Part 2 of 2 –

The Wisdom of God in a Mystery

 

Paul gives the church its own commission, which is to; “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: (Ephesians 3:9 (KJV). This is different from the commission Jesus of Nazareth gave to His Jewish Disciples; the mystery was not known at that time.

Paul preached “Christ according to the revelation of the mystery” (Rom 16:25), which Christ is indwelling the believers (Col 1:27b). Paul did not write of Jesus of Nazareth’s earthly walk, he never referred to any miracle Jesus did or anything Jesus said. I know that this sounds unbelievable but check it out for your self. Rather, Paul did preach the “hidden wisdom” that was given to him by the ascended Christ concerning “Christ crucified” (1Cor 2:1) “risen” (1Cor 15:14), and coming again when “the body of Christ” is raptured to meet Him “in the clouds” (1Thes 4:17). The Apostle Paul was given this “hidden wisdom,” this new information that none of the Old Testament writers or prophets, or four Gospel writers had previously seen.

Paul says:

“We (Paul and his other apostles) speak the WISDOM of God in A MYSTERY, THE HIDDEN WISDOM. “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (complete in Christ); yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought; But we (Paul and his grace apostles) speak THE WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY, even the HIDDEN (apokrypto, concealed) WISDOM, WHICH GOD ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD UNTO OUR GLORY (1Cor 2:6-7).

“The hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory,” was first made known unto the Apostle Paul by “revelation of (from) Jesus Christ” (Gal.1:11, 12). Paul’s epistles are filled with the glorious truths of this “wisdom.” Such wisdom included the meaning and purpose of suffering in the believer’s life.  1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I (Paul) obtained mercy, that IN ME (Paul) FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHEW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Having received “the revelation from Christ,” Paul delivered it to “the church, which is His body” (Eph 1:22b-23a), he “laid the foundation…which is Christ”

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me (Paul), as a wise masterbuilder, I (Paul) HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ¹¹ For other FOUNDATION can no man lay than that is laid, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.

If only more believers today recognized this heretofore hidden “mystery” given to Paul for the Gentiles, they would then know “what is the RICHES OF THE GLORY of this MYSTERY among the Gentiles” (Col.1:27a). Paul plainly and succinctly defines the subjective aspect of “the mystery” as being “THE MYSTERY WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU the hope of Glory” (Col.1:27b). The Spirit of the resurrected Christ abiding within the believer’s spirit as the believer’s new life is the believer’s total sufficiency for life on this earth and for eternity.

This indwelling of “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9-10, 1John 4:13) brings to note a major distinction between the time before the cross and that after the cross.  It was only after the cross that Jesus breathed on His disciples and said this.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST:

Paul tells us exactly who the Spirit is. Paul says; “Now “the Lord” is that Spirit…” (2Corinthians 3:17a).

Paul then also tells us exactly where the Lord’s Spirit dwells. “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1Corinthians 6:17).

In the Old Testament and in the four Gospels before the cross “the Spirit of the Lord” had only come “upon” men transitorily, never coming to take permanent residence until after Christ’s resurrection from death of the cross. Paul clearly said “the mystery which is CHRIST IN YOU” is the hope of glory.

Paul clearly stated that there is “none righteous, no not one” (Rom 3:10), meaning none of the Gentiles and none of Israel are counted righteous – meaning all stand at the foot of the cross on the very same level ground of being lost in sin and separated from God. And, until it was first revealed to Paul, the meaning of the cross had not been explicitly revealed by God as the ultimate means of reconciliation, redemption, and justification for ALL men, both Jew and Gentile; the nation “Israel” will one day accept their Messiah (Zechar 12:9) and be saved by the Christ-work of the cross. You see, many, but not all, of the truths of the cross that Paul received and shared are also to and for the nation Israel as well as the Gentiles. Israel will one day receive the truth of reconciliation, redemption, and justification of “the cross” in the Tribulation and in the Millennium. This understanding of the redeeming cross no doubt is what Peter refers to when Peter, only later, says he learned this “wisdom” from “our brother Paul” (2Per 3:15-16).

Thus, there are two tracks for two peoples of God. There is a track for Israel and a track for the Gentiles. These are two different tracks with two destinies.

1) The earthly “ kingdom of Heaven ” come to earth (Matt 6:10) is the destiny of the saved Nation Israel .

No where in the Bible is Israel promised heaven – only the members of “the body of Christ” are promised heaven as their eternal destiny. While there are these two tracks, they run parallel in some portions of there journey by way of the cross as the basis of salvation for ALL men who will believe. These are some of the hidden truth that we gain via our brother and Apostle, Paul.

2) “Heaven” itself is the destiny of the members of the Gentile “body of Christ,” those whose home and “citizenship is in heaven” (Philip 3:20).

It is the knowledge of “the mystery” that gives us a greater understanding of God’s plan of salvation; a basis for and a sense of eternal security that is ours “in Christ”; and we know individually where we fit into the eternal plan and will of God. Paul’s epistles also reveal the way to grow spiritually from a “babe” in Christ into the maturity we gain by the indwelling “Spirit of life.” All this comes as we respect the unique ministry of the Apostle Paul. His knowledge of “the mystery” brings us to see the closeness we as believers have with the Lord who Paul says “is Christ in you.” Now every believer is literally “one” with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

“The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery” reveals to us our inheritance in Christ. God has “made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,” not inheritance in real estate, but “in light” (Col.1:12). He has given us an inheritance in “THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST” (2Cor.4:6). Thus the importance of “Walk(ing) in (accord with) the Spirit” (Gal.5:16). This aspect of “the Mystery” has been what God has used to most affect my own life over the past 42 years.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM” (2Cor.4:3, 4).

Our adversary hates this great truth because it spells his defeat. Had Satan and his earthly princes (the religious and political leaders of the day) known the plan of God he would not have co-operated to crucify Jesus. You see, a living Jesus of Nazareth would not yet be available as “the Spirit of life” who could then be birthed into our spirit as the “seed” of life (Gal 3:16, 1Peter 1:23). “

Which NONE of the princes of this world knew (the mystery): for HAD THEY KNOWN IT (the mystery), they WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD of glory” (1Cor.2:8).

Thankfully, “the mystery” plan and purpose of God was in fact “kept secret.” Otherwise, Satan and those he controls (religious leaders and secular political leaders) would not have cooperated with God’s plan of redemption that required the sacrifice of the life and blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.

In the wisdom of Calvary ’s grace-filled cross Christ accomplished more than the Devil ever thought possible. The cross disarmed Satan, “the accuser of the brethren,” by removing “the law” and replacing it with pure grace. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, but UNDER GRACE” (Romans 6:14).

Knowing we are not under “the Law,” none needs be condemned (Rom 8:1a). On the cross Jesus was; “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (written laws) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Col.2:14).

By all the Scriptures and by the unique Pauline “mystery” gospel, “the Spirit of God” enlightens “the eyes of our understanding,” making us to “see the riches of the inheritance that is IN THE SAINTS (believers)” (Eph 1:17-18). This revelation knowledge of “the mystery” and “grace of God” now made known to us, reveals the power of God that is able to save us and changes our lives to the deepest depths of our fallen souls. Only the Lord by His Spirit is able to help us to “see” and believe the truth of God’s Word, “rightly divided.” We must come to see Paul’s mystery gospel divided from “the gospel of the kingdom.”

2Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.