Did We Create God?

Posted on June 12, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Did God create us, or did we create God?  Because if we created God, then we’re going to have to work very hard (and many people do) to protect Him and justify His existence to others.  In this case, we’re not protecting God, actually, but rather are protecting our idea and self-creation of God.  We are protecting us!

If I have a stone, and I tell you I’m going to throw the stone down very hard on the ground, do you feel threatened?  Why not?  Because you didn’t create the stone, and you know that the stone “can take care of itself.”  Even if it breaks into pieces, what does that matter to you?

But if I tell you I don’t believe in the existence of God, would you feel threatened?   And if another has a doctrine concerning their God which differs from yours, do you get indignant and angry that it doesn’t agree with your understanding or doctrine?  If you do feel that way, perhaps it’s because the God you have is one you’ve created yourself; perhaps even using the Bible or the preaching of others to do so! Once you meet and get to know the one true God, you stop feeling threatened by anyone else’s unbelief (or misbelief).

(Jesus is speaking to his disciples)  These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended (become indignant).  They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known (gnosko – known by experience) the Father, nor me.  John 16:1-3

The only reason a person gets offended, angry, indignant, argumentative when they disagree with your doctrine or understanding of the Bible, of God, of Jesus Christ himself, is because they don’t actually know God.  Rather, in the place of that personal spiritual relationship with God and with His son, Jesus Christ, they have manufactured their own God in their minds, staking their lives and well being on that very precarious supposition, that the God they’ve created is the one true God.  In actuality, they are their own gods!

For God does know that in the day you eat thereof (of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  Genesis 3:5

Here’s what happened on that cursed day.  Instead of becoming like God, they lost their relationship (the eternal spirit) with the true God, and from then on had to create their own, or be their own. (In life today, instead of claiming to be God, people claim to be His true representative, to represent Him truly).   In being consigned to a life of having to be their own gods, they became enemies of the true God.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now.  Galatians 4:29

It was the religious leaders of the day who desired and had Jesus, the Anointed of God, put to death.  They allowed the most vile of devil spirits to direct their paths, in having the son of God tortured and put to the worst possible death.  Why?  Because they, in their flesh, had a self-created and self-maintained construct of God (which was actually themselves), which they, being able to impose this self-constructed God on the people they lorded over, were severely threatened once the true, actual God came into their midst in the person of Jesus.  The true God and the false can not exist in peace in the same arena.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  But all these things (out of hate) will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent me.  John 15:20, 21

The Reformation of the 1500’s (and ever since), which is celebrated the world over, as the hegemony of the Roman Catholic Church was broken, did not bring about true spiritual freedom.  For in the place of the Roman Catholic Church came the Lutheran Church, the Calvinist Church, etc. etc.  One enslavement was exchanged for another.  (This is not to negate the countless individuals who received Christ and had a true relationship with God.)  If you were in the Lutheran Church, then you marched to the beat of the Lutheran-created God.  If you were in the Calvinist Church, then you either marched to the beat of the Calvin-created God, or you were either banished or put to death.  Today is not much different.  Except in Christ.

But living in an expression of the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things who is the head, Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint (spiritual relationship) supplies, according to the effectual working (of the spirit) in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:15, 16

I’ve actually heard the following in a Sunday sermon:  “It’s all by grace, there’s nothing you can do to earn God’s love… now here’s what you’ve got to do.”  Seriously!  Why the contradiction?  Why the need for one person to impose their ideas on others of work and effort needed to please their God?  Because their God is self-constructed and therefore a relationship with that God must be self-maintained.  This is not the truth, but a fabrication of man.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, out of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know (gnosko – by experience) the love of Christ; which is the absolute pinnacle of all experience, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

This is what God can and will do for you if you come to the point in your life where you are tired of needing to maintain the construct of God in your mind; when you die to the self which created (and needed to create) that God, or even the need to be God,  and instead accept the work of the Christ into your life and heart.  He can not begin his work, until you have ceased from your own.

For Christ is the end of the law (and all the effort it requires) for righteousness to everyone that believes.  Romans 10:4

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law (which is by your own effort), but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Galatians 2:16

I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.  Galatians 2:20, 21

The Christ, Jesus, is our door into the presence of the actual true God, Creator of all good  things, visible and invisible.  Unless and until you are willing to surrender at the cross of Christ your idea of God and of what He demands of you, where all human effort has ceased in death, you will not be able to walk with the actual true God.  Christ is the life of God, planted in our hearts by the faith which God imparts when and where He reveals to us the spirit of His son.  Either you are willing to cease your own efforts and receive His efforts on your behalf, or you are still trying to do it on your own, partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  In this case you are living as if you are God, needing to create God in your own image, rather than allowing God to create you in His.

The transition not only begins in a moment of time, the first time God reveals to you Christ, but it continues after that by God continuing to reveal to you the spirit of His son in you.  “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” (Ephesians 3) “Faith comes by hearing…the word of God.” (Romans 10) = Christ dwells in your hearts by hearing the word of God.  Not by simply reading it, but by hearing it (which means by “getting it”), where it comes alive inside you.  When you are ready, you will hear God speak (reveal) to you the truth of Christ.  When you are done with all your own efforts, and lay them down at the cross of Jesus Christ, then God will be able to begin His own construction in your life.  Then life with the true God can begin.

Since you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above (his work and accomplishments), not on things on the earth (your own).  For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4

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Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of God

Posted on May 2, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Since these terms are used so often in the Bible, in the New Testament anyway, let’s take a look at exactly what they mean.  Let’s clearly understand the difference between the two, so that from now on when we read these terms in the Bible, we know exactly what is being spoken of.

Kingdom – area  within which a king or other authority reigns supreme
Heaven – the spiritual realm

Just from reading the two terms, it should be clear that the kingdom of heaven is where the spiritual realm reigns supreme, and the kingdom of God is where God reigns supreme.  The kingdom of heaven is made up of two kingdoms:  The kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil.

