The Bible is a Progressive Revelation – ‘Scripture wasn’t Revealed All at Once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses or the Twelve Apostles’

by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 26, 2021 | Daily Encouragement, Timeline | 0 comments

The Bible is a progressive revelation. Adam didn’t have the totality of God’s plan of redemption. Nor did Noah, Abraham, Moses or any of the prophets know it all. Not even the twelve had the full counsel of God (Luke 9:44,45; 18:31-34; John 20:29), because God’s revelations were progressive.

God dealt with mankind differently throughout the ages. Same God, but different instructions for salvation and how to worship Him between Adam and the apostle Paul.

So as we progress on up through human history, and move up through the Scriptures, we finally come to this place where the apostle Paul becomes the go-to person for instructions on how to worship God, on how believers are to live their daily lives, and of course, the gospel by which all mankind will be judged.

It is the Apostle Paul who reveals how that all of these things (all that happen before the Lord revealed the gospel of grace to him) were leading to the place where Salvation could now (not before) go to the whole human race (“the Mystery” Romans 16:25). Not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5; Romans 3:21), but by faith in what Christ accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection (“the gospel” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Sorry Pastor Mary Knew Bible Prophecy Better than We Do

by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 11, 2021 | Daily Encouragement, Timeline | 0 comments

Many in Christendom believe that when you get to Matthew Chapter 1, we have Christianity and the body of Christ. But that couldn’t be further from the Biblical truth!

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are extensions of God dealing with the nation of Israel, based on the Old Testament covenants and promises beginning with Abraham in Genesis 12.

That a Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come to the nation of Israel as their King and bring in an everlasting kingdom with Israel as the preeminent nation above all nations. As the angel Gabriel is about to announce to Mary and Zacharias in Luke chapter one. Not with the message that He (Jesus) is going to the cross to die for the sins of the world. That, of course, is the culmination of God’s plan of redemption. The “mystery” is not yet revealed (Romans 16:25). But Israel’s promised King is coming to His own to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David (Romans 15:8).

In Luke chapter 1, we find the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary what is about to happen. Here we have an introduction and clear explanation as to why Jesus is making His appearance to the nation of Israel.

It is crucial to identify the context and time element

At this moment in time, when the angel Gabriel makes his appearance to Mary and Zacharias in Luke chapter 1,. Israel is still under the law, followers of Jesus continue practicing the Mosaic law, the Temple is in full operation and sacrifices are being made. There is no Biblical record of the Lord giving a command to His followers to stop practicing the law during His earthly ministry (actually it’s the complete opposite). Even after the cross and the Lord’s ascension, and into the early chapters of Acts there is NO command to stop practicing the law. That command will not come until much further down the road when God calls out the apostle of the Gentiles, Paul.

In addition, from the moment God called out Abram in Genesis 12, to create a people for His name the Jewish people the Gentile world has hated Israel, wants nothing to do with Jews or wanted them annihilated. A Biblical fact that Zacharias, father of John the Baptist demonstrates so clear in Luke 1:67-75.

To teach that at this moment in Biblical history we have our gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection apart from the law Romans 3:21) and doctrine for the body of Christ is grossly errant. Because the Biblical record does not support it. One must throw out all discipline, rigor, and consistency when interpreting Scripture to come to the conclusion that Luke 1:30-33, is anything other than God dealing with Israel and fulfilling the covenant promises He made to Israel’s forefathers. Of course, this passage along with ALL Scripture is foundational and must be studied to exhaustion as part of the whole counsel of God. But this particular passage and time is not “Christianity”. It is God dealing with Israel.

Now here we have the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary what is about to happen:

“And the angel said unto her, `Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.’”

Luke 1:30-33

The literal reading of this passage is that God would give Mary a son, Jesus, David’s throne in Jerusalem. He will rule and reign over Jacob or Israel forever. The promise was all in all, totally Jewish. As it is a direct fulfillment of the Abrahamic (Genesis 12:1-3) and Davidic (2 Samuel 7:8-17) covenants which were divinely revealed to and for Jew only.

