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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”
Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively. Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior. Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This webpage could be periodically updated. If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated. Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.
Below are links related to archived copies of this webpage.
archive.is/John314-16.com/Galatians_3-28_and_the_Other_Verses_of_Galatians_3.html
archive.ph/John314-16.com/Galatians_3-28_and_the_Other_Verses_of_Galatians_3.html
web.archive.org/*/John314-16.com/Galatians_3-28_and_the_Other_Verses_of_Galatians_3.html
Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.
When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:
“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Note: The heart refers to the mind.
It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:
“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”
It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”
A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned. In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher. Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:
If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship: whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.
Note: Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites. Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM]. The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges. The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity. The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness. In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human. When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god. Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.
The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind. In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests. The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:
Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession. Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram. Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.
The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:
Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. Also, it is still much more evident: that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life. Indeed, it is attested: “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
Note: The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah. Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body. The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.
Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest. In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family. Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:
However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE. You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Note: Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people. In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people. The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23. In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.
Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Put succinctly: itʼs the message rather than the messenger. In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
*Note: The word says is in the Greek historical present tense. By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.
Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated. That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:
The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.
Note: The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”
Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday. The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies. Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies. It is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur. The Feast of Trumpets was one of the seven feasts that the Israelites were supposed to celebrate each year under the regulations of the Mosaic Law. The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites. Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law. The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law by being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Mosaic Law, no believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are under the regulations of the Mosaic Law.
While it is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur—which is referenced as a single day in Leviticus 23:24–25 and Numbers 29:1–6 and which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during the time period of September 10th, 2026, at 11:51 A.M. – September 14th, 2026, at 1:08 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone or the time period of October 10th, 2026, at 11:13 A.M. – October 14th, 2026, at 12:29 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur during a time other than the time of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur during the time of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah, one can be prepared for that time because of already being in the habit of being prepared. Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life. Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.
Whether the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah in 2026 would occur during September or October depends on whether barley crop in Israel in 2026 was first in a status known as abib [ah-BEEB] (also known as aviv [ah-VEEV]) in March or April, respectively. Also, if barley crop in Israel in 2026 was first in a status known as abib/aviv in February, then the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would have occurred during the time period of August 12th, 2026, at 12:25 P.M. – August 16th, 2026, at 1:49 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone. On which day and at what time in August, September, or October the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would start depends on the time of the last sunset over Jerusalem before the first sliver of a crescent new moon after that sunset. The crescent new moon is the illumination of a sliver of the waxing moon. The moon is waxing when it is becoming more and more illuminated after what some people refer to as the astronomical new moon, the time when there is an absence of illumination of the moon—in other words, when there is an absence of reflection of light from the moon. On which day and at what time in August, September, or October the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would end depends on whether the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah lasts one day or two days and whether the time of day of the end of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah is at sunset, at the end of civil twilight, at the end of nautical twilight, or at the end of astronomical twilight.
Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation. The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic. In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober. Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Note: In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent. In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context. Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!” In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness. The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture. In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation. Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.
The verse of the day for August 29th is Galatians 3:28. The title of the book Galatians [guh-LAY-shuhnz] is also known as “The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians” and “The Letter of Paul to the Galatians.” Galatians was a letter written by the apostle Paul to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who were located in Galatia [guh-LAY-shuh or guh-LAY-shee-uh], which was a province of the Roman Empire.
The capital city of the Roman Empire was the city Rome. The word Rome can be used to refer to the city Rome, to the kingdom of which that city was the capital, to the republic of which that city was the capital, or to the empire of which that city was the capital. The settlement that became the city Rome was founded in the 700s B.C. Rome eventually became a kingdom. That kingdom is known as the Roman Kingdom. Then Rome became a republic. That republic is known as the Roman Republic. After that, Rome became an empire. That empire is known as the Roman Empire.
