Forgiveness according to...

Maybe one of the best ways to demonstrate that the Bible does not say the same thing to everybody at all times is to select a subject, in this case we are going to look at the subject of forgiveness, then compare what the scriptures have to say. There are four men that disseminate doctrine in the Bible; Moses, Jesus, Peter and Paul. So let's take a look and compare what they have to say about the the topic of forgiveness.



MOSES:

• Leviticus 4:26 And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.


• Leviticus 5:13 And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering.


• Leviticus 6:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.


• Leviticus 19:22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.


• Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:

When was the last time you offered a bullock for an atonement? how about a ram without blemish? Okay, I'm being silly now. Clearly, there was the need for a priest, animal sacrifices, altars and much work to get the sin forgiven. I don't want to bog down in the details and procedures of getting a sin forgiven, but if you read through these passages it is obvious the work associated with forgiveness and the need of a priest to mediate and expedite the matter, and at the end of the day, if you sinned again, the whole procedure would need repeated to obtain forgiveness. Talk about a never ending process, mercy.

JESUS:

• Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.


• Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:


• Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


• Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:


• Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.


• Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.


• Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Conditional forgiveness. If you forgive then God will forgive. That is what a covenant relationship consists of, the "if" and "then" position. Don't let these passages be wasted on you in that we can also see the result of not forgiving others was that there was no provision for forgiveness for yourself. The need for a daily inventory of yourself in the matter of forgiving debtors, and just folks that have offended you in any way was absolutely necessary in order to be forgiven by God. If you think these passages apply to us today as we stand firmly in the dispensation of the grace of God you would be wrong. Basing forgiveness from God on the merits of your behaviour or any other facet of your ability would be as denying the efficiency of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ wherein we have our forgiveness.

PETER:

• Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


• Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.


• Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:


• Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.


• Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.


• Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Most of your Christian friends will tell you the church began in Acts chapter 2, when they tell you that, ask them to explain Acts chapter 3:19-21 which declares their sins MAY BE blotted out at the time when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom on the earth. Move on a few more chapters to Acts 5 and show them it was about the nation Israel and not the church, the body of Christ. Acts 5 also declares it was given to them which obey Him, which would include getting dunked in a baptistry and keeping the commandments, and enduring til the end and a whole laundry list of stuff to do. In Acts 8, we see an uncertainty of forgiveness once again from Peter in that he says "if perhaps" the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. You have a "may be" in Acts 3 and a "perhaps if" in Acts 8, that doesn't sound anything like what our Apostle Paul has to say when he speaks of Christ according to the "revelation of the mystery" now does it?

PAUL:

• Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:


• Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.


• Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;


• Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


• Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Did Moses say anything that vaguely resembles these scriptures? How about Peter? Not even Jesus while in His earthly ministry to Israel made such statements. These doctrines are unique to one apostle, that being Paul. Redemption through the blood of Christ and His grace. We are forgiven for Christ's sake, not by offering a ram, not because we have forgiven our debtors, not by being dunked in water or keeping the law.....only by the blood of Jesus Christ! All trespasses were forgiven before anybody reading this was ever born. The issue today is the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe in that Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose the third day. The cross took the sin issue and forgiveness off the table, the only element remaining is....do you trust the Gospel...or not?

Paul is Our Pattern.....Period!

If you would make that statement in front of your church going friends, assuming you still have a few since you have become a Mid Acts Pauline dispensational right divider of God's perfectly preserved word, the King James Bible, they will look at you like you have two heads or are from another planet, even worse, like you belong to some kind of obscure cult they have never heard of. Am I right? You know I am, And we as Mid Acts grace believers are grieved over their lack of understanding or ignorance to the preaching of Jesus Christ the way God intended it to be performed in this present dispensation of the grace of God, according to the revelation of the mystery.

Why would I make a statement like I have made for the title of this post? Answer: because I am a Bible believer and I can read what Paul tells us in....

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Why is that verse never taught or read in a Baptist church? Why do the down right dishonest teachers of the "tithe" and "water baptism" simply ignore or neglect to teach that verse to their people? I think I know why. If Paul was their pattern, it would eliminate their water baptism ministry as well as it would set their people at liberty to give according as they purpose in their heart rather than according to the law and the tithe. Why? Because both doctrines of the tithe and water baptism have no function in this present dispensation of the grace of God according to the doctrines given to our apostle Paul from Christ. That's the short answer. But why is Paul our pattern ...period?

