MYSTERY #1: THE MYSTERY OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST
The rogue heavenly rulers over of the nations did NOT see it coming, because it was kept a secret and remained hidden, 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 rogue heavenly rulers, over two thousand years ago. In addition, our Father in heaven has awarded Christ all power and authority in heaven and on earth. After Christ rose from the dead, he took those rogue heavenly rulers as captives and descended to inner earth, imprisoning them until judgment. Their authority became His booty and He gifted it to His servants: some 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 and caused the nations to worship themand stray from the laws of God.
Rogue 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).
God divided the nations among the members of His heavenly court: “When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court” (Deuteronomy 32:8).
Gods, who recently appeared:“They [the Israelites] sacrificed to false gods, which are not God—gods they had not known [they only knew the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], gods that recently appeared [the gods assigned to the nations who recently rebelled against the Creator, ruling to give glory to themselves], gods your ancestors did not fear” (Deuteronomy 32:17).
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 usand 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 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 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: “…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 fatherand 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 trump" (I Corinthians 15:51-55).
“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).
First Resurrection: “But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the firstof 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).
MYSTERY #3: THE MYSTERY OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL
The ancient house 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 became cut-off from the covenant people, no longer considered people of God. They became Gentiles without hope. The covenant made at Mt. Sinai remained in force. God’s commandment forbids a woman from remarrying her ex-husband. On a spiritual level, God was like a husband to Israel. The divorced house of Israel cannot re-enter into an intimate relationship with God. 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, a plan of redemption is active. Both houses will be redeemed: Israel will be saved and Judah will be strengthened. All of Israel will be saved.
God married Israel: “They broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:32).
House of Israel divorced: “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorceand 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).
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Where is your mother's certificate of divorcewith 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).
The law that prevented remarriage to a divorced wife: “Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife,after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance” (Deuteronomy 24:4).
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).
“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 Gentiles and Gentiles by birth] are heirs together with Israel, 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).
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).
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).
“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 thisis the covenant which I will make with the houseof 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).
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).
MYSTERY #4: THE MYSTERY OF ISRAEL’S [HOUSE OF JUDAH] BLINDNESS
The house of Israel has been released from the marriage covenant, through Christ’s death; she is now a virgin—free to remarry under the law. She welcomed God’s grace and immediately accepted Christ as her Savior.
The house of Judah rejected the Saviour, so God blinded them because of their transgressions, 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. 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 once-divorced Gentiles [lost 10 tribes] 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 receives 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 bitter weeping over a firstborn. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo (Zechariah 12:11).
MYSTERY #5: MYSTERY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
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 and the repentant people from all over 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 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: “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).
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).
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 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 [Christ]. 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).
“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:
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: “For I [God our Father in heaven] feel a divine jealousy for you, since I [God our father in heaven] betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (II Corinthians 11:2).
“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).
“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).
“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).
AUTHOR’S THOUGHTS SEARCHING DEEP INTO THE MYSTERIES OF GOD. A mirror image exists between Adam and Eve and Christ and the Church.
Eve was told by God that her “desire would be to her husband and he would rule over her’ (Genesis 3:16). So, the Church is told to lean on Christ for guidance, always. He is the head and she is the body. Christ has been tested and tried and He has never failed.
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone [Yahshua/Jesus], a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Isaiah 28:16).
“What is a human being, that he can be clean, or that one born of a woman can be righteous? Look, he does not trust his holy ones, and the heavens are not clean in his eyes” (Job 15:14-15).
“And the great dragon was hurled down--the ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (Revelation 12:9). “But your magic spell all the nations were led astray” (Revelation 18:23).
Pregnant, “She… cried out in pain as she was about to give birth” (Revelation 12:2); she is Christ’s wife “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Revelation 12:1).
She is resurrected Israel full of glory, clothed with the sun and ruling with the moon under her feet, with her crown of twelve stars identifying her as the nation of Israel. Repentant people from all the nations are grafted into Israel. She is the gentler creation by comparison and she is radiant. The female gender pictures mankind. This imagery was designed from the beginning to be the reflection of the church, while the male gender was created to picture the heavenly creation. She is different to him, designed intentionally to complement him.