Below is a link to a map that shows the location of Galatia. The map also shows the locations of the seven churches of Revelation. The key for that map is located in grid coordinates B3 and C3. Galatia is located in grid coordinates C1 and C2.
https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/nt2.jpg
If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.
https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/nt2.jpg
Below is a link to a map that shows the location of the capital city Rome. Jerusalem is also on the map. At the time that the apostle Paul wrote the book Galatians, Jerusalem was under the control of the Roman Empire. At that time, it was within the Roman province of Judea [joo-DEE-uh or joo-DAY-uh]. The word Judea can also be spelled Judaea or Judæa. The character æ is a ligature [LIG-uh-chuhr or LIG-uh-choor] of a and e. Before the Romans conquered the region known as Judea, the name of the country of the Jewish people was Judah. The inhabitants of Judah can be referred to as Judahites [JOO-duh-ights]. The inhabitants of Judea can be referred to as Judeans [joo-DEE-uhnz or joo-DAY-uhnz].
https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/45Rom-1.jpg
It is worth noting that the New Testament was written in Koine [KOI-nay] Greek. Koine Greek was the lingua franca [LING-gwuh FRANG-kuh] of the Roman Empire at the time that the New Testament was written. A lingua franca is common language used as a means of communication by speakers of different languages. For many people today, English is a lingua franca. In the Roman Empire at the time that the New Testament was written, even though Latin had been the language of Rome for quite some time and continued to be so, many people within the Roman Empire communicated with each other by means of Koine Greek.
Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Galatians 3.
Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who has fascinated you by false representation / bewitched you / charmed you / exercised evil power over you like by means of using an evil eye to cause harm to you / exercised evil power over you like by means of casting an evil spell upon you / exercised evil power over you like by means of putting you under a spell so that you can no longer think rationally / spellbound you / captivated you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly described / placarded / conspicuously set forth / publicly announced crucified?
Note: The phrase before whose eyes is a metaphorical reference to perceiving. Based on what had been described to the Galatians, they had perceived that the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. After those Galatians had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, some people had been trying to get those Galatians to adhere to the regulations of the Mosaic Law. The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites. Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law.
When the Lord was judged for the sins of humanity, He fulfilled the Mosaic Law. After the Lord was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights. He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected. He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred. The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age. The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē]. That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.” Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected. In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected. In the Church Age, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not under the regulations of the Mosaic Law.
Galatian believers had been led astray from the Word of God. Regarding Galatian believers having been led astray, they were behaving as though someone had some sort of evil power over them. In that regard, the Koine Greek verb that is translated as “fascinated you by false representation,” “bewitched you,” “charmed you,” “exercised evil power over you like by means of using an evil eye to cause harm to you,” “exercised evil power over you like by means of casting an evil spell upon you,” “exercised evil power over you like by means of putting you under a spell so that you can no longer think rationally,” “spellbound you,” and “captivated you” is ἐβάσκανεν [pronounced eh-BAH-skah-nehn and transliterated as ebaskanen]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word βασκαίνω [pronounced bah-SKIGH-noh and transliterated as baskainō]. The word baskainō appears only once in the New Testament.
Regarding the part of this verse that references the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ having been communicated to the Galatian believers, the Koine Greek verb that is translated as “publicly described,” “placarded,” “conspicuously set forth,” and “publicly announced” in this verse is προεγράφη [pronounced prah-eh-GRAH-fay and transliterated as proegraphē]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word προγράφω [pronounced prah-GRAH-foh and transliterated as prographō]. Also, regarding the English verb placard, that verb refers to displaying a sign or notice in a public place. The noun placard can be used to refer to such a sign or notice.
Galatians 3:2
This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of law or by the hearing of faith?
Note: In Galatians 3:2, the word law refers to the Mosaic Law. Also, the word Spirit refers to God the Holy Spirit. During the Church Age, all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit and initially—at the moment of salvation—filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit. In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.
In Galatians 3:2, Paul uses a rhetorical question to indicate something. In using a rhetorical question in this verse, Paul indicates that Church Age believers receive the Holy Spirit by means of faith that the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. In that regard, the phrase hearing of faith in this verse refers to a person, after having heard that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior, then having faith that the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Savior.
Regarding ages, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations. In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn]. This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity. The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis]. After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights. He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected. He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred. The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age. The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē]. That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.” Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected. In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected. The Church Age will end with the Rapture. The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies. Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies. Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur—which is referenced as a single day in Leviticus 23:24–25 and Numbers 29:1–6 and which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during the time period of September 10th, 2026, at 11:51 A.M. – September 14th, 2026, at 1:08 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone or the time period of October 10th, 2026, at 11:13 A.M. – October 14th, 2026, at 12:29 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone.
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Dispensation |
Start |
Ending or Interruption |
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Age of the Gentiles |
Adam |
The Age of the Gentiles ended with the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. |
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Age of Israel |
Exodus |
The Age of Israel was interrupted on the Day of Pentecost. |
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Age of the Hypostatic Union (part of the Age of Israel) |
First Advent of Christ |
The Age of the Hypostatic Union ended with the Ascension of Christ. |
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Church Age |
Day of Pentecost |
The Church Age will end with the Rapture of the Church. |
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Tribulation (Age of Israel resumed) |
Rapture |
The Tribulation will end with the Second Advent of Christ. |
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Millennium |
Second Advent |
The 1,000-year Millennium will end with the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers. |
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Eternal State |
Great White Throne Judgment |
The Eternal State will be never-ending. |
Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m. In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word. The formation of the word judgment is shown below.
judge −e +ment
= judg +ment
= judgment
Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations. Civilizations begin only with believers. Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood). That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization. In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.” Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood. Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.
After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth: Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives. With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started. That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization). Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.” Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood. Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial. The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth. Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood. This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent. The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.
Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire. That civilization is called the Millennium. The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation. The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.
Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Note: In this verse, the word Spirit refers to God the Holy Spirit. The reference to flesh in this verse is a reference to the old sin nature (OSN). Every human except the Lord Jesus Christ has acquired an old sin nature, and each humanʼs old sin nature is in the body of that human. The old sin nature, which is referenced in Ephesians 4:22 with the term old man, can also be referred to as the sin nature. It is also referenced using the word flesh in Ephesians 2:3 and Galatians 5:16. The content of Romans 6:6 associates the sin nature with peopleʼs bodies, and the content of Romans 7:17–18 references the sin nature being in peopleʼs bodies. Adam and Ishshah [ish-SHAW] (the name of Eve before Adam renamed her Eve) were created without old sin natures, and they acquired old sin natures when they sinned. All other human beings have been conceived. Only the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived without an old sin nature. All the other humans that were conceived have been conceived with old sin natures. Likewise, all humans in the future will be conceived, and the conceiving of each of them will involve each of them receiving an old sin nature at the moment that each of them will be conceived.
At the moment that a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, God the Holy Spirit frees that believing person from the influence of the old sin nature. The moment that that believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is controlled by that believerʼs old sin nature, that believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity, and that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit. In order for that believer to once again be free from influence of the old sin nature, that believer needs to confess/acknowledge to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins. As mentioned in the notes for verse 2, after a believer has confessed/acknowledged all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins to God the Father, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.
With regard to being in fellowship or out of fellowship with the Trinity, it is useful to use the term status quo [STAT-uhs kwoh or STAY-tuhs kwoh], which means “existing condition.” When a believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity, that believer has a status quo of carnality. The term carnality refers to a person being controlled by that personʼs old sin nature. The English word carnality came from Middle English [the English language from circa A.D. 1150 to circa A.D. 1470] via Old North French [the dialects of Old French (the French language up to circa A.D. 1400) spoken in northern France] via Latin. The word circa [SUHR-kuh] means “approximately”; circa is used before dates. Also, the abbreviation c. can be used for the word circa. The abbreviation A.D. means “Anno Domini.” The phrase Anno Domini is Latin for “in the year of the Lord.” The abbreviation A.D. should be placed before the numerals of a date but after the spelled-out words of a date. Latin is a language that started as the language of ancient Rome. The Latin word from which carnality is derived is carnālis [kahr-NAH-lees], which can be translated as “fleshly.” The Latin word carnālis is derived from the Latin word carō [KAH-roh], which can be translated as “flesh.”
When a believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity, that believer has a status quo of carnality. In contrast, when a believer is in fellowship with the Trinity, that believer has a status quo of spirituality. In that regard, spirituality is the condition of being in fellowship with the Trinity and filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.
Some people incorrectly believe that an emotionally out-of-control state is spiritual. Similarly, some people incorrectly believe that spirituality involves following oneʼs feelings. In reality, following oneʼs feelings involves following the temptations of oneʼs old sin nature. Regarding the foregoing, the Biblical usage of the word spiritual refers to a believer who is in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:4
Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Note: When a believer suffers, if that believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity and thereby no longer filled with the power of the Holy Spirit when that believer is suffering, that suffering is in vain. Indeed, anything that a believer does while out of fellowship with the Trinity and thereby no longer filled with the power of the Holy Spirit is in vain. Regarding the context of Galatians 3:4, it was unknown to Paul whether the Galatians were suffering while in or out of fellowship with the Trinity. Keeping in mind what Paul wrote in verse 3, Paul was indicating that if the Galatians had been trying to adhere to the regulations of the Mosaic Law, then the suffering of the Galatians had been in vain because they were out of fellowship with the Trinity and thereby no longer filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:5
Therefore, does He Who provides you with the Spirit and works abilities / works mighty works among you do it by the works of law or by the hearing of faith?
