As we get into ( future tense salvation ) and all it involves; we must first understand to other two parts of that same salvation. We can, to some degree relate our ( day of salvation ) to a woman that just got pregnant, the seed of salvation was just planted or, placed within you. That seed is the very ( Holy Spirit of God ).

When that seed is planted within you, just like the growth of the child within the woman, we begin to grow spiritually. While in the process of physical birth; it takes nine months, the act of maturing to ( spiritual maturity if as long as we live. We call the process ( present tense salvation ) in other words, we are daily dying to our old selves and, by spiritual process, becoming more like Jesus Christ in the spiritual sense.

When we physically die or, when the rapture takes place, our spiritual journey upon this earth is complete. ( Future Tense Salvation ) is when we actually stand before our Judge: ( Jesus Christ ). At this time, all is complete. How we; as born again believers, stand in his presense is basically up to the individual.

As we consider this; we need to also understand another aspect of ( spiritual accountability ). When each of us are born again, at that moment we become a part of the ( Universal Church ).Now, I say what I’m about to say, in a general sense, it’s because someone that was already born again, cared enough to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else,that they might be born again as well. Generally speaking, that is the responsibility of ( the local Church ). The local Church is filled with many members that are bnorn again, with a pastor that, not only shares the gospel but, also prepares his members for ( future tense salvation ) that being, how you will stand before Jesus Christ and be judged.

I personally do not believe these things are being taught in the average local Church today. While I am not a judge of any person; that doesn’t mean that I don’t sit in the local Church that even I attend with great concern for those that say they are Born again. ( I am very concerned ). I believe ( in the average local Church ) ( the religion of Christianty ) is being taught and, that apart from being ( born again ). We are being taught how a Christian is suppose to live but, that apart from allowing God’s spirit to do the transforming work in the hearts of people.

Now, you know, I don’t go to every Church therefore, I cannot say what happens in the Church you attend, can I? However, we can simply ask a few questions; therewith allowing you to decide what you think.

( 1 ) How does your pastor present the Tribulation, how does he teach it?

( A ) Pre Millennial

( B ) Post Millennial

( C ) Amillennial

Or. does he teach it or mention it at all?

( 2 ) From the pulpit, is you Church warned about how you will stand before Jesus Christ as your judge? Does you Church teach sanctification by the Spirit in this present life? That means that he is preparing you , as you walk through your life, to stand before your judge.

( 3 ) As I mention these three mindsets of Tribulation, my next question might be; does he teach to a point of understanding any of the three ? If not, then more than like he has an ( amillennial ) mindset.Most pastors that are either ( pre millennial ) or ( post millennial ) are so passionate abut their stand, they’ll mention it often from the pulpit.

If they have an ( Amillennial ) mindset then they do not believe what I will be teaching in the rest of this segment. While I will readily admit I don’t understand their way of thinking, I appears to me that they are thinking it will all just work out in time. It also means they believe in a ( general resurrection ) to which the Bible does not teach.

As I say that I get into what will be happening with the Church while the Tribulation is ongoing. I’d like to say something here that very few ever consider. Every epistle from ( Romans ) all the way through ( Jude ) are written to ( the Church ) born again believers. They are not written to just anyone that might read them. That’s not to say that they can’t be use to draw conviction on those that are lost but, the fact is that they are there for our instruction in sanctification.

Within these epistles we see this term ( the Judge seat of Christ ).

( Romans 14:10 ) But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

( 2 Corinthians 5:10 ) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Therefore, when will the Judgment Seat of Christ happen and, how close can we come to proving it in scripture? Do you remember me saying that there were things Jesus told his Apostles that there was no way that they could understand what he was saying at that time? When I made that statement, I was speaking of ( John 14 ). I also said that; in time, they would come to understand. Look at this verse: ( John 16:13 ) Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

There’s a lot to be learned but, they must wait until the Spirit of God is come that they might understand. Now, look at this verse: ( Luke 14:14 ) And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompence thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Can you see a special ( resurrection ) here? One just for the ( Just ). We see the Apostle Paul speaking of this judgement in these two epistles. Now, look at this verse: ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

We look at: ( 2 Corinthians 5:10 ) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

If you will notice, this judgement will take place ( at his appearing ) according to ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ). When the Apostle Paul is speaking of the ( Judgement Seat of Christ ) he is speaking, as I said to those that are members of the ( universal Church ) only.

