Did You Know
#1     Did you know-- The three tenses of salvation?

PAST:                                  PRESENT:                                 FUTURE:
We have been saved                       We are being saved                              We shall be saved

Past:
We have been delivered from the penalty of sin (Justification)
Scripture: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1, also 5:1)

Present:
We are being delivered from the power of sin (progressive Sanctification)
Scripture: It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.           (Phil 2:13, also 2Cor 3:18, Phil 1:6)

Future:
We shall be delivered from the presence of sin (Glorification)
Scripture:  Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He
appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.                  (1John 3:2, 1Cor 15:52-53, Rom 8:29-30, Phil 3:21)

Conclusion: A believer in Jesus Christ need not ‘run the race’ all his life with little or no assurance that the ‘finish line’ will be  
heaven. Any concept of salvation that does not give us security for eternity is an incomplete view of salvation. The only kind of eternal
life that the Scriptures teach is just that—eternal.  “We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be
present with the Lord.” (2Cor 5:8, also 1John 5:11-12). Our confidence is based on the sufficiency of our precious Savior, not on our
accomplishments or good works (Eph 2:8-9).  

Credits:
Dr. John MacArthur, “The Helmut of Salvation,” Eph 6:17,


#2     Did you know—The very broad and complex Biblical term, ‘Kingdom of God’ may be
briefly stated as: “The reign of God over His creation?”
What three things are contained in this statement that must all be present in order for a kingdom to exist?

1.        A ruler with adequate authority.
2.        A realm of subjects to be ruled.
3.        The exercise of rulership (the reigning function).

Conclusion: The three R’s (Ruler, Realm, Reign) concept seems straight-forward enough, however, it eliminates some presently-
held views about the Kingdom of God. An example of this is: “The Kingdom of God is only within our hearts.” Though this idea may be
useful in application, it is faulty interpretation, and cannot be supported without allegorizing many Scriptures to change their intended
grammatical meaning. When Christ said, “The kingdom of God is within you (in your midst. Lk 17:21, also Mt 12:28 NAS),” He meant
that He, the promised King of the Old Testament prophets was in their midst and could be received by the nation of Israel. It should be
clear that if the kingdom was in their hearts they would not have attributed the king's miracles to Satan (Mat 12:24&28) nor crucified
their king.

Credits:
Alva J. McClain’s classic work, “The Greatness of the Kingdom,” first published 1968, Moody Press. ISBN: 0-88469-011-3,
Also Renald E. Showers, “There Really is a Difference,” Ch. 14, “Basis of  the Kingdom of God Concept in the Scriptures.” ISBN: 0-915540-50-9


#3     Did you know—There are important scriptural contrasts associated with the term,
"Kingdom of God?"

1.        Some passages present it as universal in scope, the entire universe as its realm.
                                                                        (Psm 103:19-22, 1 Chron 29:11-12, Acts 17:24)
2.        In other passages it is earthly in scope, having the earth as its realm.  (Dan 2:35, 44-45, Isa 24:23)

3.        In some passages it existed since the ancient past, and will forever.  (Ps 29:10)
4.        In other passages it has a future beginning.   (Dan 2:44, Zech 14:9, Luke 22:16-18)

Conclusion: Any system for understanding the Kingdom of God which rests on tradition, or a particular interpretation of a single text
or passage to the exclusion of other passages should be regarded as suspect. In this category are systems built around such
passages as, “The kingdom of God is within you,” or “I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” or the ethical precepts of
the Sermon on the Mount. The Kingdom of God has a real place in both history and prophecy, and failure to treat it properly has given
rise to many one-sided notions.

Credits:
Alva J. McClain’s classic work, “The Greatness of the Kingdom,” first published 1968, Moody Press. ISBN: 0-88469-011-3. Also Renald E. Showers, “There
Really is a Difference,” Ch. 14, “Distinctions in  the Kingdom of God Concept in the Scriptures.” ISBN: 0-915540-50-9



#4    Did you know— There is in scripture a natural and universal Kingdom (or dominion) of
God, embracing all objects, persons, and events, all doings of individuals and nations, all
operations and changes of nature and history, absolutely without exception… *  
“…Thou rulest over all…” 1 Chron 29:11-12

Witnessing to the reality of God’s universal kingdom the psalmist writes: ”The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and his
kingdom ruleth over all (Psalm 103:19). Psalm 139:8 says: “If I ascend to heaven, Thou are there, if I make my bed in Sheol (Hades),
behold, Thou art there.”
There is a strange notion that the devil is king over the lake of fire (hell); this has no basis in divine revelation. God will be in charge of
that  as well.

