When you enter the realm of God's Word, you leave the world of trivia and novelty.
GOD IS THE MAIN Person in Scripture. The Bible is not about Israel, Egypt, or Rome. It does not center in Adam, Noah, or Abraham. The dominant Person in Scripture is God – God the Father. It is His will that is executed. Man has fallen from His image, and Jesus came to restore us to Him! He sent Jesus (1 John 4:14), and Jesus is bringing us to God (1 Pet 3:18)! Take God out of the Bible, and there is no purpose for Jesus and no hope for mankind!
SALVATION IS THE MAIN accomplishment. As great as creation was, salvation is better! It is better than any mighty empire built by sinful man – whether Babel, Babylon, or Rome! It is greater than the raising up of Israel from a single person – after he was an old man! Salvation is here set forth as the ultimate human experience!
JESUS IS THE MAIN focus. The Son of God is the exclusive way to the Father. He alone was able to pay the debt that was owed, and raise men from a fallen state. Only He could fully satisfy the Father, providing a reason for God to bless us. The accomplishments of the Son made it possible for God to be both "Just and Justifier" of those believing in Jesus (Rom 3:26). Because of Jesus, individuals are saved without God compromising His Deity or reducing man to a robot. For this reason, Jesus is the subject of preaching, the object of faith, and the ultimate possession.
THE WORLD TO COME IS THE MAIN world. We live in a world that is going down. Yet Satan has deluded people into thinking it is permanent. The Word of God presents the world to come as preeminent. It is "a kingdom which cannot be shaken," and it will "remain" after this "present evil world" has gone up in flame (Heb 12:27; Gal 1:4; 2 Pet 3:10-12).
KNOWING GOD IS THE MAIN thing. The Bible declares the knowledge of God as the primary knowledge. God desires to be known, and takes great delight in those who do know Him (Jer 9:23-24). The new covenant results in all of its constituents knowing the Lord (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:10-12). Acquaintance, or personal familiarity, with God is imperative to salvation! To know about rocks and not know the Rock of ages is pointless. To be able to expound on the solar sun, yet be unacquainted with the Son of God amounts to condemnation. Here, in the Word of God, the priority is placed upon knowing the Lord. Apart from this fundamental knowledge, all other knowledge will ultimately be vain and pointless.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
WILD BY NATURE
" . . . thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree . . . " (Romans 11:24)
THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GENTILES is one of the great accomplishments of the salvation of God. As Peter said, "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Pet 2:10). Paul says of the former state we believing Gentiles, "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12).
IT WAS SOME TIME before the early church was able to receive the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's "great salvation." For over a decade, or until the conversion of the household of Cornelius, there was no initiative within the body of Christ to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. Even when Peter was sent to Cornelius' house, it took a special revelation to convince him it was the proper thing to do (Acts 10:10-17).
WHEN THE CONVERSION of the Gentiles was reported to the early church, it spawned great joy among them, as well as several astute observations. Word got to the Apostles and brethren "that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God" (Acts 11:1). When the brethren heard it, they "held their peace, and glorified God." Rather than questioning God, they refused to question what had been done, glorifying the Lord instead. They concluded, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). Others concluded the Lord had "opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
ALL OF THIS MADE even more remarkable when the condition of the Gentiles is further described. Our text says that in their entirety, the Gentiles were like "an olive tree that is wild by nature" (NIV). Some branches, or individuals, have been taken from this "wild" tree, and grafted into the Jewish olive tree. The Jewish tree was noted for its "root and fatness," or its "rich" and nourishing "root." This "fatness" consisted of the glorious promises that were given in summary form to Abraham, and fully opened up in Christ Jesus. On the other hand, the Gentile tree was noted for being "wild by nature."
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN these two trees was this: one had been cultivated by the Lord, and one had been neglected, growing like an unattended and uncultivated tree in the desert. The latter tree – the Gentile tree – was "wild by nature." No Divine attention was given to this tree – it was "wild," growing without any special attention. It was uncultivated and unfruitful. It had not been watered, pruned, or fertilized. No one – not even God Himself – had made an attempt to develop the tree, protect it from blight and disease, or care for and reap its fruit.
BY SAYING THE TREE was "wild by nature," the Spirit means it had been left to itself. Elsewhere the condition is described as being "given over to a reprobate mind," to do things that were not fitting or proper (Rom 1:28).
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE for good fruit to grow on such a tree! A "wild tree" is a "corrupt tree" that consequently produces "evil," or "bad fruit"(Matt 7:17-18). The appointed destiny of such a tree is to be "hewn down and cast into the fire" (Matt 7:18). It is a tree that the Father has neither planted nor tended, and thus it will be "rooted up" (Matt 15:13).
NOTE, THE LORD DID NOT the entire "wild" olive tree and graft it into the good one. Rather, some branches were "cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature," and grafted into the natural olive tree – the one that had been cultivated by the Lord. Nor, indeed, did he hew down the good olive tree, determining to plant a new one. "Some" withered and unproductive branches from the good olive tree were "broken off," even though they were "natural olive branches" (Rom 11:17).
AT NO POINT is it remotely suggested that the natural tree and the wild tree have been merged. Rather, the natural tree is retained, with the unacceptable branches being removed, and some branches from the wild tree being grafted into it.
WHAT IS WILD and what is cultivated cannot be merged together! Further, there is no hope of surviving if ones primary association is with the "wild tree," or the people who have not been cultivated by the Lord. At some point, the individual has to be joined to the tree God is tending, caring for, and nourishing. That point takes place when a person is "joined to the Lord," or made "partakers of Christ" (1 Cor 6:17; Heb 3:14).
BLESSED DAY, indeed, when we are cut out of the unproductive and wild olive tree!
– Given O. Blakely
THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GENTILES is one of the great accomplishments of the salvation of God. As Peter said, "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Pet 2:10). Paul says of the former state we believing Gentiles, "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12).
