two more verses and continue this subject in another article since this is getting lenghty.
Critics also use Ezekiel 14:14,20 and try to say that Noah, Daniel and Job were not saved by living righteous, instead it refers to the salvation of a city. Wrong.
Ezekiel 14:14 “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. 20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” KJV
The key words in the verses are “they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness.” It is clear that they were saved by living righteous. They were not saved by the righteousness of God like Church Age Saints.
Romans 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” KJV
The New Birth & Looking Forward to the Cross
Dispensationalism critics use John 3:3-7 to say that the new birth was available to the Old Testament Saints since Jesus spoke about being Born Again before the cross.
Realize that according to John 3:5, 8, the new birth happens when the Holy Spirit is given.
John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” KJV
We know that the new birth was not available in the Old Testament because of John 7:37-39. Especially pay attention to the phrase, “But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;” This proves that there was no new birth available in the Old Testament. In John 3:3-7, Jesus was given Nicodemus an advanced revelation about the new birth, just like in John 7.
Jesus spoke of the new birth, so that “after his glorification” (John 7:39) people would know and receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to believers in Acts 2 and then they had access to the new birth then.
There are numerous scriptures that shows the Old Testament Saints were not sealed with the Holy Ghost. David feared the Holy Ghost being taken from him in Psalms 51:7-11. Samson lost the Holy Ghost in Judges 16:20, 28. In 1 Samuel 16:14, we see that Saul never found the Holy Ghost again. Therefore, the Old Testament Saints did not have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Ghost as the Church Age Saints do with the new birth.
Critics use John 8:56 to say that the Old Testament Saints looked forward to the cross to be saved.
John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” KJV
This verse only says that Abraham saw a picture of the crucifixion through Isaac’s sacrifice. Even though Abraham saw a picture of the cross, he did not see the real thing. In fact, you will not find one verse in the Old Testament that shows Paul’s gospel. There are only pictures of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, but never does the Old Testament mention Paul’s gospel for Salvation.
The Old Testament Saints did not fully understand the Cross and receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is clear by looking at the next verses…
1 Peter 1:10 “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 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. 12 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.” KJV
The Old Testament Saints only saw parts of it and searched for it, but it was not fully revealed unto them.
In Matthew 16:21-22, Peter did not look forward to the cross.
Matthew 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” KJV
Even the disciples that followed Jesus Christ did not look forward to the cross, nor understood it at all.
Luke 9:43 “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.” KJV
It is absolutely foolish to say that the Old Testament Saints were saved by looking forward to the cross when even Christ’s own disciples did not know about looking forward to it. For a Church Age Saint to be saved, they must believe Paul’s gospel about the death, burial and resurrection according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-12. Therefore, the Old Testament Saints were not saved by looking forward to the cross.
Faith + Works
Critics of dispensationalism use Acts 15:6-10, Galatians 2:16-21 and James 2:10-11 to try and say that the Old Testament Saints were not saved by works since they were not able to keep the law. No one was able to keep the law perfectly, but God considered the Old Testament saints to be righteous as long as they did certain works and walked in the law (Luke 1:6). Solomon said both Eccl. 7:20 and Eccl. 8:14, 9:1-2. He insisted there were righteous men.
Luke 1:6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” KJV
Although, Paul knew that no one could keep the law for Salvation, he also knew that the Old Testament Saints were kept under the law. Salvation was not by faith until Jesus Christ came.
Galatians 3:22 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” KJV
Paul knew that living was by the law during the Old Testament.
Romans 10:5 “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” KJV
Ezekiel 18:20-32 states that the soul would die in his sins, if he did not keep the law. This is not physical death and that can be proven with the next verses.
John 8:21 “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” KJV
Spiritual life for the Old Testaments was found by keeping the law. This is shown in Deuteronomy 8:11-19; 30:15-18. If the Old Testament Saint did not keep the commandments then they had no faith according to Deuteronomy 32:15-22, Psalms 9:17 and Proverbs 15:24.
In the next verse, it tells us that Salvation was far from the wicked that committed sins.
Psalms 119:155 “Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.” KJV
In Proverbs, we see that the person who kept the commandments kept their soul.
