Dear Father,
We praise You because You are incomprehensible. Every aspect of Your character is unfathomable and limitless. Please give us the faith that pleases you and leads to obedience. Enlarge the territories of our grasping of Your Truth. Please show us by Your Spirit the mystery of You, revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Your union with Your Bride, and Your ultimate fulfillment of Your purpose. Also give us faith to behold sin as resulting in the mystery of death which we will never know because Your judgment has been lifted from us. Give us wisdom which is full of desire to know the infinite God and yet saturated with contentment in Your comfort, Fatherhood, love, and grace. In this way we may be self-controlled in every area of our lives.
In Jesus Christ's Name,
25 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, 26 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— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Rom 16
In this letter, God's purpose is that we understand the existence of the "Mystery of God". This mystery regards the Spiritual realms which we can behold only with the Spiritual eyes granted to us by the gift of faith which He has given us. From the beginning of time (and before) events have been occurring in the heavenly realms and continue to occur for all eternity. As soon as man had become separated from God after the first fall in the garden, his eyes have been closed to the events of the heavenly realms. God in His grace bestows His Holy Spirit and Word to mankind by which their eyes may be opened to behold the heavenly realms in part by faith. To us who have tasted salvation, the heavenly realms are a reality that we base our lives upon though we have not seen the Spiritual world with perfect vision. To call ourselves followers of Christ indicates that we have given up everything to pursue by faith the Mystery of God. In this way we "walk by faith not by sight". God has revealed His mystery in part to us through the Spirit's revelation of the Word of the Gospel.
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the Words of this Law. Deut 29
As we walk in faith we become aliens and strangers in the world and we know that we are citizens of heaven. This knowledge results in the channeling of all of our earthly being, possessions, and actions into the obedience that comes from faith. For "though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does" but rather we employ the Divine Weapons of the heavenly realms to fulfill God's purpose on earth according to His will for each of our lives here of earth. The Mystery of God for us who believe regards the purpose and plan for God to reveal the full extent of His glory and love to His unified Bride through the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ.
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the Words of this Law. Deut 29
As we walk in faith we become aliens and strangers in the world and we know that we are citizens of heaven. This knowledge results in the channeling of all of our earthly being, possessions, and actions into the obedience that comes from faith. For "though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does" but rather we employ the Divine Weapons of the heavenly realms to fulfill God's purpose on earth according to His will for each of our lives here of earth. The Mystery of God for us who believe regards the purpose and plan for God to reveal the full extent of His glory and love to His unified Bride through the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Heb 11
What is the Mystery of God? It is "the Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ". What is the purpose of this Mystery? It is "so that all nations might believe and obey Him--bringing glory forever to the only wise God through Jesus Christ".
When we remember our Spiritual forefathers who lived before the birth of Jesus Christ, we consider the great and glorious faith that was given to them to perceive the forgiveness of their sins through a future Deliver who was unknown to them as to His Name and the time of His coming. As King Solomon inquired, "Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name and the Name of His Son? Tell me if you know! (Prov 30:4)". We also regard Abraham who waited 25 years for the birth of the promised child Issac who was to bring forth a people blessed far above other nations and through whom this chosen Deliver would come. Abraham's faith, which God has credited to him as righteousness, to await the birth of his natural son was not only filled with eager expectancy because of his manly need for an heir, to be a father, or to satiate the barren longings of Sarah. The strength and zeal of his faith came from His recognition of the need for One to come who would bear his sins onto Himself and free him from bondage to the fate of God's wrath against sinners. As Moses poured out His loving instruction from God to the Israelite people he said "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from from among your own brothers. You must listen to Him (Deut 18:15)". Recall Job as he boldly stated "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25)".
These forefathers will willing to walk by faith in the same manner as we are called to walk by faith. They had not known the exact earthly details of the birth, death, and resurrection of the Christ as has been revealed to us, but God in His grace had revealed to them the Gospel and the glories of Christ that we have written down in our New Testaments. All of their hope was in the future Deliver. Indeed they walked by faith and not by sight. The love they had for their brothers is revealed by the declaring of these prophecies aloud to the people of God alive at that time. The love they had for us is also revealed in their obedience to hear and write the God-breathed Word of God which prophesied the coming of the Deliver. They served us in this way for their intent was that we may read these Words and be encouraged and strengthened in our faith. These forefathers are "the great cloud of witnesses" and in the will of God to bring all of His people from all time together in unity under the Head of Christ, He has united us through the Gospel of Christ. The same love which unites you and the family of God which you know in the present day is present between our Christian forefathers and through their prophecied Word of the Gospel of Christ.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. I Peter 1
To all of these patriarchs regarded by God as faithful, the mystery of Christ had only been revealed in part. As Christ promised, they were blessed for having "not seen and yet believed".
