Understanding the Mystery
We realize not all can receive the Mystery, no more than all of Israel could receive the Messiah when He walked with men on earth.
However, it is imperative that without understanding the Mystery, confusion will abound in things that cannot be reconciled.
Things have gotten mixed things up and made a mess of because later revelation has been placed into former times or ages.
It is going to be pretty hard to tell the religious world that a Thanksgiving feast called Pentecost, which was exclusively for Jews, was not the beginning of the Gentile church.
Do you know the difference between kingdom and church? If you don’t, then you do not know the Mystery.
Have you solved the puzzle of the last few verses of Mark, a stumbling to many looking to do the will of God? But that commission was given to the 12 apostles and the record goes on to say that they did it and the signs followed. If they completed the task given them, why would you want to start it all over again and do something you were never told to do? It is because they do not know the mystery.
Countless have tried to obey the sermon on the mount. Many have found that it can not be done in this present world. The sermon on the mount pertains to the kingdom, the millennium. Had these folks known the mystery, they would have been spared all the trouble and disappointment.
The coming judgment of the nations as recorded in Matthew 25 has been the theme of many. You hear about the dead being raised for the judgment and evangelists lay great stress that all who hear them will have to appear in that great judgment. But we find after careful reading that it is a judgment of living nations at the time of the return of the Lord to earth. There is no resurrection in connection with it. If only folks had known the mystery, this confusion would not be.
How many times at funerals do you hear how the blessed are those who take part in the first resurrection? But those of the first resurrection speak of Israelites, over-comers from the great tribulation. If people know about the mystery, they could avoid this mistake.
A great error taught today is concerning the rapture. The common interpretation of it is that the church is going to heaven and that Christ meets it in the air and escorts it back to heaven. But that is not what the Bible says. It is the believers who have an earthly hope that are in view, which is primarily Israel. They look for the coming or presence of the Lord on earth. So when He comes, they meet Him in the air and come back to earth with Him. They never get any farther than the air. If they had known the mystery, the rapture teaching would never have been thought of.
The most damage to the knowledge of the mystery is the idea that at death one realizes his hope, instead of at resurrection. Our Lord was dead in the tomb until His resurrection. The same is true of all who believe. The idea that man has a soul, instead of being a soul, has perverted much.
We look forward to Colossians 3:1-4, not the rapture or death.
Will you receive the teaching of Ephesians? Many can not, both in the Apostle Paul’s day and today. Please consider it.
Bible Outline
| Old TestamentThe KING and The KINGDOM
Predicted |
The GospelsThe KING and The KINGDOM
Presented |
The ActsThe KING and The KINGDOM Proclaimed | Paul’s Epistles
To Us Gentiles And Jews –NOW Heavenlies, Not earth. |
The RevelationThe KING and The KINGDOM
Perfected |
| Abrahamic Covenant: Gen. 12: 2-3 Davidic Covenant: 2Sam. 7: 8-17
New Covenant: Jer.23:5-8, 31:31-34 Christ is King: Kingdom centered in Israel and Palestine: Ps. 72:1-20 ***************** The message of God through the Prophets was rejected, and Israel’s dispersion and desolation pronounced. |
The King’s Birth – Luke 1:31-33The Magi: Matt.2:1-6
Message of John: Matt.3:2 Laws: Matt. 5,6,7, Credentials: Matt.8, 9, 9:35 Peter’s Keys: (to the Kingdom, not Church) Matt.16:19-20 In Miniature: In Mystery: Matt.13:1-52 King’s Statement: John 18:36-37 Prophecy: ****************** The message of God through His Son was rejected and Israel is blinded. Matt.13:10-15 The King is Crucified. John 18:37, 19: 16-18
|
Peter’s Message: Acts 2:29-36Stephen’s Message Acts 7:2-53 James’ Message Paul’s Message ******************* The message of God by his Holy Spirit through his “other servants” was rejected. Israel is finally set aside. |
” The dispensation of the grace of God”. Eph.3:2The Mystery of the Church which is called His Body. Eph. 1:23, 2:14-16, 3: 6, 9, 4:4,Col.1:26-27
The present parenthetical administration revealed through Paul only. Eph.1:3-4, 3:1-5, 4:4-7, Col.1:25-27 The Church of “The One New Man” has it’s citizenship and blessings in heaven, where Christ is hid in God. Phil 3:20 Eph. 1:3 This present secret era will culminate in the church being received up into glory. Phil. 3:20-21, Col. 3:4 ******************* Christ is exalted in Glory As the Head of the Church which is His Body. The Kingdom is in Abeyance. “Not Yet”, |
The King Comes: Rev. 1:7Lamb opens title deed: Rev. 5:1-10, 6:1 King Victorious: Trinity of Evil destroyed: New Heaven and New Earth ******************* The King is enthroned and the Kingdom is established in glory and |
God Has Spoken
The greatest fact of history is that God has spoken, making Himself known.
In what ways has He spoken:
- Directly Himself
- By the prophets
- By His Son
- By them that heard Him
- By Paul the prisoner
There was a time that God spoke directly to individual men. The book of Genensis tells of what He said directly to individuals.
He spoke to Israel by prophets. What God spoke by the prohets, from Moses through John the Baptist, was confined to Israel.
The speaking “by His Son” was unto the Hebrews.
“By them that heard Him” can be none other than the Twelve. The ministry of the Lord was carried on by then after the ascension. Acts and the epistles during the Acts period records what God spoke by “them.”
After the Acts period, God ceased speaking to the Hebrews and gentiles associated with them. He then spoke to gentiles by Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ. God’s eternal purpose, the Mystery, was revealed Paul the prisoner and is recorded in the prison epistles.
God speaks to us today, not audibly, but thru a form of sound words which is recorded in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, I and II Timothy and Titus.
See chart below:
My Exposition – Ephesians 1: 1, 2
NOTE: Please keep in mind these studies are rough drafts and not polished. I thought it important to share as I progress through the studies rather than polish them up for publication, which can take even longer and might not ever happen. Since these studies occupy a significant amount of time, I would rather share them in the rough than not at all.
These studies are not meant to change any ones mind about what they believe but to prompt the study of the scriptures rightly divided.
My prayer is that you would prayerfully consider them, and then search the scriptures and see. Thanks
Structure of Ephesians
(Introversion)
A| 1: 1, 2 Salutation
B| 1: 3 – 3: 19 Doctrine (Our standing)
C| 3: 20, 21 Doxology
B| 4:1 – 6.10 Doctrine (Our state)
A| 6:21-24 Benediction
Introduction
The book of Ephesians is a post (after) Acts period Epistle and introduces a new administration while Israel is in abeyance (Acts 28:25-28).
It contain things that differ from other Epistles and therefore must be examined carefully.
It contains a new calling and a new hope, a gospel of unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8).
This new administration or dispensation has its sphere in the heavenlies.
Believers in this dispensation have the heavenlies as their inheritance. The hope of Israel is an earthly inheritance.
Ephesians reveals the “mystery (secret) purpose of God, which was hid in God from before the foundation of the world.
This church is an object lesson to the supernatural rulers and authorities in the heavenlies (3:10). It is to be “to the praise of the glory of His grace” throughout eternity (2:7).
It is a gospel to the nations (Gentiles) and reveals new features, like Gentiles to be:
- joint-heirs
- joint-body
- joint-sharers of His promise (3:6)
The ”new man” (2:15 and 4:24) is introduced here.
Gentiles were formerly without Christ, aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, BUT NOW we who were far off are brought near (2:12, 13).
Verses
Eph 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
A| Salutation
Who is writing the epistle? Paul (v.1)
What does Paul claim to be? “An apostle of Jesus Christ” (v.1)
To whom is the epistle written to? Faithful (true, sure, believing) Saints (separated ones) in Christ Jesus (v.1)
- The word faithful (pistos) is an adjective describing the Saints
- Pistos occurs 67 times and is rendered “faithful” 54 times; believe 2 times; believed 2 times; believeth 2 times; believing 2 times; believers 1 time; true 2 times; faithfully 1 time; sure 1 time
Grace (charis) = free, undeserved favor
The origin or source of this grace is from (apo) God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (v.2).
The word Father expresses relationship to His “beloved Son” and to those “sons” who have been begotten (engendered = caused or produced) into a new creation.
Summary
The apostle Paul is writing to gentile believers who were formerly aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise.
This is important to denote because many false conclusions can be refuted by simply pointing to who is the recipient of this epistle, which we will see in future studies contains new doctrine with a purpose never before revealed.
Please note that this Epistle is not written to:
- Israel
- churches during the Acts period, which contain the plan and purpose for Israel with grafted Gentiles (proselytes)
It is important to realize that since this Epistle is written during Israel’s ”lo-ammi” (not my people); that any comparison to the hope of Israel will confound the teachings of this epistle. The hope of Israel is not in view. A new purpose of God is being revealed to the nations.
In plain words, this epistle contains truth for today outside the purpose for Israel. We distinguigh the differences and do not rob Israel of their promises and blessings, which are to be enjoyed in “the land” not the heavenlies.
We will work through all this in future studies through the book of Ephesians.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
Paul's Ministry to the gentiles
Compliments of http://www.bibleunderstanding.com/bookofacts.htm (click for enlarged view)
Consider also:
Paul’s Fourteen Epistles
Paul's 14 Epistles Rightly Divided
The Will of God
The Lord Jesus Christ is called in the Bible a Saviour, that is, One Who saves. He is called this because He was sent by His Father to save us from the punishment due to us because we are sinners. The Lord Jesus Christ, who was not a sinner, accepted the punishment of death which was due to us when He died on the cross in our place and for our sins.
On the third day after His death, He rose from the dead and showed that He had broken the power of death, for it was not able to hold Him. He was made alive again and through Him God now gives everlasting life to those who simply believe in HIM.
When one then looks to Him and remembers that He saved them from sin and death, they then seek to find a life that will be pleasing to Him, something they find difficult to do.
Every Christian wants to know the will of God for his life, churches are filled with Saints who constantly, Sunday after Sunday, plead with God to show His will to them for their lives. It is found on the pages in a precious book called the Bible. Yet few open it to discover it.
Let’s take a look at what our Apostle Paul tells the Colossians and see what he has to say:
- Colossians 1: 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
- Colossians 1: 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
We find (3) things that put us right in the center of it. Consider:
- increasing in the knowledge of God,
- thus we will be fruitful in our works,
- thus we will walk worthy unto the Lord unto all pleasing.
If only Christians would want to know HIM, they would know HIS will.
No greater Joy then to be in the Center of IT!
Will you consider starting with the first one, increasing in the knowledge of God; the other two will come easy.
I hope you will.
Rangepro
Most People Don’t Study!
I remember for 15 years being involved in church services and activities. It was very easy to fall into a routine. Most of what I learned was spoon fed through sermons or Sunday school. I never really studied the bible for myself, nor did I really know how.
I read plenty of books. It was easy to read books. I must have read well over a hundred different books about many subjects. I found myself parroting the teaching of the books, after all, these were authors, scholars, experts and experienced teachers, respected and with credentials.
I think most people feel they are not qualified. They rely on the credentials of others who have studied formally through seminary or bible colleges.
In all my time in the institutional churches one thing was apparent; church activities competed for your time and very little emphasis was placed on studying the bible. I am not referring to reading the bible. That was always encouraged, but reading and studying are not the same.
So inevitably, what happens when you continue to trust your source of knowledge from others? You repeat what they have taught and believe it because it has been repeated over and over. I am speaking in very general terms.
I didn’t own anything with any degree of certainty because I never studied, nor did I know how. I could be easily tossed. The stringing together of bible verses was common practice for proof texts, often without understanding contexts or more importantly the current administration or dispensational characteristics.
My foundation after all those years proved to be very weak. It could not last the test of time. I found myself just wanting to walk away, and actually did. For at least 2 years we gave up on church and its systems as it nearly tore our family apart.
Don’t get me wrong, I had zeal, but that ran out. The expectation to be faithful to church, with all its programs left me spiritually starving and ultimately confused about many things. Oh I have been confused before, but just accepted the explanations without being a Berean.
One day, after my years of hiatus from the church, during my search for answers, I came across some teachings across the internet that rocked my former beliefs. What was interesting about this was the teachers encouraged you to search the scriptures and see for yourself.
I discovered the principle of right division and dispensational truth. Many problems I had in the past with certain scriptures were instantly resolved. Oh what joy, what bliss!
I applied myself to studying the word of God and not just reading it. Many of the articles in this blog are a result of my studies.
My prayer is that if you found us, you would consider what we say. We do not want to convice anyone of anything. We are bible students, always learning and working on becoming established in our calling. A calling that has been obscured through traditionalism.
There is a dispensation of grace going on today that is critical to understand but it can only be found by rightly dividing the word of truth.
It involves a purpose of God that was hidden in God before the foundation of the world. Unsearchable riches in Christ with intent of displaying the manifold wisdom of God to super heavenly beings. Sound strange, read Ephesians. Remember, things that are different are not the same.
Things That Differ – Before and From the Foundation of the World
Proposition for your consideration:
Things “before” the foundation of the world relate to Christ and the church which is His body. Things “from or since” the foundation of the world relate to the kingdom and matters pertaining to the kingdom.
Things that are different can not be the same. In our study of God’s word, we must distinguish things that are different. A failure to do this will lead to confusion.
In this short study we will compare thirteen scripture references which contain the phrase “before and from/since the foundation of the world.” We will see their relationship to two different time periods.
- Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
- Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
- John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
- Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
- Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
- 2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
- Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
- Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
- Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
- 1 Pet 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
- Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
- Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
a) Loved by the Father (John 17:24)
b) The lamb foreordained (1 Pet 1:19,20)
2. In relation to the members of the body of Christ
a) Chosen in Christ (Eph 1:4)
b) Called in Christ (2 Tim 1:9)
c) Promise of life in Christ (Tit 1:2)
a) Mat 13:35
b) Rom 16:25
2. In relation to the kingdom
a) Mat 25:34
3. In relation to the murder of God’s witnesses
a) Luke 11:50
4. In relation to millenial rest
a) Heb 4:3
5. In relation to the sacrifice of Christ
a) Heb 9:26
6. In relation to names not written in the book of life
a) Rev 13:8
b) Rev 17:9
The Two Natures
Did you know?
The moment one becomes saved in the administration of the grace of God, God imputes to him the righteousness that is needed to inherit eternal life. The scriptures say in Ephesians 2: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Because of that quickening, every believer will have two natures. The old nature looks back to Adam and has the capacity of sinning against God. “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin”. It does what comes natural “there is none that doeth good no not one”! It really needs to be starved.
In contrast the new nature looks forward to Christ and its inheritance provided by God before the foundation of the world. That new nature does NOT have the capacity of sinning because it is quickened together with Christ.
Of course, the problem is these two natures that dwell within us are always in conflict with one another. As we are well aware, this warfare within our members began on the day we were saved and quickened to this live in Christ. It really needs to be fed!
Inconsistency in the Christian life is one of the many areas where this conflict reveals itself. Grace believers should be so well equipped with the teaching of grace and their inheritance that they can as Paul said in 1 Timothy 4: 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
But this does not always translate, as it should to the practical side of the Christian experience. You see, grace also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. All too often the face of the old nature shows itself when believers are interacting with one another. Sadly when a believer has a poor attitude and is argumentative, his actions speak louder than his words. Little if anything will be achieved for the furtherance of the gospel.
We earn the respect of others when we hold them in high esteem and graciously speak the truth in love. Truth spoken not in Love is Brutality! Love given not in Truth is Sentimentality! As we yield ourselves to the face of the new nature we become kinder, gentler believers in Christ and actually accomplish more for HIM. Paul put it this way:
2 Timothy 2: 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient
2 Timothy 2: 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Earlier I said “it really needs to be fed” The Apostle who was sent to the gentiles, that’s you and I, he has given us enough instructions that everyone who loves the Lord should be able to feed themselves having the new nature to grow up, or go on to maturity.
In the book of Colossians where we find riches that pertain to us; have you ever considered the suggestion there?
Colossians 3: 1, 2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3: 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Colossians 3: 8-10 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3: 12-15 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
The only way that we can “feed the new nature’ and starve the old is by:
Colossians 3: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Why not give it a try so you can >>>Colossians 1: 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
I hope you will
rangepro
leave a comment