𝗚𝗢𝗗’𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 — 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗗

GOD’S TIMELINE — RIGHTLY DIVIDED

Understanding Time Past, But Now, and the Ages to Come

INTRODUCTION

One of the clearest keys to Bible understanding is found in Ephesians 2, where Paul divides God’s plan into three distinct time frames:

TIME PAST — God’s prophetic program with Israel

BUT NOW — God’s mystery program for the Body of Christ

AGES TO COME — God’s future resumption of prophecy

Confusion comes when believers mix these programs. Clarity comes when we rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15). This outline will walk through God’s timeline and show where we are today, what applies to us, and what is yet to come.

1. THE PROPHETIC PERIOD — TIME PAST

(Ephesians 2:11–12)

A. Separated Gentiles — “Without Christ… strangers from the covenants”

(Eph. 2:12)

B. Sacred Covenants — God dealt nationally with Israel

(Rom. 9:4–5)

C. Scriptural Prophecy — Law and prophets governed the program

(Luke 24:44)

2. THE PROMISED PEOPLE — ISRAEL ALONE

(Amos 3:2)

A. Chosen Nation — Israel uniquely known by God

(Deut. 7:6)

B. Covenant Blessings — Conditional on obedience

(Deut. 28)

C. Coming Kingdom — Earthly reign promised

(Isa. 9:6–7)

3. THE PROCLAIMED MESSAGE — KINGDOM GOSPEL

(Matthew 4:17)

A. Repentance Required — Israel must repent nationally

(Acts 3:19)

B. Righteousness Required — Law-based obedience

(Matt. 5:20)

C. Royal Expectation — Kingdom “at hand”

(Mark 1:14–15)

4. THE PAULINE PAUSE — BUT NOW

(Ephesians 2:13)

A. Blood-Bought Access — Gentiles made nigh by Christ’s blood

(Eph. 2:13)

B. Barrier Broken — Middle wall removed

(Eph. 2:14)

C. Brand-New Program — Not foretold in prophecy

(Rom. 16:25)

5. THE PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN — MYSTERY REVEALED

(Ephesians 3:3–5)

A. Secret Concealed — Hidden from ages past

(Eph. 3:9)

B. Special Revelation — Given only to Paul

(Gal. 1:11–12)

C. Shared Equality — Jew and Gentile one body

(Eph. 3:6)

6. THE PRESENT PROGRAM — GOSPEL OF GRACE

(1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

A. Finished Faith — How Christ died, was buried, rose again

(1 Cor. 15:3–4)

B. Free Forgiveness — Salvation without works

(Eph. 2:8–9)

C. Firm Foundation — Justified by faith alone

(Rom. 5:1)

7. THE POSITIONAL PEOPLE — THE BODY OF CHRIST

(Ephesians 2:15–16)

A. One New Man — Not Israel, not Gentile

(Eph. 2:15)

B. Heavenly Hope — Citizenship in heaven

(Phil. 3:20)

C. Holy Sealing — Secure until redemption

(Eph. 1:13–14)

8. THE PROPHETIC RESUMPTION — AGES TO COME

(Ephesians 2:7)

A. Rapture Removal — Body caught up to heaven

(1 Thess. 4:16–17)

B. Restored Prophecy — God resumes Israel’s program

(Dan. 9:27)

C. Reigning Kingdom — Christ reigns on earth

(Rev. 20:4)

9. THE PERMANENT PURPOSE — ETERNAL GLORY

(Ephesians 2:7)

A. Displayed Grace — Riches of His grace revealed

(Eph. 2:7)

B. Distinct Destinies — Body in heaven, Israel on earth

(Rev. 21; Rev. 20)

C. Deathless Peace — Everlasting kingdom secured

(Rev. 21:4)

CONCLUSION

The Bible is not confusing—it is divided.
When we fail to divide it, we mix law and grace, prophecy and mystery, Israel and the Church.

But when we rightly divide:
Salvation becomes clear
Doctrine becomes consistent
God’s plan becomes glorious

Romans to Philemon is our doctrine today.

CALL TO ACTION

Study Right Division — Know where you are in God’s timeline
Stand in Grace — Trust Christ’s finished work alone
Share the Mystery — Proclaim the gospel of grace boldly

FINAL THOUGHTS

Time Past = Prophecy and Israel
But Now = Mystery and the Body of Christ
Ages to Come = Kingdom and Eternal Glory