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 2 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 2 of 5)

The Revelation of the Mystery

"...according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest..." — Romans 16:25b–26a

The Transition of Ages

In this portion of the passage, Paul introduces the concept of the "mystery" (mysterion). In the context of Romans and the wider New Testament, a mystery is not a confusing riddle to be solved by human intellect, but a sacred secret that was once hidden in the counsel of God and has now been revealed by His decree. The doctrine here is one of Progressive Revelation: the truth that God did not reveal His entire plan for humanity at once, but unfolded it over time, reaching its peak in the person of Jesus Christ.

Extracting the Truth in Context

Paul emphasizes two distinct timeframes: "since the world began" and "but now." By stating that this mystery was "kept secret," he is acknowledging the period of history where God’s plan was present in seed form but not fully understood. To understand this in context, one must contrast it with the nature of prophecy; while the Bible records that "prophecy was spoken since the world began" regarding the coming King and His earthly kingdom, this specific "mystery" was strictly "kept secret since the world began." This distinction reveals a dispensational shift: prophecy dealt with what was foretold to man, whereas the mystery dealt with what was hid in God. This manifestation is not a change in God’s mind, but the scheduled fulfillment of His eternal purpose. In the context of the whole passage, this revelation is the very content of the "preaching of Jesus Christ" mentioned previously. While the entire plan of God is to preach Jesus Christ, we must recognize that we today are to preach Him according to the revelation of the mystery, which is a very specific gospel. This provides the intellectual and spiritual substance that God uses to "stablish" the believer; we are made firm by understanding that we are part of a plan that spans from eternity past to the present day.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

The Power that Establishes the Believer

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ..." — Romans 16:25a

The Doctrine: Divine Establishment

In the closing of his letter to the Romans, Paul shifts from the logic of justification to a final declaration of God’s sovereignty. The Greek word for "stablish" (sterizo) means to fix something so firmly in place that it becomes immovable. Within the context of this entire letter, Paul is teaching that spiritual stability is a work of God, not an achievement of man. After sixteen chapters of explaining the depth of human sin and the riches of God's grace, Paul concludes that the only way a believer can remain firm in the "obedience of faith" is through the external power of God.

Extracting the Truth in Context

This "stablishing" does not happen in a vacuum. Note the specific boundaries Paul sets: "according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ." God does not stabilize us through vague spirituality or emotional experiences; He uses the objective truth of the Gospel. This is the same power Paul referenced in Romans 1:16—"for it is the power of God unto salvation." Furthermore, to be stablished, one must be anchored in the "preaching of Jesus Christ." This isn't just preaching about Him; it is the proclamation that He is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. In context, Paul is asserting that your stability is directly tied to your understanding of the Gospel he has just spent sixteen chapters explaining. If you are not grounded in the doctrine of Christ, you cannot be "stablished."

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.