God's Grace For Such a Time As This

When Did the Wall Fall?

"The Beginning of the Dispensation of the Grace of God"

When did the grace message begin to differ from that of the kingdom message? We need to be aware that the kingdom message is not the same as the grace message. If you do not separate the two messages you cannot make the distinction between the two messages and then you will mix the messages together.

Something New

How do we explain something new? One way is through new vocabulary.

(1 Corinthians 2:6-13 KJV) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: {7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: {8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. {9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. {13} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Satan, himself, did not know the mystery. There were no words to describe the mystery until it was revealed through Paul. Notice in verse 10 that it says that the things mentioned in verse 9 are now manifest. In verse 12 we see the operating principle of grace-the free gift.

Why do people have a hard time accepting the grace message?

Because the grace message constantly points out to us our inability to please God, it shows us our constant failures in the flesh, etc.

Verse 13 shows us where Paul gets his words to teach us in this dispensation of grace. The reason people think there is only 1 gospel is because they are looking at it through human wisdom.

When did the wall fall?

(Ephesians 2:13-15 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;

Enemies Reconciled - Jew and Gentile Alike

Here we see both, the circumcised and the uncircumcised, are made as enemies. A friend never needs to be made reconciled. Alienation is something that happens with enemies. It is that alienation that needs to be taken care of so that there can be a reconciliation. The enemies are now reconciled through the death of Christ.

The Wall

In verse 15 we see that the wall is composed of doctrinal issues that were operating in times past. (See Deut 4 and Lev 20) Those issues were the ones by which Israel was separated from the nations. The wall of partition is up in the kingdom message and the wall of partition is down in Paul's message.

Every denomination in America recognizes that the wall is down.

As late as Acts 21 we see that those among the circumcision demonstrated the importance of the division as their status as friends with God.

(Acts 21:27-29 KJV) And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, {28} Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. {29} (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Paul was identified as being with a Gentile and Paul was seen in the temple and the Jews became very upset about this. Why?

(Rev 11:2 KJV) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles:...

Here we see that the temple is not to be measured with the outer court, which belongs to the Gentiles. The Gentiles are on the outside and Israel will be on the inside, even in the ages to come.

In the denominations today no one brings an animal sacrifice when they come to worship, nor do they separate between the circumcision and the uncircumcision.

An example of being on the right side of the wall is found in 1 Kings 18, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Elijah was found to be on the right side of the wall.

(Rom 3:22 KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Here we see that there is no difference in that the righteousness of God goes to all who believe. Salvation goes to the Gentiles (enemies of God) because there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. So we can say that the wall has fallen when there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.

Here are some popular alternatives as to when the wall came down, (Please note that these are all wrong):

Churches today try to make the Gentiles part of Pentecost because the Holy Spirit was given and Paul writes that the Holy Spirit is given to the Gentiles. (Paul does not say the Holy Spirit given to Gentiles at Pentecost)

So when did the wall fall?

(Eph 2:11-12 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:

From these verses we see that there are characteristics of the wall being up. But Paul's message of grace is to all.

No Excuse

(Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Before God separated Abram every man knew about the Godhead. Colossians 1:15 says that Christ is the image of the invisible God, He is His son.

(Rom 1:20-23 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {21} Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Here we see that man rejected the triune God. God then moved through a man named Abram.

(Mat 12:22-32 KJV) Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. {23} And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? {24} But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. {25} And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: {26} And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? {27} And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. {28} But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. {29} Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. {30} He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. {31} Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. {32} And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Israel takes the Son of God and hangs him on a tree. This is blasphemy of the Son, this is forgivable. But there is a warning given; do not blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.

In Genesis 1 through 11 man rejects the Godhead.
In Genesis 12 God begins to establish his friends. John the Baptist was sent by the Father God. (See Isaiah 40:3). Israel rejects John's message and Herod has him imprisoned and the nation of Israel does not react. When John is beheaded that is when Israel rejected the Father.
Then God sends His Son. What does Israel do with God's Son? They have him crucified. Notice the progression here: with John, Israel just allowed his death to happen; with Jesus, Israel demanded he be crucified. So far Israel has rejected the Father and Son of the Triune God. See what happens next:

(Acts 6:3 KJV) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

(Acts 6:5 KJV) And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

(Acts 7:51-60 KJV) Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. {52} Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: {53} Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. {54} When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. {55} But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, {56} And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. {57} Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, {58} And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. {59} And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. {60} And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Here we see Stephen is full of the Holy Ghost and Israel rejects his message. Stephen asks God not to lay this sin to their charge. Remember to sin against the Holy Ghost was unforgivable (See Matthew 12). With the stoning of Stephen Israel rejects the Holy Ghost. Israel has just followed the pattern that mankind has set before them, they have just rejected the Godhead.

Israel Becomes an Enemy of God

Stephen also saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

(Acts 4:24-27 KJV) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: {25} Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? {26} The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. {27} For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Peter, by the Holy Ghost, takes a passage of the Old Testament Scriptures (Psalms 2) and applies it to Pentecost. In essence, he is saying what God spoke through David is happening now. In the prophetic timetable when Israel rejects the Holy Ghost the next thing to come is the wrath of God.

(Psalms 7:6 KJV) Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

When Stephen saw the Son of Man, He was standing. In Acts 2:30 it is mentioned that Christ is seated. The reason for this is to give Israel time to respond to the Holy Ghost, in hope that they would come to do what they understood to do. Stephen saw Christ standing because the timetable of God calls for the wrath of God.

Israel has rejected the Holy Ghost and has now become enemies of God. There is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile; all are enemies of God.

First Enemy of God Reconciled

(Acts 9:1-6 KJV) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, {2} And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. {3} And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: {4} And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? {5} And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. {6} And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Here we see that there was intense persecution among the true believers. In Psalms 7:6 we see the psalmist pleading for Christ to arise because of the persecution. The persecution is led by a man named Saul. Verse 6 seems to indicate that there was a tremendous change in the man named Saul, he was trembling and astonished. He asked the Lord what he should do, he is no longer the arrogant self serving man he once was.

We need to take note here that Saul was the one who was leading the rebellion, he has committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Remember according to Matthew 12, if one committed blasphemy of the Holy Ghost it was not forgivable. So then how did Saul get forgiveness from blasphemy of the Holy Ghost? A new message had to come in.

People need to be reconciled when there is hostility, when they are enemies. Friends do not need to be reconciled.

(2 Corinthians 5:15-18 KJV) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. {16} Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. {17} Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. {18} And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

In verse 16 it says that we knew Christ after the flesh. When did we know Christ after the flesh? In his earthly ministry, when He preached the kingdom message. We find this in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Saul recognized Christ in heaven and said we are to no longer know Christ after the flesh, in His earthly ministry.

What is the message that Paul preached?

(Romans 5:10 KJV) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

God took His enemies and reconciled them to Himself. When Israel committed that dreadful deed they have become enemies of God. They have fallen away from God; an essence of their nature has now become as a Gentile. They are just Gentiles who are practicing Judaism. Everyone has now been judged by God to be an enemy of God so that they can now be reconciled to God. This does not mean they are saved, it just means they are reconcilable to God-they can choose to receive the salvation being offered.

The wall is down. That happened when Israel committed blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, before Saul was saved. It is at that moment (the stoning of Stephen, which is rejecting the Holy Ghost), when Israel became an enemy of God. At that moment there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. 

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