The Dramatic Differences Regarding End Times Beliefs Among Christians

It is truly amazing how different our Christian beliefs are, especially when it comes to end times, and eschatology.

Dispensationalists believe there will be a pre-tribulation rapture, followed by a millennial reign of Christ on earth. However their beliefs are radically different from historic premillennialism, in that John Darby, and Scofield added numerous things to the biblical interpretation that were not part of the early church beliefs.

Historic pre-millennialism taught there would be a 1000 year reign of Christ on earth after Jesus returns. They did not teach the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, or the separation of the Jews and Gentiles. They did not divide the bible into dispensations, or teach there would be a return to animal sacrifices in the future. 

These additions include dividing the bible into seven dispensations, or ages, in which they claim God deals differently with the people in each era. They also believe in the separation of the State of Israel, and that God has different plans for Jews and the Gentiles.

However, the bible does tell us in many places that the body of Christ is one people. There is one body, and God does not change this message.

Galatians 3:26-29

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The dispensationalists also believe in the rebuilding of the physical temple in Jerusalem, along with a return to animal sacrifices.

The bible tells us Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, and His death on the cross means there is no more need for animal sacrifices. When Christ was here teaching the gospel, crucified, and then resurrected, it demonstrated to us that the shedding of His blood was the final sacrifice, and His body is the temple of God. Prior to His death Jesus said “it is finished”. Those were His last recorded words while on the cross. 

Scofield added hundreds of footnotes to the Scofield bible, none of which were based on the original bible, or the inspired word of God. John Darby invented the pre-tribulation rapture theory in the mid 1800’s, and it has stuck like glue. 

Dispensationalism has hundreds of deviations from the original teachings of the Apostles. Since these teachings were added later, it brings us to the warning in Revelation 22:18-19 near the end of the bible:

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

A-millennialism is the belief that there is no literal 1000 year reign of Christ after He returns. The 1000 year reign is described six times in Revelation 20. It is also described in many other places in the bible. Regardless, they view the 1000 year reign as being completely symbolic. They also somehow manage to make the claim that Satan was bound when Christ was crucified.

This belief system was established around 300 years after the Apostles, and is part of the Catholic teachings, rooted in the beliefs and teaching of St. Augustine.

Dispensationalism adds to the original biblical canons, and a-millennialism takes away from them, in very significant ways.

After studying both of these belief systems, it seems to me they are man-made doctrines. I cannot reconcile many aspects of both these teachings, when comparing what it actually says in the bible.

Some people believe the entire book of Revelation is symbolic, with no basis in reality. The Book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ. For believers this is a reality, and is not some esoteric vision that happened in 70 AD.

I cannot see how we can interpret the return of Christ as being symbolic, or something that has already happened. After all, it is described as the most significant, and climactic event in the history of the world. Clearly, it has not happened yet. 

It seems with much of the current eschatology, there is more focus on the anti-christ, than there is on Christ. This causes much fear, and robs people of the good news the gospel was intended to be.

We have to keep in mind the antichrist is only mentioned a few times in the entire bible, located in the book of John. There is no tangible mention of the antichrist in the Book of Revelation. 

1 John 2-18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

2 John 1-7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

However, there is mention in Revelation of the various systems, and kingdoms that must be defeated by Christ when He returns. I do not believe this is a single monstrous type individual. I believe it is a deceptive system, involving many people from many different nations. 

I think it is important to note that Christ is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. God knows the beginning from the end. We do not know, which is why it is so important to have faith, and trust God, as well as to seek the truth in the bible. God speaks to us through His word, through prayer, and through the Holy Spirit. We should never put our full trust in the teachings of men, because they are fallible, and often deceptive. 

For biblical teachers to make the claim that certain parts of the bible are not addressed to us, is a mistake. All of the bible is addressed to all of the generations, throughout all of history. We should not tamper with, or discount any part of it.

We all have free will to believe what we choose to believe. Many people are taught certain eschatologies without ever realizing there are several different points of view. They become indoctrinated with certain beliefs, without comparing their own beliefs to what is taught in the bible.

Many people are afraid to challenge, or go against the doctrinal beliefs of a church they have attended for years. It shatters their illusion, and might damage their attachment to a certain church, and longstanding social structure. 

Galatians is reported to be one of Paul’s earliest letters following the crucifixion of Christ. He gave a clear warning about the dangers of teaching another doctrine. Some people do not consider dispensationalism, or a-millennialism to be different doctrines. However, once you delve into dispensationalism, and see the deviations from the original bible, it is a very different doctrine. Read Galatians 1-6-10:

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

If you go to a dispensational church, study the scriptures, and start to believe the rapture doctrine is a lie, you are likely to be shunned. The rapture theory is one that is stubbornly adhered to, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Many people live their whole lives believing they will be raptured any day. Millions of people have died, without ever having been raptured. They take that belief system with them to their graves. 