Note: In this verse, the pronouns He and Who refer to God the Father, and the word Spirit refers to God the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:6
Inasmuch as Abraham BELIEVED GOD, THEN IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Note: The content of Galatians 3:6 references the content of Genesis 15:6. In that regard, at the moment that Abraham believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, Abraham was credited as having righteousness, which means that Abraham was declared sufficiently righteous to have an eternal relationship with the Trinity. Below is content related to Genesis 15:6.
Note: In the below content of Genesis 15:6, the pronoun he refers to Abraham. At that time, he was named Abram. In that regard, the content of Genesis 17:5 references him being renamed Abraham.
Genesis 15:6
Then he believed in Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, and He reckons it to him as righteousness.
Note: In this verse, the phrase Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One refers to God the Son, and the pronoun He with a capital H refers to God the Father. Because Abraham believed in the Lord as the Savior before the Lord was born as the Human the Lord Jesus Christ, Abraham did not necessarily know what the Lordʼs name would be. The same applies to any believer in the Lord as the Savior before the Lord was born. In that regard, the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed before the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed—by means of believing that God the Son would take the form of the One sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed after the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed and before the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, and that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believe after the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who was judged for the sins of humanity.
In this verse, the use of a present tense in the phrase He reckons it to him as righteousness is a reference to what has occurred in the past. Such a use of a present tense has a rhetorical effect. In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.
The righteousness of the Trinity can be referred to as +R. The righteousness of mankind falls short of the righteousness of the Trinity; therefore, the righteousness of mankind can be referred to as −R. Isaiah 64:6 covers the matter of the −R being contrasted with the +R of the Trinity. In that regard, below is content related to Isaiah 64:6.
Isaiah 64:6
However, all of us are like an unclean thing, and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags / menstrual rags. All of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Note: The Hebrew word translated as “filthy” or “menstrual” in Isaiah 64:6 is עִדִּים [pronounced eed-DEEM and can be transliterated as `iddiym], which is an inflected form of the root word עִדָּה [pronounced eed-DAH and can be transliterated as `iddah]. (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.) The Hebrew word `iddah refers to something filthy in the sense of being soiled by menstrual flux—in other words, soiled by menses, which is blood and other matter that is discharged from the uterus of a woman during menstruation. The Hebrew word translated as “rags” in Isaiah 64:6 is בֶגֶד [pronounced VEHG-ed and can be transliterated as veged], which is an inflected form of the root word בֶּגֶד [pronounced BEHG-ed and can be transliterated as beged]. Regarding the content of Isaiah 64:6 containing the phrase `iddiym veged, the content of that verse indicates that in comparison to the righteousness of the Trinity, the righteousness of mankind is yuck, yuck, yuck!
At the moment a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, +R is imputed to that person. In other words, that person is credited as having righteousness, which means that that person is declared sufficiently righteous to have an eternal relationship with the Trinity. This crediting of righteousness is a free gift that occurs at the moment a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Regarding Abraham believing in the Lord as the Savior before the Lord was born as the Human the Lord Jesus Christ, the term shadow Christology refers to looking forward to the Lord Jesus Christ being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. The term historical Christology refers to looking back at the Lord Jesus Christ having been judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. Before the First Advent of the Lord, there were many teaching illustrations that revealed that the Savior would be judged for the sins of humanity. The teaching illustrations can be found in the Old Testament. In that regard, narratives in the Old Testament taught that the Savior would be judged for the sins of humanity. Also, regulations and rituals specified in the Mosaic Law part of the Old Testament taught that the Savior would be judged for the sins of humanity. While specific details about the Lord were absent from the Old Testament narratives and the regulations and rituals specified in the Mosaic Law part of the Old Testament, there were bits and pieces of information that provided hints about Him. Those hints are like a shadow that precedes someone approaching—such as from around a corner, for example—that provides some information about the approaching person without providing full details about that person. Regarding the information that the Old Testament narratives and the regulations and rituals specified in the Mosaic Law part of the Old Testament provided, there was enough information for people to realize that they are unable to provide eternal life for themselves and that the means by which to receive eternal life is by means of faith that God the Son would take the form of the sinless Man Who would be judged for the sins of humanity. That is shadow Christology. After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, a person receives eternal life by means of faith that God the Son took the form of the sinless Man Jesus Christ Who was judged for the sins of humanity. That is historical Christology.
