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God's Grace For Such a Time as This These are my notes from a seminar I attended. The message was taught by Duane Gallentine. Contents
Session one: What is the Kingdom Message?"Jesus Christ-a Minister of the Circumcision"1. What is the Kingdom Message?(Daniel 2:44 KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. God is going to set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. In the book of Daniel it tells of kingdoms that have been destroyed. There were four kingdoms at the time Daniel was written: Babylon, Medes and Persian, Greek and Roman. We need to know that God will establish his kingdom on earth. Since God will establish this kingdom we can call it the Kingdom of God. We find this term predominate in the Gospels of Luke and Mark. (Luke 8:1 KJV) And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, The kingdom of God can also be called the Kingdom of heaven. We find this term predominate in the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 4:17 KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Kingdom of God can also be called the Kingdom of Heaven. That is the Kingdom to be established in Daniel 2:44. (Deuteronomy 11:21 KJV) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. This "your" in this verse refers to ancient Israel. Notice the term as the days of heaven on the earth. The Kingdom message is the "good news" that God will put his rule in heaven and the earth. (Zechariah 14:9 KJV) And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. God's authority will be over all the earth. 2.Is there opposition to God setting His Kingdom on earth?(Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! {13} For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: {14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.This passage contains Lucifer's five "I will's":
Here we can see that Satan will try to keep God from setting up His kingdom. Satan says he will self-exalt himself. He says he will exalt his throne. What is a throne? It is a place in which one rules, it has a location, it has an identifiable structure. A throne is a real position of governmental authority. Satan wants to exalt his throne above the stars of God. The stars of God can be either the physical stars or the angels. Satan wants to sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north because this is the place in the universe where spiritual beings give account to God. (Job 1:6 KJV) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (Job 2:1 KJV) Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. Satan wants to show himself to be superior above all other created beings. When he says he will ascend above the heights of the clouds he is saying he will rise above all creation and creatures. Satan ends with "I will be like the Most High God". (Genesis 14:18-19 KJV) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. {19} And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: The summation of Satan's evil plan is to be like the Most High God, to end up possessing all creation. Melchizedek was a priest of the most High God, Abram of the most High God, possessor of heaven and earth. 3. Has there been other opposition to God setting up His kingdom?(Genesis 1:27-28 KJV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. {28} And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. God gave authority to Adam and Eve to bring forth God's dominion over all the earth. in Chapter 3 we see that man joins Satan. Lucifer won man's loyalty. Man is born of Adam's loins therefore our natural loyalty is to Lucifer. Adam and Eve made God's word less of authority. Satan convinced them that God's word was no the final authority. For something to be final authority it cannot be in error. (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: {5} For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. What Satan really did in these verses is that he raised up in the mind of Adam and Eve a competing authority. He contradicted what the final authority said, "Ye shall surely die." Adam chose to give his loyalty to a competing authority. Adam willfully sinned, but Eve was deceived. (Genesis 10:8 KJV) And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. Here we see Ham's descendents. Nimrod, the beginning of his kingdom was Babel. This was the beginning of the uniting of all mankind under the leadership of one government. This was not God's plan for the kingdom on earth. God was displeased with this unification of men and brought judgement, the scattering of men due to different languages. The kingdoms of men stand in opposition to God's kingdom. (Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: {2} Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. The course of this world is according to the prince of the power of the air. Every kingdom of men follows the course of the world, which is according to Lucifer. (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV) 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. (John 12:31 KJV) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 14:30 KJV) Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 16:11 KJV) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. Man's kingdoms are all under Satan's plan. (Luke 4:1-2 KJV) And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, {2} Being forty days tempted of the devil... (Luke 4:5-6 KJV) And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. {6} And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. Lucifer