The Cross, the Blood, and the Resurrection in Kingdom and Grace

The Cross, the Blood, and the Resurrection in Kingdom and Grace

Introduction: One Event, Two Meanings

The death, the shedding of blood, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are the foundation of redemption. Yet the King James Bible shows that these same events carry two distinct meanings depending on whether they are applied to Israel under prophecy (the Kingdom program) or to the Body of Christ under mystery (the Grace program). To rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we must ask of every passage: Who is being addressed? Why is this truth given? When is it applied? For what reason? And what result follows?

The Cross of Christ

For Israel, the cross is national guilt. Peter declared to the nation: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). The cross is a stumbling stone to the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23). Prophecy foretells that Israel will one day mourn over the pierced Messiah: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him” (Zechariah 12:10). The purpose of the cross in this program is to expose national guilt so that Israel may repent and be restored. Acts 3:19–21 connects repentance to the times of restitution: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out… until the times of restitution of all things.” Hebrews frames Christ’s sacrifice in covenantal terms, showing how His offering relates to the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15; 10:29). Thus, for the Kingdom program the cross is historically true now but remedially applied corporately when Israel repents at Christ’s return.

Concepts in Thessalonians that might confuse people regarding the Grace Doctrine

Concepts in Thessalonians that might confuse people regarding the Grace Doctrine

Why did Paul mention things like Jesus as King, the Day of the Lord, signs of the End Times, and the Antichrist in the Thessalonian letters? Are these things part of our Grace doctrine? How do we understand these things in the context of the Thessalonian epistles? 

These are valid questions, which in turn have valid answers.

1 Thess.5:1-2: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

Paul’s stay in Thessalonica was brief—about three to four weeks (Acts 17:2). He reasoned in the synagogue, proving from Scripture that Jesus was the Christ who suffered and rose again. His message was met with both faith and fierce opposition. Some Jews believed, many Gentiles turned from idols, but others stirred riots, accusing Paul of treason for proclaiming “another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:7). The Thessalonian believers were young in the faith, surrounded by pagan idolatry, political suspicion, and persecution. Paul’s urgency was to ground them in the essentials: Christ crucified and risen, salvation by faith, holy living, and hope in His return. Yet because of rumours, false letters, and external pressures, he also had to clarify matters that touched on kingdom language—Jesus as King, the Day of the Lord, and signs of the end. These were not the core of his mystery gospel, but necessary clarifications to protect them from confusion.

Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures

Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures

For centuries, the Jewish people have awaited the arrival of the Messiah—the anointed one who will bring redemption and establish God’s kingdom. But what if the Messiah has already come? What if the very scriptures of the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) reveal His identity?

The apostle Paul, a devout Jew trained in the Torah, wrote extensively about the Messiah in his letter to the Romans. But his arguments were not based on new teachings; rather, they were deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Let’s explore how Paul’s writings align with the prophecies of the Tanakh.

1. The Messiah Must Be from the Line of David

Paul states in Romans 1:3 that the Messiah was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This is a direct reference to the Jewish expectation that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.

• 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
• Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Messiah is called the “righteous Branch” from David’s line.
• Micah 5:2 – The ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem and traced His lineage directly to David, fulfilling this requirement.

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 10 - Salvation doesn’t stop at the cross, but includes resurrection too)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 10 - Salvation doesn’t stop at the cross, but includes resurrection too)

Romans 6 to 8 is a keynote part of our Christian doctrine. Paul has fully transitioned from lessons in justification through Romans 1 to 5 and is now focused on sanctification. Justification is shelved and is settled. Those who believe in Jesus Christ: in his cross work through the gospel of grace, are saved from God's wrath and hell. Their heavenward salvation is final and sure, because it is not based on the life of the believer, but on the righteousness of Christ and God's heavenly decree to save those who believe in His Son. This is positional salvation because it is not up to the believer. It is God's decree and Christ's work. The believer is placed in Christ and sealed unto the day of salvation, Eph.1:13.