MYSTERY #6: THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL
The mystery of the gospel was the revelation that the divorced house of Israel has received forgiveness of sins and grace from God through Christ’s sacrifice. Christ also paid the penalty of the sins of the whole world. This good news brought the lost 10 tribes (house of Israel) back into the family and now, the opportunity for the whole world to be grafted into the covenant family. The house of Israel returned to the covenant family, but the house of Judah rejected their Savior, so Christ gave the 10 tribes of Israel the task of spreading the gospel to the world. While the two houses remain fractured today, a re-unification is prophesied. Itwill take place in the final days of this evil age, in time for the spiritual growth take will take place on earth during the millennial rule.
Paul goes 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).
In the last days, the two houses of Israel will return to God: “When ye be multiplied and increased in the land in those days...the house of Judahshall 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 Israeland 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 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 Judahand the Israelite tribes associated with him and joint 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 kingover all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms” (Ezekiel 37:18-22).
Through the re-united house of Israel, the nations will 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, 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 YHWY/Yahuah in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to YHWH/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 dayIsrael 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).
MYSTERY #7: MYSTERY OF CHRIST IN YOU
The mystery of Christ in you began on the day of Pentecost, with the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 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.
Having Christ in you, is putting aside your own will and doing the will of God, our Father. 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 bride will hold the third position in the order of authority. This formation is a single body comprised of multiple members who walk, think, and do 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 is king from the realm in heaven and the bride is queen from the realm on earth. Through a monarchy, they will bring the two realms together under one rulership. Repentant mankind goes from dust and dirt to eternal life. This awesome calling remains a mystery for many Christians.
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3,4).
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious richesof this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
One Spirit, one Body: “For by one Spiritare 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).
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (I Corinthians 12:27).
Mutual union: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branchcannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
A new creation: “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 head and body—head and body; ALL THREE are ONE in complete unity: “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” (John 10:29). “I and theFATHER ARE ONE” (John 10:30).
“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).
“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).
AUTHOR’S THOUGHTS SEARCHING DEEP INTO THE MYSTERIES OF GOD, 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 TRINITY.This royal body of three working as ONE will complete the holy, divine leadership. 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.
“THREE, stands for 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).
Christ given all power: “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).
The righteous 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).
MYSTERY #8: THE MYSTERY OF OUR GODLINESS
The mystery of our godliness was Christ in the fleshfulfilling the plan of redemption and becoming the ONLY teacher of his church. After his resurrection, he descended to inner earth, taking with him captives [rogue heavenly rulers] and from the booty of his conquest, he gifted their authority as teachers to his church to preach the way of God to all nations. The church teaches what Christ taught them. The church is not the author of theology, but teaches and lives the word of God given to them from Christ who set the perfect example.
“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).
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
“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).
MYSTERY #9: THE MYSTERY OF "INIQUITY"
As the "Mystery of Godliness" is Christ manifest in the flesh, so the "Mystery of Iniquity" is a hybrid life form, an offspring of Satan [Antichrist] manifest in the flesh.
“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 2:7).
Biblesearch.org state,
The Antichrist:
"His [the Antichrist's] coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and miracles and lying wonder and every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing” (II Thessalonians 2:9-11).
"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).
Biblesearch.org continues, “It is highly likely that the Antichrist will come as a savior of humanity and attempt to counterfeit some or all of the things that are prophesied about the coming of the true Messiah. Listed below are ten things he may do to attempt to deceive humanity:
The Antichrist will do just the opposite of what Christ will do when he returns as the Messiah to institute a new agreement with national Israel. The Antichrist will stop the Jews from sacrificing at the temple in Jerusalem and will attempt to change and/or eliminate the commanded observance and holy convocations of God.
"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).
In the study of the numerical symbolism of the Bible, the number 6 is clearly associated with humanity; therefore, the number 666 appears to be the number of humanity. Because God the Father allows an evil global system to exist before his Son's return, the number 666 could very well be viewed in the context of the entire religious, economic, and governmental system that is led by the Antichrist who is in the service of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
http://www.bibleresearch.org/prophecybook2/b2w11.html
MYSTERY #10: THE MYSTERY OF THE "RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS’ – THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
Mystery of His Will 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.
