As we saw last week, the dispensation of the grace of God was hidden from the Old Testament writers, even though we can see things that allude to this grace period in which we live. God kept it secret for a reason, and revealed it at the right moment through Christ to the Apostle Paul. The Jews, all throughout history, and even today operate on the “seeing is believing” priciple. We, on the other hand operate on the “believing is seeing” principle. The nation of Israel operated in time past on what Moses revealed to them through the Law. We operate on what the Lord Jesus Christ delivered to Paul.
Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
What does eternity future hold for Church Age believers?
- Our vile bodies will be changed! Romans 8:22-23 – our adoption will be finalized in the redemption of our bodies. Ephesians 1:13-14 – the Holy Spirit takes up residence within every believer until the redemption of the purchased possession of our incorruptible bodies. 1 Coritnhians 15:49-54 – the redemption of our new bodies occurs at the rapture of all the Church Age saints. This mystery / secret was revealed to Paul who was commanded to share it with us.
Philippians 3:20-21 – we are commanded to look for the imminent return of the Lord, who will change our vile bodies like unto his glorious body. See 1 John 3:1-2 as a transdispensational look at the appearing of our Lord.
Colossians 3:1-4 – we must set our affection on things above while we are in this life, and remember that when He appears, we too, will appear with Him in glory!
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – we shall be changed into the same image from glory to glory, like looking into a mirror.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – we are not to gireve like thos ewho have no hope. The Lord is going to bring the dead in Christ with Him, when he returns to get us at the rapture.
Romans 6:8-9 – if we are dead (to the world) with Him, we shall also live with Him. This helps us to see John 14:1-6 through the lens of the mystery understanding this great trans-dispensational truth. Jesus promised a home in heaven to his disciples, and He promises us a home in heaven, as the body of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Revelation 4:1 – the voice of a trumpet will call unto us and say, “Come up hither…” This event begins our eternity future taking us to heaven for seven years, while the world, and especially the nation of Israel suffers. Revelation 4 & 5 detail events in heaven concerning the Church Age saints.
- We will judge the world and angels. 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, Revelation 5:9-10, 19:7-14 We will have some sort of administrative responsibility that is not fully defined in scripture, but we are not called to understand all things at this time, just believe them. In preparation for our future responsibilities reigning with Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, even though many believers do not understand it or recognize it.
2 Timothy 2:1-4 (See also 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 & Ephesians 6:10-18): Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Next week, we will study where and how we will receive the adminstrative authority / governance over the world and angels in some spiritual manner based on our reward received at the Bema judgment. It is not fully explained in scripture, but we are called to believe it even though we do not understand it. Remember, the Bible doesn’t tell us everything we want to know, but it does tell us everything we need to know.
- Our authority to rule and reign with Christ will be bestowed upon us at the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:8-15, 2 Corinthians 5:1-11
Right now, in this life, we are responsible to be faithful stewards of the mysteries (the unsearchable riches) given to Paul and revealed to us.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Corinthians 16:13: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.