Christ Revealed in You

The revealing of the Revelation and the mysteries in the Light of the Gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ as given to Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. As contained in the letters of Paul, to the Romans on through Philemon and the letter of persuasion written to the Hebrews. A Bible study and other insights. So we should get off that milk bottle. We have to tell those who find us and begin to read the posts to throw the milk bottle away.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Secret Revealed

To the establishing of you according to the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected, to our being conjoined to Him in death, burial, resurrection and our soon coming ascension.
The secret now made known to all the nations, no longer to Israel only but to all nations. What a change in direction has God taken because Israel rejected their Messiah and His offer of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, with the tribulation period that was to follow all most on its heals. Now we are to learn of the secret that was hidden in God about His Christ that was in the scriptures of the Psalms and Prophets of Israel. What most do not understand or see is that this is from Moses writings on which include Genesis forward to the 9th chapter of Acts. For us to know the hidden things of God we must of necessity know Genesis the book of beginnings in which principles of Gods modus operandi are shown or revealed. Again one has to be spiritually alive before these truths are made known to him as Paul teaches but sad to say most shun or just stay away from them all together because they follow the leadership of their particular denomination.
Now for the unveiling of the secret things of God.

Romans 16:25-27
Now to Him* who is able to strengthen (establish) you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages past** but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

* Study: In Him, In Whom, and In Christ
** The long ages past takes us back before time began in Genesis 1:1 for this was in the heart of God prior to creation. There are basically two areas of mans blindness they are ignorance of God and His word and spiritual ignorance, though man is ignorant in many many areas because of his dependency on his intellectualism. See the note at the end of the God’s Plan study.

2Corinthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1Timothy 3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Hebrews 1:1-8 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers (Israel) by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels said he at any time, “You art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?” And again, “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” And again, when he brings in the first begotten into the world, He said, “and let all the angels of God worship him.” And of the angels he said, “Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But to the Son He said, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.”

Secret Revealed
Romans 16:25-27

Is able to strengthen
The word here used strengthen, the KJV is power to establish and in the ASV is able to establish.
To settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak; to confirm. To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently.

Jude. 24-25: Now to him that is able to guard (keep) you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for
evermore. The Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13: Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; to the end that He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 12:49-50: I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled? I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Note: this is not into water as some miss interpret it.)

Matthew 17:1-3: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringing them up into a high mountain apart: He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as the light. Behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him.

John 11:25-26: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believe on me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Romans 1:4: Who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord.

My Gospel
This is a distinctive gospel that was given to Paul, or revealed to him only by the risen Lord from glory for our learning and understanding in the wisdom of God and to make known His will for us.

Daniel 2:20-23 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."

Amos 3:6-15 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? "For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?" Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst." "They do not know how to do right," declares the LORD, "those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds." Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered." Thus says the LORD: "As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob," declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, "that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end," declares the LORD.

John 15:8-23 Jesus said: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (Romans 16:25-26) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. ‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.’ Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.’ But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ‘Whoever hates me hates my Father also.’”

Mark 10:29-31 Jesus said, “Verily I say to you, there is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, ‘with persecutions;’ and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” (Remember when you have a “but” at the start of a verse to check back to find out what that “but” is there for. It is usually found back two or four verses.)

John 12:23-28: Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say to you, ‘except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abides by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’ He that loves his life loses it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ‘If any man serves me, let him follow me;’ and ‘where I am, there shall also my servant be’: ‘if any man serves me, him will the Father honor.’” Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour. But for this cause came I to this hour. Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Romans 14: 7-9: For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For whether we live, we live to (in) the Lord; or whether we die, we die to (in) the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lives again, that He might be Lord of both the dead (the nature of natural man, spiritually separated form God.) and the living (in Him and He in them per John 17).

Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory (power) of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness (Different state or qualities introduced by change or regeneration.) of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness (Of joint origin, connection, congenital, innate, implanted by birth or nature, grown together, united with or as we may say today to be conjoined.*) of his death, we shall be also in the likeness (*see above definition) of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died to sin once: (He can’t die again and those that are IN Him can’t die again either, for we are conjoined to Him.) but in that he lives, he lives to God. (Christ died one time for all of humanity from Adam to the last man, as He is the A through Z, the first and the last.) Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through (IN) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 2:16: In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, (those not in the family union of God) according to my gospel, by (a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act: in the place of, therefore, within) Jesus Christ.

1Corinthians 15.1-4, 42 -49: Now I make known to you, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, wherein also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, except you believe in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried; and that He has been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; ….. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, the first man Adam became a living soul. (Earthy, carnal that is of the flesh, fallen into the nature of the bestial) The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (Spiritual, mans first normal state returned to.) Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (spiritual) As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Romans 10.6-11: The righteousness which is of faith says thus; say not in thy heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down :) or, who shall descend into the abyss? (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) What says it? The word is nigh you, in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: because if you shall confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the scripture says, whosoever believes on (into) Him shall not be put to shame.

1Thessalonians 4.14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

That was kept secret
1Corinthians 2:6-7 Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 1:3-23 (9), 3:1-7 (3): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, I say, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who
works all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, - in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.…. Ephesians 3:1-7 (3): For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, (Israel) as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power.

Colossians 1:21-29 You, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before Him: if so be that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you’ve heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church; (Hebrews 10:5-7 Wherefore when He comes into the world, He said, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body didst you prepare [ordained] for me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure: Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me: To do Your will, O God.) whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hid for ages and generations: but now has it been manifested to His saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; whereto I labor also, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily.

Ephesians 1:7-14 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

1 Corinthians 12:27-29: Now we are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. God has set some in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, and then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and different kinds of tongues (languages). Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I to you.