IT WAS SOME TIME before the early church was able to receive the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's "great salvation." For over a decade, or until the conversion of the household of Cornelius, there was no initiative within the body of Christ to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. Even when Peter was sent to Cornelius' house, it took a special revelation to convince him it was the proper thing to do (Acts 10:10-17).
WHEN THE CONVERSION of the Gentiles was reported to the early church, it spawned great joy among them, as well as several astute observations. Word got to the Apostles and brethren "that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God" (Acts 11:1). When the brethren heard it, they "held their peace, and glorified God." Rather than questioning God, they refused to question what had been done, glorifying the Lord instead. They concluded, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). Others concluded the Lord had "opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
ALL OF THIS MADE even more remarkable when the condition of the Gentiles is further described. Our text says that in their entirety, the Gentiles were like "an olive tree that is wild by nature" (NIV). Some branches, or individuals, have been taken from this "wild" tree, and grafted into the Jewish olive tree. The Jewish tree was noted for its "root and fatness," or its "rich" and nourishing "root." This "fatness" consisted of the glorious promises that were given in summary form to Abraham, and fully opened up in Christ Jesus. On the other hand, the Gentile tree was noted for being "wild by nature."
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN these two trees was this: one had been cultivated by the Lord, and one had been neglected, growing like an unattended and uncultivated tree in the desert. The latter tree – the Gentile tree – was "wild by nature." No Divine attention was given to this tree – it was "wild," growing without any special attention. It was uncultivated and unfruitful. It had not been watered, pruned, or fertilized. No one – not even God Himself – had made an attempt to develop the tree, protect it from blight and disease, or care for and reap its fruit.
BY SAYING THE TREE was "wild by nature," the Spirit means it had been left to itself. Elsewhere the condition is described as being "given over to a reprobate mind," to do things that were not fitting or proper (Rom 1:28).
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE for good fruit to grow on such a tree! A "wild tree" is a "corrupt tree" that consequently produces "evil," or "bad fruit"(Matt 7:17-18). The appointed destiny of such a tree is to be "hewn down and cast into the fire" (Matt 7:18). It is a tree that the Father has neither planted nor tended, and thus it will be "rooted up" (Matt 15:13).
NOTE, THE LORD DID NOT the entire "wild" olive tree and graft it into the good one. Rather, some branches were "cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature," and grafted into the natural olive tree – the one that had been cultivated by the Lord. Nor, indeed, did he hew down the good olive tree, determining to plant a new one. "Some" withered and unproductive branches from the good olive tree were "broken off," even though they were "natural olive branches" (Rom 11:17).
AT NO POINT is it remotely suggested that the natural tree and the wild tree have been merged. Rather, the natural tree is retained, with the unacceptable branches being removed, and some branches from the wild tree being grafted into it.
WHAT IS WILD and what is cultivated cannot be merged together! Further, there is no hope of surviving if ones primary association is with the "wild tree," or the people who have not been cultivated by the Lord. At some point, the individual has to be joined to the tree God is tending, caring for, and nourishing. That point takes place when a person is "joined to the Lord," or made "partakers of Christ" (1 Cor 6:17; Heb 3:14).
BLESSED DAY, indeed, when we are cut out of the unproductive and wild olive tree!
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, September 10, 2010
PROVISIONS FOR YOURSELVES
"Prepare provisions for YOURSELVES . . . " (Josh 1:11)
AT THE TIME OF OUR TEXT, Moses, the servant of the Lord, had died. He was not allowed to enter into the promised land because he was provoked by the people to speak hastily and to strike the water-yielding rock instead of speaking to it. Of this circumstance, the Psalmist said, "They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips" (Psa 106:32-33). That reveals another decided disadvantage of being in the company of the ungodly. They can provoke things to come out of us that are better held within.
GOD SPOKE TO JOSHUA saying, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel" (Josh 1:2). He promised to give them every place on which the soles of their feet walked, so that their only real limitation was a failure to survey and walk within the land which God had given to them. Wherever they walked, no one would "be able to stand" before them. God would remain with them, as long as they walked before Him. Therefore, the Lord urged Joshua to be "strong and very courageous," knowing that he was going to divide the land to the people, just as God had promised their fathers (1:5-7).
IMMEDIATELY JOSHUA CALLED the officers of the people, delivering a solemn word to them. They were to prepare the people to enter into and possess the promised land. "Within three days" they would cross over Jordan, going into the land to possess it. But they were not to go into the land unprepared. The officers were to command the people, "Prepare you victuals," or provisions of food. Other versions read, "Get ready a store of food" (BBE), "make provisions ready" (NJB), and "prepare for YOURSELVES provisions" (YLT).
AT THIS POINT, THE PEOPLE were still receiving manna from heaven – a provision that did not cease until the sixteenth day of Nisan, well after they were in the promised land (Josh 5:12). However, that manna had to be "gathered," "ground . . . in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it" (Num 11:8). Additionally, being on the borders of Moab and Midian, and occupying the rich county of Bashan and Gilead, they could obtain any other supplies that were required. Many are of the opinion this involved meat, or game, which the word "victuals," or "provisions," suggests.
THREE DAYS LATER, when the people crossed over into the promised land, they confronted Jericho. This city was delivered into their hands. However, the city and everything in it was "accursed" (6:17). Consequently, the Israelites were not to take anything out of Jericho, keeping it for themselves. As it is written, "And ye, in any wise keep YOURSELVES from the accursed thing, lest ye make YOURSELVES accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it" (Josh 6:18). All of the silver and gold, with all vessels of brass and iron, were to be taken from Jericho and placed in the treasury of the house of the Lord (6:19). Nothing could be taken for the individual, or for personal use.
THIS CONDITION IS WHY the Israelites had to "prepare provisions" for themselves. They would not be allowed to provide for themselves from the spoils of Jericho. Getting ready to occupy the promised land, therefore, required having sufficient to sustain themselves while they were surrounded by things that were cursed, and unlawful to use for sustenance.
THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS are in a similar situation. While we have entered the land of promise, or into God's "rest"(Heb 4:3), yet there is a sense in which we are also in a place that has been cursed, and in which cursed things are found. We are in the process of walking throughout the land, and have not yet occupied it as fully as we will during "the ages to come." There is a sense in which we are presently charting out our inheritance, with the promise we shall inherit everything on which the soles of our feet trod. That is, in the glory, we will receive the fulness of all we have initially experienced in this world. I say this with the utmost care, not wishing to develop a cold and stony doctrine that robs the soul. This is, however, something to ponder.
NOW, WHILE WE ARE WALKING through the land, we must "prepare provisions" for ourselves, gathering supplies from the "spiritual blessings" in the "heavenly places" into which we have been raised (Eph 1:3; 2:6). Jude refers to this as "building up YOURSELVES on your most holy faith" (Jude 1:20). Let us be about placing into our personal treasury things both old and new, provisions for ourselves (Matt 13:52).
– Given O. Blakely
AT THE TIME OF OUR TEXT, Moses, the servant of the Lord, had died. He was not allowed to enter into the promised land because he was provoked by the people to speak hastily and to strike the water-yielding rock instead of speaking to it. Of this circumstance, the Psalmist said, "They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips" (Psa 106:32-33). That reveals another decided disadvantage of being in the company of the ungodly. They can provoke things to come out of us that are better held within.
GOD SPOKE TO JOSHUA saying, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel" (Josh 1:2). He promised to give them every place on which the soles of their feet walked, so that their only real limitation was a failure to survey and walk within the land which God had given to them. Wherever they walked, no one would "be able to stand" before them. God would remain with them, as long as they walked before Him. Therefore, the Lord urged Joshua to be "strong and very courageous," knowing that he was going to divide the land to the people, just as God had promised their fathers (1:5-7).
IMMEDIATELY JOSHUA CALLED the officers of the people, delivering a solemn word to them. They were to prepare the people to enter into and possess the promised land. "Within three days" they would cross over Jordan, going into the land to possess it. But they were not to go into the land unprepared. The officers were to command the people, "Prepare you victuals," or provisions of food. Other versions read, "Get ready a store of food" (BBE), "make provisions ready" (NJB), and "prepare for YOURSELVES provisions" (YLT).
AT THIS POINT, THE PEOPLE were still receiving manna from heaven – a provision that did not cease until the sixteenth day of Nisan, well after they were in the promised land (Josh 5:12). However, that manna had to be "gathered," "ground . . . in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it" (Num 11:8). Additionally, being on the borders of Moab and Midian, and occupying the rich county of Bashan and Gilead, they could obtain any other supplies that were required. Many are of the opinion this involved meat, or game, which the word "victuals," or "provisions," suggests.
THREE DAYS LATER, when the people crossed over into the promised land, they confronted Jericho. This city was delivered into their hands. However, the city and everything in it was "accursed" (6:17). Consequently, the Israelites were not to take anything out of Jericho, keeping it for themselves. As it is written, "And ye, in any wise keep YOURSELVES from the accursed thing, lest ye make YOURSELVES accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it" (Josh 6:18). All of the silver and gold, with all vessels of brass and iron, were to be taken from Jericho and placed in the treasury of the house of the Lord (6:19). Nothing could be taken for the individual, or for personal use.
THIS CONDITION IS WHY the Israelites had to "prepare provisions" for themselves. They would not be allowed to provide for themselves from the spoils of Jericho. Getting ready to occupy the promised land, therefore, required having sufficient to sustain themselves while they were surrounded by things that were cursed, and unlawful to use for sustenance.
THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS are in a similar situation. While we have entered the land of promise, or into God's "rest"(Heb 4:3), yet there is a sense in which we are also in a place that has been cursed, and in which cursed things are found. We are in the process of walking throughout the land, and have not yet occupied it as fully as we will during "the ages to come." There is a sense in which we are presently charting out our inheritance, with the promise we shall inherit everything on which the soles of our feet trod. That is, in the glory, we will receive the fulness of all we have initially experienced in this world. I say this with the utmost care, not wishing to develop a cold and stony doctrine that robs the soul. This is, however, something to ponder.
NOW, WHILE WE ARE WALKING through the land, we must "prepare provisions" for ourselves, gathering supplies from the "spiritual blessings" in the "heavenly places" into which we have been raised (Eph 1:3; 2:6). Jude refers to this as "building up YOURSELVES on your most holy faith" (Jude 1:20). Let us be about placing into our personal treasury things both old and new, provisions for ourselves (Matt 13:52).
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
THE LAST DAYS
" . . . THE LAST DAYS." (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3)
In Christ Jesus, there is no question about the times in which we are living, or how they are to be approached. The Spirit has affirmed we are in the closing period of time, and we all do well to give heed to His words. The "day of salvation" began in a time God called "the last days." "And in THE LAST DAYS it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh . . . " (Acts 2:17, RSV). The ministry of the Son of God is during the time called "last days." " . . . in these LAST DAYS has spoken to us in His Son . . . " (Heb 1:2, NASB). The times of apostasy, a departure from the faith, and spiritual coldness are identified with the "last days." "This know also, that in THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come . . . Knowing this first, that there shall come in THE LAST DAYS scoffers, walking after their own lusts" (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3). We are in the final period of time.
THE TIME DURING WHICH THE GOSPEL is preached is called the "last times." "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these LAST TIMES for the sake of you . . . " (1 Pet 1:20, NASB). Jude, the brother of our Lord, identified the rise of "mockers" with "the last time." "They (the Apostles, v, 17) told you there should be mockers in THE LAST TIME . . . " (Jude 18, NASB). John the Beloved is pointed in his inspired assessment of the time. "Children, it is THE LAST HOUR; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is THE LAST HOUR" (1 John 2:18, NASB).
IT IS THE TIME TO AWAKE!The Lord summons His people to awaken from spiritual slumber! The time is short, requiring alertness and vigilance. "And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts" (Rom 10:11-14, NASB). This is no time for spiritual slumber – and yet, the professed church at large is in a slumbering state.
