Mysteries: unknown, forgotten, lost, and found

One of the many wonders of creation’s Great God is His ability to know the future. From this knowledge, our Creator formulated plans for a family-kingdom—a holy, royal, ruling God-family. He foreknew the great fall in heaven and its influence over earth, pulling mankind into sin with them. He foreknew the weakness of His people that He gave to himself as an inheritance—His kingship over them. He foreknew the redemption of mankind and His gift of grace. He foreknew the rise of a Queen, wife of His beloved Son. The rise of an everlasting family-kingdom over all creation in heaven and on earth was foreknown. The ruling-three: God the Father, God the Son and the Bride/Wife of the Son was foreknown before creation. Accepting Christ’s offer of redemption and God’s gift of grace to be family members in the holy, royal, ruling God-family remains a choice for all of mankind, today.

Scriptural proofs to key questions uncover God’s foreknowledge and His maneuvers to fulfill His plan for an impenetrable and sound eternal God-kingdom comprised of repentant, righteous mankind and tested, righteous spiritual beings in heaven.

• What scriptures unveil the foreknowledge of God?
• Who is the Bride, Christ’s Wife-to-be?
• Who are God’s people?
• Who are the ten virgins in the parable in the book of Matthew?
• When will all of mankind be called to awaken from their darkened state?

KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: DARKNESS AND SIN

Before the creation in heaven and on earth began, the Son of God accepted the role of Saviour of mankind knowing sin would enter and cover mankind on earth.

“For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you” (Isaiah 60:2).

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake” (I Peter 1:15-20).

Before the creation in heaven and on earth began, the Son of God accepted the role of Saviour of mankind knowing sin would enter and cover mankind on the earth.

“For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you” (Isaiah 60:2).

KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: A SACRIFICE

The beloved Son of God was prepared to put his spiritual life on the line to save mankind. No greater love has been expressed than when the Son accepted to be the sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of mankind—before creation began.

Through the Son’s perfect sacrifice, the Great Creator God has implemented grace, wrapping His legal structure in compassion, patience and love. Everything was foreknown to the Father in heaven. This was the most effective way to test and fortify in righteousness the souls that would comprise of God’s holy, royal and ruling family—for all eternity.

KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: GRACE

“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In loveHe predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One” (Ephesians 1:4-6).

KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: SALVATION FOR MANKIND/THE SECOND CREATION

God’s kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ, the beloved Son, has not yet been established. Every member of this eternal royal, holy family has not yet been realized; it is still being determined and formed. At the completion of the set time, the first born into God’s kingdom will be a breath-taking event and a fearful awakening for those who remain mortal.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34).

People called by God and chosen because they have faith in the promises of God. They will live forever as members of the ruling, royal God-family.

“When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10).

All of this was foreknown by God, our Father in heaven and every attempt made by Satan to destroy mankind has been used by God to mold, test and strengthen those who accept the guiding hand of God.

“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

Grace is the gift God has woven into His perfected kingdom that stands as a fortress of law. Grace is core to God’s fortress-kingdom that radiates out good will and love to all, everywhere.

KNOWN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: THE ROYAL, RULING THREE

This kingdom was planned before creation began. It has been designed to be led by a divine three: God Almighty as supreme head, Jesus Christ second and King over all kings and Lord over all lords and third will be the Bride/Wife—the body of Christ. These three will rule over all creation in heaven and on earth.

WHO IS THE BRIDE/CHRIST’S WIFE-TO-BE?

Indeed, the big question is WHO.

All of mankind has been purchased by Jesus Christ through his redemptive sacrifice on the cross. From within this large body of people on earth, a small group, throughout time, have developed an eternal bond through faith and belief. These are the men and women who will form the Bride/Christ’s wife-to-be.

This body is referred to as his church—a theological body, but not everyone in “the church” will be the Bride/Christ’s wife-to-be. Among the mysteries of God spoken of by the Apostle Paul, the relationship of the Son with a theological body of men and women referred to as “the church” is mirrored in the loving and righteous relationship of a married man and woman. The Apostle Paul unveiled this profound mystery.

“For we are members of His body. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32).

Christ will marry the church—the saints within a theological body of people who remain faithful even until death during times of peace and great distress. This body of men and women will rise up above the average member with qualities and strengths that are rare and precious to God.

Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of all of mankind. It also paid the dowry for a special body of men and women. The gift of grace has been given. These theological specialists will be the first to be transformed into their glorious and radiant eternal bodies.

The wedding will take place after Christ returns to earth. At this time, the whole earth will be in turmoil before the royal wedding. The last few minutes of the great battle will be a time when an extremely distressed rebel alliance of fallen heavenly rulers will be raging and grabbing to hold onto their power over the earth but fail as they attempt to subdue the might of Jesus Christ, the King over all kings and Almighty God. These heavenly rebels fight as if it could be possible to overthrow the Supreme Great God.

God’s wrath will bring an end the great prostitute riding the beast. She will be overthrown by the fallen beastly alliance from heaven. This great prostitute is a theological entity that lures people into worshipping false gods, practicing heinous rituals and believing a false salvation plan. “In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on earth” (Revelation 18:24). This masquerading church preaching a false theology will be ruthless and relentless. 

The beastly alliance wants full control and all power. This woman on their back is a thorn in their flesh. “And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Revelation 17:16). After the beastly alliance unveils her “nakedness,” which is God’s image for wrongful behaviour, they destroy her. For God will “put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rulers over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:17-18).

This great city will come into a clear view soon. The saints will declare God’s truth, His word. They will stand strong against her lies and deception. They will proclaim the testimony of Jesus and remain the formidable force against her.

When this religious rival is destroyed, the Lamb—the One who won the rulership over the nations through his perfect and redemptive sacrifice on the cross, will then fight against the rebel beastly coalition. “With him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14). These called, chosen and faithful followers are seemingly those in the first resurrection. They are Christ’s bride who include those who fled under God’s protection into the wilderness for 1,260 days—for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach (Revelation 12:14b). These men and women will be made ready; the spots, wrinkles and blemishes—their theological imperfections will be corrected.

This body of people are described with the Philadelphia group who are kept from “the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on earth” (Revelation 3:10). The hour of trial corresponds with the same period of time that the ten kings who had not yet received a kingdom (promised previously), “for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).

After the fall and destruction of the great prostitute, creation in heaven will roar with praises to Almighty God. Justice and vengeance will take place. The great prostitute will have attempted to replace God’s faithful church and enforce their own saving plan for mankind. Foolish Wickedness will feel the sting of Almighty God’s hand. Job understood and said, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). The archenemy of God’s faithful church will be judged, sentenced and destroyed.

The wedding of the Son of God is then announced, “‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.’ (For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints)” (Revelation 19:6b-8).

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE INVITED TO THE WEDDING BANQUET?

Immediately after the wedding of Christ and his bride is announced, an important message is delivered. The angel with the Apostle John said, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God’” (Revelation 19:9).

A different group of people are invited in to the wedding banquet. Who are these people?

The parable of the ten virgins is key to identifying those who are invited into the wedding banquet. “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10).

THE BACKSTORY

The parable of the ten virgins holds many deep secrets about God’s people. They have a very long history of rebellion against their King, the Almighty God. The lineage of these people began with Abraham, Isaac and from Isaac the lineage went through Jacob, not Esau, and from Jacob twelve sons. These twelve sons carry the long history of people who were known as Israelites comprised of twelve tribes. In a revolt against the high taxes imposed on the people by King Solomon, their kingdom fractured under the reign of King Rehoboam into two houses [Judah and Israel] in 922 BCE. The house of Israel fell due to their continual rebel leadership who opposed God. They were eventually divorced from the covenant family. The ancient prophets were distressed by the fracture and falling kingdom and longed to see the prophesied Saviour who would come to save them and restore all things. The Son of God, Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid the penalty for sin allowing the divorced house to be redeemed and brought back into the covenant family, together again, with the house of Judah. While the kingdom remains fractured today into twelve nations, each with their own language, all of them are redeemed along with the nations of the world. God’s focus is to continue with His plan to re-unite the kingdom of Israel. He is working to establish a kingdom of holy, royal priests comprised of all twelve tribes, today, twelve nations who will be a model of righteousness for all nations on earth under the rulership of Jesus Christ.

TEN VIRGINS, GOD IS NOT TALKING TO ALL TWELVE

The parable of the ten virgins should be twelve virgins if God was talking to all twelve tribes, but in the parable, He is talking only to ten redeemed groups. They are identified as “virgins” because they are redeemed, no longer worshipping fallen gods in heaven. Two redeemed groups are different from the ten. They are not asleep at that time.

The parable begins with “At that time” the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins. “At that time” is identifying exactly when two virgins are not asleep, but actively overcoming. They remember the words of God, “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Revelation 21:7). Ten redeemed groups of God’s people will have fallen into complacency. They are not overcoming today. They will awaken fully around Christ’s return realizing their lack of spiritual growth.

“At that time” a lot of highly significant events happen. God’s people will enter into the great distress of Jacob’s trouble—the Great Tribulation.

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time” (Daniel 12:1).

God’s people will awaken in a fright. Fifty percent will regret their complacency, but be grateful for God’s enduring mercy. They will be able to rekindle their passion for God’s word and his law and prove their faith before Jesus Christ, the groom. Fifty percent will recognize their total neglect of the word of God and his law and hasten to learn and prove some level of faithfulness. The foolish will not enter the wedding supper of Jesus Christ and the bride, but come into judgement before Almighty God with tears and supplications. These foolish, will come from all of the twelve tribes from the house of Israel and the house of Judah and beseech Almighty God for forgiveness and grace.

“In those days, at that time, the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Yahuah [YHWH], their God. They will ask the way of Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5).

Almighty God in His great kindness and love for His people, He will forgive them and save them. These are the people who will have been taken into captivity and scattered among the nations and slaves. They will be ridiculed and heavy mocked. Almighty God will have compassion on them.

“At that time, I will gather you; at that time, I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes" (Zephaniah 3:20).

In vengeance, Almighty God will repay them for their extra suffering under the oppression of the nations where they were sent. “At that time, I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame” (Zephaniah 3:19).

The whole world will learn that the God of the twelve nations of Israel is the Supreme God, the Almighty. “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations. And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land. They have also cast lots for My people, traded a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine that they may drink” (Joel 3:1-3).

God’s people will bend their knee before their Creator, the Great God of all creation. “At that time, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people (Jeremiah 31:1).

The people from the two houses: Judah and Israel imaged as ten virgins will not be part of the first resurrection but return home to the land of their patriarch, Jacob and establish a righteous kingdom under the millennial reign of Christ.

This evil age is working to distract and entangle people into the cares of this world. Soon, the great harlot will rise and offer mankind an alternative saviour. With miracles and wonders, this evil character will lure mankind away from God. The faithful will not be deceived. During this time, they will be warning people against engaging in her trade. Mankind has only one Saviour, the Son of God.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:3-5)

Overcoming is placing Almighty God and His word and Law first and living by it. Overcoming is nurturing a close relationship with Almighty God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Overcoming is the bending of our knee in humble service before our Great Creator and Saviour. Overcoming is loving God, our Saviour and one another. Overcoming fortifies our faith and trust in God.

God will have compassion on the ten virgins. Both groups will be saved.

“For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 14:1).

God references Jacob separate from Israel. Rember in Isaiah 14, God refers to “them” not “him.” Being identified under the name of Jacob are the foolish fifty percent who had not overcome in time for the wedding banquet. The patriarch Jacob’s name was changed after he wrestled with the angel of the LORD for a blessing—the blessing of life, saving from his war-like brother Esau and warriors with him. Jacob knew the angel of the LORD was key to his saving. His determination was recognized and the angel changed his name to Israel.

Then the man [the angel of the LORD] said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).

Hosea recorded, “In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor” (Hosea 12:3-4).

The begging for eternal life and favour will be made by all of the returning twelve tribes of Israel who are not part of the first resurrection. The reality of eternal life, Almighty God, Jesus Christ and the witness of the transformation from mortal to spiritual of those in the first resurrection will cause these twelve tribes to grab onto Jesus Christ, the Old Testament angel of the LORD and beg for life eternal. They will weep; they will submit in reverence to their God and Saviour.

“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance” (Jeremiah 3:18).

God will gather them to the north and judge them according to His law. They will be gathered to that direction because God's throne and His law courts reside in the north in heaven. Directions have meaning to God. His temple is in the east. Rebels are pushed to live in the west and law-breakers are thrown down south, deep underground in inner earth.

God provides clear detail through Ezekiel. “And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face. Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD. I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 20:35-38).

God will choose Israel, the overcomers and have compassion on those who have not yet fully overcome. He will bring both groups into His Holy Land under the rule of Jesus Christ.

Our loving God assures His people. “But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Notice God is reminding the people who have not yet fully overcome that He is their Creator and Israel, the overcomers, are formed—molded by the very hands of God through Jesus Christ into a new person—a humble servant of God.

Despite the troubled journey of God’s people: their rebellions and their race for self-glory, self-reliance and self-direction, God endured and never rejected them. “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you” (Isaiah 41:8-9).

Into the 21st century, the West and western Europe may have forgotten that the whole book of Hosea is addressing them with the Jewish house of Judah.

God foresaw them coming from the west where He pushed them. “They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west” (Hosea 11:10).

Some might say, “that is not us.” Hosea recorded God’s force like the infamous, powerful east wind that pushes everything in its path west. “The guilt of Ephraim [the ten tribes of Israel, the house of Israel] is stored up, his sins are kept on record… he is a child without wisdom…  Though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come. The wind of the Lord coming up from the wilderness; and his fountain will become dry and his spring will be dried up; it will plunder his treasury of every precious article” (Hosea 13:12a, 13b, 15).

God admits to pushing them westward. In that day, God prophesied, “Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy; I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity” (Jeremiah 18:17).

God’s temple is located in the east. God’s use of imagery points in the direction of his temple—His place where righteousness rules. So, in God’s righteous judgement, He has pushed the house of Israel in the opposite direction of Him over hundreds of years because they persisted on living the way they wanted to live—in sin.

The east wind pushes westward. They were pushed so far westward, that they became identified as the West and western Europe. China is located in the east, but it is not identified under the sole name of the East. No other country on earth can be solely identified with the name of a specific direction. The West is known as a specific group of people—all of the English-speaking people who, combined, are the house of Joseph, leader of the ten tribes of Israel. God pushed the leading house of the ten tribes westward, all the way to the edge. It is indicative of how far they had fallen away from God at one time. All of the countries that comprise the West, will repent and return to worship God Almighty forever never to fall away again. Western Europe will follow them.

Again, Hosea recorded God’s prophecy, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon, he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon…” (Hosea 14:4-6).

God foresees His people maturing spiritually, sending down roots like cedar trees deep and stable. The fragrance of the cedar tree deters pests; the fragrance of spiritually strong and stable individual deters evil. The splendor of an olive tree is that it bears fruit well into its old age; the spiritually mature individual will be a priest/priestess of righteousness living well into their old age. All this begins in the west. “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God. The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader [King David] and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel” (Hosea 1:10b-11).

God added, “Say to your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one’” (Hosea 2:1). 

A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

Despite so much that ancient Israel was given from God, they rejected the great calling to become a humble kingdom of holy, royal priests.

Into the 21st century, the people of Israel will beg and weep to become God’s model kingdom of humble, holy, royal priests. Those who wrestle with Christ and prevail and be welcomed into God’s eternal, holy, royal, ruling God-family.

The new Jerusalem will be comprised of the spiritual strength of the mother church for all eternity. These people are the wife of the Lamb. The angel said to the Apostle John, “‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb,’ and he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:9-10).

The foundation of this mother church will be the prophets and prophetesses, the righteous judges in ancient times, righteous kings of old, the apostles, the saints and all men and women who have died under duress or persecution standing unmoved in their faith and trust in God. Every member will form layers upon layers of strength. Their radiance and glory will be intensified as the unified body works as one. They will be part of the highest government in all existence participating in decisions, operations and future planning with Almighty God and Jesus Christ. 

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Revelation 12:1).

This image of a woman is describing a radiant and glorified church comprised of members from all twelve tribes of Israel exercising rulership. She is wearing a crown. The number twelve is symbolic of a perfect government. This body from all twelve tribes will exercise perfect leadership and governance. The formation of this church is a great sign in heaven—a clear picture of the success that a theological body of men and women who will rise up out of darkness and mature to lead all churches [the lesser lights] forever.

“She was pregnant and crying out in pain and agony of giving birth… The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter” (Revelation 12:2a, 4b-5a).  This pure church gave birth to the Son of God, the redeemer of mankind, the King over all kings and Lord over all lords. It embraced and upheld the theology of God.

“The woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:6). The body of men and women in the last days will be protected on earth in a place where they can be corrected and cleansed of all misunderstanding and misconceptions of scripture.

“The woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14). This church is given God’s supernatural power, the wings of a great eagle, to fly from the presence of the serpent where she is taught for three and a half years.

“And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea” (Revelation 12:17).

The daughter churches of this mother church are not part of the bride because they are asleep; they are not overcoming at that time. They will awaken during the Great Tribulation and return to their Hebraic roots, teaching and living as Jesus did on earth. They will be attacked by Satan because they are keeping the commandments of God and holding to the testimony of Jesus. They will be strengthened during this time of trouble; they are the “Israel” in the book of Isaiah and the overcoming people during the time of distress.

God’s plan cannot be thwarted; He will succeed. His people will become a holy kingdom of royal, ruling priests/priestesses. The wife of Christ will be coronated a Queen and she will rule with her husband, the King over all kings, and Lord over all lords. His Queen will specialize in theological righteousness, which will be tightly woven into God’s law and result in the application of love—God’s love.

Our Great Creator will sit on His throne watching the growth of His family-kingdom through the righteous leadership of His Son with his radiant Queen-wife-mother church. God’s Holy Spirit will flow generously from Him through His Son out into his wife and to all members of the God-family. New creations will take place. The family-kingdom will expand with no limits, no boundaries growing and expanding exponentially into countess many reflecting the full image of the Great God.

While science and spirituality may seem like opposing concepts, they can actually complement each other. Many scientists and spiritual leaders believe that science can help us understand the physical world, while spirituality can help us understand the deeper meaning and purpose of life.

The Apostle Paul’s famous words were, “I tell you a mystery.” He unveiled ten great mysteries. He said, “So, let a man regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries”   

(1 Corinthians 4:1).

So, what are these mysteries? Are they relevant into the 21st century? With the countless books written by Biblical scholars and the vast dispersion of information through the internet, do these mysteries remain hidden today?

This study will discuss all ten of God’s mysteries through a five-part series and pull them out from the shadows where Satan is bent on keeping them from creation on earth.

PART 1

•  The mystery of the crucifixion of Christ: forgiveness of sins and the overthrow of rebel gods

•  The mystery of the resurrection: the transformation from mortal to eternal bodies

•  The mystery of the redemption of the divorced house of Israel, the lost ten tribes

MYSTERY #1: THE MYSTERY OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST

The Apostle Paul said, “Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:6-8).

The Apostle Paul understood all of the great mysteries detailing the wonderful destiny of mankind. He is clear that he is not talking about the wisdom of this evil age or the wisdom of the rulers of this age. The rulers of this age are the heavenly rulers given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. These rulers are fallen sons of God allied with Satan, who are working against all of mankind even those serving him. Satan wants all mortals to be destroyed physically and spiritually. Remember the scripture, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24:22).

The redemptive sacrifice of Jesus our Messiah is only partly understood by Christians. Yes, the offer of eternal life is again a choice for mankind, but that is not the full story. During the great tribulation, ancient rulers will arrive on earth again and their blasphemous practices will be mandated. This portion of the mystery of the crucifixion of Christ remains hidden from most Judeo-Christians. Preparation is essential. Satan is doing all he can to mythicize the ancient practice of all nations on earth of worshipping gods. This knowledge has been bundled up and placed into movies and comic books to entertain the public with super heroes and heroines with extraordinary abilities that are admired and desired by mortals. They are being programmed to worship these rebel gods, again. The book of Revelation prophesies the response of the nations of the world who will surrender and turn against God’s people—the target of the beast’s rage and hatred. This mystery is more relevant today than it was yesterday or in ancient times.

Understanding the mystery of the crucifixion of Christ, goes back to the beginning of creation on earth. Eve was deceived and acted on Satan’s word. Adam knew better but acted falling into Satan’s trap to desire more power and authority beyond what was given to him to satisfy his carnal desire to self-direct, be self-reliant and revel in self-glory.

Mankind’s fall into sin cut them out of God’s family and reduced them to slaves to sin with no opportunity for eternal life. From before creation, Almighty God knew the outcome. Our gracious Father engineered mankind’s saving plan and wove all of the details into the tapestry of time. Creation in heaven were not briefed on all of the details. The prophets of old longed to know the full details. God’s gracious salvation plan for mankind remained a conundrum for hundreds of years.

The core piece to the salvation-plan puzzle is knowing who is already the victor and who is the known loser of the great battle at play, today. Who could successfully conquer the rebel gods ruling over the nations? How could it happen again that mankind became trapped under the thumb of rebel heavenly rulers? The ancient, great flood cleaned the earth of wickedness, and yet wickedness rose up again.

While it is understood that God is teaching and molding mankind, it is often overlooked that God is also teaching and testing creation in heaven. At the time of Babel, mankind began to return to the old sinful ways. God implemented a test. He gave the members who filled top positions in God’s legal courts in heaven an inheritance. God’s use of the word inheritance simply means ‘rulership’ which is hereditary when born out of a royal, ruling family. At the time of Babel, God separated the people on earth; He gave them different languages and territories AND a heavenly ruler—a son of God to guide and teach them God’s law and His way. 

Moses recorded, “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court” (New Living Translation Deuteronomy 32:8). God Almighty gave Himself an inheritance, that is, Kingship. He selected the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).

All nations on earth received a heavenly king to rule over them. All of these heavenly rulers began their rulership righteously, but within a short time, all of them rebelled against the Almighty God and taught the people of the nations to worship them.

King David was disgusted with the rebellion of these heavenly rulers. He urged them to repent. 

"All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!" (Psalm 97:7)

The heavenly rulers over the nations fell deep into pride and became filled with raging arrogance. Almighty God vowed. “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler”' (Psalm 82:6).

This is the story Satan is bent on keeping hidden from mankind on earth into the 21st century. These fallen heavenly rulers were not briefed on all of the details of God’s salvation plan for mankind. They were caught off-guard and exposed as they danced, mocked and ridiculed our Saviour on the cross. 

“They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs. Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen, You have answered me!” (Psalm 22:13-21)

For more details on this topic, watch the video God against the gods on Rumble https://rumble.com/v4j8hk9-god-against-the-gods-the-final-battle-will-take-place-on-earth.html

The rogue heavenly rulers over of the nations did NOT see it coming; they are the rulers the Apostle Paul referred to. It was kept from them until the conquest was won. Christ’s perfect sacrifice paid the penalty of our sins and He won power and authority over the nations on earth from the rebel heavenly rulers, over two thousand years ago. Jesus Christ disarmed these rebel rulers and Satan mythicized them until remaining rebel rulers return described as the beast from out of the sea in Revelation.

Christ’s victory awarded him by the Father all power and authority in heaven and on earth. After Christ rose from the dead, he took those rebel heavenly rulers as captives and descended to inner earth, imprisoning them until judgement. Their authority became His booty and He gifted it to His servants: some he made apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers so that ALL the world will learn the way of God and come to know our Father in heaven. It was God’s plan, at the time of Babel, when God divided the nations among the members of His heavenly court that the nations would be taught the way of God by these highly trained, knowledge-filled heavenly gods. But those heavenly rulers turned against their Creator, the Great God and caused the nations to worship them and stray from the laws of God.

The scriptures tell the story.

·  Rebel heavenly rulers were not aware: “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY” (I Corinthians 2:8).

These rulers referred to in I Corinthians 2 are not mortal rulers. Pilate could not find a basis for a charge against Jesus. He went before the Jews and tried to release him. Once more Pilate said, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 19:4). The Jewish chief priests and officials rejected Jesus’ release. “Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar’” (John 19:12).

Finally, Pilate said, “Here is your king.” But the Jews shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” (John 19:15)

“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ All the people answered, ‘Let his blood be on us and on our children’” (Matthew 27:24-25).

·  Christ’s sacrifice paid the penalty of sin: “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that war against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having DISARMED THE POWERS AND AUTHORITIES, he made a PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM BY THE CROSS” (Colossians 2:13-15).

Christ’s sacrifice didn’t end the keeping of God’s commandments, rather it brought mankind back under the Law of God from out of Satan’s death grip to learn the details and intricacies of God’s law to keep them valuing the peace and order it brings. The heavenly rulers over the nations lost the critical battle. The public spectacle did not take place on earth, rather in inner earth before other captured and fallen heavenly rulers.

·  Christ won, through conquest, the authority over the nations: “This is why it says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.’ What does ‘He ascended’ mean,except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things" (Ephesians 4:8-9).

Christ led captives away, those rebel heavenly rulers are still alive awaiting sentencing and he will lead many more to come, in that day. 

“In that day the LORD will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days” (Isaiah 24:21-22).

·  Christ has reconciled ALL things on earth and in heaven through His shed blood: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him [Christ] to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

·  Christ gave the authority, which he took as booty from his conquest over the rogue heavenly rulers and gifted it to his church: The booty was all about teaching God’s law and His way to mankind. “…some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we ALL reach unity in the father and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

·  Christ was given all power and authority on earth and in heaven: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Mathew 28:18).

MYSTERY #2: THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION

Christ was resurrected from the dead by our Father in heaven. This resurrection is the affirmation that the righteous will also be resurrected, yet in the future. The resurrection is the mystery that death will be conquered and life will reign forever.

·  "Behold, I show you a 'Mystery'; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’" (I Corinthians 15:51-55).

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness will be as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

The resurrection from mortality to eternal life was a great mystery at the time of Jesus on earth. The Jewish religious leaders battled against each other on this specific topic. The Apostle Paul unveiled this mystery and exactly when it will take place—at the last trump on the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah and he described the feeling of immediacy—an instant resurrection in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Jesus, born mortal, became the human example, the leader, the affirmation of all things wonderful and the one to resurrect and give life eternal to the repentant and righteous people of God.

“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5). 

Two resurrections are revealed in scripture.

·  First Resurrection: “But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back” (I Corinthians 15:23).

“This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).

·  Second Resurrection: “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended” (Revelation 20:5).

"I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9-10).

The first resurrection is the better resurrection. It is so relevant today to not only be hearing the word of God, but doing—living God’s way and securing a place in the first resurrection.

Jesus Christ, Yashuah HaMashiach will be the Judge.

“For He [Almighty God] has set a day when he [the Messiah] will judge the world with justice by that Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22).

"And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).

“On the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:16).

When will this happen?

“When the thousand years are over… Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.  The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works… If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:7-15).

MYSTERY #3: THE MYSTERY OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, THE LOST TEN TRIBES

God’s ancient mysteries may appear to be irrelevant into the 21st century. Not all of God’s people remember their ancient roots. The Jewish leaders, at the time of Jesus walked on earth, rejected the return of their brothers and sisters from the ten tribes of Jacob back into the covenant family. They muddied the waters so that their heritage would be forgotten for many centuries. The third mystery is the revelation that the ten tribes of Israel with a long history of rebellion against God, will repent and be redeemed.

A brief history begins when the ancient kingdom of Israel fractured into two houses over 3,700 years ago. While both houses sinned, only the house of Israel sinned relentlessly, exasperating God to the point of divorcing them. They were cut-off from the covenant people, no longer considered people of God. They became gentiles, people without hope. The house of Israel was doomed. It was a mystery to the prophets who searched the scriptures to discover how God could fix this devastating dilemma. Over time, the house of Judah followed the ways of the house of Israel. In God’s great mercy, His plan of redemption was activated from the beginning of time. Both houses will be redeemed: Israel will be saved and Judah will be strengthened. The Apostle Paul confirmed, “All of Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

The special relationship God Almighty entered into with His people in ancient times was an intimate binding of two into one body. It typifies a marriage relationship. Two walking as one in total unity. It is a mirror of what will be achieved when men and women repent, receive God’s Holy Spirit and unify with the Spirit of Christ in them to keep God’s law and live His way. Unfortunately, ancient Israel failed.

·  God married Israel: “They broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:32).

God pleaded, “Turn, O backsliding children, for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion” (Jeremiah 3:14).

God had no choice but to divorce the rebellious house of Israel. The mystery of their redemption was searched by the prophets. It was revealed when God’s grace was announced.

·  House of Israel divorced: “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet, I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery” (Jeremiah 3:8).

The adultery God is referencing is the rejection by Israel and Judah of God’s kingship over them and their worship of rebel heavenly rulers and the practice of their detestable ways. They wanted to be like the nations around them: fighting for superpower status, self-direction and self-glory.

Isaiah recorded God’s frustration. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away’” (Isaiah 50:1).

This ancient house of Israel are not the Jews today. The ancient house of Judah are the Jews today. Ten tribes belong to the ancient house of Israel. This house is the lost sheep that Jesus was referring to when he said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24).

The prophets understood the magnitude of the divorce. God’s gracious hand continued to work and mold repentant people. Ezekiel recorded the resurrection of ancient Israel when the Great Creator will give them His Holy Spirit.

“O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it,” declares the LORD (Ezekiel 37:14).

The ancient Israelites died fighting against God. They were a vast army. They will say when they are resurrected, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” At this time, the saints will teach them; they will then understand and come to know the LORD, Almighty God.

God is unveiling all of the great mysteries. The Apostle Paul said that the divorced house of Israel will be saved along with all the world. But, in particular, the prophets wondered how God would save the rebel turned repentant house of Israel.

·  House of Israel saved: “I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints, to whom God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles [the divorced Gentiles/10 tribes of Israel] the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26).

These repentant people embraced Jesus as their Saviour. They turned away from pagan practices and the worship of Oden and other rebel gods. No longer Gentiles, they became known as Christians.

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’” (Acts 26:28) 

God’s people are being saved through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice by God’s grace. It is a big puzzle piece in God’s plan from the beginning.

The role of creation on earth as God’s priests must exercise grace, patience, kindness, compassion and love. It is essential for the expansion of God’s family in all eternity.

“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly… you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles [both divorced ten tribes and gentile people in the world] are heirs together with Israel [the house that was not divorced by God], members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus… to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:2-21).

The Jews at Jesus’ time were so constrained by their laws that there was no room for accepting grace, which caused them to reject the re-admission of their brothers and sisters of the ten tribes of Israel—the lost sheep.

·  Christ sent to redeem the lost sheep of Israel: “He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel’" (Matthew 15:24).

·  Christ sent his 12 disciples to the lost sheep of Israel: “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near’” (Matthew 10:6).

God’s work cannot be thwarted. His people will finish the work He assigned to them. They will become a kingdom of priests on earth. All twelve tribes will repent and become a bright light on a hill for the nations of the world to see.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

·  Christ’s death canceled the written code and its regulations: Believers are no longer under the Law of Sin and Death. Upon repentance and baptism, they are back under the Law of God. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and over flowing with thankfulness… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:2-15).

The God of Israel will make it possible for His people and the people in the nations to obey His law and walk in His ways through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. “‘Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:33).

When God said that the “written code” and “regulations” were nailed to the cross, He is saying that it was the redemptive sacrifice of Christ on the cross that no longer held mankind under the death sentence. Our sentencing has been cancelled. We are again free no longer slaves. The ancient Israelites will come to understand this when they are resurrected and God gives them His Holy Spirit; they will allow Christ to live in them and see the joy of living God’s law and His ways. They will enter into a better covenant with God that is for all eternity.

“Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

This was foreknown. “They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:5). 

·  House of Judah strengthened, house of Joseph SAVED: “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them” (Zechariah 10:6).

“Don’t be ignorant of this mystery… ALL of Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). “They were broken off because of their unbelief… but God is able to graft them in AGAIN” (Romans 11:20-23).

“I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in Ephraim’s hand—and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah’s stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand” (Ezekiel 37:19).

They will become a united kingdom for all eternity.

The mystery of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the wonderful news that life eternal is offered again, to mankind. It was also the triumph of the ages. Jesus, our Messiah paid the penalty of the sins for all of mankind. He also overthrew the rebel rulers over the nations on earth. Many of these rulers are presently imprisoned in inner earth with more to be captured after the great tribulation when they will be judged and sentenced by Jesus Christ, King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

Preparation for the arrival of the beastly coalition of rebel rulers on earth is crucial. They will perform miracles and their lies and deception will be toxic candy for those who are lured into their web. The rocky journey chosen by God’s people because of their superficial and fragmented relationship with Almighty God, their King, will continue through the great tribulation—Jacob’s trouble, until every knee bends to worship the Great God—God of all gods and those who refuse are purged.

PART 2

·  The mystery of Israel’s blindness, that is, the blindness the Jews experience today

·  The mystery of the church whether it is the kingdom of Israel, God’s people, or a separate body of people.

MYSTERY #4: THE MYSTERY OF ISRAEL’S [THE JEWS] BLINDNESS

The ancient house of Israel is not the same as the Apostle Paul’s reference to Israel in Romans 25, when he said, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).

In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul was referring to the divorced house of Israel as Gentiles. They were coming back into the covenant family through the sacrifice of Christ. They had lost their name hundreds of years ago when they were divorced by Almighty God and became known as Gentiles. They lived in rebellion against Almighty God, their King for many centuries suffering the curses of disobedience. In their despair, they repented. God’s generous grace and mercy was extended to them; they bent their knee before God and He redeemed them, welcoming them back in the same way that the prodigal son was received back by his father.

The house of Judah was known as Jews in ancient times. At the time the Jews started returning to Judea after their captivity by the Babylonians to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they were criticized by people living close by who felt threatened by the returning Jews. They wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes.

“(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates: Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations… When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. Thus, the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia” (Ezra 4:11-12, :23-24).

The rebuilding of the temple by the Jews was halted but not for long and not without resistance. “Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them. At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, ‘Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?’” (Ezra 5:1-3)

The scroll containing the instructions allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem was found and recorded in the Book of Ezra. “And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum: In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury” (Ezra 6:2-4).

Throughout the rebuilding of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, the returning captives from Babylon were called Jews. These are the same descendants of the Jews today.

The house of Judah returned to the Holy Land after their captivity because they acknowledged their sins and repented to Almighty God. In Daniel’s prayer, he acknowledged the sins of the house of Judah and even the sins of their brothers of the house of Israel. 

“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey His commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.”

“O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favour of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth…” 

“O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:4-13, 15-19).

In Daniel’s prayer, he acknowledged the sins of both houses: Judah and Israel [near and far]; he recognized the curses of disobedience to God; he cried out for forgiveness and the restoration of the glory of God, the supremacy of His Name and humbly asked for His grace. When people repent, God Almighty responds.

“For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place” (Jeremiah 29:10).

“For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (Psalm 94:14). 

“Yet even in those days,” declares the LORD, “I will not destroy you completely” (Jeremiah 5:18). 

Daniel represented the faithful within all of Israel, both houses. The Jews returned to the Holy Land, rebuilt the temple and became the guardians of God’s Law, the holders of the oracles of God.

The Apostle Paul announced, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:1). 

They became passionate for law, but their drive took them away from God’s Law to become enforcers of the traditions of the elders who added hundreds of regulations to God’s Law. It pulled the Jews away from God’s original path of recognizing that sin is inevitable without God’s Holy Spirit, which comes from God through Jesus Christ. They couldn’t accept grace because they were bent on obtaining salvation through works, something they controlled.

The concept of grace and forgiveness of sins was out of their control so the religious leaders rejected it and Jesus, who proclaimed it. The Apostle Paul, once a strict Pharisee understood the legal-chains binding the Jewish teachers of law and taught, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“So that no one may boast” is a key point in that scripture. All people on earth have sinned; no one can boast of their own righteousness and elevate themselves above another. A humble and repent heart is the foundation of great strength and precious to Almighty God.

The Jewish priests were stuck on adding laws upon laws, rules upon rules. “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’” (Matthew 15:3) 

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’” (Matthew 5:8-9, Isaiah 29:13). 

“‘You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!” (Mark 7:8-9)

The religious leaders became exceedingly self-righteous and self-glorifying. This pendulum swing went in the direction of the rebel rulers in heaven. Jesus warned his disciples, “Be careful. Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). 

They rejected the Saviour, so God blinded them, but they will not remain blind forever. God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see until the number of their brothers [the once-divorced gentiles of the 10 tribes of Israel] have come into the faith. Then, God will lift the veil and they will cry out for grace and weep bitterly, when they realize that they authorized Christ’s death on the cross. God will give them mercy and grace. 

“Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10).

Both houses that comprise the kingdom of Israel will repent fully during the Great Tribulation, Jacob’s trouble and return to Almighty God, their King.

“‘Therefore, do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the LORD, ‘nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished’” (Jeremiah 30:8-11).

In Jeremiah 30, God is talking to all twelve tribes. Israel will recognize their sins, accept their punishment and repent before Almighty God, trusting in Him and waiting for their deliverance. 

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his justice. Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, ‘Where is the LORD your God?’ My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets” (Micah 7:8-10). 

“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance” (Jeremiah 3:18). All people on earth will come to learn that there is NO ONE who can make this journey on earth without sinning. All of mankind need God’s mercy and grace.

The key points in the mystery of the blindness of Israel, the Jews today:

• The once-divorced Gentiles [lost 10 tribes of Israel] are no longer cast off: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy’” (I Peter 2:10).
• Judah will not be able to identify their Savior, until all of their brothers from the 10 tribes have accepted Christ and repented.

"I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until, the 'full number of the Gentiles' has come in" (Romans 11:25).

• The house of Judah like the house of Israel live in disobedience and need grace: “Just as you [10 tribes of Israel] who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they [the house of Judah] too have now become disobedient [rejected Christ as their savor for a time] in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you [the 10 tribes of Israel]. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them ALL (Romans 11:30-32).
• House of Judah will receive grace. "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly overHim like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo (Zechariah 12:10-11).
• Note John 19:36-37 “Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken.’ And, as another Scripture says: ‘They will look on the One they have pierced.’”

This was foreknown. “They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:5).

• MYSTERY #5: THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL

The house of Judah and the house of Israel split around 931 BCE and remain split today. Yet, despite the animosity and competition between them that persisted throughout the ages, a re-unification into one kingdom is prophesied. It has begun already on a spiritual level through the repentant people of Israel and Judah. Their kingdom will expand to include all people in the world. We are all heirs through Christ, entering into God’s kingdom through the gates of Israel. Christ is building his church and an intimate relationship is forming. The relationship that a husband and wife share, is a mystery rarely understood.

God’s people are a church married to Christ, the One who purchased them.

·  God created intentionally the intimate relationship between a husband and wife to reflect the spiritual equivalent, that is, the intimate relationship between Christ and his church: The Apostle Paul understood the mysteries of God and taught, “For we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will becomeone flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32).

There exists an order of authority that must be realized and upheld. Christ is the supreme head of the church; he is their only Teacher. Almighty God is supreme head of Christ and the church.

·  One body with Christ as the head: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:18).

“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:3).

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22).

God’s people have always been destined to be a holy kingdom of royal priests who will rule with Christ.

God speaking to ancient Israel through Moses said, “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites. So, Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him” (Exodus 19:5-7).

Ancient Israel was commissioned by God to become a church of priests, obey Him, hence, live righteously, then they would become a precious and holy people who would be anointed as a kingdom of priests for the nations as a witness of righteous living and turn the nations to desire to know the Almighty, the Great Gracious God, their Creator.

God’s plans cannot be thwarted despite the rebellion of His people. He will succeed as the Apostle Peter again reminded God’s people that they would still become a kingdom church of holy priests. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

God’s people are a kingdom of twelves nations today, who will repent fully to bend their knee before Jesus Christ and God Almighty and accept the anointing as a church of holy priests, every one of them in the kingdom of Israel.

·  The righteous will reign with Christ: “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (II Timothy 2:12).

“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).

God’s people will be a righteous kingdom of priests.

·  God still loves Israel—Judah and Israel (10 tribes): “O Jacob, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine... you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you” (Isaiah 43:1). 

“I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel” (Isaiah 46:13). 

“In that day, the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return” (Isaiah 10:20).

God has already identified the tribes who will hold highly honoured positions in his kingdom.

“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,

12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,

12,000 from the tribe of Gad,

12,000 from the tribe of Asher,

12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,

12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,

12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,

12,000 from the tribe of Levi,

12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,

12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,

12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,

12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed” (Revelation 7:3-8).

·  A great multitude from ALL nations will repent: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9)

·  The overcomers enter into a marriage with Christ: The Apostle Paul feels the joy of this upcoming relationship with Christ, sharing it with the once-divorced people of Israel, “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (II Corinthians 11:2).

The precious relationship of a husband and wife will be amplified when all is fulfilled. The Apostle Paul foresaw the cleansing and glorious changes take place when the saints are purged of their misunderstandings and misconceptions of God’s word. They will become perfect in God’s word because Christ will be in them. “He did this to present her to himself as a radiant church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (Ephesians 5:27).

The Apostle John saw Christ’s Bride and hearing the angel he recorded, “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God’” (Revelation 19:7-9).

It is an interesting note that in the parable of the ten virgins, only the wise were invited to the marriage supper.

When all things are restored by Jesus Christ, then a new home is made for creation in heaven and on earth ruled by the King over all kings and Lord over all lords with his Queen. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1-2).

The prophets, the saints, the righteous in the first resurrection will be elevated to rule with Christ and enter into an intimate, holy, ruling relationship like that of the marriage of a man and a woman. The body of men and women will be honoured as a Queen ruling with her King from within a holy priesthood kingdom. There will be no other kingdom in all existence equivalent to this tightly bound relationship of this husband and a wife, a king and lord with his complementary queen and priestess. It is a wonder and a mystery revealed where few still do not understand.

PART 3

·  The mystery of the gospel

·  The mystery of Christ in you will be studied.

MYSTERY #6: THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL 

“This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles [the divorced ten tribes of Israel] are heirs together with Israel [the Jews] members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6).

To clarify, it should be noted here that the Jews were the house of Judah throughout ancient times. They took the name Israel because they believed they were then the only remaining members of the ancient kingdom of Israel. They, like the prophets of old, did not know how the fallen house of Israel who became called Gentiles with the people of the world, could be saved and brought back into the covenant family, let alone, the pagan and heathen people from the nations of the world.

The New Living Translation provides a clearer understanding of Ephesians 3:6: “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News/the gospel share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.”

The gospel is the testimony of Christ. Believing the gospel will bring all the promises Christ has made, such as, eternal life, rulership either with him or under him, riches beyond measure, peace and a close relationship with Almighty God, the Great Creator.

THE GOOD NEWS!!

•  Keeping His own Law, Almighty God devised a plan to save mankind.

•  Jesus Christ was successful!

•  Through God’s legal system, Christ paid the penalty of mankind’s sins.

•  Jesus Christ purchased mankind, through his shed blood.

•  Jesus Christ won the kingship over mankind.

•  Mankind is eternally indebted to Jesus Christ.

Unknown until the right time, Christ’s perfect sacrifice would pay the price of all the sins of the world and give him legal ownership of all people on earth, overthrowing the rebel rulers over the nations. Christ brought all people out from under the penalty of sin. He is their Judge; he is their Saviour; he is their King. Now, all people share together in having Christ in them—his perfect Spirit within. This makes possible the understanding of God’s Law and His ways. Righteousness will prevail and wickedness will die.

The mystery of the gospel unveiled the revelation of how the divorced house of Israel would receive redemption of sin and the introduction to grace from God through Christ’s sacrifice. The prophets of old trembled when the house of Israel was divorced by God. They were given strange prophetic images and visions pointing to the reunification of the two houses and a great saving, but the mystery of how it all would come about was unknown, until the right time.

The lost 10 tribes (house of Israel) have been redeemed and are back into the family. This house of ten have become ten nations identified separately due to their ten different languages. Today, they have forgotten their roots, but tomorrow, Jesus Christ will show them exactly which tribe of the ten they belong to. The opportunity for the whole world to be grafted into the covenant family was always part of God’s plan.

King David lived during the reign of these fallen rulers over the nations. He was angry with them causing the nations to sin and their rebellion against God. He said, “Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods" (Psalm 97:7).

“Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you” (Psalm 82:8).

The problem Almighty God had to resolve was a legal matter. He gave the nations heavenly rulers to teach them His Law and way. These heavenly rulers were the finest in His heavenly court, but all of them fell into rebellion. God operates under His own Law. He cannot take back what is legally given to these fallen rulers. God had to use His Law to win back rulership over the nations. God is teaching and testing creation in heaven, while moulding and perfecting creation on earth. He is using His Law to convict and sentence, to win and re-establish. 

At the time that the house of Israel returned to the covenant family, the house of Judah rejected their Saviour. Their rejection has placed them now on the outside—outside of the saved covenant family. The taking of the gospel to the world was first offered to the Jews, but they rejected it. The early Christians were humble and begged to learn God’s Law and His way. Jesus gave the redeemed 10 tribes of Israel the task of taking the gospel to the world and they were humbly honoured. The house of Joseph led the way, sending missionaries preaching Christianity throughout the nations of the world. While the two houses remain fractured today, a re-unification is prophesied. It will take place at the beginning of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.

The key points of the mystery of the gospel that need to be established through scripture are:

• The divorced house of Israel received redemption of sin.
• The nations of the world received redemption of sin.
• The Jews rejected the Saviour of the world, but will come to realize their grave mistake and accept him, after all of the once-divorced house of Israel have come into the covenant family.
• The house of Israel and the house of Judah into the 21st century will re-unite into one kingdom that will bind for all eternity as a united kingdom.
• God’s people will become a holy kingdom of royal priests witnessing God’s way to all the world. All of them will know God.
• The nations of the world will see the peace and prosperity of keeping God’s law and living His way. They will of their own volition turn to worship the Almighty God.
• The nations of the world will enter through the twelve gates of Israel—an image of these people coming into God’s leadership through each of the twelve nations of Israel.

Paul was sent to the Gentiles (the once-divorced house of Israel—10 tribes): “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’ For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and I would heal them.’ Therefore, I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:25-28).

Salvation is available to the whole world: “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that ALL nations might believe and obey him” (Romans 16:25-26).

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The Jews will accept a false saviour who comes in his own name, that is, one who comes in his own authority: Jesus said, “I do not accept glory from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him” (John 5:41-43). 

Daniel recorded the terrifying end-time visions. A little horn will rise to power, the one who will come as the Antichrist will “set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host” (Daniel 8:10), he will halt the daily work of the Prince of the host in heaven and subdue it for a time (Daniel 8:11). This rebel will do as he pleases and “magnify himself above every god and say unheard-of things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36).

The vile and detestable behaviour of the evil ruler from heaven will awaken the Jews to whom they accepted as their saviour and they will repent.

House of Judah will receive grace: "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitterweeping over a firstborn. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo (Zechariah 12:10-11).

Note John 19:36-37 “Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken. And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”

In the last days, the two houses of Israel will return to God: “When you have multiplied and increased in the land in those days...the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel and they shall come together out of the land of the north, to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your Fathers" (Jeremiah 3:16-18). 

“In those days, at that time, the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Yahuah, their God. They will ask the way of Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5).

The two houses will become ONE kingdom forever: “I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in the hand of Ephraim and the Israelite tribes associated with him and the stick of Judah and the Israelite tribes associated with him and join them, making them a single stick of wood…I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them ONE nation in the land… there will be ONE king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms” (Ezekiel 37:18-22).

God’s people will become a holy kingdom of royal priests witnessing God’s way to all the world. All of them will come to know God.

The Apostle Peter reminded them of their calling given to ancient Israel after the Exodus. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Job knew and said, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

“All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Daniel 4:35).

Our God is the Almighty God, the Supreme, Great Creator of all living and what He sets out to do, He accomplishes.

Through the re-united house of Israel, the nations will come to know God: “When I brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations… I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares Yahuah (Ezekiel 39:24-29).

Through the 12 gates of Israel, that is, through each of the twelve nations of Israel, all repentant people will enter into the New Jerusalem: “It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel” (Revelation 21:12).

The world will listen and worship the Almighty God: “In that day there will be an altar to Yahuah in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to Yahuah at its border… the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge Him… The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Yahuah Almighty will bless them, saying ‘Blessed by Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:19-25). The word “inheritance” means “kingship.” So, Almighty God will be King over His people, Israel, forever.

MYSTERY #7: MYSTERY OF CHRIST IN YOU

The understanding of Christ in you began on the day of Pentecost, with the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It was no longer reserved for those who would hold special responsibilities like the prophets, prophetesses and selected kings, but to everyone who repents. The Holy Spirit brings them into the body of God through Christ. Repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit is the process that transforms Christians, while they are still mere mortals, so they can be joined as one with God through Christ.

Christ in you is having the ability to put aside your own will and do the will of God, our Father because the Spirit of Christ is in you. An eternal unity will form bringing men and women into the body of Christ who is at one with Almighty God.

It is the responsibility of teachers to build up their congregations into the maturity and full measure of the stature of Christ, so that oneness will be achieved. “He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

The order of authority within this “oneness” establishes God, our Father as the head reigning supreme, Christ is second in-charge—God’s body and head of the bride—his body, the men and women who are his church. The bride will hold the third position in the order of authority.

This formation becomes a single body comprised of multiple members who walk, think, and act as ONE. It is a unique oneness, where everything is shared and nothing is hidden. While we still live in the flesh, a mutual union of the Holy Spirit is brought together with the human spirit.

Christ, who has been given all power in heaven and in earth, will share his glory and position with his bride. Christ existed with his Father prior to the creation of heaven and earth. He is King over all kings in heaven and on earth. His bride and soon wife will be Queen ruling with him over all creation in heaven and on earth. Through a monarchy, they will bring the two realms together under one rulership. A wonder will be revealed when repentant mankind goes from dust and dirt to eternal life. This awesome calling remains a mystery for many Christians.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

The key scriptures to the mystery of Christ are:

·  “Oneness” is achieved through one Spirit into one body.

·  The saved are dependent on the Saviour.

·  A new creation is formed through the Spirit of Christ in you.

·  Three become one.

·  The symbolism of number three.

·  The righteous will be resurrected in glory.

One Spirit, one Body: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:13).

“You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (I Corinthians 12:27).

The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit of God Almighty. The Apostle Paul is directing Believers to lean of Jesus Christ and follow him. He is the tested rock that will not fail.

The saved are dependent on the Saviour: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

A new creation is formed through the Spirit of Christ in you: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”   (II Corinthians 5:17).

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15).

The new creature is a law-abiding, humble, righteous individual. A God-revering and God-obeying Believer who walks by faith with complete trust in the plan Almighty God engineered for all creation on earth.

The God-instituted practice of circumcision was a physical ritual mirroring deep repentance and an eternal desire to live righteously. The new creation is the living of righteousness made possible by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ in you. It supersedes rituals that cannot bring spiritual change.

The Father and the Son are ONE in total unity: Jesus said, “My Father, who has given them [the saints] to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the FATHER ARE ONE” (John 10:29-30).

“But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and understand that the FATHER IS IN ME, AND I AM IN THE FATHER” (John 10:38).

“Believe me when I say THAT I AM IN THE FATHER AND THE FATHER IS IN ME; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” (John 14:11).

Jesus teaches Believers about the very core of the God-family. It is a family in total unity.

“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be ONE AS WE ARE ONE” (John 17:11).

“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME, that they may be PERFECTED IN UNITY, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:22-26).

God’s Holy Spirit will flow out through Jesus Christ into all Believers and they will become totally unified, understanding God’s Law and way, living perfectly through the Spirit of Jesus Christ in them, following Jesus wherever he goes.

The symbolism of the number three:

Bullinger states, “THREE, symbolizes that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. All things that are divinely complete are stamped with this number three” (Bullinger, ‘Number in Scriptures’ p. 95).

Throughout the entire Bible, the number three is expressed as a significant marker to state that an event along God’s plan has been completed in its entirety.

The righteous will be resurrected in glory: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:2-4).

From rags to riches:  This fused unity—oneness where God, our heavenly Father is the HEAD, Christ is His BODY AND HEAD of the bride, and she is Christ’s BODY is the upcoming RULING FAMILY OF THREE. This royal body of three working as ONE will complete the holy, divine leadership. God’s Holy Spirit flows out filling Jesus Christ completely; it saturates the men and women within Christ’s body because they are in him. It is God’s Holy Spirit that is the Spirit of Christ teaching and encouraging the saints. 

Jesus said, “But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).

Jesus, our Messiah, had to die [pay the penalty for us], be resurrected [return to his glory verifying the promise of our resurrection as he is the first of the first resurrection] and return to heaven to fulfill his role as Intercessor in heaven advocating to the Father in regard to the short comings of the church until his return. His Spirit is our Advocate, our Comforter and our Teacher.

It is Jesus Christ who will judge the world. “And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. In regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned” (John 16:8-11).

Christ convicted Satan, the prince of this world. The legal case of Satan’s crimes against humanity has gone to God’s court and he has been sentenced. His activity today remains until the allotted time is complete.

The resurrection of those who have Christ in them is sure. Nearly beyond comprehension is the realization that repentant mankind will be changed from dust and dirt [rags] to spiritual eternal life [riches] in a matter of a twinkling of an eye.

PART 4

·  The mystery of our godliness

·  The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness

MYSTERY #8: THE MYSTERY OF OUR GODLINESS

The mystery of our godliness is Christ in you.

“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory” (I Timothy 3:16).

Godliness was a hot topic during Jesus’ time on earth. The Jews were fixed on keeping the Mosaic Law, Old Testament rituals and the added rules and regulations of their elders. This was not all together wrong. The laws are good, but without God’s Holy Spirit, the deep spiritual meanings that change a heart of stone to a heart of love is not attainable. Receiving of God’s Holy Spirit is the critical essence to spiritual maturity.

Jesus Christ made it possible for all of mankind to reach the spiritual maturity essential for God’s family-kingdom. Accepting Christ’s sacrifice and his leadership will open the outflowing of God’s Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ into every believer. Because Jesus Christ purchased mankind and he owns all of them, God’s Holy Spirit through him is having Christ in you—he receives the credit for the spiritual maturity of all of mankind because he paid the price and he is their only fully-qualified Teacher.

This change out of the fleshly matters to live solely in spiritual matters was a teaching the Apostle Paul understood very well. He comprehended the flow of God’s Holy Spirit and the leadership of Christ in you. “You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).

This union with Jesus Christ is essential to spiritual maturity. He is the example to follow and living as he lived brings unity. “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit” (I Corinthians 6:17). 

Spiritual maturity is a process. The Apostle Paul fully understood the growing into the fullness of Christ.  It is not fully understood by Christians today that after Jesus’ resurrection, he descended to inner earth, taking with him captives, rogue heavenly rulers who lost their authority to rule over the nations, and from the booty of his conquest, he gifted the authority that the overthrown heavenly rulers had to teach the nations God’s Law and His way, to leaders in his church to preach the truth, the good news of salvation, the peace in keeping God’s Law and the love that results from living God’s way. These church teachers school the congregation only on what Christ taught them. They are not to be the interpreters of theology. Jesus Christ is the example and only source because he is the Word.

Jesus said, “Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters… Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ”(Matthew 23:8, 10).

When Jesus gave the authority to his church leaders some to be apostles and prophets, others to be evangelists, pastors and teachers, it did not give these leaders authority to interpret scriptures differently to how Jesus lived when he was on earth. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus kept the Law of God; he kept God’s Holy Days; he did the will of the Father and he spoke the words that the Father gave to him; he did not change anything.

The hundreds of differing interpretations of scripture by the Christian churches has brought division, not unity. The core purpose of these teachers is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

Christ does not want the congregation in his church to remain babes “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Different roles have been given to the men and women in Christ’s church. Each doing their own part exactly as Christ wants it, will bring growth and maturity within the church. It is essential that all leaders in the church, men and women, are praying fervently to ensure what they teach is exactly what Christ teaches, which is exactly what the Father instructs. Only then will unity abound bringing together in the fullness of Christ the spiritually new born members of God’s family.

Having Christ in you is looking to Jesus Christ is our only example. Follow him wherever he goes. To look to theologians or bishops as the experts having a full understanding of the word of God, will lead to errors. Humans are faulty; they make mistakes; they have misunderstandings and misconceptions. Even the Bride of Christ has spots, wrinkles and blemishes. These faults and mistakes will be corrected when she flees into the wilderness from the dragon.

The time of her perfecting will be in the wilderness, is an image that describes a place where the “natural environments on Earth have not been significantly modified by human activity.” 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness) The wilderness is God’s use of imagery describing a place on earth where spiritual growth can take place because the influence and controls of Wickedness will not be present to persecute, put up barriers or oppose them in any way.

“When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach” (Revelation 12:13-14).

The woman, the Apostle John saw, was an image of the Bride of Christ, the faithful church—mother of all churches. Still a future event, this body of men and women will be directly targeted by Satan when he is thrown out of heaven falling down to earth. Demoted again, he will be a raging lunatic. He will target the people who are ready and waiting for Christ’s return.

This mother church will not yet be perfected, but during the three and a half years in protection, they will learn directly from Jesus Christ and their spots, wrinkles and blemishes—their misunderstandings, misconceptions, and errors of scripture will be removed. Riveting excitement will fill all of heaven and like roar of rushing waters a great multitude will shout “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints)” (Revelation 19:6-8).

This body of men and women know they have spots, wrinkles and blemishes and lean on Jesus Christ for knowledge, understanding and God’s wisdom. They are listeners and ready to learn and change. In contrast to the Laodicean body of people who proclaim that they are rich and are need of nothing but are truly wretched pitiful, poor, blind and naked—they don’t have a solid foundation of the word of God but claim they do; their understanding of God’s word is impoverished; they cannot see differently to what they preach and their behaviour is not righteous (Revelation 3:17).

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Born again Christians need to humbly listen and learn with the pliable mind of a child, while testing and proving, so that they are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

Jesus Christ is the only example to follow. At the time of the disciples, the people worshipped other gods, the heavenly rulers over the nations. Shrines were built on corner streets everywhere; offerings were given. All of those practices faded over time, after Christ marched his captives to their prison in inner earth. The fear of disobeying these rebels faded as their power ended, the violent storms stopped, the curses failed. Jesus Christ won the authority of the nations and God’s people. He only is the example to follow, full of grace and truth. 

The Apostle John wrote, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

This Son of God is truly the only Son of his kind. Strong’s concordance provides insight into the meaning of “only begotten”. Monogenes means “one of a kind”—“a single kind” “one of a class”. I would add “one from its own type of birth”. The creation in heaven has many sons of God. 

“God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the ‘gods’” (Psalm 82:1).

“Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD” (Job 2:1).

Almighty God remains the Supreme God over all gods. “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).

So, This Son, Jesus—Yashuah, is truly a unique Son. So, follow him wherever he goes.

MYSTERY #9: THE MYSTERY OF "INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS"

As the "Mystery of our Godliness" is Christ who came in the flesh, so the "Mystery of Iniquity" is a hybrid life form, a “son” of Satan—the Antichrist who is the little horn in Daniel who will appear for all of the world to see. He is the mystery of lawlessness—his vile spirit will be poured out and absorbed by those who refuse the truth—who rebel against Almighty God and Jesus Christ. The Antichrist, the little horn, is a rebel spiritual being who will manifest himself in a glorious fashion coming down from heaven claiming to be the saviour of all of mankind.

The Archangel Michael restrains this vile character today, but when he receives the order to step away, the people on earth will see and experience a type of wickedness so terrifying and horrible they will shudder and hide. “And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way” (II Thessalonians 2:6-7).

Daniel recorded this 21st century event. “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).

The inhabitants whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the earth will rejoice and lavishly worship the beast, taking his mark of loyalty to lap up corruption and deceit (Revelation 13:8).

We see people today bent on destruction. They knowingly participate in all sorts of financial corruption, wrongful activities, strange practices and many openly worship Satan. When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing” he was referring to all of the spiritually lost people then and today.

God’s plan is meticulously marked. The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness will be revealed at the time Almighty God has planned. The Apostle Paul said that lawlessness is already at work. Into the 21st century, it is referred to as lawfare—the weaponization of the legal system. Corrupt and evil, powerful people are operating above the law and being protected by rogue judges, politicians, police and the vast array of supporters with them.  The law does not restrain them from achieving what they want; they are not charged or convicted. They twist the law to bring charges against innocent people to destroy them financially and prevent them from going against them. They bring charges when there is no victim or offense. They create charges out of nothing to attack and neutralize their opponent. They are ruthless and relentless. They have no shame in their actions or remorse, instead their lawless actions do not end even when they achieve their outcome. They serve the mystery of iniquity.

The heavenly rebels know God’s Law; they are experts. The little horn in Daniel—the Antichrist will attempt to twist and abuse God’s Law to try to set a precedent that will pardon him and his allies of their lawlessness. Almighty God keeps His own Law. They will falsely accuse Him, try to change the interpretation of His Law to convict Him and Jesus Christ. God, the Supreme and All-Powerful God will allow this rebel success for a time in order to convict him and his allies with Satan and all who in heaven follow this rebel. God is testing creation in heaven as well as the people on earth.

Planned before creation, Almighty God foreknew the outcome of all things. A rebellion in heaven was foreknown. God, the Great Creator, drew up the set times within His grand plan for creation in heaven and on earth. God allows choices. With choices are consequences—blessings and curses. God Almighty knew rebels would try to usurp His rule. He knew He would have to build a legal case against them. He knew it would involve a terrifying war in heaven that would spillover onto earth. Mankind will be rudely awakened when these rebels arrive on earth.

Daniel described this rebel little horn in detail. He will grow in might and power in heaven and sit as a king for a time, times and half. He will play the key role in the final battle on earth. Satan will hand over his throne, power and great authority to the little horn (Revelation 13:2b) and watch on the side lines. “He [the little horn] will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).

One of the key words in that verse is “intending.” The little horn will speak against the Almighty God and persecute the saints with the intension of perverting the authority of the Supreme God and trumping up false charges full of lies while persecuting the saints forever if he could because they stand strong with the Great Creator, the Supreme, Almighty God. The saints who survive will suffer mockery, ridicule and intense persecution from the little horn—the Antichrist with his coalition of fallen, heavenly rulers.

At this time, the little horn of Daniel will behave like a cornered beast desperately trying to change the times allocated by Almighty God who, alone, has allowed a time of great distress into His grand plan for all creation in heaven and on earth. He will also try to change laws—God’s laws that lead to God’s judgement and sentencing. He will try, through twisting and perverting God’s Law, the creation of his own rules to set a precedent that would allow for his pardon and the freeing of his rebel allies, will be attempted. He will fail because he is not the God of all gods; he is not the eternal Law-maker, he is not the Great Creator and he cannot alter God’s plan.

Time, times and a half has been allocated to the little horn at the close of this evil age to test the loyalty of all creation in both heaven and on earth. He will be successful only because he is allowed this set time. What God has determined must take place (Daniel 11:36b).

During the three-and-a-half-year reign of terror of this little horn—the Antichrist, he will:

·  Rise in power in heaven and war against the army of the heavens

·  Enjoy some success, “throwing some of the starry host down to the earth and trampling on them” (Daniel 8:10)

·  Set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the army of God [Jesus Christ] and stop his daily work bringing it down to insignificance (Daniel 8:11).

This event will try the faith of Christians everywhere. Always remember, God is in charge regardless of events that are allowed to occur for a short time. God is building a legal case against all who war against Him.

The little horn—the Antichrist will:

• Do as he pleases
• Exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods
• Be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined by Almighty God must take place.
• Show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women [Jesus Christ], nor will he regard any god 
•  Exalt himself above them all
• Honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.
• Attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god
• Greatly honor those who acknowledge him. Of course he will
• ·  Will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price” (Daniel 11:36-39). I guess everyone will have nothing and be happy.
• Come according to the working of Satan with all power and miracles and lying wonders
• Do every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing and they are perishing because they do not love the truth (II Thessalonians 2:9-11).

The Apostle John warned Christians to be aware of this vile character during the deceitful final years of this evil age who will declare himself to be the Saviour of mankind and a Creator.

"Who is the liar, but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. Every one that denies the Son does not have the Father. The one who confesses the Son, truly has the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23).

The Antichrist will impersonate all of the unique origins and achievements of the true Saviour of mankind. He will claim to be a descendant from the line of King David. He will appear to be resurrected after being fatally wounded. He will bring a false Elijah to turn the hearts of mankind into complete lawlessness. He will make Jerusalem the capital of his world-ruling government and establish his rule with deceptive miracles and wonders that will be performed by the second beast, a false prophet. He will interpret the Mosaic Law through his own lens and proclaim world peace.

He will use God’s method of recognition and copy it. The faithful Philadelphia group of men and women are promised by Jesus Christ to have names written on their foreheads. He said, “I will put the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name” (Revelation 3:12b). 

This rebel with place a mark on the right hand or on the forehead of those who commit to his system of business and lifestyle and worship him. "And the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, allow it [the Antichrist's state religion] to give them a mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads: so that none can buy or sell, except they have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. Here is wisdom. Let him having reason count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Revelation 13:16-18).

The inhabitants on the earth who take the mark, or his name or number on their right hand or on their foreheads and worship the idol will be killed by Jesus Christ, the rider on the white horse (Revelation 19:20-21). The acceptance of a mark, name or number on their right hand or forehead is a wilful allegiance to live in their political and economic system. The worshipping of the idol of the beast is pledging loyalty to the head of the beast.

The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness is the establishment of a one-world ruling government where the supreme ruler will be the Antichrist described as the little horn by Daniel. He will work to establish his own interpretation of God’s Law and attempt to subdue the Almighty God and Jesus Christ to change the set times, to extend his own rulership beyond a time, times and half a time, which God Almighty has fixed in His grand plan for all creation.

This foolish rebel will fail. When this beastly coalition feels that have everything under their control, they will take their stand against Jesus Christ, Prince of princes. They will be quickly overpowered “not by human power” (Daniel 8:25b) but by the King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

These battles between very powerful spiritual beings will be visible to all people on earth. Watching the saints being subdued and persecuted during the great tribulation and the rebel spiritual powers taking control over the whole earth, will be terrifying for those who stand against wickedness. This beastly alliance will target the twelve nations that comprise of God’s people. Some will be taken into captivity, others killed, and all of them will be mercilessly mocked and belittled publicly everywhere. It will require, as Jesus prophesied, “patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).

Put your trust in God’s plan. For a time, the work of Jesus Christ in heaven will be halted for 2,300 days and nights, the reign of terror of the Antichrist will be allowed for the set time, persecution, captivity, suffering and death, mockery and ridicule will target God’s people. All this is needed to awaken God’s people and bring them into a deep repentance and turn to Him. He will rescue them and His plan to establish His kingdom of priests will be achieved. This kingdom will be a light to the world and the nations will turn and ask to come in under the allegiance of the Great, Almighty God—their Creator.

The mystery of our godliness is the Holy Spirit of God flowing through Christ in you because you have accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour. You now can hear his voice and learn from him. The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness is the false Messiah attempting to establish a one-world government reign of terror for those who keep God’s Law and His way. These mysteries were fully understood by the Apostle Paul who taught them to the lost tribes of Israel. In love with the word of God, they carefully preserved his letters of instruction into the Bible that we have today.

PART 5

·  The mystery of God’s will is the mystery of the restoration of all things

MYSTERY #10 THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL IS THE MYSTERY OF THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS

The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 1: “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Ephesians 1:9-10).

Mystery of His will, that is the will of Almighty God, reveals that at the end of the fullness of times, it is God’s purpose to restore all things, as they were before the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man. 

“Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:21).

Compiled concisely, Chris Moen from LifeHope&Truth.com provides the sequence of events in the mystery of the restoration of all things:

THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:

1.  Christ’s returns in all His glory and the whole world sees Him. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).

2.  The first resurrection of the righteous who will rule with Christ for 1,000 years. They are the first to experience a fully restored relationship with God. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming” (I Corinthians 15:22-23).

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).

Satan’s kingdom will be banished. “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31).

3.  A New Thing! Here God calls His restoration “a new thing” because it will be new for those experiencing it, and the relationship He will have with humanity will exceed the one He had with Adam and Eve. Though offered the opportunity to have the close relationship with God, Adam and Eve foolishly decided to make their own decisions apart from God. They turned their backs on the relationship that would have provided them peace and eternal life. (Chris Moen)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing [restoring all things]! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

4.  Recovery from Sin. All who repent, all who call out on His name shall be saved. “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32).

5.  A new covenant with Israel and the whole world. This new covenant, which represents having a peaceful, reconciled relationship with God, is not limited to Israelites. Eventually, as Psalm 22:27 notes, “all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all families of the nations shall worship before You.”

My added point here is that the new covenant is simply repentant people willingly obeying all that has been already commanded. It is made possible by the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit to everyone who repents. Now the stubborn heart of stone transforms into a heart of love. God’s law will be kept, peace will cover them and righteousness will prevail.

6.  Lands and cities restored – the Millennium will be a period of massive rehabilitation over the earth. Once the sins of kingdom of Israel—that is, all twelve tribes of Israel, are forgiven, God will cause their land to be restored to beauty like the Garden of Eden.

“On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. … So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited’” (Ezekiel 36:33, 35).

21st century Israel—all twelve nations today who survive Jacob’s time of great distress will learn to obey God. They will marvel at the abundance and the beautification that God will bring to them. “O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:13).

The God of Israel show compassion to these people who suffer captivity and repent. God foresees the blessings that He will bestow on them. “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people” (Zechariah 8:12).

God warns these people again to live according to His law and way. “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbour, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD (Zechariah 8:16-17).

7.  It will be a time of healing and long life. The Millennium will be a time of learning God’s ways. God’s government will be centered at Jerusalem and will gradually span across the globe as both spiritual and physical blindness are removed (Isaiah 11:9; 60:1-3; Micah 4:2-3; John 12:40). 

Physical healing will bring spiritual growth. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:5-6).

During this marvelous time God will bless people with long lives, affording them the opportunity to know their grandchildren and have sufficient time to learn and live God’s way of life (Zechariah 8:4-5).”

8.  God’s Sabbaths will be restored. At the end of the creation week, God blessed, made holy and rested on the seventh day of the week (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11). The same weekly Sabbath that was ordained at the beginning will be observed as a day of rest and worship for all peoples.

God’s annual Sabbaths will also be observed (Exodus 31:12-13; Zechariah 14:16-19). As God declares, “From one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:23).

9.  Second resurrection When the thousand-year reign of Christ comes to an end, “the rest of the dead” (Revelation 20:5)—those who had previously lived and died not understanding God’s way of life—will have an opportunity to be reconciled to God. These people will be given an opportunity to learn God’s laws, repent of their sins, receive God’s Holy Spirit and eventually be granted eternal life (Joel 2:28).

God’s desire is for everyone to repent, to be reconciled to Him and to become part of His family forever. This period of time after the Millennium is often referred to as the second resurrection or the time of the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11).

10. New heavens and a new earth God announced through the prophet Isaiah: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

Hundreds of years later, Peter spoke of this coming event. After warning us to watch our personal conduct and to practice godliness in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ, Peter spoke of the coming “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (II Peter 3:10-13). This is yet another time of restoration.

The Greek word Peter used for “new” in verse 13 is ‘kainos,’ which refers to a state of freshness, as in renewal. The earth will thus be made “new,” or renewed or restored, by God. The heavens will likewise be made “new” by the same process. This future renewal of the current heaven and earth is described in Psalm 102:25-26 as if they were like an old garment being replaced with a new one. This will be the time when New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:1-2).

11. All curses will be removed. When Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden, they lost access to the tree of life. They and all humanity, which followed their example of rejecting God, would temporarily be subjected to a curse on the earth, bringing a life of toil and the dying process. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, God said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake. … Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you” (Genesis 3:17-18; also see Romans 5:12).

God will eventually remove every curse on man saying, “There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him” (Revelation 22:3).

Finally, because there will be no more sin, “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things [will] have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Paul explains that after the resurrection of all who have ever lived, the final curse and enemy of God’s creation—death itself—will come to an end (Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54). God the Father will then make the earth His home as well. As a voice from heaven announces in conjunction with the arrival of the new heaven and new earth, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).

12. Tree of Life is offered again. When Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden because of disobedience, they lost access to the tree of life, which represented eternal life. Adam and Eve’s descendants—all humanity—likewise lost access to this tree because of their sins.

Part of the restoration, as Jesus Christ explained, is that this same tree of life will be made available again: “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).

And speaking of those who would dwell in New Jerusalem, John wrote, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

Final study point by Chris Moen. We have an awesome future. Christ’s glorious and triumphant return begins the majestic story of restoring all things. In the first phase, those who overcome in this age will be the first to obtain eternal life.

Then, as Satan is banished for a thousand years, God will begin pouring out His Spirit in abundance to all who repent of their sins. All nations will be taught that God’s way works. When God’s laws are kept, peace, joy, prosperity and longevity will follow.

Then a great multitude of people will be raised from the dead and offered eternal life for the very first time.

After that, a new heaven and a new earth will come into being. Every curse will be forever removed, and evil will be eradicated from God’s entire creation. God will make His home with mankind on the earth, and the tree of life will be made available again.

Speaking of this time, the One sitting on the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. … It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 21:5-6).

God has revealed His wonderful plan to those faithful believers who anticipate the coming “times of restoration of all things.” Now this study was done by Chris Moen at lifehopeandtruth.com.

http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/restoration-of-all-things/

Summary of the mysteries of God

The Apostle Paul found ten mysteries of God. It all began with Jesus Christ’s conquest over sin which set into motion God’s redemption plan for mankind. The ancient prophets knew that God’s people would be redeemed, but the mystery throughout time was how? How would the divorced house of Israel be redeemed? How would the Jews come to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour? How would all of mankind be saved?

God’s legal system is the core structure of all creation. Satan snared Adam and Eve into sinning. They thought they knew best. They with all of their children throughout time fell under the Law of Sin with the penalty of death. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of his sinless life paid that penalty for mankind. God Almighty resurrected him and he was anointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

A very important point rarely reviewed, is the overthrow of these gone-rogue heavenly rulers given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. Jesus Christ won their rulership; he dethroned and imprisoned them. The rulership over the nations changed hands when a perfect Saviour was successful.

The Great Tribulation, Jacob’s time of trouble, will complete the legal case against all but one of the remaining rebel heavenly rulers allied with Satan. The world is not prepared for what is coming. It will be like a time like no other on earth since the nations were established at Babel.

After this event, the bride, a special, faithful body of men and women, will marry Christ. They will rule together, as a monarchy over the two realms: heaven and earth. They will form a royal ruling body of three: God our Father in heaven as supreme head, Jesus Christ as the body of God and head of the bride.

The kingdom of Israel is presently fractured. Twelve nations, each speaking a different language, comprise of the whole kingdom of Israel. All but the Jews, have forgotten their roots. Jesus Christ will teach them which tribe they are descended from. They will then understand why they were targeted by the beast for three and a half years. A great religious revival will burst out from within these people and they will repent and call out to their God. In compassion, their God will rescue them, take them home and reunite them. From this priestly kingdom, all of the people from the nations will come to know God and be grafted into the covenant family, as God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ grows to cover the earth. This great King will restore all things to how they were before iniquity was found. Then he will bend his knee before the Almighty God and hand over the supreme rule to his Father, our Father.

The birth of this new beginning will not come without difficulty. Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet along with their nasty coalition will lead the great battle, but they will fail. When all things are restored, God will create a new heaven and earth and He will come down to live with mankind. He will wipe away all our tears and over time, all the pain and suffering caused by wickedness will be forgotten. Life will prevail, death will be conquered once and for all.

Only the last Adam was successful, the Son of God, Yashuah Ha Mashiach. He is a unique Son of God begotten from the Father. His love for righteousness abounds; he put both his spiritual life and physical life on the line to save mankind and his kingdom. His many crowns (Revelation 19:12) testifies to his many achievements. He is our eternal example. Jesus Christ, Yashuah Ha Mashiach, is the same yesterday, today and forever—follow him wherever he goes and you won’t be disappointed.

Into the 21st century, God’s mysteries are no longer hidden, but what remains the greatest mystery is the massive blindness among God’s people. Eternal life is now available to everyone who repents. Mankind is destined to become royal, ruling heirs under the Great Creator King and His Son. God has not yet begun expanding the kingdom beyond the God-family. It will be an ever-expanding kingdom where creation will be an every-day event in worlds complete with peace and full of love. And yet, God’s people come and go today—everyday, often without a single thought on this so very great calling. That is the greatest mystery of all!