The BIG Picture (Q&A)

The idea that Lucifer might be in partnership with God is a misunderstanding of the biblical record. Scripture consistently presents Lucifer, often identified with Satan, not as a co-worker with God but as His adversary. The testimony of the Word shows that Lucifer’s relationship to God is one of rebellion, opposition, and ultimate defeat. Lucifer’s fall is described in Isa.14:12-15, where his prideful ambition to exalt himself above the throne of God led to his downfall. This passage makes clear that his desire was not to serve alongside God but to usurp His authority. Far from partnership, this is outright rebellion. The New Testament confirms this posture: 1Pet.5:8 calls him “your adversary the devil,” portraying him as one who seeks to devour rather than cooperate with the purposes of God. It is true that Satan’s activity is sometimes permitted within the boundaries of God’s sovereignty. Job.1:12 illustrates this, where Satan could only act within limits set by God. Yet allowance i...

Question from Social Media: When Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). Did he, "exalt himself over everything that is called God so that he sets himself up in God’s temple proclaiming himself to be God" (2Thessalonians2:4)? Answer: When Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt.28:18), He was not exalting Himself in rebellion. His authority was given by the Father. Scripture confirms this: “As thou hast given him power over all flesh” (John 17:2), and “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (Phil.2:9). Christ’s exaltation is the Father’s act, rooted in His obedience unto death (Phil.2:8). He is the rightful Lord, seated at the right hand of God (Heb.1:3), and in Him “dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col.2:9). By contrast, 2Thess.2:4 describes “that man of sin…who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God.” His authority is self-claimed,...

This is a detailed answer to a deep topic, but here goes… Idolatry in Scripture is more than the bowing down to carved images or the rituals of pagan worship. It begins the very moment the heart, the mind, or the will turns from the true and living God to another object of trust, devotion, or authority. The Lord set the boundary clearly: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exod.20:3). He added further clarity: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them” (Exod.20:4–5). These commands remind us that idolatry is not only external—it is the inward shift of allegiance away from God Himself. The Psalms describe idolatry as misplaced trust: “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them” (Ps.115:8). Paul explains that it is rooted in an exchange of truth for a lie: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” (Rom.1:25). Thus, idolatry...

QUESTION: Gal.4:10 — Paul telling the Galatians not to observe days and events etc. There are some in the Mid-Acts Grace circles that intimate that we should not celebrate our birthdays, as neither Jesus nor Paul did. What is your take on this? MY REPLY: Paul writes to the Galatians: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Gal.4:10–11). The context of this passage is critical. Paul is not addressing personal celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries. His concern is that the Galatians were returning to religious observances tied to the Mosaic law and pagan calendars — feast days, sabbaths, ritual cycles, and annual observances that were being treated as necessary for righteousness . In doing so, they were undermining the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work . The issue here is legalism , not personal joy or cultural custom. Some within Mid-Acts circles argue that because Jesus and Paul did not cele...

QUESTION on Social Media: Why does Jesus Christ claim to be "the truth and the life" (John 14:6) and then, "sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)? My ANSWER: When Jesus declares in John 14:6 that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” He is revealing Himself as the exclusive source of salvation, the full revelation of God, and the only path to the Father. This statement belongs to the present age of grace, where God openly invites all people to come to Him through Christ. It reflects God’s heart that none should perish but that all should come to repentance, and it shows that the gospel is a genuine, universal offer of truth and life to anyone who will receive it. In contrast, the “powerful delusion” described in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 does not apply to believers today, nor to those who are sincerely seeking truth. Paul is speaking propheticall...

QUESTION: Who decides what is morally right—God or people (like: Thomas Aquinas)—and why do Christians sometimes disagree about what is moral, especially when reading passages like Judges 11? ANSWER: When people ask whether morality is defined by man or by God, they often assume that morality is a universal system that applies the same way in every age, covenant, and dispensation. But Scripture shows something far more precise. God Himself defines what is right, but He does so within the framework of His revealed will for each people and each program. What was moral for Israel under the law is not the same as what governs the Body of Christ under grace. This is why trying to force all morality into one timeless category leads to confusion, disagreement, and contradictions. The word “moral” simply refers to what is right or wrong according to a standard. The real question is not what the word means, but whose standard applies. Thomas Aquinas and other theologians tried to build universa...

QUESTION: I see nothing in the Old Testament that foreshadows Jesus. This foreshadowing idea is just a teaching made up by men; it is not biblical. As a believer, can you provide Scriptures that demonstrate I'm mistaken? ANSWER: The claim that Jesus is absent from the Old Testament is not only mistaken, it is directly contradicted by Scripture itself. Jesus declared, “Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39), and Paul affirmed that the law was “a shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The Old Testament is not a random collection of ancient stories; it is a divinely woven tapestry where Christ is foreshadowed in events, institutions, and lives long before He came to fulfil the law and the prophets. These shadows are not inventions of men, but God’s own testimony pointing forward to His Son. When we look carefully, we see Christ everywhere in the Old Testament. The beloved son rejected, the lamb slain, the priest interceding, the king reigning—all ...

Emotions are part of our humanity. God created us with the capacity to feel joy, sorrow, fear, compassion, and even disappointment. These are not sinful in themselves, for they belong to the soul—the realm of mind, will, and emotions. Yet Scripture warns us that the motions of sins, which are by the law, work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death (Romans 7:5). This shows that emotions, though natural, can be stirred by the flesh and lead to sinful outcomes when not governed by the Spirit. Faith, however, is of another order. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). It is not emotion, nor is it feeling—it is trust in what God has spoken. Faith rests on the certainty of His Word, while emotions fluctuate with circumstance. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), which means that God is not pleased with our emotions in themselves, but with our trust in His truth. Yet emotions, when submitted to the Spirit, can reflect His own hea...

Paul’s grace doctrine transforms us from inside out Paul’s doctrine of grace is the foundation for Christian living today, distinct from the kingdom-based teachings that were rooted in law and prophecy. His revelations, given only after Christ’s death and ascension, were a mystery—hidden since before the world began—now made known to the body of Christ (Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:3-9). This doctrine is God’s direct instruction for believers today, guiding them toward justification and sanctification. Paul’s epistles form a progressive curriculum that establishes and matures believers in their faith. Romans lays the foundation, teaching justification by faith (Romans 3:28). Corinthians to Galatians reprove and correct carnal responses to spiritual truth, working within believers to renew their minds and transform their thinking (2 Corinthians 10:5, Galatians 2:20). As they yield to the Word, their thoughts, actions, and speech begin to bear fruit unto righteousness (Romans 6:16), not thr...

Does Satan have any chance of entering Heaven? Then why should those who serve Satan or claim to be of satanic descent have any chance? What would be the consequence of cooperating with someone who opposes God? Satan's exclusion from Heaven is unequivocally affirmed throughout Scripture. Though in former times he had access to God’s presence—“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them” (Job 1:6)—his current state is one of irrevocable judgment. The fall described by Christ, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luke 10:18), finds its fulfillment in Revelation 12:9, where “the great dragon was cast out... which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” His final end is revealed in stark judgment: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone... and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 2...

To frame the global flood as “genocide” is to misread both the nature of God and the gravity of man’s rebellion. Genocide, as we understand it, springs from hatred and prejudice—an act of destruction rooted in human pride and cruelty. The flood, however, was the solemn outpouring of divine justice, born not of malice but of holiness. God does not react by impulse, like humans do, but He is ultimately longsuffering, and through perfect love, acts in restraint. Scripture paints a sobering picture of the world in Noah’s day: a civilisation so steeped in wickedness that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, KJV). This was not a fleeting moral lapse or a cultural disagreement—it was a total saturation of corruption, a world where violence had become the language of life and the earth itself groaned under the weight of man's depravity (Genesis 6:11-12). Yet even in the face of such pervasive evil, God did not act hastily. He waited. He w...

  Lev.21:18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; This passage is often misunderstood and misapplied by those who do not rightly divide the word of truth. Some have used it to suggest that people with physical disabilities are disqualified from serving God today, or that such individuals are somehow less acceptable in ministry. This interpretation is not only doctrinally incorrect—it is spiritually harmful. To understand this passage properly, we must begin by recognizing its dispensational context. Leviticus was written to the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Law. It outlines ceremonial, civil, and religious instructions for Israel’s priesthood, particularly the sons of Aaron who served in the tabernacle. ...

How true is the statement that Jesus was not born divine, therefore he became divine after he got baptized? This statement is not true according to Scripture or historic Christian doctrine. Jesus was born divine—He did not become divine at any later point. His divinity was not conferred at baptism, nor was it earned or adopted. It was intrinsic from conception. This idea—that Jesus became divine at His baptism—is rooted in theological error. Some early sects (such as the adoptionists) taught that Jesus was a mere man who was “adopted” by God when the Spirit descended upon Him. They misread Matthew 3:17—“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”—as a moment of divine appointment. But this declaration affirms His identity, not initiates it. Modern confusion often arises from attempts to rationalise the mystery of the incarnation or from blending human reasoning with Scripture. But the Bible is clear: Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine from the beginning. What S...

