Two Exclusions #1

Saturday, August 3, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

After laying out His case against the sinful, Hell-bound Gentiles or nations in chapter 1 of Romans (see verses 18-32), the Holy Spirit through Paul proceeds to condemn sinful Israel in chapter 2.

Romans chapter 2: “[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?… [17] Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, [18] And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; [19] And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, [20] An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law…. [23] Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”

Observe the “boast” in verses 17 and 23. As Paul knew quite well, a “Law-keeping” Jew contended, “I have my good works, my God-given religion, so I do not need Jesus. The Gentiles need Jesus, but not I because I am ‘not as bad as’ they are.” Verse 17 describes this as “rest[ing] in the law.” Actually, though a Jew (unlike a Gentile) could claim Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his ultimate father (like a Gentile) was Adam (a sinner)—and, by Adam, they all had the Devil as father (John 8:44)! Re-read Romans 2:1-3. Every Jew accusing a Gentile of being a “sinner” was guilty of the same evil deeds.

The Gospel of the Grace of God, as presented in the opening chapters of Romans, reduces everyone (Gentile and Jew) to stand on one level, all sinners facing God’s eternal judgment….

Let Them Recover Themselves

Friday, August 2, 2024

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is great advice for ministry workers!

Recently, I had a phone conversation with a dear brother in Christ who has been following our ministry, reading our studies and watching our Bible videos, for a few years now. For some decades, he was part of a “Christian” denomination. Whatever information he was learning from them did not match what he was experiencing in his life. In other words, they had make-believe as the foundation of their Bible understanding. It was very discouraging and confusing for him.

Eventually, he left that and joined an online “Bible study group,” but they too proved to be another disappointment. These people studied books about the Bible instead of the actual Bible—and he was interested in what the Bible said as opposed to what “Doctor So-and-So” thought the Bible said. A couple of years ago, he landed on our ministry websites and subsequently came to understand and enjoy the Bible. Ever since, he has been growing in the Word rightly divided and is teaching others what he has learned. As a business owner, he has informed his employees of sound Bible doctrine. Also, he wants to reach out to certain clients who belong to a particular works-religion cult.

Some people wish to hear him, while others could not care less. I told him that we teach them to cause them to think, leaving God the Holy Spirit to take care of the rest. He should not be disheartened if people are happy in their Bible ignorance. All we can do is tell them sound Bible doctrine and let them recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil (today’s Scripture). We cannot recover them; they must recover themselves by placing their faith in the rightly divided Scriptures we give them. Brethren, let us be faithful in providing them those verses! 🙂

A Grace Study Bible

Thursday, August 1, 2024

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on 12 full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Some 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Twelve years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be over 80 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

arC Ministries Is 17!

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 17th anniversary today!!!

Seventeen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 17 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 13 years now. For the last 12 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its thirteenth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Eight years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Five years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Seventeen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 18! 🙂

 

No Wedding Garment! #9

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

If Israel will fellowship with JEHOVAH God under the New Covenant, it must be imputed righteousness instead of self-righteousness (The Parable of the Wedding Feast, Matthew 22:1-14). God is calling all Jews in the prophetic program via the Gospel of the Kingdom, but those chosen for service are they who will believe and thus possess His righteousness not self-righteousness (verse 14). Only believing Israel, justified in the Lord because of His righteousness, will be Christ’s wife because they alone have the wedding garment. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [lost Israel, especially religious leaders], and given to a nation [believing remnant, Little Flock of Luke 12:32] bringing forth the fruits [righteousness] thereof” (Matthew 21:43).

Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” The Hebrew word rendered “filthy” means “menstruation,” the monthly bleeding of a woman’s reproductive organs. According to the Holy Bible, man’s “very best” is but a soiled sanitary napkin in God’s sight! (How flattering!) Billions upon billions are still struggling in vain to obtain a right standing in God’s court (justification) by offering their “filthy rags.”

Like Adam and Eve, they wear their “fig leaves” hoping to cover their spiritual nakedness—but God is not fooled (Genesis 3:7-11). Following apostate Israel’s example, they use the Law of Moses to prove their supposed “goodness” and “worthiness of Heaven.” Unfortunately for them, God is not impressed… save (except) in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)! Like self-righteous Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) had to learn in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….” May we learn this too!

No Wedding Garment! #8

Monday, July 29, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

The “wedding” is in Revelation 19:7-9, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” The “supper” itself is Revelation 19:11-21.

