2 Tim. 2:15 shows us how God will approve us as workmen that need not be ashamed. By rightly dividing His word of truth. Obviously, all God's Word is truth. But He desires that we "rightly divide" that Truth. IOW: Truth from Truth. Not Truth from a lie. SO, how do we begin this? Ephesians, Chapter 2 shows us HIS division of time:
"Wherefore remember, that ye being IN TIME PAST Gentiles in the flesh..."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:" Eph. 2:11,12.
So we know from this that there was a time when we Gentiles were without hope and without God in the world. According to God. If we can establish that time, then we can move forward to "but now".
"BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST." Eph. 2:13. HERE is where we KNOW now that "BUT NOW" began: by the blood of Christ being poured out. Eph. 2:14-22 expounds on this.
So everything that happened BEFORE Christ's death on the cross MUST be "Time Past". And everything SINCE His death and resurrection MUST be "But NOW".
When does the "Ages to Come" begin? "That in the AGES TO COME he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:7.
We know here that there is going to come a time when we will be a model of God's grace, in order to shew the riches of that grace to those who are living in the kingdom with Christ reigning from His throne in Jerusalem. (Ages to Come that has been prophesied since the world began).
This is just an overview of His time line. And it can be broken down for specific questions and answers. Like prophecy and the mystery. Or "since the foundation of the world" and "from BEFORE the foundation of the world". All of it interesting and profitable to the body of Christ.
I hope that answers your questions. If not, I'll be happy to get into it deeper with you.:) Regards, smvoice
Just for now, just thanks.
I’m so tired today: I didn’t sleep well last night at all. I feel like the while world is foggy. Maybe after a good night’s sleep I’ll be more able to understand the reasoning here better.
Also, if we do continue on this discussion maybe it would be better as it’s own thread as it doesn’t seem to be related to this thread’s topic.
Back to just reading threads for me today. Thanks.
Tim