“And he made known to us the mystery of his willaccording 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).
“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).
Chris Moen from LifeHope&Truth.com states,
THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).
“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).
The new covenant is simply repentant people willingly obeying all that has been already commanded. Instead of a stubborn hard heart, their heart will soften into a heart of flesh willing to obey God’s laws. No longer insisting on their way, clearly they will see the peace and righteousness of God’s Way. (The Author)
“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).
Israelites will marvel at the abundance and the beautification that God will bring to “the house of Judah and the house of Israel” (Zechariah 8:6, 11-13). This principle illustrates how God will work with and bless first the descendants of the ancient Israelites and then all mankind (Romans 1:16; 2:9-10). (Chris Moen)
“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).” (Chris Moen)
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). (Chris Moen)
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” (2 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). (Chris Moen)
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).
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). (Chris Moen)
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).
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 a great multitude of people will be raised from the dead and offered eternal life for the very first time.
Speaking of this time, Jesus 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.” You, too, can be a part of this awesome future if you repent of your sins and live a life of obedience to God. (Chris Moen)
http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/restoration-of-all-things/
Paul’s mysteries wrapped in a paragraph:
Christ’s conquest over sin has set God’s redemption plan for mankind in motion. The bride will marry Christ and they will rule together, as a monarchy over the two realms: heaven and earth, ruling as a royal leadership of three: God our Father in heaven as supreme head, Jesus Christ as the body of God and head of the bride.
The house of Israel presently fractured will be reunited and through her, all of the people from the nations will know God and become grafted into the covenant family, as God’s kingdom grows to cover all the earth. The birth of this new beginning will not come without a fight. 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 us. 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.
Click here for a pdf of God's Mysteries and the mystery revealed in the creation of male and female and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
Explore with me the mind of God, a God who hides secrets from those who do not venture out.
“He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heavenhas been given to you, but not to them’” (Matthew 13:11).
The Parable of the Sower: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:1-9).
Interpretation:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like farming—it involves a process of nurturing and growing. The word of God is taught, people respond and react differently based on the various barriers they encounter. Ultimately, we need to grow in grace and knowledge—grow into living the Way of God bearing an abundance of fruit. Guard yourself from evil activities, recognize rocky ground that keeps you ignorant and rebellious. Stay away from those who distract and allure you with lies and foolishness. Don’t allow ambitions and the acquisition of wealth in this world supplant the most important mission of all—your entrance into the kingdom of Heaven.
The Parable of the Weeds: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner enquired of this and the servants said that an enemy did this. So, the owner said to them to let both grow together until the harvest. At that time the harvesters will first collect the weeds, tie them to be burned, then gather the wheat and bring them in the barn” (Matthew 13:24-30).
Interpretation:
We often ask why evil people get away with their dirty doings unpunished. It is because the purging of them during the tender stages of growing into righteousness could cause the weak in Christ to fall because they lack understanding. The weeds, sons of the evil one will be destroyed at the end of the age. God will weed out “everything that causes sin and all who do evil” (Matthew 13:41). The weeds may not be referring only to wicked people in general because God wishes that nobody die. He pleads that we ALL repent (II Peter 3:9). These weeds may also be referring to the ancient Nephilim and their demonic spirits that influence us: lingering in the dark shadows puppeteering our leaders and inspiring the storytelling in movies, books, and songs.
The parable of the Mustard Seed: A man planted a mustard seed. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches (Matthew 13:13:31).
Interpretation:
God’s story is all about small beginnings that are wrapped in humility—being the servant of all servants—relying on Him in everything. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11). Also, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2).
A chapter in God’s life appears to elude Christianity in the 21st century. It is the chapter that horrified Daniel and troubled him greatly, until the interpretation was given and the sovereign rulers revealed. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful… Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire… In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds in heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nation and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an every-lasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed… The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdomand will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:7, 11, 13-14, 17-18).
It appears that God opened an opportunity of rulership of His kingdom to His sons in heaven. A battle ignited and raged when those given rulership, fell into wickedness. In the heavenly battles, one son proved to remain steadfast, loyal and faithful.