If you go back in church history, from the beginning, to the present day, the resurrection of Christ, combined with the promise to resurrect those who believe in Him on the last day – is the central hope for all believers. It is the number one most important promise contained within the bible. It is described as a phenomenal extraordinary event occurring with the sound of the last trumpet, and the voice of an archangel.

The bible makes it clear the Christians will be here when Christ returns. These verses tell us Christians will not be raptured before the tribulation. Verse 31 is describing the vastness of the earth, and the heavens above us, and the gathering up of Christians when he returns. This is when we will be changed, given new bodies, and be resurrected to meet Him in the air. It demonstrates the long-awaited promise that we too will be brought into eternity, as Christ was when he died and was resurrected. There is a parallel, which is central to the gospel message. Mathew 24:29-31 describes it.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Revelation 1:7 also tells us Christ’s return will not be a secret to anyone. Notice it says “every eye shall see him”.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Certain verses in the bible have been interpreted to be the rapture by dispensationalist teaching, when those verses are actually referring to the resurrection of the believers when Christ returns.

The bible says the dead in Christ shall rise first. The supposed idea of a rapture, is to protect or remove the believers from the earth, so they do not have to go through the great tribulation. It is conveyed as being a rescue of sorts.

But ask yourself – why would the dead need to be rescued from tribulation? They would not be going through it anyway. They are already dead, and do not even know what is going on. 

Also, why would the early Christians, and all Christians throughout all of history go through persecution, and tribulation, yet the Christians just prior to Christ’s return are spared for some reason?

The persecutions during the early church era included being beheaded, tortured, stoned, lit on fire, and fed to wild beasts, as just some examples. They were not raptured, and nor were they facing God’s wrath. They were enduring extreme persecution for their Christian beliefs, right up until they died. 

Why would people believe Christ is coming three times, when the second coming is the final triumph? Why would true believers who are alive when Christ returns want to miss this most triumphant event? 

Often those who believe this false doctrine will say things like “God has not appointed us to wrath”. It is true, we will not experience God’s wrath. which is not the same as being spared from persecution or tribulation.

Keep in mind iniquity, and corruption stems from dishonesty. The roots are in the fallen seed as described in the parable All forms of dishonesty will be subject to God’s wrath. Just as we cannot separate Christ from truth, we cannot separate Satan from his lies. He is described as the father of lies. Matthew, Mark and Luke describe the parable of the sower and the seed. Luke 8:4-11 tells us what the parable means.

4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

God does promise us he will help us, and will be with us no matter what we go through. We are told to endure until the end, not to endure until we get close to the end – but rather, the end of the age. We are not supposed to be cowards. We are not supposed to carry a burden of fear, or walk with a spirit of fear. 

These are truths that all of us can be shaky on, because we do fear all kinds of things. It is easy to lose confidence in our own ability to overcome fear, or stand firm in our faith when we face what we fear. 

But of all things feared, death is probably the biggest fear for most people, to include how we die. Knowing Christ has overcome death puts our fears to rest. What is the worst that can happen if we are true believers? We die knowing we will be resurrected into a new and glorified body, when Christ returns. We will be called from the grave to rise to eternal life, where there will be no more death, pain or sorrow. 1 Corinthians 15-50-54 describes what we can expect to happen.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The worst possible thing that could happen to any of us is outlined in Matthew 7:19-23

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Although there are many mysteries in the bible, we are repeatedly cautioned not to follow false doctrine. Jesus tells us the following:

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Therefore through our faith in Jesus, and sincere desire to know the truth, He will show us the way, the truth and the life.

Jesus is the embodiment of the word of God. We can never separate the two, without falling into error. Truth is very important. Truth is central to love, and love is embodied in truth, never deception. We cannot separate truth, love, or the word of God from each other. We must seek and cleave to what is true, and study the bible for the answers to our questions. John 3:16 For God so loved the world…

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 John 1-1-2

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

For a period of time, I too, was deceived about the central beliefs in the bible. I was deceived by man, not God. It led to cognitive dissonance, confusion, a sense of entrapment, backsliding, and despair.

I do not harbour a holier than thou attitude toward anyone, because I know how much deception is in this world. It is by the grace of God, I have delved into the bible and found truth. Although I do not understand all of it, the truth has brought me much peace, and much closer to the love, light, and spirit of God through Jesus Christ. I am forever thankful. 

Copyright Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West (2025). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.