Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 6): Covenant Failure, Written Prophecy, and the Witness of the Law

Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 6): Covenant Failure, Written Prophecy, and the Witness of the Law

The Covenant Blueprint and the Five Courses of Punishment

To properly understand the unfolding of God’s plan across the pages of Scripture, a reader must have a solid foundation in the historical framework of the Old Testament. The national story of Israel does not begin in a vacuum; it takes shape back in the twelfth chapter of Genesis with the calling out of Abraham. That historical line runs steadily through the books of the law, through the historical narratives, and all the way up to the book of Esther before resuming in the four Gospels. Along this path, God established a conditional covenant with the nation he brought out of Egyptian bondage. The terms were laid out with complete clarity: if the people would obey the voice of the Lord, they would be a peculiar treasure unto him, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

Yet when one turns to the very first prophetic book in the Bible, the prophet Isaiah does not address a holy nation. Instead, he opens his vision by declaring them to be a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, and a seed of evildoers. How does a nation called out by God to demonstrate his righteousness on the earth end up in such a degraded condition? The answer is found by looking back into the law of Moses, specifically at the solemn warnings recorded in Leviticus 26. God did not leave his people in the dark regarding the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. He laid out five distinct courses of punishment; a sequence of corrective chastisements designed to bring a rebellious people back to their knees.

If Israel would walk in his statutes, the rain would fall in due season, the land would yield her increase, and peace would reign within their borders. But if they refused to hearken and chose instead to despise his statutes, God promised to bring upon them terror, consumption, and the burning ague. Should they continue in their rebellion, God declared that he would punish them seven times more for their sins. The historical books from Joshua through Second Kings record the tragic realization of these warnings. Over a period of roughly one thousand years, God exercised immense patience and long-suffering toward Israel. He brought the first course of punishment, yet they revolted. He brought the second, third, and fourth courses, yet they hardened their hearts.

Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 5): Leviticus 26 and the Five Courses of Punishment

Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 5): Leviticus 26 and the Five Courses of Punishment

The Neglected Foundation of Old Testament History

Leviticus is easily one of those books that believers dread coming across as they read through their Bibles. It feels like a rough, tedious read filled with measurements, sacrifices, and ritual details that seem far removed from modern life. Yet tucked away within this neglected book lies crucial information that acts as the key to understanding the rest of Scripture. When readers skip or ignore Leviticus, they end up completely lost when they arrive at Judges, Kings, and the Prophets.

Without this foundational knowledge, people even misunderstand the Gospels. Many assume that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mark the sudden birth of Christianity, entirely detached from what came before. But when John the Baptist appears announcing One who will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire, he is speaking directly to a nation formed under God’s law. The fire he speaks of is not a spiritual blessing to be begged for in a modern service; it refers to divine purging and judgment upon a nation that failed its covenant. The axe was laid to the root of the tree, and every tree bringing not forth good fruit would be cast into the fire. To understand why such warnings were declared, one must return to the structural foundation laid down in Leviticus 26.

Leviticus 26 outlines what is known as the five courses of punishment. These chastisements formed a direct part of the Mosaic covenant established between God and Israel. If Israel refused to keep the covenant and obey God's law, five distinct periods of divine correction would follow to chasten and reform them. Understanding these five periods provides the historical blueprint for everything that unfolds from Joshua through Esther. The entire history of Israel’s kingdom and their temporary blinding can be mapped precisely according to these five warnings.

God’s Blueprint for an Earthly Kingdom

Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 4): Divine Government and the Two Created Realms

Hebrews in Light of Grace (Part 4): Divine Government and the Two Created Realms

The Stated Reality: God's Communication in Time Past

To understand any passage of Scripture, the student of the Word must first establish who is speaking, to whom the words are directed, and the specific historical context governing the statement. The opening lines of the Epistle to the Hebrews present a clear, stated reality regarding how the Creator chose to communicate with mankind. God spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, and hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb.1:1-2).

This distinction between "the fathers" and "us" forms the foundational line of division. The fathers mentioned here are not the universal ancestors of all humanity, nor do they represent the Gentile nations. They are the patriarchs and ancestral leaders of the nation of Israel. When the text speaks of God addressing "us," it refers directly to the immediate descendants of those same fathers—the children of Israel. A quick look back at the historical record reveals why this focus exists. In Genesis chapter eleven, mankind collectively rejected the knowledge of God at the Tower of Babel. In response, God gave the Gentile nations up (Rom.1:24-28), scattering them across the face of the earth and suffering them to walk in their own self-chosen ways (Acts14:16).

