THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE

 One of the  first mysteries mentioned in the Bible is found in Matthew 13 is told by Christ and pertains to the “kingdom of heaven”.  So of course the next question is; “What is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ ”?  The next major mysteries, also the majority of mysteries come from the writings of Paul.  These are the ones that pertain to the Church Age, which is the present time or age that we are living in right now.  The last major mystery listed in the Bible is found in Revelation 1: 20 which is the mystery of the seven stars.  The mysteries are explained in God’s Word, but one must get off the milk and study for the “meat” of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).

First we will start with a short explanation of the “kingdom of Heaven”.  The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” was announced by John the Baptist and first found in Matt. 3:2.  This is referring to Christ, the Messiah who was among them right then and there, in physical form walking among them, ministering, healing and showing miracle and signs proving who He was (1 Cor. 1:22).  We can gather from this that Christ has to be physically present in order for the “kingdom of heaven” to be here on earth.  We also know that the kingdom is what the Jew has been looking for as is mentioned many times throughout prophecies listed in the Old Testament.  Christ is now in heaven, so the kingdom is currently in heaven.  This kingdom will not return to the earth till King’s second coming and then He will reign 1000 years as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19 and 20).  This time is known as the seventh dispensation, the kingdom and it is also referred to as the Millennial Reign.  So when the Bible talks about the “kingdom of heaven” it is talking about an earthly event (as far as man is concerned) and this is exactly what Israel was looking for the first time Christ was on earth.  This seventh dispensation also is referenced in Eph. 1:10 as, “the dispensation of the fullness of times”, where Christ brings together things of heaven and earth in His reign in this 1000 year kingdom.  One should always keep in mind that these covenants and promises of this wonderful kingdom and age have always been directed to the Jews.  So when this happens it will once again be a fulfillment of prophecies, covenants and promises made to the forefathers (the Jewish nation).

The next mystery mentioned is that of Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, . . .that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”.   Another reference found in Rom. 11:7-8, “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day”.  These verses tell that Israel will be spiritually blinded by God for a time.  And additional verses found in 2 Cor. 3:14 and 4:4 tells of Israel’s blindness today.  But God’s hiding His meaning to the Jews is not new, (look up Luke 18:34).  What are they blinded to:  they are blinded to the fact that God walked among them 2000 years ago.  This blindness in turn leaves the Jewish majority blinded to the Gospel of Grace (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10: 9-10 or the “death, burial and resurrection), naturally if you do not believe that Christ was here in the first place (1 Cor. 2:7-8), then certainly one cannot believe in His death or resurrection. 

Another mystery revealed by Paul is found in Romans 16:25-26 and this mystery tells about salvation going to “all nations”, meaning the Gentiles.  It will be taken by the apostle Paul to the Gentiles and their conversion being by faith alone.  A better detailed explanation of this mystery is found in Eph. 3:2-7, here you will discover that this was a revelation given to Paul by the ascended Christ to give to the Gentiles and that past ages had no knowledge of it.   Now in this time period God is giving salvation through grace alone to all having faith in that gospel of grace. 

Another mystery found in 1 Cor. 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory”.  For further explanation drop down to verse 12 which tells us that we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (Dt. 29:29).  Then drop down to verse 14 to find out why not all can understand the deeper meanings of Scripture, “But the natural (carnal or the unbelieving) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. . .”, but this means that the believer can. 

One more mystery is that now the Church is now the body of Christ, (Col. 1:24-27). 

Another mystery that all Christians are waiting for is found in 1 Cor. 15:51”Behold I show you a mystery:  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.”  More information about this event is found in 1 Thess. 4:13-17 and in verse 17 we find the words, “Then we who 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.”  These underlined phrases answers much confusion today.   Also found in 2 Thess. 2:1-3 which tells us about the being gathered unto to the Lord and that the “man of sin” cannot be revealed until there comes a “departure” (which is what “falling away” means and is what word most older version use).  This brings about another mystery mentioned in verses 7 and 8.

The mystery of 2 Thess. 7 and 8 where the antichrist is revealed is another mystery which of course takes place in the tribulation period.  This section of scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is hindering the man of iniquity.  And how is this accomplished today?  The indwelling Holy Spirit in Christians is a hindrance to keep sin from taking over the world today.  Now what is going to happen when all believers depart?  When those doing the hindrance will no longer be here and now verse 8 can come about, “And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth…”   What we have here is a verse that validates a pre-tribulation rapture.