God crowned this Son, King of kings and Lord of lords. We may think that Christ has always held a significant position in God’s heavenly family, but Ezekiel gives insight into Christ’s early beginnings. “I myselfwill take a shootfrom the very top of a cedar and plant it; I break off a tender sprigfrom its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruitand become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.” (Ezekiel 17:22-24).
In the revelation in Daniel, God announces and group of people who will be given the kingdom—the saints. They will rule with Christ forever.
Christ is the cornerstone of God’s kingdom. “While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:34-35).
A humble beginning is the mustard seed of this parable that fosters a teachable spirit that opens the doors for God’s Holy Spirit to flow within us that gives us knowledge, understanding and wisdom on spiritual matters and the desire to live the way of God. Loving God and loving mankind produces “branches” as we reach out and care for others. In time, the continual receiving of God’s Holy Spirit and growing spiritually provides the birds-eye view of mankind on earth and those in heaven. God’s transparent plan becomes clear. The grace of God and generosity of Christ’s sacrifice brings eternal gratitude that humbles the believer into the size of a mustard seed, yet God sees a splendid, tall cedar.
The parable of the yeast: A woman took yeast and mixed it into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough (Matthew 13:33).
The yeast is the teaching of the word of God.
With little, God can do so much. When Gideon was called to lead an army of only 300 men against the sea of Midianites, it was to showcase the great power of our God (Judges 7:7).
Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and another 4,000 people with 7 loaves of bread. “Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?” (Matthew 16:9-10). The yeast is the teachingof the Word of God. Christ taught the complete word of God: five barley loaves and the seven loaves were mixed and worked by the twelves disciples and continued by the seven churches and will continue until it is kneaded into the whole world.
The gospel will go to the whole world. “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 teaching of the gospel to the world has already started, but the Great Tribulation will bring many to repentance. “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” (Revelation 7:9).
God will pour out his Holy Spirit in the last days. “God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams’” (Acts 2:17).
The yeast is the teaching of the Word of God and it will be overflow into the world. The burdens of the world will become light when they all begin to hear the word and live the way of God.
The parable of the hidden treasure: Treasure hidden in a field was discovered by a man, he hid it again and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew 13:44).
The hidden treasure is the finding the word of God, living His way of life and becoming righteous.
God uses the word “land” as the place where He and the righteous reside. The new heaven and earth will have no sea (Revelation 21:1). The “sea” is the place where wickedness resides. God describes the location of Satan’s headquarters. “Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts… “You say, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ Your domain was on the high seas; your builders brought your beauty to perfection”” (Ezekiel 27:3, 4). The beast of Revelation comes out of the sea(Revelation 13:1).
In a world where lies run rampant, finding truth is refreshing. There is a price attached to the word of God. Christ said to the Laodicea church, “I counsel you to buy from megold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” (Revelation 3:18).
“Come, all of you who thirst, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat!Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without cost!” (Isaiah 55:1)
Christ is not talking about buying using physical money, but by trading falsehood with truth. This field is the place of truth and righteousness.
The parable of the pearl: A merchant is looking for fine pearls when he finds one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45).
The pearl is the intimate relationship with God and Christ.
Recognizing the differences in relationships between people, spouses, children, family and God is recognizing that an intimate relationship with our Father in heaven and His Son is more valuable than all other relationships. "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).
A rare pearl is the imagery of the few on earth who develop an intimate relationship with God. So, few find the path. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The parable of the net: The net is the testing mechanism used by God to identify the righteous from the wicked.
A net was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:47-50).
All people are tested, some will ignore change, while the repentant will humbly return to God. At the end of this age, all will become clear to everyone. The righteous will be separated from the wicked and the wicked will be destroyed.
The parable of the 10 virgins:
Ten virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were readywent in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut” (Matthew 25:1-10).
The secrets of the kingdom of heaven are woven carefully into a story for all the read, but few are willing to take the challenge to find the keys and unlock the meaning. Christ provided the keys of this story. The keys identify: the time period, the kingdom, the condition of the ministry, the condition of the congregation, the outcome and a 21st century warning.
“The kingdom of heaven,” Christ said, “will be liketen virgins: five wise and five foolish.” These ten virgins appear at a specific time period when a portion of the ministry have gone awry.
