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An Overview of God’s Revealed Plan and Hidden Purpose in the Ages
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Click here for a panoramic view of this chart
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Section 1
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Section 2
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Section 3
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Section 4
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Section 5
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Click on the text anywhere in the diagram below to read the supporting text.
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Section 3
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Dispensations of “The Family” and “The Law”
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From the Tower of Babel to the calling of Abram to become Abraham (the first Jew)... From Abraham to Egypt, Egypt to the Exodus, Exodus to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, from Sinai through the end of the Old Testatment. The Patriarchal Dispensation (Genesis 12:1-3; 25:11; 27:4; 28:13-15; 48:21; 49:1-33) and The Dispensation of Law (Exodus 19 & 20; Galatians
3:19,24,25). The Ten Commandments given (Exodus 24:16)
The chosen nation Israel is called and blessed (from Genesis 11:31 thru the book of Malachi). The defiance of mankind at the Tower of Babel brings into play a new administration of God. The beginning is
with one man “Abraham”. “I will make of thee a great nation” (Genesis 12:2). From his loins the new nation, a chosen nation (Israel) is born, placed in a country which was as
another Garden of God, and at the same time blessed with national blessings such as no nation ever enjoyed before or since then. Needless to say, the balance of the Old Testament is given over to these two
dispensations.
When you follow the history of the Jewish nation, with it’s many rebellions and outright stiff-neckedness, the expressions of “Ichabod” - the glory has passed (1 Samuel 4:21) and
“Cursed” (Zachariah 8:13) describe their unbelief to a tee. They forsook the covenant of the Lord. They failed to become a channel of blessing to the nations; they threw down the alters of God,
and slew God’s prophets with the sword (1 Kings 19:10; Zechariah 8:13, etc). Thus the chosen nation (Israel) could not stand (consist) apart from Christ, although placed in a position as favorable
(nationally) as mankind had been in Adam (individually). Ichabod - This of course brings us to the conclusion of the Old Testament (historically).
Moses was born on 1571 BC. The Exodus was in the year 1491 BC, 430 years from Genesis 12:4, and 400 years from Genesis 21:10. The anointing of King Saul was in 1000 BC (the Kingdom begins). The second
anointing was with King David in 960 BC. King Solomon began his reign in 920 BC. The Temple began to be built in 917 BC and finished in 910 BC (compare Acts 13:20-23).
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The Underworld (Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise)
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(Matthew 25:41,46) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (I John 3:8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil.
Here we learn why God prepared a place of everlasting punishment - for the devil and his angels. It was not created for fallen man as we know that God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the
truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Man chooses to go their on his own free will by rejecting Christ.
There are several levels of the Underworld that have been described in scripture:
The Low (2 Samuel 3:32) which is The Grave (geber, mnenion).
The Lower - Hell - Abode of the souls of the wicked dead. The lower (Ephesians 4:9)
Tartarus - Prison of the fallen Angels (1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:4-10; and Jude 6-7). Click here to learn more about Noah and
the Flood to learn more about the fallen Angels.
The Lowest - Abyss or Bottomless Pit - The Lake of Fire (Deut 32:22, Matt 5:30; Rev 9:1-2; 20:1-2,15) This is the home of demonic spirits and eventually the final resting place for Satan.
The Great Gulf and Abrahams Bosom - (Luke 16:19-31) Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise - The abode of the souls of the “righteous dead” up until Christ’s resurrection. It is now empty because Christ took the “first fruits” with Him when he was raised (Luke 16:19-31; Acts 2:25-27; 2 Cor 12:2-4; Matt 27:52,53; 1 Cor 15:20; Eph 4:8-10).
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The Acts Period
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The book of Acts is sometimes called “The Book Between,” “a link,” the key to one phase of right division. It is therefore our desire to unfold for the workman a step by step account of
the activities concerning the Holy Spirit as He takes the things of Christ and shows them to us throughout this historical period.
The book of Acts is clearly marked off into three parts. The first part is limited to Jerusalem and covers the first seven chapters. The second part is confined to Judea and Samaria and covers
chapters eight through twelve. This third section, “unto the uttermost part of the earth,” consists of chapters thirteen through twenty-eight.