When we READ and study the Bible we find that it is definitely multi-leveled and when we actually do what Christians are supposed to do (that is to mature in the Word), then we are following 2 Tim. 2:15 by rightly dividing the Word of truth.  And when the Bible is rightly divided into the applicable groups we find that the Bible is not confusing (1 Cor. 14:33), it actually fits nicely like a puzzle.

Col. 1:26, “Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.  (Gal. 2:20”…but Christ liveth in in me:…”.)  To understand about this mystery read and apply what Jesus told the Pharisees in John 8: 12-19 about “…if you had known me, you should have known my Father also”, again reference to the trinity all in one.  The Church now has the indwelling Holy Spirit which is the third part of the trinity, so statements like “God in us” or “Christ in us” or “the Holy Spirit in us” is concerning the trinity and all become one in the same.  Romans 8:9, ”But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you,.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  1 Cor. 3:16”…and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you”  1 Cor. 6:19, Eph. 4:6, “But God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”    Of course there are other references to the indwelling Spirit, but this is just one more new thing to identify this age of grace like Col. 1:27, etc. 

Many more things are brought out to this age of grace here in the Pauline writings; such as the Church is the Bride of Christ, Eph. 5:23-32.  Christ is the head of body (the Church), Col. 1:18.  Sin is not imputed, Romans 5:13; Col. 2:13; 2 Cor. 5:19.  The Church’s citizenship is in heaven, Phil. 3:20 and Col. 1:13.  Paul’s important part when he was given these revelations to reveal to us, Gal. 1:10-19, Eph. 1:9, 3:3.  The Church is joint-heirs with Christ, Eph. 1:11, Rom. 8:17, and the list could continue.  But we must realize that we are living in a very special time this “Age of Grace” and these mysteries revealed mostly here in the Pauline Epistles give us great insight to what is happening today and how special we really are to God.

The last major mystery spoken of is the one of seven stars in Rev. 1:20.  These seven stars are angels or messengers that take God’s message to a believer.  In this particular instance the message was sent to the seven listed churches found in chapter two and three of Revelation.  A star represents light and God is light and His Word represents God’s light, so consequently any bringing a message of God’s Word could be considered such a messenger.

Mysteries are only secret until God decides to reveal them to man (Dt. 29:29).  Now our job as believers is a combination of 1 Cor. 4:1-2 and Rom. 10:14-15 and here we are to be “ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”  And in Romans it tells us that we are to proclaim or teach God’s Word.  Rom. 10:17, “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Our job is not to SAVE sinners, but to present the Word to sinners and leave the saving of the soul to the one who can 1 Cor. 3:6.  To present the truth to sinners we must first know what we are talking about and that requires knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word that He has given us.  That requires searching the scriptures for the truth and this will prevent the spreading of false doctrine and teachings so often warned about in the scriptures.  All should often re-read 2 Tim. 2:15.

THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Christ, God the Son verified in Mt. 8:29, and Satan, the god of this world, 2 Cor. 4:4 are at “enmity” with each other, Gen. 3:15.  There is no question but Christ stands for good and Satan stands for evil.  But think about this for a second, that one could not be known without the other.  For at this present time we need both, this will force man to use his God given “free will” and make a choice. 

Good is often represented by the word light and evil by the word darkness in the Bible.  The two cannot exist in the same space, they are totally opposites.  Light overpowers darkness, Jn. 1:5 and Christ says that, “I am the light of the world”, Jn. 8:12.   Satan is linked to darkness, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against; powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.    And 2 Cor. 6:14, “…And what communion hath light with darkness?”  Just like the reaction between light and darkness, turn the lights on in a dark room and darkness flees, turn the lights off and darkness returns. 

The conflict is over the relationship of God the Father with man.  Satan’s goal is to drive man away from God, but through Christ is found the way back to God.  We find this conflict first prophesied in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he (Christ) shall bruise thy head, and thou (Satan) shalt bruise his heel”.  The first major face off happened during the first advent found in Mt. 4:1-11,”Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil…”  the next major encounter will be at the second advent when Christ has an angel to bind Satan for a thousand years, Rev, 20:2-3.  And the final battle is found a few verses later 20:7-10 and Satan “was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever”.

Jesus leads the way.

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”, Jn. 8:12.   And those that believe in Jesus, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (17) And if children, then heirs-heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ-if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”   Rom. 8:14, 17.   Paul talking to the believers also said in 1 Thess. 5:4-5, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all children of light, and children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”  So for the believer, those that follow Christ are not still in darkness (evil) ways.  The believer is to be Christ-like (that is what the word Christian means) and therefore follow good not evil.  But we know that even though we are Christians we still are in our physical (carnal, evil) bodies.  John writes in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”  Yes, we still have a physical body and occasionally this carnal or Adam nature will win out at times and we will sin.  What do we do then?  That what John was telling us is to do, our very best not to sin, but if and when it happens Christ is there at the right hand of the Father pleading our case.  But also before God is another there accusing us of each sin day and night.  Rev. 12:10, “…for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night”.  Satan is there and each time we sin he is telling God now look at so and so, look at that sin, and then Christ will respond and say to the Father that we are one of His and that our sin has already been paid for by the shedding of His own blood.  Of course, that probably is not literally what is said, but hopefully there is enough there for you to get the idea.