Was Peter the last to see Jesus? In the book of Acts, chapter 1, we see Peter and the apostles of Israel asking Jesus a very important question.....
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Did Jesus tell them what they wanted to know? Did Jesus say you guys are stumbling, are blinded and are about to fall and have no standing because through your fall, salvation will be given to the Gentiles as we are told only through our Apostle Paul? No, No, No, Jesus tells them...
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
In just a few more verse after the ascension, two men upbraid the Apostles of Israel what to expect in....
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 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.
They were told, the next time you guys see Christ is when He will return in like manner. Nobody had a clue that Christ would soon appear to another fellow named Saul in the 9Th chapter of the same book, in real time, it was about 8 months later with an entirely different set of marching orders. Paul recounts the events of Acts chapter 9 when Paul was saved by God's grace and given the Apostleship for this dispensation in Acts 22 saying....
Acts 22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
In just a few more verses, Paul is told by Ananias this...
Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Seen and heard...What did Paul see? He saw Jesus Christ, What did Paul hear? The Gospel of the grace of God for this present dispensation of the grace of God according to the revelation of the mystery. Paul tells us again in 1st Corinthians 15 that he was the last to see Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
If Paul was the last to see Christ, and the first to receive the message of grace salvation without the presence of Israel, that pretty much closes the loop to where we are to go for the doctrines and the marching orders for the church, which is His body doesn't it? Can it get any planner than that? Doesn't Paul tell us in 1st Corinthians 14.....
1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Doesn't Paul tell us to be followers of himself in passages such as....
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Doesn't Paul exhort us to be ye followers of him and mark them which do so in...
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
According to verses 18 and 19, it isn't a pretty picture to neglect your pattern and Apostle to whom your instructions are given. Why would someone choose to ignore these passages as they are so plain. The words are not difficult, the doctrines are simple, what is the problem?
Paul exhorts us to mark them which do not follow his doctrines in....
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Also, not a pretty picture of someone not being Pauline in their doctrine, and yet the modern church machinery today is teaching people to be followers of Jesus, Jesus chasers, stalkers and all kinds of bologna like that totally ignoring the words of the Apostle Paul which were given him through revelation by Christ. But the word of God which discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart has them pegged. They serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly. Fair speeches, good words, ask Jesus in your heart, give your life to Christ, repent of your sins, confess with your mouth, repeat this simple prayer to receive Christ, fair speeches and good words.
Everybody loves the verse in Philippians 4 saying....
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
But the next verse is seldom considered when it says...
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Received, learned, heard, seen,,,,,then do! Sounds like Paul just might be our pattern, what do you think? How easy would it have been for Paul to say "hey fellas, we should be following Jesus as He ministered to Israel" If Paul said that, he would have been totally wrong, doesn't Paul explain that in 2ND Corinthians 5 saying....
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The old things are passed away, Christ"s earthly ministry, the law, water baptism, tithing, Israel, and what does the church machinery put almost all their emphasis on? Christ's earthly ministry and telling baby believers that Jesus is our pattern for living. How awful is that? Did not Jesus operate everyday in His earthly ministry under the law according to....
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To say to someone they should follow Jesus, would not that put them under the law? does not Paul tell us something totally different several times we are not under the law as in ,,,,
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Doesn't Jesus tell a young man the way to obtain eternal life would be by performance and keeping the commandments in....
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Wasn't it Jesus that said the do gooders get life and the do badders get damnation in....
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
How do you reconcile that with what Paul tells us in....
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Is that your pattern? Are you teaching or performing the law program given to Israel? If you are following Jesus you should be. I would suspect if you say you are a follower of Jesus you have not really thought it thoroughly through and are even just repeating something that you heard before which sounded like a Christian slogan therefore you now repeat it in order to sound like you are on a higher spiritual level of some sort. How am I doing so far? Well, I want it to hit you right between the eyes and get your attention and get you engaged in studying the scriptures the way God has instructed us to do so by rightly dividing the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I am going to do a a series of studies on this blog which should make it plan as day where we are to go in the word of truth for our doctrine by comparing what different people in the Bible have to say about the topics of forgiveness, salvation, the law, the body of Christ, etc. It should be an interesting study as I attempt to take a different approach to making all men see....
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Grace and Peace!

