Category: prophetic program

Training Replacements #10

Thursday, June 19, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Notice the phraseology of our King James Bible in Galatians 2:7: “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;….” These are two separate and distinct Gospel messages, one given to Peter (Peter’s Gospel) and another given to Paul (Paul’s Gospel). Modern English versions do an extremely great disservice to their readers by retranslating it as “the gospel to the uncircumcision” and “the gospel to the circumcision”—thus teaching that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel, but to different groups. We know this is wrong. Their Gospels themselves were opposites.

Whereas Gentiles blessed of God through Israel’s fall was the central point of Paul’s apostleship and Gospel (Romans 11:11-14), Gentiles blessed of God through Israel’s rise to kingdom glory was the heart of Peter’s apostleship and Gospel (Acts 3:19-26). Paul learned nothing from Peter, but, the very reverse was true: Peter learned something from Paul. Even at the end of his earthly life, Peter struggled to understand that radical dispensational change that transpired when prophecy gave way to mystery (2 Peter 3:15,16).

Failing to make these distinctions between our Apostle Paul and Israel’s 12 Apostles, we will assume God is training us to replace Israel. NO! In the grand scheme of things, both prophecy and mystery, both Israel and the Church the Body of Christ, both entities and programs are necessary to fill the Heaven and the Earth with Christ’s life, God’s life.

The same Holy Ghost who revealed Christ’s doctrine to the 12 in prophecy (today’s Scripture), reveals to us Christ’s doctrine through Paul in mystery: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;…” (Ephesians 3:4,5). Here is Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon….

Training Replacements #8

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

With national Israel failing to repent and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom during the three years of Matthew to John, God granted them a one-year extension—a renewed opportunity for repentance (Luke 13:6-9). That year encompassed the first seven chapters of the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit’s ministry to Israel through the Little Flock led by the 12 Apostles.

Expanding on Christ’s sermons from His earthly ministry, Peter preached the Lord Jesus Christ would still return and establish God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom: “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. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom 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” (Acts 3:19-21).

By the time of Acts chapter 7, Stephen’s sermon to lost Israel’s religious leaders, Christ is standing (no longer sitting) at the Father’s right hand—preparing to make His enemies His footstool at His Second Coming (verses 55,56). In chapter 9, Saul of Tarsus, the religious leader heading Israel’s rebellion against Jesus Christ, is saved and commissioned by that same resurrected, ascended, and glorified Son of God! God kept a secret, finally revealing it to Paul and, through Paul, to us.

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26). With prophecy paused and mystery operating, God in “but now” shows a new set of principles completely separate and distinct from His “time past” information….

Training Replacements #7

Monday, June 16, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Strangely, some who claim to be “speaking for God” tell us that the Bible writers occasionally suffered from “poor memory.” To wit, whatever verses they composed might not have historically accurate! However, this is nothing but unbelief, natural-man thinking, complete and utter nonsense to the spiritual adult. If we truly are Bible believers, the position of faith is that the Bible writers ultimately had the Holy Ghost carrying them along to produce an infallible (dependable, without error) recollection of whatever they had seen and heard. Read today’s Scripture again: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

The Holy Spirit bears the title, “Comforter” (John 14:16,26 [today’s Scripture]; John 15:26; John 16:7). In Greek, it is “parakletos” (literally, “called alongside”)—translated “advocate” (intercessor, defense attorney, mediator) when referring to Jesus Christ in 1 John 2:1. “Comfort” is derived from Latin, and means “with fortitude/strength.” Therefore, the Holy Ghost is the “Comforter” in that He would aid, encourage, and empower the Little Flock to keep going on in ministry while Christ was away at His Father’s right hand. This, of course, was the period of early Acts. Nevertheless, as the unbelieving nation Israel blasphemed the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) during Matthew to John, so in the opening chapters of Acts they spoke against the Holy Spirit (thereby disregarding the severe warning issued in Matthew 12:31,32 and Mark 3:28-30). Such apostate Israelites were still stubbornly opposing the Messiah-King and His replacements (the 12 Apostles) by the time God finally broke away from the prophetic program.

With the mystery program now in effect, Christ has raised up more replacements, and He has been training them for the last 20 centuries….

To Be Seen and Heard #7

Monday, March 24, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

In case we assume “to be seen of men” is confined to the prophetic program, we can and should refer to Paul’s epistle to Galatia. Even in the mystery program, we are vulnerable to boasting or “advertising self” by means of works-religion: “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14).

“To make a fair shew” in Greek is “euprosopeo,” as in “beautiful/good countenance/face.” An attraction is on display, and such an eye-catching sight is sure to draw attention and admiration. In the case of Galatians, it is the observance of physical circumcision in Judaism (law/Moses and grace/Paul mixed). Yet, it can also apply to any other rite, ritual, or ceremony that underscores the flesh doing something in an attempt to merit God’s favor—being water baptized, partaking of holy meals, lighting candles, confessing sins, walking aisles, attending church services, fasting, giving money, making religious gestures, and the like. Such works-religion activities become grounds for boasting, or “glorying in the flesh” (“look at what I did in religion,” or “see our new church member’s faithful performance!”). More weight is placed on men-pleasing and outward appearance (formalism) than on God’s approval and sound Bible doctrine motivating this conduct or that behavior.