Christ the mediator.  1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus”.  Heb. 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises”.  Heb. 12:24, “And to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel”.    Peter also warns us of the devil by saying, 1 Pt. 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil. Like a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;” 

We have two places in the Bible that talks about Satan’s origin.  He was covered with every precious stone, anointed as a cherub, Ez. 28:12-15.  Satan’s sin Isa. 14:12-14, “How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of morning!  How art thou cut down to the ground, who didst weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will set also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High (Christ)”.  Ez. 28:16-17, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee, with violence, and thou hast sinned; therefore, I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God,  and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness; I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”   God says that Satan will be punished.

Power of Satan is spoken of in many places in the Bible.  So one should never, never underestimate his power.  Michael would not rebuke Satan, Jude 9, “Yet Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”  Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.  A Christian does not have to go looking for this evil, it will come to him.

How does one fight against such evil? How did Jesus fight Satan in the wilderness?  How will Christ fight Satan at Gog and MaGog?   He will with the sword that comes out of His mouth, the word, just speaking to cause a plague.

How are we to fight against these powers?  Go back to Ephesians 6:11-20 and here we find that we are to “Put on the whole armor of God…, loins girded about with truth,… breastplate of righteousness…feet shod with preparation of the gospel…shield of faith…helmet of salvation…sword of the Spirit… (and all of these come from where) which is the word of God”.

One thing I have assurance of is that in the life after this, everything for everyone will be different.

But we can look to see the light at the end of the tunnel in that New Heaven and New Earth where there is no evil.

The Fight Between Good and Evil is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

God created for six days and He said that it was good, then, it was finished so He rested, Gen 2:2.  Now Christ has finished His work of the cross and now He also has sat down.  Heb. 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our rfaith. who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”   These two scriptures let us know that up to this particular time, God’s plan is on schedule and this part is completed.

Now we know that Christ is not walking with His disciples today.  The role of being the prophet, the sacrificial lamb is over.   The requirements for the law has been met.  All the prophecies of the first advent has been fulfilled.  Rom. 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.”  Now it is time to move on to the dispensation of grace and leave behind the dispensation of law.

Now Christ has finished-

1. The sacrifices.  The atonement for sins. 1 Cor. 3:13.  (A)  Because Christ has now atoned for all sins past, present and future.  (B)  No longer is sin the judging criteria for man.  (C)  At the Bema Judgment Seat what is the evidence that will be pesented for judgment? [Works]  (D)  What evidence will be presented at the Great White Throne Judgment? [Works]
2. Judaism that is Temple worship and sacrifices is of no avail and can now be put away.  The Temple at Jerusalem can now be destroyed like it had been prophesied by Jesus in Matthew.  This event occurred in 70 A.D. (A)  Done away with having to go to a Temple in order to worship God.  (B)  Done away with having to go to a Temple to fulfill rituals, like sacrifices and required attendance at certain feasts.  (C)  Done away with having to go to the Temple to give alms, get forgiveness or to pray.  (D)  Done away with having to go to the Temple to have someone else talk to God for you.  (E)  In this dispensation of grace, you are the Temple.  (F)  Now the Holy Spirit is “indwelling” with a role of guidance and utterance.

The old covenant is now useless and this is where the new begins.  The old covenant was OK, but Paul says the new covenant is better.  This is the whole theme of Hebrews.  The book of Hebrews is telling the Jews to give up Judaism, the old covenant and take up Grace, the new covenant.  Rom. 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace.”

The old covenant, the Mosaic Law. Rom. 10:14 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.”  The old covenant was between God and Israel and was an earthly covenant.  The promised land was here on earth, the priest was here on earth, the kingdom was to be here on earth and the Temple was here on earth.  This system was full of legalism.  One must do it this way and not do these things.  Full of do’s and don’ts, rules, regulations and rituals.  Things of this covenant were physical,earthly, visibile or tangible.  Enforced by punishement or even death for wrong deeds committed.  The Jews were dealing with a God of wrath or anger.