What we are going to get into now is in contrast to positional salvation. Sanctification is functional salvation because the believer has a responsibility, or as Paul puts it, a reasonable service to perform, Rom.12:1. Recall this verse,

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

Php 3:7-14  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  (12)  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul mean when he says, “attaining unto the resurrection of the dead”? What is the resurrection of the dead? Well, it might not be what you think! Paul is not talking about being raised from the dead at the rapture. No! The rapture is not the context of this passage, neither does it even fit into the truths that he is teaching the Philippians. So, let’s do some bible study to see exactly what Paul is talking about.

What are all the resurrections of the end times?

The Bible speaks of two types of resurrections: (1) The Resurrections of the Righteous and (2) the resurrection of the Unrighteous. Jesus and Paul plainly declared two basic resurrections:

John 5:28 "for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned."

Acts 24:15 having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, that there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; (Also see: Daniel 12:2)

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 12)

We are coming to the end of the details of the return of Jesus Christ. We have looked at the stages of His return and the order of how they mirror His ascension. We have also briefly previewed the events of Revelation that take place between the stages of Jesus multi-part return and how they progress throughout the end times. To wrap up with, I have a few more things to mention, but before I do, I'd like to remind you of the two primary points that glue this whole study together. They are as follows,

1. As with many other patterns, shadows, and types found in the Bible, the ascension of Jesus Christ can teach us of the stages of His return.
   
   
2. Paul's two 'famous' rapture scriptures, in 1Cor.15 and 1 Thess.4, express the event in general, (ie: they expound on the WHOLE coming of Christ, across the whole 7-year period of the tribulation, for all saints. The scriptures do NOT represent just the rapture of the Body of Christ.)
   

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 7)

Before I jump back to the two passages of scripture I shared in part 6 of this series, I'd like to share this little insight with you which will help to confirm my interpretation of them. It's not often that we can take a single verse or two and build a concept or doctrine based on what it says. On the other hand, it is scripturally sound to base a concept or doctrine upon confirmations from many verses. This guidance can be illustrated clearly in a simple jigsaw puzzle. One piece provides a little bit of detail, but it's only when you join that piece up with many more pieces in the box, where the full picture comes clearly into view.

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 6)

It is important to maintain the context from part 5 in this study and remember that Paul's writings encompass ALL of the coming of Christ, across both Mystery and Kingdom Programs. When Paul writes about Christ's return, he does not always focus exclusively on the Body of Christ! Our rapture only makes up part of the details that Paul lays out as he documents the WHOLE of Christ's return and the order (or sequence) of the raptures and resurrections. Please keep this in mind as we continue in this study.

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 5)

Part 4 concluded with the details of Christ's ascension. We will now turn our attention to the details of the return of Jesus Christ, looking into the stages of His return in the same way, and in the same positions, as how He ascended. I trust that these details will either confirm the wonders and intrigue of the return of 'our blessed hope', or provide you deeper, and meaningful insights, that can strengthen your faith and generate excitement.

Let's continue to look at the return of Jesus, as mirroring (or in symmetry to) the events of His ascension.

OBS: ACTS - The Transition (Part 5 - Insights into the New Covenant)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 5) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

See the video lesson of this study here.

Insights into the New Covenant

Time Is Running Out

The events in the world at current, and the signs according to prophecy*, are indicators that the grace dispensation in God's timetable is soon to end. The next dispensation, after grace, will be one of tribulation and wrath. Time is running out, and if you have not yet heard and responded to the Gospel of Grace, you are still unredeemed, unsaved and will have no hope when you stand before your God. I encourage you to read through the linked posts below and respond to the good news that can save you.

"for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out —those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned."

(Jesus Christ, Jn.5:28-29)

S-A: (Rev20-6) He that hath part in the first resurrection

Scripture Analysis: (Rev.20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection