Refined By Fire

Author: Tim Vrieling

  • The Parable of the Sower: Faith’s Foundation

    A Sower in Galilee

    In the bustling region of Galilee, a farmer walked through fields near Capernaum, scattering seeds with practiced hands (Matthew 13:3, “A sower went out to sow”). The Sea of Galilee glimmered nearby, its shores alive with fishermen and merchants, a fitting backdrop for Jesus’ teaching. Yet, the soils—rocky, thorny, fertile—revealed a deeper truth: not all hearts receive God’s Word equally. This parable, spoken to a crowd on the shore (Matthew 13:2), exposes human failure to heed the gospel, but Christ’s grace offers hope. Dual-Realm Dispensationalism unveils this Sod (סוֹד, Strong’s H5475: hidden secret), showing how faith plants us in the Kingdom of God now (Colossians 1:13, “transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”), preparing us for the Kingdom of Heaven later (Revelation 20:6). Charles Ryrie notes, “The Sower parable underscores the varied responses to the gospel, a foundational truth for kingdom theology” (Dispensationalism, 2007, p. 112). Believe now—let the Word take root in fertile soil.

    The Seed and the Soils

    The sower’s seeds fell on four soils, each revealing a heart’s response to God’s Word (Matthew 13:4-8). The path, hardened by foot traffic, let birds snatch the seed—Satan stealing truth from unyielding hearts (Matthew 13:19). Rocky ground sprouted quickly but withered under the sun—shallow faith fading amid trials (Matthew 13:20-21). Thorny ground choked the seed with weeds—worldly cares stifling growth (Matthew 13:22). But the good soil yielded a harvest, thirty, sixty, a hundredfold—true faith bearing fruit (Matthew 13:23). Chuck Smith observes, “The good soil represents a heart prepared by the Spirit, ready to receive and act on God’s Word” (The Gospel of Matthew, 1982, p. 87). This parable teaches that entering the Kingdom of God requires a receptive heart (John 3:3, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”), a faith that endures.

    The Kingdom of God Now

    The good soil reflects faith that enters the Kingdom of God now (Colossians 1:13). This spiritual kingdom, accessed by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, “by grace you have been saved through faith”), is where believers live in the Church Age. The Sower’s harvest foreshadows the Kingdom of Heaven’s rewards (Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant”), but the focus here is present faith. Fruchtenbaum emphasizes, “The Kingdom of God is a present reality for those who believe, shaping their walk today” (Israelology, 1989, p. 321). A fertile heart yields fruit—righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)—preparing us for future glory. Sow faithfully—let your faith grow deep roots in God’s kingdom today.

    The Centurion’s Faith

    A Roman centurion in Capernaum exemplified good soil (Matthew 8:5-13). Approaching Jesus, he sought healing for his servant, declaring, “Lord… only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). His faith, rooted in humility and trust, amazed Jesus: “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Matthew 8:10). Skip Heitzig reflects, “The centurion’s faith crossed cultural barriers, showing the universal reach of the Kingdom of God” (The Gospel of Matthew, 2005, p. 45). This faith entered the Kingdom of God now (John 3:16, “whoever believes in him should not perish”), a model for us. Trust fully—let your faith mirror his, unshaken by storms.

    The Rapture’s Connection

    The Sower’s harvest hints at the Rapture’s role in bridging the kingdoms (1 Thessalonians 4:17, “caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air”). Good soil yields fruit now, preparing believers for the Kingdom of Heaven’s rewards (Revelation 20:6). Tim LaHaye notes, “The Rapture separates the Church Age from the Tribulation, ushering us into Christ’s reign” (The Rapture, 2002, p. 67). The centurion’s faith foreshadows this hope—those who believe now will reign later (2 Timothy 2:12, “if we endure, we will also reign with him”). Prepare now—your faith today shapes your eternity tomorrow.

    More to Explore

    The Sower’s soils challenge us to examine our hearts—are we fertile ground for God’s Word? Upcoming posts will explore how Spirit-led works (Galatians 5:22-23) in the Kingdom of God now produce lasting fruit for the Kingdom of Heaven. Stay tuned—Scripture holds treasures (2 Timothy 3:16), waiting to be uncovered by faith.

  • Joseph’s Grain: Unveiling the Dual Realms

    The Hidden Grain

    Joseph’s provision (Genesis 45:7, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors”) saved Israel during famine, a remarkable act of divine foresight. Yet, this is more than a survival tale—it’s a Sod (סוֹד, Strong’s H5475: “hidden secret” or “council”), a mystery embedded in Scripture, pointing to the Kingdom of Heaven’s bounty (Revelation 20:6, “they will reign with him for a thousand years”). Joseph’s grain ensured physical provision, but its deeper meaning unveils a future hope: the abundance of Christ’s millennial kingdom, where the saints inherit the earth (Matthew 25:34, “inherit the kingdom prepared for you”). This hidden depth, uncovered through Dual-Realm Dispensationalism, transforms a historical narrative into a prophetic signpost, revealing God’s layered plan.

