The BIG Picture (Study)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 2 --- The PURPOSE for divisions in the Bible ) In the last two lessons, we've had a look at the necessity (or importance) of understanding and exercising right division in the Word. In this short post I simply want to ask the question, "Why is there a dual purpose in God's plan?" What is the reason why we have to split up the content in the Bible? The answer lies in the design of God's plan. As in the image below, you'll see that the end of the plan involves two realms . The lower part (in blue) represents the 1000-year Millennial Kingdom, in which Christ will reign on earth . The part above that represents the heavens . We will look at these two realms in greater detail in the next post, but it is the fact that we have two realms that requires us to divide the Bible between two distinct and unique programs. An Earthly and Heavenly Hope The prophetic program, specific to Israel, is an earthly program which w

Glossary of Comm on End Times Terms Abomination of Desolation: When the Antichrist sits down in the rebuilt Jewish Temple and declares himself to be God, "The Great Tribulation" of 42 months will then begin. The Antichrist will demand worship worldwide (Rev. 13). This will be the abomination that leads to great desolation. God's judgments will bring desolation, or destruction, to all who participate in this terrible abomination (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:3-4). This worship system is based on the Antichrist (called the Beast) setting up an image (statue or idol) of himself in the Jerusalem temple. At the occurrence of this event, the Jews living in Israel are commanded to flee into the wilderness. All tribulation saints will know, from that day on, they must now wait 1260 days before the Lord returns. (Dan 9:27), (Mat 24:15-19) Amillennialism: (prefix "a," "no"). The belief that there is no literal 1000-year reign of Christ. Thus Revela

Biblical cycles of 7-years, called: " Shemitah's " In the Bible, a 'type' is a divinely purposed illustration of some truth and is often a prophetic foretelling of future events.  The 'type' can be: a person (Rom.5:14) a thing (Heb.10:19-20) an institution (Heb.9:11-12) a ceremonial (1 Cor.5:7) an event (1 Cor.10:11) The Greek word týpos, meaning "example", describes a model or pattern in the Old Testament that is fulfilled in scripture, often typifying the life and ministry of Jesus Christ . The word týpos (in the KJV Bible) is also translated as "pattern" (Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5), "form" (Romans 6:17), "print" (John 20:25), "ensample" (1 Cor.10:11), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Romans 5:14), and "manner" (Acts 23:25). There are many types and patterns found in scripture and each one has real meaning and purpose

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 1B --- Recognizing the NECESSITY of dividing the Word) In Part 1A , I quoted the following below, and said I'd explain the reason for me saying this. Preachers today go about blindly teaching their denominations to follow and adhere to the parables and practices of Jesus during his 3-years of ministry in the flesh. This is wrong, and it's a false doctrine in the church today. —Now if you are shocked at my statements, I'll explain and  qualified them in  Part 1B .   So, let me validate the above quotation by providing one more set of scriptures to emphasize the need to divide the Word to gain context and correct interpretation. Rom.16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to  my gospel , and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the  mystery , which was kept secret since the world began,  26   But now  is mad

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 1A --- Recognizing the NECESSITY of dividing the Word) In our previous study , we had a look at the two verses below, analyzing the contents of the verses to understand it properly. In this new study, I'd like to use the colour divisions in them to introduce a new, and very important topic . I'll make the topic clear as we progress in this post, but let's first look at the context of the two passages below, specifically based on their colour legends. (Focus on the Return) 1 Thess.4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout , (<-- 7-yr Trib. -->) with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (Focus on the Rapture Event) 1 Cor.15:51-22  Behold, I shew

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 12) There is one last thing I want to mention off the back of part 11 , which dealt with the meanings of the phrases,  'the voice of the archangel' and 'the twinkling of an eye' . Having clarified these two important phrases used by Paul in our key verses, it effectively brings us to an end of the two primary points that I have explored in this 12-part series. Just to remind you of the two primary points, they are as follows, As with many other patterns, shadows, and types found in the Bible, the ascension of Jesus Christ can teach us of the stages of His return . Paul's two 'famous' rapture scriptures express the event in general , (ie: they expound on the WHOLE coming of Christ , for all saints, not just the rapture of the Body of Christ.) So, let me wrap up with one last thought which plays itself out at the second coming of Christ, close to the end of the seven years of Tribulation. Let's star

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 11) Having looked at what the trumpet represented in part 10 , let's put our focus on the other phrases connected to this stage of Christ's return, —the stage where He appears in the clouds at the end of the Tribulation. In a twinkling of an eye 1 Thess.4:16   refers to 'the voice of the archangel' , and  1 Cor.15:52 mentions 'in the twinkling of an eye' . Unlike the phrases, 'with a shout' and 'in a moment' , that are connected to the imminent rapture of the Body of Christ, the next set of phrases in our key verses represent descriptions for the 2nd Coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation. Let's dig into these phrases and find out what exactly they mean in the context of Christ's return. With regard to the phrase, "In the twinkling of an eye" , the following is taken from the Strongs Lexicon, Strongs Greek 4493: "In the twinkling of an eye"   - ῥιπή rhip

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 10) The return of Jesus Christ is in stages that symmetrically correspond to the stages of His ascension. Because of this pattern (as with many other types and patterns in the Word), it helps us to gain deeper insights, and piece together scriptures, that provide a bigger picture of the redemption plan of God throughout the ages. Connecting the dots on past events is easy due to hindsight, but the types and patterns in the Word really do assist in building a more insightful understanding of future events, as what we are discussing in this series of posts. In  part 8 , we put focus on the position of Christ as he returns for the church, which is His Body, before the 7-year Tribulation. Our focus was on a 'silent' rapture based on underlying points of study we expounded on in that post. In this post we will continue to the next stage of Christ's return, being the stage when he appears in the clo

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 9) Verses often do not provide timeline context I'd like to draw your attention to an important concept before we get into the next stage of Christ's return. This concept will become relevant as we continue in this study. It is crucial to understand that verses often do not provide timeline context. As we study and piece multiple scripture together, one would gain the information necessary to discover if there is, and if any, what the timeline is between verses. Let's have a look at what I'm referring to in our key verses, 1 Thess.4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout , with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first:   1 Cor.15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [raptured], 52 In a moment , in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : As already discussed in previous posts, the &#