Paul's command (not a request) in 2 Timothy 2:15 - "rightly dividing the word of truth" - makes no sense if there is nothing to divide.
The Greek word translated "rightly divide" means to "cut straight" or "make a correct partition." Paul is instructing Timothy (and us) to handle God's Word carefully, recognizing distinctions God Himself has placed in it. The Bible is one unified revelation, but within it God deals with different people in different ways at different times (dispensations). For example:
Law vs. Grace: God gave Israel the Law through Moses ( Exodus 20), but through Paul He revealed salvation by grace apart from the Law ( Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16). If we blur these, we end up mixing works with grace.
Israel vs. the Church: Israel was promised an earthly kingdom ( Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 19:28), while the Body of Christ has a heavenly calling ( Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20). If we confuse these, we misapply promises and commands not meant for us.
Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Gospel of Grace: (yes, there is more than one Gospel in the NT) Jesus and the 12 preached "the gospel of the kingdom" to Israel ( Matthew 4:23; Galatians 2:7-9), while Paul was given "the gospel of the grace of God" ( Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Both are true, but they serve different purposes in God's plan.
So Paul's point is: don't blend everything together as if it all applies in the same way to everyone. To "rightly divide" is to discern God's progressive revelation - prophecy vs. mystery, Israel's promises vs. the Church's hope, law vs. grace. If you don't divide, you end up in contradictions and confusion.
I want to share with you why it is not only unwise but dangerous to blur the distinction between Paul's message and the twelve apostles. God gave Paul a unique dispensation of grace, revealing the "mystery" of the Body of Christ, a truth hidden until his ministry ( Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:25-27). When we blend his message with the kingdom program preached by Peter and the others, we risk corrupting the gospel of grace.
Peter preached to Israel, offering the promised kingdom upon national repentance and baptism ( Acts 2:38; 3:19). Paul preached justification by faith alone apart from works of the law ( Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9). To confuse these messages is to either add works to grace, or to remove Israel's kingdom promises. Paul warned that adding to his gospel of grace produces "another gospel" ( Galatians 1:6-9), and he pronounced a curse on anyone who preached such.
Blending also robs believers of assurance. If salvation depends partly on works, ordinances, or kingdom requirements, then we can never rest in the finished work of Christ. The beauty of Paul's message is that Christ did it all-our salvation is complete in Him ( Colossians 2:10). Mixing law and grace leaves Christians unstable, unsure if they have done enough, and strips the cross of its sufficiency.
Finally, confusion weakens the testimony of the Church. The Body of Christ is not Israel, nor is it inheriting an earthly kingdom. Our hope is heavenly ( Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4). When we preach Israel's program as our own, we not only deny our identity but also cloud Israel's future promises, making God appear unfaithful.
For these reasons, we must carefully obey 2 Timothy 2:15: rightly divide the word of truth. Blending the programs corrupts the gospel, shakes assurance, and dishonors God's distinct plans.
If there is nothing to divide, why did Paul say to rightly divide the word of truth?
The recent events with Mr. Kirk have as of today made me more confident to say that he was indeed a martyr; as he espoused and approved the Gospel approach of Ray Comfort in the past which in no uncertain terms as far as I can tell is a clear and Biblically sound approach to the Word. I am as people here can tell skeptical of much that is going down and trying to be deliberately vague so as not to be flagged but also focus on how a Christian in general should approach things going on today.
What is happening now; with the upcoming communion event in D.C. (I'll just leave it at that) is steeped with NAR and therefore with false teachings and I am giving a strong caution for anyone that wants to engage in such an event. Communion I believe should be offered to any true believer; but how it is determined in such a mass of people remains to be seen and what certain false teachers have done to that ceremony is at best questionable and at times clearly blasphemous.
To anyone with a normal human brain (I will avoid being overly sarcastic but need to make a point here); the attempt to hold onto all of our riches of this world and the attempt to push the prosperity gospel (small g) is a clear indicator of this:
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. ( Titus 1:14-15).
Now again to someone with a normal intelligence can read verses such as this to see what true persecution is
Philippians 3:8
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,
or read 2 Corinthians 11 as to what happened with a TRUE Apostle.
So, what is salvation? For me, salvation happened the moment I received Christ and His Spirit came into my spirit. That was a one-time event. I can only be born of His Spirit once. But like you, I also see salvation as past, present, and future. In other words, I was saved, I am being saved, and in the end, I will be saved.
I'm looking at Philippians 1:6 which reads, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
The first thing I notice is that Paul says, "being confident." This is actually a Perfect Tense which should read "having become confident." Paul can confidently say about this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (literally complete it), until the day of Jesus Christ. God's promise to us is that whatever work He began in us, He's going to complete it until Christ comes. That's how permanent our salvation is!
I also agree that when we receive Jesus through faith, our sins are forgiven, we are justified by faith, and covered with a white garment, clean and pure. We are covered in the righteousness of Christ. He (Jesus) is pure and clean ( Philippians 3:9).
Please notice that I didn't use the word "accept." I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but the bible never tells us to accept Jesus. It does tell us to receive Him ( John 1:12). I don't mean to be fastidious, but in my mind, there's a difference between the words accept and receive, especially when it comes to Christ. To accept just means to mentally agree with something, or someone. We must receive Him.
The New Testament reveals that the Church, the Body of Christ, has a heavenly calling and destiny, distinct from Israel's earthly kingdom hope. While it doesn't say in one verse, "the Church is going to heaven," Paul's epistles clearly show that our citizenship, position, and eternal home are in heaven.
In Philippians 3:20, Paul says, "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour." This points directly to the believer's true home being heavenly, not earthly. Similarly, Colossians 3:1-2 tells believers to seek those things which are above, because Christ, who is our life, is there. Our focus is heavenly because that is where our eternal life and inheritance are secured.
Ephesians 2:6 explains that we are already spiritually "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," meaning our position in Christ is established in heaven, even though we currently live on earth. This aligns with 2 Corinthians 5:1, which promises that if our earthly body is dissolved, "we have a building of God eternal in the heavens." The believer looks forward to being clothed with a glorified, heavenly body.
At the rapture, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Church will be "caught up... to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Since Christ is currently in heaven, and we will be forever with Him, this implies a heavenly destiny for the Church.
These scriptures collectively show that the Church is not promised a place in Israel's earthly kingdom, but rather has a heavenly inheritance, being part of a new creation in Christ. Paul's unique revelation of the mystery ( Eph. 3:1-11) includes this distinction. The Church is not waiting for a kingdom to come to earth, but for Christ to take us to where He is-in heaven.
Still it's not possible to mix the kingdom message meant for the 12 Tribes of Israel with the mystery message to the body of Christ the Church.
The Church, the Body of Christ, is distinct from the Bride of Christ-a truth revealed uniquely through the Apostle Paul under the dispensation of grace. While traditional teaching often blends Israel's prophetic promises with the Church's heavenly calling, a right division ( 2 Timothy 2:15) reveals that believers today, saved by grace through faith alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9), are part of a new creation: the Body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 12:5).
Paul never refers to the Church as the "Bride of Christ." Instead, he consistently identifies the Church as a body in which Christ is the Head ( Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). This organism is spiritual, made up of both Jew and Gentile, reconciled into one new man ( Ephesians 2:15-16). This unity was a "mystery" kept hidden from ages past ( Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:1-6), never prophesied or associated with Israel's covenantal promises.
In contrast, the bride metaphor is rooted in prophecy and tied to Israel. Revelation 21:9-10 calls the New Jerusalem "the bride, the Lamb's wife," a city prepared for redeemed Israel ( Isaiah 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19-20). John the Baptist called himself a "friend of the bridegroom" ( John 3:29), which places him outside the bride. Paul, while using marriage as a metaphor in Ephesians 5, still emphasizes the Body-not a bride-saying, "We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" ( Ephesians 5:30). The analogy teaches love and unity, not identity.
Confusing the Bride with the Body blends Israel's earthly hope with the Church's heavenly calling ( Philippians 3:20). We are not awaiting a wedding ceremony, but rather a catching away ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to appear with Christ in glory. As members of His Body, we are already spiritually one with Him ( 1 Corinthians 6:17). Understanding this distinction preserves the truth of God's separate programs for Israel and the Church.
Paul is the only apostle who gives detailed revelation about the rapture-the catching away of the Body of Christ-a doctrine unique to his epistles and part of the "mystery" revealed to him by the risen Christ ( Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:51). Here are the key passages and what Paul says:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Classic Rapture Passage
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air..."
(vv. 16-17, KJV)
Paul describes:
A resurrection of dead believers.
A snatching away (Greek: harpazo, Latin: rapturo) of the living believers.
A meeting in the air-not Christ coming to Earth (contrast with Second Coming).
A comforting hope unique to the Body of Christ (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - A Mystery Revealed
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"
Paul explains:
This was previously hidden-a mystery not found in prophecy.
There will be a transformation of living saints.
The event is instantaneous and involves receiving glorified bodies.
Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Heavenly Hope
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour... Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body"
Paul emphasizes:
Our hope is not earthly (kingdom), but heavenly.
Christ will give believers a glorified body like His own.
Summary:
Paul teaches that the rapture is a mystery revealed only to him for the Body of Christ. It is a pre-judgment event ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), sudden, and distinct from Christ's return to Earth in judgment (as in Matthew 24 or Revelation). This catching away is the blessed hope ( Titus 2:13) for those saved by grace through faith apart from the Law ( Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Kingdom Gospel preached by Peter and the Grace Gospel revealed through Paul represent two distinct programs in God's redemptive plan.
1. Peter's Kingdom Gospel (Faith + Works) - For Israel and the Little Flock
Peter's message centered on Israel's prophetic hope, the coming earthly kingdom, and the Messiahship of Jesus. This gospel required faith in Jesus as the Messiah, but it also included repentance, water baptism, and adherence to the law, as seen in Acts 2:38:
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." ( Acts 2:38, KJV)
Key elements:
Audience: Jews (especially "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" - Matthew 10:5-6)
Content: Jesus is the promised Messiah; repent and be baptized.
Requirement: Faith plus works (baptism, continued obedience).
Goal: Entry into the earthly kingdom promised to Israel ( Luke 12:32 - "little flock").
James 2:24 supports this...
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
This shows that under the Kingdom Gospel, works confirmed faith for salvation, especially for the Jewish remnant.
2. Paul's Grace Gospel (Faith Alone) - For the Body of Christ
Paul preached a new, previously hidden "mystery" gospel revealed to him by Christ ( Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-9). This message was not based on Israel's covenants or prophecy, but on grace alone through faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Key elements:
Audience: All (Jew and Gentile alike), forming the Body of Christ.
Content: Christ died for our sins and rose again.
Requirement: Faith alone (no works, no law, no baptism required for salvation).
Many today believe that the Church is a continuation or replacement of Israel, often calling it "spiritual Israel." However, when we rightly divide the Word of Truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15), we see that the Church-the Body of Christ-formed through the unique revelation given to the Apostle Paul ( Ephesians 3:1-6), is a distinct entity from the nation of Israel. Israel is a nation with earthly promises, covenants, and prophetic hope, while the Church is a heavenly people, formed without distinction between Jew and Gentile, united by faith alone in Christ and placed into one Body ( 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28).
Israel's promises were national and earthly-God covenanted land, a kingdom, and a Messiah to rule over them ( Genesis 17:7-8; Isaiah 9:6-7). These promises were never transferred to the Church. Instead, Paul reveals a "mystery" that was kept hidden from ages past ( Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26), in which God is forming a new, heavenly organism-the Body of Christ-composed of both Jew and Gentile, not based on nationality or covenant, but based on grace through faith ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Nowhere in Paul's epistles does he teach that the Church has become Israel or inherits Israel's kingdom promises.
To equate the Church with spiritual Israel confuses God's prophetic program for Israel with His mystery program for the Body of Christ. God has not abandoned His promises to national Israel ( Romans 11:1-2, 25-29). Their fullness will come in a future day, during the millennial reign of Christ. In contrast, the Church was chosen before the foundation of the world and has a heavenly destiny ( Ephesians 1:3-4; Philippians 3:20). Understanding the difference protects sound doctrine and preserves the clarity of God's distinct purposes for Israel and the Church.
Reading a little and as the weeks go by, I realize that the Old Testament also contains experiences that resemble our current days. I want to place too much emphasis on these topics, however, as I've already mentioned in previous posts. In these days, when so many noises try to confuse us and distract us from the path, I've been reminded of Philippians 3:13-14. I remembered that this was how I came across that verse-I had been searching for the final verse from the women's conference, which is 2 Corinthians 12:10, but Google showed me Philippians instead. Sometimes, the noise around us blends with the noise inside us, and it becomes difficult to hear the right direction. If you remember me in your prayers, Like children, so that we may inherit Your house and live fully in Your grace, learning to live by faith, to grow, to be filled with the Lord, and to be emptied of the world. ( Acts 18).
Can you think of a situation or moment that felt too heavy to handle?
God bless you. Is there anything I can pray for you?
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Jesus has come to the end of His earthly mission, the time of His crucifixion has come near, John 13:1. Jesus said, "glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:" Jesus has been obedient to His Father and has finished what He was sent to do, except for the last hours of left in Passover day when He will suffer and die.
The words that Jesus spoke are written in John 13 through John 16; all five chapters were written about while they were in the room where they had the Last Supper. He lifted His eyes to heaven. Jesus was praying to the Father, and the disciples were there. Judas left just before Jesus started this prayer. Jesus is in the upper room just before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prays for Himself, his disciples, and all future believers.
His hour had come, as He said in Luke 22:15-16, He desired to eat this Passover before He suffered, but He would not be there to eat it. And in John 12:23, He said the hour had come that He should be glorified. In John 7:33-39, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit that those who believe in Him will receive, but it has not been given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified/resurrected. God glorified Jesus when He raised Jesus from the dead in His glorified body. We will also be raised in a body fashioned like His, Philippians 3:21.
Jesus knew what He would have to endure later that day: death on the cross. In this prayer, we can see Jesus' love for his disciples and his desire for them to remain in faith and purpose. His emotions in this prayer intensified in the garden, as reflected in Matthew 26:38-43 and Luke 22:40-44. All that Jesus did throughout His mission on earth was to glorify God, showing us the importance of glorifying God in all our actions.
Apostle Paul was close to Timothy. Does that mean he wrote Hebrews ?
Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Did Apostle Paul write to Jews ? If yes, it was Hebrews and Paul had to be careful of speaking about the Gentiles . We know that the Jews didn't agree with Apostle Paul's epistle because it was hard to understand.
2 Peter 3:15-16
15And 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;
16As 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.
Apostle Paul was a real Jew and wrote in Hebrew .
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day,ofthe stockofIsrael,ofthe tribeofBenjamin, anHebrewoftheHebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Note: Apostle Paul is a Jew that spoke Hebrew.
Peter, John, James , and Jude all wrote to Israel for the kingdom on earth that's coming, the Messiah of the King .
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Satan took over the earth and the air, when Adam sinned against God.
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all thekingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Lucifer used to be a beautiful Angel of Light. Now , he is called Satan the Devil.
Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, OLucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Satan is still dangerous to us right now.
2 Corinthians 2:11
LestSatanshould get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Satan can transform himself into a beautiful light .
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; forSatanhimself is transformed into an angel of light.
Satan can hurt the earthly body .
2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger ofSatanto buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Satan's followers are in the churches deceiving the mass . Wide is the gate to destruction.
Philippians 3:18
(For many walk,ofwhom I have told youoften, and now tell you even weeping, thatthey aretheenemiesofthecrossofChrist:
The Bible needs to be studied and taken seriously for the truth of the Gospel of Grace.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing thewordoftruth.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedof the gospel of Christ: foritis the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Will God give us a new body ? ? Will it be like Jesus body and will we be 33 years old ? ?
Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
We are one body with Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are onebodyinChrist, and every one members oneofanother.
We are going to be judged according to what we did with our earthly body for the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seatofChrist; that every one may receive the things done in hisbody, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
We don't have a new body until we die or be taken up in the clouds to meet Jesus Christ. We only have the Holy Spirit living inside us. We are still sinners, but sin less .
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is thetempleof the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Time is running out, Jesus Christ will call us up .
Romans 16:20
AndtheGod of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.Thegrace of ourLordJesus Christbewithyou. Amen.
Are there people that don't want to hear the gospel of grace in Christ Jesus ? ?
Philippians 3:18-20
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Will we suffer persecution for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution.
Now take the word " Circumcised " out for a second and add these words, repenting , baptized, tithing or working . It's amazing that we are in bondage to do something for Salvation.
Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should sufferpersecutionfor the cross of Christ.
Who are this people that are putting us in bondage, when the gospel of grace is free .
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Apostle Paul wants to write down the person that are causing trouble with the gospel of grace and avoid them .
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren,markthemwhich cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoidthem.
May our God in the Third Heaven protect us from wickedness.
Life is a memory . The entire Bible is a memory and a future telling events that will happen.
Psalm 145:7
They shall abundantly utter thememoryof thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
Some memories we have might not be good to remember.
Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting thosethingswhich arebehind, and reaching forth unto thosethingswhich are before,
The only memories we should have is our Salvation in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep inmemorywhat I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Let's not forget the free gift that God gave us .
Romans 5:15
But not as the offence, so also is thefreegift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and thegiftby grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Apostle Paul was circumcision twice , one by flesh and one by spirit.
Philippians 3:5
Circumcisedtheeighthday, ofthestock of Israel, ofthetribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew oftheHebrews; as touchingthelaw, a Pharisee;
Finally, God separate us from the flesh. We are free from the bondage of sin, but not license to sin. And it doesn't make us a Jew inwardly or outwardly .
Colossians 2:11
In whom also ye arecircumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Apostle Paul is speaking to Jews.
Romans 2:28-29
28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 keep the gospel of grace in your mind .
Philippians 3:20 - For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
For our conversation is in heaven. The word conversation is the word citizenship. It's actually from the Greek word Politics (POLITEUMA). Our politics is in heaven, from where we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Concerning affection, Paul says therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown. Again, the word joy has to do with satisfaction. He says you are my satisfaction. They are also his crown. The people that he's ministering to, that is his reward when he gets to heaven. So, he shares his affection. He says my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, and concerning his command, he says so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Stand fast is to stand firm. That is the believer's position. Once you have received Christ, the bible tells us stand firm in Christ.
Ephesians Chapter 6 talks about putting on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand and resist the attacks of the devil. Nowhere in the bible does it say that we are supposed to fight him. He's already been defeated. That's part of his scheme to keep us busy and fighting him. Stand in the Lord. Stand in the Lord's truth.
Philippians 4:2 - I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Beseech means to appeal. I appeal to Euodias, and I appeal to Syntyche. These are two women in the church at Philippi. And his instruction is that they be of the same mind in the Lord. Here's our term PHRONEO for frame, that they be of the same frame of mind or attitude in the Lord. It doesn't mean to have the same thoughts, but it's the disposition or the frame of mind, the approach to this life.
Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for a pattern, literally. What a bold statement to make!
Technically, the word "be" is the word become. Become followers together of me. The word follower is the word imitator. So become, and that's a command, become imitators together of me. Paul has said this in two other places as well. But we have to understand the Greek word for imitation is the word mime, MIMETAIS. It has to do with the character in the theater back then who without speaking would put on various costumes and various masks, and they would act out a story or a message with no words.
And the audience would have to understand the story or message just by watching them act out and express the message. So, he uses this word specifically to stay away from the word copy. "Oh, but we're supposed to copy Paul." No, that's human effort. You can't copy Paul. You can't copy anybody. What he's saying is, the expression of Christ that you see me, let it be in you!
Philippians 3:19 - Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly. Don't feel guilty if you're hungry or you eat a lot. This is just a phrase that talks about the human appetite. They're going to be destroyed. Their appetites are human. And their glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. The word mind, the verb tense there, is a Present Tense and it means that the things of earth dominate their thinking.
Philippians 3:15 - Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, and that's the word mature. Let us therefore, as many as be mature, be thus minded:
That's the frame of mind, the attitude. What is he saying? Let them have the same attitude as Paul, the same frame of mind, that when I approach this life, I am only pursuing one thing, to know Christ and to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid ahold of me.
And if any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal this unto you. If you just read the first 13 verses of this chapter, and if you say you don't fit into that, then God has revealed to you that you are not like minded. Your frame of mind is different than Paul's and the Lord's.
Remember, and I think I shared this from Romans, but in Romans 12:1-2, it tells us that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, to be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Over a period of years, God's Spirit through His word changes our minds, our approach to this life, and our approach to Christ.
Philippians 3:6 - Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Concerning zeal, he says I was persecuting the church. We might think why brag about that? Paul used the word zeal in the book of Romans. And this is important because you've heard the term somebody's "on fire for the Lord." That's this word and it means to boil. It's a cooking term and it means to boil.
But in the Greek language, it has to do with both love and hate. It all comes from the same thing. If you stop and think about it, today in religion around the world, all the "holy wars" that are going on and it's all in the "name of God" and the name of religion. The same people that can love their own people could hate their enemies, or hate another person, and even go out and try to kill them.
Paul said of the Jews, they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. It's not wrong to be zealous for the things of the Lord, but the truth of God's word by God's Spirit must be the controlling factor because even a believing Christian can become angry, even self-righteously in the name of Jesus, because they think they're right and everybody else is wrong!
So, concerning zeal, you couldn't get better than Paul. He both loved his Jewish heritage, and he hated the "Christian cult!"
Philippians 3:9 - 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:
The newer translations have changed this to "through faith in Christ." But it's literally (of Christ). It's Christ's faith. Paul says all of the righteousness from religion, and his standing in Judaism, I want to be found in Christ, not having my own righteousness, but the righteousness which comes through the faith of Christ, this righteousness which is of God through faith.
Philippians 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
At the end of Romans Chapter 2, Paul says that everyone who is of Christ has been circumcised in their heart as God prophesied in the Old Testament. We are of the circumcision, which worship God in spirit, and notice these three things:
The word worship is a participle in the Greek text, and it is the word for service. A priest serving God in the temple is a form of worship. And since it's a Present Participle, it is continuously, all the time. We are those of the circumcision, that is, we have our hearts circumcised, who are continually worshipping God in spirit.
Secondly: and rejoicing in Christ Jesus. And again, rejoice is a participle. And this word rejoice is actually the word boasting. We are continually boasting in Christ Jesus. That's what Paul told the Christians in Corinth who were boasting of their spiritual gifts and things. And Paul says, what do you have that you didn't receive from the Lord?
You've received everything from Him. Everything's from Him. Your boast is in Christ. And again, the participle says continually boasting in Christ Jesus.
There are times when I need to be strengthen out by the Holy Spirit in order to understand what the word of truth is saying. Sometimes we think about the past, whether it's good or bad . God wants us to focus what's in front of us. The whole Armour of God protect us from the front, not the back.
Philippians 3:13-15
13Brethren, 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,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Fuji, please pray to God for the truth of His word clearly . Please read Romans through Philemon for doctrine and pray continually everyday for God to speak to you .
God bless and don't be afraid .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 read these verses and pray to God in Heaven, farewell
Philippians 3:2 - Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
He says beware of dogs. The term dogs in this text is actually making reference to a religious phrase. The Gentiles were considered dogs by the Jews. There are two words in the New Testament that have to do with a dog. KUNARION is a household pet. And then we have a Kuon. A KUON is a wild scavenger. And that's the animal used here.
Gentiles were called KUON'S, wild scavengers, impure, and grungy. It was an insult to call somebody a KUON. And so, he's using the word KUON. He says beware of the dogs. That's the false teachers that come in.
Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision, which literally means mutilation. PERITOME, to cut around, is the Greek word for circumcision. KATATOME, to cut off, is the word for mutilation. And Paul is using the exaggerated mind picture for us to say that people that go around cutting themselves in any way, shape, or form in order to better themselves spiritually, that's all they are doing is mutilating themselves.
Beware of those false teachers that say that you can come in and receive Christ, but you have to be circumcised. Beware of the evil workers. Beware of the dogs. And they know exactly what he meant!
Philippians 2:25 - Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
The word "wants" in this verse is the word needs in the Greek. Epaphroditus brought him the love offering. Epaphroditus stayed with Paul and ministered to Paul through all of his hardships.
Philippians 3:1 - Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
The word finally, TOLOIPON in Greek, means in summary. It's not finally as in this is my last teaching. This is in summary, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. I cannot emphasize too much about that phrase. We see it again in Chapter 4 Verse 4. Paul's going to say that's one of the commands, one of the elements that's needed for fellowship, rejoice in the Lord.
Before I share my understanding of its meaning, you should know that it's a Present Imperative, which means continue to rejoice in the Lord. As I said earlier, the word rejoice, the verb form of the word joy, it has nothing to do with a happy feeling.
In the Greek, the word CHAIRE (pronounced Kah-rah) for joy, and CHAIRO (Kah-roh) the verb form has to do with satisfaction. If every time you see the word joy or rejoice and you put in the word satisfaction, from a spiritual standpoint it makes more sense.
He says that one of the keys in having fellowship together is that you find your satisfaction in the Lord. Not in you getting your way, but when you want what the Lord wants. Then there's no problem with fellowship! It's in a command form. Be continuously finding your satisfaction in the Lord.
Day 31 January 32, 2025 Pressing Forward Philippians 3:13-14 KJV West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar
I pray for Perseverance to run the race set before me to recieve the prize of the high calling of God and Holy Bible examples.
Philippians 3:13 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Reaching for obedience in Jesus Christ and to recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost. To have faith beyond measure. To walk by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV, Romans 8:2 KJV .To do and say. My faith reading holy bible, trusting God has giving me opportunity to run the race set before " Words Spoken and Written by me of God."
Philippians 3:14 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" To receive the prize having faith." Romans 8:2 KJV, Romans 9:16 KJV
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
Reading your comment,I would say there was a population in Eden ruled by an annointed Cherub,created by our GOD to protect the Garden,he was perfect in his ways from the Day that was created,till iniquity was found in him,and turned a thief and corrupt.And by him sin entered in the world,so our GOD cast him and the population of Eden to hell,the earth turned void and without form,and GOD delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto the Judgment( 2Peter 2:4& Jude 1:6-7)of this current seventh and last Day.Take a look 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
Our GOD did not say:I will make one man, but make man(many).The Plan of GOD was to restore all things. Acts 4:19-21->19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted,that your sins may be blotted out,when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And He shall send JESUS Christ,which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things,which GOD hath spoken(preached)by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
In fact,GOD said:Let us make man,He was not alone.It is easy to understand because it is written that in JESUS,that is,in the beginning,GOD created the heavens and the earth(the 1st,2nd and 3rd heavens,and the heaven of heavens),and without JESUS nothing was made that was made.By the way,the 3rd heavenly place will be established from now on,even in this current millennium( Luke 20:35-36,combined with 1Corinthians 15:24-27+51-55,and Philippians 3:20-21).
The Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing,understand?
Daniel 12:10
10Many shall be purified,made white,and tried;but the wicked shall do wickedly:none of the wicked shall understand;but the wise shall understand.
11From the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,and abomination that makes desolate set up,there shall be 1290 days.
12Blessed is he that waits,and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
Paul's command (not a request) in 2 Timothy 2:15 - "rightly dividing the word of truth" - makes no sense if there is nothing to divide.
The Greek word translated "rightly divide" means to "cut straight" or "make a correct partition." Paul is instructing Timothy (and us) to handle God's Word carefully, recognizing distinctions God Himself has placed in it. The Bible is one unified revelation, but within it God deals with different people in different ways at different times (dispensations). For example:
Law vs. Grace: God gave Israel the Law through Moses ( Exodus 20), but through Paul He revealed salvation by grace apart from the Law ( Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16). If we blur these, we end up mixing works with grace.
