The BIG Picture (Q&A)

  In order to understand this statement, one must first understand that the Bible deals with two programs throughout its pages. The first is prophecy by means of Israel in order to restore earth, and the second is mystery by means of Paul, and the Body of Christ, in order to restore the heavens. Now, keep this in mind as we now tackle the question. In Matthew 6, Jesus had just finished teaching the Olivet sermon. The whole sermon has its context in the Millennial Kingdom. In actual fact, it can be seen as the constitution of the Kingdom and how Jesus will eventually execute His rule, according to these precepts and principles revealed in His sermon. After this teaching the disciples ask Him how they should pray. The content of the prayer concerns the period of time known as the Tribulation. If you recite the prayer in the context of a Jew living through the Tribulation, it will make a lot of sense; asking for ‘daily’ bread, for strength to forgive, for protection from evil and for ...

Well, according to Col 1:14-19, and other similar scriptures, there is no way that Jesus got cancelled. Since the referenced scripture tells us that, “by him all things consist” , we can logically deduce that if Jesus got cancelled, then we all won’t exist. However, I can extend this reasoning to the fact that a specific part of His ministry did get suspended. Let me explain. In Jesus’ first advent, He came to prepare Israel for the reception of His kingdom. Jesus preached to the Jews saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”. According to prophetic scripture, if Israel received Jesus and believed in Him, they would rise to pre-eminence, and inherit the earthly kingdom, reigning as kings and priests in the world, and would be the light and salvation of the Gentile nations. Since the Jews did not receive Him as their Messiah and did not believe in His message, God blinded Israel and suspended the Kingdom program, Rom 11:25. With this suspension, Paul’s ministry got activated, ...

QUESTION: As for Eph. 3:1-3,5,6 how can we claim that we will be fellow heirs of the same body, if we then claim that “WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST” and then there is the nation ISRAEL? Did Jesus not die for all of us? Are we not all Children of God partaking in the PROMISE OF CHRIST? How then can we claim that we are different? ANSWER: There are a whole lot of individual questions in your paragraph above. I will attempt to deal with each question individually. To all those who have turned their hearts to God by believing in His Son, they become the children of God and will partake in a promised inheritance. This is the guaranteed outcome for all who have responded in faith to Jesus Christ. However, this promised inheritance is detailed, and in order to understand the correct context of the promises of God, regarding heirship and inheritance within His full redemption plan, it is very important that we understand the details. In the great redemption plan of God, there are differ...

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 following is an informal writing, or a heart cry. It is not intended to be a lesson or Biblical discourse. Denominations teach their members that they are spiritual Israel. Christians want to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. Non-Jewish believers start to speak and write using the Hebrew terminology and the names of God, believing that it makes their speech and writing more holy. Certain churches practice Jewish ordinances and adopt Jewish customs, and many denominational churches believe in baptisms and communion, and place themselves under various laws and gospel orientated traditions. It is sad to see how many Christians try to make themselves more Jewish, for the sake of the Jewish scriptures and for religious appearance? Why do I say this? Well, when one weighs up the doctrine of Israel, who are under law and works, with the doctrine of the Body of Christ, who are free from both law and works, who are under the absolute and wonderous grace of God because of the cross of Ch...

The content below discusses what happens AFTER salvation. One must first experience salvation before the rest of this post becomes applicable. In order to understand salvation and what it entails, please read the following,  About Salvation . Now, back to the question: What really happens when you accepted Jesus Christ? What happens AFTER the salvation experience? There are a few things that happen IMMEDIATELY after salvation. I cannot confirm any specific order to these happenings, but I'll arrange them in an order I perceive as logical. At salvation, one is instantaneously sealed into the family of God The word  sealed  in the New Testament comes from a Greek word that means  "to stamp with a private mark"  in the interest of keeping something secret or protecting or preserving the sealed object. Being sealed is a permanent mark of verification of ownership. Ephesians below says, " When you believed , you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Hol...

Answer Request: Is Christ's Church built on Peter or all living stones of truth? Did God reveal the truth to Peter that Jesus is The Rock? The Greek word translated "church" in the New Testament is ekklesia . A literal translation of ekklesia would be "a called-out assembly" . Thus, when God calls one out, to separate them, it is for a purpose. In other words, there is a specific function that this entity should fulfil. For example, God separated the nation of Israel for a purpose. Israel can be identified as an  ekklesia,  (or church in modern English). Deut.7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. Num.23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people [Israel] shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. The function that Israel was to fulfil was t...

The firmament deals with the structure of the present heavens and earth, Genesis 2:1. In the present heavens and Earth there exists a three (3) heavens structure. Let's look at Genesis 1:6 again and more closely: Gen.1:6-7 "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so." On the second day of the regeneration, the Lord God "divided" the waters (plural) of the great "deep" into two (2) parts, with a "firmament" in the midst. According to Genesis 1:10, both the waters that were upon the face of the earth and the waters which He placed above the firmament He called "Seas": Gen.1:10 "And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good." We know ...

