The BIG Picture (Q&A)

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) Signs and Wonders Another revelation introduced by Paul within the mystery program is the way that God will interact with people. God showed Himself with great signs and wonders during Israel's program, but this all changed in the new grace dispensation. God's miracles, signs and wonders are specific for the Kingdom of Israel. Wherever they would go, signs and wonders would follow. The nation was initially built upon the mighty exploits of God who showed the 10 plagues in Egypt, then led them ou...

The bible clearly lists various things as sins and therefore it is easy to know that these things are morally wrong. Things like, idolatry, greed, covetousness, lying, gluttony, complaining, murder, bribery, stealing, gossip, jealousy, adultery, etc. These and many more are either a violation of God's moral laws or a violation of moral and ethical laws set out by an authority like a government or ruling entity. Violating these causes you to fall into sin and probably face some form of consequences. But what about things that are not so obvious? Is smoking a sin? Is drinking a sin? What about anger, or not giving to the needy, or hurting someone's feelings? Do I sin if I choose not to go to church or if I want that extra piece of cake? What happens if I get a speeding ticket? Have I sinned in God's eyes for violating a law on the road? The list can go on and on, so the question remains, how do I know when something is a sin, especially if it is not as obvious, and not necess...

In contrast to the Jewish church, Paul was given new truth concerning the establishment of grace church. The Body of Christ is an entity that one will not find anywhere in the Old Testament, in prophecy, or in the Gospels. It is unique revelation introduced for the heavenly program. Matt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  The Jewish assembly is built upon the rock. It is not built upon Peter as the character, but rather, the Jewish church is built upon the 'confession' of Peter, the faith confession that Jesus is the Son of God. This confession is the primary requirement of ...

See  part #3  in this series for the first point of credibility regarding Paul's bold and assertive claims in his writings. Credibility Point #2: Paul stood in proxy for Israel as he took the gospel to the Gentiles In order to understand the context of this point, we have to start here... Genesis 12:1-5 Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And IN YOU [Israel] *   all the families [nations] of the earth shall be blessed. " (See  Genesis 3:15  Israel was chosen to fulfil the promise given to Adam and Eve) God's covenant promise to Abraham (Israel) was that  in ( or through ) Israel all the nations of earth would be blessed . Through Israel, salvation would come to the world ( Acts 1:8...

Paul made some incredible claims in his writings. He claims to be the "mater builder", "the Apostle to the Gentiles" and encourages his converts that they should "imitate and follow him". In this short series we will investigate these claims and determine how Paul could say such bold things. In part #2 I laid out some of the bold and assertive claims that Paul wrote in his letters. Let us now start to investigate how Paul was able to write these things. What qualified him to claim these statements? How credible are they that we should accept them? Credibility Point #1: Paul is to the the Body of Christ as Abraham is to Israel The bible is full of patterns and types. There are many instances where things are repeated through the lives of bible characters or through events so as to bring emphasis to something important. This scenario is true within the comparison of both Abraham and Paul who each were the progenitors of primary dispensations within human hi...

Answer Request: Can the evilest person alive be forgiven and saved? What about a traitor can they be forgiven and saved? It says God can save the vilest person, is that true? The salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ is unconditional. Please note what I say. God's grace is only available through Jesus Christ, BUT when we receive that grace, it is unconditional. This grace is free and given in unlimited amount irrespective of who you are and what you have done. This means that if a person (irrespective of their life; how good or bad they were, what their crimes or sins were, or what they have done) makes a choice to respond to the grace gospel and believe that Jesus Christ is their ONLY hope, they will be saved and come into right standing with God. It is important to understand God's grace, and what His grace means, in order to comprehend this. God's grace is so far above what we as people can understand based on what we see and experience in the wor...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth Another truth given to Paul was the new method of interpreting scripture by rightly dividing. The Law program was designed specifically around Israel, so when the grace program with revealed it needed a very different body of truth. The Gentiles were never expected to adopt the Law, the ordinances, and the observances of Israel. As a matter of fact, it was a failing system and Peter mentioned the following, Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples [the Gentile converts], which neither o...

In Part #1 I asked you to identify some bold and assertive claims that Paul wrote in his epistles. In this post I will now expose them and justify them. Let's identify these bold claims and clarify their meaning. (All underlined text below is what I have identified as the claims made by Paul in the previous post) In  Rom.11:13 , Paul emphatically claims  he is the apostle to the Gentiles . This was possible to do as Paul was informed by Jesus Christ Himself that this was his calling and mission.  (See Acts 22:21; Acts 26:15-17; Eph.3:6-9, 1Tim.2:7; 2 Tim.1:11) Even Ananias was told that Paul was  ' divinely'  called for this purpose, A cts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles , and kings, and the children of Israel: In  1 Cor.3:10 , Paul mentions that he,  as a wise master builder, has laid the foundation . He claims this after Jesus had already laid the groundwork o...

