Hebrews Provides Doctrine for Believers in the 7 Churches of Revelation 1-3

      After the "Mystery Body of Christ" is raptured there will be people who receive Christ as the Messiah and Savior during the period that follows.  Of course the mystery program will be over as we know it now, so these believers will need new instructions on how to live until the Second Coming of Christ to the earth.  From my study it appears that Hebrews through Jude will be the "go to guide" for these believers.  My purpose in this post will be give some examples from Hebrews on how believers after the rapture will find instruction on how to conduct themselves until the Second Coming of Christ.  Please consider the following examples from Hebrews.

     First, consider Hebrews 10:25.  " Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  The churches John writes to in Revelation 2 and 3 will see the Day of the Lord approaching and should assemble to exhort one another during their time of tribulation.  As a side note, how many times have you heard Hebrews 10:25 taken out of context and applied to the "Mystery Church" of the dispensation of grace.  The "Mystery Church" is raptured, so it will not see the "day" approaching.

     Second, Hebrews is written with the context of the "Last Days" in mind.  Consider Hebrews 1:1-2: 

[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  

The last days would have been accomplished in the first century had Israel accepted her Messiah, but Israel rejected Christ during the period of the Gospels as well as in the book of Acts.  Sometime late in Acts or after the Acts period it is revealed to Paul that the "last days" have been postponed and are now to occur in the future.  Consider 2 Timothy 3:1:  "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."  The believers in Revelation will once again be in the last days (see Acts 2:17-20 & Revelation 6:12-13) and will need the book of Hebrews for instructions.  

     Third, Hebrews speaks of a rest that pictures the 1,000 year reign of Christ.  Consider Hebrews 4:1-4:

 [1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
[4] For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 

The believers in Revelation will be looking for the Second Coming of Christ and the "rest" He brings during the 1,000 year reign on earth (see Rev 20:1-2).  The book of Hebrews will encourage them in this hope.

     Fourth, Hebrews warns of an unpardonable sin that can't be repented of (see Hebrews 6:4-6).  I believe this corresponds with the only unpardonable sin that I am aware of in the book of Revelation which concerns that taking the mark of the beast.  Consider Rev 14:9-12:

[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
[10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
[11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
[12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

     Fifth, Hebrews reminds, especially Jewish believers in Revelation, of the New Covenant that Israel will experience after the Second Coming.  Nationally, Israel's sins will be blotted out at the Second Coming of Christ (see Acts 3:19).  This New Covenant is better than the Old because it is based on the blood of Israel's New Testament (see Matt 26:27-29).  Hebrews 9:14-15 states:

[14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

 Paul explained in Galatians that the first covenant was associated with the Law and bondage while the new one is associated with freedom (Gal 4:24-26).  Paul wrote Galatians before national judgment was pronounced on Israel.  In light of this fact, the initial message of Galatians would apply to believers that would need to leave the bondage of the Old Covenant (Gal 5:1) and would experience the freedom of the New Covenant that would be established if Israel had repented during Acts.  In hindsight, with Israel's final rejection of Christ at Acts 28, the grace Paul preached in Galatians and other pre-Acts 28 Epistles becomes the foundation for the dispensation of Grace and the Mystery program of this present age.

     The last thing I will mention, although much more could be said, is that Hebrews reminds the believers of Revelation of a heavenly city awaiting for them to experience.  Hebrews 12:22 states, " But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels."  We see an early glimpse of this city in heaven.  Revelation 14:1-3 states:

[1] And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
[2] And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
[3] And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

This city comes down out of heaven in Revelation 21:2 which states, "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

     I hope you see from the above examples how the believers in Revelation will find doctrine, instruction, and comfort from the book of Hebrews.  Lord willing I may do some follow up posts showing how James through Jude will also be books of doctrine and comfort for those believers  that will see the day of the Lord approaching.