For Long Ages Past
Psalms. 16:11, 21:4, 40:6, 49:4, 78:2: Psalms 16:11 Thou will show me the path of life: In your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. … 21:4 He asked life of you,you gave it him, even length of days for ever and ever..... 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you have no delight in; Mine ears have you opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering have you not required……
49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp……. 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.

Matthew 13:34-35: All these things spoke Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable spoke he nothing to them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.

1 Peter 1:13-21 Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as He who called you is holy, be yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, you shall be holy; for I am holy. If you call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-10 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We speak wisdom, among them that are full grown: yet wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught: but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that had been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds to our glory: which none of the rulers of this world had known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: but as it is written, “Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man, whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him”. But to us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep things of God.

Ephesians 1:1-14, 3:1-7, 8-12 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heaven lies in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom we also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of Your Salvation, - in whom, having also believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory…….3:1-12(5):For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that Grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few
words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body (Heb. 10:5), and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church (the hidden Body of Christ, family) the manifold wisdom of God,
according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in Him.

2 Timothy 1:1, 7-13 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, …… God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (this gospel) whereto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; but in His own seasons manifested His word in the message, wherewith I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Hebrews 4:13 There is no creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Mystery now disclosed
Acts 9:5, 18:24-26, 1-4, 27-28: [see note below] Paul Who said: Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus
whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.
(1Timothy 1:12-14 I thank Him that enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, for that He counted me faithful, appointing me to His service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.)

Here we’re going to do a little word study, the first word is kick: (heelwise); to recalculate and recalcitrant means: stubbornly resistant to guidance, or refractory (obstinate, unmanageable, difficult to melt or work, not responsive); and the next word is goad: (to prick); a point (“center”), that is, a sting (figuratively poison) or goad, prick, sting. This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their stubbornness hurt themselves.

Thayer's Definition:
1) to kick, strike with the heel
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from adverb lax (heel wise)

Thayer's Definition:
1) a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
2) an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
2a) hence the proverb, “to kick against the goad”, i.e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from kenteo (to prick)

Acts 18:24-26 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. Being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. (He had not received the teaching of Paul as it had not reached him.) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 18:1-4 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. He found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He (Paul) went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (The Letter of Hebrews is this persuasion.)

Acts 18:26-28 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (As seen in verses 1-4, they had spent considerable time with Paul in their trade working together and as is the norm for Paul he shared his Gospel of Gods Grace with them.) When he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

Romans 12:2 Be not fashioned according to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Here Paul is telling us to pay the price to learn the mysteries in order to gain the knowledge that God requires us to have by studying to show ourselves approved onto God a good workman that will not be put to shame because of our faith in this gospel.)

Hebrews 9:27-28 Inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, and after this comes judgment; so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for Him, to salvation. [John 14:3; Col. 1:5; Acts 17:31; Php. 4:7; 1Thes. 4:14-16; 2 Thes. 1:5-7, 2:1] (Do you know the mystery now disclosed for our understanding? If not, why not?)

Through the Prophetic writings
Psalms 68:33, 110:1 To him that rides upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. {John 12:28}……. Yehovah said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

1 Kings 8:27 Will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him; how much less this house that I have built!

2 Chronicles 6:18 Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him; how much less this house which I have built! (There are over three hundred passages of Old Testament scripture of Christ’s arrival, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. In the Psalms alone there are fourteen or sixteen about Him.)

Acts 8:29-35, 13:37-41, 26:22-23: The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “do you understand what you are reading?” He said, “how can I, except some one shall guide me?” He besought Philip to come up and sit with him.
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.
The eunuch answered Philip, and said, “I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other?” Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.

Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abram believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

Ephesians 2:20-22 So then you are no more strangers and sojourners, but are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Made known to all the nations according to the command of the eternal God
John 8:31-32, 14:5-6 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, “if you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”…… Thomas said to him, “Lord, we know not whither you go; how know we the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by (IN) me.”
(Remember our primary preposition above:” by” here means of time, of place, or of means and the ground of the reason an act is or is not done: “in” or through.) Based on that Jesus is saying that He is the only way to the Father or we have to be “IN Him” to get to the Father!!! The mystery is that we were in Him on the cross in His body on that tree, we were buried, and resurrected in Him and even now are seated within Him at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. (1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 2:20)

Acts 13: 2, 46-48, 26:15-18 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate (sever) to me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereto I have called them.” …. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you.” Seeing you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, “I have set you for a light of the Gentiles that you should be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.” As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.… Paul speaking; “I said, who are You, Lord? The Lord said I am Jesus whom you persecute. Arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear to you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me.”
(Here He says “IN ME” but in John 14:6 He said “by me” He is saying the same thing in both scriptures.)

The Obedience of Faith
Many of today miss this point because they don’t divide rightly the word of truth, they preach what has been called a “blender gospel” for they make a slurry of the Old and the New and because we are all lazy, ignorant and do not know the WORD of God we swallow it all without question. Shame, no Great Shame on us because we like our parents and grandparents have allowed this thing upon ourselves. Time for an awakening to happen, judgment has started in the household of God for today is the day of your salvation.

Matthew 20:22-23 Jesus answered and said “you know not what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They say to him, “we are able.” He said to them, “my cup indeed you shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it has been prepared of my Father.” (Mark10:38-40)

Luke 12:49-50 “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled? I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 11:23-25, 12:12-14 I delivered to you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third day according to the scriptures. ..…. For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.” In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”……. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. In one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

Ephesians 3:1-7 I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power.

Ephesians 3:8-10 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Ephesians 4:4-7 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. To each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Romans 5:19 Through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous (Matthew 7:13).

Romans 6:16-18 Know you not, that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were servants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereto you were delivered; and being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.
(You become the spirit that you serve and obey.)