From that point forward, divine revelation was narrowed to a single channel. God called Abraham out of heathendom to build a distinct nation, establishing a prophetic line that would communicate His direct words. This order was formally established under Moses, through whom the Law was given, and continued through the period of the judges for four hundred and fifty years until Samuel the prophet. Samuel marked a definitive turning point in Israel's history. Before his ministry, the word of God was rare and precious, with no open vision (1Sam.3:1). From Samuel onward, God maintained an active prophetic voice in Israel. All the law and the prophets prophesied until John the Baptist (Matt.11:13), who marked the absolute end of that Old Testament prophetic era.

When Jesus Christ walked the earth during His earthly ministry, He operated entirely within this national framework. His own testimony declared that He was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt.15:24). When a Canaanite woman approached Him pleading for mercy on behalf of her daughter, Christ initially answered her not a word (Matt.15:23). When He did speak, He stated that it was not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs (Matt.15:26). In the divine economy, Gentiles were categorized as dogs—outsiders who had no legal claim to the covenant promises made to the fathers. The prophetic order mandated that Israel had to be blessed first, filled with the bread of God's kingdom, so that His blessings could subsequently overflow through them to the rest of the world.

The 70 Weeks and the Unprophesied Interruption

The Constitution of the King: Why We Misunderstand the Beatitudes

The Constitution of the King: Why We Misunderstand the Beatitudes

We have a tendency to turn everything in the Bible into a "how-to" guide for a better life. We open Matthew 5, read the Beatitudes, and immediately start trying to "do" them so we can be "blessed." We treat them like a spiritual ladder to climb.

But if we are to rightly divide the word of truth, we must ask a critical question: To whom was Jesus speaking, and what was He announcing?

The truth is, the Beatitudes aren't just "nice thoughts." They are the legal constitution of the Millennial Kingdom.

Context: The King is Present

When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, He wasn't giving a general lecture on ethics to the 21st-century Church. He was the Messiah of Israel, standing on a mountain, presenting the requirements for the Earthly Kingdom He was offering.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 4 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 4 of 5)

The Scripture

"...made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:" — Romans 16:26b

The Doctrine: Universal Proclamation

In this penultimate section of the doxology, Paul identifies the scope and the intent of the revealed mystery. The doctrine here is the Universal Mandate of the Gospel. In previous dispensations, God’s dealings were primarily focused on one nation, Israel, through a specific covenant. However, under the "commandment of the everlasting God," the mystery is now to be "made known to all nations." This is not a suggestion or a human missionary strategy; it is a divine decree. The intent of this proclamation is to produce "the obedience of faith"—a specific response where individuals from every tongue and tribe give their total allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Extracting the Truth in Context

To understand this in context, we must see how the "all nations" focus of the mystery differs from the prophetic program. While prophecy foretold that the nations would eventually come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord through a redeemed Israel, the mystery reveals a current dispensation where the message goes directly to the nations while Israel is in a state of temporary blindness. This is "made known" not to set up a political kingdom on earth, but to call out the Body of Christ from among all people. In the context of the whole passage, this universal reach is what the "Everlasting God" had in mind when He kept the secret since the world began. He was waiting for the moment to bypass national boundaries and offer salvation to all strictly through the cross and resurrection, leading to an "obedience" that is rooted entirely in "faith" rather than the works of the law or national identity.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

The Witness of the Scriptures

"...But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God..." — Romans 16:26a

The Doctrine: Scriptural Confirmation

Paul now adds another layer to the unveiling of the mystery: its manifestation is not only by divine decree but also "by the scriptures of the prophets" (Romans 16:26). This phrase emphasizes that the revelation of the mystery is consistent with, and confirmed by, the prophetic writings of Scripture. The doctrine here is one of Scriptural Harmony—the truth that the mystery, though hidden in God, does not contradict the prophetic record but stands in perfect alignment with it. The everlasting God commands its revelation, and the Scriptures bear witness to its validity (Romans 1:2–3; Acts 10:43).

Extracting the Truth in Context

The phrase "but now is made manifest" continues the dispensational contrast Paul has been drawing (Colossians 1:26–27). What was once hidden is now revealed, and this revelation is not detached from the written Word. The "scriptures of the prophets" serve as a validating witness, showing that the mystery fits within the broader framework of God’s eternal plan. Importantly, Paul is not saying the prophets themselves understood or foretold the mystery (Ephesians 3:4–5); rather, the revealed mystery now sheds light on the prophetic writings, demonstrating their coherence with God’s eternal purpose. In context, this means that the believer’s stability (Romans 16:25) and understanding of the mystery (Romans 16:25b) are reinforced by the authority of Scripture, which stands as a divine testimony to the manifestation of God’s plan.