The first and second parts are confined to the Jews only, with the exception of a special exemption to one Gentile household in chapter ten. The principal human agent in this context is the Apostle Peter.
The third part has to do with dealings among the Jews and Gentiles, but always to the Jew first. The principal human actor here is the Apostle Paul. Perhaps the most glaring mistake of present day
traditional Christianity is its failure to realize the distinctiveness in the callings of the church (the called-out of God) in the Acts period, as opposed to the church (the called-out of God) after the
close of the history recorded in Acts. (See “The Church.”)
“The Transition” of Acts
The Old Testament prophets searched diligently to understand “Grace” in the context of salvation as it was to be proffered
between the sufferings of Messiah and the glory which was to follow (I Peter 1:9-12). When one travels south toward
Mexico at San Antonio, a marked change, in the culture and ways of life begins, taking on the ways of Mexico. Even so,
the actual reality of that transition does not take place until you cross over the Rio Grande into Mexico. Just so, the grace
that apprehended the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) does not reach its full potential as a pattern until the
close of Acts and the unveiling of the Mystery (God’s Sacred Secret), as recorded in the prison letters of Paul.
Hence, the transition of Grace toward the Sacred Secret and the regression of old requirements present the fluid state of
things in the book of Acts, when kept in the context of salvation. Needless to say, in our time we are in that period of time
between the “sufferings of Christ (Messiah), and the glory that should follow.” (I Peter 1:11b) Perhaps we should add that
God’s Sovereign Grace now extends not only to the saved but even to the whole world (I Tim. 4:10).
A careful step-by-step inquiry throughout the Book of Acts will clearly demonstrate this transition and Israel’s failure to
realize the fulfillment of the Kingdom possibilities which were in view. The hopes of the church (the “called-out” of God) for
that time have been deferred. Not only so, but the called-out saints after the close of Acts are a new calling of God’s people
, a call far above all heavens, a new hope. By and large, this hope has been overlooked by most of Christendom. It is the
“Mystery” of the prison ministry through the Apostle Paul that opens up a new revelation concerning God’s hidden purposes in a new man (Eph. 2:14-16).
Moreover, the following verses from the epistles written during the Acts period demonstrate the thinking and hopes which
were in prospect at that time according to the prophetic things which then seemed to be in place.
Luke writes concerning Paul’s preaching:
“... He hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world...” (Acts 17:31). There is no hint of it being some two
thousand years in the future. Note: Greek for “will” is “mello,” meaning “is about to.”
Paul writes concerning the great salvation and deliverance: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand...” (Romans 13:12).
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly...” (Romans 16:20).
“... waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 1:7). “Coming” here is the Greek word, “apocalupsis,”
meaning “revelation.” “Waiting” means “eagerly expecting.”
“... wherefore, comfort one another with these words.”(I Thess. 4:13-18). “These words” have to do with the
translation of the saints (the “Rapture”). Paul includes himself with the word “we.”
James writes:
“... stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh... the Judge standeth before the door” (James 5:7-9). This is certainly not 2,000 years away!
John writes:
“... we know that it is the last time (hour)” (I John 2: 18).
“... the time is at hand (near)” (Rev. 1:3, Rev. 22:10). What happened, John?
Peter writes:
“... the end of all things is at hand (near)” (I Peter 4:7). Was Peter wrong?
What these did not know (as we now know) was that God had a hidden purpose which could not be mentioned because
Israel as a nation was to be without excuse in her rejection. Hence, that which had been a distinct possibility at that time, is now a future reality.
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The Mystery - God’s Hidden Purpose Revealed
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After the close of the Acts period and the setting aside of Israel as God’s source for salvation (Acts 28:28), the Apostle Paul was given a special ministry (Col 1:25). His ministry was to reveal
God’s hidden plan to the Gentiles. This hidden plan was never before made known in other ages or to the other generations (Col 1:26). Paul was God’s prisoner/minister to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph 3:1,8)
The Mystery is A Body of Truth For Today’s Believer
“The Lord spoke of a time when Jerusalem would be desolate and
Israel would be dispersed, unitl the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24) The “administration” or “stewardship” during Israel’s dispersion was revealed
to Paul after the Gentiles became God’s source for salvation. “The Mystery” is God’s hidden administration until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Col 1:25-26) The body
of truth for this administration is found in Paul’s prision Epistles.