When Christ saw crowds gathering around Himself, He withdrew, for He wanted His Heavenly Father to receive the praise rather than Himself (see Matthew 8:18; Mark 1:45; Luke 5:15,16). The Lord Jesus would not let Satan use even the slightest opportunity to turn something good (Father’s ministry) into something bad (Son’s praise). Perhaps we had better take notice….

To Be Seen and Heard #6

Sunday, March 23, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

According to the Sermon on the Mount, both almsgiving (Matthew 6:1-4) and prayer (Matthew 6:5,6) were useful for followers of ancient Judaism to be “seen of men” and have “glory [praise, compliments] of men.” The third realm of their pageantry was fasting, as Matthew 6:16-18 makes clear: “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

In distressful or sorrowful times, a Jew wore special grieving attire (sackcloth), abstained from anointing with oil, applied ashes to his face, and even refrained from eating flesh and drinking wine. Instead of behaving like the hypocrites who sought the praise of men, the Lord Jesus ordered His followers to not publicize their fasting. They were to anoint their head and wash their face (ashes removed): His disciples were to maintain a normal, everyday appearance, never indicating they were actually fasting.

Jesus regularly mentioned “hypocrites” during His earthly ministry (Matthew 6:2,5,16; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 15:7; Matthew 16:3; Matthew 22:18; Matthew 23:13-15,23,25,27,29; Matthew 24:51; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:42; Luke 11:44; Luke 12:56; Luke 13:15). “Hypocrite” is from Greek, and literally means “under-judge.” It is someone who appears to be someone else: spectators are unable to recognize what is going on because a disguise conceals the true identity. In fact, the ancient Greeks applied the term “hupokrites” to stage actors who wore facemasks to pretend to be characters they were not in real life!

As Christ taught (Matthew 6:1-6,16-18), far better it is to be seen and heard of God, and praised of Him, than to be seen and heard of men, and be praised of them….

To Be Seen and Heard #5

Saturday, March 22, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Christendom is obsessed with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7)—though they have no sense of its dispensational context and care not to understand it anyway because it would disprove much of what they are doing with it. At the heart of that sermon is chapter 6, which pinpoints three areas of hypocrisy in Judaism during Christ’s day.

Read verses 1-4: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Almsgiving (donating money and/or goods to help the poor and destitute) was a means whereby they could boast of their “good deeds” and make people applaud!

Now, verses 5 and 6: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Similarly, in the context of today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus referred to religious leaders in Judaism who “devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer” (Matthew 23:14). The “pretence” (cf. Mark 12:40) was nothing but “an outward showing, alleged reason, pretended cause.” Luke 20:47 calls it a “shew.” They prayed for hours in public, making sure to stand in synagogues and at street corners to maximize the amount of attention they received!

There is still more….

To Be Seen and Heard #4

Friday, March 21, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Take up the context of today’s Scripture again: “[7] And [they love] greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. [8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. [11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

You can also refer to Mark 12:38 and Luke 20:46. Israel’s apostate spiritual leaders aimed to be flattered in public. The “markets” (marketplaces, town squares) were places where crowds could utter and hear those salutations, “Rabbi, Rabbi” (“My Master/Teacher, My Master/Teacher”). Countless heads were sure to turn and offer additional admiration. (I am reminded of noticing a religious leader arriving at a funeral home and him soaking up the praise he received from the gullible “faithful.”) Also, priests in Judaism were being called “father,” a carryover from heathen idolatry (Judges 17:10; Judges 18:19). These titles led to swollen egos, which prompted Jesus to warn His audience to have humility instead of exalting self (re-read Matthew 23:11,12). Also see Matthew 18:1-4, Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45, and Luke 22:24-28.

If you thought Matthew 23:1-12 was severe, read the rest of the chapter. This diatribe features eight “woes” or rebukes and condemnations of the Perverts of the Kingdom (verses 13-16,23,25,27,29). Jesus calls them “blind” on five occasions (verses 16-17,19,24,26), “hypocrites” seven times (verses 13-15,23,25,27,29), “fools” twice (verses 17,19), “white sepulchres [tombs]” once (verse 27), and “serpents… generation of vipers” once (verse 33). Jesus is in the Jerusalem Temple, condemning its “ministers” for thoroughly perverting His nation with a manmade and man-centered religion—which religionists will ultimately insist on His crucifixion in literally just two days.

Sinful man is doing what he wants in Israel, he is at the center of attention, and he will swiftly eliminate the “competition” (the Lord Jesus Christ)….