The Revelation of the Mystery (conclusion)

Before the eyes of my understanding were enlightened to rightly dividing the word of truth according to Mid Acts Pauline dispensationalism, I thought being a Christian was all about me. My first experience with Christianity was through the ministry of a church named after an Old Testament law abiding Jew who never one day in his life heard or knew anything about the gospel of the Grace of God. Yep, the Baptist church. ( People's Baptist Church). In the Bible, there is but one person called a Baptist, and he never preached the gospel that saves a never dying soul in this administration of the grace of God, John the Baptist preached the kingdom is at hand, not that Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose the third day with victory over death, hell and the grace.

After a few years of story telling from the Bible, and all the legalism associated with the Baptist denomination such as water baptizing , church membership, tithing of course, and all the doctrines associated with Israel which has nothing to do with who we are, I began to search for a church that met my needs, whatever that means, I found one. Faith Assembly of God. They had a rock and roll jitterbug for Jesus band that could play the tunes that would motivate you to do what ever the agenda was for that week. It was a revival service every week. Little did I know at the time a revival service is nothing more than a guilt trip with musical accompaniment and has no association with the church, the body of Christ.

Finally, I began to study the word of God for myself, and when I did, I was not welcome in any church setting I knew of because I began to understand what 2nd Timothy 2:15 was all about. The vast majority of your Bible pertains to God's earthly, kingdom people, function: to have dominion on the earth. Only about 100 pages of your Bible are written pertaining directly to God's heavenly people, the church, the body of Christ, function: a spiritual body of believers to occupy the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That's us!!

Aspect #6 It's not about us, it is about Christ!

From this one point alone, the doctrine installed in your inner man should be activated. Verses should come to mind such as....

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

If you are crucified with Christ, it should be apparent should it not, it is not about you anymore, it is though about Christ. Isn't it troubling to hear someone say or speak about being "born again"? Doesn't that terminology stand in contrast to being crucified with Christ? If you don't think so, let's take another swing at the same concept in Colossians 3....

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Does not that passage go against just about everything you will hear at any given church on any given Sunday morning in your area? I don't know where you live, but there are churches in my area who have been engaged in such heathen activities such as Easter egg hunts proclaiming they are doing that to "bless" their city. Good night Irene! And of course, they claim to have folks "making a commitment to follow Jesus" or "giving their life to Jesus" as well as other completely off track salvation professions with never once hearing the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation. How did things get so goofed up? If someone doesn't know what the Gospel is, how can they be saved? Go figure. Apparently, it is just a good time getting together on the weekend with the hip hop Jesus band and playing church for 60 minutes a week.
This situation makes verses such as this come to mind....

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The glorious gospel of Christ! It is about Christ, not about us doing something such as turning from sin, making a commitment, asking Jesus into our hearts, getting dunked in a baptistry, or anything else....it is all about Jesus Christ! We are dead, not born again and our blessing are found where?

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Our blessing are not found in getting better gas mileage because we paid a "tithe" last week so God is blessing me now. Our blessings are not to be found in physical things on this earth but only in heavenly places...where?...in Christ!

I am going to conclude this series and post with just one more passage in Colossians 2. This is one of my favorites, showing that there is nothing we can add to that which never had anything to do with us to begin with. In chapter 2, we read....

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

If your church ever speaks about philosophy in a manner such as "what the author intended to say in this passage is"....or vain deceit in a manner such as a preacher always talking about himself....or the tradition of men such as..."we will have a water baptism at the conclusion of the service" ....after the rudiments of the world.(just because everybody does it does not make it correct to do)....the concluding statement is ..AND NOT AFTER CHRIST. Does this not jump off the page that is is ALL ABOUT CHRIST? I think it does.

To conclude this series of posts on the "revelation of the mystery", It would not be complete without the presentation of the gospel given to Paul from the risen Christ for usward in this present dispensation of the grace of God.