And Jesus knew their (the Pharisees, who were accusing Jesus of casting out devils by the prince of devils) thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand; And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Matthew 12:25, 26

“But wait,” you might think.  “Doesn’t God reign everywhere?”  The answer is no, He does not.  If He did, there would be no death or evil.  No, God gave man dominion over the earth, and God never took it back.  What Adam handed over to the serpent (the devil) when he got deceived, Jesus Christ has won back by his defeat of the devil.

From that time (after his temptations in the wilderness) Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 5:17

Why was the kingdom of heaven “at hand”  (meaning it was present right then, or about to be)?  Because though the kingdom of heaven existed before Jesus, it was never available to be manifested, or brought into understandable reality, to men prior to Jesus.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the spirit of truth; whom the world can not receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you (being in Jesus) and shall be in you (beginning on the day of Pentecost).  John 14:16, 17

Though the kingdom of heaven was all around during the Old Testament, it was completely (except for rare occasions) hidden from view, until the son of God was manifested on the earth, beginning at his baptism by John.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him;  Matthew 3:17

The kingdom of heaven today includes God, angels (both good and evil), and the children of God, including the Christ.  These are the sum total of all spiritual beings.  The kingdom of God includes only God, His children and His angels.  Of course, when we speak of God, we are speaking of His spirit, which is what God is.

God is (a is not in the text) spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  John 4:24

Angels, both good and evil, are also spirits, though they have at times manifested in physical form.   This is why, whenever the kingdom of heaven is spoken of, there are usually included good and evil, and often the idea of when the evil will be eradicated.

Here are a few parables which Jesus spoke concerning the kingdom of heaven, along with Scriptural references:
Matthew 13:3ff  The different seeds sown by the sower
Matthew 13:24ff  The sower and the tares
Matthew 13:47  The net which gathers good and bad fish

But the kingdom of God is all good.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit.  Romans 14:17

So technically, the kingdom of God is a subset of the kingdom of heaven, as is the kingdom of the devil.  In the future, there will be no difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

Then comes the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom (of heaven) to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.  I Corinthians 15:24, 25

When Paul was speaking of being caught up into the third heaven in II Corinthians, he wasn’t talking about a third level of heaven, but a chronologically third heaven.  God was revealing to him the spiritual realm with no devil.

… such an one caught up to the third heaven, II Corinthians 12:2b

In the first heaven, there was God and His spirits and there was no evil and Lucifer was the angel of light.  In the second heaven, Lucifer made war with God and has been cast down and his ability to operate is bound to earth.  He is the god of (spiritual) darkness and death and is called the devil.  In the third heaven, all evil spirits will have been destroyed in the lake of fire, and heaven will be once again and for ever be all good, containing God and His spirits and in addition His children (us).  This is the heaven which Paul saw when he was “caught away.”  He saw a future heaven, perhaps even its manifestation.

As there are three heavens, so are there three earths.  The first is described by Genesis 1:1, which came to ruin, as described in Genesis 1:2.  The making of the second earth is described in the verses following Genesis 1:2, and is the earth we live on today.  The third earth is described in Peter and Revelation, among others.

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.  Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.  II Peter 3:12, 13

Today, the kingdom of heaven is entered into by man walking in the spirit, and only by a bold confidence to enter into the spiritual battle.  It is not for the faint of heart!  Without having the spirit of God, you can’t even enter into the spiritual battle.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in the heavenly realm.  Ephesians 6:12

In conclusion, when we speak of the kingdom of God (and in the book of Acts this is what is recorded as being what Paul preached all the time), we are speaking of where the spirit of God has its way.  Though the term may include a reference to the kingdom of God exerting itself in the physical world, the term itself only directly refers to the spiritual realm where God’s will reigns supreme.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, holy be Your name.  Your kingdom come (when your kingdom manifests itself in this physical world), your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Matthew 6:9a, 10

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Are We Free to Sin in Christ?

Posted on January 18, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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If you ignore the law in order to become transformed unto Christ by his spirit, you are free indeed, able to express the glory of God.
If you ignore the law for any other reason, you are simply a lawbreaker.
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Ever been sharing the gospel and some wise soul responds with, “Well, if we’re not under the law, does that mean we can just go out and murder somebody?”  Of course, they usually have a smug smile of satisfaction on their face, figuring they’ve presented you with a question that can’t be answered.  Well, here is an answer to that type of thinking.

Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  Romans 7:4

The word “married” is very incorrectly translated in this verse, being the Greek word genesthai, which is the 2nd person aorist infinitive of ginomai (“married” is the Greek word ganeoo).This word ginomai means to be generated or to become or to be produced.  It can be understood as a being created or produced or modeled, like a sculptor produces a sculpture.  As he works, the sculptor is creating or producing something which is becoming something.

The 2nd person (you, your) aorist (action initiated in the past) infinitive, means this specific word in Romans should be translated “you to have become.”  I know that seems clumsy all by itself, but lets plug it into the rest of the verse in which it sits.

Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of the Christ; unto (eis-with the immediate and intended result being for) you to have been generated to another, who was raised out from among the dead, in order that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  Romans 7:4

I find this final phrase, “that we should bring forth fruit unto God,”  fascinating, because this exact same word ginomai is used in describing  how a tree produces, or generates fruit!

What Romans 7:4 is telling us is that the body of the Christ (referring to the physical body of Jesus, who was the Christ, dying on the cross) caused us to be dead to the law (that we were married to) with the result being that we immediately began to be modeled, or generated or produced, or molded, or developed toward becoming like the risen one.  Why, for what purpose?  For the purpose that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.  So (in this manner) shall you be my disciples.  John 15:8

If you are no longer under the law for any other reason than becoming like Christ, you are simply a law breaker.  But if you are in the freedom from the law brought about by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then you are so in order to be made like he is today.

 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.  I John 4:17

This understanding of why we are freed from the law, what righteously frees us from the law and to what end, is borne out in other sections of scripture.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things (the law, walking by the flesh-our passions, lusts and worldly wisdom) are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God,
II Corinthians 5:17, 18a

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin?  God forbid.  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Galatians 2:17-19

This last verse may inspire the question, “how am I dead to the law through the law?”  The law itself indicates that a man is under the law as long as he is alive (in the flesh).  The next verse in Galatians indicates the solution to the question.

