Does God still speak today?

Does God still speak today?

I post these social media interactions because they are a great source of Q&A. It also helps arm us believers with how unbelievers, or even uneducated babes in Christ, think or reason out spiritual matters.

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION:

• Tell me this…how come God no longer speaks to man and no longer manifest himself. I know many claims God speaks or have spoken to them but realistically the person speaking is your inner thoughts. It’s always humans making claims for God not God himself. You’d think an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present god would make his presence known to the world and not in visions and dreams of charlatans. The world is in crises all over. He is needed more than ever. Where is Christ in all of crises?

MY REPLY:

The bible tells us why. I’ll explain it in summary. It all has to do with a God’s overall plan to restore heaven and earth to its former glory under Christ.

Questions and dialog about the Kingdom of God

Questions and dialog about the Kingdom of God

You said, “In God’s word the matter of a kingdom is the matter of a life. … (You must be saved into it)”

I cannot agree more. In God’s kingdom is life, righteousness, and peace. Being outside of this kingdom means to be cut off from these qualities. I see God’s kingdom in this visual. Draw a big circle on a board. This circle represents the Kingdom of God. Inside the circle draw two smaller circles. The first smaller circle is the prophetic program of Israel. The second smaller circle is the mystery program of the Body of Christ. The two smaller circles in the kingdom of God partakes of His life, righteousness, and peace. Thus, once you are in the Kingdom of God, you have life; you are quickened in spirit, and by this spirit you can participate in that kingdom.

Please give two examples of what Apostle Paul said that contradicted Jesus Christ.

QUESTION:

Please give two examples of what Apostle Paul said that contradicted Jesus Christ.

ANSWER:

Jesus ministered the Kingdom doctrine and Paul ministered the Grace doctrine. Both these doctrines are complementary to each other in God’s greater redemption plan, but in comparing these doctrines with each other, it is here where we find contradictions, simply because the doctrine of each dispensation differs according to God’s design.

I have so many differences that I am finding it difficult to choose which ones to give you.  Let me list these three from 100’s I have.

Chosen before the foundation of the world

Chosen before the foundation of the world

QUESTION:

Did God have a redemption plan for us through the body of Christ from the creation of the world?

ANSWER:

I like your question, and I can go one better in my reply!! Yes, God had a redemption plan for us, as the Body of Christ, but it was not planned from the creation of the world, or since the world began, but rather, it was ordained BEFORE the world began. 

Naturally, God’s entire redemption plan was determined long before the world was made. God knows the end from the beginning as we read in Isaiah 46:10. However, it is interesting how we can distinguish the redemption of the Body of Christ from other dispensations based on the context of timing and on what was prophesied versus what was kept secret.

In John 4:10, Jesus introduces the mystery doctrine

In John 4:10, Jesus introduces the mystery doctrine

COMMENT:

In the book of John 4:9 the Samaritan lady clearly describes the prophetic doctrine. And in John 4:10, Jesus introduces the mystery doctrine. And the lady goes further in John 4:12 and asks a distinguishing question that sets Jesus Christ as being mystery. In John 4:19, the message is clear about the prophetic doctrine and then, in the following verse John 4:21–26, the mystery doctrine begins.

ANSWER:

There is no doubt that Jesus reveals mysteries concerning the Kingdom program. In Matt 13:11 Jesus says, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” These mysteries. however, were already prophesied and are not the same as the unsearchable secrets, Eph 3:8, which were revealed to Paul for the Body of Christ. You even point out in your comment that it was according to prophecy. What Jesus revealed were mysteries because the Jews were ignorant of these things recorded in the scriptures, and, unlike the prophets, who declared these things, but did not see them come to pass, Mat 13:17, the Jews were now seeing the incarnation of the scriptures being realized before their eyes. Thus, the mysteries that Jesus revealed were already prophesied; things ‘darkly’ announced in the Old Testament, and during all that period ‘darkly’ understood, but now being brought to light for those who had faith to see. 

Questions on the two kinds of righteousness.

Comment in response to the following post: 
https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2024/03/two-types-of-righteousness.html

COMMENT:

So, if it’s two types of righteousness what is Paul expressing here Romans 10:3-5 and in Deuteronomy 6:25; Romans 7:7 and in 1 John 3:4

If you say there are two types of righteousness, one by law and the other by faith, then how can Paul say one thing in the above verses and then turn around and say the opposite in those scriptures you put in your answer? 

Oh yes, Paul is also teaching from the Old Testament! So where in the Old Testament does it prophecy TWO types of righteousness?

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Who is the pearl of great price? (Matthew 13:45-46)

Who is the pearl of great price? (Matthew 13:45-46)

Not who. What. The pearl of great price is the Millennial Kingdom.

