Bible Student’s Resource Index

The heaven ly sphere is that of the “New Jerusalem” “descending out of Heaven from God” (Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 10), and is for all of those who are “of the faith of Abraham” (Romans 4:16) – those who are “Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). These are those who among Israel and the Nations who have their “calling” of hope prior to Acts 28.   This election makes them “partakers of a heaven ly calling” (Hebrews 3:1). Like their spiritual father, Abraham, they “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10; cf. 12:22-23).   The New Jerusalem will be the administrative capital of Israel’s worldwide Kingdom on Earth (Zechariah 14:16-17). This is the sphere of Abraham’s spiritual seed, which included believing Gentiles during the Acts Period (Galatians 3:29). Unlike the “meek” and “good” among Israel and the Nations who will “inherit the Earth” (Matthew 5:5), these have been granted the...

The term “Acts period” is a reference that time-period covered by the events of the book of Acts. It begins at Pentecost and ends with Paul at Rome. This period is the “ blade ” and “ ear ” stage of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:26-29) Book Recourse:  The Acts Dispensation , Otis Q. Sellers, Bible Student’s Press

Parousia ( παρουσι ́ α  G3952 , SEC ) at its base means “ personal presence, ” and is used for the official presence of Christ on Earth as manifest during the Millennial Kingdom. The Parousia is initiated by Christ’s Second Advent. Thus, it is translated: “ c oming ” ( KJV ), “ arrival ” ( Moffatt; Analytical-Literal ), and “ presence” ( Concordant; Diaglott; Rotherham; Young ). The Parousia is central to the Messianic prophecies and Israel’s ultimate hope. However, the Parousia is not the hope of the One Body, and therefore the word “ parousia” is not found in Ephesians or Colossians, the epistles of the Secret Administration. Our hope is our joint-appearing with Christ in Glory, “ far above all Heavens ” (i.e., among the Celestials in the Super-Heavens – Colossians 3:1-4; c.f., Ephesians 4:10).   “When we think of the Lord Jesus Christ returning to this Earth, we think of it as Him  Coming  to take His place as King. The normal word ( Greek, erchomai ) j...

Fall of Israel in the Book of Acts In the book of Acts there was a threefold digression of Israel’s apostasy, which in turn resulted in the threefold progression of Paul’s ministry   – turning, going, sending: “ we turn to the Gentiles ” “ henceforth I will go to the Gentiles ” “ the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles .” Notice these three stages unfolded in their contexts: “… seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles ” (Acts 13:46). “… when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles ” (Acts 18:6).  “… And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,  s aying , ‘ Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand...

Hope of Israel “ The Hope of Israel ” concerns the coming physical, literal kingdom reign of Jesus the Messiah over a resurrected Israel (nation), in fulfillment of the prophesied Davidic (king) and Palestinian (land) covenants. This is yet future and is foretold throughout the Old Testament, the Gospels, Acts, New Testament Jewish Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. By contrast, our hope today, under the Secret Administration is a joint-appearing with Christ in Glory, “ far above all Heavens ” (i.e., among the Celestials in the Super-Heavens – Colossians 3:1-4; c.f., Ephesians 4:10). Book Reourcses: Hope , Charles H. Welch, Bible Student's Press   The Hope of Paul’s Acts Epistles , Tom L. Ballinger,    Bible Student's Press

Paul’s Gospel    Paul’s “my gospel” is the premier evangel concerning Christ’s grand work at Calvary. It is a glorious revelation that began being declared at his divine separation in Acts 13. This gospel continues to this day. Thus, Paul’s gospel spans both a portion of the Pentecostal Administration (from Acts 13-28) and all of the Secret Administration. Additionally, Paul’s gospel – “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) – will ultimately be the future basis of God’s worldwide judgement (Romans 2:16), which will be the setting of all things right – the correction of everything. It must be remembered that “gospels” and “administrations” are not the same thing, so it should almost go without saying that there is a difference between Paul’s Gospel and the Secret Administration – one is a gospel; the other is an administration. Some of the most advanced students of Scripture have failed to make this clear distinction. This failure to “ rightly divide ” between the tw...

Kingdom of the Heavens The coming Kingdom Administration begins with the Pre-Millennial (“ the Kingdom of the Heavens, ” including the full Seventy-Sevens of Daniel). God is always absolutely sovereign over the affairs of man. This truth is hidden from the perception of mankind during “ Man’s Day .” But beginning with the “ Day of Christ ” this absolute sovereignty will be made abundantly manifest .  This phase of the prophetic phase will last between 500-700 years, depending on how one approaches the passages. If considering the 700-year period, 33 of these years have already taken place during the Acts period, as “ the blade ” stage the Kingdom (Mark 4:26-29). For more information of the 700-year period see,