Proverbs 19:16 “He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” KJV
Critics say that if the Old Testament Saints were saved by Faith and works then no one had the chance of being saved before Moses since the law was given to him. While it is true that the law was not given until Moses, it is a fact that the people before him did certain works to be saved. Hebrews 11 gives some people before Moses that were saved with Faith and works.
Another argument is that if Old Testament salvation was by works then only the Jews had the chance to be saved for so many years since the Gentiles were not given the law. That is a weak argument because the Gentiles had the law in their hearts. While reading the below verses remember the context of Romans 2:5-15 shows that doing the law is receiving justification.
Romans 2:14 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” KJV
There are just way too many verses that prove that salvation in the Old Testament dealt with keeping the law. Old Testament Salvation = Faith + Works
Abraham & Justification
Romans 4 is used to TRY to prove that Abraham was saved by faith alone. Romans 4:3 says that Abraham was imputed righteousness.
Romans 4:3 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” KJV
Abraham was imputed righteousness by faith from believing in the stars of his seed though.
James 2:23 “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” KJV
He was justified many years later by works by offering Isaac, which goes contrary to how the Church Age Saint is justified.
James 2:21 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” KJV
The Church Age Saint is justified and imputed righteous at the same time when putting faith alone in Jesus Christ according to the next verses.
Romans 4:24 “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” KJV
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” KJV
Imputed righteousness and justification are not the same. Imputed means to set to the account of and justification means the remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
Paul used Abraham to show a TYPE of imputed righteousness for the Church Age Saint. Just as Jesus used Moses’ serpent on a pole to show a TYPE to explain the payment of Christ for the Church Age Saint. When the children of Israel in the Old Testament looked at the serpent on the pole, they did not receive Paul’s gospel, rather it was to heal them according to Numbers 21:8-9.
John 3:14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:” KJV
So Abraham was only a TYPE of the Church Age Saints salvation. Abraham’s salvation was not like ours. The Church Age Saints salvation deals with imputed righteousness and justification happening at the same time. Abraham’s imputed righteousness was separated from his justification by his works.
Critics used Galatians 3:8 to try and say that Abraham received the gospel just like the Church Age Saint.
Galatians 3:8 “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” KJV
The above verse only says that Abraham received “the gospel”, which means good news. The word “gospel” does not always refer to Paul’s gospel. Jesus Christ preached the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 4:23. An angel preaches an everlasting gospel that says to fear and worship God in Revelation 14:6-7. If you compare those two gospels with Paul’s gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-12, they do not match.
The gospel that was given to Abraham deals with the nation receiving the blessings of God, but never mentions Paul’s gospel. Abraham was even imputed righteousness before he heard “the gospel”. Although, the covenant given to him was not during the law, he received the blessings because obeyed and kept the commandments according to Genesis 7:1-8; 26:3-5.
Genesis 26:3 “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” KJV
James 2 clearly says that the salvation of an individual contains works. Please keep in mind that this is not Church Age doctrine, but it is Tribulation doctrine(James 1:1). Church Age doctrine is quite the opposite. The Church Age Saint’s faith is not made perfect by works according to Romans 4:4-15, nor is justification by works according to Romans 3:20, 28.
James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” KJV
Sacrifices & More Works
Sacrifices were required for the forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament. Even though sacrifices forgave sins, they could not take away sins completely.
Exodus 34:7 “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” KJV
Paul also discusses this subject in Hebrews. He said that although sins could not be taken away, they were remitted by sacrifices in the Old Testament. God forgave sins in the Old Testament by burnt sacrifices. Blood had to be shed in order to receive forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:19 “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” KJV
In Leviticus, forgiveness is connected over and over again with burnt offerings. Samuel offered a burnt offering in order for God to forgive the sins of the Israelites.
1 Samuel 7:6 “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.” KJV
Again, sins were forgiven by sacrifices in the Old Testament, but they were not cleared until the cross.
Hebrews 9:10 “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” KJV
The Old Testament ended after the death of Jesus Christ according to Hebrews 9:14-17. For the Church Age Saint, sacrifices are not necessary for sins because the Blood of Christ has cleared our sins, not just forgave them according to Colossians 1:13.
