Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 4B)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 4B --- Dividing the AGENCIES)

In Part 4A, we had a look at the 'secret' declaration of the two agencies in God's redemption plan as God spoke out referring to the stars and the sand in the promise He made with Abraham in Gen.22:15-17. In this 'part B' we'll investigate the differences between Israel and The Body of Christ (BoC) in regards to their role within God's plan.

The contrast between Israel and the Body of Christ cannot be more apparent. Israel's 'active' time during God's redemption plan was from Abraham to Paul's conversion. The BoC has been 'active' for the last 2000 years (approx) and during the period of God's grace. The two charts below provide a visual aid of the periods.

Israel's active time period

The Body of Christ active time period

When the Altar Calls, Hang Up

An excellent article written by Justin Johnson.

Altar calls have been a part of cultural Christianity for a long while, but have never been a part of the gospel of the grace of God.

This has not stopped churches that fail to rightly divide from borrowing Israel’s religion and making it part of church tradition.

Usually placed at the end of a revival sermon, an appeal is made by the preacher to “heed the call”, “come down front”, or “walk the sawdust trail.”

What is down front? According to church tradition, an altar. Where does the trail lead? To a religious practice that often confuses the complete and finished work of Christ.

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 4A)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 4A --- Dividing the AGENCIES)

Dividing the REALMS, defined in the previous post of this series, by phrases like, heaven and earth, and spiritual and physical, provide an understanding of the end point of God's great redemption plan. However, leading up to this end point, there will be an agency to occupy the heavens and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ, and there will be an agency to occupy the earth and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ. The end of it all would be as the scriptures say,

Col.1:19-20 For God [the Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him [Christ], 20 and through Him [Christ] to reconcile to Himself [the Father] all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood* of His [Christ] cross.

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 3)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 3 --- Dividing the REALMS)

In previous posts of this study, we have investigated the NEED to recognize divisions in the Bible. We have also determined the PURPOSE for divisions in the Bible. It is important to remember that the purpose for dividing the Word originates in all things to do with Israel. In this post we will have a look at the first of three overarching 'Israel related' categories that need to be rightly divided in God's greater redemption plan. Within the three categories of (1) Realms, (2) Agencies, and (3) Programs, we will start by dividing the REALMS; defined by phrases like, heaven and earth, and spiritual and physical.

Genesis 1:1 famously starts with the statement, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...". In the context of this verse, we know that the heavens and the earth are the physical realms that God created. However, as we progress through this study, and in context with the verses we will target, you will notice that the words, heaven and earth, as well as starts, sand, spiritual and physical can represent different things. The context of the verse is important and will clarify whether the meaning represents the physical creation, or angels (demons) or actual celestial bodies, or even two different people groups. This will become evident as we progress. I'm simply giving you a heads up.
 

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 2)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 2 --- The PURPOSE for divisions in the Bible)

In the last two lessons, we've had a look at the necessity (or importance) of understanding and exercising right division in the Word. In this short post I simply want to ask the question, "Why is there a dual purpose in God's plan?" What is the reason why we have to split up the content in the Bible?

The answer lies in the design of God's plan. As in the image below, you'll see that the end of the plan involves two realms. The lower part (in blue) represents the 1000-year Millennial Kingdom, in which Christ will reign on earth. The part above that represents the heavens. We will look at these two realms in greater detail in the next post, but it is the fact that we have two realms that requires us to divide the Bible between two distinct and unique programs.

Glossary of Common End Times Terms

Abomination of Desolation:

When the Antichrist sits down in the rebuilt Jewish Temple and declares himself to be God, "The Great Tribulation" of 42 months will then begin. The Antichrist will demand worship worldwide (Rev. 13). This will be the abomination that leads to great desolation. God's judgments will bring desolation, or destruction, to all who participate in this terrible abomination (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thes. 2:3-4). This worship system is based on the Antichrist (called the Beast) setting up an image (statue or idol) of himself in the Jerusalem temple. At the occurrence of this event, the Jews living in Israel are commanded to flee into the wilderness. All tribulation saints will know, from that day on, they must now wait 1260 days before the Lord returns. (Dan 9:27), (Mat 24:15-19)

Amillennialism:

(prefix "a," "no"). The belief that there is no literal 1000-year reign of Christ. Thus Revelation 20 is taken symbolically, not literally, by adherents of this view. Amillennialists generally believe that Israel has been permanently set aside for all time and that God's current plan of salvation involves only the Church.

Antichrist:

Often described as the most evil man that will ever live. He will arrive on the world scene and appear to be the world's saviour, but everyone on earth will soon learn his real mission will be one of destruction. Also called the man of lawlessness (or sin), Gog, the son of destruction (or perdition) (1 John 2:18) , (Rev 13:1-8)

Biblical cycles of 7-years, called: "Shemitah's"

In the Bible, a 'type' is a divinely purposed illustration of some truth and is often a prophetic foretelling of future events. 

The 'type' can be:

1. a person (Rom.5:14)
2. a thing (Heb.10:19-20)
3. an institution (Heb.9:11-12)
4. a ceremonial (1 Cor.5:7)
5. an event (1 Cor.10:11)

The Greek word týpos, meaning "example", describes a model or pattern in the Old Testament that is fulfilled in scripture, often typifying the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The word týpos (in the KJV Bible) is also translated as "pattern" (Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5), "form" (Romans 6:17), "print" (John 20:25), "ensample" (1 Cor.10:11), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Romans 5:14), and "manner" (Acts 23:25).