The Word of God
A Picture of Scripture
We augment this bible study with ‘pictures’ that, Spirit permitting, may lead some into a deeper understanding of His Word.
All images are part of our Word-Reference diagram which is designed to keep us oriented as we navigate scripture.
2. "S" SEEDS
7. "K" KINGDOM
(planned for June 2025)
We start with an “overview” of each topic, and then “examine” the topic as the study becomes available.
The four “S” truths grouped together are closely related to each other. This will become clear as we complete the “S” section.
1. Sovereignty
Sovereignty (overview)
Being sovereign over a domain means to have all control, all power, and all authority over that domain.
God is the Creator of everything and therefore God is sovereign over everything in His Creation. God is the Potter and we are the clay, so it should not surprise us that He says in the book of Isaiah:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
The truth of God’s sovereignty is not so difficult to understand in our mind, however it may be more difficult to believe or trust in our heart.
Thankfully the Word strongly encourages us to ASK the Father, at any time, on any topic for His help!
2. Seeds
Seeds (overview)
Who are “we”? The Word says that “we” were foreknown before the foundation of the earth, but gives no indication that we were in a body.
Currently our spirit, or “seed” occupies a temporary body that Paul calls a “tent.” And Paul goes on to say that we “groan” in this tent. If we examine 2Cor 5:1-10 we will see this, and other important biblical truths.
Therefore, at the moment, “we” are flesh and spirit. And scripture indicates that in addition to flesh and spirit “we” are also heart, mind, and soul which, unlike our flesh, remain part of “us” in the Kingdom. We will examine that further.
As we understand this we can make sense of scripture such as 1John 3:9 which says, “Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Who is the “anyone born of God” that John mentions? He is speaking of the spirit in us, and not of our flesh, since clearly we sin often in our flesh. But the spirit in us now refuses to practice sin, and is indeed unable to sin because it is God’s perfect spirit that is in us, and God does not sin.
3. Salvation
Salvation (overview)
A "believer" or "Christian" refers to salvation and is defined in His Word:
"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Scripture says that when we make a genuine confession of faith, we are saved. So we confess, and we are saved.
This seems straightforward and yet, concerning this important truth there is a divide among believers. The discussion centers on the question, “Did God choose me, or did I choose God?”
Perhaps we all begin our new life in Christ believing that we chose God, and if so, this is understandable because Paul, speaking of unbelievers, the “natural man” says:
“The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor 2:14
When we first come to faith we have little or no “spiritual discernment” so we naturally assume that salvation was our choice, a decision of our own freewill.
Now, as believers, we can prayerfully examine His Word, and if the spirit permits, we should have a full understanding of this foundational “S” truth.
If you would like to get a “jump start” on this study we suggest that you review VBVMI study Ephesians lesson 1C.
Let’s see what the Word has to say.
Examine Salvation (coming soon)
4. Sanctification
Sanctification (overview)
The last of the four “S” truths is the process of our sanctification. We inherited “sin” from Adam. Thankfully we, as believers, have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Our sanctification process can be described as the battle between the perfect spirit given to us, and our sinful flesh. And this is the spiritual battle of our lifetime. For the brief time that we are in the flesh we have an opportunity to reflect God’s glory, as his workmanship, while we face trials and tribulation.
During our time in the flesh, the choices we make (freewill) will be rewarded, or recompensed, according to what we have done with what we have been given. And there are Kingdom consequences.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
2 Cor 5:10
Examine Sanctification (coming soon)
5. "R" Resurrection or Rapture
Resurrection (overview)
Make note of the "Church Age" and the "R" on the Word-Reference diagram
Our resurrection, or “the coming of the Lord” can be confused with “Christ’s 2nd Coming”, or the “Day of the Lord”. Christ’s 2nd Coming occurs at the end of Tribulation when He conquers, and then reigns on the earth for 1,000 years in His Kingdom.
At our resurrection, or the “coming of the Lord”, Christ does not come to the earth to get us, but rather we meet Him “in the clouds”.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” 1Th 4:16 (ESV)
The "rapture" is part of the resurrection with a distinction. As noted in the verse above, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” The distinction is that many saints will still be alive at the resurrection. The very next verse explains what happens next.
“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Th 4:17 (ESV)
When Christ comes back to resurrect His Bride, every saint who is still alive at that time will be directly "caught up" or raptured, perhaps in a similar manner as Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).
Some scholars believe that this resurrection moment is only for the “Church” saints, and they remain divided concerning the timing of the resurrection of Old Testament saints. We will examine this carefully.
Examine the Resurrection (coming soon)
Consideration
Make note of "???" on the Word-Reference diagram between the "R" and the "T".
It’s interesting to note that there is no specific time interval between the “R” and “T.” We could speculate that the resurrection of the Church, which removes the “righteous” men and women from the earth, may greatly accelerate events into Tribulation.
In Revelation 7:9 we read that “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” have come to faith after the resurrection and into Tribulation. These men and women are referred to as “Tribulation saints" and they, along with the "Old Testament saints", are "blessed" and are "invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." The Church saints are not on the “invited guests” list because the Bride doesn’t invite herself to her own wedding.
6. "T" Tribulation, 7 years
Tribulation (overview)
Make note of the "Age of the Gentiles" and the "T" on the Word-Reference diagram
The purpose of Tribulation is primarily to account for Israel's sins under the terms of the Old Covenant, and it also serves to usher in the 1000 year Kingdom. The start of the seven year period of Tribulation begins the moment that Israel signs a covenant with the Antichrist bringing “peace” and allowing the Jews to make sacrifices in a temple of their own. Halfway into the seven years the Antichrist will break the peace covenant with Israel and will commit “the abomination of desolation” and much more.
Examine Tribulation (coming soon)
Wait a Little Longer?
Make note of "??????" on the Word-Reference diagram between the "T" and the "K".
What does this time period represent? The answer is found in Daniel 12:11-12, and the answer is 75 days (30 days + 45 days). But why? What does it mean? We will explore this in detail later in our study. Meanwhile, remember that we can use the Resources page to navigate to VBVMI for many good lessons, such as Revelation Lesson 20A, or simply click on this link VBVMI REV Lesson 20A and watch, read, or listen to Stephen Armstrong give a thorough explanation about these 75 days.
Examine "??????" (coming soon)
7. "K" Kingdom, 1000 years
Kingdom (overview)
Make note of "K" on the Word-Reference diagram
The Kingdom is established on this renewed earth after Christ's 2nd Coming, at the end of Tribulation. Satan is bound up for 1000 years “then he must be released for a little while.”
Time still exists, and sin still exists but is tightly controlled as Jesus rules from His throne in the temple during the 1,000 year Kingdom period. During this period God still inhabits Eternity.
Details of the Kingdom come mostly from the Old Testament prophets. Ezekiel, in chapters 40-48, offers a detailed description of the 1,000 year Kingdom and operation. Please note that to date we have seen no such place on earth.
Examine the Kingdom (coming soon)
8. "H" Father's House, Throne
Father's House, Throne (overview)
Make note of "H" on the Word-Reference diagram
This is where God dwells, in Eternity. Scripture also refers to this place as “the third heaven”, and “paradise” in 2Cor 12:2-4. This is the place that God “foreknew us before the foundation of the earth”. We were then predestined, and chosen as His seed, “the sons of the Kingdom” and placed here in His creation, Earth.
In Revelation 21 and 22 The Word of God gives specific detail of this “new heaven and new earth” which should not be confused with the 1,000 year Kingdom.
At the end of the 1,000 year Kingdom we return to Eternity to live forever in the Father’s House.
Examine Father's House (coming soon)