Critics try to use David as an example to prove that Old Testament salvation was by faith alone because David could not be forgiven by offerings, but by the mercy of God according to Psalms 32 and 51. This is true, but David committed two specific sins, which were murder and adultery. Those two sins could not be forgiven under the law, even by sacrifices. His unforgivable sins were worthy of death, but David begged God for mercy and received it. Obviously, David was a special case to the law.
2 Samuel 12:13 “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” KJV
Later on the mercies that God gave David were called “the sure mercies of David”.
Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” KJV
Acts 13:34 “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” KJV
Jesus even realized that David was an exception to the law according to Matthew 12:1-4. Although, David was a special case, he also knew that forgiveness of sins were by offerings. It is clear because he gave offerings for his pride in the next verse.
2 Samuel 24:25 “And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” KJV
Critics also use the people that were forgiven by Jesus Christ as evidence that Old Testament salvation was by faith alone. In Matthew 9 and Luke 7 and 18, Jesus told sinners, “Thy sins are forgiven” and “Thy faith hath saved thee.” That is true, but we need to realize that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. He could forgive anybody He wanted. Although, He forgave people when He was here, He also realized that Old Testament salvation was by faith, plus works. An example would be in in the next verse where Jesus told the rich ruler to keep the commandments for salvation.
Matthew 19:16 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 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.” KJV
The above verse is clearly not Paul’s gospel, if you believe everything you read without any private interpretation. Keep in mind that Jesus had not even died then. Compare the above verses with the below verse, which is the gospel to the Church Age Saints.
Galatians 2:21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” KJV
If you are not a Dispensationalist and do not obey 2 Timothy 2:15, then you need to start being honest and quit twisting scripture to make it match your beliefs. It is obvious that salvation was not always the same.
We know for a fact that Jesus Christ believed that the Old Testament salvation was faith and works because the below verses. Jesus agreed that eternal life was by living under the law.
Luke 10:25 “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” KJV
I will again go over the reasons why Old Testament salvation is clearly not the same as the gospel Paul preached, which is our gospel. Feel free to re-read through the articles for scripture back up.
Old Testament verses clearly show works required for salvation. The Old Testament Saints were not sealed with the Holy Ghost. No one in the Old Testament clearly knew Paul’s gospel, including Peter and the disciples. None of the Old Testament Saints were in the Body of Christ because Christ had not died yet. The words “faith” and “grace” do not always refer to Paul’s gospel. The forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament was by sacrifices because Jesus had not died yet. If the Old Testament Saints did not continue in righteousness, they lost the Holy Ghost, an example being Saul.
Tribulation Salvation
Critics of dispensationalism try to make Hebrews 6:1-6 refer to people that almost got saved. This is easily refuted though by reading verse 4.
Hebrews 6:4 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” KJV
When someone is a partaker of the Holy Ghost, they are saved according to Colossians 1:12. Hebrews 6:6-8 is obviously referring to a Tribulation Saint that was saved, but lost it. In the Tribulation, salvation will be by faith and works.
Matthew 24 is also referring to the Tribulation period. We know this by reading the chapter. I am not going to post all the verses, but please get your Bible and check me. In verses 3 and 14, Jesus is talking about the end of the world. In verse 15, He talks about the antichrist, which will be here in the Tribulation. The Tribulation is mentioned in verses 21 and 29. There will not be one Church Age Saint here during the Tribulation, therefore Matthew 24 is to the Tribulation Saints. The below verse tells us that the Tribulation Saints will have to endure unto the end to be saved.
Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” KJV
Endurance is a work and is not free grace. We know that endurance is a work because in 2 Timothy 2:3-6 and 4:5, we see that it involves the law, including many other things.
We know the book of Hebrews refers to the Tribulation because of the next verses that mention the last days.
Hebrews 1:2 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” KJV
Hebrews 2:5 “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” KJV
Remember that Hebrews 1:1-6 tells us that in the Tribulation, salvation is by faith and works. Also, remember that Matthew 24, prophesies that in the Tribulation it is by faith and works.
