New Testament Times

INTRODUCTION TO BIBLE PROPHECY:

NEW TESTAMENT TIME

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

I believe the focal point of the time in the scriptures should be the time of the Mystery of Godliness. It is the dispensation of the Church. If we are able to pinpoint its span through the ages, then we are most likely to be able to answer those things that will have a direct effect on the church. As we talk about the coming of the antichrist and the Great Tribulation, it is important to know whether or not the Church will be here on earth during those times. Let us take a glimpse at how this great mystery takes form and is played out.

Ephesians 3:3, 5-6,9.16.19-20

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; ...

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (notice the semi- colon, which implies that a brief explanation follows.)

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel

...

9 to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

...

16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man:

...

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Thus we have the definition of the mystery of God.

It is for both Jew and Gentile to become a member of the Body of Christ.

• It is the Spirit of God in the inner man.

• It is to be filled with the fullness of God.

• It is the power of God working in us.

Colossians 1:26-27

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:

27 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:

It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, the indwelling of Christ, with an expectation to one day be glorified.

Notice that in the very next chapter he continues to talk more about this mystery:

Colossians 2:2

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Here Paul refers to the mystery as the mystery of God which is the same terminology that is used in Revelation 10:7.

Revelation 10:7

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

For a further explanation of the mystery we might go to the first book of Timothy:

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

THE FULLNESS OF TIMES

In our attempt to define the fullness of times, we must refer to Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:10

That in the dispensation 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.

For a clearer understanding, let us look at things in relation to the fullness of time

(Galatians 4:4-5).

4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

• God sent forth His Son
• He was made of a woman
• He was made under the law
• He came to redeem those who were under the law
• He came that we might receive the adoption of sons

Here we have a clear explanation of the activities that are to take place during the fullness of times. This is a dispensation. This is a time of the gathering of all saints in Christ. This is the time of the mystery of God: Christ in you, the hope of glory. This time will one day come to an end as do all dispensations on the earth.

Revelation 10:5-7

5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

The key here is the fullness of time is a dispensation in which the Church is established. This dispensation will end when the Church is taken out. The fullness of time is the Church Age.

TIME OF THE GENTILES

Another terminology for this age is the time of the Gentiles, as we can see in the letter to the Roman church.

Romans 11:25

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 fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

Here we see Israel will be ignorant and blind in part. In part means some will understand the mystery of God. The nation will or has rejected the operation of God, which is the indwelling of His Spirit in the inner man. The gospel is foreign to them and will be until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (Romans 11:25).

St. Luke 21:22-24

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Note the time of the Gentiles is also the days of God's vengeance being executed upon Jerusalem and the children of Israel. It is the time when the Gentiles shall rule and oppress Israel as God's rod of chastening. Daniel, the prophet, saw this chastening period and was given the revelation as to its time frame.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [7 years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that

determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 12:6-7

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

The ruler whom Israel will enter into a covenant relationship with is the antichrist. This covenant is set for seven years. However, in the midst or middle of the week of years, he will break the covenant of protection and turn to destroy them. His fierce anger against them will be allowed to prosper forty-two months or three and one-half years.

Revelation 13:5

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Though his hatred of Israel is allowed to prosper for three and one-half years, the antichrist actually occupies and defiles Jerusalem for the better of the 7 years.

Note Daniel's vision:

Daniel 8:13-14

13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Here we are given another specific period of time: 2,300 days. This is equivalent to 6 years, 4 months and 20 days. Remember the Jewish month is 30 days, and their year is 360 days.

It is interesting to see that seven years of judgment were determined unto them. Then, we also see the antichrist will rule for six and one-half years. Could it be these days of vengeance and judgment were shortened so some flesh could be saved?

Nevertheless, study these landmark terms and seek to know and understand them. They are vital as our study of Bible prophecy progresses.