Cornelius and the Confusion: What Really Happened in Acts 10?

Cornelius and the Confusion: What Really Happened in Acts 10?

Many Christians stumble over Acts 10. A Gentile receives the Holy Ghost, is baptized, and added to the church—surely this must be the Body of Christ, right?

Not quite.

To rightly divide this passage, we must step back and ask: Why did God send Peter to Cornelius? What was the message? What was the purpose? And what does this event mean for us today under grace?

Let’s walk through it carefully.

Who Was Cornelius—and Why Did God Send Peter?

Cornelius was a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea. He was devout, feared God, gave alms to the Jewish people, and prayed always (Acts 10:2). In short, he was a Gentile who blessed Israel—just as Genesis 12:3 promised.

God sent Peter—not Paul—to Cornelius. Why? Because Peter held the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19), and the gospel he preached was the kingdom gospel, not the mystery of grace. Peter’s message in Acts 10:36-43 focuses on Jesus as the risen Judge, ordained by God, and the fulfilment of prophecy—not the revelation of the Body of Christ.

Cornelius was not seeking salvation through Paul’s gospel. He was a Gentile responding to the light he had, and God honoured that by sending Peter to confirm his inclusion in the kingdom church.

Rightly Dividing or Wrongly Destroying: Exposing the Assault on Paul and the Word of Truth

Rightly Dividing or Wrongly Destroying: Exposing the Assault on Paul and the Word of Truth

False View Warning: A Tainted Doctrine Ahead

The following is a distorted perspective that elevates Jesus’ earthly teachings while rejecting the authority of Paul’s epistles, claiming they contradict Christ. This view misuses Scripture, applies a flawed interpretive lens (“Unity/duality”), and undermines the dispensational distinction between Jesus’ ministry to Israel and Paul’s revelation for the Body of Christ. It’s important to understand what some people believe—so we can rightly divide and correct it.

False View: A Sample of Tainted Doctrine from a comment I received

Some believe that Christians should follow Jesus Himself—not Paul, Peter, or any other apostle. They argue that Catholics follow a Pope who follows Peter, a dead Apostle, and Protestants (many unknowingly) follow Martin Luther, who followed Paul (also a dead Apostle). In contrast, they claim that true Christians should only love Jesus, the Son of God. Using a “Unity/duality” filter, they reinterpret verses by replacing terms like “evil” or “enemy” with “the person's name” to prove deity versus the fallibility of man's teachings and that only Jesus’ words make logical sense. Let me give a few examples:

To understand the “Unity” of Jesus Himself, they suggest putting His name in the "target" of His Own Words. For example:

• Matthew 5:39—"Resist not evil" becomes [Resist not Jesus.]
• Matthew 5:44—"Love thine enemies" becomes [Love your Jesus] / [Love your Christ]

They claim this makes logical sense and reflects true unity.

Then they apply the same “Unity/duality” filter to Paul’s words to expose what they see as contradiction or distortion. For example:

• Ephesians 6:11—"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" becomes [Put on the full armor of Paul, so that you can make your stand against Paul’s schemes]

They argue this reveals duality, not unity. The same filter is applied to other apostles, such as James 4:7—“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” which becomes [Submit yourselves, then, to James. Resist James, and he will flee from you.]

They conclude that only Jesus’ teachings reveal true unity, while apostolic writings reflect duality. Paul is especially criticised, with his teachings referred to as “divine taurum stercore” (Latin for “divine bull dung”). The post urges readers to reject Paul and listen only to Jesus Himself.

Numerous contrasts between Jesus’ teachings and Paul’s writings are listed to support this claim—these will be addressed and corrected later in the article.

Right division doesn't fragment Scripture—it unlocks it.

Right division doesn't fragment Scripture—it unlocks it.

The unfolding of God’s purpose in time is not random or blended—it is deliberate, progressive, and rightly divided. When we trace the book of Acts with this lens, the spotlight falls unmistakably on a pivotal shift that must shape how we read Scripture today. A new dispensation began—not with the birth of Jesus, not with Pentecost, but with the salvation of Paul and the specific revelation entrusted to him.