What is the Mystery of God? It is "the Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ". What is the purpose of this Mystery? It is "so that all nations might believe and obey Him--bringing glory forever to the only wise God through Jesus Christ".
When we remember our Spiritual forefathers who lived before the birth of Jesus Christ, we consider the great and glorious faith that was given to them to perceive the forgiveness of their sins through a future Deliver who was unknown to them as to His Name and the time of His coming. As King Solomon inquired, "Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name and the Name of His Son? Tell me if you know! (Prov 30:4)". We also regard Abraham who waited 25 years for the birth of the promised child Issac who was to bring forth a people blessed far above other nations and through whom this chosen Deliver would come. Abraham's faith, which God has credited to him as righteousness, to await the birth of his natural son was not only filled with eager expectancy because of his manly need for an heir, to be a father, or to satiate the barren longings of Sarah. The strength and zeal of his faith came from His recognition of the need for One to come who would bear his sins onto Himself and free him from bondage to the fate of God's wrath against sinners. As Moses poured out His loving instruction from God to the Israelite people he said "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from from among your own brothers. You must listen to Him (Deut 18:15)". Recall Job as he boldly stated "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25)".
These forefathers will willing to walk by faith in the same manner as we are called to walk by faith. They had not known the exact earthly details of the birth, death, and resurrection of the Christ as has been revealed to us, but God in His grace had revealed to them the Gospel and the glories of Christ that we have written down in our New Testaments. All of their hope was in the future Deliver. Indeed they walked by faith and not by sight. The love they had for their brothers is revealed by the declaring of these prophecies aloud to the people of God alive at that time. The love they had for us is also revealed in their obedience to hear and write the God-breathed Word of God which prophesied the coming of the Deliver. They served us in this way for their intent was that we may read these Words and be encouraged and strengthened in our faith. These forefathers are "the great cloud of witnesses" and in the will of God to bring all of His people from all time together in unity under the Head of Christ, He has united us through the Gospel of Christ. The same love which unites you and the family of God which you know in the present day is present between our Christian forefathers and through their prophecied Word of the Gospel of Christ.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. I Peter 1
To all of these patriarchs regarded by God as faithful, the mystery of Christ had only been revealed in part. As Christ promised, they were blessed for having "not seen and yet believed".
Our Christian ancestors not only had faith to believe in the future Deliverer to provide forgiveness and eternal Life for their souls and to write down the prophecies of the Word of Christ that we may be united with them in Spirit through our interpretation and understanding of these Words, but also that this Deliver would bring salvation to people from every nation.
These patriarchs did not glory in the flesh with regard to their Israelite blood to the point that they rejected the notion of their future Deliver bringing salvation to all peoples, but surpassed many Jews who could not accept this Truth even after Christ came and preached salvation to all. They were willing to acknowledge with faith, hope, and love the "highway from Egypt to Assyria" where these two nations would worship together (Is 19:23). Even the oldest patriarch Abraham believed that "ALL nations would be blessed through him".
23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” Zech 8:23
We are so very blessed, dear family, to have the Word of the prophets fulfilled in the certain completed birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. The mystery of the time and events surrounding Christ's coming which was looked upon with belief by the patriarchs has been revealed to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Christ, the hope of glory, dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, the promised seal of our sonship.
25 I have become Its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the Word of God in Its fullness— 26 the Mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this Mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1
Though this Mystery has been disclosed to us in Christ, there are still events in the heavenly realms which constitute the Mystery of God in which we put our faith and our hope in. Indeed, Christ in us is the hope of glory. There are a future events which remain a mystery to us and yet Christ in us is the hope of the coming glory. For certainly the things in the Spiritual realms which remain a mystery to us pertain to the glory of God, and Christ in us is the hope of that Mystery of glory. Yes, the Father reveals His glory to us now, but one day we will behold the glory in full.
The Mysteries of the Coming Glory:
1. The Mystery of Godliness:
The manner in which the Spirit transforms us and conforms us into the image of Christ is unfolded before our eyes in the present days as He refines, disciplines, and reveal Himself to us. The transforming power of the Gospel of Christ forms the basis for the Mystery of Godliness which we behold in our hearts.
16 Beyond all question, the Mystery of Godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
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 Tim 3
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, Godliness; 7 and to Godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1
2. The Mystery of the Unified Bride:
Though not seen completely now, we behold by faith the promised unified and perfected Bride of Christ. 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Eph 5 Though we see her in part today, we see her perfect unity, purity, and holiness by faith. This unity extends between each and every believer of Jesus Christ from every denomination, nation, language, people, tribe, time of lifespan (e.g. patriarchs versus the children who are to come), culture, social status... Do you believe this? The unity between believers who make up the Bride will one day be stronger than any other relationship among mankind.
