The BIG Picture (Shorts)

  In 2 Cor.5:16, Paul says an incredible statement! "Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer" . You might think that Paul is blaspheming! How could Paul say this? Well, it's not that we forget Christ. Never! Paul means that we do not know him in his earthly ministry, which was under prophecy and to the Jews only (Gal.4:4; Matt.10:6; Matt.15:24). Today, we recognize Jesus "according to the revelation of the mystery", Rom.16:25. Jesus' earthly ministry, teachings, and signs, were for the Jews, to prove His identity and prepare them for their earthly inheritance. We can read the 4-gospels today and receive nuggets of truth, but none of it is directed to us. Our instructions are written in Paul's 13-epistles, and these are the commands addressed and directed to us today. Paul's epistles help us to know Jesus according to the revelation of the mysteries. We must study the Bible dividing prophecy and mys...

Did you know that Jesus rightly divided the Scriptures? Jesus was a dispensationalist during His earthly ministry, carefully handling Scripture to ensure its validity for His time. Rather than quoting any Scripture, He knew which parts were valid and which were not. For example, verses applicable to His Second Coming could not be forced into His First Coming, as this would be out of context with His current purpose. Psalm 91 and Isaiah 61 were Scripture, but not all of it was to be fulfilled during His First Coming. Jesus understood that it is not enough to be Scriptural; we must also be dispensational.  Those who profess to only follow Jesus in His earthly ministry should therefore take note how He correctly divided the Scriptures, quoting verses in their proper dispensational context. Then, taking this hint, they should conclude that by right division, we follow Paul's doctrine today, as the rest of Scripture, though for our learning, is not for our application today.