To Know the Mysteries

Johnny Harrell

October 9, 2010

Many years ago David asked a question in God’s book, and he wrote about it in the Psalms.  David asked, (Psalm 8:3)- When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him?  You and I are very blessed to understand what man is and what man’s purpose is; it has eluded mankind down through the ages and it’s only by God’s spirit that you understand the purpose of man.  Before God’s Church, this was a mystery to most, and David asked this question many years ago, (verse 4) - What is man that You are mindful of him and the son of man that You visit him.  For You made him a little lower than the angels and You’ve crowned him with glory and honour.  You have made him to have dominion over the work of Your hands and You have put all things under his feet.

After the understanding that we received at this Feast of Tabernacles, it’s only then that we can even begin to understand the magnitude of what was being said through David.

Turn to Luke 8 where Jesus was explaining a parable.  We understand who we are, we understand who man is, and we understand that we are disciples just as those that Jesus was explaining this parable to.  Let’s notice what Jesus said in Luke 8:10 - He said, to you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God: so this will be our title today; To Know the Mysteries... but to the rest, it’s given in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.  And this is a very true statement; it’s the way it is.

A few pages over in Luke 12:15 we find that Jesus is speaking again in a parable.  Jesus Christ understood man in his mind, and this is what He had to say. He said to them, Take heed and beware of covetousness; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses.  You and I understand that this is one of man’s greatest downfalls, in the abundance of the things man wants to possess.  Then He spoke a parable to them saying, The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentiful, it’s what man seeks after, the riches of this world, that’s where his mind is.

Verse 17 – And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do since I have no room to store my crops?  And he said, I will do this, I will pull down my barns, build greater; there I will store all my crops and all my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, drink, and be merry.  But God said to him, let’s notice, Fool, this night your soul will be required of you: then whose will those things be which you have provided.  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Verse 31 – Jesus said, Seek the Kingdom of God; (verse 33) – Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, nor moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also. You and I know God’s plan.  We understand more and more about our God every week.  God has made known to you and I the mysteries, the mysteries that man cannot comprehend.  They elude mankind without God’s spirit.  And it’s only through the great God of this universe that you can know these mysteries; it’s the only way.

Solomon said a long time ago; (Ecclesiastes 5:15) - as he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came, and he shall take nothing from his labour which he may carry away in his hand.  Just exactly as he came so shall he go; and what profit has he who has laboured for the wind?  It’s a question.  So brethren, without God and without knowing the mysteries, without knowing God’s plan there is nothing; man just lives and dies and he can carry nothing with him.  It’s only when you have God’s spirit that you can carry something out of this world when you die.  There’s coming a time in the near future that all the riches on this earth will not be worth very much; the only thing of value will be that of understanding what is taking place. To know the mysteries is what will become important; to know what God is doing at the end of an age; and you and I are blessed to understand these mysteries.

Solomon wrote that God should be considered; and he wrote, “all of man’s efforts are like grasping for the wind.”

The apostle Paul drew the same conclusion as Solomon and he said (I Timothy 6:6-8) - Godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment, and clothing with these we should be content.

Solomon came to a conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12 if you want to note it; and he said, (Ecclesiastes 12:13) -Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Turn over to Hebrews 3.  You and I understand what Solomon was saying.  We experience some of the same as we face this world and the trials that it brings.  You and I have to be careful and keep our focus on our God and on our plan, and on His plan and what He has in store for His Church.  It’s the only way that you can understand what is taking place, it’s the only way to know the mysteries that have eluded mankind; and it’s through the truth.  And this only comes through God’s Church, it’s the only place.  God told us through Jeremiah a long time ago that, (Jeremiah 17:9) - the heart is deceitful above all things. It always wants to justify itself.

You and I, when we face uncertainty we have to be careful that it doesn’t affect our vision of who we are and where we are going.  We have to understand that we can’t let the physical affect the spiritual.  You and I have just returned from an awesome Feast of Tabernacles and now we find ourselves back in this world, Satan’s world, and it is still his at this time, brethren.  In Hebrews 3:12 – God tells us Beware.  In other words God is sending us a warning, telling us to be alert and to be aware of what is taking place and to always focus on His plan. That’s what it’s about, it’s how we receive understanding, and it says to Beware, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, and that’s what happens when you take your mind off the truth.  We are entering in a time, a long stretch of time from the Feast of Tabernacles to the Passover Season and there is danger; and it’s when Satan is rampant upon this earth as this is the time in which his days are celebrated.  Some people are new...and this is the season when pressure will be put upon some to take part in these celebrations; it happens every year.  And there should be a fear in all of us in the Church of God of compromising, because if this takes place you will start to depart from the living God if repentance is not shown very quickly.

Hebrews 4:1 – Since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short, and let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.  So those days are in front of us and we have to be careful that we are obedient to our God.  What happens when disobedience is involved and diligence goes by the wayside?  You will fall away from the truth.  God tells you and I what we should be labouring for; to enter the rest of our God that we heard about at this Feast of Tabernacles.

Verse 12 tells us – The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and let’s notice, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, better said, the mind.  So you and I have to be very careful and not get caught up in the futility of this world; and remember what Jeremiah said, ‘the heart is deceitful above all things’ and it always wants to justify itself.  God tells us that it’s quick, it’s powerful, and it’s sharp.

God tells us about the cares of this life and sometimes it’s not easy and it seems that it is useless, just as Solomon said.  But you and I are told to watch, and we are blessed to understand what is taking place in this world; and we are blessed to know the mysteries that God has revealed.  Luke 21:29 we find Jesus Christ speaking - And He spoke to them in a parable, and He said; Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; When they are already budding you know, you see and know for yourselves that summer is near.  It’s an example, and you and I can look at this world and it’s values and it’s morals, we can look at our surroundings and we can see this world degenerating.  We can look on the horizon and we can see the gathering of events that will bring all the nations down.  And it is like looking at the fig tree.  We can look around at these world events and tell that time is nearing the end of an age.

Verse 31 – When you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.  Assuredly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away: but My words will by no means pass away. Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, the cares of this life, and that day come upon you unexpectedly.  So brethren, we can see that we need to keep our focus as we are in Satan’s world and the cares of this life can reach out and grab you; and it’s what our Saviour is telling us.  Don’t let the circumstances around you distract you. Don’t let the trials take your focus off God’s plan. Don’t let the cares of this life get in your way; our God is getting ready to reveal Himself to this world, to this earth, and usher in a new age.

Verse 35 – He tells us it will come as a snare on those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  So we can see that it’s only that God is working with that will understand what is taking place. But to you it has to be given to know the mysteries - to you...

In verse 36 He tells us – Watch and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of man.

Ephesians 6:5 – Most of us have to work for a living and we do have ‘taskmasters’ in this world; it’s not always easy to serve these taskmasters, especially in Satan’s world, especially when they put pressure upon us sometimes to take part in the festivities of this world.  And there will be pressure at this season of the year.  In verse 10 God tells us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.  So brethren, this is where our battle is at this time; it’s not the physical battles we have to worry about.  Sometimes it’s very hard, but there’s a better time coming and we need to keep our focus, we need to understand where the battle lies; and this is where it’s at, in the Church of God.  Some of it is with wicked spirits, but we also have human nature to battle as well. We understand that Satan is the God of this world; but we also know that his time is short.  We don’t need to let the cares of this life influence our spiritual lives.  You and I understand about this carnal mind as David and Solomon revealed so well.  But our battle goes beyond a carnal mind; once you have received the spirit of God the battle of your mind continues until you are changed from this flesh into spirit.

God tells us in verse 13 what we have to do – Take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all to stand.  So it’s not easy; it’s not easy in Satan’s world, but God tells us how and He tells us in verse 14 – Stand therefore having girded your waist with truth.  He’s given His Church more understanding.  We are blessed to understand, because of what’s coming in the near future.  And it’s imperative that you and I understand who God is and who Jesus Christ is and what’s about to take place upon this earth; and it’s by the truth that is revealed to God’s Church, it’s how you will know it.  And that is done from Sabbath to Sabbath, Holy Day to Holy Day; it’s how God does it.  And He says to Stand therefore having gird your waist with the truth; having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having your feet shod, let’s notice, with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  We don’t have much rest anymore brethren, and if we let our guard down it can get the best of us; and they are fiery darts, and they do sting, and they do hurt!