Before Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, salvation was bound up with Israel’s prophetic program. Gentiles who came to faith were brought in through Israel’s promises, through her rise—not her fall (cf. Isaiah 60, Zechariah 8:23). But Paul’s calling reveals something dramatically different.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18, KJV).

That mission—personal, direct, Gentile-focused—was not merely an extension of Israel’s prophetic role. It was new. Christ sent Paul as “a light of the Gentiles” (Acts 13:47), not to fulfill Israel’s rise but to reveal a grace that comes despite her fall.

In Acts 28, Paul reaches a point of finality with the nation Israel:

The Office of an Apostle: Rightly Divided and Rightly Understood

The Office of an Apostle: Rightly Divided and Rightly Understood

In a world where titles are freely claimed and spiritual offices are often misunderstood, it’s vital that we return to Scripture and rightly divide the Word of truth. One such office that has been widely misapplied in modern Christianity is that of the apostle. What does the Bible say? Who qualifies? And most importantly—is the office of an apostle still active today?

Let’s walk through this biblically, thoughtfully, and with reverence for the Word of God. You can also watch the video of this lesson here.

What Is an Apostle?

The word apostle comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning one who is sent or a messenger. It refers to someone specifically commissioned and sent by Jesus Christ with a divine message and mission. See the following scriptures for reference: 

• The 12 apostles under the Kingdom dispensation: Luke 9:2; John 20:21; Mark 16:15. 
• Paul under the Grace dispensation: Acts 9:15-16; Acts 26:16-18; Romans 1:1; Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Timothy 2:7.

Paul opens his letter to Titus with this declaration:

“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” (Titus 1:1, KJV).

This is not a casual title. It is a divinely appointed office, not a self-assumed role.

This translation knocked the wind out my sails

This translation knocked the wind out my sails

Browsing YouTube recently, I saw this video in my feed. (See image above). I immediately noticed the caption showing 2Corinthians 5:14-17, one of my original 'go to' verse references for teaching and encouraging the study of the Bible rightly divided. I thought, WOW!!! I have never seen or heard of many preachers who teach this passage, because it is very controversial. I wanted to know what this preacher was going to say about it, and how he was going to teach it. Without even reading the actual verse onscreen, I clicked the video and found the location of the sermon where the preacher started with this verse.

Then, as he started to read the verse to the congregation, all my excitement and anticipation came crashing down. My first thought was, what is he reading? I don't recognize anything that was coming out of his mouth. Then I read the caption on the screen and thought, "what philosophy book did this come from?" That passage is not even CLOSE to the verses I am familiar with in my King James Bible. Not even the message, or meaning, of these verses' lines up with what my KJV says. I am aware that modern Bible translations are corrupt, but this translation knocked the wind out my sails. I was shocked!!! 

Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided (Video Series)

Hi friends,

This is just a short announcement 📢 to inform you of a new video series I am posting on my YouTube channel. The lesson series is called: "Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided".

If you do not know right division of the Word, or if you know it but want to learn how to present it to others, then this video and series of teachings is for you. This series will present you with key verses that can highlight the need to rightly divide the Word, and also provide the supporting verses to confirm this stance.

It would be great to have your support on the channel, to listen to the lessons and provide comments or ask questions in regard to the topic. If you have learned something and believe it can benefit others in your circle, please feel free to send them the link.

Find the video series here: Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided

God bless. 🙌

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 11: Dispensational Wisdom)

Start this post series from the beginning, here.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 11: Dispensational Wisdom)

The epistle of Romans is the foundational epistle of the Christian faith. An analysis of its contents reveals that the letter can be divided into four parts, each part representing a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Missing any one of these four cornerstones, the faith foundation of a Christian can become compromised and shaky. It is vitally important to have a good understanding of each of these four cornerstones to ensure that the foundation of your faith is stable and secure.

In this series we have already covered the first two cornerstones, (1) God's Righteousness, and (2) God's Grace. The third cornerstone of Romans is "Dispensational Wisdom". Since my entire blog is based on a dispensational view of scripture, I'm not going to write much about this cornerstone, but rather point you to specific posts that I have already written in the past.

Fundamental Concepts of ‘Rightly Dividing’ the Truth

Fundamental Concepts of ‘Rightly Dividing’ the Truth

It always saddens me why so many people resist the dispensational interpretation of scripture. In addition, most of these people reject the idea BEFORE they have even understood what dispensations are. I’m not being judgmental, …just realistic, as I’m speaking from experience! They are influenced by someone who dismisses it, or their church resists it, and then they build barriers against it, all without even investigating what it is really about.