Is Jonathan in the first book of Samuel generally considered a righteous man? Interesting question 😊 Let me answer it based on what I see in 1 Samuel. I would say ‘yes’. Jonathan is widely regarded as a righteous and honourable man in the book of 1 Samuel. His actions consistently reflect humility, loyalty, and spiritual discernment. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, stands out in 1 Samuel as a man of deep integrity and spiritual clarity. Despite being the heir to the throne, he willingly surrenders his claim in favour of David, recognising that God had chosen David to be king. This act alone reveals a heart that values God’s will above personal ambition. Here are several key traits that highlight Jonathan’s righteousness: Loyalty to David: Jonathan’s friendship with David is one of the most selfless and sacrificial relationships in Scripture. He protects David from Saul’s murderous intentions, even at great personal risk (1 Samuel 20:1-42). His loyalty is not blind—it’s rooted in his ...

How do Pre-Tribulationists justify their view after reading 2 Thess 2:2-3? Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written to correct a specific fear: that the Day of Christ had already begun. This wasn’t a fear of missing the Rapture, but of being caught in the time of wrath and judgment that follows it. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had taught that believers would be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and that they were “not appointed to wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). So when false teachings—whether by spirit, word, or forged letter—claimed that the Day of Christ was “at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:2), the believers were understandably shaken. Paul responds by reaffirming the prophetic sequence they had already received. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul states that “that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” The phrase “falling away” is translated from the Greek apostasia, which in Acts 21:21 refers to fors...

As a Christian, is it because you follow the doctrines and dogmas of Christianity, that you teach “Jesus fulfilled the law” to mean that He abolished the law or that we in faith need not follow the Scriptures, despite what 2 Timothy 3:13–17 teaches? That’s quite an interesting question that can be effectively explained by understanding how to rightly divide the scriptures. Let’s start with the phrase “Jesus fulfilled the law.” It comes from Matthew 5:17, where Christ says: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” To “fulfil” the law doesn’t mean to abolish it or render Scripture irrelevant. It means that Christ completed its purpose. He satisfied its righteous demands, fulfilled its types and shadows, and brought its prophetic promises to their intended conclusion. The law pointed to Him—and He fulfilled it perfectly. Now, regarding 2 Timothy 3:13–17, especially verses 16–17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, ...

This question reveals a common confusion between two categories of spiritual gifts: sign gifts and functional gifts . To answer it clearly, we must rightly divide what Scripture says about each—and understand their purpose within God’s unfolding plan. Sign Gifts Were Temporary and Confirmatory In the early church, God gave miraculous gifts—tongues, healings, prophecy—not as permanent features of Christian life, but as signs to confirm the gospel and authenticate the apostles. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” — 2 Corinthians 12:12 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…” — 1 Corinthians 14:22 These gifts were foundational. Once the full revelation of Scripture was complete and the apostolic office fulfilled, the need for signs ceased. “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it s...

Why It Matters: Rightly Dividing and Spiritual Maturity A common misunderstanding about rightly dividing the Word is the belief that it’s optional—or worse, that it’s merely academic. Many believers assume that all Scripture applies equally to all people at all times. But Scripture itself warns against this approach. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim.2:15) When believers fail to rightly divide, they often mix law with grace, Israel with the Church, prophecy with mystery. This leads to confusion, misplaced expectations, and spiritual instability. They may claim promises not given to them, fear judgments that don’t apply, or pursue experiences that belong to another dispensation. The result? A distorted view of God’s character, a fragile sense of assurance, and a walk governed by contradiction rather than clarity. Right division isn’t about intellectual pride—it’s about spiritual heal...

A question on Quora: Can you explain Titus 2:9-10 or rather justify it? My answer: A common objection raised against Titus 2:9-10 is whether Paul’s instruction to servants is justifiable—especially in light of modern views on justice, equality, and human dignity. The question often takes the form:  “How can Paul tell servants to obey their masters? Isn’t that endorsing slavery?”  But such a question, while understandable, misses the doctrinal context entirely. The following reply answers that concern by rightly dividing the Word and clarifying the true purpose of Paul’s instruction in this passage. "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."  (Titus 2:9-10, KJV) This passage is often criticised or dismissed as outdated, oppressive, or culturally irrelevant. Some even use it to ac...