The new covenant, that which we are under now, is called grace.  This is a heavenly covenant between God, Christ and Christians.  As the song says, “this land is not our home”, heaven is our home.  Our head (the high priest) is not in this world today.  Neither is our rewards of this world.  We are not God’s “people”, we are His children.  Israel is God’s people.  God’s children are “translated into the kingdom of his dear Son” Col. 1:13.  “They are not of this world even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16, “but ye (the Gentile and Jewish Christians that make up the Church) are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels (heavenly, not earthly). 23.  To the general assembly and Church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, and to God.  The Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. 24.  And to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. . .” Heb. 12:22-24a.  These scriptures are referring to the Grace Age and being with Christ.  Things of this covenant are spiritual, heavenly, invisible.  Encouraged by promise of reward hereafter.  The Church is dealing with a God of forgiveness or grace “For God hath not appointed us (the Chruch) to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thess. 5:9.  “Everybody now has access to God, we no longer have to go through a Temple, priest, sacrifices or rituals.

The Gospel of the Kingdom.  This gospel was preached by John the Baptist, Jesus and the twelve. Mt. 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. . .”  This gospel has been set aside till after the Church has been ratured.  This gospel shows that God intends to set up an earthly kingdom that is prefect.  This kingdom will be in fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

The Gospel of Salvation which is also known as Paul’s Gospel.  Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  Also in Heb. 12:2 we find that Jesus is the author and  finisher of our faith.  “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Les Feldick says that “I don’t think any human being can comprehend all that was accomplished when He (Christ) finished the work of the cross.”  He also says that “Faith + (Nothing) = Salvation”.

What can we add to what Christ did at the cross?  What else must we do to be saved?  Eph. 2:8-10. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves.  [it is] a gift of God. 9. Not of works lest any man should boast. 10.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”   Romans 4:1-4 tells us that Abraham was given righteousness by his faith, no works involved here.  What other Old Testament saint was saved by just faith alone?

Jesus came.  He was crucified, buried, and then resurrected by the power of God.  This fulfillment was in accordance to the prophecies of the Old Testament.  Today by the gospel that Paul preached, we live under the Age of Grace and our only requirement for salvation in this age is faith.

IT IS FINISHED part three is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Why did Christ have to fulfill the law for man?  remember God does not want anyone to perish, 2 Peter 3:9.  But all that the law did was condemn man.  Just as was said earlier in part one Romans 3:20, we find that the “law” could not justify any flesh, all it could do was show that man was a sinner.  The law had no power to help us abstain from sinning.  Romans 8:3-4.  Then how are we justified before God?  Through God’s grace Christ was sent to be the perfect sacrifice.  Romans 3:25 “who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.”  Romans 8:3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”

Christ was the only one worthy to fulfill the law.  Back in part one it showed how Christ was the perfect sacrifice.  God demanded the law be fulfilled before the dispensation of grace could begin.  In Mt. 5:17-18, Christ said in the Sercom on the Mount, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophetes, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.”  So first the law had to be completed.

The “Law” is perfect from God’s viewpoint.  Remember that the Godhead is perfect.  The law is telling us what God is, this is His character.  God is perfect and has no problem at all keeping the law, the law is really just a picture of what God is like.  But man on the other hand,  since the old Adam fell, man is not perfect.  No man has been able to keep the law.  Consequently no man has the ability to be justified or sanctified in the eyes of God.  This is why Christ had to come as a baby Jesus.  This is why Christ had to die for He was the only perfect sacrifice that could be acceptable to God to justify or sanctify man in God’s eyes.  The dispensation of law had to be fulfilled before the dispensation of grace could start.

Now how did Christ fullfill the law?  Now lets take a close look at Romans 3:23-26 and we can see how the new Gospel of Salvation works.  “For all (men) have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Consequence being death) 24.  being justified (being pardoned of all charges) freely by his (God’s) grace through the redemption (the removing and freeing from bondage) that is in Christ Jesus, 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (the payment of the fine to gain the good will of God) through faith in his blood (which is our part of salvation), to declare his (Christ) righteousness for the remission (payment) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26. To declare, I say, at the time his (Christ) righteousness, that he (God) might be just (fair), and the justifier (the one who declares freedom) of him (the Christian) who believeth in Jesus.”  Here scripture tells that all men are sinners and deserve death, but God through His grace sent His Son to be the redeemer.  Christ, using His own blood paints the sinner clean and righteous to God”s eyes.  Now all one has to do is accept the gift and believe in what Jesus did at the cross.  This is called the Gospel of Salvation.

