The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: In Eph.2:7-13, Paul uses phrases like 'Time Past', 'But Now', and 'Ages to Come'. What I don't understand is time past. How could anyone say The Gospels are time past when most people are saying the Old Testament is time past. What I've been taught for years is that the Old Testament is for learning, the New Testament was the history of our One and true God, because of what He did on the cross, and through this I have hope. The only thing I'm waiting for is to be comforted in His arms when he returns. If I'm wrong please enlighten me. We all are here to learn. ANSWER: Thank you for your comment. I like the way you ended your paragraph above. I agree that we are all here to learn. When I publish these posts of mine, I trust that they will trigger the interest of some readers to ask questions and learn something new, but I also am open to learn from their comments. The Word says that we all know in part. I honestly believe that our edific...

QUESTION: If we look at the bible through the “three-fold division” of Ephesians 2, the Old Testament is the time past. However, I’m not sure if all the Gospels <Matthew, Mark, Luke and John> also fall under this time past. Can you please clarify? ANSWER: To answer this statement, one must bear in mind that when Paul wrote the passage, he used the words, “But now”, to indicate his current time. This means that everything before his writing “but now”, is in times past. Since Paul wrote his epistles long after Jesus had ascended to heaven, it effectively means that “time past” includes the content of gospels of Matthew to John, since their contents is all about Jesus’ earthly ministry. To take this further, the “but now” is currently still in operation. Why? Well, Paul’s writings introduce the mystery doctrine which is applicable for us as the grace believers in the Body of Christ. All of Paul’s writings is still valid today and will remain valid until we are caught up to h...

Consider a plan or project. Logically, it has a starting point and an end. Between the start and end there are a series of steps, or actions, that navigate those involved in the project to the end result. If there is deviation from the planned steps or actions, the project flow is disrupted and complications can occur. Now, let me get to my point. Have you ever considered the bible to be the plan, or project that God put together for the redemption of humanity. This I'll prove with scripture shortly, but if the bible is a plan, then it will logically have a starting and an end. Between the start and end there will be a series of steps or actions that will lead those involved to the end result. And, should I venture to say that, if these steps get mixed up or deviated from, it would cause complications, misunderstandings and confusion. I'm sure you can see where I'm going to with this. Using this simple example above, I aim to draw your attention to the critical importance o...