The Gospel....
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which we are saved.....
1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
This is the object of our faith.....
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Place your trust and faith in what Christ has already done to save your never dying soul, God will count your faith as righteousness and save you, seal you unto the day of redemption, seat you in heavenly places in Christ Jesus......the only thing missing then would be your service to Him as His ambassador with the word of reconciliation just as I presented it to you. Grace and Peace!

Philippians 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Revelation of the Mystery (part 7)

As we approach the next aspect of the revelation of mystery, I think it is a wise thing to use Bible language and not use terminology that is not within the pages of scripture. The next aspect of the revelation of the mystery is directed to the " caught up" doctrine which is commonly referred to as the "rapture" of the church. If you have God's perfectly preserved word in the English language, the word "rapture" does not appear, therefore, it would only be a wise and correct position to take in using the correct words from a correct Bible, the authorized King James Version. If you were speaking to a Jehovah's Witness and used the word "trinity", the JW would call you out on that and put you on the defence even though you can easily prove the triune God, the word "trinity" does not appear in the pages of your Bible. The same goes with the word "rapture", so let's be the people of the book we should be and correct our language to match the words God would have us to use. Our faith is the product of God's word rightly divided, we are not a people of an oral tradition, we should shed whatever tradition we are carrying with us as we endeavor to study to shew ourselves approved unto God.

Aspect #5 We will meet the Lord in the air!

How many times have you heard someone say "the Lord is coming back soon"? Whenever I hear that statement, it makes me wonder if that person knows what they have said. Are they expecting Christ to physically return to this earth, therefore to establish the kingdom on the earth? Sadly, that is exactly what most folks are anticipating to happen being ignorant of the information given us by Jesus Christ through the apostle Paul according to the revelation of the mystery. Jesus Christ will indeed return to this earth after the tribulation period, assuming His position as Israel's king seated on David's throne ruling over the twelve tribes. The church, the body of Christ in this present dispensation of the grace of God look forward to an event that was never prophesied, but kept secret since the world began.

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul reveals in 1st Corinthians 15 the changing from corruptible to incorruptible, the earthly image to the heavenly image, bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial, the natural body raised a spiritual body. The entire passage from verse 40 through verse 54 is speaking in concern to being "caught up to meet the Lord in the air". Paul would not have us to be "ignorant" brethren, but that we would be informed of this mystery.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.

Meeting the Lord in the air is a doctrine given to Paul alone by revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ and is a great source of comfort. We will not be partakers of the wrath to come, for God has appointed us to salvation, not wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

This subject has been debated by Theologians for years and most believe the "caught up" passages are the same as the passages referring to Christ's return to the earth., thus proving it is not enough to be Biblical, or scriptural, it is essential to be dispensational in your belief system in order to have a proper understanding of who Christ has made you in this present dispensation of the grace of God! It is not essential to believe we will meet the Lord in the air to be saved, but it demonstrates ignorance to the doctrine given to the body of Christ if you believe otherwise. Actually, if you believe you will be here on the earth with Christ in His kingdom position, in some form you are usurping the position of Israel and disregarding or blending the doctrines associated with the body of Christ with that of the nation Israel.

There are numerous verses in Pauline scripture pointing to this doctrine of the "meeting the Lord in the air". I challenge you to search the scriptures and make your own list of verses on this aspect of the mystery. In 1st Thessalonians, you can find a verse in each chapter which speaks to this doctrine. In Galatians, Paul makes this statement which undeniably speaks to this aspect of the mystery in chapter 1....

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

To deliver us from this "present evil world", could that mean anything but to the being "caught up to meet the Lord in the air"?
There are many more, but you do the work, you assemble a list of your own, be the workman that needeth not to be ashamed. You will find it quite edifying and very comforting, knowing....

1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Revelation of the Mystery (part 6)

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Aspect #4 All men can be saved apart from Israel

Before the dispensation of the grace of God began in the 9th chapter of the book of Acts, in order for a person to be accepted of God, that person would have to proselytize into the nation of Israel through either circumcision or water baptism. In doing so, that person would be placed into Israel's covenant position and performance program under the 613 points of the law. In this present dispensation of the grace of God, Israel has no standing for as much as God has concluded all under sin and in doing so, He might have mercy upon all.

Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Therefore, salvation is offered to all people with Israel having no mediator position.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

In the Old Testament book of Mathew chapter 15, the Lord Jesus Christ tells a woman of Canaan to whom He was sent....

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

In the same Old Testament book of Mathew chapter 10, we see to whom Jesus sent His disciples to and what they were to preach....

Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

I have actually heard people say..."we are the lost sheep Jesus is referring to in those verses" Or they might say things like the Bible is mistaken, or what it really means is...or..that is a bad translation. Have you ever heard statements like that? People will do or say anything to fit themselves into scriptures that are never intended or directed towards them in any respect. I purposefully began in verse 6 of Mathew 10 in order to now post verse 5 which plainly says that Gentiles were excluded from the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Do you need anymore proof than Mathew 10:5 declaring the offer of salvation at that time and ministry of Christ was not to the Gentiles but only to that of the lost sheep of the house of Israel?
I'll give you one more. The apostle Paul backs up what Jesus ministry was while here on this earth in Romans 15....

Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

In this dispensation in which we reside, salvation is offered to ALL men apart from Israel, apart from the covenants of promise, apart from the law, apart from performance. Salvation today is offered solely on the finished work of Christ, His death, burial and resurrection having victory over death, Hell and the grave!

No difference in Jew or Gentile in this dispensation of the grace of God!

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

In the Old Testament book of Mathew once again, Jesus was explaining to them about their position in their kingdom setting on the earth, and again He showed them the limit to whom His earthly ministry was directed in saying...

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.

Now, compare that statement to what the apostle Paul has to say about to whom the life of Christ was a ransom for in....

1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Did you see the difference? Jesus said "many", Paul said "all". All is many, but many is not all. Words are funny that way, they mean stuff. In this case, Jesus signified his life was ransomed for Israel, and Paul, through the preaching of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery explains Christ was ransomed for all. Note how 1 Timothy 2:6 concludes in saying "to be testified in due time", don't let that be wasted on you in as much as Paul is the due time testifier of the revelation of the mystery as we see in these verses where Paul explains that he is the last to see Jesus and the first to get this message.

1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

If we are up to speed on our Bible exegesis, Paul is our pattern. If you want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, then believe what He said and that would be to follow the one He sent.....Paul.

The Revelation of the Mystery (part 5)

Aspect #3: The position we have in Christ

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In this present dispensation of the grace of God, we can rejoice in our position in Christ which is afforded us through the Gospel of Christ. Our position in Christ is not a work in progress based upon our performance such as maintaining a level of obedience to the law, or keeping the faith, or praying, or any activity that is often associated with what people think or believe is required for being a Christian, on the contrary, we are complete in Christ by simply trusting what Christ did to save our never dying souls.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The absolute best explanation of the salvation transaction is contained in one scripture, demonstrating the steps necessary to be saved. We are saved by God's grace through faith, and the object of our faith is the gospel of the grace of God.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Let's break that down:

• You hear the gospel of your salvation
• You believe the gospel
• You are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise
• You trust Christ

It can't be any clearer than that! When you are saved, you are sealed, you are complete in Christ! What could you possibly add to anything that God has declared to be complete? I submit if you think you can or must add to the finished work of Jesus Christ to be saved, you have not trusted in the gospel, rather you are trusting in what you must do to complete the transaction, therefore, making the cross of Christ of none effect. It can be as subtle as asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins, asking Jesus into your heart by praying a prayer, water baptism to seal the deal, joining a church, whatever it may be, it is an offence to the gospel and should be avoided. Place your faith in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and God will count your faith as righteousness and place you in His body, complete in Christ and sealed unto the day of redemption!

The Gospel of Christ, the gospel of the grace of God, the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery can only be found in the writings of the apostle Paul for us in this present dispensation of the grace of God. It is only through the Apostle Paul can we find the "gospel of our salvation" as stated in Ephesians 1:13. I submit to you, the Gospel!

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

There it is, the gospel of "your" salvation. You can search the scriptures from beginning to end and the only place you will find the gospel that saves your never dying soul in this present dispensation of the grace of God is in the writings of our Apostle. Paul was saved in the 9th chapter of the book of Acts when he was on the road to Damascus. His first message was given in the 13th chapter of Acts wherein he said...

