Category: Israel’s temporary blindness-fall

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #82

Thursday, August 13, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Paul’s first miracle recorded in Scripture is Acts 13:6-12: “And when they had gone through the isle [Cyprus] unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” A Gentile wishes to hear Paul and believe his message, but a satanic and unbelieving Jew prevents it. Here is Paul’s ministry summarized—Israel is blind and without faith, but Gentiles believe on Jesus Christ.

“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their [Barnabas and Paul’s] hands…. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked” (Acts 14:3,8-10). This is God’s ministry through Paul amongst the Gentiles, people spiritually disabled (see Gentiles’ pitiful condition in Acts 14:11-18) but Israel’s miracles leading to their restoration and wellbeing (symbolized by physical healing)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #81

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Once He pinpointed Israel’s fall and diminishing in Romans 11:11,12, the Holy Spirit identified and magnified Paul’s “office [apostleship]” in verse 13. He ultimately wrote in verse 14, “If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.” These of Paul’s “flesh” are lost Jews (cf. Romans 9:3,4), who reject Jesus Christ as Saul/Paul himself had done in early Acts. Christ’s heavenly ministry through Paul is conducted in such a way during Acts so as to “provoke them [Israel] to jealousy… [same Greek phrase as] provoke to emulation” (Romans 11:11,14). To wit, the Holy Spirit utilizes Paul’s “Acts” ministry in a special manner to attract (excite/rouse) lost Jews, that they undergo such intense “zeal” to the point of abandoning their nation’s darkness, blindness, and ignorance. In doing so, they can come to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the way Paul’s Gentile converts were (through faith in Christ’s finished crosswork!).

Note well this striking contrast. In “time past,” a Gentile had to behave like a Jew to fellowship the God of the Bible. However, in “but now,” a Jew has to behave like a Gentile to commune with the God of the Bible (Romans 10:12,13)! Imagine this admission: “I cannot claim any special privilege of Abraham as my father, I cannot offer my works, I cannot as a sinner do anything but believe on Christ like everyone else [that is, Gentiles] converted under Paul’s apostleship!” Such was especially repulsive to the Jews who took great pride in their “non-Gentile” heritage, which difference between Jew and Gentile the LORD God had removed with the raising up of Saul/Paul (see Ephesians 2:11-18).

During the 30-year transition from prophecy to mystery (Acts chapters 9–28), God indicated to Israel that He was now dealing with the nations using Paul’s ministry, and Israel’s signs amongst the Gentiles (signs connected to Paul’s ministry) prove it. See believing Israel hearing such a testimony in Acts 15:12: “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.” Israel’s miraculous demonstrations had proliferated in the world without her national conversion….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #78

Sunday, August 9, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

What Saul of Tarsus learned outside of the city of Damascus in Acts chapter 9 was this (verses he did not write until 30-plus years later): “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Again, Paul’s salvation and commissioning were a departure from prophecy, separate from Israel, and without Judaism. By the time of Acts chapter 9, Israel had already fallen (it had occurred in chapter 7, partly due to his satanic ministry), so there could be no salvation for Paul in joining Israel’s believing remnant; this necessitated the beginning of the Church the Body of Christ, Paul becoming its first member. The Apostle’s salvation is a “pattern,” and those who believe on Christ follow his example by trusting the Gospel of Grace committed to Paul (Acts 20:24): “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). This is what is known as “Paul’s Gospel” (Romans 2:16; Romans 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8), for it was the Glad Tidings committed first to him and the Good News he preached. It also forms the heart or core of the Dispensation of the Grace of God given to him (Ephesians 3:2).

What Israel in Acts had to see firsthand was Paul’s own ministry proving a departure from prophecy, no difference between Jews and Gentiles, and salvation and blessing from God having no relation to Judaism or the Law….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #76

Thursday, August 6, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Without question, Acts is the most abused Book of the Bible in church history. Such unbelievably irresponsible, shoddy treatment of it has produced more lost souls and more ruined Christian minds and lives than any other portion of Scripture people have perverted. Its transitional nature renders it exceptionally challenging—at first, anyway. Once we discover the general tenor, though, Acts becomes a blessing rather than a burden. It all starts with making sure we approach it using the method of dispensational Bible study, thereby jettisoning the traditional views that led to unending confusion, heresy, and apostasy. Alas, even a great many supposed “dispensationalists” are clueless as to what transpired during the Acts period, so we must be careful not to wind up in their trap either.

