I'm glad you asked...

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Judgment ready, but first things first

I've been thinking on the last days for the past few days, as I do every now and then, wondering if there is some clue in God's word to tell us that the time of judgment is drawing near.

The "prophetic" last days is the time period in the bible right before the Lord Jesus Christ returns to set up his earthly kingdom. This particular time period involves a "judgment," known as the day of the Lord's wrath! In your email you included that very interesting about those Jews in Jerusalem seeking their temple, which is something that will take place when God begins his prophetic clock again and his program in the earth with Israel. So, I will be trying to explain both what I see from scripture and how I see it playing out today in our time—in God’s current mystery program.

A couple of things to know is that right after we are raptured out of this world, although God's prophetic clock begins again, the actual day of the Lord's wrath, also known as the time of Jacob's trouble (that 7- year period in the which the Lord Jesus Christ is actively involved in what's going on) does not begin!

I say that because once we are raptured out, there is another event on our calendar called the "Judgment seat of Christ" and that event will take some time.

Romans 14:10-12

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Notice that the focus of this judgment has to do with what every one of us has built up in Christ! Paul makes it clear that each and every member of the body of Christ will stand before the Lord Jesus and be judged. I see this as an individual thing, and therefore it will take some time to accomplish. My own personal opinion is that it will take ten years to accomplish. I say that because ‘ten’ in the bible is the number of "responsibility and judgment" (e.g., the Ten Commandments, etc. A great study is to check out the number ten in scripture and see how much it is associated with "responsibility and judgment," whether it is ten days, months, years, etc. Interestingly enough, the term "judgment seat" is mentioned TEN times in scripture!)

Anyway, also we know that while the Lord Jesus is judging us, he cannot at the same time begin the day of wrath, because it is clear that he is the one who begins it in Heaven.

Revelation 5:1-8

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Here we see a look at the future day of the Lord where the "Lamb," the Lord Jesus Christ, takes the scroll. When he does, he opens the first scroll to begin the 7-year tribulation period, and the very first thing that happens is that the Antichrist is manifest.

Revelation 6:1-2

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

So the 7-year tribulation cannot begin until our Lord Jesus breaks the seals. And he cannot break the seals until he is done judging us! So there has to be some time in between the raptured and the beginning of the "70th week of Daniel," the time when the Antichrist makes the covenant with Israel and rebuilds their temple. I believe that gap/transition will be 10 years.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate

Another reason that we can see that there will be some time (years) between the end of our mystery dispensation and the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel is because Daniel prophesies that there will be.

Daniel 11:13-14

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

Here we see what will go on in the Middle East as the Antichrist gains his power/prestige, etc. (later on in chapter 11). This will all take years to accomplish, and therefore he cannot be made manifest the day after the rapture. All this is prophecy and is not going on during our present mystery dispensation.

Hopefully this helps!

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Dispensational principles

Can a spiritual principle be carried over dispensations? For instance, is what’s written in Ecclesiastes 8:5 strictly to, for, and about Israel’s judgments?

Ecclesiastes 8:5

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

You ask whether this principle could be applied to all dispensations, or is it only for Israel. Well, although this verse is written to, about, and for Israel's interpretation, the statement also has spiritual application to any and all dispensations. Anyone who keeps God's word to them (during whatever dispensation they live in) shall keep themselves from the effects of evil, more than if they rejected God's word.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Also, anyone who operates in God's wisdom will have godly spiritual discernment and prudence in order to understand what's going on.

Romans 13:11

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

So yes, although the verse is in reference to Israel, the spiritual application extends to every dispensation.

So how does that verse apply to us believers today? Well, God gives us discernment through his Apostle to us today, Paul, about the "time and judgment" for our present dispensation of grace.

1 Timothy 4:1-9

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. or every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

Here we see that when Paul tells us about the "latter times" of our current dispensation of Grace, his focus is not on what is taking place in the outside world around us, but his focus is what will go on inside the church the body of Christ. So our focus—when looking at whether or not we are in our last days—ought to also be on what's going on inside the church. And what we see from this verse is that the issue of people—particularly those who are put in charge to teach the church—will "give heed" (i.e., pay attention to) "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." What I see about those two things from scripture is that (just like the beginning of our dispensation, particularly during the transition from the prophetic program to the mystery program, where "supernatural" manifestations were taking place), so will it be in the end of our dispensation, where not only will there be bad teachings out there that go against Paul's doctrine (originated by Satan and his angels), but there will be similar seemingly "supernatural" manifestations that will draw people away from God's rightly divided word.