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

That was something new! Justification by simply believing, no works, no law. The apostle Peter said something completely different in Acts 2 and 3 when he said.....

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Don't let the word "remission" get away from you in the above scripture. Remission is not the same as forgiveness. If you or someone you know has cancer in remission, the cancer is not gone but will have to be dealt with a a latter time. Peter explains it better in the 3rd chapter when he says....

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Did you see it? Israel's sins will be dealt with when Christ returns in the times of restitution, which is when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on this earth. Let's look at what Paul tells us about our position in Christ in regards to our sins in Colossians 2:13....

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Our sins are forgiven, Israel's sins are in remission. Two different words, two different meanings, with two different results. This clearly demonstrates how the apostle Paul could say what he said in Romans 5:11....

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

We have now received the atonement is what Israel cannot say until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth when He sets up His kingdom. Peter eluded to this when he wrote to the little flock of Israel in 1st Peter 1:13....

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Clearly, we in this present dispensation of the grace of God do not have to hope to the end for the grace of God to be brought unto us, we have a present possession of the atonement therefore we joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are complete in Christ!!

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

The Revelation of the Mystery (part 4)

A brief summary as to what has been determined so far includes :

• There is more than two sections in your Bible.
• There is a division between the prophetic scriptures and the mystery scriptures.
• The prophetic scriptures are contained in the Old and New Testament.
• Both Old and New Testaments are written to one group of people, that being the nation Israel.
• Paul alone was given the new information referred to as the "revelation of the mystery.
• Israel has no standing or advantage in this present dispensation of the grace of God.

Aspect #2; The New Creature!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God is not involved in nation building in this present dispensation of the grace of God, instead, He is building a spiritual body of believers, the new creation, the church, the body of Christ! I was always told the "new creature" in this passage was about myself, but the truth is, it's about the new creature, which is His body, the church. I know that is true according to the next verse which states ....

2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

The "old things" from verse 17 can no doubt be Israel, the twelve tribes, the law program, water baptism, tithing, the priesthood, and so forth. There is a new sheriff in town, the church, the body of Christ. We are not the "born again" people from John chapter 3 in which Jesus speaking to Nicodemus states, "ye must be born again" Surely, if something is "again" speaks to something that has already been beforehand. Paul tells us we are in the "new creature" which speaks to something that has never been before. Something that is NEW cannot be something that is AGAIN. The words are different and have different meanings. In Exodus 4, Moses was instructed to speak to Pharaoh and say....

Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Surely, Nicodemus, a master of Israel had knowledge of the fact of Israel being God's firstborn, so it would only make sense for Jesus to explain to him in the Old Testament book of John....

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

At this point, Jesus is bring Nicodemus up to speed which had already been prophesied from such passages as in Ezekiel 36 verses 22-27. Verses 26 and 27 details what it means for Israel to be "born again"....

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The statutes in verse 27 would be the 613 points of law given to the nation Israel concerning their covenant position with God. Israel is never separated from the law program whether it be Old Testament or in their New Testament position. The church, the body of Christ has no association with the law program other than it was our schoolmaster which brings us to Christ as Paul tells us in Galatians....

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

What once was profitable....

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Romans 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Is now unprofitable..

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

The "new creature" the church, the body of Christ has the "all things become new" from 2 Corinthians 5:17, let's examine some of the new things.

• One body......not 12 tribes.....Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
• One Apostle....not 12 Apostles, 1 for each tribe....Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
• One baptism......not a water ceremony.....1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
• Under Grace....not under the law.....Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
• Complete in Christ.....not enduring unto the end to be saved....Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
• Spiritual blessings....not an earthly orientation.....Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ :
• Ambassadorship....not a discipleship....2 Corinthians 5:20 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.
• Giving from the heart......not according to the "tithe" of the law........2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

There are many many more, these are just a few to give you a feel for identifying the "new things" associated with the "new creature" the church, the body of Christ. I hope this in some way has helped you in beginning to distinguish the changes in doctrine from the "old things" which have passed away in contrast to the "all things have become new"doctrines.