Glory through Jesus Christ
Romans 1:1-7, 20-21, 15:18-21 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God, which He promised afore through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh (humiliation), who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for His name's sake; among whom are you also called to be Jesus Christ's: to all that are in Rome [the nations], beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. …… For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified Him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. ……. I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ; yes, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; but, as it is written, they shall see, to whom no tidings of Him came, and they who have not heard shall understand.

Romans 16:19 Your obedience is come abroad to all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple to that which is evil.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion hath light with darkness? What concord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, “come out from among them, and be separate,” says the Lord, “touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you a Father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Remember in the Old Testament where the Lord told Israel to “be you Holy for ‘I am’ Holy”, Lev. 11:44, He would not have told them to do this thing if it were impossible for them to do it!)

1 John 5:19-21 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one. We know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children guard yourselves from idols. (Your Bible can be an idol, just as any other thing.)

1 Timothy 6:12-16 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereto you were called, and did confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; that you keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in its own times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen

Again the account of Apollos meeting with Aquila and Pricilla
Acts 18:24-26 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord (no knowledge of the gospel that had been revealed to Paul); and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John (the Jewish gospel as thought by Jesus and the twelve, repentance of sins, water baptism and the believing that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah of Israel and King, the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven): and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately. For they had spent considerable time with Paul and while they were working together, Paul shared with them his gospel as revealed to him by the risen Lord, as they labored. The Gospel of the Grace of God, that was not for the Jews only but for the gentiles as well.
Acts 18:1-4 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and Paul came unto them; and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them (it is during this time that Paul teaches them on the revelation of the Gospel of the Grace of God), and they worked together, for by their trade they were tentmakers. Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Acts 18:27-28 And when he (Apollos) was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Later we see this man in 1 Corinthians chapters 1, 2 and 3 with his magnetism and charisma has many followers as we have in churches today. Many are more loyal to the man or their denomination instead of the Word of God and the Christ whom they profess to worship.

2Timothy 1:1, 8-11 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life
which is in Christ Jesus………Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, where to I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
Acts 9:10-12 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a
vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. The Lord said to him, arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;12 and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight……15-16 But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel to(for) me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Acts 20:24 I hold not my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may accomplish my course,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God. [Eph.
2:4-10; Luke 9:23-25, 59-62]
Acts 22:14-15 He said, the God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous
One, and to hear a voice from His mouth. For you shall be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 26:14-18 When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language,
Saul, Saul, why persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goad. I said, who are you, Lord? The Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. Arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen of me, and of the things wherein I will appear to you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, separate (severe to) me Barnabas
and Saul for the work whereto I have called them.
Gal 1:15-17 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb,
and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles;
straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were
apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia (where Paul receives the start of the revelations of the
mysteries the finished work of the cross); and again I returned to Damascus [Mat. 16:17; 1Cor. 2:9-13; 2Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17-18, 3:5-10; Gal. 1:11-12]

Christ Jesus is the ancient of days the long white haired man God depicted in the pictures painted on the walls of old churches. He is the foundation of this world upon whom the earth is built. He is mighty God and all God; He is the third person of the Godhead and the Head of God’s family the church of the living God. He is the ever revealing one and always being revealed to the hearts of seeking mankind the world over. He is all LIGHT and all TRUTH and the LIVING WAY to the living God. For He is the God of all LIVING and not the dead, those separated from Him by sin and death, for IN HIM there is NO death and NO wrath to come.

From here then we’ll move on to the spiritual day of battle that we learn the full truth and nothing but the truth that sets us free from the chains of slavery and darkness to sin and death. There is more power released in our coming into redemption then in the day that we are conceived. This is the day when the enemy of man suffers another bruised head and he and his forces of evil are made an open display of as defeated foes. In this day we have a total change of mind and the veil is removed which allows the scriptures to take on the life of the Spirit of truth. We become children of God working on learning the things of our Father to a mature person in Christ with the Spirit of Christ and holiness in us again as at the first.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Knowledge of God’s Mystery

Here we are again where we find ourselves in a maze of worldly confusion where it not that we have the Holy Spirit (ie. the Spirit of Christ) to guide us through. All things spiritual start with an understanding of the first three chapters of Genesis because it is there that we learn just what it is that was lost to mankind. Genesis is the foundation upon which Christ in all wisdom and knowledge is first seen and known.

For it is there that the first law of “ONE” and the first is revealed which holds the key to all else in the Bible for us. Genesis through Acts chapter 8 and a portion at the end of 9 we find God’s working with the earthy man (This is also seen in Romans chapters one through five verse five) and then those men who have been accounted as righteous or spiritual, that meet God’s requirement of faith. Then in Acts chapter 9 He focuses on one man again just as He did with Moses this man has his name changed by God from Saul to Paul indicating the change of direction and God’s acceptance of him as His voice (from here on into Romans through Philemon, with special attention to Galatians and Hebrews as they reveal the Gospel of God's Grace in the New Covenant of Grace).

Those who do not understand the word do not see or hear this change taking place because the god of this evil world has their minds blinded or veiled to it. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Men of the intellectual institutions do not have a clue as to what the Lord is doing; they reveal this in their mixing of the scriptures and the blending of them together, then saying something that is not there. (Many by applying passages in correctly or by quoting only a portion of scripture out of context or applying the principles and scriptures wrongly have erred in some cases grievously.) Some stick to the Old Testament as being for us in this dispensation (Not knowing that the past is dead and death to all that are stuck in it) without regard for the changing of direction God has taken and only found in the scriptures as revealed by Paul and by inspiration by the Spirit of Christ.

The people that are hungry and thirsty for the truth, they do not know where to turn to because they have been lead astray and deceived into believing a lie as contained in a feel good gospel, a gospel in many cases that was meant for Israel only. Paul in Romans 16 verse 25 tells us that we are to be strengthened or established by His power that is at work within us, this is to have the meaning and knowledge as contained in scriptures revealed to us. As a steward of the mysteries revealed to Paul and no others of the first disciples, (those who were with Christ during His ministry to Israel) we are under necessity to share what has been disclosed or revealed in this last of times. From here then let us move on.

