Session 2 – Preparing the way for the Mystery.
A mystery in the biblical sense is not a truth that, with enough of the right clues, that a person with a sharp mind can figure out. No, it cannot be discerned simply by human investigation. Rather, it requires special revelation from God. These are truths that are not included or taught in the Old Testament. Biblical mysteries are new information about God's plan that He reveals through revelation. A mystery is the unveiling of a new truth, theretofore unknown. Our reason for taking you through this course Discover the Mystery: Hearken unto God! is because this information is not taught to new Saints in the majority of churches today, not in denominations, non- denominations, or anywhere. and it affects our interpretation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, hearing the voice of God, hearkening to His voice, and helping the Saint to grow with grace and knowledge as a mature child of God. Apostle Paul spoke often of this mystery. Let's look into this mystery mentioned in the New Testament, and learn what is being unveiled to the Saints at this time. The word, "mystery," is used only once in each of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke as related to the Kingdom of God/Heaven. It is not found in the books of John or Acts. It is used in the book of Revelation 4 times related to end times prophesies. The remainder, 21 times, are the ones that predominately refer to our ability as Saints to tap into the mind of Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus. These are all found in the letters written by the apostle Paul. The apostle Paul recognized that he, along with other apostles, had been given this ministry. It is not a truth that could be understood by a person with an analytical mind. It could only be known through a direct revelation from God. A mystery is a new, church-age revelation. God gave revelation to humankind progressively throughout Old and New Testament times. He didn't just give His entire revelation for all time to our first parents, Adam and Eve, or to Moses, the Lawgiver. Rather, as time went on - as the centuries slowly passed, God provided more and more revelation that became progressively full so that by the time the New Testament was complete, God had told us everything He wanted us to know. It is true that we find truths mentioned in the New Testament which were never taught, or even hinted of, in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, these new truths are often referred to as "mysteries." I was so tempted to change a word here, add a sentence there, and clarify these verses for you… but do not want the curses that could result from such actions. Now that you are far enough into the course you will see with clear eyes that this course or one like it that helped the first saints to be empowered is what the mystery mentioned throughout the New Testament, by several writers, is all about. Try reading these verses, ignoring their addresses, related to the instructions of the mystery, which was taught to the Apostles and Saints but has since slipped through the cracks. 1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Tim 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Mrk 4:11 and he said unto them, unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables: Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in; Ephesians 1:9 making known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him. 1 Cor 2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: 1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. Ephesians 3:3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, Ephesians 3:4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; Ephesians 3:9 and to make all Saints may see the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church. Ephesians 6:19 And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, Col 1:26 even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his Saints, Col 1:27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restrains now, until he be taken out of the way. Rev 10:7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets. Rom 16:25 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, Col 4:3 withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. Tid bits: In Mark 4:11 it is stated that this mystery of the kingdom of God was to be taught to the Saints because they had the Holy Spirit and would clearly learn the truth of the kingdom but that the general population would be taught parables. To extend that, we believe the mystery of all truths of Christianity, the gifts that come with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are meant for and available to all Saints to understand. This is to say also that gifts of the Holy Spirit can be fully understood and available to all Saints, be they the church leaders or the laity. 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that Paul realized that this mystery was very well going to cause a lot of back-lash. He also stated to Timothy that the one doing the training, instructing, comforting, and communicating was none other than the Holy Spirit of Jesus. We believe that these passages in Ephesians and Colossians tells about the fact that the mystery was given to Paul through revelation much just like his Damascus road experience. This Mystery of Christ was training, a dispensation, to be given to all Saints and was planned to be reserved for the Gentile Saints in Paul’s time and to continue to the end of days, even to include all Saints a far off, from the beginning. He believed the ‘mystery’ was a bid deal, and so do we, because it is about how our resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ relates to His body, the church, and how this is a game changer. He made sure that they would find that their hearts would be comforted with this knowledge, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know this ‘mystery’ of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, was Christ, in action. The remaining verses are a plea to God and the readers to be established in this training and preaching of Christ, per this revelation and sharing of the ‘mystery’ that no longer is to remain silent. His request is for their prayer, for an opportunity for him to tell about the ‘mystery’ of Christ while he is in prison. We had to include this final powerful passage from Ephesians 3 where Paul is praying to God on behalf of the Saints regarding this training, this mystery, and how he desires God to bless us all through this mystery, to the end of the ages, by agape love. Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man; Eph 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph 3:18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Eph 3:20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Eph 3:21 unto Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations forever and ever. Amen. Now that you have the information about how, through revelation, this gift was made manifest, it is clear that you must set aside time daily for your study sessions. Click on the button below to be taken to our special sitemap that links you to all sessions. When you arrive there click in the link for Session 3, and do the same after each session you complete.
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Michael & Judy Peck Archives
February 2020
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