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The Pretribulation Gathering ON the Day of Christ
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The Pauline ministry centers in the DISPENSATION of the grace of God given to him. (Eph.3) This gift of grace to UNDERSTAND and MAKE KNOWN the mystery is “only” given unto him. He tells it to others. Their knowledge of it comes from his WORD OF MOUTH and EPISTLES, which are “testified to and confirmed” by the Holy Spirit. (Rom.16, 2 Tim.1, Titus 1) The apostles at Jerusalem hear, learn, and “PERCEIVE” the grace that was GIVEN UNTO PAUL from him and the Holy Spirit! (Gal.2) It was not made known in other ages, BUT NOW is made known to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. They “got it” from Paul himself, when he “told” them in JERUSALEM at Acts 15/Gal.2. It is given “to and through” him to and for others.
This mystery concerns the ETERNAL PURPOSE which was given in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world. (Eph.3, Col.1) It concerns a body of believers, who have no national, sexual, nor social “distinction” in Christ. (Gal.3)
It also concerns a GOSPEL, which is revealed to Paul. This gospel is stated to be the gospel of the grace of God, which matches the dispensation of the grace of God. (Acts 30, Eph.3) The gospel is connected to the mystery of the body. (Eph.6) This is due to the fact, that the gospel is ALSO a “dispensation” given unto Paul. (1 Cor.9) The gospel and the mystery of the body are both Pauline revelations received from the APPEARANCE of Jesus Christ. (Eph.3, Gal.1, 1 Cor.15, Acts 26, 2 Cor.12)
Contained within Paul’s ministry, we find “new teachings” which are NOT relevant to believers before the formation or after the gathering of this body of Christ. They concern ONLY, the members of the body. As Moses gave the doctrinal teachings to the Nation of Israel, even so did Paul the apostle give the doctrinal teachings to the Body of Christ. The “relevance” of the teachings of Moses and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ in his ministry to the nation of Israel (Matt.10,15) were superceded by those of Paul.
This body began in Acts 2 with the coming of the Holy Spirit, and his baptism of believers. Paul states this baptism “puts one” into the body of Christ. (1 Cor.12, Rom.6,12, Gal.3, Col.2)
The hyperdispensationalists (Bullinger, Ohair, Baker, Stam) exclude the 12 apostles from being within the body of Christ. This is due to their REFUSAL to “acknowledge” Paul’s statement the body was made up of JEWISH SAINTS (the remnant according to the election of grace) [Rom.11, Eph.2-3] “before” Gentiles were EVER admitted into it. The mystery given to Paul is that there IS a body, and that Gentiles are NOW going into it, through the Spirit of God by “HIS GOSPEL”. (Eph.3) This “body” was UNKNOWN to the 12 apostles, but was the ETERNAL PURPOSE “revealed” in time by Paul.
This section will deal with the TEACHINGS which concern the ministry given unto Saul of Tarsus, whose name was changed to Paul the apostle. He is the ONLY one, who ever saw the Lord Jesus Christ, literally, visibly, physically, and GLORIFIED, as we will see him, “at his MIDWEEK appearing”. He is the FIRST in the pattern, and we are “cut” from his mold.
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Paul the Pattern
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Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN, to THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE on him to life everlasting. (1 Tim. 1:16)
The statement is one of simplicity but is denied by every dispensationalist, other than the hypers (who still get the DOCTRINAL meaning incorrect), in today’s magpie nest of so-called Fundamental Christianity.
There are three facts within the statement. Paul is FIRST in something. Being first, he is the pattern of some people. Being the first, which is the pattern, ALL who believe on the Lord Jesus, HEREAFTER, will follow in his pattern.
What is the pattern? The key to the verse is found in the phrase, “Howbeit for this cause.” That links you back to Paul, as an unbeliever, in verses 13-15.
Ah, the life of Saul of Tarsus! According to him, he was born a Jew in Cilicia (Acts 21), circumsized the eighth day, according to Jewish law, of the stock of Israel, an Israelite, the seed of Abraham, (Rom.11, Phil.3). He was of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law, a Pharisee, and touching the RIGHTEOUSNESS in the law, BLAMELESS.
Saul, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, was RIGHTEOUS, according to the law. They walked in the commandments and the ordinances of the Lord, blameless. (Luke 1:6) Saul, was like the Pharisees, who CAME to Jesus’ baptism. (Matt.3) Saul is like the Pharisees, who REJECTED the counsel of God, and REFUSED to be baptized with the baptism of John. (Luke 7) Saul is like the Pharisees, of whom, the kingdom WAS TAKEN from and GIVEN to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matt. 21) Saul was LOST and on his way to hell!
