times past but now

times past

but now

times past

Gentiles

Romans 11:25-32 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

For as ye in times past have not believed God
yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief
Even so have these also now not believed

The focus of this chapter is going to be very narrow. Because of the indepthness gone into, with related topics in other chapters, attention will be given on a timeline, of surrounding elements, on this side of that timeline. Other topics such as Israel’s blindness, fall and fullness, along with the fullness of the Gentiles, are covered in chapters dedicated to those topics.

Starting Line

Romans 1:24-30 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness...
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections...
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge
God gave them over to a reprobate mind
Being filled with all unrighteousness…

Looking at the context, of first three chapters of Romans, chapter 1 verses 18 - 32 describes the general condition of man after the flood. The earth was wiped out via the flood for similar conditions. In verses 24 - 30, we see God's reaction to man's activity and Paul is applying this to those who are now being referred to as Gentiles. God gave them up to uncleanness and vile affections, then over to a reprobate mind.

God's Next Steps

Mankind, as a whole, once again proved the fruits of its fallen nature. God stepped in to focus on a man and his seed before all hope of any faithfulness and righteousness was completely gone. This seed was to be given a land and to be identified with a physical mark. A contract was also drawn up to not only reflect the righteousness of God, but would also guarantee the right to both remain in this land and be exalted above the nations.

Abrahamic Covenant

Genesis 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

I will make of thee a great nation... and make thy name great
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed

Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram
Unto thy seed have I given this land

Covenant of Circumcision

Genesis 17:7-10 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee
Every man child among you shall be circumcised

Mosaic Covenant

Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people
ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: 2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments,
which the LORD your God commanded to teach you
to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son

Deuteronomy 6:24-25 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us

Thus, the faithfulness of Abraham led to the eventual formation of a nation in which a covenant for righteousness was established. The righteousness of God was drawn up in a covenant, of commandments, to be lived out ‘by faith’. Being lived out 'by faith', is equated with loving the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might

God's Barrier That Was Put In Place

The Law of Commandments Contained in Ordinances

A Middle Wall of Partition Took Out of the Way

Ephesians 2:11-15 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

For he is our peace, who hath made both one
and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity
even the law of commandments contained in ordinances
for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us
which was contrary to us
and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross

One of the most common untruths taught is that God nailed the law to the cross! This would imply ALL Ten Commandments and potentially all else that Moses commanded. The truth is that what now separated the nations from God’s people Israel, at the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, was the law of commandments contained in the handwriting of ordinances!

These handwriting of ordinances were nailed to the cross, but application wasn’t put into place at the time of the cross!

Law nailed to the cross?

Progression of Barrier Removed

There is an easy trail to be traced as to how the accomplishment, at the cross, became an open door to the Gentile.

Ordinances Nailed to the Cross

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

It is finished

...Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

Paul’s conversion (Acts 9)

1 Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting

that in me first Jesus Christ
might shew forth all longsuffering
for a pattern
to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting

Peter’s Enlightenment (Acts 10)

Acts 10:10-16 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean
the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common

Acts 10:23-29 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation
but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean

Jerusalem Counsel’s Declaration (Acts 15)

Acts 15:14-29 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well

The Law's Application Under Paul's Gospel

It is necessary to point out that at this stage, of progression, it was the converted Gentile, and not Jewish believers, who were under no obligation to Moses’s customs and ordinances; same exceptions weren’t passed on to Jewish believers!

Acts 21:18-20 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him
Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe
and they are all zealous of the law

Paul was precise concerning any application, of the law, that would be applied today!

1 Timothy 1:5-11 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless…
and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust

It was the handwriting of ordinances that were nailed to the cross and not the moral compass that was conveyed in the Mosaic Covenant. All, but in keeping the sabbath, as laid out in the Ten Commandments, would find moral support in the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to Paul’s trust.

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Let no man therefore judge you in...
or of the sabbath days

That Timeline of Times Past

That timeline, that Paul references to as ‘in times past’, is pretty obvious once taken into consideration that it wasn’t until Acts 13, that the door ‘of faith’, was opened to the Gentile. Prior to Acts 13, the mentality was that the Jew was first in line in being turned away every one of them from his iniquities. Israel’s repentance was a determining factor in the return of Christ to set up the kingdom. From the mindset of the Apostles, at that time, it would have been after the restoration of the kingdom to Israel that the Gentile would come into play, under the so-called great commission (Mt 28:18-20).

Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Unto you first
God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities

Acts 3:19-20 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; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

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
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you

As Ye In Times Past Have Not Believed God

Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

For as ye in times past have not believed God
yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief

There were three strikes against Israel towards denial of the kingdom gospel. First, the rejection of John the Baptist's ministry. Second, they were blamed for the crucifixion of Christ. Third... they blasphemed the Holy Ghost at the stoning of Stephen. It is after this third refusal, of the kingdom's offer, that Israel's state of unbelief kicks in, where we see the conversion of Paul of; the apostle to the Gentiles.

Remembering...

Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ

From the initiation of the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants, until Acts 13, there was little hope, outside of Israel, for the Gentile… “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

The ‘door of faith’, that opened up to the Gentile in Acts 13, is a major theme in Romans, as emphasized throughout this Theme Study. This 'door of faith', eventually revolved an opening to the heathen, who in particular, is being addressed in the epistle to the Ephesians.

But Now

Paul's But Now's...

The focus of Paul’s ‘but now’s’ is twofold, each having something in common to the other and yet both having been set aside.

Israel

The first thing being mentioned here is the nation of Israel. Paul went to great lengths proving that the Jew was just as guilty, as the Gentile, though having been the direct recipients of the law. As a result of her unbelief, the Gentile, who in times past have not believed, yet ‘have now’ obtained mercy through Israel’s unbelief.

Romans 11:30-31 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

as ye in times past have not believed God
yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief

Yet have now…

But Now

The Law

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…

We can immediately turn attention to the second thing and that is the law itself. Proving that all the world is guilty before God, in demonstrating Israel’s failure in living up to the standard of righteousness provided by the law, Paul moves on to show the law’s replacement for righteousness.

Romans 3:19-29 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Being now justified by his blood…

Romans 5:6-11 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him

But now being made free from sin…

Romans 6:19-23 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life

But now we are delivered from the law…

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

But now we are delivered from the law

Paul’s expression of the believer’s walk today greatly illustrates the difference between righteousness under the law, that had to be lived out in obedience to the law, in comparison to the imputed righteousness of Christ, to then live 'by the faith of the Son of God' who lives in the believer... "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth 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. 21 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

Righteousness Which is of the Law

Deuteronomy 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

it shall be our righteousness
if we observe to do all these commandments

Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law
That the man which doeth those things shall live by them

Righteousness Which is by Faith of the Son of God

Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth 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. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

I am crucified with Christ
nevertheless I live
yet not I, but Christ liveth 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

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel

Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets

Prophecy Then Versus Mystery Now

Prophecy 101 - That Which Was Hidden

John and Peter stood before an empty tomb, not yet knowing that Christ must rise again from the dead.

John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

For as yet they knew not the scripture
that he must rise again from the dead

Certain prophecy is like a jigsaw puzzle! It’s hard to see the entire picture without the proper pieces in place. What makes it even harder is if certain pieces are hidden from view, such being the case regarding Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

Luke 18:31-34 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again
And they understood none of these things
and this saying was hid from them
neither knew they the things which were spoken

Simple explanation (Prophecy 101) was given to His disciples, along with commission, to carry on with the kingdom gospel to the nation of Israel, with intention of fulfilling promises made to Abraham, Moses and David.

Luke 24:44-49 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem

As the kingdom gospel was to be preached to the Jew 'among all nations', beginning at Jerusalem, Paul's gospel took down a different path...

Mystery 101 - That Which Was Made Known

There was much more hid, in the jigsaw puzzle of prophecy, other than the simple facts of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection! As John the Baptist and the Apostles preached Christ according to prophecy, understood during their time, it was Paul who NOW preached Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But NOW is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets.

Certain hidden pieces, in the jigsaw puzzle of prophecy, was made known to and through Paul’s gospel, for to be made known to all nations for the obedience ‘of faith’. This is a central theme in the book of Romans… the ‘but now’!

(times past) Top