THE WAYWARD MINISTRY: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time… But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:45-51).
TIME PERIOD: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). “At that time” is a period when a portion of the ministry of the church have allowed their relationship with God to wane and they have become wayward, reckless and wicked. It is during a time when they are waiting for the return of Christ, but there is a delay. Their faith is being tested and they have fallen short.
A KINGDOM IS IDENTIFIED: The kingdom of heavenwill be like 10 virgins who took their lamp to meet the bridegroom. The key to identifying the kingdom is first identifying the bridegroom.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). Christ is the bridegroom and his bride is the faithful church.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
The kingdom awarded to Christ and his faithful church—the saints in Daniel, is an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed.
“In my vision… before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroy… Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will behanded over to the saints,the people of the Most High. His [Christ’s] kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him [Christ].” This is the end of the matter (Daniel 7:13-14, 27-28a).
THE KINGDOM WILL BE LIKE: 10 virgins who took their lamps. The ten tribes of Israel were once an adulterous people living in the ways of the pagan nations, but they repented and were later redeemed. Into the 21stcentury, they are to God—virgins.
“Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing” (Jeremiah 31:4).
The kingdom of heaven will be like the people of the 10-tribed house of Israel—a redeemed people.
THE KINGDOM WILL BE LIKE: 10 virgins who took their lamps. The lamp is a key that images the word of God. Jesus Christ is also the Word of God for he is immersed in God’s knowledge and ways.
The New Jerusalem has no temple “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelations 21:22-23).
Listen to Solomon’s wise admonition from God-fearing and God-serving parents. “My son, keep your father’s commandsand do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck… for these commands [the word of God from a God-fearing and God-serving father] are a lamp, this teaching is a light…” (Proverbs 6:20-23).
This scripture takes on both a heavenly and earthly view. Father is our Father in heaven commanding His people to obey the full word of God and mother’s teaching is the faithful church instructing her congregation.
The lamp is the mechanism from which God’s word shines through.
These ten virgins have their lamps with them.Christians are all lamps, who when living the word of God, produce a radiant light.
“The light from all the lamps flickeras the night drags on and that is to be expected in the slumbering party. But, at the midnight hour comes crunch time and the resource outside “self” is either there or it is not. So, the lamps either burn out in the midnight hour or find resupply in God to recharge the lamps to full brightness, thereby, allowing the wise virgins to go out from their comfort zone to meet the coming Bridegroom. In the manner of the eastern wedding ceremony He is approaching them in the night.” (Gavin Finley from http://www.endtimepilgrim.org)
Christ urges his seven churches in Revelation to overcome and identifies their weakness:
The wise virgins are rich in the word of God and in strength from God. During times of darkness, they are not afraid to stand up to wickedness and proclaim the testimony of Jesus. They will not shrink back from death.
ALL OF THEM GO AND MEET THE BRIDEGROOM: All of the redeemed go out to meet Christ, though he has not yet arrived. This brings to mind Ezekiel 20 where all of Israel, that is, ALL of the twelve tribes of Israel, is brought to one location before re-entering the land of their fathers—a time still in the future. There, God tests them and makes a judgment.
“I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign LORD: I will take note of you as you pass under my staff,I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.I WILL PURGE THOSE OF YOU WHO REVOLT AND REBEL AGAINST ME. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet THEY WILL NOT ENTER THE LAND OF ISRAEL.Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 20:36-38).
JUDGMENT DETERMINES THAT FIVE ARE FOOLISH: The foolish onestook their lamps but did not take any extraoil with them.
The foolish virgins do not know the word of God very well because they have limited the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. They have limited knowledge of the word of God and become easily confused during deceitful times, hoping to just hold onto the coat-tails of the wise virgins, without searching for truth themselves.
Characteristics of fools:
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
OIL IMAGES GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT THAT BRINGS BELIEVERS TO BIND WITH GOD: The foolish virgins put confidence in themselves. They do not fear that they may run out of oil. It doesn’t seem to be important to them. Oil is the key that images the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit that forges an intimate and unbreakable relationship with God. Without God’s Holy Spirit, God’s word cannot be understood.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
When the cry was made, the five foolish virgins realized their relationship with God was only superficial and they go to buy oil from the “buyers” who are teachers, to ignite their desire for God’s word and forge that intimate and powerful relationship they recognized the five wise virgins had for God. Now, they see the importance of a deep relationship with God.