Our Promise
According to Paul’s prison Epistles, we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), and we have been raised with Christ and seated
with Christ (Eph 2:6) in the heavenlies far above. This is where our blessings are located (Eph 1:3) and where our affections should be set (Col 3:1-4). This is our hope.
Abraham’s Promises
Our promises are not the promises made to Abraham. Throughout the gospel period, God’s call was to the nation Israel (Luke 1:68-79). This was also true at the beginning of the Acts when the question was asked “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the again the kingdom to Isreal?” (Acts 1:6). After spending forty days with the risen Saviour (Acts 1:3), and having their eyes enlightened about the Kingdom of God (Luke 24:25), there was but one question asked and recorded by the Holy Spirit. Why just this one question? The
answer seems obvious. The Apostles knew that the Kingdom here on Earth is the hope of Israel, and it rightfully belongs to that nation as it inheritance. God promised this Kingdom to Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes (Acts 26:6-7). This is not our hope. In this Kingdom the Gentile will be a second class citizen
The New Covenant
God’s Old Covenant was made with Israel after their deliverance from Egypt. The Prophet Jeremiah said that God will make a New Covenant with the
house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jer 31:31). This was reaffirmed to Israel (Heb 8:8). This does not pertain to us today. Paul said that “the promises” belong to his kinsman
after the flesh who are Israelites (Rom 9:3,4). He also said that Jesus was a minister to the circumcision (Israel) for the truth of God and that He came to confirm the promises made unto the fathers, i.e.
the twelve tribes of Israel (Rom 25:8).
Conclusion
God, Who chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, began something new at the close of th Acts
period (Acts 28:28). This was The Mystery (Eph 3:3), God’s sacred secret as revealed to the Apostle Paul
for us Gentiles. Our blessings are not Abraham’s. Our inheritance is in the heavenlies with Christ. We don’t
look for a Kingdom here on Earth. For our citizenship is in the heavens from whence we eagerly await the Saviour (Phil 3:20).
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Last Days of the Hidden Purpose - The Mystery’s Prophetic Content
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This has to do with the last days of the latter times of this dispensation. "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that
are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from
such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth. Now as Jannes and Jambre withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds
, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." (II Tim. 3:1-9).
Consider that I and II Timothy were probably written just a year or two apart, that the Mystery given to the Apostle Paul had
already been rejected (II Tim. 1:15), that I Timothy passed over many hundred of years from the time given until today, that
prophetic forecast about the apostasy is in the latter times of this dispensation, and that, in reality, it seems to be very active in this the Twentieth Century, etc.
Assuming all this to be true, it follows then that the moral breakdown of all levels of society so aptly described in II Timothy
about the last days of the latter times is but the full-grown development of the apostasy revealed in I Timothy. When you
reflect upon what is common knowledge today and the principal subject matter of the news media, the religious world, the
education system, the New Age principles of "Big Business," the arts and sciences, the international scene, the political
mess in Washington and at the state level,.not to mention the whores, the whoremongers, the sodomites, (who have
become the role models for our young people), you might almost think that some Twentieth Century critic had written II Timothy instead of Paul!
In fact, one could take almost any thirty-day period of time in the fast pace of today, and find in the daily news media some
reference which fits the descriptive character or event under consideration. For example: The time in which we live is
certainly "perilous times" -- it is a time of self-love, a time when people will kill for money and never think twice. Pride is the
hallmark everywhere. Blasphemers are at every level. Affections are not natural, only self-serving. To be good is stupid.
Treason is common, not uncommon. Children and young people are undisciplined and without respect for their elders. The
Feminist Movement is running wild. Many are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." People
call the good, "evil," and the evil, "good." Religion makes all sorts of claims, anything goes! HOLD IT! HOLD IT!
LISTEN TO THE GOOD NEWS: "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all..." (II Tim. 3:9).
This verse speaks of the Divine intervention, a fact that is passed over by otherwise sound people because of the wish
concerning the second coming of Christ, a hope that does not take into account the pre-Advent: a coming of Elijah to restore
Israel spiritually FIRST. This is to say, that the prophetic teachers who are proclaiming the "any-moment" theory of Christ's
Second Coming are a bit premature in their wish. (See our work on The Coming of Elijah, listed in "Publications.")