So how would have Mary reacted to the words of the angel Gabriel?

The answers are in the text. Scripture always interprets Scripture. Mary would have harkened back to the Davidic covenant and the prophetic passages that for the past hundreds of years promised the nation of Israel a Messiah/King and a kingdom that would rule over all other kingdoms and it (the nation of Israel) would be an everlasting kingdom above all other nations.

The context of Luke 1:30-33, clearly indicates Gentiles or the Church, the body of Christ is not in view (it couldn’t have because it wasn’t revealed yet. And would not be revealed until approximately 11 to 14 years in the future). An interpretation that denies this is emphatically erroneous.

Jesus was a Jew from the tribe of Judah from the house of David (2 Samuel 7:13). Herod occupied David’s throne during the Lord’s earthly ministry and he was a Gentile, an Idumean.

Did Jesus occupy David’s throne? Is the Lord ruling and reigning in Jerusalem now? No and no, Jesus is seated at the right hand of his Father’s throne (Psalm 110.1). The King and the kingdom await fulfillment.

Beloved, there is coming a day sooner than mankind expects (Matthew 24:43,44;1 Thessalonians 5:2) in which Jesus will rule from Jerusalem on David’s throne and fulfill all God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David just as the angel Gabriel announced to Mary (Daniel 2:44; 7:14; Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 9:6-7).

Today, and for almost 2000 years God has opened the flood gates of heaven pouring out His grace upon ALL mankind. With a salvation message based on faith alone of the finished work of the cross, apart from the law and temple worship. What we have on this side of the cross is so much better and that is what the entire book of Hebrews is about. But that is for another post.

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ‘

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The Kingdom is the Kingdom is the Kingdom “The Millennial Reign of Christ”

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 5, 2021 | Daily Encouragement, Timeline | 0 comments

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, interpreting Scripture becomes made up, man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

Another important principle to sound Bible interpretation is to read the Scripture “in time”. In other words, we have to read and study the Bible as a progressive revelation. Not getting ahead of God’s revelation.

God’s plan of redemption for mankind wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, or any of the other Old Testament prophets. Not even Peter and the eleven were given the full counsel of God. The Lord revealed to each of the aforementioned what they needed at their particular time in Biblical history. A hermeneutical method that does not approach Scripture as a progressive revelation leads to erroneous interpretations.

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical, and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

The Millennial Reign of Christ on Earth

A good example of interpretive confusion is the millennial (1000 years) reign of Christ. Many in Christendom reject it while others maintain we are in the kingdom now and there are others that believe the Church will be the driving force to usher in the kingdom. Horrors upon horrors!

The coming kingdom promised to Israel is first mentioned in Exodus 19:6 and it is a promise God makes to His chosen people, the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. NOT GENTILES.

‘In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”’

Exodus 19:1-6

The “literal or normal reading of Exodus 19:1-6 is that God who just saved His people from the wicked Gentile Egyptians is making the Israelites a promise. If they obey Him they will be a special treasure to God above all the other nations and peoples of the earth. God promised the Jewish people that they would be a “kingdom” of priests and a holy nation.

The context clearly indicates Gentiles or the Church which is His body are not in view (it couldn’t have been because it wasn’t revealed yet). An interpretation that denies this is emphatically erroneous.

Not reading Exodus 19:1-6, or any passage “in-time” makes identifying context impossible. This leads to the alternative of mixing all of Scripture together. Then lifting a handful of verses and twisting them to fit man’s idea. Which makes God a liar and has led to false teachings and erroneous theology. And of course antisemitism.

The context of Exodus 19 & 20 is self-evident for anyone who maintains a literal, grammatical, and historical (in-time) hermeneutic.

If it wasn’t for Gentiles then it isn’t for Gentiles Today

Just a cursory read of Exodus 19 leaves no possibility for an interpretation that God is dealing with any other people or nation but Israel, the Jews.