In verse 17 God tells us to Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit; and let’s notice what it is, which is the word of God. That’s what it is.

Verse 18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.  God tells us how to fight the battle.

Satan and the demons can be pretty vicious at times.  David tells us in the Psalms; and we know that his battle is over; we know that David is awaiting a resurrection, but God had him write in His book the Psalms.  And he wrote in Psalm 11:2 and he said - For, look, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.  And those fiery darts do hurt when this happens and it seems to blindside us sometimes, just hit us broadside; and sometimes we don’t understand at the moment where it even came from.  That’s what David is telling us, that they shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

Verse 4 tells us that God is watching.  In verse 6 let’s notice - Upon the wicked He will rain coals, fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. So we can see their judgement, but we understand that it’s everything in its timeframe.  God tell us that ‘there will come a time when He will reign coals, fire and brimstone and it shall be the portion of their cup,’ and it will be a different world for you and I when God’s plan for man is finished.

Verse 7 - For the Eternal is righteous. He loves righteousness. It’s what it’s about and God has a plan to bring it about and He does love righteousness.

God gives us some instructions of what we are to do and He tells us in Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And we can see that this is just what God expects; and it is ‘a reasonable service’ to our God.  God tells us of a way to conduct ourselves and God expects you and I to conduct ourselves in a godly manner, the way to live, God’s way, and He says it is to be ‘a living sacrifice’.

Verse 2 - And do not be conformed to this world: the world that we find our self in, Satan’s world at this time.  God tells us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may know what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. It’s how we know. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; it’s the way that we should conduct ourselves, and it’s a way we should think with God’s spirit.  If you have God’s spirit then you have a mind that can think soberly with, because of that spirit.

Verse 4 - For as we have many members in one Body, but all the members do not have the same function: so we being many are one Body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  It’s telling us of a way to interact with one another.  He tells us we are different and we have different functions.

And it says in verse 9 - Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love; in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; it’s how we should do it, it’s how we should live our lives; even with the trials that surrounds us we should still be doing as verse 12 tells us.  We should be rejoicing in hope; because of what we are blessed to understand, because of what we know, because we know the plan of God, because we know the mysteries.  We should be patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; its how we get through it; we should be continually praying to our God.

And verse 13 we should be distributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

Verse 14 –God tells us to bless those who persecute you: bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble and do not be wise in your own opinion.  There’s a lot being said in these verses.  It’s hard to comprehend in the Church of God that we would have those among us that would persecute one another, but it happens.  Our tongues are very sharp sometimes, but God gives you and I the instructions and a way to live and He says, repay no one evil for evil, have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  And if it’s possible, God says, as much depends on you, live peaceable with all men, even our employers, those that we come in contact with, the ones that serve us our food in the restaurants; and we should strive to get along with all men because you and I understand the mysteries, we know the end result and we know that there is a time coming for them in the near future.  So it should be our viewpoint in how we treat one another and those in the world.

Verse 19 – Do not avenge yourself, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.  God has a plan and He’s had it from the beginning of time, of the way to deal with mankind, He understands; and He says, ‘vengeance is mine; I will repay’.  And we understand those mysteries of how it will be done.  We know the end results.  We know who wins in the end, we know how God will judge; so we have to be patient and let God handle our situations.

Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink: for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Some of old have already dealt with this one, but most of us have not as it is in our future.  We’ve not had to feed our enemies yet.  Most of us have not had to face dealing with a true enemy; but some will before Jesus Christ returns.  God says, do not be overcome by evil, let’s notice, but overcome evil with good. It’s how some of us will have to live as this age comes to a close; but we understand the mysteries of our God and God’s judgement.  We will be facing some of this evil as this world comes to a close; but it’s how you and I are to live.  God tells you and I the way to live.