WHY did the RISEN, GLORIFIED, Lord Jesus Christ, APPEAR to a LOST, CHRIST-REJECTING SINNER, a righteous Pharisee, on the road to Damascus? No other UNBELIEVERS ever witnessed the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! No other Pharisees were SHOWN the sign of the prophet Jonah!
THE ETERNAL PURPOSE. (Eph.3)
Ah, Saul of Tarsus.
God has a GOSPEL, and a MYSTERY, to reveal through Saul. (Gal.1, Eph.3,6)
He will be instructed concerning the mystery of the blindness of Israel. (Rom.11)
He will be instructed concerning the mystery of his gospel, which will be preached to ALL MEN, without distinction, concerning the one, who died FOR THEIR SINS, and was RAISED for their justification. (1 Cor.15,9, Rom.3-5, Eph.6)
He will be instructed unto the mystery of the dispensation of the grace of God, which puts them INTO the body of Christ, through the Holy Spirit. (Eph.3,6)
He will be instructed of the SEALING of the Spirit, AFTER they hear and believe the gospel, the riches of the glory of the mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col.1, Eph.1,4)
He will be instructed concerning the mystery of their gathering, which occurs on the day of Christ, BEFORE the time of the woman in travail, the day of the Lord, from which they will ESCAPE. (1 Cor.15, 1 Thess.4-5, 2 Thess.2)
He will be instructed concerning the mystery of iniquity, which DISCLOSES the personality of the son of perdition, and his APPEARANCE, as to the TIMING of the GATHERING. (2 Thess.2, 1 Thess.5)
He will be instructed as to the FACT, the God was manifest in the flesh. (1 Tim. 3), through the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the EXPRESS image of his person, the image of the INVISIBLE God. (Heb.1, Col.1)
God changes Saul INTO Paul, the apostle, and he is given these mysteries. Paul is not a CONTINUATION of what has been, but the START of something NEW. Paul is the first, for he is the pattern of longsuffering, for them which should hereafter believe on the Lord to life everlasting.
The “me first”, deals with God’s attitude of longsuffering towards Paul. He is the first in a pattern of a group of people, to which, GOD’s GRACE was shown, IN SPITE of ignorance and unbelief. He hath concluded ALL (the nation of Israel) in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon ALL. (Jew and Gentile alike) See Romans 9-11.
This, my friend, is UNMERITED FAVOR. Favor, we do not deserve. Grace, which is made known AFTER the fall of Israel. Yes, grace has been shown down through time, but NOT as revealed to and through the apostle Paul, who testifies the GOSPEL of the GRACE of GOD, and the DISPENSATION of the GRACE of GOD. (Acts 20, Eph.3)
Israel had been chosen to set forth the God of heaven to the Gentile nations. They were to be a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS. (Exodus 19) They were to be the head, and not the tail. They were to keep the law, by which their obedience would show forth to the nations. They were to bring the Gentiles to God, through their light. (Rom.2) They did not do this. When the time drew near for fulfillment of the PROPHETIC scriptures, they rejected the KINGDOM and the KING, when both appeared. Israel, was gathered together with the Gentiles, AGAINST Christ. (Acts 4) The next thing on the agenda, was the great tribulation, as foretold by Christ Jesus. HIS WRATH was going to fall. See Psalm 2, which SHOWS the context of Peter’s statement in Acts 4. That was NEXT on the agenda.
The prophetic program, though, was altered. The man, who was leading the REBELLION of Israel, Saul of Tarsus, was struck down on the road to Damascus. To him, the mystery of the fall of Israel is shown, with salvation sent to JEW and GENTILE alike, WITH NO NATIONAL preference or distinction of one OVER the other. There is no such thing as the “righteous and the sinners”, as was stated during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus. (See the gospels) Now there is the revelation of the righteousness of God and the sinfulness of mankind. (Rom.1-3) They are ALL concluded under sin. They are all the same. There is NO MORE national preference by God, as there was DURING his earthly ministry. (See Matt.15)
Noah FOUND grace in the eyes of the Lord. All flesh had corrupted his way on the earth, EXCEPT Noah and his family. (Gen.6) The law of first mention will characterize grace as being favor shown by God to someone due to their FAITH and WORKS.
Grace throughout the Bible is shown as someone gaining favor in the eyes of another through their works. NOT SO, with the Saul of Tarsus. He was CALLED by God’s grace. (Gal.1) How well John states, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1) This grace, which came by Jesus Christ, is revealed to Paul and THROUGH his GOSPEL. (2 Tim.1:8-12, Titus 1:1-3)
John and the Lord Jesus did not preach this message of grace to the Pharisees, but told them to bring forth fruits MEET for repentance. (Matt.3,7) He wanted WORKS of RIGHTEOUSNESS in belief, not RIGHTEOUS WORKS of the flesh in UNBELIEF. That can NEVER save or justify. He wanted them to believe and BE BAPTIZED, (Luke 7) and SHOW their faith by WORKS, just as James states. (James 2) But they did not. They were LOST.
Paul declares,” Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his MERCY has he saved us”. (Titus 3:5) Paul states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph.2:8-9) Paul is preaching GRACE WITHOUT WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
This MESSAGE is not preached BEFORE Paul! This message is preached to Jew and Gentile alike. The apostles do not KNOW this message until Acts 15, when Paul communicates it to them. (Gal.2) Some may say it was preached by Peter to Cornelius in Acts 10, but that is not true. Peter did not UNDERSTAND the elements of Paul’s gospel of the grace of God.
Peter had not been, nor was he going to go to the Gentiles, at the time, the Lord showed him his housetop vision. He argued with the Lord, being the righteous Jew, he was, and KEPT HIMSELF SEPARATE from the Gentiles. (Acts 10) He did not UNDERSTAND before Acts 10, that there was no difference between the Jew and the Gentile. After he gets to Cornelius’ house, and hears their testimony, as to what they had been told, he PERCEIVES that God is no respector of persons. (Acts 10:34) That is one of the main elements of Paul’s gospel. BUT WAIT! Notice how he finishes his statement, as to his perception of this truth, which God has shown him.
But in every nation, he that FEARETH HIM, and WORKETH RIGHTEOUNESS, is ACCEPTED with him. (Acts 10:35)
That statement, while TRUE according to Heb.11, is in DIRECT OPPOSITION and CONTRADICTION, to the teachings of the apostle Paul and the doctrines of salvation and justification, which he taught in Romans. See chapters 1-4. Paul taught, there is no fear of God before their eyes. There in none righteous, no not one, there is none that doeth good, no not one. No person is ACCEPTED by God, through their fear and works of righteousness, according to Paul. PETER DOES NOT KNOW THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD! He will not know it, UNTIL Acts 15. Notice that the leaders of the church at Jerusalem PERCEIVE the grace that was given unto Paul (See Gal.2, Eph.3)
God’s grace, as taught by Paul, concerns the righteousness of God, which is NOW REVEALED, and the COMPLETE sinfulness of mankind, which INCLUDES the nation of Israel. Israel held that their covenant relationship and the law, EXCLUDED them, from being “sinners” of the Gentiles, and, as such, were to keep themselves separated from them. Notice Paul’s REBUKE of Peter, of this fact, AFTER he had communicated the gospel of the grace of God to him, and Peter’s betrayal of that truth. (Gal.2)
This truth is peculiar to the gospel of the grace of God. It was not TAUGHT before Paul. Paul, is the FIRST, in a PATTERN of them, which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. His gospel and ministry was UNIQUE, for he was also. He was the FIRST. (Gal.1, 1 Tim.1)
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O Timothy
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The apostasy of the Body of Christ, not ORGANIZED RELIGION, was the main theme of Paul’s epistles to Timothy, his own son in the faith. Those, who had believed, are the ones who DEPARTED from the faith. (1 Tim.4:1)
The apostasy started IN PAUL’S DAY!
This thou knowest, THAT ALL THEY which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Tim.1:15)
How this must have hurt the man, who founded the churches in Thessalonica, Berea, Galatia, Ephesus, Phillipi, Corinth, and others. How it must have broke his heart, KNOWING that he explained to them, that men would arise among the church, DRAWING away disciples after themselves, SPEAKING PERVERSE things. (Acts 20)
The warnings were delivered. It is NOW TIME to write to his own son in the faith, and give him his last words concerning the MINISTRY, which was given him by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hold fast the form of sound words, WHICH THOU HAST HEARD OF ME, in faith and love which in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim.1:13)
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. (2 Tim.2:2)
But thou hast fully known MY DOCTRINE, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (2 Tim.3:10)
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, KNOWING OF WHOM thou hast learned them. (2 Tim.3:14)
One can clearly IDENTIFY the apostates, who are REPROBATE concerning the faith, when one LOOKS at what Paul taught.
