For Believers Leaving Dispensationalism and Seeking Truth
Are you stepping away from dispensationalism for the first time? Feeling a little lost on how to read your Bible without Scofield’s chart in the background?
You’re not alone. Many Independent Fundamental Baptists were handed a pre-trib timeline along with their Bible, and we were taught to interpret prophecy through man-made labels and study notes—not through Scripture itself.
But when you start asking real questions like:
- If the rapture isn’t in Revelation 4, where is it?
- What parts of the Bible apply to me now?
- How do I study the end times without a chart?
…you’re finally getting somewhere. That’s not rebellion. That’s revival.
Let’s break it down.
You Don’t Need a System—You Need Scripture
“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.”
Rightly dividing doesn’t mean chopping up the Bible into eras where most of it doesn’t apply. It means understanding context, covenants, audience, and fulfillment—while recognizing that “all Scripture is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16).
You don’t need Scofield’s definitions. You need the Word of God rightly compared—verse with verse.
What Applies to Me as a New Testament Believer?
Answer: All Scripture.
You are not under the law (Romans 6:14), and you’re not Israel. But that doesn’t mean the Old Testament and Gospels don’t apply. God gave us:
- The Old Testament for wisdom, prophecy, history, and examples
- The Gospels to show the words of Jesus Christ in action
- The Epistles for doctrine and instruction to the churches
- Revelation to prepare and warn us for what’s ahead
Don’t skip over Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 just because someone told you it’s “only for the Jews.” Jesus was talking to His disciples, not the Sanhedrin.
Where Is the Rapture in Revelation?
Dispensationalists claim it’s in Revelation 4:1, when John hears “Come up hither.”
But let’s be honest—that’s John being taken up in a vision to see heavenly things. It’s not the church. It’s not global. And it has zero elements of the rapture described by Christ.
So where is the actual rapture?
Compare Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and Revelation 6 side by side:
🔄 Prophecy Parallel: Comparing the Gospel Warnings to Revelation 6
| Prophetic Sign | Matthew 24 | Mark 13 | Luke 21 | Revelation 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| False Christs | v.5 | v.6 | v.8 | Seal 1 – White horse |
| Wars | v.6–7 | v.7–8 | v.9 | Seal 2 – Red horse (war) |
| Famine | v.7 | v.8 | v.11 | Seal 3 – Black horse (famine) |
| Death & Pestilence | v.7–8 | v.8 | v.11 | Seal 4 – Pale horse (death) |
| Martyrdom | v.9–10 | v.9 | v.12–17 | Seal 5 – Martyrs under the altar |
| Cosmic Signs | v.29 | v.24–25 | v.25–26 | Seal 6 – Sun darkened, moon blood, stars fall |
| Christ Appears | v.30 | v.26 | v.27 | Seal 6 – Wrath of the Lamb revealed |
| Gathering of Saints (Rapture) | v.31 | v.27 | — | Implied at Seal 6; precedes wrath |
✅ Conclusion: The rapture happens after the tribulation, not before Daniel’s 70th week ends.
The Tribulation Is Not the Entire 7 Years
Let’s be clear: Daniel’s 70th week is 7 years (Daniel 9:27), but the tribulation is not equal to the full 7 years.
The Bible never says the tribulation lasts 7 years.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- The tribulation is described in Matthew 24:21:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world…”
- It ends immediately before the sun is darkened and Christ returns:
“Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened…”
- The cosmic signs in Matthew 24:29 match exactly with Revelation 6:12–13 at the sixth seal, meaning that the tribulation ends at Seal 6.
The 7-year timeline continues, but the tribulation ends about 3.5 years in, before God begins to pour out His wrath in the trumpets and vials.
How to Read Your Bible Now
✅ 1. Drop the chart. Read the chapters.
Let Matthew 24 interpret Revelation 6. Let Luke 21 confirm Daniel 9. God is consistent.
✅ 2. Understand the timing.
The tribulation ends at the sixth seal. God’s wrath follows. The rapture happens just before the wrath begins—not 7 years before.
✅ 3. Don’t throw out Scripture.
All of it matters. Just read it in context. Jesus’ warnings apply to us, not some future Jewish group with a rebuilt temple.
You’re Not Lost—You’re Waking Up
You’re not in danger for questioning Scofield. You’re thinking like a Berean:
“Acts 17:11 These were more noble… in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
So keep going. Keep reading. And don’t stop at the surface—dig deep.
You’ll find that the truth isn’t hidden. It’s just been buried under layers of tradition and charts.
👉 Need more help?
We preach the Bible verse by verse, exposing lies and teaching the truth at True Words Baptist Church.
Come join us as we tear down false systems and build faith on the solid rock of God’s Word.
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