Below are a few scriptures taken from Paul's epistles. In these are some  very bold  and  very strong  claims. I'd like you to slow down and take your time to read through each scripture below to  see if you can identify the part in it that presents a bold or assertive  claim,  or statement, that Paul makes. Feel free to add your feedback in the  comments section below. In further posts concerning this topic we will delve into these 'claims' and analyze how Paul could truthfully write these very bold and assertive statements. Can you identify some bold claims by Paul in the following:   Romans 11:13 I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay tha...

Studying something is a personal process. What works for one does not necessarily work for another. Beyond doing what works best for you in the process of studying the Bible, I have two important points to share regarding your study journey in the Word of God. Both these points are spoken of and confirmed within the Bible and is advice that is critical to note and adhere to. Point #1 Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21); it is God's words and God's plan. Anyone can pick up the bible and read it and learn some facts, BUT unless you have the Spirit of God within you** you will never truly know and understand the underlying heart of the Word, and you'll never really connect with the deeper revelations within it. **How does one get the Spirit of God? This happens at the moment of salvation when one responds in faith to the gospel of the grace of God; believing that Christ's death and burial is for the forgiveness ...

Answer Request: If I am born of water and the Spirit, do I remain a sinner continuing to sin? According to the Bible, only Jews are born of water and the spirit. The Jews were born of water (passing through the Red Sea and born of Spirit when they receive the Holy Spirit at the second coming of Christ). We today, who are saved by the grace gospel, are not [strictly speaking] , born AGAIN, or born twice. We are regenerated in spirit. Once we are regenerated in spirit (or saved), we remain living in our sin-corrupt flesh bodies and we remain bound to this corrupt and sinful world. Though we are still prone to sin, weak in temptation and able to fall in deceit, and even though we still fall into sin, it is important to know that at salvation, we are instantaneously made pure and clean in a positional standing with God. In God’s eyes, we are holy and pure, because He sees us as washed and sanctified in the blood of Christ, and clothed with His righteousness, imputed to us at...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) The Bread and the Cup (Communion) Another truth given to Paul was the 'Lord's Supper'. The instructions and purpose of this ordinance that the Body of Christ would hold was different to the Passover that Christ observed while on earth with His disciples. Paul received the truth from Christ that the Lord's supper was not a formal observance and feast as with the Jewish Passover, but that it was given to him by instruction to be a type of memorial; a reminder of the death, burial, resurrection, and soon return of Jesus Christ.  When we gather with fellow Chr...

(See part #4 here) Let's now look at the 'gleanings' and determine who had a part in this resurrection.  The descriptions of the second half Tribulation Martyrs The next stage of resurrection, (at the end of the tribulation), pertains to the GLEANINGS (of Physical Israel). Those that make up the 'gleanings' part of the first resurrection are (for the most part)  ' Physical' Israel'. But before we get to this physical group, there are a few other things to mention that occur at this endpoint, but still have a connection to the mid-point events. I want to remind you of three words that were mentioned in the course of this series when we discussed the harvest terminology and the mid-point resurrections. Read the following two scriptures again to get the context, Brethren   Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they crie...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) Equality of Jews and Gentiles Paul was the only one to teach the new revelation of the equality of Jews and Gentiles. Before Paul was on the scene the Jew was first. The Jew was favoured in God's plan since His covenant set up with Abraham (Gen.12:1-3). But Christ's new truth given to Paul now brings Jews to the same level with the Gentiles today. Unlike in the Gospels and in early Acts, today, there is no difference between Jew or Gentile. Rom.10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upo...

(See part #3 here) Let's now look at the 'main harvest' and determine who had a part in this resurrection.  Who are those who are awakened in the main harvest? The next stage of resurrection, (at the mid-point of the tribulation), pertains to the MAIN HARVEST (of Spiritual Israel). Those that make up the 'main harvest' part of the first resurrection are 'Spiritual' Israel' and can be considered as, Group #1 (Resurrection) The resurrection of the ACTS church (that existed between Pentecost and 70AD with the fall of Jerusalem) . This group is also known as the 'Little Flock'  of believers under the administration of the 12-apostles. The interesting thing with this group is that their souls are before the alter in heaven at the opening of the fifth seal (which is a certain amount of time BEFORE the mid-point of the tribulation. The scripture below tells us that they receive white robes (which I interpret as resurrection bodies) at this point. This...