I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

The death of Jesus Christ became my death, with the result that his life (resurrected life) becomes my new life.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved); And has raised us up together (with him) and made us sit together in heavenly (realms) in Christ Jesus;  Ephesians 2:4-6

Because the death of Jesus has become our death, his entailing freedom from the law has become our freedom from the law, the end result being that his becoming glorified unto God and bearing much fruit becomes our becoming glorified unto God and bearing much fruit.

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first hoped in Christ.  In whom, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that you believed, you 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.  Ephesians 1:12-14

Becoming like Christ can only be accomplished by the spirit of Christ, and can only occur apart from the law, for the law deals with our flesh, and becoming like Christ only happens in the spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind (which deals with the law) is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God (the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus from vs. 2), neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God.   Romans 8:6-8

Outside of the spirit of Christ, which is continually generating us unto the becoming like Christ, there is no pleasing of God, no glorifying of God or bearing spiritual fruit.  There is only the law, the flesh and death.
Outside the law are two possibilities:  1)  Being a law breaker; or 2) Becoming like Christ.
The choice is yours.  1) Be under the law; 2) Be a lawbreaker; 3) Be becoming like Christ.  Choose one.
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Vengeance is Mine

Posted on September 27, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.  Romans 12:19

I used to think God was saying the same thing twice in this verse; that vengeance equaled paying someone back for the evil they’d done to me.  But no, that is not what this verse is saying!

I was a partner in a company that had done over a million dollars worth of business in its first full year of operation.  One day I came to the office and everything had been cleared out by the other two partners.  Over the next two weeks it became clear to me that I was going to be held responsible for most of the debt obligations the company had incurred, even though the means of paying those obligations had been taken from me.  I had a young family (5 kids under 7 years of age), a mortgage, car payments, and the means to support myself and my family had been immorally taken from me.

I tried for a year and a half to float everything, but in the end I had to declare bankruptcy, a very humiliating thing.  Within a year after that, I had been restored as whole, financially, as I had ever been.  Most importantly, I had no ill will toward the two ex-partners who had robbed me.  I credit the truth of the above verse with doing both for me… restoring me financially, while protecting my heart from any bitterness or anger or hostility of any kind.  Rather, I gloried in God’s provision and love for me!

Here’s how it happened:  When my whole financial well-being began to crumble, due to the crookedness of my partners, I went to this verse, praying for God to protect my heart from becoming bitter.  That is when God taught me what this verse really means, and it saved my soul from destruction, as well as my finances!

When I decided to research this verse, the first thing I did was read the verses before and after, as my manner is, in order to make sure I was understanding the proper context of what God was saying:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, acceptable unto God, which is your logical religious service.  Romans 12:1

Since Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11 are parenthetical, Romans 12:1 can be read immediately after Romans 8:39.

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:39

Therefore, because I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate me from God’s love, found in Christ, I am positioned to present my body (figure of speech, synecdoche… a part representing the whole… my body, representing everything that makes me, me) a living sacrifice.  That is, every aspect of my life is rightfully at God’s disposal.

And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

To “prove” means to put to the test, to the end that what you think is true actually produces the promised results in your life.  This proving eliminates the need for dogma in anyone’s life.  Dogma is what we think is true but which is unproven in our life; that is, that which we think is true has not been put to the test to the end it has produced fruit (the promised result) in our life.  Dogma is unproven beliefs, unfruitful beliefs.

All the rest of Romans 12, and all the way through to the end of Romans, is the material (knowledge, thoughts, call to action, etc.) we need to put to the test the love of God in our lives, which love is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.  This is the context of Romans 12:19, speaking of vengeance.

Now let’s take a look at the verses before and after Romans 12:19.

Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men:  If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.  (Then verse 19)  Therefore, if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:17, 18, 20, 21.

The heaping of coals of fire on one’s head was a cultural expression of warmth and invitation.  Not having matches to start fires, neighbors would band together, taking turns keeping the fire going overnight.  Early in the morning, especially a chilly morning, the one who was responsible would heap coals from the night’s fire into a large metal bowl, carrying it on their head (warming them) as they went around to the neighbors, giving them coals to start their own fires.

So how does not recompensing evil for evil, living peaceably with all, providing necessities for enemies, and overcoming evil with good fit in with paying someone back for the evil they have done to you?  How does vengeance fit in with me not being overcome by evil, instead paying back my partners for them screwing me out of, what was to me at the time, a small fortune?

I pondered these things, and then God opened up the eyes of my understanding, and I realized the “paying back” (recompense, repayment) was talking about God paying me back for what had been stolen from me.  He would take care of the vengeance on those two partners, and He would have a right to do so, because he was “buying” their debt to me by paying me back that debt.  Yup, that is what Romans 12:19 is saying.

Ever heard of a factoring service?  You’ve probably used one, whenever you bought something on time.  When you buy a $2,500 bedroom set, for instance, with “No money down and 12 months to pay,” you’re using a factoring service… or rather, the furniture company is.  The furniture company sells the $2,500 debt to the factoring company for, say, $2,300.00, giving the factor the right to collect the $2,500 from you.  This is what God is saying here.  I’ll buy the right to enact vengeance on whoever stole from you, by paying you back whatever was stolen from you.

Oh what sweet release!  When God revealed to me the truth of verse 19, I was set free in an instant of time.  I’d been taken for over $100,000, and in that instant of time I “sold” that debt to God, along with any need for vengeance toward those two ex-partners.  Over the next 2-3 years, God repayed me plus interest!  And any time I ever thought of those two men, even to this day, I think, “It’s up to God to exact vengeance for what they’ve done to me.  I wouldn’t want to be them.”  And really?  I hold not one bit of animosity toward them at all.  I often think, “I wouldn’t want to be them.  Better to be taken than to do the taking.”

God paid me back that entire $100,000, and freed my heart from any bitterness, anger or animosity of any kind.  That is the power of the truth of God’s love for me, all contained in the spirit of Christ which resides within me, and from which I will never be separated.