Christ is the only one who had no sin in his blood.  Christ had no earthly father, Luke 1:35.  Sin is transmitted through the blood of the father into all his children.   Since the mother has an earthly father she has sin in her blood.  But the mother’s and child’s blood is not mixed in the womb.   This will prohibit the sin that is in the blood be transfered by the mother.  Since Christ’s father had no sin in his blood, then sin was not transmitted to Christ as it is in all other humans.   Because Christ had no sin in His blood then He became the only sacrificial lamb that could be worthy.  He had absolutely no blemish.   Even if a man could go through his entire life without sinning, he would still have sin in blood that had been passed down from his father, which could be traced all the way back to Adam.  Man with an earthly father could never be perfect.   This is why only Christ is worthy. 

IT IS FINISHED part two is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

What did Christ mean by the statement “It is finished” in John 19:30?  Another term often used for the word finished is “fulfilled”.   Well what was Christ’s purpose for coming to earth as the “Son of man” or as God in the flesh?  When Christ stated that it was finished, He was meaning that His purpose up to that time, had been accomplished.  God’s plan was now completed. Christ finished another critical step that man could not do himself.  Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection has now redeemed man from the bondage of sin.

What was it that man could not do?  Man could not offer an acceptable sacrifice that would permanently cover sin and heal the relationship between man and God.  Without this sacrifice man was doomed by God’s own judgment in Romans 6:23.

God’s ultimate judgment upon man.  God said all are guilty and the sentence is death, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death. . .” then add Romans 3:23a “For all have sinned. . .” equates, from God’s point of view, all men deserve death.  But this was not God’s purpose for man.  2 Peter 3:9b tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  So God devised a plan to bring man to an acceptable righteous being Romans 5:20b, “but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”  But first the law had to be fulfilled.

God’s plan for man’s redemption began in Gen. 3:15 with the prophecy about woman’s seed.  Over the next 4000 years that one prophecy was followed by over 350 more written concerning the first advent which would bring us up to the time of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  To fulfill the law there had to be a perfect sacrifice.  Jesus did not have an earthly father, therefore the sin of Adam was not present in the blood.  Because Jesus had no sin then He could be the eternal sacrifice without “any” blemish.

How the Mosaic Law affected man can be found in Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, (Israel) that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world (the law was given to Israel, but was expanded to every man and condemned the entire world.) may become guilty before God.  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.”  also in Gal. 2:16 “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The law is by definition God’s character.  To God, the law is just how He is every day.  But for man, who is not perfect, man can never be free of sin on his own.  Remember if one has an earthly father, then he already has the Adam sin nature in his blood.  To man the law is a death sentence.  The law was never a saving tool, it was a judgment tool in that it showed man that no matter how hard he tried, he would still have sin, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. . .”  Romans 6:23 “For the wages (sentence) of sin is death. . .”.

The law was the “schoolmaster” Gal. 3:24, in that it taught us that we do sin.  Keeping the law has never saved anyone nor will it ever save anyone.  Keeping the law would be saving by works and we know what the Scripture says in Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. 9.  not of works lest any man should boast.”  The action of being good is doing something to earn salvation.  Being good or doing good never saved anyone, Isa. 54:6, “our righteousness are as filthy rags. . .” .  Again in Luke 18:19 Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good?  None is good, save one, that is God.”  Now if Christ was not considered “good” then what chance does man have?  Man does not have the ability to be good and be called righteous by God.  What does Eph. 2:8-9 say?  That we are saved through what? (Faith, not works).  So in conclusion the law just lets us know that we had to have a Savior.

God’s perfect world demanded a perfect sacrifice.  Christ bore all the sins of the world (past, present and future), while on the cross.  He and He alone, could pay the price required by God.  Only Christ is worthy, Rev. 5:4-5, no man could be found that was worthy.   Only the “Lion of the tribe of Judah. . .a lamb as though it has been slain.”   Christ is the only one who had no sin in His blood.  Jesus’ father was the Holy Spirit, Luke 1:35.  Therefore, perfect blood for the perfect sacrifice.  Christ is the only one that would have the qualifications and power to bare every sin in the entire world on His shoulders and He did this at the cross.  “It is finished” meant that the perfect sacrifice had been given.   The Law was now fulfilled.  The prophecies of the first advent were fulfilled.  this part of God’s plan to redeem man was completed.

IT IS FINISHED part one is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The time of this kingdom begins when Christ comes back to earth.  This will not happen until the Time of the Gentiles are fulfilled, Romans 11:25.  Which is the completion of today’s Chruch Age.  At the end of the “Great Tribulation” Christ will come back with all His armies of saints and angels, Rev. 19:14.  Then the Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 19:17-20.  The beast and false prophet will then be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 19:20.  The imprisonment of Satan in the bottomless pit for the 1000 years, Rev. 20:1-3.  This all happens when Christ first returns to earth the second time.  Christ will now set up His reign.  This is the reign of “The King of kings”.