Romans 16:25-27
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Colossians 2:1-7
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(the parable of the pearl of great price) I say this in order that no one may delude* you with plausible arguments.** For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order (discipline) and the firmness of your faith in Christ. As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in your faith, even as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

* Delude: is to deceive, beguile to turn away from as a wife turns her back on her husband to pursue another; as Israel and the church have done by turning toward the spirit of the world.
** Arguments: persuasive words

Colossians 4:2-6
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders,* making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

* Outsiders: unbelievers and the enemies of the cross of Christ, (a sinner, wicked, lawless) seeing your manner of living (conversation).

Knowledge of the Mystery
Colossians 2.1-5 & 4.2-6

Matthew 13:31-33, 34-35 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."

Matthew 13:36-37, 43-46 He left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.” (John 12:24)

Matthew 13:38-42 “The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place (the fiery furnace) there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:43-46 “The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He, who has ears, let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.” Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Jesus is the word that was sown and the pearl of great value (Gods Spiritual wisdom and understanding) and those who will, will to do the Fathers good pleasure, have revealed to them His will and will have revealed to them the hidden truths that are laid in the open to all but are not understood but by a few. The seed that turns into a great tree as a mustard seed grows, this is the word that when planted into good ground grows we know not how and turns into a great tree that provides shade for all and rest for all. The pearl is God’s wisdom that in Christ Jesus is revealed to those who are in Christ and have partaken of His bread and blood, they are sharers of the same body and blood with Christ that is in union with Him. This is a true mystery and power of God which no man has in and of himself.

In Christ are all riches of understanding
Colossians 2:9-17 In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead corporeally as the foundation or federal head of the Body. You are filled with Him (John 1:16), who is the head of all principality and power. In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling (stripping away or destroying by the circumcision) of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ. Buried with Him in baptism (this is an action of the Holy Spirit and not with water): in whom also you are raised again by the faith of the operation of God who has raised (you in Him) Him up from the dead. And you, when you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has quickened (made alive in regeneration of the spirit or your inner man) together with Him, forgiving your all offenses: blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us, which was contrary to us (that which was lost in Adam). He has taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross. Despoiling the principalities and powers (the spirit of the world in the flesh of man), he has exposed them confidently in open show, triumphing over them in Himself (when He was put to the tree and was raised from the dead). Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a festival day or of the new moon or of the Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come: but the body is of Christ.

Colossians 1:9-29 So, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through (IN) Him and for Him. He is before all things, and IN Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For IN Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through (IN) Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled IN His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ IN you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature IN Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.

Ephesians 1:7-14 In Him we have redemption (present possession) through (IN, enjoined to, in union with) His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (the seed that is opened by the Gospel of Grace in Light), which He lavished upon us (this is found in Genesis chapters 2 and 3), in all wisdom and insight (the full knowledge of) making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him again, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your redemption, and believed in Him, were sealed (baptized) with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (our salvation and the home of our hope as promised), to the praise of His glory.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ (in His incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, (been crucified in Christ) and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working whereby He is able even to subject all things to Himself. (All of creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God; this will take place just before the tribulation period starts because in another place it says “that the children, ”sons” of God are not subject to see the wrath that is to come upon the world and all flesh.” Romans 5:9, 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9)

Now for the warning:
Many do not take head to the woes of Matthew 23 which also reveal many things of interest for us today.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:18-23 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism (rigid self denial) and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations---"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" (referring to things that all perish as they are used)---according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism (which is spiritual pride under the mock guise of humility) and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh and the wrath to come. (Ephesians 4:31; Romans 1:18, 2:5, 8; Ephesians 2:3, 5:6)

Christ Himself warns in Matthew 23:27-28 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. [Study the “woe’s” of Matthew 23 and Satan’s counterfeiting of Jesus’ light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15]

1Timothy 4:3-5 Who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

Colossians 3:5-15 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Be thankful.

Now for the comments by Matthew Henry as found in his commentary on the whole Bible and we quote:

Philippians 3:17-21
He, Paul, closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations.

I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and evil teachers (Philippians 3:18-19): Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Observe,

1. There are many called by Christ's name who are enemies to Christ's cross, and the design and intention of it. Their walk is surer evidence what they are than their profession. By their fruits you shall know them, Matthew 7:20. The apostle warns people against such, (1.) Very frequently: I have told you often. We so little heed the warnings given us that we have needed to have them repeated. To write the same things is safe, Philippians 3:1. (2.) Feelingly and affectionately: I now tell you weeping. Paul was upon proper occasions a weeping preacher, as Jeremiah was a weeping prophet. Observe, an old sermon may be preached with new affections; what we say often we may say again, if we say it affectionately, and are ourselves under the power of it.

2. He gives us the characters of those who were the enemies of the cross of Christ. (1.) Whose God is their belly. They minded nothing but their sensual appetites. A wretched idol it is and a scandal for any, but especially for Christians, to sacrifice the favors of God, the peace of their conscience, and their eternal happiness to it. Gluttons and drunkards make a god of their belly, and all their care is to please it and make provision for it. The same observance which good people give to God epicures gives to their appetites. Of such he says, They serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, Rom 16:18. (2.) They glory in their shame. They not only sinned, but boasted of it and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when it is gloried in. “They value themselves for what is their blemish and reproach.” (3.) They mind earthly things. Christ came by his cross to crucify the world to us and us to the world; and those who mind earthly things act directly contrary to the cross of Christ, and this great design of it. They relish earthly things, and have no relish of the things which are spiritual and heavenly. They set their hearts and affections on earthly things; they love them, and even dote upon them, and have a confidence and complacency in them. He gives them this character, to show how absurd it would be for Christians to follow the example of such or be led away by them; and, to deter us all from so doing, he reads their doom. (4.) Whose end is destruction. Their way seems pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death, Rom 6:21. It is dangerous following them, though it is going down the stream; for, if we choose their way, we have reason to fear their end. Perhaps he alludes to the total destruction of the Jewish nation (and those trapped in the broad way of the world).

