The BIG Picture (Q&A)

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...

QUESTION: The Bible says that "love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy," yet it also describes God as a "jealous God." How can this be reconciled, since love does not envy but God is described as being jealous? MY ANSWER: First, let's consider 1 Corinthians 13:4 in the KJV, where it says, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Here, "charity" (agape love) does not "envy," indicating it is not resentful or covetous of others' possessions, achievements, or status. Envy, in this sense, is a selfish and sinful attitude. In contrast, the term "jealous" as applied to God in passages like Exodus 34:14 (KJV) has a very different connotation. It says, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." God's jealousy is not rooted in insecurity or covetousness, as human jealousy often is. Inste...

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT AND QUESTION: John 3:7 paraphrased - “… I said unto you that everyone must be born again”. Everyone is everyone - not just Jews being born again. Remember what Jesus said in John 3:3? “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Here Jesus is talking about the “kingdom of God”. So, is this a Jewish kingdom or a heavenly and eternal kingdom of God message? MY REPLY: Everyone must be saved, yes. But we must understand the different plans of salvation in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus was only to the Jews. In the KJV the word “Ye” is not a reference to 'everyone' (as you suggest), but a reference to Israel exclusively. Jesus never addressed Gentiles , Matt.15:24. Prophecy even dictates that it is Israel first that must be saved so that they would be a light unto the Gentiles. This is the reason why Jesus said to that woman, Matt.15:26 “But he answered and said, it...

COMMENT: It appears Peter was writing to the Christians in Gentile nations, not to the Israelites in Israel. Peter also preaches about the kingdom of heaven and not about the physical Israel. Have a look at these verses that attest to this: 2 Peter 2:1-3;  2 Peter 3:15-17;  1 Peter 1:1;  1 Peter 4:16. REPLY: Let's quickly start with a brief background of details for context. Peter started in the Kingdom program under law. This was the time when Jesus was on earth. The Kingdom gospel concerning Jesus' identity was ministered to Jews ONLY. Then we get the blinding of Israel, according in Rom 11:25. The Kingdom program for Jews ONLY was suspended and God converted Paul and sent him to preach the Grace gospel concerning Jesus’ cross work to all nations, both Jew and Gentile. This grace program ends with the Body of Christ being snatched up into heaven and this closes the period of grace through the cross work of Christ. So, we have the end of two very different dispensat...

QUESTION: You say that in Jesus earthly ministry he was preparing and saving Israel to inherit the earth. If Jesus was only preparing Jews for an earthly kingdom, why did he talk about the kingdom of heaven in Mat 5:19-20? ANSWER: Your scripture reference reads, Mat 5:19-20 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Although (only) Matthew uses the phrase  “kingdom of heaven” , we can be sure, according to a myriad of additional prophecy in the bible, that this kingdom is the ‘earthly’ inheritance of God’s people when Jesus comes back at His second advent. This  “kingdom of heaven”  can easily be un...

The Bible says we must apply right division when studying it. 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. What is rightly dividing?  To "rightly divide"  is to recognize that the bible contains information that is dependent on factors like systems (attributes), or people groups, or time periods (eg: 7-year Tribulation; 1000-year Millennium).  This information is what is known as a dispensation (or that which is dispensed) . It can also be known as an economy, a stewardship, a program, or an administration. So, to exercise right division is to separate that which belongs in one system, or people group, or time period from another system, or people group, or time period. Information from one dispensation cannot be used or added to another dispensation. In other words, the information context cannot be mixed , and if it is, it creates a warped understanding of scripture, or even w...