Understanding Scripture: A Clear and Faithful Approach

To rightly understand the Bible, we must approach it with reverence and diligence as God’s inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The apostle Paul instructed Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

“Rightly dividing” means handling Scripture accurately by recognizing the distinct ways God has revealed himself to mankind throughout history what we call dispensations. These are different administrations or stewardships in which God tests man under varying responsibilities, while His ultimate purpose remains His own glory.

2 Timothy 3:16 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

He goal to studying the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of God. 

I. God has different instructions for different people at different times to decide the different locations where they’ll spend eternity.

Different = Division

God Deals with Location outlined in His Word:  

Colossians 1:16

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that

are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Isaiah 65:17 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.The former things

will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven

and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea

II. God has different instructions for different people at different times to decide the different locations where they’ll spend eternity.

God Deals With Time as outlined in scripture:

III. God has different instructions for different people at different times to decide the different locations where they’ll spend eternity.

God deals with people as outlined in scripture:

IV. God has different instructions for different people at different times to decide the different locations where they’ll spend eternity.

God Deals with His Word as outlined in scripture:

Why is it important to make these distinctions?

It is important to make these distinctions because God commanded us to do so if we are going to understand his word, preach his word and run our race lawfully to obtain crown.

The Prophetic Program Judgment – Tribulation/ Second Coming of Christ

The Mystery Program Judgment – Caught Up (Rapture)/ Judgment Seat of ChrisThe Mysteries

• Mystery of Israel’s Blindness – Romans 11:25
• The Hidden Mystery – I Corinthians 2:7-9
• The Mystery of the Resurrection – I Corinthians 15:51
• The Mystery of The Body of Christ – Ephesians 5:32
• The Mystery of Godliness – I Timothy 3:16
• The Mystery of Iniquity – 2 Thessalonians 2:7
• The Mystery of Faith – I Timothy 3:9
• The Mystery of The Godhead Colossians 2:2-3
• Basic Distinctions Between

Prophecy and The Mystery

• Prophecy
• 1. Concerns a kingdom; a political organization
• (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 6:10).
• 2. The kingdom to be established on earth (Jer.
• 23:5; Matt. 6:10).
• 3. Christ to be its King (Jer. 23:5; Isa. 9:6,7).
• 4. The kingdom prophesied “since the world
• began”
• (Luke 1:68-70; Acts 3:21).
• 5. Israel to be given supremacy over the nations
• (Isa. 60:10-12; 61:6).
• 6. The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s
• instrumentality (Gen. 22:17,18; Zech. 8:13).
• 7. The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s rise
• (Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:22,23).

The Mystery

• 1. Concerns a body; a living organism (I Cor.
• 12:12,27; Eph. 4:12-16).
• 2. The body given a position in heaven (Eph. 1:3;
• 2:5-6; Col. 3:1-3).
• 3. Christ its living Head (Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 1:18).
• 4. The body chosen in Christ before the world be-
• gan, but “kept secret since the world began” (Rom.
• 16:25; Eph. 1:4-11; 3:5-9).
• 5. Jew and Gentile placed on the same level before
• god (Rom. 10:12; 11:32; Eph. 2:16,17).
• 6. The Gentiles blessed through Israel’s obstinacy
• (Acts 13:44-46; Rom. 11:28-32).
• 7. The Gentiles blessed through Israel’s fall (Acts
• 28:27,28; Rom. 11:11,12,15).

Understanding the Scriptures is one of the most important pursuits in the Christian life. From a dispensational, Bible-believing, King James Version perspective, it is not optional — it is essential for knowing God, living rightly in the current dispensation of grace, avoiding error, and fulfilling God’s purpose for us.

Here are the key biblical reasons why it matters so much:

1. Scripture Is God-Breathed and Sufficient for Every Need

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

Paul emphasized this because the Bible is not a human book of opinions. It is the very breath of God. Without understanding it, we remain spiritually unequipped for life, ministry, trials, and the challenges of our day. Proper understanding makes us complete and ready for every good work God has for us right now.

2. We Are Commanded to “Rightly Divide” the Word

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Understanding the Scriptures requires diligence and the skill of rightly dividing — recognizing the distinctions God placed in His Word. This includes the difference between:

• Prophecy (God’s program for Israel and the earthly kingdom, spoken since the world began — Acts 3:21)
• The Mystery (the revelation of the Church as one Body of Jew and Gentile, hidden in God and revealed through Paul — Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:25-27; Romans 16:25-26)

Without this understanding, believers mix law and grace, confuse Israel with the Church, and misapply passages meant for other dispensations. Rightly dividing keeps us from confusion and helps us know exactly what God expects of us in the Church Age.

3. It Prevents Error and Spiritual Weakness

Many false teachings, cultural compromises, and modern doubts arise because people do not understand Scripture in its literal, grammatical-historical sense or in its proper dispensational context. Understanding the Bible protects us from being “tossed to and fro… with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). It equips us to defend the faith (apologetics) and stand firm in perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1).

4. It Leads to Godly Living and Eternal Rewards

Understanding Scripture is the pathway to:

• Knowing Christ personally
• Growing in holiness and separation from the world
• Running the Christian race with purpose so that we “may obtain” the crowns of reward (1 Corinthians 9:24; see your book Run That Ye May Obtain)

Joshua 1:8 ties meditation and obedience to God’s Word with “good success.” In our dispensation, this success is spiritual fruitfulness, faithfulness, and hearing “Well done” at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

5. It Reveals God’s Glory and His Plan for the Ages

The ultimate purpose of Scripture is to display the glory of God through His redemptive plan including salvation by grace through faith, the distinct calling of the Church, Israel’s future restoration, and the soon return of Christ. Understanding these truths gives us hope, urgency in outreach, and clarity that the Bible is not an archaic book but relevant truth for the Now.

A Closing Word for Scripture Now

This is why Scripture Now exists: to help people understand, defend, and apply every letter of the King James Bible from a dispensational standpoint. When we understand the Scriptures correctly, we are equipped to know God, live for Him, reach others with the gospel, and prepare for eternity.

The Bible is not just important — it is indispensable. As believers, we must study it, meditate on it day and night, and obey it so we can be thoroughly furnished for the days in which we live.