Ephesians 1:1 – God tells us that He has enlightened the eyes of our hearts.  It’s the way it’s written, but we know it’s talking about the mind.  He has enlightened the eyes of our mind so that we can understand what is taking place; to know and understand the mysteries that God has revealed, it’s how it’s done.  And it’s through God’s spirit and it’s through the mind.  When God opens your mind its how you understand.

Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love;  There was a plan put in place before time ever began...having predetermined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. And you and I are blessed to understand the mysteries of God.  We are blessed to understand that this plan was put in place before time ever began.

And in verse 7 – in Him we have redemption through His blood, talking about Jesus Christ, the one who became the Passover, the one who made it possible for you and me to be here, and He made it possible for the forgiveness of our sins.  ...according to the richness of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

And let’s notice verse 9 – having made to us the mystery of His will, understanding brethren, this mystery is what you and I understand and it is a mystery to the world at this time; but our God is getting ready to reveal Himself to this world in just a very short time.  ...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him; and we understand what this means.  We heard this expounded on at this Feast of Tabernacles and we understand these mysteries more than ever.  All the pieces of the puzzle are in place and we understand the last page of the book; and we know it’s about the spiritual creation when it is finished.

Verse 11 – In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predetermined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will:  That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.  In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also having believed you were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, and that is how you understand the mysteries that were given; it’s through the holy spirit and it says, and it is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of His glory.  It’s the understanding that God has made available to you and me, the Church of God, and it’s through the holy spirit that it’s done.

Verse 15 - Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love for all the saints, Do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: to know the mysteries, brethren.

Verse 18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; let’s notice; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, it’s how it’s done.  It’s why you understand, because the ‘eyes of your understanding has been enlightened’ to the plan of our God, and you understand what is taking place.  You see the hope of all of mankind; you can see the whole picture, the hope of the future, and you do understand God’s plan for all of mankind when all eyes that want this way of life will be enlightened to His plan, eventually, all those that want this way of life.  Our eyes do see God’s plan and He has given us understanding of the future, and as God tells us in the last part of verse 18 – that you may know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at the right hand in the heavenly places, and let’s notice; Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come: And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 2:1 - You he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins: In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience: and you and I understand this, we understand this mystery.

Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  And it’s very true.  Your God has opened your mind so that you may see, and all of us were fulfilling the lust of the flesh and of the mind, all of us, until God called us.

If it was not for the grace of our God we would be just like the others; there go I except for the grace of God, for opening your mind. But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.  By grace you have been saved, and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith in that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest anyone should boast, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, and lets notice, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

This plan was laid out before time began and it is by grace that you and I are here to fulfill this part of His great plan.

I Corinthians 3:9 God tells us - We are God’s fellow workers: you are God's field, you are God's building. And you and I should understand this more than ever after this Feast of Tabernacles. We should understand what God is building, His spiritual Temple.  Our God revealed how He is building His Family and how He will dwell in them and them in Him.  It’s what He’s doing brethren, and its how God is bringing it about.

Verse 10 - According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds upon it; for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  And there is no other way, brethren.  We we need to understand who God is and who Jesus Christ is, and that when God tells us to take heed, we should, because there is no other way for you and I.  There is only one way, there is only one Church, and there is only one foundation that is laid; and this is the only way.  There is no other way.

I’m in awe sometimes how lightly some in the Church of God take what God is offering. God tells us in verse 12 - Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it.  And I see some building with gold and precious stones, but I also see some building with straw; and God tell us it will be revealed by fire; and that everyone’s work will become clear. So when I see brethren building with straw, it hurts, because I know they don’t understand what they’re being offered; but when I see brethren building with gold, precious materials, its enlightening, because they know the value of what they have being offered.

God tells us each ones work will become clear, and the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. It’s not going to be easy! God tells us that sword of the spirit is a discerner of the heart and mind. There is nothing that will be hidden from our God.  You may hide it from man, but God tells us you will not hide it from Him...and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is and what they have built with.  Fire burns up straw pretty quickly but when it gets to the gold it takes a while.