Conclusion: It is consistent with scripture to label God’s reign over all of His great creation, “The Universal Kingdom of God.”  This
universal reign is a natural result of the very nature of God’s awesome character.

Credits:
*Dr. James Orr.
Alva J. McClain, “The Greatness of the Kingdom,” first published 1968, Moody Press. ISBN: 0-88469-011-3.



#5    Did you know— During the ages when sin and rebellion are permitted in this world there
are different aspects or ways in which God governs mankind throughout history?

Theologians have given various descriptive names to God’s rule over mankind, such as: The Mediatorial Kingdom, or The Kingdom of
God in Human History. Within this rule over the earth we can identify certain ages as follows:

The Theocratic Kingdom (or theocracy) is a name given to God’s rule over ancient Israel. This rule was through God’s specially
chosen intermediaries: prophets, judges, and kings who were under the Law God gave through Moses.  Those who were to be saved
did not have their sins truly paid for until Christ bore their iniquities (Isa 53:6). Their sins were atoned (covered) by animal sacrifices
(which could never take away sins (Heb 10:11) which looked forward to the true Lamb of God. This is often called the age of Law.

New Testament names for God’s rule during Christendom (professing Christianity) include: The Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of
Heaven (Note that the Church is never called the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven). This period lasts longer than the Church
Age because it includes the Tribulation  which is coming upon the  whole world but not upon Christ's own (1Thes 1:10, 5:9, Rev 3:10).
This is sometimes called the “Mystery Form“ of the Kingdom (from Mt 13:11 ) as described by Christ in the Matthew chapter 13
parables because this period between His "sufferings" and the "glories to follow" (1Pet 1:11) was a mystery diligently sought but not
revealed to Old Testament prophets. This mystery form of the Kingdom was first revealed after the rejection of the King (Mt 12, after
which He begins speaking to the multitudes in parables). This period which Christ unveiled so well in the seven Matthew 13 parables
covers the time between Christ's first and second advents.  It will, therefore, end at the glorious return of Christ after the great
tribulation.

There is also the prophetic Messianic aspect to consider (This explains the contrasts that are earthly in scope, but have a future
beginning.). Christ taught his disciples to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…”  This prayer has never yet been
fulfilled, but will be during Christ’s future Messianic Kingdom as described in Isaiah 2:3-4, 9:6-7, Daniel 7:14, Ezekiel chapters 40-48
(detailed plans for Christ’s future temple in Jerusalem), Zechariah 14:9  and other Old Testament prophets, as well as in Revelation
20:2-3. Christ's coming rule will replace all previous governments (Dan 3:44). This is the Millennial Reign of Christ.

Note: Other ages can also be identified -- such as during pre and post Flood periods.

Conclusion:

The Rule of God in Human History has several aspects to it in different historical and prophetic periods. There are many who would
object to these distinctions saying (correctly) that God only saves by grace throughout all human history, and though this is true, the
way in which God told men to demonstrate their faith in God has been changing. Adam was told to show his faith by obeying just one
rule. Cain and Able were required to bring an animal sacrifice to atone for their sins. Israel was told to obey God's Law and bring
sacrificial offerings for sin at various times while waiting for the promised Messiah. In this present Church age men are told to repent
and trust in the true lamb of God (Jesus Christ) offered once for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29, Heb 9:28 ). A believer no longer
brings a sacrificial lamb for his sins after Christ's work on the cross was finished. During the tribulation period mankind will be
warned by angels flying in mid heaven to worship God and not give allegiance to the Antichrist (Rev 14: 6-9) . Afterward, men will be
judged ( either to enter Christ's earthly millennial kingdom, or be eternally rejected) by how they showed kindness to God's faithful
servants (the 144 thousand sealed Israelites and those who believe their message). (Rev 7:3-4, Mat 25: 31-46).

There are some who would not wish to call these different periods of God’s earthly rule “Dispensations,” so they could just as
correctly say “Administrations” (as in Eph 1:10), but regardless of what we call them, they describe real differences in God's reign over
mankind until the consummation of all things when all sin and rebellion is ended.
“ For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.” 1Cor 15:25

Credit:
Some of  these concepts are from Alva J. McClain, “The Greatness of the Kingdom,” first published 1968, Moody Press. ISBN: 0-88469-011-3
Also: Lehman Strauss, Prophetic Mysteries Revealed, ISBN 0-87213-832-1.
This page is intended to share truths that Linda and I learn from our study of the
Scriptures. Our goal is to be true to God’s word while keeping each article in easily
digestible packages. Any scholarship sources will be listed
.
By Steve