The BIG Picture (Study)

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 8) As discussed in the first four parts of this study, there is symmetry between Christ's ascension and return. In this lesson, we will have a look at the first part of Christ's return . This correlates with the last part of Christ's ascension, and naturally, relates to the same group of people, the Body of Christ in the Grace program. The first part of Christ's return is when He will appear in the heavenly position which is filled with an inapproachable light, which no man has seen, not can see, 1 Tim.6:13-16 . ( See Part 3 to reexamine the details of this position ). The purpose of appearing here is to call unto Himself the agency of the Body of Christ, who are to fill the heavens with His glory. (See  2 Realms, 2 Programs, 2 Destinations below). The Silent Rapture of the Body of Christ Throughout the epistles of Paul, the Body of Christ is illustrated as a 'mystery' . Though this

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 Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 6) It is important to maintain the context from part 5 in this study and remember that Paul's writings encompass  ALL of the coming of Christ, across both Mystery and Kingdom Programs. When Paul writes about Christ's return, he does not always focus exclusively on the Body of Christ! Our rapture only makes up part of the details that Paul lays out as he documents the WHOLE of Christ's return and the order (or sequence) of the raptures and resurrections. Please keep this in mind as we continue in this study. I'd like to present you with two passages of scripture, that, when read in the context I'll be presenting, have recently 'blown my mind'! As far back as I can remember, I have read these two passages with the understanding that they give a picture of our rapture and the return of Jesus Christ for the Church, which is His Body. I can also say with certainty that most Christians, at least in my circ

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 5) Part 4  concluded with the details of Christ's ascension. We will now turn our attention to the details of the return of Jesus Christ, looking into the stages of His return in the same way, and in the same positions, as how He ascended. I trust that these details will either confirm the wonders and intrigue of the return of 'our blessed hope' , or provide you deeper, and meaningful insights, that can strengthen your faith and generate excitement. Let's continue to look at the return of Jesus, as mirroring (or in symmetry to) the events of His ascension. As indicated in the above image, it is of first importance to recognize that Paul was given the responsibility to lay out the WHOLE return of Christ, and the order (or sequence) of the event. No other writers of scripture were provided with such detail of these events. Outside of Paul, all other writings of the return is about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, whi

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 4) In Part 3 of this post series , we had a look at the continued ascension of Jesus from the clouds (the position in which Stephen saw Jesus in Acts 7:55-56 ), to the position in light which He occupied according to  1 Tim.6:16 . Between these two scripture references, it clearly identified Jesus in two different places. However, I won't be dogmatic and claim that these two positions are separated by the "waters above the firmament", but based on my current convictions, I'll illustrate it as such in my diagram below. (The purpose of the diagram is simply to show the eventual symmetry between Christ's ascension and return. I don't claim it to be accurate in depicting locations or positions in the heavenly ascension).  In this 'short' post, I'd like to identify one final position, as quoted from scripture, in which Jesus ascended to. This I believe is the throne of God and the ultimate position

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 3) As mentioned in Part 2 of this multi-post topic , it is important to look at the ascension of Jesus, and the stages that it occurred in, in order to fully understand the stages of Christ's return. We'll continue therefore, in this part, to look at the details of the second stage of Christ's ascension , and later, when we look at Jesus' whole second coming, we will see how this part will mirror the same stage of His multi-part return. There are some very interesting things to learn from these stages and the events that tie into them. The second stage of Christ's ascension into a new position and glory. It is clear and evident in scripture that Stephen (in Acts 7:55-56) saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. This is an important fact, as it provides us with information regarding Jesus current position of ascension. God gave

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 2) The Ascension of ACTS 1 Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight .  10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven . As mentioned in the opening post of this series , the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1 is only the beginning of Jesus departure back into glory. The bible provides us with much more insights if we study the scriptures and piece together additional verses that detail his return to heaven. The reason for putting focus on Jesus' ascension is not so much to learn what happened here as it is to provide insights into his glorious and