As for the proper wedding garment, see Revelation 7:9-14—God’s righteousness, not man’s self-righteousness (recall Isaiah 61:10; cf. Genesis 3:1-13,21). Only Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock, will have it. National Israel will be without the wedding garment, having only works-religion. As for the wedding, Jesus Christ marries Israel under the New Covenant. Hosea 2:16,19,20: “And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [‘Husband’]; and shalt call me no more Baali [‘Lord’]…. And I will betroth [engage] thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.”

Also see Isaiah 62:4,5: “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah [‘Delight’], and thy land Beulah [‘Married’]: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” God marries (joins) Israel to the Promised Land, and then Jesus Christ marries Israel.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

No Wedding Garment! #7

Sunday, July 28, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

Today’s Scripture in context again: “[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What is this “outer darkness,” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth?” It is the eternal punishment of lost Israel just prior to the Millennial Kingdom of Revelation chapter 20.

Christ already spoke of this terrible fate in the Sermon on the Mount: “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). He mentioned it again in His second Sermon on the Mount, the Olivet Discourse: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). As Moses declared in Deuteronomy 32:22, concerning Christ’s Second Coming: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”

When Jesus returns in flaming fire (Matthew 13:40-43; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; cf. Isaiah 30:27-33; Isaiah 31:8,9), a shaft will be opened south of the Dead Sea (“Idumea”) and Earth’s interior, Hell itself, will be exposed. Unbelieving souls will be thrown into this spiritual place of judgment at His return as well as throughout His Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 5:29,30; Matthew 18:8,9; Mark 9:42-50; cf. Isaiah 66:24). Jude 13 speaks of lost people “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”

Having discussed the punishment of those without a wedding garment, let us go back to describing the wedding garment and the wedding themselves….

No Wedding Garment! #6

Saturday, July 27, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

In today’s Scripture, with all guests now present, Father God the King looks them over and notices a man without a “wedding garment.” The man is totally without excuse, for the question posed to him indicates he had been offered a wedding garment but had refused it: “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” According to the Bible, he is “speechless”—exactly as Israel’s religious leaders will be by chapter’s end (see Matthew 22:46)! He represents self-righteous, unbelieving Israelites who have (wrongly!) supposed their own efforts have secured them a position at the wedding feast.

Romans 9:31–10:3 says of lost Israel throughout Christ’s earthly ministry and even into the Acts ministry of the Apostle Paul: “[9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [9:32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [10:1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [10:2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [10:3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Here is the proper wedding garment: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Yet, in their works-religion pride, lost Israelites are without the garment of God’s salvation….

No Wedding Garment! #5

Friday, July 26, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

When prophecy resumes one day, leading up to Christ’s return to reign on Earth, God will have messengers preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. “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” (Matthew 24:14). “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15,16). “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” (Matthew 10:22,23). The “two witnesses” of Revelation 11:3-13 and the 144,000 male Jewish preachers of Revelation 7:4-8 will have this ministry.

The above is the third and final call of The Parable of the Wedding Feast of Matthew 22:1-14. Re-read verses 8-10: “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.” This is Daniel’s 70th Week, the seven-year Tribulation.

Here is today’s Scripture at last: “[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Let us see how Father God the King responds….

No Wedding Garment! #4

Thursday, July 25, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

Thus far in The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-6), Father God the King has twice bidden national Israel to come to faith in His Son, Jesus, as Messiah/Christ. Alas, both during the Books of Matthew through John (first call) and the early part of the Book of Acts (second call), the response was unbelief. With Divine judgment on Israel looming during early Acts, God paused prophecy and inserted a secret or mystery program (our program). With our Dispensation of Grace ceased (Paul’s ministry concluded, and the Body of Christ translated into the heavenly places), the wrath meant for early Acts now comes to pass, and the remainder of The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:7-14) is fulfilled.

Read verse 7: “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” This is Daniel 9:26, Jerusalem’s destruction connected to the Antichrist, yet future from us: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself [Christ’s death on Calvary, just two days from the time He told the parable in Matthew chapter 22!]: and the people of the prince [the Antichrist] that shall come shall destroy the city [Jerusalem] and the sanctuary [Jerusalem Temple]; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Continue Matthew chapter 22: “[8] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. [9] Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. [10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.” During Daniel’s 70th Week (the seven-year Tribulation, the Antichrist’s reign), the third and last call goes out to Israel….