Verse 14 - If anyone's work with which he has built on endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. So brethren, what this is saying is there would come another time, the hundred year period, when some will have given up what God offered at this time; and they will have to live again in this flesh.  Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the Temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again let’s notice, "The Eternal knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

It’s just as Solomon and David said.

(Verse 21) - Therefore let no one boast in men.  It’s not where it’s at. It’s not how great you are, it’s not what you know, its what God is doing.  Solomon understood about the futility of man, he understood that much.  And he understood that all things under the sun are futile without God. If you think you are wise, God says your thoughts are futile.  Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:

Verse 23 - And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.  Let a man so consider us, lets notice, as servants of Christ.  It’s who you are. And this is where your focus should be. You should be servants of Christ first and not let the cares of this world deprive you of the vision that your God has allowed you to see; to know the mysteries of God.  It’s an awesome gift!  And He said; let a man so consider us as servants of Christ, and let’s notice, and stewards of the mysteries of God. It’s who you are, you are stewards: and

sometimes we just read right through this... we are stewards of the mysteries of God.

Our God, at this Feast of Tabernacles, has just completed four new Truths that will complete the ‘Mystery of the Ages’.  God has revealed to His Church that (1) There is an end to Satan’s existence. His punishment is that of eternal death, never to have life again. And you know that mystery.

(2) Angels were created and composed of spirit essence and given life by God (spirit life), yet they do not have self-sustaining life inherent in themselves. They are sustained by God, and only God has immortal self-sustaining life inherent in Himself. Although the angels were given spirit-sustaining life, they were never given the holy spirit, nor were they ever given access to it. Another mystery that you know.

(3) God created both good and evil; another mystery that you know.

Another mystery is that (4) Through the power of the holy spirit, Almighty God will ‘dwell’ in His Family into everlasting life, and they will always dwell in Him. This will be accomplished through the power of the holy spirit that emanates from God, and it will never cease to be ‘coming into’ the lives of all who are in the God Family. This will be a perpetual and continuing process into everlasting life.

First, it’s about His ‘power’, His power to create things in a spirit realm that are composed of spirit essence, and His power to create things in a physical realm that are composed of physical elements. This includes His power to sustain life in spirit and physical beings. But all this concerns the ‘power’ of God—His spirit—to produce His will, God’s will.

Second, is to understand God’s power that is a matter of His ‘holy spirit’. This is the power of life that reveals, produces, communicates the word of God, and illuminates the truths of God, the very mind of God—the nature of God. It is the power to unite as one, in harmony, oneness, unity of spirit, in the ways of God—in the ways of peace—in age-lasting agape (a Greek word for ‘God’s love’).   This power emanates from God and contains the very nature, word, truth, love, and ways of God that come from the very mind and being of God.

And God has entrusted you with the mysteries of God which is more precious than any gold, any silver, or anything that you could attain in this physical life.  It’s the mysteries of our God.  And He has allowed you, and revealed to you the plan for mankind. And you are stewards of these mysteries.

In I Corinthians 4:2 we find - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  Brethren, it is a requirement and it is required that you are faithful to your God.

Verse 5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Nothing will be hidden. Then each one's praise will come from God. God tells you and I to examine ourselves and see whether we are in the faith.  He said to test ourselves to see if we are faithful stewards of these mysteries.

(Hebrews 4:12) - The Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner; The Greek word, brethren, means, ‘is able to judge’. In other words it’s able to judge (of) the thoughts and intents of your heart, which you and I often fail to discern.

Nothing is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Matthew 7:6 - God tells us - Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, most of us know this by heart.  But in light of what you and I understand and in light of what we have been given, it puts a different meaning upon these words; Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

When God starts opening one’s mind, in the excitement of starting to understand the plan of God, most everyone tries to tell their friends, their family, their co-workers; but it is God who does the calling. God is telling us not to cast before them the Truth, especially if they do not want to hear it. God warns that they will turn upon you.

