 Pleroma - Part 1.
When approaching scripture, you can do it dispensationally which looks at the different periods of administration of God. Yet, there is another way to look at an overview of
God’s plan and that is identified in Ephesians 1:8-10 (KJV) which states “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the
mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him”. God in His infinite grace has given us the wisdom of His will. We don’t
have to try and find it in philosophy and vain deceit. God has given us the wisdom we need to understand his will. It was a mystery but is now
revealed and no longer hidden from us. God calls us to grow up in scripture so we may know this will for the perfecting of the saints as stated in
Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: The lesson on May 18, 2003 begins a new series on Pleroma, the fullness of Christ.   Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 2.
The lesson on May 25, 2003 continues the lesson on the Pleroma but first remembers Memorial Day in America which is the
holiday that honors America’s war casualties. A handout was given showing how many Americans have died in each war but emphasis
was put on what they died for... preserving the freedoms that were endowed by our creator and embraced in the founding of America. The freedoms we possess of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (or property) truly come from God and are celebrated in the founding documents of
America. Spiritually, the bible declares you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. True freedom is in Christ
, who has destroyed the bondage of sin and paved the way for true happiness yet there are those who are still focused
on themselves instead of Christ and what He has accomplished with His eternal purpose. The focus that God has in
scripture is for the ages. Consequently, studying the Pleroma is an exercise in understanding the big picture and the plan
of God for the ages. This study takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on God and his plan for eternity. This
lesson refers to a chart by Charles Welch on “The Pleroma” which you can  download here. Be sure and
review the chart while you listen to compliment your studies. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 3.
When you study the “fullness”, the breadth of it covers from before the foundation of the world through the ages to come and beyond. One of the problems we have
when studying “the fulness”, is we often focus on the present rather than understanding the big picture. Yet God wants us to understand the big picture as he describes in Ephesians 1:10
(KJV) “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” God has
revealed His wisdom and eternal purpose to us through the fullness of Christ Jesus. God doesn’t just focus on the here and now, but on the eternal purpose. The fact of the matter is
that God has already accomplished His eternal purpose in Christ and He is going about revealing His fulness throughout the ages. When God created the ages, all things came into
being by Him as Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV) says “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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” As sin entered into God’s creation, there were tears or rents in the fabric of creation yet God has filled these
tears up with His purposes. All of this is done under the headship of Christ and the body of Christ which is not affected
by the tears in creation throughout the ages. The lesson finishes with Peter who writes unto Israel to discuss the
scoffers who are contrary to God and have no idea what the truth is according to the scriptures. The lesson on June 1,
2003 continues the series on Pleroma and studies the big picture that Peter was trying to tell Israel in 2 Peter 3:1-7 regarding the world that then was. Click here to listen now. Be sure and download the handout that compliments the audio lesson.
 Pleroma - Part 4.
The Pleroma = The fullness. This word is applied by Jesus in the New Testament scriptures to identify something that repairs a tear or rip in a fabric, that is
subsequently filled by a patch. Pleroma fills the tear or gap. There are many “gaps” in scripture
and one of the most important gaps to be understood is identified in Acts 28:28. This is when Christ reveals through the Apostle Paul the start of another gap which He calls The Mystery. This body of truth is what fills the gap between the time of Christ on the cross and when He
reigns on this earth in the future. This gap is still active and Christ is now seated in the heavenlies which is where we (members of the body of Christ) are seated with Him. We find
in Ephesians that God has a purpose for your life which fits within His purpose for the Ages.
This purpose is simply to fulfill His purpose. Right now you are on display for the principalities and powers in the heavenly places as declared in Eph 3:10-11(KJV) ”To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Not only does God have a plan for your life right now, but He has one for
the ages to come! The pleroma speaks to the fact that God was “all in all” in the beginning and He will be “all in all” in the
future (end). This lesson on June 22, 2003 continues the series on the “pleroma” and often refers to the Pleroma chart (which you may download here). Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 5
. Pleroma speaks to the fullness of God. His fullness is used to fill various gaps in Adamic history as it pertains to His eternal purpose and will. One of these gaps is
identified between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. This lesson discusses the role of angels in this gap and the fact that Christ was made a little lower than the angels so He could suffer death and be
raised to save man as it is said in Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the
grace of God should taste death for every man.” GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
was given to those who receive Christ. By FAITH (Forsaking All I Trust Him), the Christian is
built up in the divinely implanted principles of God (DIPOG) by the word of God. As Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 11:1,6 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible
to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” This faith is placed in Christ and His word as stated in Romans 10:17 (KJV) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.” If Christianity departs from the word of God, there is a disconnect from the very source that
builds up Christian faith. The lesson on July 6, 2003 studies the Hebrew words “tohuw and bohuw” which describe an
overthrow that occurred between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 which is one of the gaps that were filled by the pleroma of God. It
discusses the role of angels in this overthrow as we learn that angels are not in the plan to manage the world to come as said in Hebrews 2:5 (KJV) “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” This
lesson is part 5 in a series on “Pleroma”. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 6.