Answer Request: One thing I'm having trouble with is understanding how the Lord Jesus is FAR ABOVE ALL THINGS, yet we with Him? I'm not sure if I understand the context of this question, but when Jesus ascended into heaven he ascended in stages (as you probably know). He ascended into the clouds, then into that place above the brightness of the sun, then into that place FAR ABOVE ALL. This is in my view, the place at the right hand of God the Father in the 3rd heaven. We are joined to Him when He comes back down into that place above the brightness of the sun, that place from which the "Shout" will go out for us to meet with Him in the rapture. So, in the context of how the Lord Jesus is FAR ABOVE ALL THINGS, it is the place He occupies right now, at the right hand of God. Answer Request: And then seeing Him AS THE LAMB in Rev.5 and trying to see how the transition happens. Will we see that scene in Rev.5? Why or why not? N...

No. They are not the same locations (or destinations). I'll keep this short as there is a lot that can be said about both "heaven" and "the Kingdom of God". Heaven is divided into three levels, (1) The 3rd heaven which is where God's throne is, (2) The 2nd heaven which is the created universe containing the stars, planets and other heavenly bodies (3) The 1st heaven which is the atmosphere around earth and where the bird and planes fly. (For example, Paul was taken up into the 3rd heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2) The Kingdom of God could have many meanings, but the meaning that it most predominant in the New Testament concerns the 1000-year earthly kingdom of Christ's literal and physical reign after the 7-year Tribulation, known as the Millennial Kingdom. The book of Matthew calls it the Kingdom of Heaven, because it is the Kingdom that comes from heaven to earth when Christ comes at His second coming. It is this Millennial Kingdom of Christ's earthly ...

This is a great question! 👍 My son is married already, but if he were 5-years old again, I'd stir up his awe by pointing to a high skyscraper and say, "heaven is higher than that!". After this, I'd point to a plane flying overhead and I'd say, "heaven is higher than that!". Lastly, I'd take him out into the yard during the daytime and point to the moon in the blue sky. Then I'd say, "heaven is higher than that!". As the dad, I'd just stand in pleasure at the reaction of his wonderment. How precious is child-like faith. As for you and I as adults, we'd have to wade through all our logic and paradigms in order to release ourselves into simple faith and just stand in awe when God, our heavenly Father, through His Word says, "heaven is higher than that!". Let's see what God says in His Word. The "waters above the firmament" is the divide between the 3rd heaven (God's throne), and the created heavens (or ...

Many Christians believe that the New Jerusalem, the city of gold, will descend from heaven AFTER the Millennial Kingdom, and onto a  new earth . Since Revelation 21 starts with these words,  "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." , many bible students think that the timing here is the beginning of eternity, the beginning of the dispensation of the fulness of the times. But one might be surprised to learn that this is NOT the case. The New Jerusalem will descend to earth at the BEGINNING of the Millennial Kingdom. Let me present you with scripture and a few points of reasoning to justify my conviction. Revelation 20 concludes with the final war at the  END  of the Millennium. Through deception, Satan causes countless Millennial inhabitants to rebel, but God destroys this upstirring quickly with fire from heaven. Satan is cast into the lake of fire and the Great White Throne judgem...

There are many persons that use the Lord's prayer as a template for their prayers. This of course is fine if you take its structure as an example and start with affirmations and worship, then pray about your needs and ask for provision, protection, and strength in your daily walk. It is not a good idea to pray the prayer word for word however. Why not? It is because the words within this prayer example are connected to the Jewish Kingdom program and is not relevant for you and I today. Let's first start by looking at the prayer example that Jesus taught his disciples,  Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come , Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors . 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Now let's...

Before we tackle this question, let's just define the Kingdom and the Grace programs so as to maintain context through the rest of this post. The Kingdom program belongs to the Jews who believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Those saved into this law program have a future hope of an earthly inheritance, the Millennial Kingdom. Those who have died will be resurrected at the 2nd Coming of Christ. The remnant who are alive at Jesus 2nd coming will enter, together with those who were resurrected, into this 1000-year period of Christs reign. The Grace program belongs to ALL who believe in the grace gospel of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Those saved into this Grace program experience a current and assured salvation, and have a heavenly inheritance, and eternal destination. Those who have died are already present with the Lord. Those who are alive, at the end of this dispensation, will be silently raptured into the heavens and into Christ's presence. After this rap...

Information about our heavenly inheritance cannot be found in the Old Testament or in the Gospels. It is revealed only by revelation through the apostle Paul. Our inheritance is the part of our salvation that happens in the future, either when we die or are raptured up.  Eph.1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest [guarantee] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.  Col.3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Now this is important, don't confuse your inheritance as a child of God today in heaven with Israel's inheritance on earth when they enter into the Millennial Kingdom. They are not the same. We w...