Paul taught
ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD. (2 Tim.3:16) He mentioned NOTHING concerning ORIGINAL manuscripts. He, as Timothy, USED what was AVAILABLE IN HIS DAY. They were "copies" which WERE the HOLY SCRIPTURES. They HAD the scriptures, UNLIKE apostates today, who state they don’t. They ONLY have reliable or unreliable translations of existing manuscripts, which could or could not be correct. They have VERSIONS, which are not preserved. They have Bibles with ERRORS and MISTAKES.
Paul had the SCRIPTURES, which were the word of God, which he preached and people received and believed. (1 Thess.2:13) What he had was inspired, preserved, identified, and illuminated to him and his converts, as the word of God, through the Holy Ghost. (1 Cor.2:11-13) They KNEW the difference between the word of men and the word of God.
They did not handle them deceitfully, as others who corrupted them. (2 Cor.4,2)
THE REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. (Gal.1, 1 Cor.9, Acts 20, Eph.3,6) This gospel was revealed to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor.15, Gal.1) It was not KNOWN before him, for he had to COMMUNICATE it to the other apostles, then the Spirit REVEALED it to them. (Gal. 2, Eph.3) This gospel concerned salvation by grace through faith without WORKS of righteousness. Water baptism was not CONNECTED to salvation and reception of the Holy Spirit, AS IT HAD BEEN, under the ministry of the 12 apostles. (1 Cor.1:17, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
THE MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. (Eph.2-3) This mystery was revealed to him, which concerned the Jewish remnant of the election of grace, and GENTILES, who were joined together IN ONE BODY, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Eph.2, Rom.8,1 Cor.12, Gal.3)
THE SEALING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Eph.1,4, 2 Cor.1) We are sealed by the Spirit of God unto the day of redemption. That day is the day of our gathering, the day of Christ’s appearing. (2 Tim.4:1, Titus 2, 1 Tim.6)
THE GATHERING OF THE BODY BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD. ( 1 Cor.15, 1 Thess.1,4-5, 2 Thess.2, 2 Tim.4) This gathering is a mystery gathering on the day of Christ, BEFORE the great tribulation. It is NEVER confused by Paul with the PROPHESIED coming and gathering of OLD TESTAMENT scriptures, which the Lord Jesus also taught, for that OCCURS within the day of the Lord, not the day of Christ.. PAUL’S SCRIPTURES, (2 Peter 3) teach HIS GATHERING of the Body of Christ. We are preserved and will enter into his HEAVENLY KINGDOM, at the MIDST of the week, when THAT KINGDOM, comes to the heavens, through Satan’s casting down. ( 2 Tim.4,Rev.12)
THE RESTORATION OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL. (Rom.11:25-26) The nation of Israel will be restored, and will take residence on the land grant given to Abraham, and will ENTER into the NEW COVENANT, which will take away their sins. This is the covenant of Jeremiah 31 made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, the two political divisions of the nation. The Holy Spirit will be poured out on the nation. They will be born. (Joel 2, Isa.44, 66, John 3)
THE REVELELATION OF THE MAN OF SIN. (2 Thess.2) His revealing ties to the TIMING of the gathering of the body of Christ. A falling away first occurs, (the apostasy of the body of Christ; 2 Tim.3-4 and the unbelief of Gentiles, as a whole; Rom.11),with the gathering CONNECTED to "a person, who is taken out of the way, WHICH ALLOWS the revealing of the man of sin. This revealing occurs at the midst of Daniel’s 70th week, at which time OUR gathering occurs. The taking out of the way COMES before his revelation, which is his DEATH. It is effected by the Lord Jesus Christ, ALONG WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST, who is "over his head" at the time! (2 Thess.2:2-3, Rom.16)
THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS (1 Tim.3:16) The Lord Jesus Christ was GOD in the flesh, who CAME DOWN, as he did throughout the OT. This flesh was JEWISH FLESH, the seed of Abraham, to whom the promises were made. (Gal.3, Heb.2, Rom.9) He had God’s BLOOD (Acts 20), and made atonement and reconciliation for the sins of mankind. (Col.1)
Where are the faithful men to teach what Paul taught? Not men like Hymanaeus and Philetus, who OVERTHROW the faith of some. Not men like Hymanaeus and Alexander, WHOM HE DELIVERED UNTO SATAN, that they might learn not to blaspheme, and were SHIPWRECK. Nor like Alexander, who GREATLY WITHSTOOD, Paul’s words.
But like Timothy.
O TIMOTHY,KEEP THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED TO THY TRUST. (1 Tim.6:20)
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