    

Does Acts 13:38-39 Refer to the Grace Message of the Mystery Program

      I know many teach that Acts 13:38-39 refers to the beginning of the grace gospel that is preached in the Mystery Program.  Acts 13:38-39 certainly is different than what was said prior to this point.   I would like to question the assumption that Acts 13:38-39 is a reference to grace being preached in the Mystery Program.  Actually, I think Paul is explaining to Israel in Acts 13:38-39 that with the cross, there is a "grace message" for Israel and the Kingdom Program.  The writer of Hebrews makes this clear by stating, " Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).  Although Paul does say, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses,”  I do not think this has to refer to the grace gospel of the mystery program.  Isaiah 53:11 prophecies of Christ, not the Law of Moses, justifying many.  Isaiah 45:25 states, “In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.”  Justification for Israel under the Kingdom Program was no mystery.  I think most everything in Acts chapter 13:1-38 sounds Jewish and kingdom related.  Acts 13:40 refers back to a warning in the prophets which would be Jewish.  The grace message of the Mystery Program has no warnings from the Old Testament prophets!  Acts 13:39 taken alone sounds like the grace gospel under the mystery program, but in the context of this chapter I think Paul has in mind the justification spoken of in Isaiah mentioned above.  I also think this is the reason the writer of Hebrews says to the Hebrews that perfection was not by the Levitical priesthood which concerned the law.  Consider Hebrew 7:11-12:

     [11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

    [12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

With the cross the message of the Kingdom program certainly had to change according to verse12 above, but it still required "enduring to the end" and "holding fast."  Hebrews 3:6 states, "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."  

     How is Israel able to have "grace" under the Kingdom Program?  The answer, I believe, is the "blood of the New Testament."  Matthew 26:28 states, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."  This coincides with Hebrews 9:15, "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."  Remember, under the Kingdom Program before the cross, the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins (Heb 10:4).  The cross had to take place in order for God to carry out the promise of Acts 3:19, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

     Under the Mystery Program one can isolate Acts 13:38-39 and apply it as doctrine for today, but remember most every thing before verse 38 in Acts 13 is Jewish and Kingdom related.  After verse 39 in Acts 13 there is a warning given to Israel, not believers under the Mystery Program, concerning ignoring the work of Christ.  My preference in teaching grace, justification, and forgiveness is to go to Ephesians where the mystery is clearly revealed and there is a pure grace gospel with no warnings that do not apply to believers under the mystery program.  Things that are similar are not the same.

Should Grace Believers Read/Study the Book of Psalms

      A stereotypical view of "Mid Acts Right Dividers" is they only read/study Romans through Philemon.  A stereotypical view of the "Acts 28 Right Dividers" is they only read/study Paul's Epistles written after Acts 28 (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon).  Unfortunately these stereotypical views are true of some of the Mid Acts as well as Acts 28 Right Dividers.  To answer the question (should grace believers read and study the book of Psalms?), the grace believer should consider what his Apostle Paul says.  2 Tim 3:16 states, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"  Grace believers should read/study all the books of the Bible including Psalms.  It is true that a lot of the doctrine in Psalms does not directly apply to grace believers, so we must rightly divide while reading/studying Psalms as well as any other book of the Bible including Paul's writings.

     In conclusion I would argue that the Book of Psalms was for those under the Law, under the kingdom program, as well as under grace.  

     Under the Law 1 Chron 16:9 states, "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works."

     The kingdom believer is told in James 5:13, " Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

     The grace believer in a "post Acts 28 Epistle" is told to, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col 3:16).

How Grace Believers Should Respond to "Things that Happen"

       How Grace Believers Should Respond to "Things that Happen?"  Good and bad things happen to all people whether saved or lost.  Most believers have no problem dealing with the good things that happen in life, but what about the bad things?  As grace believers that rightly divide and claim Paul as the pattern for this age of grace, then Paul's writings should be consulted in regards to this question.  The answer is not hard to find, but living out the answer in our daily lives is another story.