II. He proposes himself and his brethren for an example, in opposition to these evil examples: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark those who walk as you have us for an example, Philippians 3:17. Mark them out for your pattern. He explains himself (Philippians 3:20) by their regard to Christ and heaven: For our conversation is in heaven. Observe, Good Christians, even while they are here on earth, have their conversation in heaven. (They mind the things of God revealed to them of greater value than the things in this world.)Their citizenship is there, politeuma. As if he had said, “We stand related to the world, but are citizens of the New Jerusalem.” This world is not our home, but that is. There our greatest privileges and concerns lie. And, because our citizenship is there, our conversation is there; being related to that world, we keep up a correspondence with it. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his head is, and his home is, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is there will his conversation be. The apostle had pressed them to follow him and other ministers of Christ: “Why,” might they say, “you are a company of poor, despised, persecuted people, who make no figure, and pretend to no advantages in the world; who will follow you?” “Nay,” says he, “but our conversation is in heaven. We have a near relation and a great pretension to the other world, and are not so mean and despicable as we are represented.” It is good having fellowship with those who have fellowship with Christ, and conversation with those whose conversation is in heaven. (However they are few in number while here.)

1. Because we look for the Saviour from heaven (Philippians 3:20): Whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not here, he has ascended, he has entered within the veil for us; and we expect his second coming thence, to gather in all the citizens of that New Jerusalem to himself. (This is to be prior to the tribulation period yet to be fully birthed upon the earth and mankind.)

2. Because at the second coming of Christ we expect to be happy and glorified there. There is good reason to have our conversation in heaven, not only because Christ is now there, but because we hope to be there shortly: Who shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, Philippians 3:21. There is a glory reserved for the bodies of the saints, which they will be instated in at the resurrection. The body is now at the best a vile body, to sōma tēs tapeinōseōs hēmōn - the body of our humiliation: it has its rise and origin from the earth; it is supported out of the earth, and is subject to many diseases and to death at last. Besides, it is often the occasion and instrument of much sin, which is called the body of this death, Romans 7:24. Or it may be understood of its vileness when it lies in the grave; at the resurrection it will be found a vile body, resolved into rottenness and dust; the dust will return to the earth as it was, Ecclesiastes 12:7. But it will be made a glorious body; and not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe:
(1.) The sample of this change, and that is, the glorious body of Christ; when he was transfigured upon the mount, his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light, Matthew 17:2. He went to heaven clothed with a body, that he might take possession of the inheritance in our nature, and be not only the first-born from the dead, but the first-born of the children of the resurrection. We shall be conformed to the image of his Son, that he may be the first-born among many brethren, Romans 8:29.
(2.) The power by which this change will be wrought: According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. There is an efficacy of power, an exceeding greatness of power, and the working of mighty power, Ephesians 1:19. It is matter of comfort to us that he can subdue all things to himself, and sooner or later will bring over all into his interest. And the resurrection will be wrought by this power. I will raise him up at the last day, John 6:44. Let this confirm our faith of the resurrection, that we not only have the scriptures, which assure us it shall be, but we know the power of God, which can effect it, Matthew 22:29. At Christ's resurrection was a glorious instance of the divine power, and therefore he is declared to be the Son of God with power, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4), so will our resurrection be: and his resurrection is a standing evidence, as well as pattern, of ours. And then all the enemies of the Redeemer's kingdom will be completely conquered. Not only he who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14), but the last enemy, shall be destroyed, that is, death, 1Corinthians 15:26, shall be swallowed up in victory, 1Corinthians 15:54.

Col. 1:29 mature as taken from
Thayer's Definition: mature or perfect
1) end
1a) termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time)
1b) the end
1b1) the last in any succession or series
1b2) eternal
1c) that by which a thing is finished, its close, issue
1d) the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose
2) toll, custom (i.e. indirect tax on goods)
Part of Speech: noun neuter

Thayer's Definition: mature or perfect, the end goal
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
4a) consummate human integrity and virtue
4b) of men
4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal)

Matt. 23:27
Thayer's Definition: hypocrite
1) one who answers, an interpreter
2) an actor, stage player
3) a dissembler, pretender, hypocrite
Part of Speech: noun masculine

Thayer's Definition: hypocrite
1) to take up another’s statements in reference to what one has decided for one’s self
1a) to reply, answer
2) to make answer (speak) on the stage
2a) to impersonate anyone, play a part
3) to simulate, feign, pretend
Part of Speech: verb

So Sunday or Saturday, Wednesday, Easter, Christmas, or any other man made holidays of worship is defilement to the Family of God and the Christian Jewish community of believers. Many billions of believers have gone to the death without knowing the mysteries of the Gospel of God’s Grace in truth because of mans own ignorance from which there is NO escape. That is why the LORD through Paul and the others warns us time and time again to study the scriptures for ourselves. We are accountable to no one else but to Him for our own selves and our ignorance bears on no one else. Though the blood of all that sit under such false prophets and teachers is on their hands for they carry the heaver load or weight. Now we’ll move on into the stewardship of the mysteries our next course of study.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known to all the nations to obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 2:14-16 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

John 5:21-27 Jesus said: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted (given) the Son also to have life in himself. He has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.”