During this time the curse of the earth will be lifted.  The curse of man will be held captive for 1000 years.  There will be changes in agriculture (Joel 3:19).  Changes in the animal kingdom (Isa. 65:20-22).  There will be no Satan to influence the people.  This is the last test for mankind.  And as usual man will fail the test.  This is the seventh time (dispensation), and the eighth number is known Biblically as the new beginning.  1.  Innocence (Gen. 1:28).  2.  Conscience (Gen. 3:17).  3.  Human Government (Gen. 8:15).  4.  Promise (Gen. 12:1).  5.  Law (Ex. 19:1).  6.  Church (Acts 2:1).  7.  Kingdom (Rev. 20:4).  8.  Perfect Age (Rev. 21).

[The eighth dispensation, the last kingdom or age is called the Perfect Age.  This is the new earth and new Heaven (Rev. 21:1-2).  This dispensation will last for eternity.  This is a promose from God for all His people.]

Who are the people that will go into the Millennium?  Only Believers.  For at the judgment of nations when Christ divides the sheep (righteous) to his right and the goats (unrighteous) to the left and in Mt. 25:46 Christ sends the unrighteous into everlasting punishment.  Yes, only the righteous will enter into the Millennial era.

Now who are these righteous ones?  1.  The Saints.  These include all the ones of the first resurrections.   First-Fruits, Tribulation Saints, guest and family of the Bridegroom and the Bride herself, the Church at the rapture.  These all have their glorified bodies.  2.  Armies of Heaven who follow Christ into this battle.  Which are probably the Church and angelic beings.  3.  The believers that survived the tribulation.  This last group does not have glorified bodies, they still are flesh and blood.  They will have the sinful nature of man.  These will be the ones who will repopulate the earth.  From out of these new born will be the ones that Satan will get to follow him into the final battle of Gog and MaGog.

The Kingdoms (part three) is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The Grave

The end of our physical life here on earth is most often called death. At the instant of death the human trinity is divided. The physical body (the earthly material part), is most often put in the grave, that is, buried in the ground.

In the Bible, where we end up after the event of death is spoken of in various ways. Some words used are Sheol, Hades, Hell, asleep, Paradise, Gehenna, grave, Tartarus and for the future Lake of Fire. Some of these words are Hebrew and some are Greek. The Hebrew refers to the Old Testament and the Greek words to the New Testament.

First lets start with the word “grave” (geber). This a place to put the corpse or body of one who has died. Normally the grave is about six feet deep. This term concerns the condition of the physical body when life as we know it ceases.

Words pertaining to the Unsaved

Sheol-is the Old Testament Hebrew word for the Greek word “hell”. Refers to a condition after death. This is a location for the spirit and soul of the body to be held after death. Sheol does not refer to one who is going to heaven. In Lk. 16 the rich man was in Sheol and Lazarus and Abraham was in Paradise.

Hades-the Greek word for Sheol.

Gehenna-a place called Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem where garbage was burnt. This place was constantly burning and had a bad odor. This place also had wild dogs feeding and fighting at night and worms that never died. Jesus described this as a disgusting place where no one would want to be.

Lake of Fire-John describes this as a place where all unsaved will end up. A place of horrible anguish and suffering. Having to do with flames, torment, gnashing of teeth, with total separation from God.

Tartarus the original Greek term used one time in 2 Peter 2:4. This is to denote a particular place where the fallen angels are held captive in chains and darkness till the Great White Throne. Most versions just lump this term in with “hell”.

Another reason that there are so many terms describing the state of beings after death is that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. Because of this we have two words for the same meaning. Such as, the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated in the Old testament to the word “hell”, “Grave” and “Pit”. All of these refer to a place where the soul and spirit goes after physical death.

The final conclusion is that all unsaved will end up in the “Lake of Fire”. And no matter by what name it’s called, it is not a place one will want to spend forever. Commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ while here on this side of death to chose heaven over hell. For “now” is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.

Terms pertaining to the Saved.

Asleep is a term used only for the saved after death. Eleven times this Greek term (koimao) is used to denote the saved’s condition after physical death. This term is never associated with the unsaved.

Paradise is a term used to denote the location of the saved. In Luke 23:43 remember this is before the death of Christ, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. In Luke 16:22and 23 it is referred to as Abraham’s bosom. Again this was before Christ’s resurrection. In Mt. 27:52-53 where the saints that slept arose right after Christ did. 2 Cor. 12:2-4, Paul tells where he was “caught up into the third heaven. . .caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words. . .” Going up tells us that Paradise has moved locations. And in Eph. 4:8-10 tells us that Christ descended to lead the captives up far above all heavens. Ps. 68:18 tell us of this prophecy, “thou hast ascended on high, thou has led captivity captive. . .”