    Dual-Realm Revelation

    The Kingdom of God (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, Colossians 1:13, “transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”) is a spiritual reality, entered now by faith—a realm where believers experience grace (Ephesians 2:8, “by grace you have been saved through faith”). This is the Church Age, where the gospel transforms lives across all nations (Matthew 28:19, “make disciples of all nations”). In contrast, the Kingdom of Heaven (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν, Matthew 5:3, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven”) awaits Christ’s physical reign after the Rapture and Tribulation, a kingdom where His rule is tangible (Revelation 20:4, “they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years”). Joseph’s grain bridges these realms: his provision sustains God’s people now (Kingdom of God), while his story foreshadows their future inheritance (Kingdom of Heaven). Dual-Realm Dispensationalism, rooted in a literal hermeneutic (2 Timothy 2:15, “rightly handling the word of truth”), reveals this divine duality, challenging conflationist views that blur the distinction between these kingdoms.

    Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, emphasizes that such distinctions are critical. He argues that Israel’s role in God’s plan—past, present, and future—cannot be conflated with the Church’s, a principle that applies here. The Kingdom of God operates now through the Church, but the Kingdom of Heaven awaits Israel’s restoration, a future where Joseph’s legacy of provision finds its ultimate fulfillment. Fruchtenbaum’s dispensational lens highlights this separation, ensuring we don’t spiritualize away the physical promises to Israel (Romans 11:29, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”).

    Joseph’s Dreams: A Prophetic Window

    Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:7, “your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf”) are more than sibling rivalry—they’re a Sod unveiled. The bowing sheaves prefigure his rise to power (Genesis 41:41, “he made him ruler over… all the land of Egypt”), mirroring Christ’s future reign. Charles Ryrie notes, “Prophetic types in the Old Testament often point to New Testament fulfillments” (Dispensationalism, 2007). This aligns with Daniel 7:27’s “the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom”, a Kingdom of Heaven promise. The dream’s imagery—grain, authority—echoes Revelation 20:4, where saints reign with Christ. Joseph’s second dream (Genesis 37:9, “the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me”) extends this, showing his family’s submission, a type of Israel’s future under Messiah (Zechariah 14:9, “the Lord will be king over all the earth”). These dreams, when viewed through a dual-realm lens, reveal God’s plan for both spiritual provision now and physical rulership later.

    Fruchtenbaum’s work underscores the importance of such typological interpretation. He argues that Israel’s history is replete with patterns (Israelology, 1989), like Joseph’s life, that point to future eschatological realities. This method avoids allegorizing scripture, instead letting the text speak literally—a cornerstone of dispensational theology.

    Historical Context and Spiritual Insight

    In ancient Egypt, grain was life—Joseph’s stewardship (Genesis 47:14, “Joseph gathered up all the money… and brought it into Pharaoh’s house”) ensured survival, a type of the Kingdom of God’s provision. His elevation at age thirty (Genesis 41:46, “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh”) hints at the Kingdom of Heaven’s rulership, mirroring Christ’s public ministry beginning at thirty (Luke 3:23). Historians like Kenneth Kitchen (On the Reliability of the Old Testament, 2003) affirm Egypt’s grain economy, noting its role in sustaining the region during famines, supporting this typology. The seven years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41:29-30) also parallel prophetic cycles—seven years of Tribulation (Daniel 9:27) precede the Kingdom of Heaven’s abundance.

    Spiritually, Joseph’s faithfulness (Genesis 39:9, “how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”) reflects the Kingdom of God’s call to righteousness (Romans 6:13, “yield yourselves to God”). His authority over Egypt foreshadows the Kingdom of Heaven’s rule, where Christ’s dominion is universal (Revelation 11:15, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord”). Dual-Realm Dispensationalism sees this not as allegory but as literal foreshadowing—every detail a thread in God’s tapestry.

    The Rapture’s Bridge

    Joseph’s story bridges the realms—his preservation now (Kingdom of God) and his reign later (Kingdom of Heaven) parallel the Rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (“caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air”) separates the Church Age from the Tribulation, leading to the millennial kingdom. Joseph’s ascent from prison to power (Genesis 41:14, “they brought him quickly out of the dungeon”) mirrors this transition—a sudden elevation after suffering, much like the Church’s rapture before the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10, “I will keep you from the hour of trial”). Fruchtenbaum notes that dispensationalism’s strength lies in maintaining such distinctions (Israelology, 1989), ensuring the Rapture isn’t conflated with the Second Coming, a key dual-realm insight.

    This bridge also ties to Israel’s future. Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers (Genesis 45:4, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt”) prefigures Israel’s restoration (Romans 11:26, “all Israel will be saved”). The grain he stored becomes a type of provision during the Tribulation, where Israel endures until Christ’s return (Zechariah 12:10, “they will look on me, on him whom they have pierced”). More essays will explore this Sod, revealing how the Rapture unlocks the dual-realm mystery.

    More to Uncover

    This exploration merely opens the door. Dual-Realm Dispensationalism invites us into Scripture’s deeper meanings—grace now, glory later (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “each one’s work will be revealed by fire”). Upcoming essays will delve into Joseph’s dreams’ prophetic layers, Matthew’s parables (Matthew 13:44, “the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field”), and the Rapture’s timing, each a Sod (סוֹד, Strong’s H5475: hidden secret) of God’s Word. We’ll explore how Joseph’s life intersects with Israel’s covenants (Genesis 15:18, “to your offspring I give this land”), a theme Fruchtenbaum highlights as central to dispensational theology. Stay tuned—every verse holds a treasure (2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God”), waiting to be uncovered by faith.



  • Why Dual-Realm Dispensationalism Matters

    Two Kingdoms

    Have you ever wondered why the Bible seems to dance between ‘Kingdom of God’ and ‘Kingdom of Heaven’? It’s not a slip of the pen or a poetic flourish—it’s a divine distinction waiting to be uncovered. Refined by Fire introduces Dual-Realm Dispensationalism, a lens that splits these realms with precision, revealing God’s grand narrative from Genesis to Revelation. This isn’t just theology—it’s the key to understanding Scripture’s endgame.

    Matthew’s Flip?

    Take Matthew’s Gospel—32 times he writes “Kingdom of Heaven” (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν), yet five times “Kingdom of God” (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ) (Matthew 6:33, 12:28, 19:24, 21:31, 21:43). Some claim it’s a Jewish dodge to avoid “God”—but that crumbles under scrutiny. Matthew boldly declares Jesus as Messiah: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David” (1:1). The Pharisees sought His life early on, driving Him to a cliff in Nazareth (Luke 4:29, *“they rose up and put him out of the city and led him to the brow of the hill… to throw him down”) and later picking up stones (John 8:59, “they took up stones to throw at him”) for His divine claims. If Matthew shunned offense, why embrace such boldness? “Kingdom of Heaven” isn’t timid—it heralds a future reign, echoing Daniel 2:44’s “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom”.

    The Spirit Unveiled

    Dual-Realm Dispensationalism clarifies this. The Kingdom of God is spiritual, entered now by faith—“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13), “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). It’s the Church Age reality, alive today through grace (Ephesians 2:8). The Kingdom of Heaven, however, is physical—Christ’s thousand-year reign post-Rapture and Tribulation—“They will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6), “Come… inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:34). Compare Matthew 5:3 (“theirs is the kingdom of heaven”)—a future inheritance—with Luke 6:20 (“yours is the kingdom of God”)—present possession. Same Beatitude, dual realms.

    This literal, pretribulational, premillennial view isn’t new—it’s rooted in Scripture’s progressive revelation. Charles Ryrie affirms, “The distinction reflects different aspects of God’s plan” (Dispensationalism, 2007, p. 65). Leon Morris adds, “Matthew’s use of ‘Heaven’ suggests a distinct emphasis” (Matthew, PNTC, 1992, p. 102). Conflation (e.g., Matt 19:23-24 = Mark 10:23) ignores this—Matthew’s parables (13:24, Weeds) point to a future harvest, not today’s grace.

    OT and NT Transformed

    This lens reframes everything. Abraham’s faith (Genesis 15:6, “he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness”) enters the Kingdom of God now (Romans 5:1, “we have peace with God”), his seed’s rule awaits the Kingdom of Heaven (Galatians 3:29, “heirs according to promise”). Joseph’s grain (Genesis 45:7, “God sent me… to preserve for you a remnant”) foreshadows the Kingdom of Heaven’s bounty (Revelation 20:6), not mere survival—Daniel 7:14’s “everlasting dominion” glints through. Matthew’s virgins (25:1-13) prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven’s feast, not the Kingdom of God’s entry. Every OT story, every NT promise snaps into focus—God’s dual-realm plan, unveiling the Sod (סוֹד), the hidden mysteries and deeper meanings of Scripture, deliberate from Eden to eternity.

    More to Explore

    This is just the beginning. Dual-Realm Dispensationalism turns vague kingdom talk into a roadmap—grace now, rewards later (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “each one’s work… will be revealed by fire”). More essays will unpack Joseph’s role in the revealed mysteries, Matthew’s parables, and the Rapture’s bridge, diving into the Sod (סוֹד, Strong’s H5475: “hidden secret” or “council”) of God’s Word—a Hebrew term for uncovering divine treasures. Stay tuned—every verse holds a treasure (2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God”).