Appointed
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” Rom 11:29
“Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1Timothy 6:15).
The fall feasts are usually presented in connection with little rapture schemes concerning the end times. It is said that Rosh HaShanah represents the Rapture and many even teach that the Rapture will actually occur on that feast day. This unfortunately does not appreciate the role the feasts have in Israel’s program, nor does it do service to us as members of the Body of Christ. It also contributes to an actual lack of appreciation concerning what the Scriptures teach about the return of Christ, the mystery of Christ and the “pre-tribulation” Rapture. It is a failure to “rightly divide the word of truth” which leads to teaching that blurs our program and the ministry of the Apostle of the Gentiles with the twelve apostles and the “ministry of the circumcision” and this blurring inevitably leads to positions such as the pre-wrath Rapture and teachings of a similar ilk.
Furthermore, even amongst Dispensationalists, there is often only a superficial understanding of Israel in God’s dealings and His program with them. Many fail to appreciate just how “unnatural” the current situation is (Romans 9;10;11). It is the temporary suspension of Israel’s program which defines the time we currently live in. Then of course there are those theological systems which have basically declared an all-out assault on Israel and God’s program with them.
A literal approach to Scripture, however, and an understanding of Pauline truth appreciates that God’s purposes and glory for this earth are tied to Israel and the majority of His book is devoted to that issue of her “calling” and “election” in accordance with the purpose of His will. To take away Israel’s future glory therefore is to take away glory from God. Unfortunately, those of all different theological persuasions often fail to appreciate that the Lord in His earthly ministry was the “minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Romans 15:8), and the significance that has in Israel’s program. Only when that is appreciated will the student of Scripture truly understand the “mystery of Christ”, the Body of Christ, the Apostle of the Gentiles and the program and body of doctrine communicated through his ministry.
Appointed pursues a very literal approach in examining the doctrine of the fall feasts, building upon the foundation of the fulfilment of the spring feasts and the precedent they set for that which is yet to come. It sets forth a very detailed time schedule for the unfolding of eschatological events, but at the same time appreciates the doctrines concerning the Dispensation we currently live in and what is not going on today in God’s dealings with this earth.
However, while the fall feasts are the main focus, Appointed deals with the entire picture presented in the Bible from beginning to end. It deals with the totality of eschatological events and deals with subjects such as the Antichrist, Israel, Iraq and Babylon, the book of Daniel, the book of The Revelation, Gog and Magog, the ten horns of the beast, the Rapture question and its timing, pre-millennialism, dispensationalism, the tribulation, creation, etc.
To simply study “eschatology” just doesn’t cut it and will only lead to a superficial understanding at best. All the doctrines are connected and one needs to understand why certain events are happening and where they fit into the larger framework. Thus, when you truly understand God’s program with Israel, you will not fall prey to various errors when studying and applying various doctrines. God has designed His Word to work in a very particular way and it is not meant to confuse, but rather to remove confusion and bring about understanding concerning what He is doing and why.
With that in mind, Appointed presents a complete picture of Biblical prophecy and eschatology by appreciating the role that end time events will play and the connection they have to God’s purposes in creation. In other words, it is about appreciating God as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, and how that is manifested in His Word from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible is written by the one who declares Himself to be Jehovah, the Eternal One, the only one who knows the end from the beginning. When you understand the larger framework, the host of details then begin to fall into place. When you have been following the doctrine as God presents it, you expect to see some things as you progress on and you know who those ten horns of the beast are and why, why Babylon shows up again, etc.
More than simply being a book on prophecy or eschatology, Appointed is part of a larger ministry which seeks to communicate and show the saints why God tells you what He does where He does and giving Bible believers an understanding of the outworking of God’s plans and purposes in the affairs of men. “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).
Our “calling” (Ephesians 4:1-6;Colossians 3:15) as that “one new man” is to make known God’s great Mystery and the glory of His formerly secret purpose “in Christ” which He has now made known and is fulfilling today in light of Israel’s program being temporarily suspended. To that end, it is our job as ambassadors to be witnesses in this world and testify to these facts. When we are faithful in our commission, our designed impact is not merely on men and women in this world (Ephesians 3:9), but also on the “principalities and powers in heavenly places” in accordance with our “vocation” and future (Ephesians 3:10; 1:3,9,10,18-23; Colossians 1:16-29; 1Corinthians 2:6-10).
We are to preach and teach all that is connected with “…the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25). “Godly edifying which is in faith” is what will take place when God’s saints are faithful and “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Timothy 2:15). This is what will bring about an understanding of what has happened, what is happening, what will yet happen and why. It is then that the saints appreciate that the Bible records the “time past” of God’s dealings, the “but now” of God’s dealings and the “to come ” of God’s dealings.
It is God’s desire, and ours, that you be built up in this truth and enjoy the fulness of who God has made you to be as a member of His “one new man” and partaker of His great Mystery! God wants you to know some things and experience the power that He has designed to work in your inner man through the process of edification. Let us fulfil the very great privilege we have of being His ambassadors and join God in making these things known.
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Ephesians 1:17-19).
“And 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” (Ephesians 3:9).
“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19,20).
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).
“…the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1Thessalonians 2:13).
“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” (Romans 16:25).