2 Cor. 5:8, Paul says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  Again in Phil. 1:23-24, Paul states, “having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

After Death part three is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The first advent fulfilled many prophecies and the second advent will fulfill bunches more. The number of prophecies can vary depending which writer you read after. There are statements that are so plain and specific that one cannot mis-interpret it. Then there are those that can be related to Jesus with more than reasonable certainty. And of course then there are those on the other end of spectrum that the prophecy might fit just as well in another event. Nonetheless, I gave the references to a list of thirty that pertained only to the Crucifixion. These were in the writing on the 10^th of March 2009, titled “Crucifixion Prophecies.” These are just the prophecies found in the Old Testament on this one subject. These do not even including the ones that Jesus told of His own crucifixion in the New Testament. Matt. 12:39-40; 17:22-23; 20:19; 26:30-32; Luke 9:22; 44-45; 18:31-33; John 2:19-22. It has been said that there are considerably more than 300 prophecies about the first advent of Jesus Christ.

You can look these scriptures up, then decide which ones are definitely and undeniably prophecies about Jesus Christ. Of course the number will vary between individuals. Then look up Peter Stoner’s, “The Law of Probability.” Many have already read this account and it has to do with covering the Sate of Texas with Silver dollars two feet deep and a number 10 to the 17^th power. A number that is over three hundred thousand times more that of Obama’s proposed budget.

This all goes back to it was all God’s plan. Matt. 26:56, “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Acts 3:18, “But those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.”  

Tearing of the veil (Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45)

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi. Consequently He could not enter into the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest was allow to go into that section of the temple. Even that was limited one annual event at the Day of Atonement. This section was revered as the place where God dwelt.

This area of the Holy of Holies was separated from the rest by a curtain made from fabric which was 9 to 12 inches thick. Ex. 26:13.

1. Rent by an unseen hand at the time of Christ’s death. Mt. 27:51

2. Rent from top to bottom. Not by man, but by God.

3. Separated God and man. No more.

4. Jesus was not allowed into the Holy of Holies. Beginning of all believer’s access to God.

5. The veil represented the law. Now a new covenant between man and God.

Christ asked for the cup to be removed. Mt. 26:39.

A cup represented sin. It was not death that Jesus dreaded, nor was it the cross, it was the sin that was going to be put upon Him at the cross. All the sin of the world, past, present and future was laid on Christ by God when He was hung on the cross. Your sin, my sin, Christian’s sin, sinners sin, all those who were dead, all who were alive at that time, their sin and those that would be born from then until the Great White Throne, yes their sin too. Every sin of the entire world was put on Christ that day. Every murder or crime committed, every lie, etc. This is the “cup” that Jesus wanted to avoid. But as the end of that verse states, “not as I will, but as You will.” Remember that Christ could have had legions of angels to come a protect Him should He have asked. A Roman Legion consisted of 3,000 to 6,000 men.

Christ had to die with all our sins on Him in order for the sacrifice to be complete. Otherwise we could never become righteous in God’s sight. Without this all would be cast into Hell, where all sinners will end. Remember that Christ died so His blood could cover any sin in the world. But in order for this sacrifice to atone for sin, man must finish the process Christ started the process, but we must repent and believe. Christ’s blood does not hide God’s wrath for sin of those who die as sinners. In the Great White Throne Judgment God will finish his plan concerning sin.

In conclusion, when Adam and Eve sinned, they went hid themselves. They hid themselves because they knew God was not going to be happy with their disobedience. God found them, punished them, and then did something most unpredictable. God promised them a Savior. God did something of which man is not capable,. He allowed His innocent Son to take the guilt of someone else or a sacrifice for another sin. Jesus suffered the punishment that we deserve when He died on that cross with our sins on Him. Jesus became our propitiation to God for us. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price demanded by a righteous God. Christ lives so a bridge might be built over the gulf which separates lost souls from thier heavenly home. Jesus was condemned so we, the guilty, might be declared innocent. It wasn’t fair to Jesus, but it is salvation for us who believe. God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son.

It is all God’s plan!

Some Interesting Points About the Crucifixion is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

I understand and even have been told face to face that God is a loving God and will not send any to hell, sheol, hades, Gehenna, lake of fire or what other name you choose for this place. I am telling you right now that this is a given, that if you are not saved then you are unsaved. All unsaved will be emptied into the lake of fire and this is not my word this is God’s word. Rev. 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” All of this judgment has nothing to do with God being a loving God, it has to do with God being a just God.