If you have been wronged or robbed, been treated horribly or unfairly, and carry any bitterness in your heart whatsoever toward others because of it, I encourage you to “sell” that debt to God Himself.  He will pay back to you every single thing that is owed you, freeing you from the burden of needing to exact revenge.  Leave the vengeance up to God, knowing that He is a just judge.  That debt will be repaid to Him, whether by the wrongdoer himself, or by the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.

I’ll be paying you back whatever’s been stolen from you; you leave the revenge against your wrongdoers up to me, says the Lord.
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Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

Mercy and Kindness
Learning to Recognize the Voice of God
The Death of Dogma

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And Index of Studies 161 – 170

Posted on May 17, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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The topics covered in the 10 indexed studies listed below are:

How any type of bondage eliminates the ability to love
How life is different from mere existence
Is Jesus the only way to God?  Yes and no.
No one is a minister of Biblical research.  What is its purpose?
Think you understand Genesis 1 re: creation?  Maybe so, maybe not.
Man says to be a master, self control comes first.  God says otherwise.
Who or what exactly is God?
Understand Jesus’ relationship with his Father and you can know God.
Who or what is this Holy Spirit?
What a life in balance looks and feels like.  How to get it.  Its benefits.

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Love Requires Freedom – Having a debt or obligation to any person or thing will get in the way of our ability to love others.  God’s love operates only within total freedom, including the freedom to not love.

What is Life? – The meaning of life is dependent on its context.  When the context is God, then life is severely differentiated from mere existence.  It has qualities and characteristics which are the very nature of God, and it is the primary thing required in order for us to have a relationship with Him.

Is Jesus the Only Way to God?  – Most Christians believe that believing in Jesus is the only way to God, but that is inaccurate.  There is another way, but the God thus encountered is not as enjoyable.  Eternal life is also obtainable without believing in Jesus, but at what risk?

The Role of Bible Research – Many are the Biblical researchers who fancy themselves ministers of God, but there is no ministry of biblical researcher in the Bible.  So what is the role of biblical research?  To prove your doctrine to others?  To put together an awesome teaching?  To make others dependent on your knowledge and understanding of the Bible.  Let’s take a look.

What Difference Does it Make – Genesis 1 contains the record of creation.  Many think they understand it, yet have never read it in depth.  This study goes line by line, and for every answer there seems to come another question.  In the end, what difference does it make to our relationship with God?

Self Control Comes Last– In order to get ahead in life, the world teaches that the first thing to be laid hold of is self control.  We are to will our way to our goals and our success in life.  But in the economy of God, self control actually comes last, and then only as a result of the obtaining of a number of other qualities, love being the first, out of which all other qualities flow.

Who and What is God – Impossible to grasp with the human mind, God is truly revealed to those who have His nature.  What is that nature, and what are the qualities which accompany that nature?  His nature is what He is.  How He interacts with us is who He is.

Jesus and his Father – To understand who Jesus actually was and is, and what he actually was and is, study what his relationship with God was and is.  And then be lifted up by the realization that what Jesus was and is; that’s what we are to be also.  Take a look at how Jesus related to his Father, God; and thus you’ll be able to come into a clearer, more powerful realization of what is possible for you.

Who or What is the Holy Spirit  – The Holy Spirit is the least understood of the three members of the Holy Trinity.  Why is that?  Well, let’s take a close look in the Bible at this vital truth.  Is the Holy Spirit a he or an it?  Why is Holy Spirit capitalized sometimes, and not sometimes?  What is the holy spirit’s relationship with Jesus, with God, with the Father, with us?  Does the Holy Spirit have specific functions, or jobs, different from Jesus or the Father?  This study and the one immediately above can set you on a new, much more powerfully enlightening course in your Biblical study.

The Perfectly Balanced Life – It is impossible for a man to bring his life into perfect balance, though he spend all his years endeavoring to do just that.  Most think their lives already are in balance (well, except for these couple minor, insignificant things).  The balance that Jesus Christ can bring your life is incredibly different from anything you’ve experienced before, and it allows the living of our lives to be faster, smoother and more enjoyable – like driving a car on the interstate with all wheels balanced.
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Now available on Amazon!  Buy both books to supercharge your spiritual relationship with God and your reading of the Bible.

More Christ – The Ultimate in Human Experience
Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ

 

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The SECOND Book

Posted on May 8, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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My second book in the series is now available for purchase. MORE CHRIST – THE ULTIMATE IN HUMAN EXPERIENCE. Now available on Amazon, where you’ll need to type in my name (Steve Hartlaub) in order to find the book, as it doesn’t come up by merely typing in the title.  Or you can simply click on the link below.

More Christ – The Ultimate in Human Experience

 Here’s what a spiritual leader in Texas had to say about this book:
“I don’t read books quickly, usually it takes a week or two, but I read your book in three days. A real “page turner” as they say; when I put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it.  “More Christ” is spectacular, life-changing and worthy of wide distribution.”

The first book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is also available on Amazon

 

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The Right Hand of God

Posted on March 28, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

. .What is the right hand of God?  Where is the right hand of God?  In discovering the answer to these questions, remember this:  The quest for God and for truth is always upward and inward.  Never outward or downward. … Continue reading →

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Unimpeachable

Posted on March 13, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Impeach: –  to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice).

I ran across a thread on facebook the other day, involving a number of Christians who were discussing whether a person who was divorced and then got remarried was an adulterer (adulteress) or not.  If so, could he/she be forgiven, seeing as they were living in this sin of adultery, being married to another.  Of course they were using the Bible to try and come to a definite conclusion.  This was a very serious discussion among very serious Christians.

For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress;… Romans 7:2a, 3a

Many ideas were offered, and some were quite unceremoniously shot down, especially mine, which sought to instruct as to the truth that we are no longer under the law.   I find it interesting that in discussing what they believe to be true, people can wander so far from it as regards their behavior and attitudes toward those with whom they do not agree!  As if dogmatic agreement is much more important than loving one another and walking in peace and joy!

So today I was in my morning reading of Scripture, and ran across these verses in Colossians:

And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind (logic center of thought)  by wicked works, yet now has he (Jesus) reconciled  in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable (unimpeachable, blameless) in His (God’s) sight;
Colossians 1:21, 22

When I read these verses this morning, the question which came to my mind was, are we unreproveable, blameless, unimpeachable now, in this day?  Or is this speaking about a condition which occurs when we are gathered together with the Lord, at the rapture?  If we are blameless today, then it is wrong to spend so much time focusing on sin like so many Christians do.

