The BIG Picture (Study)

Was Jesus Christ a Dispensationalist During His Earthly Ministry? Article by Shawn Brasseaux Opening Statement Dispensational Bible study has its critics—and that is no secret. Allegedly, we who “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) are “Bible choppers,” “church splitters,” “troublemakers,” among other names. Additionally, we are told, “I do not follow some man such as the Apostle Paul, I follow Jesus!” Immediately after stating thus, our opponents flee to Matthew through John, the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry (which they assume is Christianity for today), and proceed to denounce us as “heretics” for “taking away” from Jesus’ words. They have made some serious accusations against us, so do we have Biblically-based answers for them? In this, our special-edition 900th Bible Q&A article, we examine this matter in light of God’s Word. “For what saith the Scriptures?” See the full article on Shawn's site here , including the opening statement, the conclusion, a...

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 4A ---  Dividing the AGENCIES ) Dividing the REALMS, defined in the previous post of this series, by phrases like, heaven and earth, and spiritual and physical,  provide an understanding of the end point of God's great redemption plan. However, leading up to this end point, there will be an agency to occupy the heavens and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ, and there will be an agency to occupy the earth and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ. The end of it all would be as the scriptures say, Col.1:19-20 For God [the Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him [Christ] , 20 and through Him [Christ] to reconcile to Himself [the Father] all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven , by making peace through the blood* of His [Christ] cross. Eph.1:9-10 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Hi...

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 3 ---  Dividing the REALMS ) In previous posts of this study, we have investigated the NEED to recognize divisions in the Bible. We have also determined the PURPOSE for divisions in the Bible. It is important to remember that the purpose for dividing the Word originates in all things to do with Israel. In this post we will have a look at the first of three overarching 'Israel related' categories that need to be rightly divided in God's greater redemption plan. Within the three categories of (1) Realms, (2) Agencies, and (3) Programs, we will start by dividing the REALMS; defined by phrases like, heaven and earth, and spiritual and physical . Genesis 1:1 famously starts with the statement, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..." . In the context of this verse, we know that the heavens and the earth are the physical realms that God created. However, as we progress through this study, and in cont...

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...

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 dispensation of grace has less to do with it starting at a specific moment in time, and more to do with the proclamation of a new salvation message from God. It's not so much linked to the event of Pentecost in Acts 2 , or the conversion of Paul in Acts 9 , or him turning to the Gentiles in Acts 28 , and more to do with receiving a message of God's abundant grace without the need of works and endurance. I'm not declining any reasoning that the message of grace started being proclaimed somewhere in the transitional book of ACTS, but I also hold true the point that grace started in each person individually when they hear, and received the good news that God declares them justified through the absolute and completed cross work of His Son, Jesus Christ. So, for me, grace started with a change in gospel. Consider this, —before the message of grace went out, that is, before the news that God is not saving by a covenant of works, but rather through th...

Limit your Exposure to Worldly Wisdom Avoid overexposure with too many sources. The Bible is our only true source. There is nothing wrong with Bible study, even intense study, in order to really get to the fullness of a topic and extract everything of value from it. However, as with anything, you have to stay in balance , not only with your time and energy, but also with the materials that you use during you research and the places you go to in order to collect that data. The Bible foretells in Daniel , that in the last days, "knowledge will increase" (Dan.12:4) . I believe this 'knowledge' will be the vast resources like the internet, books, and videos at our disposal. We can collect vast arrays of material from multiple sources quickly and easily today, but the more material you have ...

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...