God being a loving God has offered salvation to the world through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, John 3:16. God has made this offer so simple that when anyone has the ability to understand right from wrong, then they are also smart enough to follow His salvation plan. This is not a plan that man deserves. God gives salvation through His mercy and grace. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God’s will is that none perish. People often quote this part and misrepresent this Scripture by saying that God is not going to send any to hell, but rarely do they think about the rest of that verse. When put in context this is not a verse of love.

Lets look at the WHOLE verse, “The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This verse is not one of love, this verse is one of warning.

This verse tells us that God gives His promise. A promise means that one is giving their word that something WILL happen. God always keeps His word.

The next phrase tells us that God puts up with a lot, BUT there is an end. This end is God’s judgment and wrath. God warns that He really does not want to punish any so all one has to do is “come to repentance”.

No where in this verse does God imply that He is not going to punish those who chose not to repent. Matt. 12:30, “He that is not with me is against me;” and Mark 9:40 “For he that is not against us is for us”. These two verse tell us that any who are not for God is against Him. And any that are against God will be cast into the lake of fire.

These are all Bible Prophecies that are God’s promises to man. Everyone will be judged according to their works and after the judgment one will be rewarded for their works. Then one will take his rewards and live in eternity in the place they have chosen, heaven or lake of fire. Forever with God or forever separated from God. Remember that God wants all to chose and accept His plan of salvation.

God says that no one deserve to go to heaven. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death. . .” But through His love He gives a door that one can chose to walk through to get there. “. . .but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” All are going to the lake of fire unless they chose Christ.

If we tell our child that, nothing good can come out of an addiction to drugs and the child chooses to go down that path anyway. When destruction comes we can say that they were warned and it was their choice to chose drugs. . .

It is not God’s choice to send us to the lake of fire, it’s our own choice.

The very next judgment is called the Bema Judgment. This is for the Church, that is, the raptured Christians. It will occur in the air. This judgment will happen before the Tribulation period. This is part of the First Resurrection. (See other writing for more on the First Resurrection and Judgments.) It is your choice whether or not you want to be here in the first resurrection or in the second at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Christ is the Judge But It’s Our Choice part two is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Jesus’ appearances after the first day to His ascension.   There is another five here and yet another six plus after the ascension.

“And, after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst. . .”     John 20:26. 

This is the sixth appearance of Jesus in His resurrected glorified body.  This too would have been on a Sunday evening.  Accounts of this sixth appearance can be found in John 20:26-31 and 1 Cor. 15:5.

The seventh appearance comes in John 21 to the seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias (Galilee).  This is where the apostles were fishing and catching nothing Jesus told them to cast their net on the other side.  Also in verse 14 He shows us that we can eat in the glorified body.  This was the third time Jesus showed Himself to the apostles.

The eighth time was to the apostles and 500 brethren. This is found at the end of Matt. 28 and 1 Cor. 15:6.  Paul gives a quick account of appearances between verses 5 and 8. 

Ninth time was to James, Christ’s half brother. 1 Cor. 15:7

Tenth time was at His ascension in Mk. 16:19-20, Lk. 24:44-53, and Acts 1:3-12.

Christ’s recorded appearances after His ascension.

11. To Stephen, at his stoning Acts 7:55.

12. To Paul at his conversion in Acts 9:3,17, 1 Cor. 15:8.

13. To Paul at the Temple in Jerusalem in Acts 22:18.

14. To Paul later in Jerusalem in Acts 23:11.

15. To Paul in Corinth in 2 Cor. 12:1-4.

16. To John on the Isle of Patmos beginning with Rev. 1:10-19 and thereafter through most of the book of Revelation.

I have seen the Mel Gibson film, “The Passion of the Christ”. It is depicting a scene that is very tough for me to watch. I hate to even think of the torture that Christ went through for me. It was done only through His love for us, for I nor any one else has been or ever will be worthy of such a sacrifice. But this is not the apex of our Salvation or Joy. It is the resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle of Salvation. In 1 Cor. 15:14 Paul says without it all is vain. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”This is the victory for all Christians is through Christ. Col. 2:12-13. Victory over death. Victory over hell. Victory over sin. This resurrection of Christ is our joy and the blessed hope for ourselves.

Remember that all this was God’s plan. Matt. 26:56. “But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” And in Acts 3:18. “But those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.” God revealed in His word through prophecy spoken up to 1000 years before this event. Proving that God’s word will happen, that His plan will be fulfilled and that only God can predict the future infallibly.

Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part two is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy