Hebrews - Revelation

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Paul tells us to rightly divide the word of truth, making correct accurate divisions because God's word records the outworking of more than one program in accomplishing God's purpose. How do we do rightly divide to make these correct divisions?

(Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(Ephesians 2:7 KJV) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Here we see a threefold time division:

1. Time Past
2. But Now
3. Ages to Come

Time Past

Notice the condition of Gentiles in time past: they were without God in the world and had no hope, no expectation the situation would change. What kept the Gentiles separated from God was the middle wall of partition (the Law)

(Romans 15:8 KJV) Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Jesus' earthly ministry was in time past (see Matthew 10:5 for ministry to the Gentiles) and what Jesus was doing was to confirm the promises that were made unto the fathers (Israel). The Gentiles were without Christ in time past, this is during HIs earthly ministry.

But Now

(Ephesians 2:13-17 KJV) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; {16} And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {17} And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Notice the words "but now", this indicates something in contrast to what was previously said. God is doing something different that what He was doing in time past. Now those who were afar off (Gentiles) are brought now by the blood of Christ. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. NOW, both Jew and Gentile are made into one new man and both are reconciled to God by the Cross.

How did this happen?

(Ephesians 1:1-6 KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: {2} Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. {3} Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The dispensation of grace started when Jesus with the unexpected and unprophesied return to raise up a new Apostle with a new program and a new message. This is what Paul writes about in Romans through Philemon.

The dispensation of the grace of God was given to Paul to us now. A dispensation is a program, an administration that someone puts in effect to accomplish a purpose.

In time past, God's purpose was to prepare a people (Israel) who would be obedient so the other nations would know that they served the true and living God.

But now, God's purpose is to make Himself a new creature, the one new man comprised of both Jew and Gentile, the church which is the Body of Christ.

Ages to Come, God's purpose with Israel is resumed and the nation Israel will go through a period of purging. God's purpose for Israel in ages to come is for Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that will rule with Christ when the kingdom of heaven is established on the earth.

The dispensation of grace has a beginning and an end. the program God has with Israel also has a beginning and an end. Israel's program was started in time past but was interrupted and put in abeyance while the dispensation of the grace of God is in effect. When God accomplishes His purpose in this present dispensation, it will end and the program God started with Israel in time past will resume.

There is a passage of scripture that tells us of Israel in time past (Romans 9), but now (Romans 10) and in ages to come (Romans 11). God has a plan and purpose for Israel and we do not take Israel's place. God has a plan and purpose specifically for the church which is the Body of Christ.

Ages to Come

(Romans 11:12 KJV) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Israel has a fullness and that has not happened in time past and it is not happening now; it will occur in the ages to come.

(Romans 11:25-27 KJV) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. {26} And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: {27} For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Paul tells us that we should not be ignorant of this mystery of Israel being blinded temporarily. While God is outworking His purpose for the dispensation of grace, Israel cannot see God's working in His plan for Israel because that is not what God is seeking to accomplish now. Paul tells us that this blinding is until a specific time, when the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

(Ephesians 1:21 KJV) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

(Hebrews 2:5 KJV) For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

Both Paul and the writer of Hebrews use the phrase "world which is to come". This indicates that there is more to come.

Hebrews through revelation pertain to the world to come. When God speaks of things to come He is referring to things pertaining to God's program with Israel.

(Colossians 2:16-17 KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: {17} Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Paul gives us an example of wrong division, observing the things concerning Israel's program. The things concerning meat, drink and holydays ARE a shadow of things to come; not WERE a shadow but ARE a shadow. Paul recognized that these things have not yet reached their fulfillment, he wrote that they a shadow of things to come and are not for now.

Doctrinal design of Hebrews through Revelation

Hebrews through Revelation have a doctrinal design that goes from milk to meat. This is the same with Romans through Philemon. Romans lays the foundation of our doctrine and Philemon sums it all up by showing how to apply all the doctrine revealed in the previous books.

Hebrews reveals the milk of the reestablishing of the remnant Israel concerning salvation, Davidic covenant, being house of God, truths to keep them away from the vain religious system etc.

When these books were written they were written for both the time in which they were written and for when the program resumes.

Parallels of Israel's position when these books were written and when the program resumes:

• Remnant of Israel scattered - James 1:1
• Facing destruction of Jerusalem and temple - Hebrews 13:8
• Spirit of Antichrist - 1 John 2:18
• Need to understand the longsuffering of the Lord and the reason for the delay of the pending wrath - 2 Peter 1:18
• Israel as a nation in rebellious and corrupt state - 1 Peter 1:18

Each of these books builds upon the doctrine that was revealed in the previous book. The is a progressive building of doctrine.

(Hebrews 13:22 KJV) And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

In few words, there is more to know.

• Hebrews builds the foundation and explains the crosswork of Christ according to the prophetic program. Hebrews is the reestablishing of the kingdom principles.
• James adds to that and tells of the judgment by the law of liberty, the reward and getting into the kingdom
• 1 Peter tells them of the sufferings they will need to endure
• 1, 2 and 3 John are advanced doctrine based upon the seduction of false prophets and teachers
• 2 Peter and Jude tell of the resumption of the time schedule of the prophetic program.
• Revelation tells of the Tribulation and sets forth the day of wrath like a newspaper so that Israel can understand exactly what is going on.

The Epistles Hebrews through Revelation are written to a people in Time Past who are expecting to go into the Ages To Come.