The fullness is what God will accomplish in the end times. In every administration of God, it ends in what appears to be outward failure but that is only to let you
realize that God is about something else. Something better than what mankind thought at that time God could be about. This lesson contuies to study the Pleroma handout which
you should download and review with all the lessons on the Pleroma. The Garden of Eden is
an example of failure outwardly. Sin entered the world with the fall of Adam. Consequently, we have Adam to thank for death. When God kicked Adam out of the garden, He placed
Cheribum in the garden to guard the tree of life. WIth paradise lost, the Cheribum guarded the tree to keep eternal life away from sinners. There will be a time when paradise is restored and
we learn the tree of life has been reserved by the pledge of the Cheribum. Cheribum are unique creatures in scripture and are connected to dwelling in a holy place. Cheribum are unique and
are different than angels and scripture doesn’t tell us very much detail about them. We do know that Christ is above all these principalities and powers in heavenly places. We learn
some about Cheribum in Exodus, in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant. On the Ark, the Cheribum are related with the Mercy Seat (being placed on either end and over it) Click here to listen to the lesson for July 20th, 2003 which continues the series on The Pleroma.
 Pleroma - Part 7.
The previous lesson on the Pleroma introduced us to Cheribum. This lesson studies the most famous Cheribum, Lucifer. As Ezekiel 28:14-15 (KJV) tells us “Thou art the
anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways
from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” God created Lucifer as the
most anointed cherub. It wasn’t until Lucifer sinned, did he become Satan. Isaiah 14:12-14 (KJV) states “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut
down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount
of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” The lesson on July 27, 2003 teaches on the fall of Lucifer. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 8.
The actions of man are like building sand castles on the beach in lo tide, only to perish when the sea comes back during high tide. All that mankind does perishes just
like the beautiful sand sculptures are gone. Only God creates things that last and the fullness
of Christ lasts forever. Only in Christ will man find eternity. Even though the bible begins at Genesis 1:1, we know that God was there even before the beginning so Genesis 1:1 is the
beginning of what God chooses to reveal to us. Lucifer was an individual that fell between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. There is no redemption for Satan and the early rebellion of angels who
went with Satan when he fell. We learn of Christ who made a special visit to these fallen angels between his crucifixion and resurrection to tell them they would be chained in the
bottomless pit with Satan forever. Only man can be saved because God took on the form of man to redeem men. He didn’t take on the form of angels to save angels. Also, we learn how
hell was created for the Devil and his angels. God did not make hell for men, but men will end up there by not choosing Christ as their Savior. The fall of Lucifer preceeds the re-creation of
the Earth and the work in Eden. Ultimately, we learn that Adam fails and from that point on , all of God’s work is redemptive
. Adam was in Paradise and it was lost, yet we learn that Paradise will be restored. Adam was the first man yet Christ is
the second Adam and the new man. The lesson on August 17th, 2003 continues the series on the Pleroma and studies the geneology of Christ. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 9.
The study of the Pleroma, shows that God’s purpose transcends all ages and has been revealed to us through the Scriptures. Even before the foundation of the world,
God prepared the way to demonstrate His fullness to principalities and powers, the manifold wisdom of God. For example, Adam was given responsibility over the garden of Eden after a
cataclismic event when the original earth was under judgement from the fall of Lucifer. God then re-created the earth in 7 days demonstrating His fullness with Eden. Further, God
demonstrated his fullness with Noah, when he brought a cataclismic event of the flood upon a corrupted mankind, except for Noah and his family. There are many comparisons between
Adam and Noah and several are discussed. The lesson then introduces Abraham, who is a type of a filling. God told him
he would give him land, a great nation, and a blessing for his nation and the nations. The lesson on August 24, 2003
covers Adam, Noah, and Abraham and the history surrounding these men in the study of the Pleroma. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 10.
There are two great themes in scripture. The first is the sead of the woman which is the promise of the Savior. The second is the emnity between the seed and
the serpent. These go through all of scripture until the very end when Satan is chained in the bottomless pit forever. The lesson on August 31, 2003 begins with a review of these themes
and how it impacted mankind from Adam on through the calling of Abraham. Abraham was called out of the nations to begin the nation of Israel who God dealt with exclusively. This
special relationship was carried on through his son Isaac, and Isaacs son Jacob. The seed of Abraham was likened to the stars and grains of sands. This lesson continues looking at
Abraham and continues through to Joeseph and the history of Israel and their specific relationship to the New Covenant. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 11
. The Abrahamic promise is one that continues from Genesis Chapter 12 through Acts 28:28. There was 2000 years of history preceding Abraham from Genesis 1:2 up
to Genesis 12:1. In those 2000 years, man demonstrated he could not consist apart from God. From Adam to Noah, to the tower of Babel, it all ended in judgment and paved the way for God
to call out one man to make a nation, the nation of Israel. The lesson on September 14 covers the history of Abraham and the promises made to his seed. He gives Israel a kingdom because
God promised land to Abraham. These promises God made to Abraham are always in focus through the Old Testament, even in the New Testament up through the book of Acts. Yet we
see there were conditions applied to these promises. If they obeyed Gods commandments, then He would bless them. If not, then judgment. For example, Solomon, King David’s son, was
one who lost favor with God for turning to idolatry. The kingdom was taken from Solomon due
to his sin. Daniel then tells of the Times of the Gentiles. The lesson on September 14, 2003 teaches much of the history of Israel and takes us up to the New testament which includes a
good review of the Times of the Gentiles. There is a good handout available for you
to review as you study the history of Israel and their associated promises. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 12.