In order to gain a sense of the transitional nature of Acts, all one needs to do is simply compare and contrast the first chapter and the last chapter. Chapter 1 is Israel, the ministry of the 12 Apostles, the city of Jerusalem, and prophecy; however, chapter 28 is Gentiles, the ministry of the Apostle Paul, the city of Rome, and mystery. The opening of Acts is nothing like the close of Acts, and that is by Divine design; Acts is an historical Book, the record of how God was just or fair in departing from Israel, suspending her covenants, withdrawing her signs, and ending her (earthly, prophetic) program… and how He started dealing with the world/nations, apart from covenants, apart from signs, thereby introducing a secret/mystery and heavenly program.

The Book of Acts covers approximately 30 years, from Christ’s ascension all the way to Paul’s house-arrest. During that special time in human history, Israel became less and less of an issue—her fall in Acts chapter 7 with Stephen’s stoning (blasphemy against the Holy Ghost) leading to her diminishing for the remainder of Acts. Those dreadful concluding words of Acts 28:23-29 are entered into the scriptural record to demonstrate that, in spite of Israel’s persistent unbelief (all through those three decades of Acts!), salvation indeed had gone to the Gentiles without (WITHOUT!) God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly people….

NOTE: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #75

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe two verses carelessly tossed around in denominational circles. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). By citing these Scriptures, such people imagine they have permission from God Himself to do whatever they wish—including entertaining the assumption they can somehow manipulate or beg Him enough to give them their way (such as making Him repeat His actions of time past). Here is what they fail to see, or refuse to see. God’s nature or character is immutable, unchanging, for He never ceases to be omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all-existent), omnipotent (all-powerful), faithful, righteous, holy, possessor of eternal life, and so on. However, His relations with mankind can and do change. A plethora of verses can be offered to easily demonstrate that, including this excerpt from the Bible.

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 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?…. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?…. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:…. 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” (Romans 11:11,12,15,20,25).

Opinions and idle speculations aside, according to the Word of God, Israel (once at the forefront of God’s dealings with man) is presently “fallen,” “diminished,” “cast away,” “broken off,” and “blinded.” This necessarily means Israel’s covenants are not in force and their accompanying signs are not in operation either. Remember, the very program to which they belong has been interrupted, prophecy temporarily giving way to mystery….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #24

Thursday, June 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe! It was the LORD God’s intention to bless the world/nations/Gentiles through the nation Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 3:24-26). That was the heart of “prophecy” (cf. Matthew 25:34; Luke 1:68-75; Acts 3:20-23). However, Israel rejected Messiah-King Jesus and crucified Him in unbelief (John 19:14,15), refusing to trust Him even after His death, burial, and resurrection… which brings us into early Acts, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the 12 Apostles. With national Israel spurning Jesus Christ for three years (Matthew to John) and snubbing the Holy Spirit for one year (early Acts), she falls in Acts chapter 7 by stoning Stephen who is filled with the Holy Ghost (see Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 13:6-9).

Paul’s apostleship, which commences in Acts chapter 9, is introduced because of Israel’s fall. Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] 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? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them…. [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret, once-hidden wisdom now revealed through Pauline doctrine!], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits [do not think you are Israel or that you have replaced Israel!]; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

It is through the nation Israel’s fall that salvation currently comes to the Gentiles/nations/world, for the God of the Bible utilizes Paul’s ministry to reach out to all people without distinction during the operation of “mystery” (Romans 16:25,26)….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #14

Sunday, January 18, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

It is no secret that Christendom is unhealthily obsessed with Matthew through John. While these Four Gospel Records are the inspired and infallible Word of God, confused souls fail to realize Christ’s earthly ministry is still Judaism and not Christianity. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are under the Law of Moses (Matthew 8:4; Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14; cf. Luke 1:59; Luke 2:21-24; cf. Matthew 5:17-19). “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,…” (Galatians 4:4). Also, Christ’s earthly ministry was restricted to Israel because the Old Testament covenants were given exclusively to the Israelites (Romans 9:4,5; cf. Ephesians 2:11,12). “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24; cf. Matthew 10:5-7; Romans 15:8).