(LLTB) Recognizing and Understanding the Divisions in the Bible

Learning Point One will never reach their full potential and service to God until one understands where to look in the Bible to find God's will for them.

Recognizing and Understanding the Divisions in the Bible

Why are there so many different denominations? Why are there so many different opinions about topics such as water baptism, speaking in tongues, the Sabbath, eternal security, etc.? It is because many do not obey 2 Timothy 2:15. They do not rightly divide the word of truth. The only way to understand the Bible is to study it according to the divisional instructions given by God.

(LLTB) Why is Israel God's chosen people?

Learning Point The Lord thy God hath chosen thee [Israel] to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  Deut.7:6

Why is Israel God's chosen people?

In this post I mentioned that most of the bible is written for Israel, God's chosen nation, and that most of the bible is addressed to, and is applicable to them. Why is this? How did Israel get to be God's chosen nation? What happened in the past to get us to the reality of this scenario? Well, let me explain this in a very summarized way.

(LLTB) Not all of the bible is for you

Learning Point All of the Bible is written for our learning, but not all of the Bible is addressed to us and for our practice.

Not all of the bible is for you

It might sound strange to hear this, but I'm going to give you a very valid point. Firstly, it's easy to see that the bible is a BIG book. It was written over a period of 1300 years by more than 40 authors (though God is the one TRUE Author) and its content is directed to different people groups over many centuries of time. So, my point is that people would be quite self-centered if they thought that ALL of the bible is directly addressed to them and is about them. 

A Parallel on the Parable of the Sower

In Matthew 13 Jesus teaches the parable of the sower. Although later in the same chapter Jesus interprets the meaning of the parable to His disciples, the context of the parable can be applied in many other ways. While dealing with this topic recently, I recalled a parallel context to the sower parable that I haven't thought about for a long time and I thought it would be worthwhile to share this in a post. 

In the actual interpretation, Jesus refers to the seed as the Word of God, the Kingdom gospel. The different soils are the hearts, attitudes, and responses, of people who hear and receive the Word.

How the religion of men confuses basic details of God's Word

The following is portions of an article published in an online UK newspaper.

Priest quits after his baptisms found invalid because he said the wrong words

Andres Arango, of the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona, who has been a pastor since 1998, and has since performed thousands of baptisms, was forced to resign his position. According to the diocese, the priest would say "we baptise you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" instead of "I baptise you…" up until June 2021. Because of that, all of the baptisms that he performed are presumed invalid.

In an announcement, the diocese calls people to check their files for a baptismal certificate, or even photos and videos of the baptism to see if they were baptised by Arango.

And if they can’t find the files, the diocese urges people to contact their parish to look up their certificate and find out whether they need to book for a new baptism.

An announcement read: "It may seem legalistic, but the words that are spoken (the sacramental form), along with the actions that are performed and the materials used (the sacramental matter) are a crucial aspect of every sacrament ... If you change the words, actions, or materials required in any of the sacraments, they are not valid."

Original article here.

This is a sad, and even shocking, state of events. It is heartbreaking to see how far religion has veered away from the truth. Such religion of men is so distorted that it's hard to understand how people can be steered into such fables. It is hard to fathom how clergy can miss the target by the proverbial mile. Then again, I can understand that if the Word is not rightly divided, things like baptism and other ordinances can become misunderstood and terribly misapplied. 

Let's clear up the air and bring proper biblical context to what baptism is all about, and prove that this whole mess presented in the article above is so unnecessary and unbiblical.

Identify non-dispensational sites

How to identify non-dispensational websites

A few days ago I had some time on my hands, so I started browsing the web for some interesting reads. I happened upon a new site I've never seen before, and the page I was reading contained some of the authors views on where we go after death. Do we go to be with the Lord? Do we go to heaven or to a waiting room until judgement? Is our soul or consciousness aware of a new environment? Are we in a soul sleep while in the grave? As I read through the authors convictions on this topic I found that I agreed with him as he laid out the scriptures to qualify his understanding and I was genuinely impressed with the article. It was exciting to find a new site that I could relate to. However, as I browsed more I started to find some concepts that were very different to my convictions. The author expounded on some fundamental doctrines that I simply could not agree with. It was interesting to note how on the first article I read, I was in such agreement, yet as I opened more pages, and got to some basic Christian concepts, there was such a radical difference. In this post I'd like to point out what I find works well to 'test' a site and quickly determine if the views from that site are based on Paul's right dividing of the Word of truth (2 Tim.2:15).