E. W. Bullinger, in his Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament has this to say of the word “unimpeachable” – not accused, with nothing laid to one’s charge (as the result of public investigation); though blamed, yet undeserving of blame.

As regards possible wrongdoing by a person in public office, an investigation occurs to determine whether or not charges should be brought.  If there is a determination made that blame for some behavior should be brought to bear, based on an accepted standard of behavior, a person in public office is impeached..  Only then, after being impeached, are charges formally made and the person brought to trial, at which trial a final determination of guilt or innocence is made.

Since after the return of Christ there will be no “investigations” made into any of the believers’ thoughts, attitudes or behaviors, Colossians 1:22 must be speaking of today!  Today, though a believer behave in a manner which would (or might) instigate an investigation, a determination is made in each case that no charges are to be brought against the believer; there is no sin for which a verdict of guilt will be sought.  Today, there is no blame to be laid at the believer’s feet by God!  For anything!

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?  God, Who justifies?  Who is he that condemns?  Christ who died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us?  Romans 8:33,34

This word “unreproveable” from Colossians 1:22, (“unimpeachable, blameless”) is the Greek word anegkletos, and is used four other times in the New Testament, each being translated “blameless.”   This word anegkletos differs from the five other Greek words translated blameless, in that it includes the strong idea that a thorough investigation of someone has been carried out before the decision is made to lay no charges, to assign no blame.  Something has been investigated – some behavior, action, attitude – but, in the end, that thing is decided to not be worthy of seeking to assign guilt.

Who (our Lord Jesus Christ) shall also confirm you unto (eos – until)  the end, blameless (anegkletos)  in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:8

Hey, you did something not quite right here.  We need to investigate!  Okay, as a result of our investigation into what you did, a decision has been made to not bring you to trial.  You are free to go.

Here’s a good example.  Let’s say I own an apple orchard which produces an abundance of delicious apples.  Late one night I get drunk and I take a chain saw and cut down a number of apple trees.  In the morning, my neighbor sees the destruction and calls the police, who  come and do an investigation.  They discover that I got drunk on my own property, and that I destroyed my own trees.  My behavior was immature, destructive and stupid.  But, after the investigation is completed, it is decided not to bring charges against me.  Even though what I did was not the brightest or beneficial, I broke no laws in doing them.  I am unimpeachable.

How can we who believe be counted guilty of sin (which means “to miss the mark”) when we are the mark!  How can laws and judgments which were applied to servants of God, for the purpose of determining how well, or how poorly they were performing, be used against children of God, whose seating at God’s own right hand is already an accomplished finality?  We are so far beyond all those rules and regulations and laws and judgments!

For He (God) has made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Christ).
II Corinthians 5:21

If I keep doing what I did that one night when I got  drunk, I’m going to become physically broken down and will no longer have an apple orchard in a very short period of time.  Nonetheless, even if that were to happen, no charges would ever be brought against me because no law is being broken.  I am unimpeachable.  And so, as children of God and joint heirs of all of creation with Christ (it’s all ours!), even though we at times speak and act poorly, destructively, uncharitably; we are unimpeachable – because it all belongs to us anyway!

Therefore let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.  I Corinthians 3:21-23

Today in the heavenly economy of the church, the body of Christ, there exists no carnal law to which a son of God who is in Christ is subject (the law is for the ungodly).  Each believer, being re-created in the image of God as a beloved child,  is an heir of all creation.  We are literally born of His being, of His nature.  Any “sin” a believer commits in this day of redemption is only something stupid, destructive, immature and is absolutely not disqualifying in any way.  No charges are ever brought by God or by Jesus Christ against one in whom the spirit of Christ dwells, for no law is broken, seeing as believers are not under the law which God gave to Moses for the nation of Israel.

(There may be consequences/punishment meted out by civil governmental authorities for poor behavior which breaks governmental laws – this possibility is not being addressed by this study).

Likewise must the deacons (diakonous – those who serve) be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre (dishonorable gain); Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  And let these also first be proved; then let them serve in their function, being blameless. (anegkletos)  I Timothy 3:8-10

Obviously these “deacons” were not expected to be perfect in all ways – without error, free from mistakes.  They were simply exhorted to perform their service within the “confines” of Christ.  In the spirit of Christ there is no law which deals with the flesh.  No charges can be brought against the believer who carries out his service to the body of Christ in the spirit of Christ.  Mistakes will be made.  Errors in judgment will occur.  The devil will trick and trip with his deceit, but no charges will ever be brought by God against the believer who is in Christ.

If any be blameless (anegkletos), the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.  For an overseer must be blameless (anegkletos), as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker (lashes out at others), not given to filthy lucre (dishonorable gain);  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  Titus 1:6-8

One of the necessary traits for those with a responsibility of service in and to the body of Christ is not that they are without sin, but that they learn how to live their lives within the spirit of Christ, unimpeachable.  They learn to live in the judgment of Christ and not the judgment of the law or the judgment of men.  The only way to live an unimpeachable life is to live in the justification which only the life of Christ brings.

If you live under the law which governs the flesh, then you have not fully accepted the gift of Christ.  Like all those Christians who spent so much time arguing about whether or not someone who had remarried was, or could be forgiven, you are yet in your sinful flesh.  We who serve our Lord Jesus Christ are not required to be without error – we are simply unimpeachable!  And in that freedom which accompanies unimpeachability, we are free to grow forever greater in Christ.
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Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

Holy and Without Blame
Justified, what it means
Sin Hunters

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The book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is now available on Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dispensationalism and the Different Covenants

Posted on February 5, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Dispensationalism – the belief that the Bible is divided into different epochs of time, during which different sets of rules governed God’s affairs with mankind; how God interacted with man, and man with God.

It is obvious that the whole Bible can not be understood and applied as if addressed to us today, and yet people do it all the time.  “Well, this is what Jesus said.”  “Well this is what it says in Deuteronomy!”  “Well, the book of Revelation says this.”

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  Hebrews 10:4

When was the last time you killed an animal as a blood sacrifice in order to assuage God’s anger toward your sins?  The religious practice of Israel in the Old Testament was a very bloody one indeed!

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest  by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  Hebrews 10:16-20

From the fall of man until the coming of the Messiah, the restoration of God’s true intent for man was impossible.  The law of Moses had nothing directly to do with God’s restoration (man’s redemption), and still does not today.  The law came to make sin exceedingly sinful; that is, painfully obvious to man’s mind.  Its coming never carried God’s ultimate intention, not having the ability to restore or redeem mankind.

Now we know that whatever things the law says, it says to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the intimate knowing of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Romans 3:19-21

From the fall of man, detailed in Genesis 3, all of the various epochs of time, which I and many others call “administrations” (also known as dispensations), were and are steps along the way to God’s ultimate plan.

That in the dispensation (administration) of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.  Ephesians 1:10

I’ve seen 8 different “administrations” of God  in the Bible.  The names given to them are not as important as their specific and individual attributes – the different rules which governed how man could relate to God, and and how God would relate to man.

The word “dispensation” in the Bible is translated from the Greek word oikonomia.  It comes from two Greek words; oikos – house, and nomos – law.  and can be defined thusly:  “Administration of a household.  Actively, the administrative activity of the owner or the steward; passively, that which is administered.  A disposition or arrangement of things, a scheme or dispensation.”  An administration of God is the specific and peculiar manner in which God deals with man during that administration.

There has been and continues to be no end to the confusion in Biblical understanding which is able to vex men’s souls because they do not discern the specific administration in force in each context of God’s dealings with man.  When you read the Bible, you must be aware of which administration is in force in the section you are reading; otherwise, you could be applying things which were true then (or which will be true in the future),  but are not true today.  For example, today is not the age of the law of Moses, yet many many men continue to live as if obedience to the law of Moses is God’s requirement for man today!  This is a very harmful error in understanding

Following are the eight administrations I have seen in the Bible.

  1.  Original Paradise.  Genesis 1-3.  Began when Adam was “made in the image of God” (spirit).  Ended when he and Eve ate of the tree they were commanded not to eat of.  The agreement God had with man was described by God as follows:

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress (work) it and to keep (protect) it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.  Genesis 2:15-17

2.  Individual Covenants (also known as the Patriarchal Period).  Genesis 3 – Exodus 20.  Began the day that Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whereby they lost the spirit of God.  Ended with the coming of the Law of Moses.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; (For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed (attributed) when there is no law.  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them who had not sinned after the similar manner of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure (tupos – type, exemplar, pattern)  of him who was to come (the Christ).  Romans 5:12-15

God had individual agreements with different individuals, and those who were of their family or tribe shared in their blessing.   Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are some of the individuals God had individual covenants with.  For example:

And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make an ark of gopher wood… And (after the flood) God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish (fill) the earth. 
Genesis 6:12-14a; 9:1

Now the Lord had said unto Abram (Abraham), Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto a land that I will show you; And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; And I will bless them who bless you, and curse him who curses you; and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.  Genesis 12:1-3

3.  The Law (of Moses).  Exodus 20 – Acts 2.  The descendants of Jacob (whose God-given name was Israel) had become a nation of people while living in Egypt.  Over two million people!  While in Egypt, Israel lived by the rule of Pharoah.  When they first left Egypt, they had only Moses’ rule to live by, but Moses couldn’t successfully judge every situation which arose (he tried for a while).  Rather than be ruled by the subjectivity of a patriarch, a law came into being which could govern this nation out of which the Messiah would come.  This administration began the day Moses received this law from God, and ended legally the day that Jesus was raised from the dead, having completely fulfilled the law (lived his entire life unto his death without ever disobeying one single law).  It ended in reality on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2.  Unfortunately, it continues to exist in practice today for those who have not accepted and who do not understand the new covenant of the glorified Christ.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He didn’t say, “And to seeds,” as of many; but as of one, “And to your seed,” which is Christ.  And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of no effect.  For if the inheritance (of the world) be of the law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise (and it is received by faith, not by working for it).  Galatians 3:16-18

There were something like 613 (by some count) laws of Moses which needed to be adhered to by the nation of Israel.  The only Gentiles (anyone not of Israel) who were ever under the law were those who by their free will chose to subject themselves to it (either proselytes – those becoming Jews, with circumcision, baptism, etc.; or “God-fearers,” those who believed the God of Israel was the true God, but did not become Jews.  Example: Acts 10:1,2)

Every law had its blessing and its consequence, and until Jesus, no man ever perfectly obeyed the law.  Consequences for not adhering to a law could be ameliorated (lessened) by means of blood sacrifice.  Because the consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23), God allowed that an innocent animal’s life could be sacrificed in place of man’s death.  In fact, the laws of Moses required a lot of blood letting!

(4.  Jesus’ Ministry).  Matthew 3:13 – Acts 2:1. I put this in parentheses because this period of time  actually includes the last days of the law of Moses.  It was, however, different from the rest of the time of the law of Moses, in that the son of God (who had to obey the law perfectly), brought the ministry of God’s holy spirit, though only to Israel.  His primary two purposes in life were 1) to make the true God known and to bring to pass His perfect will; and 2) To defeat the devil and his works, (sin unto death).

He healed the sick and the psychologically damaged,  forgave sin, raised the dead, and defeated the enemy of God who was the god of death.  He was able to do all this in anticipation of his very own blood sacrifice.  This administration began with the earthly ministry of Jesus, upon his returning from his forty days in the wilderness, and it ended with his ascension into heaven, forty days after his resurrection.  His baptism was representative of death and rebirth – then followed by 40 days trial in preparation for what would follow.  Finally occurred his actual death and rebirth – then followed by 40 days on the earth until his ascension, in preparation for what would follow.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him (led Him out into the open). 
John 1:17, 18

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers (the patriarchs).  Romans 15:8

But he (Jesus)responded and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  Matthew 15:24

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  Matthew 5:17, 18
(The law was fulfilled when Jesus died, but the prophets are not fulfilled until the time of the end of the book of Revelation).