was so confident in his 5 "I wills" that he approached Jesus to tempt him with the earthly kingdoms. The kingdom of God mentioned in Daniel 2:44 has satanic and human opposition. What was God's response to the mass of humanity that opposed God's plan? (Genesis 12:1-3 KJV) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: {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: {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. God called out a man called Abram and Abram departed in obedience. God separated Abram and his children for the purpose of establishing His kingdom. (Genesis 17:4-8 KJV) As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. {5} Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. {6} And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. {7} And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. {8} And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. We see that Abram's name changes as it relates to God establishing a covenant with him. (Genesis 17:9-14 KJV) And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. {10} This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. {11} And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. {12} And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. {13} He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. {14} And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. The sign of circumcision was given as a token of that covenant. In verse 14 we see that the uncircumcised were cut off from his people. The difference between the circumcised and the uncircumcised is noted here. It is through the circumcised people that God will establish his kingdom on earth. In these verses we need to note three things:
The Gentiles took the wrong course; they are following Lucifer's plan. (Genesis 22:15-18 KJV) And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, {16} And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: {17} That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; {18} And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Here we see that the circumcised will possess the gates of their enemies (the uncircumcised). Note these key words in this passage:
The friends and enemies are set within the confines of God setting up His kingdom on earth. (Isaiah 41:8 KJV) But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (James 2:23 KJV) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Abraham was a friend of God. The purpose of God was to show His faithfulness in setting apart Abraham. There is a threefold provision in Abraham and his seed:
God established other covenants with His people and they all contain these three elements: people, God, land. The other covenants include the Mosaic covenant, the New Testament, the everlasting covenant. All the covenants relate to God's contract with Abraham and his seed. But that does not mean that Israel obeyed God. That is why God gave Israel a New Covenant, because Israel broke the old. We are the image of Adam. When Adam sinned he lost the image of God, but God is still faithful to His purpose to establish His kingdom of heaven on earth.
4. Is Jesus Christ a minister of the circumcision?(Romans 15:8 KJV) 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 the four Gospels we see Christ ministering to Abraham's seed, the circumcision. Paul tells us how to view the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, as minister of the circumcision. So we are not to follow Christ as in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (Those are record of God fulfilling His plan through Abraham to set up His kingdom.) (Matthew 1:1 KJV) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew describes Jesus as the Son of David, the son of Abraham. It is to show that as the son of David He is a rightful heir to the throne that God contracted to set up His kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:16 KJV) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. Matthew stresses "son of Abraham" because what good would a throne be without a country to put it in. Christ is the rightful heir to the throne in the kingdom on earth. Christ's earthly ministry is consistent with Daniel 2:44 and all the other covenants that were made. (Matthew 15:22-24 KJV) And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. {23} But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. {24} But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Why did Jesus not answer the woman? Because she was a Gentile woman, an enemy of God. Jesus knew His purpose, He knew what He needed to confirm-the truth. He knew what would happen if He ministered to a Gentile woman. He had a purpose in mind-setting up His Kingdom on earth. (Luke 13:11-12 KJV) And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. {12} And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. Here this woman did not ask anything of Jesus. In fact, Jesus called her to him. This woman was a friend of God. As a daughter of Abraham, Jesus went to her and loosed her from her infirmity.(In churches today the Four Gospels are read as if there is some magical influence for us today.) Go to Sesssion Two:What is the Grace Message
Session two: What is the grace message?"Paul, the Apostle, the minister of Jesus Christ to the Uncircumcision"The grace message is not the same as the kingdom message. Sometimes it is difficult to see the difference between the two messages. Why?