Romans 8:4 — “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  But what does that mean for us today? To walk in the Spirit is to walk in agreement with what God has already done—not to chase what He might do. It’s not a mystical journey or emotional high, but a doctrinal reality. The Spirit doesn’t lead us into signs, wonders, or vague impressions. He leads us into truth. He testifies of Christ (John 15:26), teaches us sound doctrine (1 Corinthians 2:13), and strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). His ministry is not external but internal—not circumstantial but spiritual. He doesn’t stir our flesh; He renews our mind. When we walk in the Spirit, we’re not trying to be spiritual—we’re yielding to the Spirit who already dwells in us. We’re not striving to overcome sin—we’re reckoning ourselves dead to it (Romans 6:11). We’re n...

QUESTION: According to Ephesians 2v8-9, is faith a gift from God or is it self-generated? If I believed and made it to heaven and you didn't did I save myself by my faith? ANSWER: Great question. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that salvation is by grace through faith , and not of ourselves —it’s the gift of God , not of works , lest anyone should boast. But what does that mean for faith itself? Some believe faith is part of the gift , that God gives it directly and irresistibly. That’s the Reformed view . But from a dispensational perspective , which I hold to, grace is the gift , and faith is the means by which we receive it. Faith isn’t meritorious —it doesn’t earn salvation—but it is the God-ordained condition for receiving it. Romans 4:5 backs this up: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” So no, you didn’t save yourself by believing. God saved you—through faith . You responded to the gospel,...

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a personal promise: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” But did you know this verse wasn’t written to individuals—or even to the Church? Context matters    This promise was given to Israel , specifically to the Jewish exiles in Babylon (Jer 29:1, 4, 10). God assured them that after 70 years, He would bring them back to their land. It’s a national, time-bound promise rooted in Israel’s prophetic program—not a universal life verse for believers today. Israel and the Church—two distinct programs    God’s dealings with Israel follow a prophetic program, revealed through the Old Testament prophets and centred on earthly promises. Israel was promised a land, a kingdom, and a Messiah who would reign from Jerusalem. Their timeline is visible, their covenants are physical, and their hope is tied to the earth. In contrast, the Church—the Body of Chr...

📜 Did You Know: Where two or three are gathered ? Matthew 18:20 — “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Misunderstanding: This verse is often quoted to validate small prayer meetings or church gatherings, as though Christ’s presence depends on a minimum group size. Context: The surrounding passage (Matthew 18:15–20) is not about general fellowship or worship—it’s about church discipline. Jesus lays out a process for addressing sin among believers: First, speak privately to the offender (v.15). If they won’t listen, bring one or two witnesses (v.16). If they still refuse, bring the matter before the church (v.17). If repentance is rejected, the church may withdraw fellowship. Verses 18–20 then affirm the church’s authority to make binding decisions in such matters, when done in unity and under Christ’s name. The “two or three” refers to the minimum number required to establish a matter (cf. Deut. 19:15), not a formula for summonin...

📌 Did You Know?  Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles.    This isn’t a theological nuance—it’s a foundational truth that defines God’s present work in this dispensation of grace. Paul was not one of the twelve apostles sent to Israel; he was uniquely chosen by the risen Christ to reveal a mystery previously hidden, and to establish the doctrine for the Church, the Body of Christ. "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." —Romans 11:13 Understanding the Truth in Context Paul’s apostleship is not a continuation of the prophetic program—it is a divine interruption. While the twelve apostles were commissioned by Christ during His earthly ministry to minister to Israel (Matthew 10:5–6), Paul was called from heaven’s glory after Israel had rejected her Messiah. His calling was not earthly, but heavenly. His message was not foretold, but revealed. Why was Paul made an apostle to us, the Church? Because God began someth...

The Natural Man: Spiritually Blind and Incapable “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14 This verse is not a passing remark—it is a doctrinal pillar. It tells us plainly that the unsaved man—the “natural man”—is spiritually blind. He cannot receive the things of God. He cannot understand them. To him, spiritual truth is not merely confusing—it is foolish. This is not a matter of education or intelligence. It is a matter of spiritual incapacity. The natural man is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and dead men do not see, hear, or respond. If the Gospel Is Hid, Who Then Can Be Saved? This raises a serious and necessary question: If the natural man cannot receive spiritual truth, how then can he be saved? If the gospel is hid to those who are lost, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, then what hope is there for the unregenera...