What do you believe regarding overcomers, a partial rapture, and the teaching that some believers will be cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth?

I was looking at your web site some more and noticed the book by Dong Yu Lan, “The Vision of the Tabernacle”. That caught my interest! But I’m really curious! Do you agree with and hold to all the teachings in this little book?

I must confess that I was surprised and troubled by the teaching I encountered in chapter three relative to overcomers, a partial rapture, and the teaching that some believers will be cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth!!! I have never before encountered such teachings, and it seems to me that they strike at the heart of the Gospel!

The truth in the Bible is not presented in a systematic way as in a theology textbook. It can be compared to a jigsaw puzzle. If the pieces are put together properly, a picture emerges. None of us can think that we see the whole picture no matter how well we know the Bible. In this age our knowledge can only be in part (1 Cor. 13:8-10). As I am responding to your points and questions, I may be putting the pieces together a little differently than you would. I trust that this will not hinder the enjoyment we have had together seeking the Lord in His word. I also desire to be teachable, to still be open to the Lord for more light even if it means that I need to be adjusted in what I think I have already seen.

Such a big topic cannot be answered in a few sentences, so I hope to give a series of reponses which together paint a picture that God's people need to see, a picture of the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:14). The gospel of the kingdom does not annul any aspect of the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24), but it is not exactly the same either. I would like to begin by listing some verses on being saved by grace, not by works. These verses should be well known to any evangelical Christian, but they are very different from man’s natural concept of being accepted by God if we are good. The following are some of the verses proving that salvation is not of works but by God’s grace:

Rom. 3:20

Because out of the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him; for through the law is the clear knowledge of sin.

Rom. 4:4-5

Now to the one who works, his wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted as righteousness.

Rom. 11:6

But if by grace, it is no longer out of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Gal. 2:16

And knowing that a man is not justified out of works of law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we also have believed into Christ Jesus that we might be justified out of faith in Christ and not out of the works of law, because out of the works of law no flesh will be justified.

Eph. 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works that no one should boast.

2 Tim. 1:9

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the times of the ages

Titus 3:5

Not out of works in righteousness which we did but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit

Those verses very clearly state that salvation, including justification, is linked with mercy, grace and faith. They emphasize again and again that salvation is not according to man’s works. However, there are other verses that just as clearly link works to reward:

Matt. 16:27

For the Son of Man is to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will repay each man according to his doings.

Rom. 2:6

Who will render to each according to his works:

1 Cor. 3:8

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Cor. 3:13-15

The work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward; If anyone's work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

1 Cor. 4:5

So then do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then there will be praise to each from God.

2 Cor. 5:10

For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad.

Heb. 10:35

Do not cast away therefore your boldness, which has great reward.

1 Pet. 1:17

And if you call as Father the One who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear,

Rev. 2:26

And he who overcomes and he who keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;

Rev. 3:8

I know your works; behold, I have put before you an opened door which no one can shut, because you have a little power and have kept My word and have not denied My name.

Rev. 11:18

And the nations became angry, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to give the reward to Your slaves the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Your name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.

Rev. 14:13

And I heard a voice out of heaven, saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.

Rev. 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

So the New Testament also mentions the matter of reward. It is not linked to mercy, grace or faith. Rather, the reward is according to works, labor and doings. To me, this is strong evidence that the reward is not salvation, but something in addition to salvation. Salvation can never be earned; it is God’s gracious gift to whomever will receive it by faith. But a reward is not a gift, it is earned.

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