John 3:31-36 John is here speaking: He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Acts 17:26-31 He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Here we find that Christ Jesus is the finial Judge who will sit on the white throne judgment seat. He will judge all according to His revealed Gospel of God’s Grace and by no other. Paul plainly warns time and time again to take heed to this gospel and its message of redemption and salvation for all. Now we’ve hinted to the stewardship that has been entrusted to Paul and to those God has called to spread or broadcast His message a seed. Christ Jesus is that seed and is also the light that causes that seed to grow, how, we know not it is still a mystery.

From here we'll move on to the rest of the secrets that have been hidden in God. In the wisdom and knowledge of Godliness.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Will of God in Wisdom

We’ve covered a lot of scriptural ground to this point much of which I dare say not many have heard or have ever been taught. We now come to the place where many have been told that “we’re not to know” or “to understand God’s will as it is beyond us” and our understanding. This is as we’ll soon find out is not the case at all. The truth is that God requires us as He did Israel to know the things pertaining to us and our coming salvation. When we have the tools that God has provided us we can rest in Him because we are at peace with Him and He with us, for we will have put our selves back into His hands of love and His divine protection. With God knowledge is in deed power because with it we can stand the onslaught of the enemy of God and man. We’ll be clothed in Christ in the proper garments of His righteousness and His faith in His Grace; these are all a part of God’s will and His desire for us and are a portion of our spiritual blessings.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known to all the nations to obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,* that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained* us to adoption as sons through (in) Jesus Christ to Himself , according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:(a fixed position in place, time or state) in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses**, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, I say, in Whom also we were made (called to be His) an inheritance, having been foreordained* according to the purpose of Him who workout all things after the counsel of His own will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in Whom we also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of our salvation, - in Whom, having also believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. (See the study on “Genesis the Untold Story” a study of chapters one through three. To find out what we lost when Adam fell into sin and God's loss of us by Adams taking that action of self-will, selfishness and lawlessness.)

*Body members were chosen before the foundation of the world, it’s a decree of election for all who will come to faith in the Gospel as revealed to Paul by the risen Lord and only given to Paul and only found in Paul’s Gospel. Paul is a type of Moses for today, to all that will come to faith in the risen Lord and learn of Him.
** Trespasses: past, present, and future deeds

The Will of God
Ephesians 1.1-14

Submission to the Divine Will
Psalms 40:4-10 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Psalms 143:7-12 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! In your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. [Mat. 6:10]

Matthew 12:46-50 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. [Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you."] He replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Matthew 26:37-47 Jesus taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." Going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [John 5:30] Leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

John 7:14-18 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [Acts 21:14; Rom. 12:2] The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

Ephesians 6:4-11 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, [Heb. 13:21] rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

James 4:13-17 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." [1 John 2:17] As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

The faithful in Christ Jesus
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father.
[For our sin is the bestial nature of fallen, natural man, demonic and devilish. The natural nature of this temporal world as it is under the curse, the spirit of the world or the prince of the power of the air, who is Satan and his dominion. Those who freely choose to take the incarnation, passion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ as their own are delivered from this present evil world and are waiting their salvation or ascension to the Lord, to meet the Lord in the air. The one who fills all things under the earth, the earth and things in heaven with His glory and presences even Christ.]

2Peter 1:19-21 We have the word of prophecy made more sure; where to you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. No prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

2Timothy 3:16-17 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely too every good work.

Romans 15:4-6 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, (the Old Testament which is Genesis through Acts chapter9.) that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (see also Col. 2:2, 19)

1Thessalonians 5:23-24 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

2Thessalonians 3:1-6 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness (disorderly, deviating from prescribed order) and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

Hebrews 2:9-18 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Therefore it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. That he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 10:19-27 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, (that is family of) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Revelation 1:1-6 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. (This is addressed to the believing Jews who are Christians as they were known by John.)

Revelation 19:10-16 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Chose us IN Him before the foundation of the world
Genesis 2:7 YHVH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (And another translation of the same verse reads.)
Genesis 2:7 Yehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Some translations have “creature”, the word soul means to “refresh” in ancient Hebrew)
(Yehovah or YHVH is the early name of Jesus Christ who created man in Himself as one of the triune God head, Elohim or God carries this meaning. Man here is a divine being as created who receives the breathe of spiritual life into himself.)

Genesis 3:14-16 The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."

Genesis 3:20 The man called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
(The word living here in Hebrew means restored back to life again, to quicken as food restores life, it does not mean what most people comprehend it to mean, as a living creature. Adam is prophesying in using the name of woman “ Eve”.)

Acts 2:14-28 Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. (Note there are not many gentiles in this crowd) For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. It shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. You will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
(Did you notice “in the last days” in the quoting of Joel’s prophecy? This was in reference to the end of God’s dealing with the nation of Israel or Israel’s dispensational period was ending because the promised Messiah had come. See also Peter’s use of this same term and verbiage in 1 Peter 1:20.)

Romans 8:25-34 If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (John 11:33) He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

1Peter 1:17-21 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times [this is the Israel of the old testament] for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. (Do you notice a different language form used by Peter than used by Paul, not many notice this. Remember that Peter was one sent to the circumcision only, the lost and scattered sheep of Israel.)

John 17:5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.

John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (Study the Lord ’s Prayer found in John 17)

2Timothy 1:8-11 Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, [This is not the kingdom of heaven gospel of the Jews as given to them before Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension, but during His ministry to Israel.] whereto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

2Thessalonians 2:13-14 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereto he called you through our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Peter 1:1-9 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (believing Jews of the dispersions.) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (Do you notice what is not said here by Peter? Peter does not say anything about; that they have put their trust into the resurrection of Christ from the dead and their being in Him during His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. )

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter you in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, [the flesh of fallen man, the veil and scales over mans eyes, the nature of evil that enslaves man] and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, [The death of the flesh which contains covetousness and the ego of self-well and self-love of fallen man.] that leads to life, (spiritual awakening the being born from above or born again) and few are they that find it. (Mans regeneration back into his lost state.)