(Galatians 4:4 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Notice that it says, "when the fulness of the time was come". God understands timing. We need to pay attention to time. We ought to develop a sense for timing concerning what we are reading. God had a timetable and He sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law. When we look in the four Gospels we see that Jesus taught the people the law. (Matthew 5:17-28 KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. {18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Jesus will fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:19-22) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. {20} For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. {21} Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Christ is teaching the circumcision, the friends of God. Remember to keep the context of verse 22, "But I say unto you," in the context of fulfilling the law. Christ takes the heart of Abraham's covenant and intensifies it to the heart of Abraham's seed. The outward appearance may seem to be religiously correct. (Matthew 5:23-28) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; {24} Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. {25} Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. {26} Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. {27} Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. In verses 27 and 28 we see that Christ took one of the Ten Commandments, an external command and brings it to the heart. The overall purpose of this is to get Israel into that Kingdom. Up until this time Israel could not enter the Kingdom because their heart prevented them from entering in that Kingdom as set forth in Daniel 2:44. In the light of Israel's heart Christ's ministry to them is bad news. Everything in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is designed to prepare Israel to enter the Kingdom. (Matthew 19:16-21 KJV) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? {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. {18} He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, {19} Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {20} The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? {21} Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Jesus tells the rich man something that is line with what was written by the prophets, "Keep the commandments."" The man asks Jesus which one to keep. All the commandments are based on the 10 Commandments. Notice that Jesus did not dispute the man's answer. The 10 Commandments are possible to keep in the flesh. We see that the man had faith in the law that was given to him. In Christ's earthly ministry He was trying to go beyond the external and into the heart. In the kingdom program one had to keep the 10 Commandments in order to have eternal life. Faith + works = eternal life in the Kingdom program. Christ ministered the law to the children of Abraham in the hope that they will obtain the promised kingdom. What is the grace Message?(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: The grace message is based on the substitutionary death on behalf of the whole world. It is our identification with Christ. God no longer sees us "in Adam". (Matthew 16:21-22 KJV) From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. {22} Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Peter rebuked Christ when he told them that He had to die. Picture this: the disciples were going around telling everyone that the Kingdom was going to be set up on the earth. Then Christ tells them that He is going to die! Peter did not understand this. Here we see that it is possible to teach the Kingdom message without preaching the grace message (Christ dying for our sins). (Luke 18:31-34 KJV) Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. {32} For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: {33} And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. {34} And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. This passage means that the death, burial and resurrection were hid from the twelve as they went out and preached. There is difference between preaching the crucifixion and preaching the cross of Christ. The crucifixion was prophesied. The cross was not revealed; it was hid in the mind of God until it was revealed to the Apostle Paul. (Romans 3:23-26 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Chapters 1 through 3 tell us why everyone has sinned. Notice the tenses and reference to time: verse 24-present tense and verse 26-at this time. Grace is the undeserved and unmerited favor of God that is delightfully and freely given since the justice of God against sin has been satisfied through Christ's death on the cross. WE ARE TOTALLY SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH! There has always been grace when God dealt with wretched old man. But that does not mean that God has always dispensed grace. An example would be the rich ruler, he was told to keep the law in order to receive eternal life; he was not saved by grace. (Titus 1:1-3 KJV) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; {2} In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; {3} But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour. God thought, prepared and began eternal life before the world began. Verse 3 says that in due times God manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed unto Paul. God has not always dispensed the grace message. There are operating principles which we need to distinguish:
(Romans 5:15-21 KJV) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through theoffence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. {16} And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. {17} For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free giftcame upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Notice the words "offence" and "free gift" in these verses and see how they contrast one another. The offence is the offence of Adam. (Romans 5:12 KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; When we preach the grace message to save people it delights God. God is delightfully and freely gives. God only wants us to believe the truth of the grace message. We do not have to do anything else. (Romans 3:22 KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: All a sinner has to do is believe that Jesus dies for his sins and freely accept the grace of God. We do not have to ask God, to plead and bargain for the things that He has freely given us. To do these things is either an act of ignorance or unbelief. (Romans 8:32 KJV) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (1 Corinthians 2:9-12 KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The grace message embodies all that God is free to do for those who believe the cross. God freely gives us all things. (Romans 5:5 KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (2 Timothy 1:14 KJV) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. In the grace message we do not have to ask God to give us the Holy Spirit. He freely gives us the Holy Spirit the moment we believe. This is consistent with the operating principle of grace-freely given. (Romans 15:14-16 KJV) And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. {15} Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, {16} That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. The grace that was given to the Apostle Paul is given for a particular ministry. (See verse 16.) Paul received the ministry of apostleship to take the message of grace to the Gentiles. (Romans 11:13 KJV) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Paul