Another mystery revealed

 Another mystery that is revealed about us Gentiles is that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [I want you to understand this mystery], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits [so that you will not feel proud about yourselves]; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [some of the people of Israel have hard hearts], until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in [but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ]." - Romans 11:25 KJV

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy [Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves]." - Romans 11:11 KJV

"For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee [But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root]." - Romans 11:16-18 KJV

As Gentiles, when we obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:38), we were grafted in to the olive tree of Abraham and his descendants. (Romans 4:16).  The natural branches are the people of Israel.

Paul warns us Gentiles to be faithful, and gives a hope for Israel:

"Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again." - Romans 11:20-23 KJV

Mystery Revealed

 

There are mysteries that were hidden but are now revealed. One mystery revealed is that the gospel is for the Gentiles, not for the Jews only.

God called Paul to reveal this mystery. (Acts 26:18).

"How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery… which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel…Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ [endless treasures available to them in Christ];" - Ephesians 3:3-6, 8 KJV

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: [For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.]" - Colossians 1:26-27 KJV

"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," [And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.] - Ephesians 6:19 KJV

Peter preached the Good News of the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he prophesied that the promise of the Holy Ghost is also to the Gentiles - “those afar off.” (Ephesians 2:11-22).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

And now why tarriest thou?

 After his road to Damascus experience, seeing the Light of Jesus and hearing His voice, Saul of Tarsus was blind for three days. “Three days” is associated with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ - after three days Jesus rose again. (Mark 8:31).

After Saul’s three days of blindness, God sent a witness to him with the message of salvation. It appears Saul had a death, burial, and resurrection experience… (Romans 6:4).

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

“And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:12-16 KJV

We don't know Saul anymore as Saul of Tarsus that persecuted and killed the Christians. We now know him as Paul the Apostle, called by the name of Jesus, called to proclaim that Name and the gospel to the world. Not just to his fellow Jews, but also to us Gentiles.

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: [Through Christ, God has given us the privilege [grace] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.]" - Romans 1:5 KJV

Paul called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles

Paul persecuted the Christians, shutting them up in prison and having them put to death. Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus.

"Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them [God’s people] which are sanctified by faith that is in me." - Acts 26:12-18 KJV

Jesus called Paul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

Paul was blinded by the heavenly vision.

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." - Acts 9:10-12 KJV

"Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem...But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" - Acts 9:13, 15 KJV

To be continued…

Behold, I show you a mystery

The word “mystery” is used a number of times in the New Testament.

In the following verse, mystery is “a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will: …used of certain single events decreed by God having reference to his kingdom or the salvation of men, Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51;”

Paul reveals a mystery.

Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth:

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [We will not all die, but we will all be transformed], in a moment [It will happen in a moment], in the twinkling of an eye [in the blink of an eye], at the last trump [when the last trumpet is blown]: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead [those who have died] shall be raised incorruptible [raised to live forever], and we shall be changed [transformed]. For this corruptible [our dying bodies] must put on incorruption [transformed into bodies that will never die], and this mortal must put on immortality [our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies]." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 KJV

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption [when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die], and this mortal [our mortal bodies] shall have put on immortality [must be transformed into immortal bodies], then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written [Isaiah 25:8], Death is swallowed up in victory." - 1 Corinthians 15:54 KJV

"He will swallow up death in victory [forever]; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth [He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people]: for the LORD hath spoken it." - Isaiah 25:8 KJV

Teaching us...

 Paul wrote to Titus,

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:11-14 KJV

Another translation:

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." - Titus 2:11-14 NLT

Church!

 The Lord promised he would be back for His church. We can see the signs of the times.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…" - 2 Peter 3:10 KJV

"Be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…" - 2 Peter 3:14-15 KJV

Another translation:

"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." - 2 Peter 3:9 NLT

"But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief..." - 2 Peter 3:10 NLT

"Make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved…" - 2 Peter 3:14-15 NLT

The Lord gives us the fivefold ministry to grow in Christ and equip us to do His work. This is one important reason to go to church.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV

To begin the journey –

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42 KJV