Israel vs. the Church: Israel was promised an earthly kingdom ( Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 19:28), while the Body of Christ has a heavenly calling ( Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20). If we confuse these, we misapply promises and commands not meant for us.
Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Gospel of Grace: (yes, there is more than one Gospel in the NT) Jesus and the 12 preached "the gospel of the kingdom" to Israel ( Matthew 4:23; Galatians 2:7-9), while Paul was given "the gospel of the grace of God" ( Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Both are true, but they serve different purposes in God's plan.
So Paul's point is: don't blend everything together as if it all applies in the same way to everyone. To "rightly divide" is to discern God's progressive revelation - prophecy vs. mystery, Israel's promises vs. the Church's hope, law vs. grace. If you don't divide, you end up in contradictions and confusion.
G&P
I want to share with you why it is not only unwise but dangerous to blur the distinction between Paul's message and the twelve apostles. God gave Paul a unique dispensation of grace, revealing the "mystery" of the Body of Christ, a truth hidden until his ministry ( Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:25-27). When we blend his message with the kingdom program preached by Peter and the others, we risk corrupting the gospel of grace.
Peter preached to Israel, offering the promised kingdom upon national repentance and baptism ( Acts 2:38; 3:19). Paul preached justification by faith alone apart from works of the law ( Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9). To confuse these messages is to either add works to grace, or to remove Israel's kingdom promises. Paul warned that adding to his gospel of grace produces "another gospel" ( Galatians 1:6-9), and he pronounced a curse on anyone who preached such.
Blending also robs believers of assurance. If salvation depends partly on works, ordinances, or kingdom requirements, then we can never rest in the finished work of Christ. The beauty of Paul's message is that Christ did it all-our salvation is complete in Him ( Colossians 2:10). Mixing law and grace leaves Christians unstable, unsure if they have done enough, and strips the cross of its sufficiency.
Finally, confusion weakens the testimony of the Church. The Body of Christ is not Israel, nor is it inheriting an earthly kingdom. Our hope is heavenly ( Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4). When we preach Israel's program as our own, we not only deny our identity but also cloud Israel's future promises, making God appear unfaithful.
For these reasons, we must carefully obey 2 Timothy 2:15: rightly divide the word of truth. Blending the programs corrupts the gospel, shakes assurance, and dishonors God's distinct plans.
If there is nothing to divide, why did Paul say to rightly divide the word of truth?
G&P
The recent events with Mr. Kirk have as of today made me more confident to say that he was indeed a martyr; as he espoused and approved the Gospel approach of Ray Comfort in the past which in no uncertain terms as far as I can tell is a clear and Biblically sound approach to the Word. I am as people here can tell skeptical of much that is going down and trying to be deliberately vague so as not to be flagged but also focus on how a Christian in general should approach things going on today.
What is happening now; with the upcoming communion event in D.C. (I'll just leave it at that) is steeped with NAR and therefore with false teachings and I am giving a strong caution for anyone that wants to engage in such an event. Communion I believe should be offered to any true believer; but how it is determined in such a mass of people remains to be seen and what certain false teachers have done to that ceremony is at best questionable and at times clearly blasphemous.
To anyone with a normal human brain (I will avoid being overly sarcastic but need to make a point here); the attempt to hold onto all of our riches of this world and the attempt to push the prosperity gospel (small g) is a clear indicator of this:
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. ( Titus 1:14-15).
Now again to someone with a normal intelligence can read verses such as this to see what true persecution is
Philippians 3:8
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,
or read 2 Corinthians 11 as to what happened with a TRUE Apostle.
Food for thought; time to shop
(Part 2):
So, what is salvation? For me, salvation happened the moment I received Christ and His Spirit came into my spirit. That was a one-time event. I can only be born of His Spirit once. But like you, I also see salvation as past, present, and future. In other words, I was saved, I am being saved, and in the end, I will be saved.
I'm looking at Philippians 1:6 which reads, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
The first thing I notice is that Paul says, "being confident." This is actually a Perfect Tense which should read "having become confident." Paul can confidently say about this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (literally complete it), until the day of Jesus Christ. God's promise to us is that whatever work He began in us, He's going to complete it until Christ comes. That's how permanent our salvation is!
I also agree that when we receive Jesus through faith, our sins are forgiven, we are justified by faith, and covered with a white garment, clean and pure. We are covered in the righteousness of Christ. He (Jesus) is pure and clean ( Philippians 3:9).
Please notice that I didn't use the word "accept." I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but the bible never tells us to accept Jesus. It does tell us to receive Him ( John 1:12). I don't mean to be fastidious, but in my mind, there's a difference between the words accept and receive, especially when it comes to Christ. To accept just means to mentally agree with something, or someone. We must receive Him.
The New Testament reveals that the Church, the Body of Christ, has a heavenly calling and destiny, distinct from Israel's earthly kingdom hope. While it doesn't say in one verse, "the Church is going to heaven," Paul's epistles clearly show that our citizenship, position, and eternal home are in heaven.
In Philippians 3:20, Paul says, "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour." This points directly to the believer's true home being heavenly, not earthly. Similarly, Colossians 3:1-2 tells believers to seek those things which are above, because Christ, who is our life, is there. Our focus is heavenly because that is where our eternal life and inheritance are secured.
Ephesians 2:6 explains that we are already spiritually "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," meaning our position in Christ is established in heaven, even though we currently live on earth. This aligns with 2 Corinthians 5:1, which promises that if our earthly body is dissolved, "we have a building of God eternal in the heavens." The believer looks forward to being clothed with a glorified, heavenly body.
At the rapture, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Church will be "caught up... to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Since Christ is currently in heaven, and we will be forever with Him, this implies a heavenly destiny for the Church.
These scriptures collectively show that the Church is not promised a place in Israel's earthly kingdom, but rather has a heavenly inheritance, being part of a new creation in Christ. Paul's unique revelation of the mystery ( Eph. 3:1-11) includes this distinction. The Church is not waiting for a kingdom to come to earth, but for Christ to take us to where He is-in heaven.
Still it's not possible to mix the kingdom message meant for the 12 Tribes of Israel with the mystery message to the body of Christ the Church.
" 2nd Timothy 2:15"
Any thoughts?
Right Division ( 2 Timothy 2:15)
The Church, the Body of Christ, is distinct from the Bride of Christ-a truth revealed uniquely through the Apostle Paul under the dispensation of grace. While traditional teaching often blends Israel's prophetic promises with the Church's heavenly calling, a right division ( 2 Timothy 2:15) reveals that believers today, saved by grace through faith alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9), are part of a new creation: the Body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 12:5).
Paul never refers to the Church as the "Bride of Christ." Instead, he consistently identifies the Church as a body in which Christ is the Head ( Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). This organism is spiritual, made up of both Jew and Gentile, reconciled into one new man ( Ephesians 2:15-16). This unity was a "mystery" kept hidden from ages past ( Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:1-6), never prophesied or associated with Israel's covenantal promises.
In contrast, the bride metaphor is rooted in prophecy and tied to Israel. Revelation 21:9-10 calls the New Jerusalem "the bride, the Lamb's wife," a city prepared for redeemed Israel ( Isaiah 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19-20). John the Baptist called himself a "friend of the bridegroom" ( John 3:29), which places him outside the bride. Paul, while using marriage as a metaphor in Ephesians 5, still emphasizes the Body-not a bride-saying, "We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" ( Ephesians 5:30). The analogy teaches love and unity, not identity.
Confusing the Bride with the Body blends Israel's earthly hope with the Church's heavenly calling ( Philippians 3:20). We are not awaiting a wedding ceremony, but rather a catching away ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to appear with Christ in glory. As members of His Body, we are already spiritually one with Him ( 1 Corinthians 6:17). Understanding this distinction preserves the truth of God's separate programs for Israel and the Church.
God Bless
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Classic Rapture Passage
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air..."
(vv. 16-17, KJV)
Paul describes:
A resurrection of dead believers.
A snatching away (Greek: harpazo, Latin: rapturo) of the living believers.
A meeting in the air-not Christ coming to Earth (contrast with Second Coming).
A comforting hope unique to the Body of Christ (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - A Mystery Revealed
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"
Paul explains:
This was previously hidden-a mystery not found in prophecy.
There will be a transformation of living saints.
The event is instantaneous and involves receiving glorified bodies.
Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Heavenly Hope
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour... Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body"
Paul emphasizes:
Our hope is not earthly (kingdom), but heavenly.
Christ will give believers a glorified body like His own.
Summary:
Paul teaches that the rapture is a mystery revealed only to him for the Body of Christ. It is a pre-judgment event ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), sudden, and distinct from Christ's return to Earth in judgment (as in Matthew 24 or Revelation). This catching away is the blessed hope ( Titus 2:13) for those saved by grace through faith apart from the Law ( Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
1. Peter's Kingdom Gospel (Faith + Works) - For Israel and the Little Flock
Peter's message centered on Israel's prophetic hope, the coming earthly kingdom, and the Messiahship of Jesus. This gospel required faith in Jesus as the Messiah, but it also included repentance, water baptism, and adherence to the law, as seen in Acts 2:38:
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." ( Acts 2:38, KJV)
Key elements:
Audience: Jews (especially "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" - Matthew 10:5-6)
Content: Jesus is the promised Messiah; repent and be baptized.
Requirement: Faith plus works (baptism, continued obedience).
Goal: Entry into the earthly kingdom promised to Israel ( Luke 12:32 - "little flock").
James 2:24 supports this...
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
This shows that under the Kingdom Gospel, works confirmed faith for salvation, especially for the Jewish remnant.
2. Paul's Grace Gospel (Faith Alone) - For the Body of Christ
Paul preached a new, previously hidden "mystery" gospel revealed to him by Christ ( Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-9). This message was not based on Israel's covenants or prophecy, but on grace alone through faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Key elements:
Audience: All (Jew and Gentile alike), forming the Body of Christ.
Content: Christ died for our sins and rose again.
Requirement: Faith alone (no works, no law, no baptism required for salvation).
Goal: Salvation unto a heavenly inheritance ( Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 1:3).
Romans 4:5 is definitive:
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
Did they both preach Jesus as Savior, of course, but the requirements for salvation changed with Paul.
Many today believe that the Church is a continuation or replacement of Israel, often calling it "spiritual Israel." However, when we rightly divide the Word of Truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15), we see that the Church-the Body of Christ-formed through the unique revelation given to the Apostle Paul ( Ephesians 3:1-6), is a distinct entity from the nation of Israel. Israel is a nation with earthly promises, covenants, and prophetic hope, while the Church is a heavenly people, formed without distinction between Jew and Gentile, united by faith alone in Christ and placed into one Body ( 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28).
Israel's promises were national and earthly-God covenanted land, a kingdom, and a Messiah to rule over them ( Genesis 17:7-8; Isaiah 9:6-7). These promises were never transferred to the Church. Instead, Paul reveals a "mystery" that was kept hidden from ages past ( Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26), in which God is forming a new, heavenly organism-the Body of Christ-composed of both Jew and Gentile, not based on nationality or covenant, but based on grace through faith ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Nowhere in Paul's epistles does he teach that the Church has become Israel or inherits Israel's kingdom promises.
To equate the Church with spiritual Israel confuses God's prophetic program for Israel with His mystery program for the Body of Christ. God has not abandoned His promises to national Israel ( Romans 11:1-2, 25-29). Their fullness will come in a future day, during the millennial reign of Christ. In contrast, the Church was chosen before the foundation of the world and has a heavenly destiny ( Ephesians 1:3-4; Philippians 3:20). Understanding the difference protects sound doctrine and preserves the clarity of God's distinct purposes for Israel and the Church.
Reading a little and as the weeks go by, I realize that the Old Testament also contains experiences that resemble our current days. I want to place too much emphasis on these topics, however, as I've already mentioned in previous posts. In these days, when so many noises try to confuse us and distract us from the path, I've been reminded of Philippians 3:13-14. I remembered that this was how I came across that verse-I had been searching for the final verse from the women's conference, which is 2 Corinthians 12:10, but Google showed me Philippians instead. Sometimes, the noise around us blends with the noise inside us, and it becomes difficult to hear the right direction. If you remember me in your prayers, Like children, so that we may inherit Your house and live fully in Your grace, learning to live by faith, to grow, to be filled with the Lord, and to be emptied of the world. ( Acts 18).
Can you think of a situation or moment that felt too heavy to handle?
God bless you. Is there anything I can pray for you?
Part 1
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Jesus has come to the end of His earthly mission, the time of His crucifixion has come near, John 13:1. Jesus said, "glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:" Jesus has been obedient to His Father and has finished what He was sent to do, except for the last hours of left in Passover day when He will suffer and die.
The words that Jesus spoke are written in John 13 through John 16; all five chapters were written about while they were in the room where they had the Last Supper. He lifted His eyes to heaven. Jesus was praying to the Father, and the disciples were there. Judas left just before Jesus started this prayer. Jesus is in the upper room just before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prays for Himself, his disciples, and all future believers.
His hour had come, as He said in Luke 22:15-16, He desired to eat this Passover before He suffered, but He would not be there to eat it. And in John 12:23, He said the hour had come that He should be glorified. In John 7:33-39, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit that those who believe in Him will receive, but it has not been given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified/resurrected. God glorified Jesus when He raised Jesus from the dead in His glorified body. We will also be raised in a body fashioned like His, Philippians 3:21.
Jesus knew what He would have to endure later that day: death on the cross. In this prayer, we can see Jesus' love for his disciples and his desire for them to remain in faith and purpose. His emotions in this prayer intensified in the garden, as reflected in Matthew 26:38-43 and Luke 22:40-44. All that Jesus did throughout His mission on earth was to glorify God, showing us the importance of glorifying God in all our actions.
See part 2
Who wrote the book of Hebrews ? ?
Apostle Paul was close to Timothy. Does that mean he wrote Hebrews ?
Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Did Apostle Paul write to Jews ? If yes, it was Hebrews and Paul had to be careful of speaking about the Gentiles . We know that the Jews didn't agree with Apostle Paul's epistle because it was hard to understand.
2 Peter 3:15-16
15And 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;
16As 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.
Apostle Paul was a real Jew and wrote in Hebrew .
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day,ofthe stockofIsrael,ofthe tribeofBenjamin, anHebrewoftheHebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Note: Apostle Paul is a Jew that spoke Hebrew.
Peter, John, James , and Jude all wrote to Israel for the kingdom on earth that's coming, the Messiah of the King .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee and his name was Saul of Tarsus.
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, aPharisee;
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 9:11
And when thePhariseessaw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 12:2
But when thePhariseessaw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 19:3
ThePhariseesalso came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Apostle Paul does not know Jesus Christ in the flesh anymore. Apostle Paul only knows Jesus Christ in the in the resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforthknowwenoman after the flesh: yea, though we haveknown Christ after the flesh, yetnow henceforthknowwehimnomore.
Apostle Paul only knows the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of hisresurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Ray. In Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Satan took over the earth and the air, when Adam sinned against God.
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all thekingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Lucifer used to be a beautiful Angel of Light. Now , he is called Satan the Devil.
Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, OLucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Satan is still dangerous to us right now.
2 Corinthians 2:11
LestSatanshould get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Satan can transform himself into a beautiful light .
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; forSatanhimself is transformed into an angel of light.
Satan can hurt the earthly body .
2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger ofSatanto buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Satan's followers are in the churches deceiving the mass . Wide is the gate to destruction.
Philippians 3:18
(For many walk,ofwhom I have told youoften, and now tell you even weeping, thatthey aretheenemiesofthecrossofChrist:
The Bible needs to be studied and taken seriously for the truth of the Gospel of Grace.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing thewordoftruth.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedof the gospel of Christ: foritis the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
We are one body with Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are onebodyinChrist, and every one members oneofanother.
We are going to be judged according to what we did with our earthly body for the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seatofChrist; that every one may receive the things done in hisbody, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
We don't have a new body until we die or be taken up in the clouds to meet Jesus Christ. We only have the Holy Spirit living inside us. We are still sinners, but sin less .
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is thetempleof the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Time is running out, Jesus Christ will call us up .
Romans 16:20
AndtheGod of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.Thegrace of ourLordJesus Christbewithyou. Amen.
God bless us all in the Gospel of Grace.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
One day, we will have a new body.
Are there people that don't want to hear the gospel of grace in Christ Jesus ? ?
Philippians 3:18-20
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Will we suffer persecution for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution.
Now take the word " Circumcised " out for a second and add these words, repenting , baptized, tithing or working . It's amazing that we are in bondage to do something for Salvation.
Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should sufferpersecutionfor the cross of Christ.
Who are this people that are putting us in bondage, when the gospel of grace is free .
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Apostle Paul wants to write down the person that are causing trouble with the gospel of grace and avoid them .
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren,markthemwhich cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoidthem.
May our God in the Third Heaven protect us from wickedness.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Love is found in the gospel.
Psalm 145:7
They shall abundantly utter thememoryof thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
Some memories we have might not be good to remember.
Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting thosethingswhich arebehind, and reaching forth unto thosethingswhich are before,
The only memories we should have is our Salvation in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep inmemorywhat I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Let's not forget the free gift that God gave us .
Romans 5:15
But not as the offence, so also is thefreegift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and thegiftby grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now that we are in Christ, let's not ever forget the blood of Jesus Christ .
Ephesians 2:13
But nowinChristJesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood ofChrist.
Jews and Gentiles in the same body in Christ.
Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promiseinChristby the gospel:
Bishops and Deacons are in Christ.
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of JesusChrist, to all the saintsinChristJesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
We work for a prize in Christ.
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GodinChristJesus.
Our faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:5
For though I be absentinthe flesh, yet am I with youinthe spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faithinChrist.
We are in Christ and Christ is in God. God and Christ are one .
Colossians 3:3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid withChristinGod.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Philippians 3:5
Circumcisedtheeighthday, ofthestock of Israel, ofthetribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew oftheHebrews; as touchingthelaw, a Pharisee;
Finally, God separate us from the flesh. We are free from the bondage of sin, but not license to sin. And it doesn't make us a Jew inwardly or outwardly .
Colossians 2:11
In whom also ye arecircumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Apostle Paul is speaking to Jews.
Romans 2:28-29
28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 keep the gospel of grace in your mind .
Philippians 3:20 - For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
For our conversation is in heaven. The word conversation is the word citizenship. It's actually from the Greek word Politics (POLITEUMA). Our politics is in heaven, from where we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Concerning affection, Paul says therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown. Again, the word joy has to do with satisfaction. He says you are my satisfaction. They are also his crown. The people that he's ministering to, that is his reward when he gets to heaven. So, he shares his affection. He says my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, and concerning his command, he says so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Stand fast is to stand firm. That is the believer's position. Once you have received Christ, the bible tells us stand firm in Christ.
Ephesians Chapter 6 talks about putting on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand and resist the attacks of the devil. Nowhere in the bible does it say that we are supposed to fight him. He's already been defeated. That's part of his scheme to keep us busy and fighting him. Stand in the Lord. Stand in the Lord's truth.
Philippians 4:2 - I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Beseech means to appeal. I appeal to Euodias, and I appeal to Syntyche. These are two women in the church at Philippi. And his instruction is that they be of the same mind in the Lord. Here's our term PHRONEO for frame, that they be of the same frame of mind or attitude in the Lord. It doesn't mean to have the same thoughts, but it's the disposition or the frame of mind, the approach to this life.
Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for a pattern, literally. What a bold statement to make!
Technically, the word "be" is the word become. Become followers together of me. The word follower is the word imitator. So become, and that's a command, become imitators together of me. Paul has said this in two other places as well. But we have to understand the Greek word for imitation is the word mime, MIMETAIS. It has to do with the character in the theater back then who without speaking would put on various costumes and various masks, and they would act out a story or a message with no words.
And the audience would have to understand the story or message just by watching them act out and express the message. So, he uses this word specifically to stay away from the word copy. "Oh, but we're supposed to copy Paul." No, that's human effort. You can't copy Paul. You can't copy anybody. What he's saying is, the expression of Christ that you see me, let it be in you!
Philippians 3:19 - Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly. Don't feel guilty if you're hungry or you eat a lot. This is just a phrase that talks about the human appetite. They're going to be destroyed. Their appetites are human. And their glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. The word mind, the verb tense there, is a Present Tense and it means that the things of earth dominate their thinking.
Philippians 3:15 - Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, and that's the word mature. Let us therefore, as many as be mature, be thus minded:
That's the frame of mind, the attitude. What is he saying? Let them have the same attitude as Paul, the same frame of mind, that when I approach this life, I am only pursuing one thing, to know Christ and to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid ahold of me.
And if any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal this unto you. If you just read the first 13 verses of this chapter, and if you say you don't fit into that, then God has revealed to you that you are not like minded. Your frame of mind is different than Paul's and the Lord's.