THIS EXHORTATION IS BASED ON believers' awareness of the time: "knowing the time." This is no time for spiritual sluggishness or sleep. It is inexcusable for professed believers to be ignorant of the period in which they are living. The time of obscurity is drawing to a close! "The night is almost gone!" You cannot look at this from a merely linguistic point of view, or with an academic perspective! This is addressed to faith, not to calculating intellect! It is NOT intended to arouse the desire to count years and calculate time tables! This is "an hour" for alertness and spiritual sensitivity! "The end of all things is at hand!"
"THE DAY IS AT HAND!" — the day of the Lord's return, the day of the new heavens and the new earth, the day of judgment! Do not reason within yourself that this is true of every generation, and therefore has no special applicability to you! These are the words of the Spirit, and they are designed to bring you into accord with the manner of the Kingdom. "The end of all things is at hand!"
EVERY DEED THAT IS PROMOTED by spiritual ignorance and aloofness from God is to be abandoned! Believers, "knowing the time," are to arm themselves with spiritual light, being discerning of the things of God. This is not the time for self-indulgence, loose living, and friction with our brethren! "The end of all things is at hand!" This is not the time to engage in lengthy efforts to resolve problems. It is the time to instantly resolve any of them that can be resolved by putting off the old man, and putting on the new man (Eph 4:22-24).
INDEED, IT IS POSSIBLE to be ignorant of the times, and therefore miss the blessing. It was so with Jerusalem, when they were visited with the Dayspring from on high. Hear the lament of the Savior! "For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another,
BECAUSE YOU DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION" (Luke 19:43-44, NASB). Here Jesus foretold the destruction of the "holy city" – because they were unaware they had been visited by the Lord of glory! Their ignorance was judged.The parallel is unmistakable! If the day of the Lord is "NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED," we had better be able to discern it. If it does not seem nearer, then we have fallen asleep – because it IS nearer. It is not only "nearer" from the standpoint of fulfillment, it is also "nearer" from the outlook of desire! Preaching and teaching must reflect this perspective! The people of God must not be addressed as though homes, marriage, planting and reaping, and getting gain, were uninterruptible realities! They are not! The end is near. It is the last days. Hearty and consistent preparation are the needed of the hour.
– Given O. Blakely
In Christ Jesus, there is no question about the times in which we are living, or how they are to be approached. The Spirit has affirmed we are in the closing period of time, and we all do well to give heed to His words. The "day of salvation" began in a time God called "the last days." "And in THE LAST DAYS it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh . . . " (Acts 2:17, RSV). The ministry of the Son of God is during the time called "last days." " . . . in these LAST DAYS has spoken to us in His Son . . . " (Heb 1:2, NASB). The times of apostasy, a departure from the faith, and spiritual coldness are identified with the "last days." "This know also, that in THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come . . . Knowing this first, that there shall come in THE LAST DAYS scoffers, walking after their own lusts" (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3). We are in the final period of time.
THE TIME DURING WHICH THE GOSPEL is preached is called the "last times." "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these LAST TIMES for the sake of you . . . " (1 Pet 1:20, NASB). Jude, the brother of our Lord, identified the rise of "mockers" with "the last time." "They (the Apostles, v, 17) told you there should be mockers in THE LAST TIME . . . " (Jude 18, NASB). John the Beloved is pointed in his inspired assessment of the time. "Children, it is THE LAST HOUR; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is THE LAST HOUR" (1 John 2:18, NASB).
IT IS THE TIME TO AWAKE!The Lord summons His people to awaken from spiritual slumber! The time is short, requiring alertness and vigilance. "And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts" (Rom 10:11-14, NASB). This is no time for spiritual slumber – and yet, the professed church at large is in a slumbering state.
THIS EXHORTATION IS BASED ON believers' awareness of the time: "knowing the time." This is no time for spiritual sluggishness or sleep. It is inexcusable for professed believers to be ignorant of the period in which they are living. The time of obscurity is drawing to a close! "The night is almost gone!" You cannot look at this from a merely linguistic point of view, or with an academic perspective! This is addressed to faith, not to calculating intellect! It is NOT intended to arouse the desire to count years and calculate time tables! This is "an hour" for alertness and spiritual sensitivity! "The end of all things is at hand!"
"THE DAY IS AT HAND!" — the day of the Lord's return, the day of the new heavens and the new earth, the day of judgment! Do not reason within yourself that this is true of every generation, and therefore has no special applicability to you! These are the words of the Spirit, and they are designed to bring you into accord with the manner of the Kingdom. "The end of all things is at hand!"
EVERY DEED THAT IS PROMOTED by spiritual ignorance and aloofness from God is to be abandoned! Believers, "knowing the time," are to arm themselves with spiritual light, being discerning of the things of God. This is not the time for self-indulgence, loose living, and friction with our brethren! "The end of all things is at hand!" This is not the time to engage in lengthy efforts to resolve problems. It is the time to instantly resolve any of them that can be resolved by putting off the old man, and putting on the new man (Eph 4:22-24).
INDEED, IT IS POSSIBLE to be ignorant of the times, and therefore miss the blessing. It was so with Jerusalem, when they were visited with the Dayspring from on high. Hear the lament of the Savior! "For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another,
BECAUSE YOU DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION" (Luke 19:43-44, NASB). Here Jesus foretold the destruction of the "holy city" – because they were unaware they had been visited by the Lord of glory! Their ignorance was judged.The parallel is unmistakable! If the day of the Lord is "NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED," we had better be able to discern it. If it does not seem nearer, then we have fallen asleep – because it IS nearer. It is not only "nearer" from the standpoint of fulfillment, it is also "nearer" from the outlook of desire! Preaching and teaching must reflect this perspective! The people of God must not be addressed as though homes, marriage, planting and reaping, and getting gain, were uninterruptible realities! They are not! The end is near. It is the last days. Hearty and consistent preparation are the needed of the hour.