speaks to the Gentiles because he is the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. The newer translations will read an apostle, which changes the meaning, but it was to Paul that this ministry was given. (Romans 15:15-18 KJV) Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, {16} That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. {17} I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. {18} For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Paul says that he only speaks the words that Jesus Christ gave him. He received his message through visions and revelation. (See 2 Corinthians 12:1, Galatians 1:12 ) Paul would not speak anything other than what Jesus Christ told him. (Ephesians 3:1-2 KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, {2} If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Jesus Christ's ministry was to confirm that which was spoken by the prophets. Paul's ministry is not a confirmation ministry. It is completely new. Notice verse 2 says that the dispensation of grace was given to Paul to you-ward (Gentiles). The Gentiles are involved in the dispensation of the grace of God. The word dispensation simple means to dispense. In Paul's ministry there is a dispensation of the grace of God. (Eph 3:3-9} How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: {7} Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. {8} Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; {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: Here we see that the revelation of the mystery was revealed by revelation to Paul. We can know which portion of the Scriptures are written by Paul because he always tells us, the first word in all of Paul's Epistles is the word "Paul". In verse 5 we see a word describing time-as it is now revealed. The holy apostles and prophets are those for those who are now hearing the message of God's grace. This was an unsearchable message, not found in the Old Testament writings, but it can be understood as Paul teaches. Verse 8 is a doctrinal issue of the mystery, Paul was less than the least of all saints. (Ephesians 2:11-12 KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Notice the characteristics of the Gentiles in time past:
(Romans 5:6-10 KJV) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. {8} But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. {10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Verse 10 also states the condition of the Gentiles: enemies of God. It is while we were enemies of God that we are reconciled to God by the death of His son. These verses say that Christ dies for us while we were ungodly, sinners, and enemies. Paul's message deals with the enemies of God.
Under the Kingdom message Christ came to His own, to His friends. (Matthew 10:5-7 KJV) 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: {6} But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {7} And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Luke 9:5 KJV) And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them (Matthew 24:14 KJV) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Here it says that they will preach to all nations (Gentiles). (Matthew 10:18 KJV) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. We see that here there is a testimony against governors, kings and Gentiles. Paul's message goes out to the enemies.
Go to Session Three:When Did The Wall Fall
or Back to God's Grace For Such a Time as This" Table of Contents
Session three: When did the wall fall?"The Beginning of the Dispensation of the Grace of God"When did the grace message begin to differ from that of the kingdom message? We need to be aware that the kingdom message is not the same as the grace message. If you do not separate the two messages you cannot make the distinction between the two messages and then you will mix the messages together. How do we explain something new? One way is through new vocabulary. (1 Corinthians 2:6-13 KJV) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: {7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: {8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. {9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. {13} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Satan, himself, did not know the mystery. There were no words to describe the mystery until it was revealed through Paul. Notice in verse 10 that it says that the things mentioned in verse 9 are now manifest. In verse 12 we see the operating principle of grace-the free gift. Why do people have a hard time accepting the grace message? Because the grace message constantly points out to us our inability to please God, it shows us our constant failures in the flesh, etc. Verse 13 shows us where Paul gets his words to teach us in this dispensation of grace. The reason people think there is only 1 gospel is because they are looking at it through human wisdom. When did the wall fall?(Ephesians 2:13-15 KJV) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Here we see both, the circumcised and the uncircumcised, are made as enemies. A friend never needs to be made reconciled. Alienation is something that happens with enemies. It is that alienation that needs to be taken care of so that there can be a reconciliation. The enemies are now reconciled through the death of Christ. In verse 15 we see that the wall is composed of doctrinal issues that were operating in times past. (See Deut 4 and Lev 20) Those issues were the ones by which Israel was separated from the nations. The wall of partition is up in the kingdom message and the wall of partition is down in Paul's message. Every denomination in America recognizes that the wall is down. As late as Acts 21 we see that those among the circumcision demonstrated the importance of the division as their status as friends with God. (Acts 21:27-29 KJV) And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, {28} Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. {29} (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) Paul was identified as being with a Gentile and Paul was seen in the temple and the Jews became very upset about this. Why? (Rev 11:2 KJV) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles:... Here we see that the temple is not to be measured with the outer court, which belongs to the Gentiles. The Gentiles are on the outside and Israel will be on the inside, even in the ages to come. In the denominations today no one brings an animal sacrifice when they come to worship, nor do they separate between the circumcision and the uncircumcision. An example of being on the right side of the wall is found in 1 Kings 18, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Elijah was found to be on the right side of the wall. (Rom 3:22 KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Here we see that there is no difference in that the righteousness of God goes to all who believe. Salvation goes to the Gentiles (enemies of God) because there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. So we can say that the wall has fallen when there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Here are some popular alternatives as to when the wall came down, (Please note that these are all wrong):
Churches today try to make the Gentiles part of Pentecost because the Holy Spirit was given and Paul writes that the Holy Spirit is given to the Gentiles. (Paul does not say the Holy Spirit given to Gentiles at Pentecost) So when did the wall fall?(Eph 2:11-12 KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: From these verses we see that there are characteristics of the wall being up. But Paul's message of grace is to all.
(Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Before God separated Abram every man knew about the Godhead. Colossians 1:15 says that Christ is the image of the invisible God, He is His son. (Rom 1:20-23 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {21} Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Here we see that man rejected the triune God. God then moved through a man named Abram. (Mat 12:22-32 KJV) Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. {23} And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? {24} But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. {25} And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: {26} And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? {27} And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. {28} But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. {29} Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. {30} He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. {31} Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. {32} And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Israel takes the Son of God and hangs him on a tree. This is blasphemy of the Son, this is forgivable. But there is a warning given; do not blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. In Genesis 1 through 11 man rejects the Godhead. (Acts 6:3 KJV) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:5 KJV) And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 7:51-60 KJV) Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. {52} Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: {53} Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. {54} When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. {55} But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, {56} And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. {57} Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, {58} And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. {59} And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. {60} And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Here we see Stephen is full of the Holy Ghost and Israel rejects his message. Stephen asks God not to lay this sin to their charge. Remember to sin against the Holy Ghost was unforgivable (See Matthew 12). With the stoning of Stephen Israel rejects the Holy Ghost. Israel has just followed the pattern that mankind has set before them, they have just rejected the Godhead. Stephen also saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 4:24-27 KJV) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: {25} Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? {26} The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. {27} For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, Peter, by the Holy Ghost, takes a passage of the Old Testament Scriptures (Psalms 2) and applies it to Pentecost. In essence, he is saying what God spoke through David is happening now. In the prophetic timetable when Israel rejects the Holy Ghost the next thing to come is the wrath of God. (Psalms 7:6 KJV) Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. When Stephen saw the Son of Man, He was standing. In Acts 2:30 it is mentioned that Christ is seated. The reason for this is to give Israel time to respond to the Holy Ghost, in hope that they would come to do what they understood to do. Stephen saw Christ standing because the timetable of God calls for the wrath of God. Israel has rejected the Holy Ghost and has now become enemies of God. There is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile; all are enemies of God. (Acts 9:1-6 KJV) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, {2} And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. {3} And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: {4} And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? {5} And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. {6} And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Here we see that there was intense persecution among the true believers. In Psalms 7:6 we see the psalmist pleading for Christ to arise because of the persecution. The persecution is led by a man named Saul. Verse 6 seems to indicate that there was a tremendous change in the man named Saul, he was trembling and astonished. He asked the Lord what he should do, he is no longer the arrogant self serving man he once was. We need to take note here that Saul was the one who was leading the rebellion, he has committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Remember according to Matthew 12, if one committed blasphemy of the Holy Ghost it was not forgivable. So then how did Saul get forgiveness from blasphemy of the Holy Ghost? A new message had to come in. People need to be reconciled when there is hostility, when they are enemies. Friends do not need to be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:15-18 KJV) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. {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. {17} Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. {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; In verse 16 it says that we knew Christ after the flesh. When did we know Christ after the flesh? In his earthly ministry, when He preached the kingdom message. We find this in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Saul recognized Christ in heaven and said we are to no longer know Christ after the flesh, in His earthly ministry. What is the message that Paul preached?(Romans 5:10 KJV) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. God took His enemies and reconciled them to Himself. When Israel committed that dreadful deed they have become enemies of God. They have fallen away from God; an essence of their nature has now become as a Gentile. They are just Gentiles who are practicing Judaism. Everyone has now been judged by God to be an enemy of God so that they can now be reconciled to God. This does not mean they are saved, it just means they are reconcilable to God-they can choose to receive the salvation being offered. The wall is down. That happened when Israel committed blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, before Saul was saved. It is at that moment (the stoning of Stephen, which is rejecting the Holy Ghost), when Israel became an enemy of God. At that moment there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.