Galatians 3:7
Therefore, know that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
Note: The content of this verse refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ being associated with Abraham. It is worth noting that absent from this verse is any reference to works. Rather than believers in the Lord Jesus Christ being associated with Abraham due to the believers adhering to the Mosaic Law or due to any other works, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are associated with Abraham due to the believers believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Galatians 3:8
The Scripture, foreseeing that God justifies the nations by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham: “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
Note: In this verse, the apostle Paul personified Scripture as being able to foresee and preach. This personification metaphorically calls attention to the fact that the gospel message is in the Old Testament and that Abraham had access to the gospel-message content in the Old Testament. The gospel is the good news that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed before the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed—by means of believing that God the Son would take the form of the One sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed after the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed and before the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, and that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believe after the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who was judged for the sins of humanity. Also, the content of Galatians 3:8 references the content of Genesis 12:3. The content of Genesis 12:3 involves some of God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham. God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham are called the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant is for Abraham, Abrahamʼs son Isaac, Abrahamʼs grandson Jacob, and the people descended from Jacob. Jacob was renamed Israel. In that regard, the people descended from Jacob can be referred to as Israelites. Regarding Genesis 12:3, below is content related to Genesis 12:1–3.
Genesis 12:1
Now Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One says to Abram, “Go away from your country and from your relatives and from your fatherʼs house to the land which I show you,
Note: At the time described in Genesis 12:1, Abraham was still named Abram. In this verse, the uses of a present tense in the phrase says to Abram and the phrase which I show you are references to what has occurred in the past. Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect. In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.
Genesis 12:2
and I make you a great nation, and I bless you, and make your name great, and you be a blessing,
Note: The uses of a present tense in the verbs of this verse are references to the future.
Genesis 12:3
and I bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I curse, and in you all the families of the earth have been blessed.”
Note: The use of the perfect tense in the phrase have been blessed is a reference to the future. Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect. In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future? Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already. In that regard, the phrase in you all the families of the earth have been blessed indicated that it was 100% certain that the Savior would be descended from Abraham and that people of all racial groups would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
In Genesis 12:3, the phrase I bless those who bless you indicates that those who are kind to Israelites will experience blessing. Being kind to Israelites can be referred to as being pro-Semitic. Unspecified in this verse is in what way or ways the blessing will occur. Also, such blessing can apply to individuals or groups of people. In that regard, if kindness towards Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience blessing.
In Genesis 12:3, the phrase the one who curses you I curse indicates that those who are hostile towards any Israelites will experience cursing. Hostility towards Israelites can be referred to as being anti-Semitic. Unspecified in this verse is how soon the cursing occurs after hostility is directed towards any Israelites. Also, such cursing can apply to individuals or groups of people. In that regard, if hostility directed towards any Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience cursing.
The Abrahamic Covenant also involves promises related to land for Israelites. Those promises will be completely fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent. Below is a list of topics and related verses involving the land for Israelites.
The land promise to Abraham when he was still named Abram is in Genesis 13:14–16.
The dimensions of the land promise are referenced in Genesis 15:18–21.
The confirmation of the promise to Isaac is in Genesis 26:3–4.
The confirmation of the promise to Jacob and the Israelites is in Genesis 35:12.
The fact that the promise of land was given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites was communicated to Moses, and Moses communicated that fact to the Israelites whom he led in the Exodus out of Egypt. That topic is covered in Exodus 6:2–9.
The content of Galatians 3:8 is repeated below for reference.
Galatians 3:8
The Scripture, foreseeing that God justifies the nations by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham: “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
Galatians 3:9
Therefore, those who are of faith are blessed with the believing Abraham.
Note: In this verse, the word faith refers to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior—in other words, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Galatians 3:10
Indeed, as many as are of the works of law are under a curse, for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW—TO DO THEM.”
Note: The content of this verse references Deuteronomy 27:26. By referencing that verse, Paul is pointing out to the Galatians that their attempts to adhere to the Mosaic Law are bringing cursing upon them because the Galatians are unable to perfectly keep the Mosaic Law—in other words, the Galatians are unable to always adhere to all of the regulations of the Mosaic Law. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One Human Who is able to perfectly keep the Mosaic Law—in other words, the Lord Jesus Christ is the One Human Who is able to always adhere to all of the regulations of the Mosaic Law.
Galatians 3:11
Moreover, that no one is justified by law before God is evident, for: “THE RIGHTEOUS/JUSTIFIED SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Note: The content of this verse references Habakkuk 2:4. It is worth noting that absent from this verse is any reference to works. In that regard, the content of this verse calls attention to the fact that the means by which a person is justified in the sense of being qualified to have eternal life results from that person believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior without any works done by that person believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Galatians 3:12
However, the Law is not of / not out of the source of faith; on the contrary: “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”
Note: In Galatians 3:12, the content in quotation marks references the content of Leviticus 18:5. A person who tries to keep the Mosaic Law for salvation would need to perfectly keep the Mosaic Law. The Lord Jesus Christ perfectly kept the Mosaic Law. No other person has or ever will perfectly keep the Mosaic Law. In that regard, a person is unable to obtain eternal life by means of trying to keep the Mosaic Law. In contrast, if a person has faith that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged for the sins of humanity, then that person receives eternal life.
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON WOOD / A TREE”—
Note: The content of Galatians 3:13 references the content of Deuteronomy 21:23. The content of Deuteronomy 21:23 refers to what occurs after someone was executed. Also, absent from the regulations of the Mosaic Law is anything indicating that execution should occur by means of hanging someone on a tree, a cross, or any other wooden object. In that regard, the content of Deuteronomy 21:23 was a prophetic hint that foreshadowed the Lord Jesus Christ being on a cross while being judged for the sins of humanity.
The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “Christ” in this verse is Χριστὸς [pronounced khree-STAHS and transliterated as Christos]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word Χριστὸς [pronounced khree-STAHS and transliterated as Christos]. The English noun Christ is derived from the Greek noun Christos.
In this verse, the Koine Greek noun Christos is at the beginning of a sentence. In that regard, the Koine Greek noun Christos is in the emphatic position of that sentence. Because the Koine Greek noun Christos is in the emphatic position of that sentence, the Koine Greek noun Christos is being emphasized. In that regard, the content of this verse emphasizes the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ and only the Lord Jesus Christ does the redeeming. Also, absent from this verse and the surrounding verses is anything involving people helping redeem themselves. Instead, all that is mentioned is the Lord Jesus Christ redeeming people. If people were able to contribute to their own salvation, then this verse would need to indicate that the Lord merely helps people be redeemed. Instead, this verse indicates that the Lord is the One Who does the redeeming.
Galatians 3:14
in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Note: The phrase blessing of Abraham refers to receiving eternal life as a result of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. The phrase promise of the Spirit refers to the promise that a person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior receives the ministry of God the Holy Spirit. The phrase through faith calls attention to the fact that a person receives the ministry of God the Holy Spirit by means of having faith that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior.
Galatians 3:15
Brethren, I speak about man: even though it is a manʼs covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside nor adds something to it.
Note: In this verse, Paul references contracts that typically occur between humans. In that regard, Paul calls attention to the fact that once a contract has been ratified, typically no one modifies it. Also, Paulʼs reference is an analogy involving what occurs in a typical situation rather than all situations. In that regard, a contract is a deal, and the Old Testament contains an example of a huge deal that will be made and then violated. That deal and the violation thereof is referenced in Daniel 9:27.
The content of Daniel 9:27 references the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation. The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast. Supporting the king of the West is the false prophet. The false prophet is also known as the second beast. Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12. The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet.