The lesson on September 21, 2003 picks up with the Times of the Gentiles study and reviews the period of the Kings in Israel. It then continues with the Birth of Christ
and into the New Testament where all that was promised to Israel was in focus. The New Covenant was in scope as Israel was called upon to believe on the Messiah so the Kingdom
would be restored to Israel. The kingdom that was lost when the Time of the Gentiles began was ready to be restored because of the offering of the King, Christ Jesus was at hand. Even
after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, God continues to offer the Kingdom to Israel through the book of Acts until Acts 28:28. During the Acts period, we see the Gentiles
addressed uniquely so they could be blessed with Abraham vs being blessed through the Jew. The gentile was considered unclean and not part of Israel yet Paul was given the ministry to go
to the gentile so they could receive salvation with the Jew. However, it wasn’t until after Acts
28:28 would the Gentile receive salvation apart from the Jew. The lesson studies what Paul
calls “My Gospel” which is his special calling to go unto the Jew first, then also to the Greek. This lesson studies “My
Gospel” and helps you understand how Paul’s Gospel is part of the plan that still has Israel in focus which was hidden in
scripture that the just shall live by faith (whether under the law of Sinai or by faith). God usesed the Gentiles to provoke Israel unto jealousy which was clled “My Gospel”. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 13.
The last few lessons on the Pleroma studied the time that God has established that deals with the Gentiles. This lesson continues to review the period when
Israel was put in a position of “Lo-Ammi” which was at the end of Acts in AD 70. Keep in mind,
God did not discard Israel, but put then on hold until He will restore them in the future to fulfill all that has been promised to them. The Mystery, God’s sacred secret, is what God revealed to the Gentiles through the Apostle Paul after Acts 28:28 when the true fulness of Christ was
revealed. This time of fulness is not tarnished by any setback because in this dispensation, Christ is the head of the body so God has accomplished His eternal purpose in His Son. The
lesson on September, 28, 2003 begins to study the section on the Pleroma that pertains to the Mystery and its fullness. This timeframe is when Israel is no longer the channel of salvation but
each individual has a personal, one on one relationship with God through Christ in grace. This
body of truth has with it its own seperate calling and in heritance. Through this truth, God has
given to us the mystery of His will and has revealed the fulness of God in Christ. There are
four times in Ephesians where the “Pleroma” or fullness is used and this lesson studies all four. Click here to listen now.
 The Pleroma - Part 14
. The lesson on October 12, 2003 continues the lesson on the Pleroma. This lesson deals with the Headship of Christ which is located in the middle of the Pleroma chart. The head of the woman is the man, and the head of the man is Christ as stated in 1
Corinthians 11:3 (KJV) “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” Even Christ as the head of
the body, will turn over all things back unto God the Father. The headship of Christ raises Him to the highest possible level that God had in store for Christ. Adam was the head of the Human
race (flesh) yet Christ is the head of the body (the church ... that which is born of the spirit).
The truth is often difficult for people to believe if they live in the flesh and have not been born
again. The headship of Christ is difficult for those to accept if they are not part of the body of Christ. People get involved with so many things that have nothing to do with the eternal
purpose of God and yet God has an eternal purpose and plan for each one of us. In John 12:37 (KJV), we see that “though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed
not on him” How much harder is it for those who have to walk by faith and not by sight? God has told us what the truth is and it’s up to us to believe it. Click here to listen to the lesson that teaches on the Headship of Christ and our role in the body of Christ.
 The Pleroma - Part 15.
The lesson on October 19, 2003 is the final lesson on the Pleroma. Let no man beguile you with the fleshly mind that denies the truth in darkness. God tells us that
he is the light and in John 1:1-12 (KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made
by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to
bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of
that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world
was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” In Colossians
1:12 we learn that Christ Jesus has made us qualified to sit in the Heavenlies far above in light. He has delivered us from
the power of darkness when we become saved. We know that Satan is the prince of darkness and those who are not
saved are lost in darkness. We as Christians are to walk in light and testify of the light that is in our lives. In Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV) “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” There
is a kingdom seperate from the Kindom of Heaven which is earthly, the kingdom of His dear Son is heavenly. Our lives
reflect our beliefs. The fruit testifies of the root. Do you shine for Christ? Click here to listen now.
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Audio Lessons on “Pleroma: The Fullness of Christ”