Go to Sesssion Four: Jesus Christ According to the Revelation of the Mystery
or Back to "God's Grace For Such a Time as This" Table of Contents
Session Four: Jesus Christ According to the Revelation of the Mystery"Does the Grace Message Belittle Jesus Christ?"(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We need to know how to rightly divide the word of truth. That is to put the Scriptures in their proper time. Christ knew how to do this. Compare Luke 4:18-21 with Isaiah 61. Jesus knew where to stop at the correct point in time. Peter on the day of Pentecost got up and quoted from the prophet Joel but he went on to preach the wrath of God to come. Peter at that point in time was unaware of the interruption in the prophetic program. But he learned about it through the Apostle Paul (see 2 Peter 2:15). The law was given to Moses. Moses then gave the law to the Israelites. The Law is often called the Law of Moses. But we know the Law was given to Moses by God. We understand that it is God's law not Moses'. When the Israelites received the law they did not exalt Moses any more than when we receive the grace message do we exalt Paul. Paul is our Apostle, he is the Apostle to the Gentiles. We receive what he says as words he received from God. Yet, people will accuse those who recognize the distinctive message of Paul as worshipping Paul. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 12-13 KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. {12} Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. {13} Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Paul understood that Satan's plan of evil would come against the one who brought the message. Today, people are confused about Paul, they do not fully understand his message so therefore, they speak against him. (Galatians 5:2 KJV) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. If you look back at Genesis 17:13 you will see that in times past circumcision was everything. If a man was not circumcised that he was cut off from the people. But now, Paul says that if you are circumcised Christ is of no benefit to you. (Ephesians 5:20-21 KJV) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; {21} Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Here Paul tells us that we need to submit, which means we have to place ourselves under authority. Our flesh does not like authority and wants to rebel. (Numbers 12:3 KJV) (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Here we see the word "meek" used for the first time in the KJV. It is what Moses wrote about himself, notice he said that there was not a meeker man on earth. Read what Paul says about himself: (Ephesians 3:8 KJV) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Both Paul and Moses had a simple characteristic, meekness, which basically means being yielded to God. That is what we need to be, yielded to God. Does the grace message belittle Christ?
(Colossians 1:24-25 KJV) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: {25} Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Paul is a minister for the body of Christ in order to fulfil the Word of God. (Colossians 1:26-27 KJV) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: {27} 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: Here we can see that the "mystery" completes the Word of God. The grace message fulfills the Word of God: it completes it. (Ephesians 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Here we see that the grace message makes Christ everything. We have been blessed with all spiritual blessing. All spiritual blessing are found in Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. We need to learn how to make the right division in the Scriptures so we can know how to live today. (Colossians 2:6-7 KJV) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: {7} Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. We have received Christ. How did we receive Christ? In grace through faith. (2 Corinthians 4:3-11 KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {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. {5} For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. {6} For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. {8} We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; {9} Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; {10} Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. {11} For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. Here Paul states that he does not preach himself, but he preaches Jesus Christ and he said he is your servant. Why should we preach Christ according to grace, according to the revelation of the mystery? You will find the answer in verse 7, that the excellency of power may be of God and not of us. The life of Christ operates in the body of Christ through the message of grace. Verse 10 shows us our identification with Christ. You are not spiritually minded if you mix the two messages. If these verses have not stirred you, then you need to examine yourself to see if you are in faith. The church, the body of Christ, is designed to be the pillar of truth. (See 1 Timothy 3:15).
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