Matthew 11:25-27 At that season Jesus answered and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you did hide these things from the wise and understanding, and did reveal them to babes”: yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me of my Father: and no one knows the Son, save the Father; neither does any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son wills to reveal HIM.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looking upon them said to them, “with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Holy without Blemish
Ephesians 5:25-27 As Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for it; that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the church to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

1Thessalonians 3:12-13 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; to the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Colossians 1:21-23 You, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before Him: if so be that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

1Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1Thessalonians 3:12-13 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we toward you: to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them. ………..Rev 10:7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Romans 13:12, 14 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. …… Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Ephesians 4:23-24 Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and the life you now live is hidden with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

Col 3:9-10 ……. seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed to knowledge after the image of Him that created Him.

The good pleasure of His will
Romans 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you received not the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Colossians 1:19-20 For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell; and through (in) Him [the veil of His flesh, the humiliation of man] to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

2Peter 1:2-4 Grace [the benefit of the benefactor]to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue; whereby He has granted to us His precious and exceeding great promises; that through these we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust [mans fallen nature of covetousness].

John 1:12-13 As many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called children of God; and we are. For this cause the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.

The richness of His Grace
Romans 3:22-26 The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth a propitiation [show mercy, to be at one with], through faith, in His blood, to show His righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, of His righteousness at this present [propitious] season: that He might himself be just, and the justifier of him that have faith in Jesus.

Matthew 20:27-28 Whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1Corinthians 6:19-20 Know you not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own; for you were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

He purposed IN Him
Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?

Dispensation of the fullness of times
The following is taken from Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary
Translate, “Unto the dispensation of the fullness of the times,” that is, “which He purposed in Himself” (Ephesians 1:9) with a view to the economy of (the gracious administration belonging to) the fullness of the times (Greek, “fit times,” “seasons”). More comprehensive than “the fullness of the time” in Galatians. 4:4. The whole of the Gospel (This is not the kingdom Gospel preached by Jesus to Israel.) times (plural) is meant, with the benefits to the Church dispensed in them severally and successively. Compare “the ages to come” (Ephesians 2:7). “The ends of the ages” (Greek, 1Corinthians 10:11); “the times (same Greek as here, ‘the seasons,’ or ‘fitly appointed times’) of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24); “the seasons which the Father has put in His own power” (Acts 1:7); “the times of restitution of all things which God has spoken by the prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:20-21). The coming of Jesus at the first advent, “in the fullness of time,” was one of these “times.” The descent of the Holy Ghost, “when Pentecost was fully come” (Acts 2:1), was another. The testimony given by the apostles to Him “in due time” (“in its own seasons,” Greek) (1Timothy 2:6) was another. The conversion of the Jews “when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” the second coming of Christ, the “restitution of all things,” the millennial kingdom, the new heaven and earth, shall be severally instances of “the dispensation of the fullness of the times,” that is, “the dispensation of” the Gospel events and benefits belonging to their respective “times,” when severally filled up or completed. God the Father, according to His own good pleasure and purpose, is the Dispenser both of the Gospel benefits and of their several fitting times (Acts 1:7).

To sum up all things in Christ
gather together in one — Greek, “sum up under one head”; “recapitulate.” The “good pleasure which He purposed,” was “to sum up all things (Greek, ‘THE whole range of things’) in Christ (Greek, ‘the Christ,’ that is, His Christ)” [Alford]. God’s purpose is to sum up the whole creation in Christ, the Head of angels, with whom He is linked by His invisible nature, and of men with whom He is linked by His humanity; of Jews and Gentiles; of the living and the dead (Ephesians 3:15); of animate and inanimate creation. Sin has disarranged the creature’s relation of subordination to God. God means to gather up all together in Christ; or as Colossians 1:20 says, “By Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things in earth or things in heaven.” Alford well says, “The Church of which the apostle here mainly treats, is subordinated to Him in the highest degree of conscious and joyful union; those who are not His spiritually, in mere subjugation, yet consciously; the inferior tribes of creation unconsciously; but objectively, all are summed up in Him.”

In whom — by virtue of the union to whom, to Christ or IN Christ.
obtained an inheritance — literally, “We were made to have an inheritance” [Wahl]. Compare Ephesians 1:18, “His inheritance in the saints”: as His inheritance is there said to be in them, so theirs is here said to be in Him (Acts 26:18). However, Ephesians 1:12, “That we should BE TO ... His glory” (not “that we should have”), favors the translation of Bengel, Ellicott, and others, “We were made an inheritance.” So the literal Israel (Deuteronomy 4:20, 9:29, 32:9). “Also” does not mean “we also,” nor as English Version, “in whom also”; but, besides His having “made known to us His will,” we were also “made His inheritance,” or “we have also obtained an inheritance.”

predestinated — (Ephesians 1:5). The foreordination of Israel, as the elect nation, answers to that of the spiritual Israelites, believers, to an eternal inheritance, which is the thing meant here. The “we” here and in Ephesians 1:12, means Jewish believers (whence the reference to the election of Israel nationally arises), as contrasted with “you” (Ephesians 1:13) Gentile believers.

purpose — repeated from “purposed” (Ephesians 1:9, 3:11). The Church existed in the mind of God eternally, before it existed in creation.

counsel of his ... will — (Ephesians 1:5), “the good pleasure of His will.” Not arbitrary caprice, but infinite wisdom (“counsel”) joined with sovereign will. Compare his address to the same Ephesians in Acts 20:27, “All the counsel of God” (Isaiah 28:29). Alike in the natural and spiritual creations, God is not an agent constrained by necessity. “Wheresoever counsel is, there is election, or else it is vain; where a will, there must be freedom, or else it is weak” [Pearson].