They “buy” and confident of their spiritual progress, they run back to find the door is closed. They cry, “Sir! Sir! Open the door for us!”
Christ opens the door and says, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12).
Christ does not recognize them as his sheep—his followers, because they were only doing what it takes to get what they want when they are in trouble. They had no lasting relationship with God nor did they have Christ dwelling in them.
GOD’S WARNING TO 21ST CENTURY CHRISTIANS: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” God is warning Christians not to behave like the ancient Israelites who have a long history of a fleeting relationship with God and call out only when they are in trouble.
“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears” (Hosea 6:4).
God is perfecting His people and His people are building a lasting and enduring relationship with Him.
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
The delay of the Bridegroom could be intentional, so that God can sift out the pretenders from those who are truly committed to obeying God and living in harmony with Him. “In the last days, scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water… By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (II Peter 3:3-7).
The Apostle Peter reminds 21st century Christians, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truthso that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (I Peter 1:22-23) and “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him… Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:4b, 18a). Such are the wise virgins.
Apostle James reminds the wise virgins, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8) and “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of lifethat GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM” (James 1:12).
The keys to the story and their meaning:
The secret of the kingdom of heaven reveals an unfortunate statistic. Fifty percentage of redeemed people will not be ready when Christ returns. The warning—be vigilant, waste no time drawing close to God. He loves all of us so much that He gave His beloved Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. He is molding a redeemed people into a humble and teachable holy nation of royal priests whose loyalty and love is eternal.
The parable of the talents: The talents are images of the spiritual growth of a believer.
“It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five… his master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” The master replied the same for the servant who gained two talents. But the servant who buried his one talent was cast out into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:14-30).
Coming into the knowledge of God’s way, requires repentance and change. There should be no superficial apologies or self-righteous appearances. Change will demand a painful recognition of our sins and an agonizing tearing out of every part of the cancer that is killing us. A sincere believer will enter the race that Paul spoke of and run that Olympian-style race, training daily by studying the word of God and practicing the way of God, putting every effort to disciple themselves without exception. That believer filled with God’s Holy Spirit will produce greatly like a well-watered tree. Not everyone will choose that level of discipline and commitment, unfortunately. But, shame to the person who hears the word of God and does nothing. That person remains in sin, void of any desire to love God and their fellow man. That remained in wickedness and will be destroyed.
The parable of the landowner and the workers in the vineyard:
The same payment for work done equates to the receiving of eternal life as the same payment for all who repent.
“The landowner agreed to pay hired men a denarius for the day and sent them into the vineyard. About the third hour, he went out and saw people standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He hired them. Again, at the sixth hour, the ninth hour and the eleventh hour, he did the same. In the evening, he paid the hired workers the one denarius agreed, but the workers who were hired first expected to receive more. The landowner said, “Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go… Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:1-16).
We all respond at different times of our life to the calling of repentance. The reward is eternal life in God’s royal, ruling family. The reward is the same whether you worshipped and obeyed God during the earliest years of life until you died or whether you repented in your latter days. None of us are worthy of such a generous reward because none of us are without sin.
The Parable of the WEDDING BANQUET
Matthew 22 is the story told by Jesus, as a parable, of a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. The story begins immediately with the sending out of the invitations and the reaction of these guests.
These guests HAD LONG received their invitations.
“He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come” (Matthew 22:3). God sent servants to those who HAD been invited. The use of the past tense indicates that these guests knew about the wedding for a long time and they were friends and family with a close history.
These invited guests REFUSED to attend the wedding.
“But they refused to come” (Matthew 22:3). “Refused” is a strong word that suggests disdain for either the bridegroom and/or his Father.
The Father of the groom sends a reminder to these guests that the meal is ready, the time is NOW and they IGNORE it. Again, he sent other servants, saying, “Say to those having been invited, ‘Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding feast.’ But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business” (Matthew 22:4-5).
They return and continue with their every-day business, defiantly prioritizing their every-day life as being more important than the wedding supper of their king’s son.