Also, it is quite obvious that Christendom is exceedingly fixated on early Acts and “Pentecostal power,” more passages that are the infallible and inspired Word of God but nevertheless do not describe what the Lord is doing right now. Israel is still dominant in the opening chapters of Acts (see Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14,22,36; Acts 3:12,24-26; Acts 4:8,10; Acts 5:31; Acts 7:2), with her fall occurring in Acts chapter 7 once her leaders stoned the Prophet Stephen and thus blasphemed against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30). Salvation and blessing go to the nations starting with Paul’s salvation and commissioning to Gentiles in chapter 9 of Acts.

Serving as “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13; cf. Acts 26:17; Romans 15:16; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11), Paul writes inspired and infallible words in Romans through Philemon to identify true spirituality today. “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38).

May we not be like most, willingly ignorant of Pauline revelation….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #13

Saturday, January 17, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Observe again the prophetic program: “Whom [Jesus Christ] the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began…. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:21,25,26). Peter’s sermon here draws on Genesis 12:1-3, the Abrahamic Covenant, or how God will save and bless the nations (world, Gentiles) through Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (cf. Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:18-20).

Since we can locate Bible verses that teach national Israel has a privileged position or favored standing before God, it is assumed that they still have that situation and it is thus thought that we need to bless Israel for God to bless us. Such is Bible ignorance, for the prophetic program has now given way to the mystery program: “I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 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? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Romans 11:11-14). Currently, the salvation and blessing of God come to the nations/Gentiles or world through Paul’s ministry because of Israel’s temporary fall.

Indeed, we are not Israel, we have not replaced Israel, and we therefore are not under Israel’s Law system….

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks #3

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13,14 KJV).

The fifth verse and the final verse of the classic Christmas carol paraphrase today’s Scripture.

“Thus spake the angel and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
‘All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease.’”

People who know nothing about the Bible carelessly complain that the God of the Old Testament was a “bigot.” They dislike that He dealt almost exclusively with Israel, having almost no dealings with Gentiles. Additionally, they whine that Jesus was a “racist” because He said that His earthly ministry was limited to Israel (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24). What fools and blasphemers!

When JEHOVAH promised Abraham that He would make of him a great nation, that nation was to be the channel of God’s salvation and blessing to reach all the world’s (Gentile) nations. “…[I]n thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Rebuking ignorant Nicodemus, Jesus said of Israel’s earthly kingdom: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus also said, “…[R]epentance and remission of sins should be preached in [my] name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). He told His apostles to baptize and teach “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). God was dealing with and converting Israel, that redeemed Israel go to all nations on His behalf when Jesus became their King!!! Read Zechariah 8:20-23 and Isaiah 60:1-3 (yet future).

Hence, the angels sang at Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” God wanted everyone—“good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (verse 10)—to have a relationship with Him in Israel’s kingdom. Of course, Israel’s kingdom is still future. Romans 11:11-13 says salvation is coming to us Gentiles without Israel, through Paul’s ministry and Paul’s Gospel (Christ’s finished crosswork).

NOTE: I want to say a special “Happy Birthday” to my Mom, who will no doubt read this. Thank you for being faithful to Father God in leading me to Jesus Christ and teaching me the Scriptures all those years ago! 🙂

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #20

Monday, September 29, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

In Acts chapters 7–9, religious leader Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who hated Jesus’ name and tirelessly hunted believing Jews. Yet, Saul gave up depending on his “goodness” and trusted Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-9). As Paul the Apostle decades later, he writes of himself: “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:13-16).

The salvation or justification of Saul/Paul is a “pattern” of how God has dealt with Christ-rejecting sinners for 2,000 years now. Firstly, He has been “merciful” or compassionate, holding back the wrath we sinners deserve. Secondly, He has been “gracious” or generous, giving us the favor we sinners do not deserve. Thirdly, He has been “peaceful” or friendly, pausing the war we sinners deserve. For a moment, He has interrupted the prophetic program, “[that] which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21), that He may operate the mystery program, “[that] which was kept since the world began, but now is manifest [through the Pauline epistles, Romans to Philemon]” (Romans 16:25,26).

God has caused the nation Israel to temporarily fall, concluded all Jews and all Gentiles in unbelief, that He might have mercy on all nations without distinction (see Romans 11:11-14,30-32). What we need to do is the only thing we can do without doing anything: we need to believe on Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. Since the Lord Jesus was our substitute on Calvary so long ago, we now enjoy God’s blessings….