Colossians Study Outline

Jesus Christ the Creator God the Visible Presense of the Invisible Godhead and our being steadfast in our trust of Him.

 

Since verse 24 of Colossians 1, we have heard and then be looking at how we are to be stable and grounded in our steadfastness in the growing knowledge and understanding of our being in Christ. This comes before our learning that we are to be built up in our trusting in faith and a warning against the gross error which will over come those who do not know and gain the knowledge of this revelation and then allow it to produce the fruit of Christ within and through them. As they become the light of the world as Christ Jesus is the Light of the world. We must keep in mind that as in Genesis 1 and John 1 alone with the synpotic gospels revelation, that Light is apposite to and resisted by darkness. This is the world into which Israel as a nation is corrupted by when in its infancy turned its back toward the LORD God, Who was in effect its ruler.

 

 

Ephesians 3:4-5

"Whereby, when ye read (Paul’s epistles) ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery (the secret) of Christ. Which in other ages (generations, of Israel's past history) was not made known (see how plain this language is when you understand what he is talking about. Don’t forget Deuteronomy 29:29 which says, "The secret things belong to God and our childrens children to the next generation? No, but forever." He is Sovereign. He does not have to reveal it until He’s good and ready. And that was when the Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles, just after “the end of days” or the alloted time) to the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by (through) the Spirit."

God (Elohim) in His Soveriegnity has alloted to the world of man certain periods or dispensations under the control of His prerogative. Remember Paul had others that followed in his footsteps. I think Barnabas could be considered one and maybe Timothy and some of the others. Here is the whole concept that was never revealed before and remains hidden to many. This is born out in Psalm 2 when read with this understanding, which can also be carried over into all other scriptures. Because they remain hidden from evil hearted mans perception and understanding of the hidden wisdon and knowledge of the Godhead in man. A mystery.

 

 

Ephesians 3:6

"That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs (not just subjects of Christ’s kingship like Israel will be, but Gentiles and Hebrews during this time are to be brought into this position of being a joint heir of Christ. You can’t find that anywhere else in Scripture except Paul’s Epistles. Psalm 2 Verse 8 states this: “Ask of Me, and I shall give the heathen (the back of the nations their body part, of people, in some applications it means as living body and others a corpse) Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth Your possession.” It’s just not in there to the natural mind, it remains hidden. You can look, but here it is.) and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the (this Gospel) gospel."

Let’s go down to verse 9, which I used a while back.

 

 

Ephesians 3:9

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery (secret) which from the beginning of the world hath been (what’s the next word?) hid (see how plain that is?) in God, who created all things by (through) Jesus Christ."

All the way through Paul’s Epistles we have this word popping up - "the mysteries or secret things" That it was revealed only to Paul. Now a verse just comes to mind. Peter, bless his heart. And I do not put him down one iota but let’s come back to his second Epistle, chapter 3 and we’re going to start at verse 15. I haven’t used these two verses in a long, long time. But now, remember, Peter didn’t have the mysteries revealed to him. Only Paul did. But as Paul began to preach these mysteries and this Gospel that was Paul’s Gospel and his preparing of this secret Body, the appearing of the Body of Christ, Peter just stood there, from the outside looking in. Why? Because he was a diehard, caught by Hebrewism, and his Jewishness alone with his hardheartness is resistance of change. Let’s read the verses first and then I’ll comment. And remember Peter writes these Epistles about the same time Paul is writing the prison Epistles. I think the two men were probably martyred within a year of each other. And so this is at the end of Peter’s ministry. Shortly before he’s martyred.

 

 

To maintain the flow I will begin at verse 10 to the end of verse 18 where we find this said: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Since all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. (the next passage begins with a stern warning)

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account the longsuffering of our Lord Salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you; As in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, and fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”