But to those who He is calling, God says, let’s notice, keep asking, keep seeking, and He says, (Matthew 7:7) - Ask, and it will be given to you; those that want this way of life; and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you: for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  What man is there among you who if his son asks for bread will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  So, if there is anything you need to understand brethren, go before God and ask for understanding, because that’s where it comes from, it comes from God.  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

And in verse 13 God tells us that the gate is narrow and you and I have to Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and let’s notice, there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life.  And it’s not easy.  With what man has created upon this earth, it’s not easy to come out of this world and obey God. There’s a lot of pressure, especially at this season of the year. Man’s system does not recognize God’s way, God’s way of life, and it is a struggle; and you have to want to live this way of life as God instructs.  Because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:24 - Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken to him a wise man who built his house upon the rock: and the rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Another example -  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, lets notice, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. What it’s saying to you and I, brethren: Don’t let Satan’s world tear your house down.  When you are under attack from the fiery darts, remember to keep your focus, keep you focus on God’s plan.

God inspired David to write many Psalms.  And in Psalms 139:1 God gave David great understanding; and as all of us know, he was a man after God’s own heart. O Eternal, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  So we can see the kind of understanding that David had about His God.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.  God understood man. He is the Creator, and He knows the paths man will take. He knows the temptations, He knows the weaknesses, and everything that is there; and that is one of the mysteries that you and I understand. That God created good and evil, and God is acquainted with all of our ways.  He knows all the paths.

Verse 4, let’s notice, For there is not a word on my tongue, God knows the whole vocabulary; He knows it all.  He knows everything that man is capable of doing and saying.  And behold, O Eternal, You know it altogether. It’s what David understood. God already knew it beforehand.

Brethren, the Word of God is like a two edged sword, and there is nothing hidden from your God; and David understood this.  And in verse 6 he said - Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. He understood that God’s thoughts were so far above his that there was no way that he could ever attain to understand the magnitude of his God.

We understand just by what was revealed at this Feast of Tabernacle how awesome our God is, and we understand that we will never attain the knowledge of Almighty God, as He is the only One who has this kind of knowledge.

Verse 23, let’s notice what David said, let’s see what his desires were - Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  It should be our prayer that God lead us in His ways, and if there is anything in our hearts, that God would root it out so that we could be in the way that leads to everlasting life, just like David.

Psalms 140:1 - Deliver me, O Eternal from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; So we can see that David was not immune in the time span that he lived; it was no different. They continually gather together for war. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. Keep me, O Eternal, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to make my steps stumble. And it’s the same for you and I, we have to constantly stay in prayer to our God so that we won’t stumble.  It’s how we do it, we stay close to God.

The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set traps for me. Selah... Means to think about what is being said.  And sometimes we are blindsided and it does seem like a trap in this world; but Satan’s end is near.  It will be a different age, a different time upon this earth.

Verse 6 - I said to the Eternal, You are my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O Eternal. O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. So David understood where his protection came from and that it was God that covered his head in his battle.  All of us in God’s Church should understand that we are in a battle, the battle of our life for our life, and without God there is no way to survive. Without God covering our head during this battle, we would not survive.

Verse 8 - Do not grant, O Eternal, the desires of the wicked; Do not further his wicked scheme, lest they be exalted.

Psalms 140:12 - I know that the Eternal will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor. So brethren, when we think we are overwhelmed by this world, we need to stay focused and remember the plan of our God, and what He has in store for His people; and that our God will not put more upon us than we can endure, but understand that it will be tried by fire; so hold fast to the plan of God.  Understand that the birth pains are getting closer and our deliverance is nearer than it has ever been in time.

Brethren, it’s hard to believe that some could go back to sleep after all that God has revealed, but it is possible, and there is a warning in Romans 13:11 - Do this, knowing the time, and this applies to our time just as well as it did in the time that this was written. Do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.  And that’s true in two ways; as some are approaching the end of their lives, and some will live on into a new age. But either way, The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Either way...

Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust. One of mankind’s biggest down falls is to fulfill the lust of the flesh, even in God’s Church. God tells us not to make any provisions for this flesh.  What that’s telling you and I is to stay in the light. Don’t step back into the darkness where you will stumble. Don’t take part in Satan’s world; redeem the time, understand where we are in time, understand that the battle is for your mind; and if you partake of Satan’s world, it’s a dangerous thing for your mind. And as you have heard us say many times, it’s not a time to play games with God, it’s not a time to stumble from the light into the darkness again from whence you came.  You came out of darkness; God’s opened your mind; you came out of the darkness of Satan’s world, and from where we are in time, if you partake you may not find your way back, just might not happen at this time.

Ephesians 5:17 God tells us - Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dispensation; let’s notice, but be filled with the spirit. Stay close to your God, brethren, and be filled with Gods spirit.

Verse 19 - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, not back biting, talking about one another, but singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, and let’s notice, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. It’s the way we should live, always giving thanks for what you understand. It’s a wonderful thing to understand what our God is doing and to know the mysteries that He has revealed.

2 Peter 1:12 - This was written a long, long time ago - For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know, and we do know brethren, we understand about Satan’s world and we understand that we are in a spiritual war; we also understand that we’re in a battle for our human nature; and sometimes I don’t think we know the magnitude of what we are up against. And that’s the reason Peter said that he would not be negligent to remind us always of these things, though we already know them.

And we know that the physical trials can get our mind off our God, and we know that it can distract us; and we have to be reminded by our God what the battle is all about. The battle is for our minds and it’s a tough battle.  It’s a spiritual war. And God tells us that the battle is going to get a little bit harder, but He has shown us the way. We need to understand where we are, who we are, and what it’s all about.

Peter told us - therefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things though you know them, and even though we are established in the truth.

2 Peter 1:13 - Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, and that’s the job of the ministry, to remind you, to bring it to remembrance to know where you are and remind you of the battle that is being waged.

Verse 14 - Peter knew he was about to go out of this world, he knew his time was up; and he said, Knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. So, he knew. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.  And he did, we are reading it today brethren, and he left us a record.

Verse 16 - For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Just as some sitting here will be eye witnesses when He comes back. Some had that privilege the first time, some will have that privilege the second time – some sitting here.

Verse 17 - For He received from God the Father honour and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And let’s notice, And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we can see that they heard and saw some awesome events, the same as some of you will see some awesome events at His return.

Verse 19 - So we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed, as a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, and lets notice verse 21 - for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy spirit. And it’s the same today, brethren. We have two at the end of this age that are moved by God’s spirit to lead God’s Church, to let us know about the battle that is being fought.

2 Peter 3:1 - Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle; in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder, that’s what God does, He reminds us where the battle is, the battle for your mind.  ...that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and that applies today just as much as it did then, brethren; we have two.

...and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts; and that’s very true. You can find the garbage that is written about us, you can find the garbage that is written about Mr. Armstrong, and there are those that do lust for just the garbage.

Verse 4 - Where is the promise of His coming? The scoffers don’t really believe Jesus Christ is coming back as God has revealed, and they scoff, and they make fun, For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. And this is how they view it, brethren.  They don’t have any idea.

Verse 5 - For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved, let’s notice, by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Hopefully, all will repent as things happen upon this earth, as the Thunders continue to sound; but we know the plan, we know that won’t happen.

Verse 13 - Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. And that’s what we look forward to, the spiritual creation of our God when it’s all accomplished; that’s what we look forward to.

2 Peter 3:14 - Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, and they do also the rest of the scriptures.  And some become entangled with things hard to understand and will not wait on their God, and they will be led away with the error of the wicked.

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, let’s notice, beware, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; So what this is telling you and I; that we have to be careful who we lend an ear to.  We know where the truth comes from, it comes from the Church of God; that’s where our ears should be listening.  And it says beware, lest you fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.

God tell us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, not to become entangled with the garbage, the mockers, the scoffers of this world. God tell us to grow in grace and knowledge, and that’s exactly what is taking place every Sabbath for those that want this way of life; we learn more about our God each Sabbath. It’s a wonderful thing to understand more about our Creator and His plan for mankind.

