Part 1 - The Two Overarching Programs of God

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Prophetic Program and The Mystery Program.

A 6-Part Study Series

This series is to explain God’s Two Great Overarching Plans …

concerning the Nation Israel and “the church, the body of Christ.”

Part 1 –  The Two Overarching Programs of God

When I and other ‘right dividers of the word of truth’ (cf. 2Tim. 2:15) write concerning the truths applicable to us during the grace age that we live in today, you likely find us referring to “The Prophetic Program” and/or “The Mystery Program.” This paper is to explain exactly what is meant by the terms “The Prophetic Program” and “The Mystery Program.”

The word “prophecy” and the phrase “the mystery” (which means ‘the God ordained secret plan’) are Bible words. The word ‘program’ is defined as “a planned series of future events,” while not Biblical the word “program’ has been used to explain God’s two plans… applying to His two people groups.

First, we must understand that our Sovereign Lord, the God of the Bible does not operate impulsively, randomly, or carelessly. He behaves according to His great thought and careful planning… that He then executes methodically. The Bible confirms this at every turn.

The Lord’s planned dealings with mankind can be organized into two distinctly different programs. These two programs of God are similar in some ways, but as we will see, they very different in other ways.

  • These programs are as different as Israel’s “Law” requirement is different … from Paul’s “Grace and faith” alone requirement for salvation.
  • And, as different as Israel’s required ‘good works’ to earn and keep salvation (Jas. 2:10, 14, 17, 20) is different … from the Gentiles ‘receiving the free gift of salvation and all blessings in “Christ” by grace through FAITH Alone in Christ Alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

Whether the Prophetic program or Paul’s Mystery program… in our Bibles we see that God has provided a prearranged body of information, which He ‘reveals’; at the appropriate time… to specific people concerning the truths of the program at hand, truths that are to be believed and to be acted upon.

  • For Israel, the time and information came through Moses Law but Israel did not believe.
  • For us, the time and information came through Paul for us to believe.
  • According to the grace of God which is given unto me (Paul), as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon… (1 Cor. 3:10)

Paul is to “the Church, which is His body”… as Moses was to the Nation Israel.