Worst still, those still standing before the king’s servants are filled with rage and they seize, taunt and kill the servants of the king. “Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them” (Matthew 22:6). Such hatred oozes from these invited guests that their act of murder openly declares rebellion on their king.
It is any wonder that the king is enraged and sends His army who destroyes these murderers and burns their city (Matthew 22:7).
The parable of the wedding supper is a story of a spiritual scene. It is at this point of the story that an unnoticed passageway opens that brings meaning into Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Often referred to as a “gap” in creation, this break could explain who replaced the unworthy invited guests.
In Genesis 1:1 Moses recorded God’s words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Both the heavens and the earth were created at the same time—at the beginning.
In Genesis 1:2 Moses recorded again God’s words, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Only the earth was formless and empty; the heavens was completed and filled with life—eternal life, before the earth was made complete and ready for God’s next creation—mankind.
It was like God had planned the creation of mankind on earth at the same time that the heaven was created, but put its completion on hold because He first decided to test and purify His heavenly creation. Job understood some heavenly matters lost to 21ct century Christians.
“What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and THE HEAVENS ARE NOT PURE IN HIS SIGHT; how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?” (Job 15:14-16)
“If God places NO TRUST in his servants, if he charges his angels WITH ERROR, how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth! (Job 4:18)
“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).
Scriptures show that the heavens are NOT pure. They were not pure BEFORE the creation of mankind, since it was the serpent who deceived mankind. Christianity is aware of Satan, the devil and demons. Are these the invited guests who REFUSED to attend the wedding supper of His Son or are there others in heaven, as well as these, who have refused to attend?
Paul said that mankind’s fight is NOT against flesh and blood—people on this planet, but against HEAVENLY RULERS, POWERS AND AUTHORITIES (Ephesians 6:12).
Heavenly RULERS, heavenly POWERS and heavenly entities given AUTHORITY are mankind’s true enemies. The sins of mankind are primarily through deception: lies and twisted truthsfrom these rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities.
Why is mankind so quick to mythicize their true enemies or minimize their influence? Whose voice perpetually speaks across the air waves into the ears of mankind, lying to them at every moment, every day, but the COMMANDER of the heavenly POWERS.
“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—THE COMMANDER OF THE POWERS IN THE UNSEEN WORLD. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God” (Ephesians 2:2).
God’s plan in completing the earth and creating mankind was made clear when God said to them, “Replenish and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28) and to Noah in Genesis 9:1. The timing of this second creation seems to be determined from the great rebellion in heaven, when God decided to REPLACE the wicked heavenly rulers, powers and authoritieswith repentant, righteous mankind.
The Psalmist recorded: “I [God Almighty] 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).
God gave these spiritual rulers, powers and authorities a second chance. He reminded them of their invitation when the meal was prepared, but they ignored Him and some became violent that God was forced to destroy them and their home of wickedness. God has fought many battles on earth as well against His enemies. Giants lived in the land of Canaan prior to the arrival of God’s people. These giants are not the children of Adam and Eve. In the latter days, inhabitants on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life since the creation of the world will become known (Revelation 17:8).They are not offspring of Adam and Eve that is why their names are not written in the book of life from the beginning of creation.
The invited guests are no longer worthy.
God concluded in Matthew 22:8: “And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor.’” We see into the world of the heavens through a glass darkly. Likely, God is protecting us from the horror of wickedness and what it has grown to become. That would explain why God has placed Michael, the Archangel over us to keep the terrifying forces of wickedness from touching us, until the day when he is told to stand down.
“Now at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress, such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued” (Daniel 12:1). Those wicked heavenly guests are no longer worthy.
There will be earthly guests who too, won’t be worthy.
The parable states, “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a manthere who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:11-13).
Clothing that cover the body is God’s imagery for behavior and faithfulness to God. Wedding attire is the finest clothing a person owns. Those who attend a wedding spend more time beautifying themselves than any other event. Inappropriate attire, is symbolic for unrighteous behavior that reflects a disdain for God. Unrepentant mankind will not be attending the wedding supper of God’s Son along with the rogue heavenly rulers, powers and authorities who received their invitation a long time ago.