And today, we do see just that taking place in the church. Many believers not only reject God's word through Paul, but they also are drawn away by some "spiritual experience" that they claim that they had (and no doubt some have), in which they attribute to God, but really are from other spirits. And this is not unusual because just like the beginning when we very very close to those supernatural manifestations of prophecy during the transition, the closer we get to the rapture and thus, the beginning of prophecy again, we will see more and more of those things. That prophetic time will be filled with all types of supernatural manifestations that draw people away from God's truth!

2 Thessalonians 2:11

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

In the bible, the way that God does this is simply by allowing Satan and his angels to do these supernatural "wonders" so that people will get the "lie" that they want!

Paul later gives Timothy and us more light on our last days...

2 Timothy 3:1-14

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Again we see that Paul's focus is not on what's going on outside the church, but inside! He warns us about what's sure to come, and that is, people will not only be against his doctrine, but they will be as mean and evil as the lost people outside the church. Again, we do not have to look that hard to see those things among members of the body do we? So in my professional opinion as a bible student and a pastor, we are living in the last days of God's grace dispensation.

Unfortunately, for those of us who think about these things, God chose not to give us the exact year/day/hour of the rapture, but instead gave us the general trend of what will take place right before it. He did that, I believe in order for us to not just sit around doing nothing while we await his return. But he desires us to keep working with him to see people saved out of this world headed on the collision course of his wrath to come, and to see saints edified in his truth!

Hopefully this helps!

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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Pastors

I just read your post on the supernatural gifts given to the body of Christ early in the mystery program. It totally fits and is plainly what the scripture teaches; I can't believe I never saw that before. My question is in regard to this, though: if we do not have 'pastors' right now that fill the same purpose for the body of Christ as they did, then what should men who teach the scripture be called? I would say teacher, but this is part of the gifts. Maybe instructor, as in 1 Corinthians 4:15? What do you think? Also, what were some of the roles a pastor would do? In other words, why do we not need those pastors now?

My greatest prayer is to gain great understanding of his word, not just for myself, but that I may be able to share it clear and effectively with others. So your words are a testimony of his faithfulness!

As for whether or not we are to have "pastors" today, well, yes and no! Do we have "pastors" who are given to us in the exact same way God gave them to the church in Paul's day (that is, direct supernatural intervention)? No. But do we have men who are in the church the Body of Christ who function in that role and capacity and do "the work" of pastors? You bet!

First of all we need to look at Ephesians 4 and other passages that mention pastors...

Ephesians 4:11-13

In this verse, our Apostle explains what our Lord did at the beginning of the creation of the church, the body of Christ. In its infancy, our Lord had to intervene directly in the church by giving supernatural spiritual gifts to men in the body. These gifts and the men to which they were given were a gift to the entire body to communicate the doctrine of the Mystery of Christ before Paul wrote it down!

So in order for God to share this information with the body before Paul finished writing his 13 epistles, God used gifted men (and women) to communicate his truth!

This direct, supernatural way of operating in the church was a temporal way of operating—only used by God until the perfect word of God was complete!

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (that is...perfectly).

That "perfect" knowledge came with the completion of God's word through Paul!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, [mature, complete] throughly furnished unto all good works.

That is why Paul goes on to talk about in Ephesians 4, how these gifted men given to “the body” would help it become a "perfect man," and no longer "childish."

Ephesians 4:11-15

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

So, while it is true that God is no longer directly and supernaturally operating that spiritual gift program exactly like he did back in the church's infancy, it is fair to say that he is accomplishing the "work" of most of those gifts indirectly through his Spirit in us, and his word working through us when we believe. Even Paul our Apostle told Timothy that! Remember Ephesians 4 says he gave "evangelists?" But in the end of his ministry Paul told Timothy not to "exercise" the "gift" of an evangelist, but to do the "work" of an evangelist.

2 Timothy 4:5

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Therefore the same could be said for all the other ministry roles listed in Ephesians 4. Someone who goes out and establishes a local Grace assembly is doing the work of an apostle. Someone going out telling forth God's word to others--especially identifying Paul's epistles as God's word for today—is doing the work of a prophet. Someone who specializes in winning souls by sharing the gospel of grace is doing the work of an evangelist. Someone who chooses to shepherd and spiritually care for a group of believers is doing the work of a pastor. And, someone who desires to regularly share God's word is doing the work of a teacher.

And that is not far fetched because Paul himself says that there are still men considered teachers in the body today! [Note: the office of the bishop in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2 does incorporate aspects of all these other roles.]

