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Mark 4:11-13 And he said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables? (KJV)
The things of God are described as being a mystery, a truth that has been hidden to the outward man, but is now being revealed to the inward one. In fact the term knowing is used because without knowing who you are in Christ, you may well be a mystery to God, something you don’t want to wait till the Day of Judgment to find out. Matthew 16:15-17 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (KJV) I was personally asked about this mystery that we preach and what is the big deal about it? Well first of all it reveals a name, and not just the name of the outward man which many today acknowledge as Jesus. In order to truly know the Father you have to know His Son, and that is by personal revelation through the Spirit. Matthew 16:18-20 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. (KJV) So what’s the big deal? By leaving Christ out of the equation you have eliminated the foundation from which the Lord builds on. You also are left standing at the door of the kingdom, without the keys to enter in. Those are two things I don’t desire to have left out of my arsenal. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (KJV) Many builders today are trying to subcontract and cut corners, building on a sandy foundation. Those are the many that have been called, but have not been chosen, at least not by God. These are the many that are popular with mankind because their doctrines appeal more to the outward man than the inward one our Lord is revealing to His people. Ephesians 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV) There is not much of a mystery concerning Jesus of Nazareth; many knew this man and his family lineage according to the flesh. Today many still hold to the name of Jesus, but leave out Christ, the rock that holds the church together. Take note of verse 5 which clearly shows us who this mystery is revealed to. To be continued…God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)
It’s bad enough that mankind crucified the Lord when all He did was come to this planet and show us a better way of life. However, it’s just as bad if not worse when mankind keeps crucifying Him all over again with their fallen interpretations of His word. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) The reason the word impossible is used in verse 4 is because what once started out as a walk of faith, has now turned into a walk of fake. When you allow your own desires and lusts to take over rather than overcoming them, you re-enter the realm of impossible because you are no longer in a place where the Lord is operating, a place where you are letting Him reveal Himself to you personally along with His plan of salvation; and by your disobedience you are crucifying Him and His doctrine all over again. Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV) Once you have received knowledge of the truth it is required that you continue in it to the end, otherwise you will be considered a transgressor. As gruesome as the crucifixion was to Jesus of Nazareth, many are continually crucifying the Son of God as well because of all the fallen doctrines that man tries to pawn off as truth. 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV) It’s safe to say that puking dogs and dirty pigs are not something that you will find in the heavenly realm, but only here on earth; and as disgusting as these things are to the carnal man, it somewhat describes how disgusting mans’doctrines are to the spirit man as well. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (KJV)
In the coming months we will focus on the terms “hidden” and “mystery” to find out what and who God is revealing to His people. Without this revelation you see where many that have been called of God are not responding to Him, and why only a few are truly chosen. Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (KJV) Given the fact that no man truly knows who the Father is, let alone His Son, then the question begs to be answered, why do so many keep looking to man for the answer? When you were a child you took everyone else’s answers and opinions as gospel truth. However, that is not going to work in your spiritual life because God requires you to hear firsthand who He is, and what name He is revealing to mankind that will allow them access to His throne. Matthew 16:15-17 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (KJV) In our Lord’s time people were quite familiar with Jesus of Nazareth according to the outward man. Many knew who his parents were and the fact that he had brothers and sisters. Many today still look at the outward man Jesus, but fail to see within to know who the Son of God is within this man. Inside you will find that Christ is the rock solid foundation that the true church is built upon while all others will crumble. Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (KJV) As you do your own studies of the New Testament look for yourself and see who God is revealing to His people when you see the word mystery, or the words hid and hidden. You will find that it has a common spiritual denominator. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (KJV) Are you tired of playing peek-a-boo with the Lord yet; and are you tired of those childish religious doctrines you have been following? Then why not get rid of the spiritual blinders and let God show you who you really are in Christ this day. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:1-3 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (KJV)
Paul the apostle gives his own rendition of this born again experience, separating spirit and soul, or in other words separating what the Lord is revealing to him compared with what he has heard in the past. One of the definitions for testimony in verse one is mystery, something that was hidden in the past that is now being revealed. You will find out for yourself as Paul did that this revelation did not come from other people, but first hand from God’s lips to his ears; that being his spiritual ones. Colossians 2:2-4 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (KJV) In Christ is hid a wealth of knowledge, something that cannot be bought or found in the carnal realm. This revelation will give you a full assurance of who you are in Christ and all the spiritual blessings that He has blessed His people with. We also see the warning issued because many have allowed someone other than Christ to give them a watered down inferior version of the mystery because they have leaned back to their own understanding. Galatians 1:9-12 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV) As you move ahead in your walk with the Lord you will find some of the influences from your past are more carnal in nature than spiritual. It is at that point that you will need to choose to take up your spiritual cross and die to those that choose to hold more to the outward, what I refer to as a religious realm, rather than walking in the new life that the Lord died to give us access to. So ask yourself honestly today, are you getting your information firsthand or are you going to let someone other than God dictate it to you? God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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