What a Difference

WHILE the Bible teaches beyond a question of a doubt the rapture of all saints before the tribulation, it also shows that there will be different results. In 1 Corinthians 3 we have two classes of believers sharply separated, who will appear at the judgment seat of Christ immediately following the rapture of the saints. Some who built upon the Rock, gold, silver and precious stones will receive a reward and commendation; others who built only hay, wood and stubble will suffer loss. They will lose everything but eternal life, and be saved so as by fire.

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:11 that if we give diligence to make our calling and election sure that then:

“There will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In 1 John 2:28 we read this:

“And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”

Here we have the definite statement that there will be two classes of believers, some who will meet the Lord with confidence when He comes, and others who will be ashamed at His appearing.

Then again, in 2 John 8, we read this:

“Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.”

Here we have the statement that when the Lord comes there will be some who will have a full reward, and this, of course, suggests that there will be some who will not have a full reward, but will be saved so as by the skin of the teeth. Some will have confidence, while others will be ashamed as His appearing. Some will receive rewards, while others will suffer loss and be saved so as by fire.

Surely this is the clear teaching of the Word of God, and this is the teaching of Noah who was ready to enter the ark and of Lot who had to be dragged out of Sodom. Noah went in comfort, with every need supplied in peace and safety. Lot came out, leaving everything behind, with the smell of fire and brimstone in his clothes, saved so as by fire. Noah had the accommodation of a spacious ark with all his saved family. Lot, the former alderman of Sodom, mighty politician, who sat in the gate, in the place of authority, lived in a cave with his two daughters, while his two sons perished in the fire and his wife became a pillar of salt.

The point is, I trust, clear; the Bible teaches plainly that all the saints will be raptured before the judgment of the tribulations, but this does not mean that we shall all fare alike when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We cannot live as we please here below, for God will judge His people. We suggest that you read carefully the shameful record of Lot in the cave with his two daughters, and the awful sin which resulted in these two girls having children by their own father. Yes, Noah went into the ark with confidence; Lot fled Sodom with fear and shame. Lot found that mortgages on property in Sodom were a bad investment, while Abraham looked for a city that hath foundations, whose builder and whose maker is God.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Studies in the Life of Abraham by M. R. De Haan (1891-1964)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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