We closed out our discussion of current events in Israel, as pertaining to Daniel's 70th week, knowing that Jesus completely understood his mission in his first advent. He would close out the 69th week of Daniel's prophecy by being God's ultimate Passover Lamb, paying mankind's sin debt, and rising from the dead 3 days later. As we can see below, that, even though Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:19-21), his death, burial, and resurrection had a broader scope – He became the Passover Lamb for the whole world! 1 Corinthians 5:6-7: Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Necia Silvers had a great question concerning first century Jews and how they were to understand the letter to the Hebrews, seeing that they were not in the tribulation. The three basic applications of scripture are our guide to studying the Bible. Let's use Hebrews as our example: The simple treasure historic application (STHA): This letter was written to a particular group of people – Jews, to instruct them concerning the doctrine of Christ (Ch.1-5) – the son of God, the great high priest, and instruction to the Jews concerning the new covenant and pursuing a life worthy of Christ. The personal treasure devotional / inspirational application (PTDA): There are many universal truths / transdispensational truths that we in the dispensation of the grace of God / the Mystery period between Christ's resurrection and the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, can apply as we seek to be sanctified in Christ, being conformed to his image. We understand what faith is (Hebrews 11:1), as well as many other principles of living a Christ centered life. The deep treasure doctrinal application (DTDA): Doctrine is very specific and intended to reveal the deeper truths, usually focusing on what God is doing or is going to do either in the Church or in Israel. Since Hebrews was written to the Jews, we must be careful not to apply the doctrine given to the Jews to the Church. How do we do that? When there is a direct conflict of doctrine between the Church and Israel, we must be careful to make a clear separation when what is stated in Hebrews violates what we know to be true in this dispensation. Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:35-39 clearly speak of losing one's salvation because of attitudes and actions that brings shame to Christ. We know that our salvation is not based upon our ability to keep that which we did not earn nor is it in danger of being lost, because we are sealed unto the day of redemption. Here is the bottom line when dealing with difficult scriptures that seem to be to us in this dispensation: When plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense. Ephesians 4:30: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Steve Gardner had an incredible insight, as we were discussing the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-18), contrasting that with the Holy Spirit in this dispensation. Anyone who receives the mark of the beast is sealed to eternal damnation. Anyone who receives the Holy Spirit at salvation in this dispensation is sealed to eternal salvation (Philippians 1:6)! We have our mark – the Holy Spirit, as much as they have their mark condemning them in the tribulation. Ephesians 1:13-14: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. According to Ephesians 1:13-14, salvation in this dispensation is clearly stated: Hear the word of truth concerning the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Believe that truth (Acts 16:30-31, Romans 10:9-13) Being sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Titus 1:2, Philippians 1:6) Trust what the word of truth says concerning who you are in Christ Remember, the prophetic program concerning Israel is in “timeout” during this dispensation of the grace of God, aka the mystery program. The prophetic program will resume when the mystery period closes at the rapture of the Church Age saints.