To Be Seen and Heard #3

Thursday, March 20, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Today’s Scripture again: “But all their works they do for to be seen of men….”Their objective in Judaism in Jesus’ day was not to be seen of God, but to receive praise, recognition, approbation, or applause from their fellow humans! Several illustrations are provided. For instance, “they make broad their phylacteries.” These leather boxes held pieces of paper with Law-based Scripture on them. Such containers were attached to the forehead or left wrist with a strap. Larger phylacteries obviously meant someone was carrying many verses (“I know and obey more Bible passages than you!”). Huge phylacteries “advertised” the wearers were “more pious,” or “more religious,” than others. It was a way of bragging or flaunting self-righteousness.

Also, they would “enlarge the borders of their garments.” Mark 12:38 words it as, “Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing.” Luke 20:46 warns, “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes….” According to Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12, blue fringes or tassels served as a reminder to Israel to keep the Mosaic Law, the Old Covenant. Israel’s apostate leaders extended their fringes because they wanted to appear “more religious” or “more spiritual” than the rest. Their special clothing was ostentatious, pretentious, or “flashy.”

Moreover, as per the context of today’s Scripture, “And [they] love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,…” (Matthew 23:6). They sought to have the best or most prominent seats at banquets (cf. Mark 12:39; Luke 20:46). Read Christ’s stinging words on this selfish practice in Luke 14:7-11. They strove to occupy the foremost spaces at the synagogues—like today’s “front-row pew seekers!” Again, eminence before their peers was their goal. Those who sit closest to the pulpit seem to be the “holiest” or “godliest,” right? “Look at me, see me, observe me, watch me!” Such behavior is nothing but self-aggrandizement, the prideful desire to be at the center of attention—especially in religion.

The Lord has even more to communicate here….

To Be Seen and Heard #2

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Read today’s Scripture in context, a long speech delivered just a few days before Calvary: “[1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Chapter 23 of Matthew is one of the most scathing rebukes the Lord Jesus Christ ever issued during His earthly ministry. (John chapter 8 is another extremely offensive sermon.) He warns His listeners—both His followers and any curiosity-seekers—of the religious corruption that had overtaken Judaism. The nation Israel’s spiritual leaders seem like Moses’ successors, God’s spokesmen, but they are hypocritical. Provided they taught the pure Word of God, the unadulterated Law of Moses, they should be followed. Nevertheless, as Christ Himself pointed out, there is also a counterfeit Word of God and an imitation ministry in Israel: these perverted religious leaders are teaching their words of men and passing them off as the words of God, and they are also failing to “practice what they preach” (“they say, and do not”).

They have watered down God’s commandments with mindless religious tradition. Instead of the LORD’S laws pointing out man’s sin problem, those laws have been “supplemented” with humanistic thoughts and deeds that portray man in a more positive light. God and His precepts are not at the center of attention because man has placed the spotlight on himself. It becomes all the more serious when we recognize this has occurred in God’s nation Israel, His channel of salvation and blessing to the nations in prophecy. As long as Israel languishes in spiritual darkness, she cannot be all that the LORD intended her to be. She is thus incapable of reaching the Gentiles….

Paul in the Synagogues #11

Sunday, March 16, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

Paul’s visits to synagogues had a three-fold purpose. Firstly, his preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4) was to win some lost Jews to Jesus Christ and therefore have them join the Church the Body of Christ (see Romans 9:1-5 and Romans 10:1-3).

Secondly, such a provoking ministry automatically left the entire nation Israel without excuse. Read Romans 11:11-14. Jews in the land of Palestine had already rejected the LORD God by refusing to believe the Gospel of the Kingdom during Matthew to John and early Acts. Now, outside the Promised Land and throughout the Roman Empire as he travelled, they were resisting, obstructing, and attacking Paul’s ministry during Acts chapters 9–28. Whether under Peter or under Paul, their mounting unbelief and protracted hatred for Jesus Christ increasingly justified God turning to the Gentiles without them. Salvation and blessing would go to the world through Israel’s fall because, although there was a Jewish believing remnant (the Little Flock or Messianic Church), the nation itself was unconverted.

Thirdly, and lastly, Paul’s trips to those synagogues for 15 or 20 years (Acts chapters 9–19) were God’s method of announcing to Israel out of the land about the change in program from prophecy to mystery. To wit, Paul preached Romans chapters 9–11 as he went to those synagogues. National Israel’s history of unbelief (Romans chapter 9, Abraham to Christ’s earthly ministry) continued to the present (Romans chapter 10, the Acts period) and would remain even into the future until mystery ceased and prophecy returned (Romans chapter 11). Israel was not walking by faith in Old Testament prophecy, persisted in that unbelief, so God unfolded a secret program through Paul. Even as Paul himself preached that, apostate Israel fought him! See Acts 13:44-48 and Acts 18:5,6. From the world capital of Rome, his farthest point from the Promised Land, Paul announced to lost Jews at the end of the Acts transitional period how the God of Israel had gone to Gentiles in spite of their nation’s unbelief (see Acts 28:14-29)!