We all get fatigued; we all get exhausted by the anxieties, by the stresses of this world.  We all get stressed by bad news sometimes.  We get fatigued by the daily struggles of survival in this world and by the battles that we find ourselves in; the battle for our mind.

David was a good example of a man after Gods own heart; God said so.  Let’s go back to the Psalms and look at Psalm 69, and let’s look at how David felt.  I love the Psalms because you can always be uplifted by what God had recorded. David had his troubles and David was constantly calling on God for help. And you and I are just like David, we need God’s help constantly in this world.

Psalms 69:1 - Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.  I understand those feelings very well and I’m sure you do too.  I think we’ve all been there.  I sink in deep mire where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. Brethren, the people of God down through time were no strangers to suffering. David did his share and so did all the others that God worked with down through time and you and I are no exception.  But amid all that we face in this human body, there is hope. God has given us understanding of what is to take place and He has opened our minds so that we may understand His plan and His mysteries.

And God says in II Corinthians 5:1 - For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we know that we have hope, if we have God’s spirit dwelling in us, we know that we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, This mind, that’s what the battle is for.  Many things can destroy this physical body. Only you can destroy this mind. Only you have the power to do that. God gave us free choice, brethren, and we can choose once called; if we continue and hold fast, notice what God says. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven; And I know that all of us long to shed this flesh; and God has good news for all of us: we will shed this flesh one day.  And we do groan while we’re in this flesh, and we do desire to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, which is from our God, our spiritual body – that’s what you and I look forward to.

Verse 4 - For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  Real life, brethren, spiritual life. Now He who has prepared us for this thing is God. The Church of God-PKG – that’s what it’s about, ‘Preparing for the Kingdom of God’ that is coming to this earth...and it’s why you understand, because your God is preparing  you for the Kingdom of God; some to live into the Millennial reign and some to be a part of the firstfruits, the 144,000. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the spirit, let’s notice... as a guarantee.

Be turning to II Corinthians 1; it’s where Paul explained the comfort that comes from God, and he says in II Corinthians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and lets notice, God of all comfort, its where our comfort comes from; and God says He will not put more upon us than we can stand, and He does comfort us in this battle, and it’s imperative that you and I understand that it’s the spiritual mind that Satan is after.  It’s the battle for your mind, and he uses whatever means he can to entice us. He has but a short time, and the spirit world is not happy.

Paul tells us that it is God who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble. And the persecutions and the trials, and the sufferings come in many forms brethren; sometimes its physical, sometimes it’s mental; and it does not matter, the results are the same, the battle is the same, and the battle is for your mind.

Verse 6 - Now if we are afflicted it’s for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, let notice, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Verse 8 - For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: let’s notice, that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.  We can see that they were not immune and that they despaired even of their own lives; and the trials can be hard sometimes, so we can see that it was bad for them too, brethren.

Philippians 3:6 – Let’s notice what’s being said - concerning zeal, persecuting the Church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Verse 7 - But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and this is where we want to focus, and count them as rubbish. Can we see his attitude and his view point?  And I love the way he said this, and he counted it all as rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, even though he suffered the loss of all things he counted it as rubbish, and he said, I press on for that which I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and, let’s notice, reaching forward to those things which are ahead, It’s what we should do; press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Do you know the value of what you have been offered?

Verse 17 - Join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.  Never forget where the battle is. The battle is for your mind, and I hope you understand what God has offered you.

Romans 12:1 - God tells us - I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And I say it again, it’s just what God expects.  And it is a living sacrifice, it’s what we are, and God tells you and I that we are not to be conformed to this world, Satan’s world, but be transformed...

Last part of verse 2; let’s notice, it’s about the mind, its where the battle is, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Brethren, it is about the mind. It’s about that battle. God has given you understanding to know His mysteries. Don’t let down and let the adversary deceive you. Stay close to God and He will continue to give you understanding as we move through His plan for all of mankind. Hold fast to what God has revealed to you.

~~~end

Table of Contents

Start