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

Two Programs for Two Realms (Part 3) There have been so many revelations in my dispensational journey, and one of the first (and biggest) that I learned of was the understanding of TWO programs in God's great plan of redemption. One will not see, let alone understand, this concept of two programs unless one recognizes the divisions in scripture, 2 Tim.2:15 . Without the divisions, everything will seem to flow into each other and merge with each other and then you miss the entire revelation all together! It all starts with Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . These are not just describing different physical realities but also refer to separate realms, one spiritual and one physical. Both these realms became corrupt; the heavens, due to the rebellion of Lucifer,  Job 15:15 , and then later the earth, due to the rebellion (or disobedience) of Adam, Genesis 3:6 . The redemption plan of God involves the setting up of two programs, one to c

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.4) This is  Part 4  of the Series Click here for  Part 3 We continue our journey through this lesson series, gathering evidence to clearly show the distinctions between the parts of God's great redemption plan for humanity and creation. Recall that any plan or project has a start and an ending and that between the start and end one would typically have actions or events that drive you to the goal or what you want to achieve, being the ending! Each of these parts of the plan are foundational actions or events that have a part in the whole, but although they relate to each other to form the whole, they don't necessarily relate to each other in their details, or maybe I can state that they don't have the same steps or materials or qualities.  For example, if you build a house, you MUST start with the foundation. You cannot start with the roof! It just does not make sense! The foundation, the walls and the roof are all part of t

Q-A: The Bible - Why isn't all Scripture written TO You? I often use the phrase, "All Scripture is written FOR you, but not all Scripture is written TO you" , and this generally provokes a response of astonishment, if not a stronger aversion from the person. It does not however surprise me as there are not many who understand the Word rightly divided. So, lets delve into this phrase and explain it clearly and concisely. Think of a post office and a wall of mailboxes. If you had to pry open one of those mailboxes and read the mail from that box, you could learn something from the content of the mail, but it does not necessarily apply to you. For example, you could learn of an allergy that the mailbox owner has and even what medication to use from the doctors letter in that mailbox, but it would be incorrect (and possibly even detrimental) to dose yourself up on the medication prescribed to someone else. In the same way, the bible is a book written oven a

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.2) This is Part 2 of the Series   Click here to start with Part 1 Examples of 'primary' progression and context In part 1 of this article, we proved that the Bible is a singular PLAN, albeit very intricate. As with any plan (or project), it has a start and an end point, and between these one typically has parts or specific actions that provide progression and momentum to achieve the planned objective. In this part, we will have a look at the divisions of the plan that provide its progress. Depending on what your focus is, there are many clear divisions in the Bible that can be identified based on period, people group, covenant or promise and various attributes. Our timeline image in the header of the page provides some of the primary divisions, or parts of Gods plan. Some of the primary divisions we can clearly recognize and which we will shortly analyze are, prophecy and

The Connection between Abraham and Paul (Part.2) This is  part 2  of the series Click here to start with  Part 1 Lets connect the dots between Abraham and Paul Having set the scene,  in part 1 , that creation is corrupt in both heaven and earth, we indicated that God predestined the cleansing of these two realms by two separate people groups.  Genesis 22:15-17  is an incredible verse that describes the two people groups in God's plan of redemption, but lets have a look at some  even more incredible connections  ( similarities or parallels ) within these two people groups. Both people groups belong to  a new faith stream  ( this is my own personal description ) that describes a branching off from the main undercurrent of unredeemed humanity.  In order to become part of  'the faith stream',  one needs to respond  'by faith'  to the gospel * , the good news and instruction of redemption that God prescribed a

The Connection between Abraham and Paul (Part.1) Setting the scene There are 2 programs in God's PLAN of redemption; an  earthly  program and a  heavenly  program. We all know that Genesis 1:1 reads, Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the  heavens  and the  earth . Heaven and earth are two  separate  realms that make up God's creation. We should also be aware that both these realms are corrupt and need 'cleansing'.  The heavens were corrupted when God cast Satan out of the 3rd heaven as we read in  Isaiah 14:12  and  Ezekiel 28:16 , and the result of  this is confirmed in  Job 15 , Job 15:15  Behold, He  [God]  puts no trust in his saints  [angels, see Job 4:18] ; yes,  the heavens are not clean in His sight . The earth and everything in it is corrupt and under a curse as we read in, Genesis 3 .   The conclusion of this is that God predestined two programs in his great redemption

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.1) 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. Take for example building a house. First, it must be planned out via blueprint. Next a plot must be bought. After this one must lay a foundation, built the walls and finally add the roof. These are the basic sequence of steps involved. But say the builders mix things up and start building the roof first! They have deviated from the plan and the whole project is affected. To take this example one step further, consider the materials used to build a house. One cannot use bricks to build the roof, or roof slates to build the walls. Now, let me get to my point. Have you ever c