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

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

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 6) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:8   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. See the video lesson of this study here. Pentecost vs. the New Covenant Looking at our key verse above, one word stood out for me and prompted the writing of the rest of this study below. That word is, "upon" . The verse clearly states that the Holy Spirit will come ' upon ' the apostles, and empower them to be witnesses of the gospel message they were to go and proclaim to all of Israel. In previous lessons in this study series, we touched on the topic of the Ne

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 5) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:5   For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. See the video lesson of this study here. Insights into the New Covenant Jesus had been preaching about the Kingdom throughout His earthly ministry. The gospel message being proclaimed at the time was that the Kingdom was at hand and that it could come if all of Israel would believe. As we will see in some scriptures regarding the New Covenant below, one of the aspects of the covenant was an innate knowledge of the law, written on the heart, since God would place His Spirit within them. So, when Jesus told the 11 disciples

Scripture Analysis: (Rev.20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection As good as reading the Bible is, we miss a LOT of valuable details as our eyes simply pass over the words. To really get into the heart of the verse, it is important to — slow down , to — take note what it says, and to — understand it in the context of rightly dividing the passage in which it resides. ---------------------------- Rev.20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. The book of Revelation can be an intimidating and cryptic book, but when you stay within the bo

Our Destination is Different from O.T. and Gospel Saints Have you ever noticed that Old Testament and Gospel saints were NOT PROMISED HEAVEN as a destination? Instead they were promised an everlasting kingdom on earth . As a matter of fact, these saints never even had a concept of "going to heaven" when they died. The reason is because all through the Old Testament and prophecy it was spoken of a glorious new earthly kingdom ; one which would be restored and refreshed as it was before. In the verse below, Zacharias, John the Baptist father, when speaking of salvation, does not have the concept of "going to heaven"  as you and I would today. In his case, salvation is being saved from their earthly enemies and inheriting that promised 'earthly, terra firma' land mention in the covenant made to Abraham, Luke 1:67-75 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:  68 "Blessed is the Lord God of Isra