Let’s look at the scripture passage below.

Mat 13:43-46 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (45) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The pearl of great price is part of an extended lesson Jesus spoke in parables. Before the pearl, we have a treasure in a field. Jesus informs us that, just like the pearl, the treasure is the Kingdom, in verse 44. Before this parable is the parable of the weeds, in verses 36–43. This is where we learn that there will be good seed and bad seed sown and harvested. The tares are gathered at harvest and thrown into the fire, but the harvest of good seed will enjoy the kingdom of their Father.

Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

People who hold to a dispensational view of the Bible often justify their view by quoting the following verse …

2Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

… and they focus almost exclusively on the part of the verse that instructs one to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Now, although there is nothing wrong with that, since right division is of crucial importance to understand the Bible in the correct context, I do want to point out something that is often overlooked in the verse above, which is in fact the primary key to this whole concept of rightly dividing.

DM#24: I have laid the foundation

Doctrine of the Mysteries #24

I have laid the foundation

1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

In our key verse above, Paul tells us that he is a master builder who has laid the foundation for the new dispensation of grace that God started through his ministry. This foundation is based upon the mystery doctrine that God revealed to Paul and which he wrote about in his epistles. However, before we discuss this foundation, we must take note that there is another foundation which God had previously laid. Furthermore, it is of great importance that we are aware of both, what the significance of each is, and that we know which foundation is the one we should build upon.

God’s previously laid foundation

The writer of Hebrews informs us of this previously laid foundation. It is a foundation that belongs to Israel. It consists of their doctrine and is the base upon which their faith and services to God ought to be built. Let’s have a look at the passage,

Explain how the doctrine taught by Paul is different to that taught by Peter?

Explain how the doctrine taught by Paul is different to that taught by Peter?

QUESTION:

I don’t see how the doctrine Paul taught differed from Peter (as an example) except Paul preached to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews (who knew the Torah). If you are claiming the doctrine that Paul taught supersedes or is the only way to “get off the milk” of a new believer, which verses would you specifically point to and why?

ANSWER:

The answer is too extensive to write in one reply as it concerns the whole of Paul’s revelation of the risen and glorified Christ, however, I can provide a few thought-provoking scriptures that you can read and consider.

You have two statements I can respond to (in very short summation),

1. I don’t see how the doctrine Paul taught differed from Peter (as an example) except Paul preached to the Gentile and Peter to the Jew (who knew the Torah).

DM#23: Be ye followers of me

Doctrine of the Mysteries #23

Be ye followers of me

1Co 1:11-12  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (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.

There are two points to extract from verse 12. The first is a truth that babes in Christ will incline to outward attractions over spiritual truth. The second is a yearning that people would choose to follow Paul, or more accurately, Paul’s doctrine, than that of Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the earthly ministry of Christ. Let me elaborate on both points.

DM#17: Who is a minister to whom?

Doctrine of the Mysteries #17

Who is a minister to whom?

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:

Many people would read this sentence and not even notice the specific audience mentioned to whom Jesus ministered. Detail like this is important and should not be ignored if one desires to understand the Bible in its true context.

Paul tells us that Jesus Christ was a minister to the circumcision. Thus, Jesus ministered specifically to Israel. This statement cannot simply be dismissed as irrelevant as we have confirmation from Jesus himself,

DM#16: Things written aforetime were written for our learning

Doctrine of the Mysteries #16

Things written aforetime were written for our learning

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Before I mention some insights about our key verse above, I’d like you to read the passage below, taking note of the name of the doctrine and the timing of its revelation,

Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The content of Paul’s 13-epistles makes up the ‘MYSTERY’ doctrine for the grace believer today, 1Cor 4:1; Eph 3:3-4. According to Rom 16:25 above, the mystery doctrine was kept secret since the world began, BUT NOW has been made manifest for our consumption. This doctrine was not intended for other dispensations but was designed for the delivery of pure grace to us through Christ and was targeted exclusively for a spiritual body with a heavenly purpose.

DM#11: Blindness in part is happened to Israel

Doctrine of the Mysteries #11

Blindness in part is happened to Israel 

Paul’s 13-epistles constitute the ‘mystery doctrine’. It is Paul himself that describes his inspired writings as mysteries,

1Cor 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Eph 3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

He calls his writings mysteries, not because they were mysterious or enigmatic, but because they were a secret that was never revealed before. Paul tells us that what he made known, “was kept secret since the world began, but now made manifest”, Rom 16:25-26. Paul uses the words, “but now”, many times in his epistles, as it indicates that things were a certain way before, but now, by God’s design, they were replaced by a new set of doctrinal principles, and these principles were never prophesied and made known in the prophetic scriptures.