There are also verses in Revelation that make it clear that the Tribulation Saint is saved by faith and works. Notice the phrase, “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus”. It does not get much simpler. The only way to say the Tribulation Saints is not saved by faith and works is to privately interpret verses, which is wrong according to 2 Peter 1:20.
Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” KJV
Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” KJV
The parable in Matthew 25 about the ten virgins is also referring to the Tribulation. We know this because the coming bridegroom in verse 6, then the virgins not being able to go to the wedding in verses 10-12. The virgins were shut out because THEY did not keep their lamps burning according to verses 1-10.
We know that the virgins in Matthew 25 are not the Church because they follow the bride and her companions that are in the wedding according to Psalms 45:14. Also, the virgins follow the virgin and are the 144,000 Jews marked with God’s seal during the time of the Tribulation according to Revelation 7:3-8 and 14:4. The Church Age Saints are the Bride of Christ, not the virgins according to Ephesians 5:22-32 and Revelation 19:7-9.
In the Tribulation, anyone that does not support the Jews under the persecution of the Antichrist(Revelation 12:13) will not be saved according to Matthew 25:31-46.
An individual in the Tribulation cannot take the Mark of the Beast in order to be saved according to Revelation 13:6-17. Anyone that does not take the Mark of the Beast is killed. Also, without taking the Mark of the Beast, an individual cannot buy or sale, making it almost impossible to eat. This is clearly not salvation by faith alone. The Church Age Saint can deny Jesus Christ in persecution and still be saved, even though they will lose rewards at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
During the Tribulation, salvation is clearly by faith and works according to verses like Revelation 14:12. If you are saved, then you do not have to worry about the Tribulation because the Church Age Saint is raptured out before the Tribulation. The heretics that teach that the Tribulation Saints will be saved by faith alone will responsible for damning many people to Hell in the Tribulation. 2 Timothy 2:15 should be taken seriously and when it is not, people are misled and damned to Hell because some ignorant “Bible teacher” failed to rightly divide the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” KJV
Millennium Salvation
The last time period I will cover is the Millennium, which is the period when Jesus Christ reigns for 1,000 years on this literal earth according to Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 2:44, 7:13-14, Obadiah 1:21 and Revelation 20:4. The Millennium is also called the kingdom of heaven. The constitution of the kingdom of heaven is described in Matthew 5-7.
In the Millennium, if anyone calls his brother a fool, they will go to Hell according to the below verse. (Compare with 1 Corinthians 15:36)
Matthew 5:22 “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” KJV
If someone commits sin with his eyes or hands, they will go to Hell.
Matthew 5:29 “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” KJV
In the Millennium, one must excel in righteous in order to be worthy of the kingdom of heaven. (Compare with Romans 3:25)
Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” KJV
To be a child of God in the Millennium, the Millennium Saint must commit good works. (Compare with Galatians 3:26)
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” KJV
In the next verses, we see that Millennium salvation is by walking righteously and living uprightly. This is clearly works for salvation.
Isaiah 33:14 “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” KJV
According to Isaiah 2:2-5 and 26:5-13, to be saved in the Millennium, one must keep the law and learn righteousness.
Isaiah 2:2 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” KJV
In the Millennium, faith will not be necessary because everyone will see Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” KJV
Remember that the definition of faith is something hoped for and not seen according to the next verse. Therefore, the Millennium Saint does not need to have faith since he actually sees Jesus Christ, face to face.
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” KJV
Temple worship and sacrifices will come back during the Millennium according to Ezekiel 40-44. In the Millennium, all of Israel will be saved nationally from their sins according to the next verses.
Romans 11:26 “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” KJV
The next verse tells us that the Millennium Saints do the commandments to reach the gates of the holy city.
Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” KJV
It is absolutely impossible to say that the Millennium Saints will be saved just like the Church Age Saints are saved today, which is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Bible clearly teaches that the Millennium Saint are saved by works, without faith. It is time to put away all private interpretations and simply believe what the Bible SAYS, while keeping in mind we are commanded to study and rightly divide the word of God according to 2 Timothy 2:15.