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, September 6, 2010
LET ALL THE ANGELS . . .
"And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him." (Heb 1:6)
THERE IS SOME QUESTION as to whether this refers to the incarnation of the Son, or His second appearing. The NASB and NKJV favor the latter: i.e., "And when He again brings the first-born into the world." Grammatically, the solution is not simplistic.
BEAR WITH ME while I reason upon this expression. First, we are not confined to one of these two views. The Son was "brought into the world" at His birth. He will also be "brought into the world" when He "appears the second time" (Heb 9:28). Consider, He was also "brought into the world" at His resurrection, returning from the region of the dead (Psa 26:10; Acts 2:27; Rom 10:7). The full sense of this text does not seem to be answered in an isolated view.
REMEMBER – the point of our text is the superiority of the Lord Jesus to the angelic order. The relevance of both angels and men are seen within the context of God's workings in the world. There is no question about the superiority of the Son to angels in heaven, whether before His incarnation or after His exaltation to the right hand of God. Prior to being "made of a woman, made under the Law" (Gal 4:4), the angels worshiped Him because He created them (Col 1:16-17). Following His exaltation, they worshiped Him because they were made subject to Him by the Father (1 Pet 3:22). What is more, when He is revealed "the second time," the worship of angels is also taken for granted. They will accompany Him, He will not accompany them (Matt 25:31). Then, the angels will be His servants (Matt 24:31). They will gather the saints to Him.
ALSO, HE WILL NOT BE BROUGHT "into the world" at that time as He was the first time. The "heavens and the earth" will "flee" from before His face the second time (Rev 20:11). Make no mistake about this, the angels will surely be worshiping Him when He comes again – but that is not the specific point of our text.
IT IS WHEN HE WAS "brought into the world" the first time that particularly accentuates His superiority. This is Jesus in a humbled state, having divested Himself of all of the prerogatives of Deity. When, at birth, He was "brought into the world," He could neither bless or curse, pray or preach, guide or feed. He had to be cared for, nourished, and protected. He had to be rescued from Herod, and raised to "increase in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:40,52). It was then, in that humbled condition, that the cry went out in heaven, "Let all the angels of God worship Him!" Who can forget the arresting words of Scripture: "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:12-14). All heaven was set to rejoicing when the Lord Jesus "was brought into the world."
SUCH THINGS NEVER OCCURRED at the birth of anyone else. As great as were Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, the heavenly hosts did not praise God at their birth! The praises of angels were not even heard at the birth of John the Baptist! But when God brought His only begotten Son into the world, the angelic order was called into activity. An angel announced His birth (Luke 1:26-29), revealed the name of the Holy Child (Lk 1:31), allayed the concerns of Joseph (Matt 1:20), and directed him in the care of the Child (Matt 2:13,19). Angels ministered to Jesus in His temptation (Matt 4:11), and one these holy ones strengthened Him in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). Angels were associated with His resurrection. One of their mighty number descended from heaven and rolled the stone from the tomb so the women could enter it (Matt 28:2). They stood by at His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:11).
ALL OF THIS CONFIRMS the superiority of the Son to the angelic order. They served Him when He was in the world! Michael, one of the chief angels, helped another angel in a conflict (Dan 10:13). That conflict, however, was not in the world, but in heavenly places. Angels did not come to the aid of angels in this world, but they did come to the aid of the Son. They worshiped Him when He was "brought into the world."
JESUS IS PRESENTLY SUPERIOR to angels because He is seated at the right hand of God! What is the significance of that circumstance? Our Savior is the exclusive means through which the grace, or favor, of God is experienced. He has the sole power to guide, feed, strengthen, and illuminate. He alone can give righteousness, peace, and joy. The Holy Spirit Himself ministers to us in the behalf of Christ. Salvation in its entirety is administered by Him. He is the One who has charge of writing God's law upon our hearts and putting it into our minds. The fruit of the Spirit is under His government, as well as our placement in the body of Christ. No angel has ever been given such responsibilities! The Son of God is superior to angels! If the cry goes out in heaven, "Let all the angels of God worship Him," what of those on earth. Let there be recognition among all believers of the greatness of Christ's Person! Let no one speak more of other things than they do of Jesus.
– Given O. Blakely
THERE IS SOME QUESTION as to whether this refers to the incarnation of the Son, or His second appearing. The NASB and NKJV favor the latter: i.e., "And when He again brings the first-born into the world." Grammatically, the solution is not simplistic.
BEAR WITH ME while I reason upon this expression. First, we are not confined to one of these two views. The Son was "brought into the world" at His birth. He will also be "brought into the world" when He "appears the second time" (Heb 9:28). Consider, He was also "brought into the world" at His resurrection, returning from the region of the dead (Psa 26:10; Acts 2:27; Rom 10:7). The full sense of this text does not seem to be answered in an isolated view.
REMEMBER – the point of our text is the superiority of the Lord Jesus to the angelic order. The relevance of both angels and men are seen within the context of God's workings in the world. There is no question about the superiority of the Son to angels in heaven, whether before His incarnation or after His exaltation to the right hand of God. Prior to being "made of a woman, made under the Law" (Gal 4:4), the angels worshiped Him because He created them (Col 1:16-17). Following His exaltation, they worshiped Him because they were made subject to Him by the Father (1 Pet 3:22). What is more, when He is revealed "the second time," the worship of angels is also taken for granted. They will accompany Him, He will not accompany them (Matt 25:31). Then, the angels will be His servants (Matt 24:31). They will gather the saints to Him.
ALSO, HE WILL NOT BE BROUGHT "into the world" at that time as He was the first time. The "heavens and the earth" will "flee" from before His face the second time (Rev 20:11). Make no mistake about this, the angels will surely be worshiping Him when He comes again – but that is not the specific point of our text.