When Jesus comes back to rapture the Church ( at his appearing ), The judgement seat of Christ will be taking place while the tribulation is going on, on the earth. Now, I want us to look at these verses: ( 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ( 11 ) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ( 12 ) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ( 13 ) Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. ( 14 ) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ( 15 ) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Now, this is what we need to understand. The day you asked Christ into your heart can be seen as ( past tense salvation ) that day has come and gone. As you live out your life, after that day, it becomes the responsibility of every believer to die to theirselves more ane more each day; becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. That is called ( present tense salvation ).

( Future tense salvation ) is the finished product of yourself that you offer to Jesus Christ at ( the Judgement Seat of Christ ). Jesus Christ died and rose again to purchase a posession, we call it ( the Church ). The Apostle Paul was give the responsibility of ( laying the foundation ) of that purchased possession. He did his job. He is here saying that how each person that is born again ( builds his eternal life ) on that foundation is completely up to that individual.

We see in these verses; six things mentioned: Gold, Silver, Precious Stone, Wood, Hay and Stubble. He is using these items in comparison to our lives, we live for Christ. It says we will be tried ( as of by fire ). When you look at these items, what happens to God, Silver and Precious Stone when it’s thrown into a furnace of fire? If anything, that fire will simply purufy it more, it will become better than it was in the end, because of the heat place upon it. However, if you throw Wood, Hay and Stubble in; what happens to those items?

Friends, I always try my best to impress upon you that you don’t have to believe anything I say. It’s the Spirit of God that has to teach you. However, these things need to be taught and, that is the responsibility of the local Church. I’ve sought to back up everything I’ve said with scripture. Well, if these things are in scripture, no matter whether I’m right or wrong, why aren’t they taught?

On a personal level; I’d much rather stand before ( Jesus Christ ) at ( the Judgement seat of Christ ) having at least attempted to teach truth than never trying at all. If you happen to read this; at least you have the option to disagree, to seek to know. ( I believe ) that one of the most grievious sins it could be; would be to leave people in darkness about ( the Judgement Seat of Christ ). To leave people in ( Past Tense Salvation ) with the mindset that ( that’s all it is about it ) is paramount to locking a child in a closet for their whole life.

In this segment, I’ve tried to bring you to ( the Judgement Seat of Christ ). At this Judgement it will have nothing to do with ( committed sin ) that was washed away at the Cross of Calvary and, by the exceptance by faith of Jesus Christ. This judgement has to do with what did you do with the free gift that he gave you! It’s untold just how much can be taught and learned here. During this ( seven year ) period there will also be a wedding where we, as the Church; will actually be married to Jesus Christ.

In reality, the next judgement is called the ( Great White Throne of Judgement ). It happens about ( one thousand and seven years ) after the ( Judgement Seat of Christ ). At the end of ( The Tribulation period ) this is what it says:

( Revelation 19:11-14 )

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ( 12 ) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ( 13 ) And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name was called The Word of God. ( 14 ) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. The army of God is the ( body of born again believers ). We return with him when he destroys the armies of this world.

If you read just before these verses you will see ( the marriage of the Lamb ). Now, I want you to notice something. ( Revelation 19:12 ) ( and on his head were many crowns ). Where do you suppose those crowns came from? I realize that the answer to that question is pure speculation on my part. However, Like I say, I’m a vessel, one that seeks truth and I love seeking to relay that truth to you. You just allow God’s Spirit to teach you. You never have to take my word, listen to him!

When Jesus returns here, he establishes his Kingdom, with Israel; upon the face of this earth. He destroys their enemies with the sword that comes out of his mouth. This is the beginning of the ( Thousand year reign of Christ ) on this earth ( King of Israel )!

In the next segment I’ll seek to answer that question.We’ll call it ( CROWNS TO BE WON BY THE SAINTS )

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7