5.  The Church (the Mystery Revealed).  Acts 2:1 – I Thessalonians 4:17.  This administration began on the day of Pentecost, and it ends at the moment of the gathering together, also known as the “rapture.”  This is the period of time in which we live today.  Jesus has sent into the world the spirit (Christ) which His Father gave him, to make sons of all who receive the spirit of His son (the promised redeemer).  No longer under the bondage of the law of Moses, this spiritual body of believers comes from both Jews and Gentiles, and is called a “new creation.”  (also called the body of Christ, the temple of God, the church [literally, the “called out”] of God).  What takes place in and among us believers today is actually what God has intended for mankind all along; the ultimate of His ability, known as the “glory of God.”

It is very important to understand that what became spiritually true when the holy spirit was first given in Acts 2,  took a bit of time for its truth to be revealed to men’s minds and hearts.  Why?  Because its truth couldn’t even begin to be made known until its reality had begun.  The truth of the ministry of the spirit of Christ could only begin to be made known to the hearts of man once it had itself come into the world.  This “mystery of Christ” was hidden in God (Ephesians 3:9) until the spirit of Christ in man began to reveal its truths.  Therefore, you can not assume that everything which was taught or which occurred during this time, especially in the book of Acts, is doctrinally true.

In truth, the Bible itself states that the man named Paul, who was an apostle and a prophet, was the man to whom God entrusted the revealing of the truths of this period of time, also known as “the administration of the grace of God.”

If you have heard of the administration (oikonomos) of the grace of God which was given to me for you.  How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery…. Ephesians 3:2, 3a

It even took time for Paul to have the depths of this mystery of Christ revealed within him.  If you read I Thessalonians (the first of his epistles to be written), and then Ephesians (one of the last to be written) you will see a big difference in the depth of Paul’s spiritual understanding!  All correct understanding of the truths of today must line up with the revelation given to Paul.  Any Scripture in the entire Bible which one desires to interpret or understand in the light of present day circumstances and application must be interpreted in harmony with the revelation of the mystery of Christ as revealed by Paul.

6. The Tribulation/Wrath of God. II Thessalonians 2:8 – Revelation 19:10.  There is great peace and prosperity on the earth after the saints are gathered off the earth by Christ, but that period sets mankind up for domination by the prince of darkness, as he marshals his forces to destroy the earth.  This marshalling of his dark forces was hindered by the spirit of Christ indwelling his saints, until they leave the earth.  This ugly period ends with the coming of Jesus to rule upon the earth for a thousand years.

And now you know what’s holding him back, that he (the wicked one) might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of lawlessness does already work; only he who is now holding (him) back, until he be taken out of the way (at the gathering together).  And then shall that wicked one be revealed….            II Thessalonians 2:6-8a

7.  The Millenial Reign of Christ.  Revelation 19:11 – 20:15.  It begins with Jesus and his saints coming upon the earth and defeating the armies of unrighteousness in the battle(s) of Armageddon.  The beast and false prophet are condemned, and Satan is bound.  The just are raised up from the dead unto eternal life, having been judged.  It ends with Satan being loosed, who immediately stirs up rebellion, which is put down immediately.  Satan is condemned and cast into the lake of fire.  All the dead are raised up and judged at what is known as the White Throne judgment.  Those whose names are not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, to die the second death.  The earth is destroyed at the end of this time.

8.  A New Heaven and a New Earth.  Revelation 21:1 – 22:21.  The earth we know has been destroyed.  We live on a new earth.  It is a new heaven, because Satan and his spirits no longer exist.  Only righteousness exists in this new period of time, and everything that occurs is the stuff of eternity.  Paul speaks of this time in II Corinthians 12:1-5.

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Is adherence to the law of Moses a requirement for eternal life?  Then why did Jesus need to come and die?  What about those who lived prior to the law being given?  Do men live by the grace of God during the time Jesus ruled on the earth?  Could anyone who lived between Adam and Jesus, who did not have the spirit of God, actually know the true God, Who is spirit?  What are the rules by which God deals with man during the Tribulation and Wrath?  What’s life going to be like in this new heaven and new earth?  God wants you to understand the answers to these questions, so that the Bible makes much more sense when you read it.
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Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

The Original Paradise
Do not preach the Old Testament.
The Mystery of Christ
The 2 Systems of God
Dead to the Law
The Law vs. Faith

Get notified when new studies are posted by subscribing in the upper right corner. Your information will not be shared.
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Soon to be released – the second book, More Christ – the True Riches of Human Experience

The book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is now available on Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dispensationalism and the Different Gospels

Posted on January 11, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Dispensationalism – the belief that the Bible is divided into different epochs of time, during which different sets of rules governed God’s affairs with mankind; how God interacted with man, and man with God.

I was recently involved in a thread on fb where one person dismissively discounted anything I’d said previously, because I was a “dispensationalist.”  Well, I’m not a dispensationalist, I’m a believer of Jesus Christ and the Word of God and a student of the Holy Scriptures.  I’m a son of God, a joint heir with Christ. Regarding doctrine, I know that some people love to discount anything and everything someone says which they disagree with by putting them in a box, and then setting that box on fire!

I remember one incident where I was witnessing to a young man in a store in the local mall.  The store was empty, and so we had time to talk.  I discovered that he was already a Christian believer, and he was getting very excited as I explained to him, from the Bible, some of the things I understood regarding the gifts of the spirit (which the Bible labels as “manifestations of the spirit.”).  In an area where he had had so many unanswered questions, or had gotten only conflicting answers, it was starting to make powerful sense.  “Where did you learn all this?” he asked excitedly.  When I told him, he instantly closed  his heart to me and my teaching, saying, “Oh, you’re a part of that group.”  And he didn’t want to hear another thing I had to say!

I could tell you so many stories of exactly what I’ve described above, each one a heartbreaking tale of how God was touching the heart of a person, only to have the devil reach in and shut that heart down to the beautiful truth of Christ.  Today, I just tell people that I learned it in the Bible, because if I say, “God taught me,” they’ll think I’m just “doing my own thing” (which is of itself a box to light on fire!).  The truth of it is that what I share on this website God did teach me, and the Bible confirms it!