IT IS WHEN HE WAS "brought into the world" the first time that particularly accentuates His superiority. This is Jesus in a humbled state, having divested Himself of all of the prerogatives of Deity. When, at birth, He was "brought into the world," He could neither bless or curse, pray or preach, guide or feed. He had to be cared for, nourished, and protected. He had to be rescued from Herod, and raised to "increase in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:40,52). It was then, in that humbled condition, that the cry went out in heaven, "Let all the angels of God worship Him!" Who can forget the arresting words of Scripture: "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:12-14). All heaven was set to rejoicing when the Lord Jesus "was brought into the world."
SUCH THINGS NEVER OCCURRED at the birth of anyone else. As great as were Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, the heavenly hosts did not praise God at their birth! The praises of angels were not even heard at the birth of John the Baptist! But when God brought His only begotten Son into the world, the angelic order was called into activity. An angel announced His birth (Luke 1:26-29), revealed the name of the Holy Child (Lk 1:31), allayed the concerns of Joseph (Matt 1:20), and directed him in the care of the Child (Matt 2:13,19). Angels ministered to Jesus in His temptation (Matt 4:11), and one these holy ones strengthened Him in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). Angels were associated with His resurrection. One of their mighty number descended from heaven and rolled the stone from the tomb so the women could enter it (Matt 28:2). They stood by at His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:11).
ALL OF THIS CONFIRMS the superiority of the Son to the angelic order. They served Him when He was in the world! Michael, one of the chief angels, helped another angel in a conflict (Dan 10:13). That conflict, however, was not in the world, but in heavenly places. Angels did not come to the aid of angels in this world, but they did come to the aid of the Son. They worshiped Him when He was "brought into the world."
JESUS IS PRESENTLY SUPERIOR to angels because He is seated at the right hand of God! What is the significance of that circumstance? Our Savior is the exclusive means through which the grace, or favor, of God is experienced. He has the sole power to guide, feed, strengthen, and illuminate. He alone can give righteousness, peace, and joy. The Holy Spirit Himself ministers to us in the behalf of Christ. Salvation in its entirety is administered by Him. He is the One who has charge of writing God's law upon our hearts and putting it into our minds. The fruit of the Spirit is under His government, as well as our placement in the body of Christ. No angel has ever been given such responsibilities! The Son of God is superior to angels! If the cry goes out in heaven, "Let all the angels of God worship Him," what of those on earth. Let there be recognition among all believers of the greatness of Christ's Person! Let no one speak more of other things than they do of Jesus.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, September 3, 2010
THE EVIDENCE
"Now faith is . . . the evidence of things not see." (Heb 11:1, NKJV)
THE NASB AND RSV TRANSLATE the word "evidence," "conviction of things not seen." The NIV reads, "certain of what we do not see." I do not believe these do much to clarify the statement. The word from which "evidence" is translated means "proof – that by which a thing is proved or tested" (STRONG'S/THAYER). In the world, the proof that something exists is the presentation of the object itself, or the realization of something it accomplishes. The proof of the statement, "I have a hundred-dollar bill," would be the presentation of the bill. The proof of the reality and validity of that money would be the successful procurement of something costing $100.00.
OUR TEXT SAYS THAT "faith" is the "evidence," or "proof," of things we do not see. That is, faith dissolves all doubts concerning those things, bringing the reality of them to our hearts. These are not "things" we imagine, or "things" we have decided we would like to have. These are "the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:10). They are "things" that are too great for men to conceive or perceive – an abiding peace, a sustaining hope, an eternal inheritance, and much more. Faith – real faith – is the proof these things exist, just as surely as natural appetites are themselves proof there is something to satisfy them."
EVIDENCE" SPEAKS OF an inner conviction and confident assurance. It includes the ideas of verification and certainty. It is what Abraham possessed when it was said of him, "being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Rom 4:21). In all of the studies of EVIDENCES to which I have been subjected, I have never heard an emphasis placed upon faith, or believing God. Almost every presentation of evidences has to do with physical or logical validation. But here, in the Spirit, we have evidence that transcends both of those realms. Faith brings evidence to the soul so powerful that everything is seen in a different light.
NORMALLY, EVIDENCE IS ADDRESSED to our senses. In the case of faith, however, the Spirit shows us things hidden to our senses – the knowledge of things beyond the perimeter of sensory faculties. Thus it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:9-10, NKJV). And how does the Spirit reveal them to us? It is through our faith! Whether we are speaking of the initial revelation of these things (as seen in the Apostles and Prophets), or of the opening of them to our understanding, faith is the appointed means of making them known. OUR
FAITH IS OUR EVIDENCEOur faith is our evidence! Our senses contradict what our faith has enabled us to grasp. We have become "partakers of Christ" (Heb 3:14), and yet often appear to be dominated by Adam. We have "eternal life" (John 3:36; 6:47), and yet dwell in a corruptible body, daily experiencing deterioration and failing. We possess an inheritance that is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and fades not away" (1 Pet 1:4), yet are learning how to suffer need and be abased. We have been made "kings and priests to God" (Rev 1:5-6), yet often appear to be the tail rather than the head. Everything belongs to us (1 Cor 3:21-23), yet we often experience spiritual hunger and thirst as in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. We know that "God is a very present help in the time of trouble" (Psa 46:1), and "is not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27), yet our prayers must often extend over long periods of time, as though we were not being heard. What soul has not felt the conflict of life in the body with the life of the soul – what is seen and felt with fleshly senses with what is known by faith?
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT the "evidence of things not seen," the peculiar property of faith? Faith makes us equal to these challenges, convincing us within our hearts of the reality of the things God has promised us.
OUR FAITH IS ITSELF THE EVIDENCE of their existence. We need no other argument, no high-sounding presentation that exalts the wisdom of men. Give us food for our faith! Tell us what the Lord has said! Declare to us the promises, and proclaim to us the Gospel! It is faith, and faith alone, that is our "substance" and "evidence." It is our "assurance" and "conviction," our "surety" and "certainty." Feed our faith, and we will soar with the wings of an eagle, mounting higher and higher. We will survive the flood and the furnace, the blast of the storm and the plague of the locust! Faith is more than equal to all of these things.