Accounting for the sequential order of Paul’s epistles in the Bible, the very first mystery that we encounter, is the blinding of Israel, as quoted below,

DM#6: Before we can even begin with the ABC’s

Doctrine of the Mysteries #6

Before we can even begin with the ABC’s

The doctrine of the mysteries is a curriculum that can only be learned by those who have been regenerated in the spirit. The light of God’s written Word does not shine in the hearts of those who are lost. Paul tells us why in 1Cor 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” This curriculum is meant for the members of the Body of Christ, as it can only be understood in the mind of the spirit. It cannot be understood or received in the carnal mind.

2Cor 4:3-6 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.

So, how then do we receive the mind of the spirit?

DM#3: Established by a Spiritual Gift

Doctrine of the Mysteries #3

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Established by a Spiritual Gift

The ‘spiritual gift’ that Paul was to impart upon the church at Rome was not the kind of miraculous powers that operated in the early church under the apostleship of the 12. Miracles had a specific purpose in the Jewish church at that time. Like the miracles that Jesus did, God’s power through the 12-apostles was to confirm to Jews that they operated under the ministry and blessing of God. Remember, Jews required signs for this very purpose, Joh 4:48; 1Cor 1:22.

God’s Multipart Plan to Redeem HEAVEN and EARTH (Part 2)

God’s Multipart Plan to Redeem HEAVEN and EARTH (Part 2)

In part one, we learned about the Prophetic program which concerns Israel, prophecy, and law, to ‘fix’ the earth. In this part, our focus will be on the Mystery program which concerns the Body of Christ and God’s grace, to ‘fix’ heaven.

Remember, this is still a high-level overview of the layout of the Bible from cover to cover. We will look at scriptures to confirm things in the subsequent parts.

So, what is this Mystery program, and how does it concern us today?

As we saw in the Prophetic program in part one, it is a complete program, beginning with a world in corruption, and ending in the restoration of earth at the second coming of Christ. However, God divided this program into two parts, separating the Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom and pushing it 2000-years into the future from the cross. The reason for this is because of the unbelief of Israel. When they refused the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the apostles at Pentecost, God blinded Israel and suspended their program. At this point, God saved Paul and sent him to the Gentiles with a new message of grace through the cross of Christ. This new message was completely different to the prophetic and law orientated program of Israel. Paul tells the Corinthians that everything has become new,

A Workman, Approved by God

A Workman, Approved by God

2Ti 2:15-17  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  (17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: …

What do we do with verses like the above? Do we steer away from them because they are too serious and foreboding? Do we ignore them because they are too weighty or admonishing? It is in times like these that we need to remember that these are not just words in a book, but that they are the words of God, our Creator, and words that carry life and truth that cannot be disregarded.

These verses tell us that there is a certain way of studying and understanding God’s Word. If we adhere to this, God approves us as workmen. If we do not adhere to that specific form of study, we are not approved by God as workmen, and we bring shame upon ourselves and upon the written Word. That shame and dishonour comes in the form of profane and vain babblings. Now, just stop there and take note. What is the message we are learning here? It comes down to this. If we do not study, understand, and communicate the Word of God in a specific way, the words that come from our mouth becomes profane, and is no more than useless babble to those that listen! That useless message, over time, will increase towards ungodliness, and will spread over and consume, not merely destroying the parts immediately affected, but will extend into the surrounding healthy parts and destroy them also. So it is with erroneous, unapproved doctrines. They will not merely eat out the truth in the particular matter to which they refer, but they will also spread over and corrupt other truths.

Two biblical doctrines given at two separate times for two different purposes.

Two biblical doctrines given at two separate times for two different purposes.

When one studies the bible, cross referencing scripture and comparing verses between Paul’s writings and the rest of the bible, the evidence is overwhelming that the risen Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul a completely different doctrine from that which was written in the prophets. In this short post, I simply want to highlight one glaring piece of evidence, out of a myriad of others, to bring your attention to the fact that we need to know and understand these different doctrines and interpret the bible in accordance with this understanding.

The first two verses below inform of knowledge given since the creation of the world. The latter three speak of knowledge that was kept secret (or hidden) since the creation of the world. There can be no objection to the timing within these statements. Prophecy was given since the world began, but Paul’s mystery doctrine was kept secret at that time, and only written about and taught when it was revealed to Paul.

Knowledge that will stablish you in the faith

Knowledge that will stablish you in the faith

Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you

1. according to my gospel,
2. and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [doctrine], which was kept secret since the world began,  26  But now is made manifest,
3. and by the scriptures of the prophets,

…according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The above passage is one of my favourites in all of Paul’s writings. It is essentially a very short summary of the book of Romans, but more importantly, it provides a condensed list of instructions that provide a grace believer with stability in their faith and walk. Let me briefly analyse this passage.