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...

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 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...

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...

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...

The Bible defines faith with the following statement, Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In the physical realm, faith means placing your trust in something that belongs, or operates, in this realm, whether it be an object or a person, and hoping that your belief or trust will be validated through physical evidence or manifestation. For example, to sit on a chair, you need to believe that the chair will support you. Your faith in the chair, the substance of your hope in it, will become evident when you sit down, and the chair supports you. Faith that operates in the natural realm is limited to the constraints of this realm. But what about spiritual (or biblical) faith; which is the specific focus of this article? Well, spiritual faith means placing your trust in something that belongs, or operates in the spiritual realm, and hoping that your trust in it will be validated through evidence, or manifestation, of biblical truth...

This post is not a lesson, but simply an indication of the level of ignorance or disregard of Bible truth. The intention for posting it is not to smear the person or their comment, but to highlight the need for sound doctrine and proper instruction in God's Word. There is a great need out there on social media for sound, rightly divided truth. Every bit of truth out there helps those who are truly seeking it. INITIAL POST: … but when God converted Paul on the Damascus Road, God gave him a completely new gospel and doctrine for the Gentiles. The above quote comes from this source post . COMMENT ON THE SOURCE POST: God gives a complete stranger who was taught by GAMALIEL a new Gospel and doctrine, whilst the disciple of Jesus who were blessed with the holy spirit where deprived of this message. Hmmm, makes you think who the antichrist actually is. Who was it that Paul claims to have seen; the one who came to him in the form of light. Then Paul goes to the Jews to preach the new Gospe...

Much pressure is placed on Christians the moment they get saved. They join an assembly, and everyone expects them to immediately change and start showing typical Christian conduct, performing in activities and exhibiting spiritual gifts. This is what religion expects! It's not what the Bible teaches.  From the moment you get saved, God wills only two things for that person. (1) to be thankful (1 Thess.5:18) and (2) to know His Word (1 Tim.2:4) .  1. 1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  2. 1Tim 2:4  [God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Both these attributes come from studying the written Word and getting it into you. The more you feed your spirit with God’s word, the more you become thankful for what He has done for you, and the more you learn —about Him, —about who you are in Christ, —and about where you fit into His redemption plan. Studying the Word, ...

QUESTION: “Rightly dividing the Word” doesn’t mean to divide the word against itself, accepting some things, and rejecting others, (I guess because scripture is faulty). In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul is instructing Timothy to rightly divide the word of God. Scholars defines ‘right division’ as to handle correctly, to set forth truthfully. So, we are not to divide it up, but unite it together bringing it all in context. The correct understanding is that they must agree.   To do so, some people desperately need the Holy Spirit’s guidance as to how to do this, not throwing away Paul for Jesus, or the other way around. Both need to be united together to be produce correct doctrine. ANSWER: Dear reader, if scripture is faulty then it is in the faulty interpretations of the mind of man! Let God be true and every man a liar. I agree that dividing the word is not accepting some things and rejecting others. The whole Word is the full counsel of God and the whole Word provides us the full co...

A short while ago I watched a video of a theological debate featuring 3 prominent speakers who represent 3 different denominations. As a host asked various questions, each of the panelists would respond, and the theology of these participants differed from mildly to wildly depending on the questions. It was interesting to watch how each defended their particular view of theology, and even though they validated their points with scriptures and good arguments, it was quite sad to see how they made the whole debate complex and divisive based on their differences. In Acts 17, Paul arrives at Athens and sees an array of idols set up around the city, probably near the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, where a council of civic leaders met, as well as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who were always looking to discover something "new" to discuss. Can you imagine the debates that those philosophers had, each believing in a different god and different theologies. How much did the opinions...