Remember, and I think I shared this from Romans, but in Romans 12:1-2, it tells us that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, to be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Over a period of years, God's Spirit through His word changes our minds, our approach to this life, and our approach to Christ.
Philippians 3:6 - Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Concerning zeal, he says I was persecuting the church. We might think why brag about that? Paul used the word zeal in the book of Romans. And this is important because you've heard the term somebody's "on fire for the Lord." That's this word and it means to boil. It's a cooking term and it means to boil.
But in the Greek language, it has to do with both love and hate. It all comes from the same thing. If you stop and think about it, today in religion around the world, all the "holy wars" that are going on and it's all in the "name of God" and the name of religion. The same people that can love their own people could hate their enemies, or hate another person, and even go out and try to kill them.
Paul said of the Jews, they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. It's not wrong to be zealous for the things of the Lord, but the truth of God's word by God's Spirit must be the controlling factor because even a believing Christian can become angry, even self-righteously in the name of Jesus, because they think they're right and everybody else is wrong!
So, concerning zeal, you couldn't get better than Paul. He both loved his Jewish heritage, and he hated the "Christian cult!"
Philippians 3:9 - 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:
The newer translations have changed this to "through faith in Christ." But it's literally (of Christ). It's Christ's faith. Paul says all of the righteousness from religion, and his standing in Judaism, I want to be found in Christ, not having my own righteousness, but the righteousness which comes through the faith of Christ, this righteousness which is of God through faith.
Philippians 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
At the end of Romans Chapter 2, Paul says that everyone who is of Christ has been circumcised in their heart as God prophesied in the Old Testament. We are of the circumcision, which worship God in spirit, and notice these three things:
The word worship is a participle in the Greek text, and it is the word for service. A priest serving God in the temple is a form of worship. And since it's a Present Participle, it is continuously, all the time. We are those of the circumcision, that is, we have our hearts circumcised, who are continually worshipping God in spirit.
Secondly: and rejoicing in Christ Jesus. And again, rejoice is a participle. And this word rejoice is actually the word boasting. We are continually boasting in Christ Jesus. That's what Paul told the Christians in Corinth who were boasting of their spiritual gifts and things. And Paul says, what do you have that you didn't receive from the Lord?
You've received everything from Him. Everything's from Him. Your boast is in Christ. And again, the participle says continually boasting in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-15
13Brethren, 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,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Fuji, please pray to God for the truth of His word clearly . Please read Romans through Philemon for doctrine and pray continually everyday for God to speak to you .
God bless and don't be afraid .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 read these verses and pray to God in Heaven, farewell
Philippians 3:2 - Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
He says beware of dogs. The term dogs in this text is actually making reference to a religious phrase. The Gentiles were considered dogs by the Jews. There are two words in the New Testament that have to do with a dog. KUNARION is a household pet. And then we have a Kuon. A KUON is a wild scavenger. And that's the animal used here.
Gentiles were called KUON'S, wild scavengers, impure, and grungy. It was an insult to call somebody a KUON. And so, he's using the word KUON. He says beware of the dogs. That's the false teachers that come in.
Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision, which literally means mutilation. PERITOME, to cut around, is the Greek word for circumcision. KATATOME, to cut off, is the word for mutilation. And Paul is using the exaggerated mind picture for us to say that people that go around cutting themselves in any way, shape, or form in order to better themselves spiritually, that's all they are doing is mutilating themselves.
Beware of those false teachers that say that you can come in and receive Christ, but you have to be circumcised. Beware of the evil workers. Beware of the dogs. And they know exactly what he meant!
Philippians 2:25 - Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
The word "wants" in this verse is the word needs in the Greek. Epaphroditus brought him the love offering. Epaphroditus stayed with Paul and ministered to Paul through all of his hardships.
Philippians 3:1 - Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
The word finally, TOLOIPON in Greek, means in summary. It's not finally as in this is my last teaching. This is in summary, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. I cannot emphasize too much about that phrase. We see it again in Chapter 4 Verse 4. Paul's going to say that's one of the commands, one of the elements that's needed for fellowship, rejoice in the Lord.
Before I share my understanding of its meaning, you should know that it's a Present Imperative, which means continue to rejoice in the Lord. As I said earlier, the word rejoice, the verb form of the word joy, it has nothing to do with a happy feeling.
In the Greek, the word CHAIRE (pronounced Kah-rah) for joy, and CHAIRO (Kah-roh) the verb form has to do with satisfaction. If every time you see the word joy or rejoice and you put in the word satisfaction, from a spiritual standpoint it makes more sense.
He says that one of the keys in having fellowship together is that you find your satisfaction in the Lord. Not in you getting your way, but when you want what the Lord wants. Then there's no problem with fellowship! It's in a command form. Be continuously finding your satisfaction in the Lord.
I pray for Perseverance to run the race set before me to recieve the prize of the high calling of God and Holy Bible examples.
Philippians 3:13 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Reaching for obedience in Jesus Christ and to recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost. To have faith beyond measure. To walk by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV, Romans 8:2 KJV .To do and say. My faith reading holy bible, trusting God has giving me opportunity to run the race set before " Words Spoken and Written by me of God."
Philippians 3:14 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" To receive the prize having faith." Romans 8:2 KJV, Romans 9:16 KJV
Examples of prize reference Holy Bible
To receive Jesus Christ God the Father
5 senses- touch, sight, hearing, taste, smell.
Spiritual Blessings
Eternal Life
Happiness
Grace
Hands to reap, return to me
Unity with God
Santification
Justification
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6 Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
Thank you and God bless,
RLW
Reading your comment,I would say there was a population in Eden ruled by an annointed Cherub,created by our GOD to protect the Garden,he was perfect in his ways from the Day that was created,till iniquity was found in him,and turned a thief and corrupt.And by him sin entered in the world,so our GOD cast him and the population of Eden to hell,the earth turned void and without form,and GOD delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto the Judgment( 2Peter 2:4& Jude 1:6-7)of this current seventh and last Day.Take a look 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
Our GOD did not say:I will make one man, but make man(many).The Plan of GOD was to restore all things. Acts 4:19-21->19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted,that your sins may be blotted out,when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And He shall send JESUS Christ,which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things,which GOD hath spoken(preached)by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
In fact,GOD said:Let us make man,He was not alone.It is easy to understand because it is written that in JESUS,that is,in the beginning,GOD created the heavens and the earth(the 1st,2nd and 3rd heavens,and the heaven of heavens),and without JESUS nothing was made that was made.By the way,the 3rd heavenly place will be established from now on,even in this current millennium( Luke 20:35-36,combined with 1Corinthians 15:24-27+51-55,and Philippians 3:20-21).
The Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing,understand?
Daniel 12:10
10Many shall be purified,made white,and tried;but the wicked shall do wickedly:none of the wicked shall understand;but the wise shall understand.
11From the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,and abomination that makes desolate set up,there shall be 1290 days.
12Blessed is he that waits,and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
JESUS's sacrifice lasts 738500 days