The Importance of Rightly Dividing the word of Truth

[ChosenbyHim]

Here is another important distinction that needs to be made in order for one to understand the Scriptures and Bible Prophecy.


In the Dispensation of Grace (Church Age), the temple of God is in the body of every true born again Christian:


16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (King James Bible)



16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. - 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (King James Bible)



So again, we see that today, the temple of God is the body of a born again Christian.


Now this is also a proof text to show the importance of right division of Scripture and also to show why Christians cannot be on the earth during the time of Jacob's trouble.


And here is how this is so. In the time of Jacob's trouble, the temple of God will be a physical building. It will be a physical temple located in Jerusalem:



13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. - Matthew 24:13-21 (King James Bible)




13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. - Mark 13:13-19 (King James Bible)




2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 (King James Bible)




So from reading those passages of Scripture (Matthew 24:13-21, Mark 13:13-19, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10), we can see that the tribulation temple that is going to be in Jerusalem during Daniel's 70th week is being referenced.


There is a clear dispensational distinction. The temple of God in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 is NOT the same temple of God that is referenced in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. It cannot be.


If you are going to read the Scriptures literally, you are going to have to be dispensational folks. There is no getting around that.


Here is what happens when you are not dispensational. You cause the Bible to contradict and a lot of times you have to allegorize the Scriptures, which is what a lot of Catholics do and also Charismatics.


The antichrist will be a man. Not a system. But a man. And for a man to stand in the temple of God, it must be referring to a physical temple.


This shows why Christians cannot be here for the time of Jacob's trouble. If Christians were to be here for the time of Jacob's trouble, there would be two temples of God on this earth, and that would create confusion.


Furthermore, the antichrist cannot be in more than one place at the same time. The antichrist does not have that kind of power, and neither does Satan!


Only God Almghty has that power. Only the LORD is omnipresent.


And this is more proof that the temple of God which the antichrist stands in will be a physical temple and it will obviously be located in Jerusalem.


And it is further proof to the fact that Christians will be gone when Daniel's 70th week (time of Jacob's trouble) is taking place.


Ever wondered why there is no physical temple in Jerusalem right now??


Because we (Christians) are still on the earth. And the temple of God is in us. Once the Rapture happens, and we are all caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4), that ends the Church Age (The Dispensation of Grace). And a new Dispensation begins. A dispensation where Salvation is no longer by grace through faith without works, but is now by faith AND works (James 2:14-26, Matthew 25, Hebrews 3:6). And where a physical temple will be located in Jerusalem.


Here is a virtual blueprint of the future Tribulation Temple. This will be the very temple that the antichrist will stand in (2 Thess. 2:3-4) in the time of Jacob's trouble (Daniel's 70th week).


[video=youtube;vFnckQrgO7s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFnckQrgO7s[/video]


We are living in an exciting time brethren. Be sure to continue to look for the Lord Jesus Christ. Continue to work for Him and serve Him. Because His coming is very, very close. Once He catches us away in the translation (1 Thess. 4:16-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-56), that is when the Church Age will end and then God's dealings will be with the Nation of Israel again.

 

[LT]

How is this important at all?
According to Dispensationalism, we will all be raptured before any of this takes place, so WHAT IS THE POINT IN STUDYING THE BOOK OF REVELATION IF YOU BELIEVE IN PRE-TRIB RAPTURE?

You must admit that the Dispensational view of Revelation is either wrong, or it is right but totally unimportant.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

How is this important at all?
According to Dispensationalism, we will all be raptured be for any of this takes place, so WHAT IS THE POINT IN STUDYING THE BOOK OF REVELATION IF YOU BELIEVE IN PRE-TRIB RAPTURE?

You must admit that the Dispensational view of Revelation is either wrong, or it is right but totally unimportant.

It is very important LT. Because if you do not obey the command which is given in 2 Timothy 2:15, you will make a mess of the Bible.

The point in studying the book of revelation is to learn more about the word of God and Bible Prophecy.

When you are not dispensational, you cannot truly take the Bible literally. You have to allegorize the Scriptures.

Catholics are not dispensational. And neither are Charismatics.


Ever wonder why there are so many denominations out there?

Because a lot of Christians do not obey the command in 2 Timothy 2:15:


15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

[LT]

It is very important LT. Because if you do not obey the command which is given in 2 Timothy 2:15, you will make a mess of the Bible.

The point in studying the book of revelation is to learn more about the word of God and Bible Prophecy.

When you are not dispensational, you cannot truly take the Bible literally. You have to allegorize the Scriptures.

Yea, you take Revelation literal, but then take the teachings of James how? You preach Daniel as literal, but the words of Jesus as allegory...