In our humble opinion, this error of the present day thinking (the majority) - - the wish of the "any-moment" coming, along
with the error, "Dominion Theology" ["Kingdom - Now" Ed.], are the fruits of having rejected the Mystery, and right Division
concerning the Word of God. This mistake is obvious. Otherwise sound men have been taken in by the oldest trick in
Satan's handbook: "...making the Word of God of none effect through your traditions." (Mark 7:13)
What, then, are the real possibilities?:
1. Elijah's coming as the instrument of God to restore Israel spiritually
(Matt. 17:11).
2. A time in which the Holy Spirit will enlighten the human race as to the Person of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17).
3. A time when the folly of tradition shall be exposed. (II Tim. 3:9).
4. A time when the initiate of the Mystery will come into the kindness of the riches of His grace. (Eph. 2:7).
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The Out-Resurrection: Translation of the Saints
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THE OUT-FROM RESURRECTION
Philippians 3:11
1. CONCERNING OUR LORD - - HIS OUT-FROM RESURRECTION.
"Declared the Son of God in power (inherent) according to the Spirit of Holiness
out-from a resurrection of the dead." (Rom. 1:4)
"...Neither wilt thou suffer shine Holy One to see corruption" (Psa. 16:10)
2. CONCERNING " INTERVENTION" - - THE KEY TO OUT-FROM RESURRECTION.
"...the testimony of our Lord...God... hath saved us and called us with a Holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but now made manifest
through the intervention (to SHINE upon) of our Saviour Christ Jesus, abrogating on one hand death, bringing to light on the other life (eternal) and incorruption..."
(II Tim. 1:8-10) [The words in bold are from the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, Marshall's literal English translation with the Nestle Greek text.]
3. CONCERNING PAUL'S TESTIMONY.
Confidence in obedience to the law because of the flesh: NONE (Phil. 3:4-7). Loss of all that
had been considered gain prior to The Mystery - now considered to be DUNG (Phil. 3:8). Righteousness now through the faith of Christ, that is, the righteousness out of God which is
based upon The Faith (the whole body of truth in this context). (Phil. 3:9) Personal faith: my response and belief in The Faith.
4. CONCERNING THE ATTAINABILITY OF THE OUT-FROM RESURRECTION.
"That I may get to know Him and the power (inherent) of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being
conformed to His death, if by any means (somehow) I may attain (experimentally) the out-from resurrection, out from the dead" (Phil. 3:10, 11).
"...one thing I do, forgetting the things behind (things I once counted gain), stretching forward to a goal, for a prize " - the
above-calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13, 14), a reference to Phil. 3:11.
"...For our citizenship (homeland) exists in heavens (far above - Eph. 1:21) where also we await a saviour the Lord
Jesus Christ, who will change this body of our humiliation, making it conform to His glorious body according to His ability to energize and subject (the) all things to Himself" (Phil. 3:20, 21).
5. CONCERNING PAUL'S LAST COMMENT ON THE "INTERVENTION"
(TO SHINE UPON).
"...the time of my departure (meaning to loose from above) has arrived...I have kept the faith...There is laid up for me the
Crown of Righteousness. (He did the right thing.).not for me only, but also to all the ones having loved (continuous action) His appearing (divine intervention)" (II Tim. 4:6-8)
SUMMARY: The "out-from resurrection" - out from the living dead (unbelievers) and dead bodies in the grave to life and
incorruption is not the resurrection of prophecy - which was the hope of all believers prior to The Mystery. After The
Mystery was revealed to the Apostle Paul, the "out-resurrection" of Phil. 3:10 is an attainable event, which is the "prize" of Philippians 3:11-14.
[Paul was assured of the "Rapture" during the Acts period - see I Thess. 4:13-18, where he expected to be alive at the time of that event. Note, however, after the Acts period, in
Phil. 3:10, he states, "if by any means I might attain to the (out) resurrection (out) from (among) the dead (bodies)." Thus,
the "rapture" is not the same as the "out-resurrection."
Editor's note.]
. "...It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Cor. 4:2).
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