IT IS FAITH THAT IS "the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." Thanks be unto God that His grace was "exceeding abundant" with faith (1 Tim 1:14). Glory to God in the highest that He has "given us" to "believe" (Phil 1:29). All praise to Him Who has "given to every man in Christ the measure of faith," duly suited for their role in the body of Christ (Rom 12:3-6). It is both indispensable and satisfying! It is our evidence!
– Given O. Blakely
THE NASB AND RSV TRANSLATE the word "evidence," "conviction of things not seen." The NIV reads, "certain of what we do not see." I do not believe these do much to clarify the statement. The word from which "evidence" is translated means "proof – that by which a thing is proved or tested" (STRONG'S/THAYER). In the world, the proof that something exists is the presentation of the object itself, or the realization of something it accomplishes. The proof of the statement, "I have a hundred-dollar bill," would be the presentation of the bill. The proof of the reality and validity of that money would be the successful procurement of something costing $100.00.
OUR TEXT SAYS THAT "faith" is the "evidence," or "proof," of things we do not see. That is, faith dissolves all doubts concerning those things, bringing the reality of them to our hearts. These are not "things" we imagine, or "things" we have decided we would like to have. These are "the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:10). They are "things" that are too great for men to conceive or perceive – an abiding peace, a sustaining hope, an eternal inheritance, and much more. Faith – real faith – is the proof these things exist, just as surely as natural appetites are themselves proof there is something to satisfy them."
EVIDENCE" SPEAKS OF an inner conviction and confident assurance. It includes the ideas of verification and certainty. It is what Abraham possessed when it was said of him, "being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Rom 4:21). In all of the studies of EVIDENCES to which I have been subjected, I have never heard an emphasis placed upon faith, or believing God. Almost every presentation of evidences has to do with physical or logical validation. But here, in the Spirit, we have evidence that transcends both of those realms. Faith brings evidence to the soul so powerful that everything is seen in a different light.
NORMALLY, EVIDENCE IS ADDRESSED to our senses. In the case of faith, however, the Spirit shows us things hidden to our senses – the knowledge of things beyond the perimeter of sensory faculties. Thus it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:9-10, NKJV). And how does the Spirit reveal them to us? It is through our faith! Whether we are speaking of the initial revelation of these things (as seen in the Apostles and Prophets), or of the opening of them to our understanding, faith is the appointed means of making them known. OUR
FAITH IS OUR EVIDENCEOur faith is our evidence! Our senses contradict what our faith has enabled us to grasp. We have become "partakers of Christ" (Heb 3:14), and yet often appear to be dominated by Adam. We have "eternal life" (John 3:36; 6:47), and yet dwell in a corruptible body, daily experiencing deterioration and failing. We possess an inheritance that is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and fades not away" (1 Pet 1:4), yet are learning how to suffer need and be abased. We have been made "kings and priests to God" (Rev 1:5-6), yet often appear to be the tail rather than the head. Everything belongs to us (1 Cor 3:21-23), yet we often experience spiritual hunger and thirst as in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. We know that "God is a very present help in the time of trouble" (Psa 46:1), and "is not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27), yet our prayers must often extend over long periods of time, as though we were not being heard. What soul has not felt the conflict of life in the body with the life of the soul – what is seen and felt with fleshly senses with what is known by faith?
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT the "evidence of things not seen," the peculiar property of faith? Faith makes us equal to these challenges, convincing us within our hearts of the reality of the things God has promised us.
OUR FAITH IS ITSELF THE EVIDENCE of their existence. We need no other argument, no high-sounding presentation that exalts the wisdom of men. Give us food for our faith! Tell us what the Lord has said! Declare to us the promises, and proclaim to us the Gospel! It is faith, and faith alone, that is our "substance" and "evidence." It is our "assurance" and "conviction," our "surety" and "certainty." Feed our faith, and we will soar with the wings of an eagle, mounting higher and higher. We will survive the flood and the furnace, the blast of the storm and the plague of the locust! Faith is more than equal to all of these things.
IT IS FAITH THAT IS "the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." Thanks be unto God that His grace was "exceeding abundant" with faith (1 Tim 1:14). Glory to God in the highest that He has "given us" to "believe" (Phil 1:29). All praise to Him Who has "given to every man in Christ the measure of faith," duly suited for their role in the body of Christ (Rom 12:3-6). It is both indispensable and satisfying! It is our evidence!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
KINGDOM MYSTERIES
"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matt 13:11)
THE "MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM" refer to the things God has for His people. From one point of view, they are simply the Gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16). From another, they are "the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor 2:14), or the things the Spirit reveals to us through that Gospel (1 Cor 2:10). From still another, they are the things "God has prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:9). They are "the truth as it is in Christ Jesus" (Eph 4:21). These are "the things that are above" upon which we are to place our affection (Col 3:1-2). They have to do with His "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11).
IN SHORT, THEY ARE WHAT GOD is now making known to His saints (Col 1:26) -- things that were formerly hidden to the sons of men. They include God's grace, the proclamation of an "eternal inheritance," the presence of the Holy Spirit, His loving care for us, the fact that we are being conformed to the image of His Son, are more than conquerors through Him, and much more. In them our real adversary is identified, the heavenly messengers that minister to us, and how all things are being worked together for our good.
WHEN JESUS CONFRONTED THE MULTITUDES, He saw their hearts -- and the sight was not good. They had no real appetite for what He came to declare – like the Gospel for the poor, the healing of the brokenhearted, deliverance for the captives, recovering of sight for the blind, setting at liberty those who were bruised, and the time when God accepts men (Luke 4:18-19). Therefore, instead of opening the truth to them, He declared it in parables.