The truths regarding dispensationalism do not negate the fact that some truths are true in all administrations; that is, throughout the Bible.  But some are not.  Knowing which truths are true during the period of time in question is of paramount importance in having an accurate understanding of the Scriptures.

The word “dispensation” in the Bible is translated from the Greek word oikonomia, which is also translated “stewardship”  (though I like the word administration).  It comes from two Greek words; oikos – house, and nomos – law.  The Greek word is only used 7 times in the New Testament, 3 times in the Gospels and 4 times in Paul’s epistles.  E.W. Bullinger, in his “A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament” defines the word thusly:  Administration of a household.  Actively, the administrative activity of the owner or the steward; passively, that which is administered.  A disposition or arrangement of things, a scheme or dispensation.”

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of you? give an account of your stewardship (oikonomia); for you may be no longer steward (oikonomon).  Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me the stewardship (oikonomia); I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.  I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship (oikonomia), they may receive me into their houses.  Luke 16:2-4

These 3 verses contain the 3 uses of oikonomia in the Gospels.  A wealthy man would have a steward, an administrator, who ran the affairs of his household. That steward, within any boundaries imposed upon him by his master, had total discretion as to how he administered the affairs of his master’s household.  Today you might call him a manager, or a CEO.  Each steward, or manager, would bring his own methods and style to the running of the household.  Today, each CEO will bring his/her own unique brand of managing to the job.

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel; For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation (oikonomia) of the gospel is committed unto me.  I Corinthians 9:16, 17

This is the first use of oikonomia in the Pauline epistles.  Paul was entrusted with the stewardship of the gospel, with administering, or managing it.  But what gospel is being spoken of in this verse?  Did John the Baptist preach this “gospel?”  (“Gospel ” simply means good message).  Did Jesus preach the same gospel that Paul preached?  Didn’t Peter and John and the other apostles and disciples preach “the gospel” that Paul preached?

John the Baptist preached, but it wasn’t called a gospel.  He was telling people to get right with God, because His rule (kingdom) was coming very soon!

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  (For this  (John) is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.)  Matthew 3:1-3

Jesus preached a gospel, the gospel of the kingdom of God.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came unto Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.  Mark 1:14, 15

The gospel of the kingdom of God is the administering, or dispensing of the rule of God as King, and requires the presence of that king (or, in this case, his prince son).  It was good news, because Jesus was sent by God to do those things he spoke of in Luke.

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor (in heart); He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are broken down, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  Luke 4:18, 19

Did Peter and the other apostles preach the same gospel as Jesus?  

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of (which is) the holy spirit.  Acts 2:36-38

This is different than the gospel Jesus preached, for Jesus’ gospel said nothing of anyone being able to receive remission of sins or receive the gift of the holy spirit at that time.  The holy spirit did not come until after Jesus left the earth and was glorified.

(Jesus speaking) He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this he spoke of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the holy spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).  John 7:38, 39

So what Peter preached was indeed a gospel, but it differed from the good message which Jesus himself preached.  Jesus never preached the remission of sins nor the giving of the gift of holy spirit, only in a prophetic manner regarding that which would happen in the future. Now Paul comes along and states that a dispensation (oikonomia) of the gospel is committed, or entrusted unto him.  Was his gospel different than Peter’s and the apostles’?  It is true that during the time of his ministering in the book of Acts, Paul preached “the kingdom of God;” however, toward the end of his ministry, his understanding of the things of Christ had grown, so that…

(Paul speaking) …so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify (bear full witness to) the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24b

If you have heard of the dispensation (oikonomia) of the grace of God which is given to me for you.  Ephesians 3:2

Neither the gospel Jesus preached, nor the gospel which Peter and the other apostles preached was ever referred to as the “gospel of the grace of God.” No other New Testament author mentions the gospel of the grace of God, or even the administration (dispensation, stewardship) of the grace of God, but Paul.  This was a responsibility which Paul took very seriously.

Of which (the church) I am made a minister, according to the dispensation (oikonomia) of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  Colossians 1:25-27

The mystery can only be made known and thus practical in the life and heart of a believer by means of the working of the spirit of Christ.  There is absolutely no work of man which can effectuate this working; therefore it is completely by the ongoing grace (generosity) of God that the truth of the Christ within continues to be operational.  Man need do nothing, can do nothing in order to obtain it.  This message of the mystery is a new one in the Bible, and the only writings we have detailing its message are Paul’s.

So we see that there were different gospels mentioned in the Bible, from the time of Jesus until Paul.  The truth of the gospel was an evolving, unfolding thing, as more and more became available.  John’s preaching wasn’t called a gospel, because Jesus’ ministry hadn’t begun.  Jesus preached a gospel which involved the rule of God on the earth, which was very good news indeed, but which, as regarding that present time, still included the law of Moses and the proper behavior of man.  

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  Matthew 5:17

Jesus’ gospel did not include the remission of sins, because he had not yet died to pay for sins, and had not yet been raised from the dead and been seated at the right hand of God in his glory to be able to send the holy spirit.  Peter preached a gospel which included the remission of (complete payment of the penalty for and restoration needed because of) sins and the giving of the holy spirit to whoever believes, but he did not receive the revelation of the grace of God and the mystery of Christ (as far as we know).  Paul preached a gospel of the grace of God regarding the mystery of Christ.  His is the ultimate gospel, because it regards God’s fulfillment of His ultimate purpose of all the ages.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things (by Jesus Christ is not in the text).  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be experienced by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  Ephesians 3:8-11

John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, James and Jude addressed their ministries to Israel.  But Paul included the Gentiles.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  Matthew 15:24

For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles: 
Galatians 2:8

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  James 1:1

In the next study, we’ll conclude our study of the different dispensations (administrations) found in the Bible.  We’ll see how the rules which govern God’s dealings with man changed throughout the Bible, and what an understanding of those changes can mean not only to our understanding of the Bible, but to our walk and our relationship with God today. __________________________________ 

Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

An Un-Polluted Gospel
Do not preach the Old Testament.
The 2 Systems of God
On Grace, Gifts and Thankfulness

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