Personally, I am not a pre-trib Dispensationalist. Most in America are such, thanks to the popularity of the Scofield Bible, which teaches Dispensationalism and also teaches Americans to worship the modern state of Israel.
When I was in HS, some students taught me Dispensationalist eschatology. So I assumed that's how things were, until I became a believer later on and read scripture for myself. The main passage I go to for what happens for believers on the last day is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Christ will appear visibly in the sky, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and saints who are alive on Earth will be "raptured" to meet the Lord in the air. (I only use that term as a nickname. I believe it is called "harpazo" in the Greek, but nobody talks that way except Greek speakers. I've heard that the word "rapture" comes from the Latin Bible.)
The "7 year Great Tribulation" which separates the "secret rapture" of the Church from the Second Coming is also a Dispensationalist teaching. Do you know how many people believe this? A lot. So I'm not going to steal their joy from them. Everyone is very nervous about all the destruction taking place right now, so the hope of a soon rescue is a sanity saver. In any case, there is actually a catching away during which saints will instantly receive glorified bodies, so they are not completely wrong on that account. As for myself, the thought that Christ really could be coming soon is extremely happy and helps lift depression away.
The thing that I feel is the most dangerous aspect of Dispensational eschatology is that it is sort of a "second chance" theology. In the RCC, purgatory is a "second chance" at salvation, and in Dispensationalism, being "left behind" to undergo the tortures of the 7 years Tribulation also provides a "second chance" to be saved if you can avoid the "mark of the beast." This idea is a type of self-salvation, when, in fact, only Christ's finished work alone is what provides salvation to all who believe.
While Christ's people can and do undergo various tribulations, they are not appointed to wrath. That is reserved for the wicked at the very end after resurrection/rapture. Noah and Lot are of the elect, so Noah was not drowned in the waters, and Lot was not turned to ash in the fire. All of the elect will be removed from the Earth to be with Christ forever before the final judgment of fire upon the Earth.
I didn't intend to get into a theological debate. There are 4 main views of eschatology, and none of them are compatible. Most people believe what their church teaches.
My purpose in pointing out Christ's teaching about Noah and Lot is that he seems to be telling us what the world will be like prior to his return. I am eager to study these things. I'd like to get out of here before Bill Gates and his friends try to snatch me. I don't know how many have considered this, but if the WEF monsters get their way before Christ comes, we will all be dead or enslaved. However, I don't believe Christ lets them destroy us all (maybe some), so that is another reason to hope.
Personally, I am not a pre-trib Dispensationalist. Most in America are such, thanks to the popularity of the Scofield Bible, which teaches Dispensationalism and also teaches Americans to worship the modern state of Israel.
When I was in HS, some students taught me Dispensationalist eschatology. So I assumed that's how things were, until I became a believer later on and read scripture for myself. The main passage I go to for what happens for believers on the last day is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Christ will appear visibly in the sky, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and saints who are alive on Earth will be "raptured" to meet the Lord in the air. (I only use that term as a nickname. I believe it is called "harpazo" in the Greek, but nobody talks that way except Greek speakers. I've heard that the word "rapture" comes from the Latin Bible.)
The "7 year Great Tribulation" which separates the "secret rapture" of the Church from the Second Coming is also a Dispensationalist teaching. Do you know how many people believe this? A lot. So I'm not going to steal their joy from them. Everyone is very nervous about all the destruction taking place right now, so the hope of a soon rescue is a sanity saver. In any case, there is actually a catching away during which saints will instantly receive glorified bodies, so they are not completely wrong on that account. As for myself, the thought that Christ really could be coming soon is extremely happy and helps lift depression away.
The thing that I feel is the most dangerous aspect of Dispensational eschatology is that it is sort of a "second chance" theology. In the RCC, purgatory is a "second chance" at salvation, and in Dispensationalism, being "left behind" to undergo the tortures of the 7 years Tribulation also provides a "second chance" to be saved if you can avoid the "mark of the beast." This idea is a type of self-salvation, when, in fact, only Christ's finished work alone is what provides salvation to all who believe.
While Christ's people can and do undergo various tribulations, they are not appointed to wrath. That is reserved for the wicked at the very end after resurrection/rapture. Noah and Lot are of the elect, so Noah was not drowned in the waters, and Lot was not turned to ash in the fire. All of the elect will be removed from the Earth to be with Christ forever before the final judgment of fire upon the Earth.
I didn't intend to get into a theological debate. There are 4 main views of eschatology, and none of them are compatible. Most people believe what their church teaches.
My purpose in pointing out Christ's teaching about Noah and Lot is that he seems to be telling us what the world will be like prior to his return. I am eager to study these things. I'd like to get out of here before Bill Gates and his friends try to snatch me. I don't know how many have considered this, but if the WEF monsters get their way before Christ comes, we will all be dead or enslaved. However, I don't believe Christ lets them destroy us all (maybe some), so that is another reason to hope.
Blessings.