The BIG Picture (Study)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 5B ---  Dividing the PROGRAMS ) In our last post, Part 5A , we took a high level look at the two programs, simply discussing what they are and how they are different. I'd like to wrap up this series of lessons on "Understanding and Interpreting the Bible", by confirming the scriptural proof of the divisions n the programs of Israel and the Body of Christ. As a reminder, the below picture illustrates that we have two main parts to God's overarching redemption plan. The realms of earth and heaven, physical and spiritual. Within each of these realms, we have a people group (or agency). Earth will be inherited to Israel, and heaven will be filled with the Body of Christ. We covered these details in depth in previous posts. To clarify the 'program' portions of the image below, I can describe it as follows. The programs are the actionable components of the two divided parts. They portray the 'modus operandi...

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 5A ---  Dividing the PROGRAMS ) Up to this point, we have looked at what it means to divide the REALMS and the AGENCIES . Let's place our attention on dividing the PROGRAMS within these two agencies. I'll start with a high level overview of the programs within these two groups. Firstly, what is " programs "? I use this work to describe how each of the agencies (people groups) function. You could describe it as the operations, or procedures, or processes, or actions, that define the people group. In essence it is how you identify them. It is their "Modus Operandi". Let's start with the agency of Israel. Please enlarge the following image and study its content. I'll discuss this image and clarify it's content. The image above illustrates the realm of Earth. As discusses in previous posts in this series, this realm is a physical and visible realm. God operates within this realm by physical manifes...

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...

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,...

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 7) Before I jump back to the two passages of scripture I shared in part 6 of this series, I'd like to share this little insight with you which will help to confirm my interpretation of them. It's not often that we can take a single verse or two and build a concept or doctrine based on what it says. On the other hand, it is scripturally sound to base a concept or doctrine upon confirmations from many verses. This guidance can be illustrated clearly in a simple jigsaw puzzle. One piece provides a little bit of detail, but it's only when you join that piece up with many more pieces in the box, where the full picture comes clearly into view. Paul provides us with advice that we need to remember and practice when handling the Word. He tells this to Timothy when he writes, 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing ...

The Faith Stream Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to ALL the seed. God started a new program when he called Abraham. If you look at the timeline in the banner at the top of this website, you will notice that from Abraham (AB), a new stream branches off from the main river of humanity . I call this new stream the "faith stream". Why? Well, that's quite easy to answer. It's called the faith stream because scripture refers to it by the same name . Once you have read this article, you too will recognize it and understand the significance of the faith stream in God's incredible plan of the redemption of believing humanity, and the restoration of creation. Before I can prove to you the faith stream , I need to...

To Cut Straight, to Handle Aright *Recommended Read! An invaluable study that documents Paul's mystery doctrine. Strong's Greek 3718, 3718 orthotoméō (from temnō, "to cut" and 3717 /orthós, "straight") 1. properly cut straight (on a straight line), i.e., "rightly divide" (correctly apportion). The word that is translated "rightly dividing" is "ορθοτομουντα (orthotomounta)", which has the literal meaning of "to dissect correctly". "Rightly dividing" portrays this act of paying meticulous attention to small individual parts that make up the whole. The rendering of "rightly dividing the word of truth" puts the emphasis on exegesis (cutting "out" from the bo...