Chose your battles mate. I prefer to take the clear passages of Scripture, and use them to interpret the unclear.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Yea, you take Revelation literal, but then take the teachings of James how? You preach Daniel as literal, but the words of Jesus as allegory...

Chose your battles mate. I prefer to take the clear passages of Scripture, and use them to interpret the unclear.

There are somethings which are allegorical and symbollic. That should be very clear to any serious student of the Scriptures. And yeah, while the book of Revelation has a lot of symbology. It is still to be taken literally as a whole in regard to the events that it foretells. For instance there will be watern turned into blood. There will be locusts that have the faces of men and hair like women. And fo forth.


The teachings of James are also literal. He teaches that in the time of Jacob's trouble, that faith without works is DEAD.


Also, who said that the words of Jesus were allegory??


I take the words of Jesus literally. For instance Jesus spoke and preached on the horrors of a burning Hell. That is LITERAL. It is not an allegory.


Understand LT, that we are to allow the Scriptures to interpret the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:13)

 

[SpiritofFire]

One must know how to rightly divide them.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

One must know how to rightly divide them.

Absolutely sir. Absolutely. And the Holy Ghost will teach a Christian how to rightly divide the Scriptures.

 

[LT]

There are somethings which are allegorical and symbollic. That should be very clear to any serious student of the Scriptures. And yeah, while the book of Revelation has a lot of symbology. It is still to be taken literally as a whole in regard to the events that it foretells. For instance there will be watern turned into blood. There will be locusts that have the faces of men and hair like women. And fo forth.
Understand LT, that we are to allow the Scriptures to interpret the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:13)

I will show you how you misinterpret. Dispensationalism is forced to add information into verses to make them fit their structure.
This next passage is the most used proof text by Dispensationals for the imminent pre-trib rapture. What is this verse referring to?
(Authorized KJV) Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Is it talking about the imminent rapture, or an imminent judgement?
If you look at the previous verses it shows who gets taken.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

This shows that it was Noah that was left behind, and it was the wicked that were taken in judgement, just like there will be 2 in the field and God will judge one, and leave the other as a remnant. Therefore, this verse speaks of an imminent judgement, and has nothing to do with rapture.

I can do this all day, because I firmly believe that it is Dispensationals that don't take the Bible literally, regardless of their claims.

 

[homwardbound]

Chosenbyhim, may I ask you a ? how are we saved? what does that entail?

 

[homwardbound]

Oh an what about the 144,000 that are here after the Rapture, sealed with God's mark on their forehead, they are Christian right, yet still here during Revelation is that correct?

 

[ChosenbyHim]

I will show you how you misinterpret. Dispensationalism is forced to add information into verses to make them fit their structure.
This next passage is the most used proof text by Dispensationals for the imminent pre-trib rapture. What is this verse referring to?
(Authorized KJV) Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Is it talking about the imminent rapture, or an imminent judgement?
If you look at the previous verses it shows who gets taken.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

This shows that it was Noah that was left behind, and it was the wicked that were taken in judgement, just like there will be 2 in the field and God will judge one, and leave the other as a remnant. Therefore, this verse speaks of an imminent judgement, and has nothing to do with rapture.

I can do this all day, because I firmly believe that it is Dispensationals that don't take the Bible literally, regardless of their claims.

Actually LT, that verse (Matthew 24:40) is not a proof text for the Rapture. I used to think that it was referring to the Rapture, but upon close examination and listening to a sermon preached about it, it is actualy referring to another event.


There are two very clear proof texts for the Rapture of the body of Christ, and those are the following Scriptures:


15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (King James Bible)




50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (King James Bible)

 

[LT]

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 prove rapture/resurrection, but not pre-trib. Those which are alive are caught up after the resurrection of the dead. Where does the Resurrection take place? Rev 20:5 talks about the 1st Resurrection. After the return of Christ at Armageddon.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 speaks of the Resurrection, not rapture. Note that it say at the "last trump", not "before the 1st trump". This will not happen before the tribulation, but after.

Therefore, pre-trib is not a literal interpretation. Dispensationalism is pre-trib. Therefore Dispensationalism is not literal interpretation.

 

[zone]

Here is another important distinction that needs to be made in order for one to understand the Scriptures and Bible Prophecy.


In the Dispensation of Grace (Church Age), the temple of God is in the body of every true born again Christian:


Ever wondered why there is no physical temple in Jerusalem right now??


Because we (Christians) are still on the earth. And the temple of God is in us. Once the Rapture happens, and we are all caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4), that ends the Church Age (The Dispensation of Grace). And a new Dispensation begins. A dispensation where Salvation is no longer by grace through faith without works, but is now by faith AND works (James 2:14-26, Matthew 25, Hebrews 3:6). And where a physical temple will be located in Jerusalem.