     The answer to the question, "How Grace Believers Should Respond to Things that Happen," is found in Philippians 1:12.  It states:

"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;"

As grace believers we should use the things that happen to us to further the gospel if possible.  If you have to deal with the mechanic fixing your broken down vehicle, then try to find a way to share the gospel.  If you find yourself at the doctor's office or hospital give the gospel if the opportunity arises.   If you find yourself at the funeral home visiting a bereaved family, then try to give the gospel to somebody.  If you are recognized at work for a job well done, try to figure out some way to publicly give God the glory and witness for Him.  

     Remember that Paul's ministry was not just one of teaching doctrine rightly divided, but it was also one of practically living out that doctrine on a daily basis.

   

The Lord's Supper & Inconsistencies Among Some Mid Acts Dispensationalists

      Most Mid Acts Dispensationalists reject water baptism as an ordinance.  Most will not even entertain the notion that it can be practiced as a symbol, figure, or memorial under Grace.  On the other hand a sizable number of Mid Acts people will either call the Lord's Supper an ordinance or will at least practice it as a symbol for faithful church members to observe.  I have several issues with the above approach.

     First of all, many Mid Acts people throw out water baptism because it was practiced during the "Acts Period" in which Paul was going to the Jew first, etc.  The problem with this argument is the very book of the Bible that Paul writes about the "Lord's Supper" is the very same book which he mentions practicing water baptism-1 Corinthians.  Yes, 1 Corinthians concerns the "Acts Period."  This includes the chapter on the "Lord's Supper" (1 Cor 11).  The Corinthians were getting water baptized and partaking of the "Lord's Supper at the same time.  During the Acts period it is obvious that Paul had no problem practicing water baptism even while knowing he was not "sent to baptize" (1 Cor 1:13-17 & Acts 18:8).  By the way most Mid Acts people will only quote 1 Cor 1:17 when referring to water baptism, which is a convenient way to ignore Paul's practice of water baptism in the preceding verses.  Can one be consistent in tossing out water baptism which in only mentioned in an "Acts Epistle" but retain the "Lord's Supper" which is only mentioned in an Acts Epistle?  No instructions are given in the post Acts 28 Epistles for either water baptism or the Lord's Supper.

     Second, when many Mid Acts people come to 1 Cor 11 where Paul talks about the Lord's Supper (vs 20-34) they will take the position the Lord's Supper is an ordinance since the word "ordinance" is mentioned in 1 Cor 11:2, "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."  The problem is Paul did not praise the Corinthians in their observance of the Lord' Supper, but he rebuked them.  The "ordinances" according to vs 2 were things the Corinthians were keeping and doing correctly!  

     Finally, but much more could be said, many of the Mid Acts people that practice the Lord's Supper as an ordinance only take a few verses, such as vs 23-25, of 1 Cor 11 dealing with the Lord's Supper and ignore the rest. The position is, we will do this, i.e. the Lord's Supper, to "shew the Lord's death till he come."  So are you also going to say a believer under Grace, if he does the Supper incorrectly, will be guilty of the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor 11:27)?  Can a believer under Grace drink "damnation" to himself (1 Cor 11:29)?  Will a Grace believer get weak, sick, and die if he does the "Supper" incorrectly (1 Cor 11:30)?  Most of the Mid Acts people I am familiar with would answer "no" to the above questions.  Can one be consistent in claiming 1 Cor 11:23-25 as an ordinance for the "Lord's Supper" and throw out the remainder of the chapter that continues the discussion of the Lord's Supper?

     Although many might consider me a "border line hyper" based on some of my posts, I also try to be a practical believer under Grace.  I refuse to cause unnecessary division in the Body of Christ by creating  a new set of ordinances as a " right division grace believer" in commanding "not to get water baptized" or "do not observe the Lord's Supper."  I have no problem with either water baptism or the Lord's Supper as figures, symbols, or memorials.  Even the Kingdom Apostle Peter said baptism is a "figure" (1 Pet 3:21).  Once a believer under Grace starts making these "ordinances" (meaning requirement for salvation, church membership, or to be considered "faithful") then the believer ceases to practice Grace!