This bond of peace and love exists as Christ is the Head whose signals are transmitted to the entire body causing this body to live, function, and thrive together in perfect unity as each one does the will of God. This bond is even stronger than the strongest Christian marriage. We often hear the question "Will I recognize my beloved one in heaven and commune with him/her there". The answer dwells in this mystery of the perfect unity and love that God brings among His people. Each of us will be infinitely closer to each and every believer than the man and woman in a blessed Christian marriage that we see now on earth. This is true because Christ's request to His Father was that we "may be one as We are One" (John 17:22).
3. The Mystery of our Resurrection with Heavenly Bodies:
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”I Cor 15
Where, O death, is your sting?”I Cor 15
4. The Mystery of our Complete Perfection:
By faith we know that the One who calls us will remain faithful to us and will keep our lives which we have entrusted to Him for the Day of the Lord. Though we do not see Him fully, we believe that He has granted us the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls. This belief will result in an inexpressible and glorious joy through the Holy Spirit. We ought to ask Him to "increase our faith" since we have often felt devoid of this kind of joy, even us who have believed.
8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 12Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure. I John 3
5. The Mystery of The Fulfilled Purpose of God to Bring Everything under Subjection to Himself in Christ:
And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10 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. Eph 1
In the book of Revelations the seventh angel's sounding of his trumpet symbolizes the accomplishment of the Mystery of God. The accomplishment of this Mystery will result in the kingdom of the world becoming the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever and ever.
7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the Mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.” Rev 10...
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He will reign for ever and ever.” Rev 11
The Mystery of Hell
In addition to the Mysteries of the coming Glory, there is an ignoble mystery of the destiny of the world and those who follow its wicked practices:The Mystery of Babylon.
5 This title was written on her forehead:
MYSTERY
BABYLON THE GREAT
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. Rev 17
By faith we behold the object of this mystery as exceedingly distasteful, appalling, and destructive. Though we are constantly plagued with arrows from the enemy, we use our shields of faith. These arrows are deceitful promises given to us by evil spirits present in the world. These promises often involve pleasure, happiness, satisfaction, earthly needs, wants, desires... But when these promises are heeded the result will be aimless unsatisfied strivings, strife, jealousy, sorrow, and hatred among mankind. Ultimately the sins of the inhabitants of the world will result in eternal destruction under the wrath of God in hell. In the same way that we behold by faith the Mystery of the glorious heaven of our Lord, we believe the mystery of hell and fear the One who holds our lives in His Hands. For we have not known hell. Even our worst miseries and trials would give us little insight into a life separated from God and filled with the judgments of the Lord. We do not understand the horrendous nature of these judgments (Revelations describes tormenting scorpions, horses with snake tails, deadly plagues...) and yet by faith we believe that we have been saved from something of utmost torment, pain, lifelessness, agony...something of which we would be the objects of God's perfect hatred.
6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. Rev 9
6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. Rev 9
God's Commands For Us Regarding His Mystery:
1. Pay attention the His Mystery as to a Light Shining in a Dark Place
19 And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to It, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1
1. Pay attention the His Mystery as to a Light Shining in a Dark Place
19 And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to It, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1
2. Fearlessly make known the Mystery of the Gospel
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the Mystery of the Gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare It fearlessly, as I should. Eph 6
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the Mystery of the Gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare It fearlessly, as I should. Eph 6
3. Align our Purpose to Encourage the Believers in Heart and Unite Them in Love that they may Know the Mystery of God in Christ
2 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2
14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise You more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of Your righteousness,
of Your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure. Ps 71
On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 5:03 PM, Preethi David <preethimdavid@gmail.com>wrote:
Dear Anand,
I will praise You more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of Your righteousness,
of Your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure. Ps 71
On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 5:03 PM, Preethi David <preethimdavid@gmail.com>wrote:
Dear Anand,
Thank you for sending these! They are a blessing to watch. God is good and His love is incomprehensible! The crippled girl scene was really touching.
When Anand uncle asked Timothy what he wants to be when he grows up, he said "I want to be like Anand". He and Abby are growing in the Lord.
May God bless your Sunday in His grace! He is preparing you and Prasanna for His good purpose in His Kingdom. 'Be content with such things as you have because God Himself has said "I will never leave you or forsake you."'
Love in Christ,
Preethi
On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 12:22 PM, Anand David <nlaicadavid@gmail.com>wrote:
Dear Preethi,Here is the video of Paul Washer when he was a younger missionary.Love in Christ,AnandPart 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3uUFM524c
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