The content of Daniel 9:27 indicates that the king of the West is initially very friendly towards Israel and that the king of the West facilitates the implementation of an accord involving Israel. In other words, he is the person who is the driving force that results in the negotiation of an agreement involving Israel. In that regard, the king of the West is a deal-maker who is involved in a huge deal with Israel. In the middle of the Tribulation, the king of the West will nullify that deal and then mistreat the people of Israel. Also, the content of Revelation 13:5 indicates that the king of the West is a man who speaks great things. Regarding the description in Revelation 13:5, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “great things” in that verse is μεγάλα [pronounced meh-GAH-lah and transliterated as megala]. That adjective is an inflected form of the root word μέγας [pronounced MEH-gahs and transliterated as megas]. In Revelation 13:5, there is no noun associated with the adjective megala. Due to the lack of a noun associated with megala, another way to translate megala in that verse is “greats.” In that regard, it is possible that the king of the West uses a translation of the adjective megas multiple times—in other words, communicating multiple greats: great this, great that, great, great, great. Regarding the foregoing, it is possible that the king of the West refers to the huge deal that is referenced in Daniel 9:27 as being a great deal.
Despite the king of the West being a deal-maker who speaks great things, he will violate the deal that involves Israel. That violation is a manifestation of the capriciousness of the king of the West. Also, that violation is a manifestation of how the king of the West is out of the ordinary in a negative way. In that regard, the king of the West is so narcissistic that he is willing to do things that depart from the norms and standards of a civil society—in other words, things that courteous people would never dare to do. Below is content related to Daniel 9:27.
Daniel 9:27
“Then he has made a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he puts a stop to sacrifice and grain offering, and on the wing of abominations he is making desolate, even until a complete destruction. What is decreed is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”
Note: In Daniel 9:27, the king of the West is the person referenced. The week mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is Danielʼs seventieth week. Adding the seven years of that week to the 483 years referenced in Daniel 9:25 equals 490 years. Between the 483 years referenced in Daniel 9:25 and the seven years mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is the time of the Church Age. The Church Age was a mystery for believers before the Church Age.
In the context of this verse and the verses that precede it, the phrase the many could refer to the people of Israel or to Israel and other nations. Also, some synonyms for the word covenant include agreement and deal. Regarding that, the king of the West will initially be very friendly towards Israel. Also, making a covenant with Israel is a big deal. In that regard, it is possible that people will perceive the king of the West as being a huge deal-maker.
After three and a half years, the king of the West will break his promise, thereby violating the agreement. In other words, he will nullify the deal. In addition, he will cause desolation. In that regard, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to what the phrase the wing of abominations refers. Regardless of to what that phrase refers, the king of the West will be causing destruction. Also, he himself will experience destruction. That destruction will occur when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent.
The content of Galatians 3:15 is repeated below for reference.
Galatians 3:15
Brethren, I speak about man: even though it is a manʼs covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside nor adds something to it.
Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed. He does not say, “Then to seeds,” as to many, but to One, “Then to your Seed,” that is, Christ.
Note: In Galatians 3:16, the word Seed refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word seeds refers to the Jewish people.
Galatians 3:17
What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
Note: The Mosaic Law did not disannul the Abrahamic Covenant. In other words, the Mosaic Law did not make the Abrahamic Covenant invalid. In that regard, the Abrahamic Covenant is a permanent covenant.
In contrast to the permanent covenant ratified by God the Father, the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation makes a covenant with Israel and then breaks that covenant during the Tribulation. Even though many people worship that man because he seems like a superhero, that man is fickle/capricious/mercurial: he changes from being very loyal to Israel to being very hostile toward Israel. In that regard, just as Galatian believers were led astray, behaving as though someone had some sort of evil power over them, people are led astray in a similar manner by the man who is the king of the West. In contrast to the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation, the Members of the Trinity are immutable—They are unchanging. Therefore, God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham will never be nullified.
Galatians 3:18
Indeed, if the inheritance is from / out of law, it is no longer from / out of a promise, but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
Note: Rather than the inheritance involved in the Abrahamic Covenant being dependent upon people obeying laws, the inheritance involved in the Abrahamic Covenant is dependent upon promises made by God the Father. Those promises can be referenced collectively with the singular noun promise.
Galatians 3:19
Why the Law then? It was added because of / for the sake of transgressions, having been ordained / arranged / given order / set in order / instituted / given through angels by the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
Note: The reference to angels in Galatians 3:19 is related to Deuteronomy 33:2. Also, the Mosaic Law was a conditional covenant. God the Fatherʼs plan involved certain stipulations that the Israelites needed to follow. In that regard, Moses functioned as a mediator between the Trinity and the Israelites. While God the Son manifested Himself in proximity to Moses, the rest of the Israelites kept far away. In addition, God the Son was accompanied by angels who were involved in the giving of the Mosaic Law to Moses.
Galatians 3:20
Now a mediator is not of one, but God is One.
Note: A person or people forming one side in an agreement can be referred to using the word party. In that regard, the phrase a mediator is not of one refers to a mediator not being a mediator in a situation involving an unconditional covenant, which is a covenant involving someone making a promise without anything required from another party. Regarding the phrase God is One, the Members of the Trinity are One in essence. They all have the exact same characteristics. In that regard, They function in unity as a single, perfect Team. God the Father does the planning. God the Son executes the plan. God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan. In that regard, the United States Army used to have the slogan “An army of one.” Rather than indicating that there was only a single person in the U.S. Army, the slogan was focused on the goal of all of the members of the army cooperating so as to function as one team. Because there are plenty of verses in the Bible indicating that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are Members of the Trinity, the logical conclusion that can be drawn is that the phrase God is One refers to the Members of the Trinity functioning as one Team.
In accordance with God the Fatherʼs plan, God the Son gave the Abrahamic Covenant to Abraham. The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. Because it is unconditional, a mediator is unneeded for it. This contrasts with the Mosaic Law, which was a conditional covenant and which therefore needed a mediator.
Galatians 3:21
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! Indeed, if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been from / out of law.
Note: The content of Galatians 3:21 indicates that adhering to the regulations of a law is unable to provide eternal life.
Galatians 3:22
However, the Scripture has shut up / has enclosed everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Note: In this verse, the Old Testament is personified. The Old Testament taught that all humans except the Savior are sinners who are unable to save themselves. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior.
Galatians 3:23
However, before faith came, we were kept in custody under law, being shut up / enclosed to the faith which was later to be revealed.
Note: Rather than providing the means of eternal life, the Mosaic Law functioned as a custodian that warned that people are unable to provide eternal life for themselves through their works. The Mosaic Law functioned as that custodian until the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity. Once He was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, the details to which the shadow Christology pointed were revealed. Those details include the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the means by which He was judged for the sins of humanity. Now that those details have been revealed, faith in the Savior involves the details of believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross.
Galatians 3:24
Therefore, the Law has become our guardian guide towards Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
Note: The Mosaic Law leads people to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is worth noting that absent from this verse is any reference to works. In that regard, the content of this verse calls attention to the fact that the means by which a person is justified in the sense of being qualified to have eternal life results from that person believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior without any works done by that person believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Galatians 3:25
However, now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian guide.
Note: Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has been judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, people are no longer under the Mosaic Law.
Galatians 3:26
Indeed, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Note: A person becomes a son of God at the moment of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. Absent from this verse and the surrounding verses is anything involving people becoming sons of God by means of themselves. Instead, all that is mentioned is that the means of becoming a son of God is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:27
Indeed, all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Note: At the moment of salvation, God the Holy Spirit baptizes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ into union with the Person of Jesus Christ—in other words, God the Holy Spirit makes the believer associated with the Lord. God the Holy Spirit does the baptizing of a believer at the moment of salvation of that believer. This association with the Lord Jesus Christ is a guarantee of eternal security, which means that the salvation of a believer can never be lost. God the Holy Spirit baptizing a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ into union with the Person of Jesus Christ is known as positional sanctification.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither bondservant nor free man. There is not male and female. Indeed, you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Note: The content of Galatians 3:28 indicates that salvation is available to people of all categories and that believers of all categories have equal privilege. That privilege involves believers being heirs. In that regard, the content of the next verse references believers being heirs. Also, absent form this verse and the surrounding verses is anything having to do with the roles of believers. In that regard, rather than the content of this verse referring to there being no distinction regarding the roles of believers, the content of this verse refers to believersʼ privilege as heirs. In that regard, all believers have equal opportunities to receive eternal rewards.
Galatians 3:29
Moreover, if you are Christʼs—and you are—then you are Abrahamʼs seed, heirs according to promise.
Note: The content of Galatians 3:29 refers to the promise of eternal life that results from believing that the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity. In that regard, the content of this verse refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ being spiritual seed of Abraham rather than physical seed. A synonym of physical seed is natural seed. People who are of Israelite ancestry and who who are also believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are both physical seed of Abraham and spiritual seed of Abraham.
Sincerely,
John