GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue41
/Published occasionally for mourners in Zion/
/Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;And
make straight pathsfor your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out
of the way; but let it rather be healed.Hebrews 12::12-13/
THE MYSTERY IN THE MYSTERY//
//
/But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory. I Corinthians 2:7 /
There are a few words in the English language which cause men to take
notice when they are spoken or written.One of these words is
“free”.Salesmen learn quite quickly the power of thisword in making a
sale.Everyone is attracted to the offer of “free” merchandise.Instead of
advertising “two for the price of one”, the more successful sales pitch
is “buy one _get one free_”.The ultimate result is exactly the same but
men are enticed, more readily, to take advantage of the last offer over
the first.
Other eye-catching words are “better” or “best”.These words carry with
them the notion that greater value is at hand, and in reality don’t have
any meaning at all unless they are compared to something else.If there
is only one object of a certain type that is made, then the application
of “best” or “better” has little meaning since there is no point of
reference.Yet when a multitude of objects are compared then men are
inherently drawn to that one which is considered “best”.
Another sales tool that men are inevitably attracted to is the offer of
a “lifetime guarantee”.The thought of never having to buy another item
of a certain type again causes men to desire that particular item to
which they are drawn like a moth to the flame.The purveyors of these
“guarantees” rely on their knowledge that most people will forget about
this “guarantee” or will lose their proof of purchase or not read all of
the fine print as to exactly what this “guarantee” covers.Along with
this is the ever present, “mail in rebate” offer which more often than
not goes unmailed or, again, is forgotten.Yet the attraction is no less
accomplished.
There is yet another word which will cause men to sit up and take
notice, which has nothing at all to do with merchandising or offers of
gain.That word is “mystery”.There is an old proverb which says
“curiosity killed the cat”.Cats are curious creatures who will chase
their own shadow or tail trying to discover what it is.Promises of being
let in on a “secret” (i.e.; a mystery) is hard to ignore.Everyone likes
to discover the “unknown”.Many men have made a handsome living off of
exhibiting “mysteries”.Magicians capture the imaginations of their
audience by displaying sleight of hand which cannot be easily explained
by the uninitiated.
There are even quite a few supposed “Bible teachers” (by their own
definition) who seek to captivate their audience by shrouding the
scriptures in clouds of mystery which they would have us believe, they
have gotten great insight into.They will usually let men in on these
secrets by buying their voluminous books and study guides or attending
their seminars which one can go to for a “nominal fee”, or sometimes
something as mundane as a “love offering or gift.”
The English word “mystery” (or “mysteries”) appears 27 times in the KJV
New Testament.Each time it is translated from the same Greek word which
literally means “to shut the mouth” or “a secret.”One does not have to
be a Greek scholar, however, to discover the meaning of this word as it
used.The context in which it is used will determine its meaning as the
SPIRIT of GOD is pleased to breathe upon it and apply it to the awakened
mind.
In general, we can declare that the “mystery” of which the Bible speaks
has now been clearly revealed, to those whom the LORD is pleased to
teach the glories of JESUS CHRIST.The LORD established HIS purpose in
setting forth the TRUTH in parables. /“ And when he was alone, they that
were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said
unto them, Unto you it is given to know the _mystery_ of the kingdom of
God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in
parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they
may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted,
and their sins should be forgiven them.” (Mark 4:10-12)/HE alluded to
this same purpose when HE declared, /“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because _thou hast hid_ these things from the wise and
prudent, and _hast revealed _them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it
seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father:
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the
Father, save the Son, and _he to whomsoever the Son will reveal
him_.”(Mat 11:25-27/)
The LORD’s purpose in the creation of the world and HIS unfolding of
that purpose was hidden from the men of this world until such time as it
pleased HIM to set that purpose forth.“/Now to him that is of power to
stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to _the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since
the world began_, But *_now_*_is made manifest,_ and by the scriptures
of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
_made known_ to all nations for the obedience of faith.” (Rom 16:25-26/)
The LORD gave Paul a clear knowledge of the completion of that “mystery”
and the manner in which HE would manifest it in the Earth. “/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) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons
of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: -----And to make
all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by
Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers
in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of
God.” (Eph 3:3-10/)
We look no where else to find the unfolding of this “mystery”, except in
the preaching of “/JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified.”/This is the
unfolding of that mystery.The religious “prophets” of the world will
search the book of Revelation to find many “mysteries” and “secrets”,
but they cannot see that this book is the Revelation *_of_* JESUS
CHRIST.CHRIST is the fulfillment of all prophecy./“for the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19:10)/HE is that RIDER on the
white horse who is FAITHFUL and TRUE.HE is that ONE who has prevailed to
open that book which is written within and on the backside.“/And one of
the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof.” (Rev 5:5/)
HE is that ONE whom John saw high and lifted up and occupying the
grandest place of honor./“Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open
the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the
earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about
the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a
loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I
saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the
four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and
worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:9-14/)
HE is that MYSTERY within a mystery because HE cannot be known apart
from the grace of GOD applied as eyesalve to blind eyes.“/All things are
delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the
Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to
whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Mat 11:27/)HE commandeth HIS sheep
to come unto HIM.“/Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30/) Do you hear
HIM?//mam