The new guests who are invited are both good and bad; they will attend the wedding supper. “‘Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So, the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was FILLED with guests (Matthew 22:9-10). As Adam and Eve and Noah were commanded to replenish and fill the earth, so the wedding hall will be replenished and filled with new guests.
It would appear that when God planned His Son’s wedding, before the completion of the earth and the creation of mankind, He made a list of guests and sent out the invitations. The heavens, which were at one time pure became tainted with iniquity. Certain rulers, powers and authorities in heaven did not confirm their reservation, instead they plotted against the King and His Son.
So, God was forced to battle against them. He, then decided to complete the earth and create mankind who would replenish the guest listand to the amazement and wonder of the saints, God would select them to be the Bride for His Son.
At the time of the upcoming wedding supper, the guests will comprise of both the good and the bad. The good are likely the righteous heavenly members and the bad are likely repentant mankind (dressed appropriately, that is, they repented) but are not yet resurrected into their glorious bodies, so cannot be considered good.
Jesus, whose glorious body was down-graded into a physical form so that he could die for mankind said, “Why do you call me good?No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Jesus then proceeded to remind the rich man of God’s commandments and ended his conversation by concluding that without completely foregoing this physical world and putting all you have into building an intimate relationship with God, longing for His kingdom and following Jesus there is no treasure in heaven. The heavenly members at the wedding supper have been tested and they are totally faithful to their Creator; they remain “good,” living righteously having never sinned, but mankind won’t be considered good until they are transformed into their spiritual bodies.
The wedding supper of Christ and his faithful Church will be attended by both friends of Christ from the heavenly realm and the friends of the Church from the earthly realm. The heavens will be visible to mankind at that time for “the sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places” (Revelation 6:14 and Isaiah 34:4).
This will be a time when the wicked have all been destroyed and a repentant remnant from all nations will stand on the earth, possibly also the physical resurrection of ancient Israel (God’s first-born)in Ezekiel 37 to witness the event, prior to the ushering in of the Millennium when Christ will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. They will be worthy to attend the most significant and glorious event ever to occur in God’s creation: both the wedding and the wedding supper of Jesus Christ and his Bride. It will be the preface to a unique time in all creation when two realms come together through marriage: the heavenly and the earthly.
When all is restored, God will create “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth” will pass away, a there will no longer be any sea—the haven of wickedness (Revelation 21:1).
Many are invited to this most wonderful and joyous occasion, but only the few who sacrificed everything will be chosen to rule with God and His Son, for they value treasures in heaven.
Click here for pdf of The Wedding Supper.
THE SECRETS From the creation, God had a plan. Christ would become the sole heir with God and the Saints will co-rule with Him. Not everyone has responded to this precious calling. The journey of repentance and growing into righteousness is lined with distractions, alluring temptations, sometimes straight up lies, and occasionally vicious attacks.
Those who persist find the most priceless pearl of all, an intimate relationship with the Almighty God. They grow in-love with their Beloved and bear fruit beyond measure. In-love they remain loyal and faithful, tirelessly watching for His return—and ready. While all the churches slumber, their flickering lamp does not produce the radiant light for a long time, but the wise in the needed time of darkness, have God’s Holy Spirit and they stand up in strength and loyalty against wickedness.
Through God’s perfect structure of twelve, the tribes of Israel whose foundation is the twelve apostles, He teaches us. The teachings are blessed by God, broken into portions by Christ and delivered by the apostles in the past and the seven churches of Revelation over the past 2,000 years. While the churches of Revelation need purifying, the pure word of God will go out to the whole world in the Millennium when Christ is ruling. The Bride—the saints are now making themselves ready, enduring the removal of their scriptural misunderstandings, misconceptions, and deep wrinkled traditions of men. The rebellious and unrepentant among her will be plucked up, bundled and thrown into the fire. Christ’s Bride will be radiant in righteousness. She has a heart of flesh—obeying God willingly in everything and living in faith. Christ will share his glory with her. She is the New Jerusalem!
The Kingdom of Heaven is that new ruling spiritual bodyheaded by God the Father, Christ as His body then the Bride, Christ’s body. They will rule eternity together as one, in love. These are the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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