Here is a virtual blueprint of the future Tribulation Temple. This will be the very temple that the antichrist will stand in (2 Thess. 2:3-4) in the time of Jacob's trouble (Daniel's 70th week).


We are living in an exciting time brethren. Be sure to continue to look for the Lord Jesus Christ. Continue to work for Him and serve Him.

Because His coming is very, very close. Once He catches us away in the translation (1 Thess. 4:16-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-56), that is when the Church Age will end and then God's dealings will be with the Nation of Israel again.

.........

ChosenbyHim

are the jews (Israel) included in the church....

what do you say about baptism...is it for the church today

i ask because there are many who believe what you do please clarify

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Chosenbyhim, may I ask you a ? how are we saved? what does that entail?

Sure brother homwardbound, we are saved by coming to repentance, and by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).


Once a person comes to repentance, then he is ready to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.


Repentance is simply coming to God as a sinner.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Oh an what about the 144,000 that are here after the Rapture, sealed with God's mark on their forehead, they are Christian right, yet still here during Revelation is that correct?

That is a good question Homwardbound.


And the answer is no. The 144,000 are not Christians at all. They are Jews from the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel:


7 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. - Revelation 7:1-8 (King James Bible)




14 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. - Revelation 14:1-5 (King James Bible)

 

[ChosenbyHim]

.........

ChosenbyHim

are the jews (Israel) included in the church....

what do you say about baptism...is it for the church today

i ask because there are many who believe what you do please clarify

Hi there Zone, great question.


The Jews today can get saved. And when they do, they are to be called a Christian. Why? Here is the answer:


26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:26-29 (King James Bible)





10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. - Colossians 3:10-13 (King James Bible)



So when a Jew gets saved, they are not supposed to call themselves a messianic Jew. They are to simply call themselves a Christian.


I know that some of them are called completed Jews. And I actually like the sound of that. I really do. But Scripturally, if a man gets saved, whether Jew or Gentile, they are a Christian. They are in Christ Jesus. They are a part of His body (Eph. 5:30).


And yes I do believe that baptism, water baptism is an ordinance that should be followed today for every Christian.


That is once he gets saved, he should partake in water baptism as a way to identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.


Water Baptisim is an ordinance that symboliccaly indentifies us as new creatures in Christ.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 prove rapture/resurrection, but not pre-trib. Those which are alive are caught up after the resurrection of the dead. Where does the Resurrection take place? Rev 20:5 talks about the 1st Resurrection. After the return of Christ at Armageddon.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 speaks of the Resurrection, not rapture. Note that it say at the "last trump", not "before the 1st trump". This will not happen before the tribulation, but after.

Therefore, pre-trib is not a literal interpretation. Dispensationalism is pre-trib. Therefore Dispensationalism is not literal interpretation.

The first resurrection has three parts to it. The first phase of the first resurrection was when Jesus Christ arose the third day and the Old Testament saints with Him (Matthew 27:52-53).

The Second part and phase of the first resurrection is at the Rapture of the body of Christ where the dead in Christ are resurrected. And the third part is the resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the time of Jacob's trouble (Revelation 20:4).


And 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 does speak of the rapture. Paul clearly says in verse 51 that he is showing us a mystery. It is the mystery of the translation (Rapture) of the Church, the Body of Christ.

 

[LT]

The first resurrection has three parts to it. The first phase of the first resurrection was when Jesus Christ arose the third day and the Old Testament saints with Him (Matthew 27:52-53).

The Second part and phase of the first resurrection is at the Rapture of the body of Christ where the dead in Christ are resurrected. And the third part is the resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the time of Jacob's trouble (Revelation 20:4).


And 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 does speak of the rapture. Paul clearly says in verse 51 that he is showing us a mystery. It is the mystery of the translation (Rapture) of the Church, the Body of Christ.

You just divided Scripture alright... into 3 pieces that are not separated within the Bible. Do you not see how twisted that is?! It specifically says in Scripture exactly what and when the 1st Resurrection is, and you have the audacity to change the definition to fit with your doctrine?!

What Scripture could possibly support support separating the 1st Resurrection into 3 pieces? Dispensationalists just made that up because they are unwilling to let go of pre-trib rapture, even though there is no verse in the whole Bible that even suggests pre-trib rapture.

1 Cor 15:52 shows us that that that mystery is revealed at the Last Trumpet, not before the 1st.

 

[MikeTwomey]

Everything in the Bible is literal.

 

[LT]

You should note that, in the Bible, the Resurrection is always connected to the 2nd coming of Christ, and the rapture follows the Resurrection. There is no 3rd coming. There is no partial coming. The Bible says that Christ will return during the battle of Armageddon, and the dead will rise, and the Believers will caught up and changed.
There is no reason to change this clear, literal interpretation.