1 Timothy 1:3, 7

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

1 Timothy 2:12

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Titus 2:3-4

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

1 Timothy 3:2; 4:11; 6:3

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; …These things command and teach…If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

2 Timothy 2:2, 24

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. …And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

What God had to do directly before the word was completed, he now does indirectly by his Spirit in us using his word, as we believe it!

Hopefully this helps!

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P.S. The role of the "pastor" (a.k.a., bishop) is to maintain order—especially doctrinally—within a local assembly/group of believers! A bishop/sheppard/overseer "takes care" of God's people! So yes, God has ordained them for today!

1 Timothy 3:1, 5

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work…(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Titus 1:5, 7

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting [lacking], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:...For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Acts 20:28-29

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers [bishops/pastors], to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A secret no more, but 'the Mystery' still

Why would Paul call it the "mystery" of the gospel, if the gospel is how that Christ died for our sins "according to the scriptures?"

Ephesians 6:19

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The first thing we need to do when studying is to see if there is another passage of scripture that can shed some light on the passage that we are considering. And as usually is the case, there is for this one. Look at how Paul writes the same thing in the book of Colossians...

Colossians 4:3-4

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Notice here that instead of calling it the "mystery of the gospel" as he did in Ephesians 6, our Apostle calls it the "mystery of Christ." So by simply comparing scripture with scripture (the way that the Holy Ghost teaches, per 1 Corinthians 2:13), we may define the "mystery of the gospel" as the "Mystery of Christ." And that is exactly what Paul's message is called!

Ephesians 3:4-5

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Notice also that Paul says that his message of the mystery of Christ was not made known in other ages!

Romans 16:25

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,

The second thing that we need to see from Ephesians 6:19 is that it is part of the immediate context. And that context includes verse 20 as well. So let's read them together...

Ephesians 6:19-20

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Notice in the context, Paul clarifies this "mystery" as that for which he was an "ambassador in bonds," that is, the message that he was proclaiming was what put him in prison.

For more light, let's look at Paul's other usage of these words...

Ambassador:

2 Corinthians 5:19-20

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

This "word of reconciliation" and "ministry of reconciliation" has to do with God's proclamation of grace and peace to the entire world today in the dispensation of grace! The gospel/good news today to the world is that because of the shed blood of Christ on Calvary's Cross, anyone in the entire world can have a relationship with the living God if they trust Him by faith! That is NOT the message of God to the world in time past under the Law with Israel! That is the new revelation given to our Apostle Paul!

Bonds:

Ephesians 3:1-5

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

So it is crystal clear from the scriptures that what Paul is preaching about our Lord Jesus Christ was not something preached or even known previous to him!

So all this makes sense, that the mystery of the Gospel is also Paul's message of the mystery of Christ!

But how or why is it called the mystery if the Christ died for our sins "according to the scriptures?"

Well, although the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament, the meaning of that death, especially in relationship to gentiles was not made known!

Nowhere in scripture did God prophesy that through the shed blood of his cross, God would make a "one new man" called the church the body of Christ, made up primarily of gentiles (and through the fall of Israel), that would then rule and reign with him in the heavenly places!

Another simpler reason Paul uses the terminology "for our sins according to the scriptures" is that he is directly addressing the Jews there in Corinth...both those who were part of the church the body of Christ, and those few members of the Jewish little flock remnant who were mingled amongst them, like in the book of Galatians, when Paul, as he is rebuking Peter says,...

Galatians 2:15

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Paul at times, especially in his earlier epistles during the transition period of the book of Acts (when 1 Corinthians and Galatians was written), would use a lot of Jewish terminology, and quote a lot of Old Testament scripture that the Jews in the Body, as well as the left over remnant of the Little Flock, would know and learn from!

So when Paul says that Christ "died for our sins according to the scriptures," his main target audience was the Jews in the fellowship. And the Jews should have understood this fact as Isaiah testified to it!

Isaiah 53:3-11

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we [Israel] hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we [Israel] esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our [Israel’s] griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we [Israel] did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our [Israel’s] transgressions, he was bruised for our [Israel’s] iniquities: the chastisement of our [Israel’s] peace was upon him; and with his stripes we [Israel] are healed. All we [Israel] like sheep have gone astray; we [Israel] have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all [Israel]. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off [killed] out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my [Isaiah’s] people [Israel] was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many [in Israel]; for he shall bear their [Israel’s] iniquities.

And although His death, burial and resurrection was originally for the Jews, we now know through the ministry of the mystery of Christ given to Paul that He died for the sins of us gentiles as well!

Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many [Israel].

1 Timothy 2:6

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

And our Apostle Paul is that "due time" testifier!

Titus 1:1-3

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Hopefully this helps!

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