THOSE PARABLES HID THE TRUTH, so that the hearers did not have any idea what He was talking about. That is what prompted the dialog between the disciples and Jesus that is recorded in Matthew 13:9-10. "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
LATER HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE their hearts were utterly corrupt (verses 15-16). Some of the mysteries were unfolded in Christ's explanations of His parables – all given to His disciples. For example, the Lord opened up the parable of the sower to His disciples (the one that occasioned their question in the first place). He explained what the seed on stony ground meant, what the birds that ate it signified, what the seed on the stony ground meant, the seed among thorns, and the seed on good soil. These were "mysteries" because no one could possibly have comprehended what the parable meant that unless Jesus explained it to them.
PARABLES WERE NOT FOR THOSE with good hearts, but for those with bad ones. They were not designed to help people see the truth, but to conceal it from them. When the disciples asked Jesus on another occasion, "Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field," Jesus opened up the mysteries (Matt 13:36-43). Those mysteries were that Jesus is dispersing the Word of God. The field in which He sows it is the world. There are false brethren who are like tares. The one who puts them here is the devil. There is going to be an ultimate gathering of all of God's children. The wicked will all be taken out of the world as well. The angels will accomplish both gatherings. Ultimately, the wicked will be removed totally from the scene, and the righteous will shine like the Son in the kingdom of their Father.
SUCH WONDERFUL THINGS cannot be perceived or understood by the carnal mind or the natural man. They could not be seen in the parable itself. In fact, the parable hid them. That is why men go on sinning, with no regard for the ultimate end of the world, reward of the righteous, and punishment of the wicked. At the every best, such people may know those words are in the Bible, but they cannot receive them. That is why they ignore them and live contradictory to them.
BUT FOR THOSE WITH TENDER HEARTS, such things will be shown to them. The Bible calls it the opening of the eyes of our understanding (Eph 1:17-20), and comprehending (Eph 3:15-20). However, as you already know, there are no forms of human education that can bring such wonderful understanding to the sons of men. Neither, indeed, is there anyone who can arrive at such an understanding on their own. Such things are forever an unknown mysteries until God makes them known -- and He always makes them known to those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Jesus said such people would be "filled" – and they will!
WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT REPENT, go on sinning, or ignore the Word of God, it is because the things of God are "mysteries"to them. When people repent, obey the Lord, and live for Him, it is because the mystery has been opened up to them, and Jesus is the one who opened it, or clarified it for them.
– Given O. Blakely
THE "MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM" refer to the things God has for His people. From one point of view, they are simply the Gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16). From another, they are "the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor 2:14), or the things the Spirit reveals to us through that Gospel (1 Cor 2:10). From still another, they are the things "God has prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:9). They are "the truth as it is in Christ Jesus" (Eph 4:21). These are "the things that are above" upon which we are to place our affection (Col 3:1-2). They have to do with His "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11).
IN SHORT, THEY ARE WHAT GOD is now making known to His saints (Col 1:26) -- things that were formerly hidden to the sons of men. They include God's grace, the proclamation of an "eternal inheritance," the presence of the Holy Spirit, His loving care for us, the fact that we are being conformed to the image of His Son, are more than conquerors through Him, and much more. In them our real adversary is identified, the heavenly messengers that minister to us, and how all things are being worked together for our good.
WHEN JESUS CONFRONTED THE MULTITUDES, He saw their hearts -- and the sight was not good. They had no real appetite for what He came to declare – like the Gospel for the poor, the healing of the brokenhearted, deliverance for the captives, recovering of sight for the blind, setting at liberty those who were bruised, and the time when God accepts men (Luke 4:18-19). Therefore, instead of opening the truth to them, He declared it in parables.
THOSE PARABLES HID THE TRUTH, so that the hearers did not have any idea what He was talking about. That is what prompted the dialog between the disciples and Jesus that is recorded in Matthew 13:9-10. "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
LATER HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE their hearts were utterly corrupt (verses 15-16). Some of the mysteries were unfolded in Christ's explanations of His parables – all given to His disciples. For example, the Lord opened up the parable of the sower to His disciples (the one that occasioned their question in the first place). He explained what the seed on stony ground meant, what the birds that ate it signified, what the seed on the stony ground meant, the seed among thorns, and the seed on good soil. These were "mysteries" because no one could possibly have comprehended what the parable meant that unless Jesus explained it to them.
PARABLES WERE NOT FOR THOSE with good hearts, but for those with bad ones. They were not designed to help people see the truth, but to conceal it from them. When the disciples asked Jesus on another occasion, "Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field," Jesus opened up the mysteries (Matt 13:36-43). Those mysteries were that Jesus is dispersing the Word of God. The field in which He sows it is the world. There are false brethren who are like tares. The one who puts them here is the devil. There is going to be an ultimate gathering of all of God's children. The wicked will all be taken out of the world as well. The angels will accomplish both gatherings. Ultimately, the wicked will be removed totally from the scene, and the righteous will shine like the Son in the kingdom of their Father.
SUCH WONDERFUL THINGS cannot be perceived or understood by the carnal mind or the natural man. They could not be seen in the parable itself. In fact, the parable hid them. That is why men go on sinning, with no regard for the ultimate end of the world, reward of the righteous, and punishment of the wicked. At the every best, such people may know those words are in the Bible, but they cannot receive them. That is why they ignore them and live contradictory to them.
BUT FOR THOSE WITH TENDER HEARTS, such things will be shown to them. The Bible calls it the opening of the eyes of our understanding (Eph 1:17-20), and comprehending (Eph 3:15-20). However, as you already know, there are no forms of human education that can bring such wonderful understanding to the sons of men. Neither, indeed, is there anyone who can arrive at such an understanding on their own. Such things are forever an unknown mysteries until God makes them known -- and He always makes them known to those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Jesus said such people would be "filled" – and they will!
WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT REPENT, go on sinning, or ignore the Word of God, it is because the things of God are "mysteries"to them. When people repent, obey the Lord, and live for Him, it is because the mystery has been opened up to them, and Jesus is the one who opened it, or clarified it for them.
– Given O. Blakely
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