The Revelation of the Mystery (part 3)

Let's do a quick summary as to what has been determined so far. Firstly, there is more than just two sections or divisions in your Bible than the Old and New Testament. Secondly, there is information everyone had access to in that it was spoken from the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, and there is a body of data that was kept secret since the world began until it was given to the Apostle Paul by revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ. Thirdly, both Old and New Testament are written to and concerning the nation Israel in their covenant relationship with God. This brings us up to speed and ready to continue forward to look at what is the "revelation of the mystery".

Aspect # 1 Israel has no standing.

This first aspect of the mystery information effects every issue, every scripture, every doctrine, everything you have ever been taught concerning your Bible and how a soul is saved today as well as where we go in the scriptures for our marching orders. Every aspect of the revelation of the mystery is hinged on this first aspect. What once was God's chosen vessel for all nations and people to be accepted and blessed of God, He Himself has set this program aside for a time and has instituted something else for a period of time properly referred to as a dispensation.

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

The Apostle Paul was the sole recipient of the information regarding the revelation of the mystery which is the doctrine for this present dispensation of the grace of God. The first aspect of the revelation of the mystery is revealed in Romans chapter 11 in regards to Israel's position and standing. This is the key that unlocks the mystery information which was kept secret since the world began.

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Did you see that? through their (Israel) fall salvation has come to the Gentiles. Apparently, something has changed. Abraham was told by God that through the rise of the nation Israel, everyone could be blessed.

Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Once again, we see the descendants of Abraham are the seed in which all the families of the earth are to be blessed.....

Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Again, we see the promise passed on to Issac and his seed, which is Jacob, later to be named Israel in Genesis 32.

Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Genesis 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

Do you see it? Israel has been chosen to be the conduit of blessing from God. Access to God was through the nation Israel as set forth from Genesis 12 through Abraham, then to Issac and then to Israel. Let's see it again in Zechariah chapter 8.....

Zechariah 8:21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

Zechariah 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Finally, let's take a look at what the Lord Jesus Christ has to say about it in the Old Testament book of John chapter 4.......

John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Surely, we can determine that salvation was available to all nations and people through the rise of the nation Israel. The scriptures speak clearly to this truth and it was known by everyone since it was spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began. What you cannot find in the prophetic scriptures is any mention pertaining to the FALL of Israel being a blessing to anyone. You will not find a single mention anywhere in the Bible that the fall of Israel would be beneficial to anyone other than through the apostle Paul according to the revelation of the mystery.

The apostle Paul makes it clear that the fall of Israel is an essential doctrine for us to grasp in order to understand our position in this present dispensation of the grace of God. Perhaps the most egregious error being propagated from pulpits all over the world is that the church, the body of Christ has replaced Israel in one form or the other. It has been said that the largest denomination in church history is that of the "ignorant brethren". If you think that you are Israel, either spiritual, replacement, or even going as far as thinking you have become physical Israel, Paul declares that you are ignorant of the mystery and have become wise in your own conceits. Ignorance has a cure, it is called study, so let's keep going!

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Israel has been blinded, they have stumbled, they have fallen, therefore, Israel has no standing in this dispensation of the grace of God. This is the key to getting your Bible right. You are not blessed by the rise of Israel today because Israel has fallen and has been set aside. If you think you are Israel today, you cannot claim to be saved today. God made a covenant with them before this dispensation of the grace of God, and their salvation is yet and still future.

Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

The next verse in this passage speaks to the failure to rightly divide the word of truth in that thinking you are Israel in any regard, whether it be spiritual, replacement or even some form of physical Israel. If you are expecting Israel's blessings by performing Israel's doctrine, as the night follows the day, you are believing in some manner that you are Israel. That is not where you need to be according to....

Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

In conclusion, we have seen the institution of the nation Israel as the conduit of blessing to all the families on the earth. We have seen the promise go to Abraham then to Issac and then to Jacob which is called Israel. As late as John 4:22 we hear Jesus pronounce salvation to be of the Jews, then in Romans 11, we hear Paul declare the first aspect of the revelation of the mystery which is the fact that Israel has fallen and has no standing. In the next post we will begin to see the changes in doctrine from the result of their fall and where we are today in this unprophecied present dispensation of the grace of God.