To inject a message of salvation or doctrine for the Gentile world at this moment in time (Exodus 19; 1500 BC) is a grave error. The promise of a King and a kingdom is explicitly for the Jewish people. To say that the Church today was or is the ecclesia in the wilderness is hogwash and a lie from hell. It is a clear attempt to usurp Scripture to get what you want from God.

NOTE: The apostle Paul makes it clear that all Scripture is for our learning (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16). But Paul also makes it crystal clear that we are to rightly divide the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 3:1-11, Titus 1:9).

Exodus 19:1-6, like ALL of the Old Testament, are foundational to the Christian faith and building blocks to the revealing of the mystery (secret) of the gospel of grace (Romans 16:25-26).

Examine What Occurred Before & After Exodus 19

One only needs to study what came before and after Exodus 19, to validate with certainty that God is dealing with Jew only. And the promises of a geographical area of land, a King, and a kingdom were made to Israel alone (NOT GENTILES) and God’s promises to Israel can not be broken, changed, or usurped by mankind. No matter how much they twist Scripture. God can not lie. He is faithful. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It shall come to pass…

‘The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord , to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’

Isaiah 2:1-3

In the next post, we will examine what came before Exodus 19:6.

In the meantime here are more passages that explicitly speak of a literal 1000-year earthly kingdom earth.

In Revelation 20:2-7, it is crystal clear that the earthly millennial reign will last 1000 years. The 1000 years is so explicitly clear that the Lord tells us six times that it will last 1000 years. After a thousand years, heaven and earth are destroyed, and the new heaven and earth are created.

Amillennialists attempt to support their belief with 2 Peter 3:10 which says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” They say the earth will be destroyed immediately after the rapture in one day. Horrors! Again, they fail to capture the context of the passage. Just two verses before, Peter said, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). So it is clear that Peter does not contradict Revelation’s description of the thousand-year kingdom or Isaiah’s prophecies.

God Created Man in His Own Image Adam and Eve

by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 5, 2018 | Timeline

God Created Man in His Own Image Adam & Eve

NOTE: This post goes great with our “Timeline”. The timeline has helped so many people better understand the Bible. The timeline allows you to separate chronologically different times in biblical history. By seeing and identifying and understanding a specific period in biblical history and how God was dealing with mankind at that specific time. Makes Bible Study so much easier, fun and understandable. The timeline is the only tool used in our classes (Bible & Timeline) and it has helped everyone from new Christians to Pastors with many years of experience. If you haven’t already please download the timeline here.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

We will be uploading new content that covers each section of the “Timeline” weekly.

Adam & Eve
4004 BC
Genesis 1:26-28

On the sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image.

26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them. 28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:26-28

Man Created in the Image of God

So God created man in his own image,…” I have to make the point that God didn’t have ears, a nose, feet and so on. God is Spirit. (John 4:24) The Triune God did take on flesh when the Son, Jesus Christ, stepped out and took on flesh. (Galatians 4:4)

So what does the text mean “in His Own image”? Let me answer by asking a question. What parts of the human make up are invisible? Our mind “thoughts”, our “will”, our “emotions” or our personality. These are all real, you have thoughts, we all have emotions. We can’t see them, touch them but we know they’re real. That’s the area that God is at work in believers, the spirit and soul. (Hebrews 4:12)

Spirit, Soul and, Body

Mankind is made up of a spirit, soul and a body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

The spirit is where mankind is connected to God.
The soul is the seat of our emotions.
The body is where we have our senses; smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight. The body is also where we manifest our emotions.

Since we are born sons and daughters of Adam we are all born sinners. (Romans 5:12) It is because of Adam’s disobedience that ALL MANKIND is separated from God. The gospel is the only way back to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The moment a person believes the gospel, God steps in and makes you a new creation (Ephesians 4:24)

Take a look at the image on your left it is a representation of a person’s nature before the believing the gospel and the image on the right is what happens after a person believes the gospel

We will enlarge on sin and the sin nature when we cover the “The Fall” in a future post. This will be a detailed study on sin and how it has been misunderstood by most in Christendom.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions about this post do not hesitate to leave a message below.

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“It’s Either all Grace or Nothing at All”