In whom you also — You Gentiles. Supply as English Version, “trusted,” from Ephesians 1:12; or “are.” The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Acts 13:46).

the word of truth — the instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth (John 17:17; 2Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Compare Colossians 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with “hope.” Also Ephesians 4:21.

sealed — as God’s confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal (Acts 19:1-6; Romans 8:16, 23; 1John 3:24; see on 2Corinthians 1:22). A seal impressed on a document gives undoubted validity to the contract in it (John 3:33, 6:27; compare 2Cor. 3:3). So the sense of “the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 5:5), and the sense of adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration (Romans 8:15- 16), assure believers of God’s good will to them (God’s rest or peace with God.). The Spirit, like a seal, impresses on the soul at regeneration the image of our Father. The “sealing” by the Holy Spirit is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs (Ephesians 1:11), is the Spirit’s present testimony, the “earnest of the (coming) inheritance” (Romans 8:16-18).

that Holy Spirit of promise — rather, as the Greek, “The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit”: The Spirit promised both in the Old and New Testaments (Joel 2:28; Zechariah 12:10; John 7:38-39). “The word” promised the Holy Spirit. Those who “believed the word of truth” (the revealed secret given to Paul) were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.

I had left the following out as it was written by Matthew Henry and taken from one of his commentaries, but after rereading it I've decide to include it here.

Ephesians 1:3-14
The Apostle Paul begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits which we enjoy by our being reunited in Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God.

I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3, where he styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical union between Christ and believers, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is their God and Father, and that in and through him. All blessings come from God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. No good can be expected from a righteous and holy God to sinful creatures, but by his mediation. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Note, Spiritual blessings are the best blessings with which God blesses us, and for which we are to bless him. He blesses us by bestowing such things upon us as make us really blessed. We cannot thus bless God again; but must do it by praising, and magnifying, and speaking well of him on that account. Those whom God blesses with some he blesses with all spiritual blessings; to whom he gives Christ, he freely gives all these things. It is not so with temporal blessings; some are favored with health, and not with riches; some with riches, and not with health, etc. (such was the case with Israel because of her promises received by her fathers favors which she enjoyed before Christ came the first time for her good) But, where God blesses with spiritual blessings, he blesses with all. They are spiritual blessings in heavenly places; that is, say some, in the family, distinguished from the world, and called out of it. Or it may be read, in heavenly things, such as come from heaven, and are designed to prepare men for it, and to secure their reception into it. We should hence learn to mind spiritual and heavenly things as the principal things, spiritual and heavenly blessings as the best blessings, with which we cannot be miserable and without which we cannot but be so. Set not your affections on things on the earth, but on those things which are above. These we are blessed with in Christ; for, as all our services ascend to God through Christ, so all our blessings are conveyed to us in the same way, he being the Mediator between God and us.

II. The particular spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ, and for which we ought to bless God, are (many of them) here enumerated and enlarged upon.

1. Election and predestination, which are the secret springs whence the others flow, Ephesians 1:4-5, 11. Election, or choice, respects that lump or mass of mankind out of which some are chosen, from which they are separated and distinguished. (This is of our own choice and choosing.) Predestination has respect to the blessings they are designed for; particularly the adoption of children, it being the purpose of God that in due time we should become his adopted children, (with our goal to maturity into son ship as a co-heir with Christ) and so have a right to all the privileges and to the inheritance of children (sons). We have here the date of this act of love: it was before the foundation of the world; not only before God's people had a being, but before the world had a beginning; for they were chosen in the counsel of God from all eternity. It magnifies these blessings to a high degree that they are the products of eternal counsel. The alms which you give to beggars at your doors proceed from a sudden resolve; but the provision which a parent makes for his children is the result of many thoughts, and is put into his last will and testament with a great deal of solemnity. As this magnifies divine love, so it secures the blessings to God's elect; for the purpose of God according to election shall stand. He acts in pursuance of his eternal purpose in bestowing spiritual blessings upon his people. He has blessed us - according as he has chosen us in him, in Christ the great head of the election, who is emphatically called God's elect, his chosen; and in the chosen Redeemer an eye of favor was cast upon them. Observe here one great end and design of this choice: chosen - that we should be holy; not because he foresaw they would be holy, but because he determined to make them so. All who are chosen to happiness as the end are chosen to holiness as the means. Their sanctification, as well as their salvation, is the result of the counsels of divine love. - And without blame before him - that their holiness might not be merely external and in outward appearance, so as to prevent blame from men, but internal and real, and what God himself, who looks at the heart, will account, such holiness as proceeds from love to God and to our fellow-creatures, this charity being the principle of all true holiness and in righteous. The original word signifies such an innocence as no man can carp at; and therefore some understand it of that perfect holiness which the saints shall attain in the life to come, which will be eminently before God, they being in his immediate presence for ever. Here is also the rule and the frontal cause of God's election: it is according to the good pleasure of his will (Ephesians 1:5), not for the sake of any thing in them foreseen, but because it was his sovereign will, and a thing highly pleasing to him. It is according to the purpose, the fixed and unalterable will, of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:11), who powerfully accomplishes whatever concerns his elect, as he has wisely and freely fore-ordained and decreed, the last and great end and design of all which is his own glory: To the praise of the glory of His Grace (Ephesians 1:6), that we should be to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12), that is, that we should live and behave ourselves in such a manner that His rich Grace might be magnified, and appear glorious, and worthy of the highest praise. All is of God, and from him, and through him, and therefore all must be to him, and center in his praise. Note, the glory of God is his own end, and it should be ours in all that we do. This passage has been understood by some in a very different sense, and with a special reference to the conversion of these Ephesians to His family status. Those who have a mind to see what is said to this purpose may consult Mr. Locke, and other well-known writers, on the place.

2. The next spiritual blessing the apostle takes notice of is acceptance with God through Jesus Christ: Wherein, or by which Grace, he has made us accepted in the beloved, Ephesians 1:6. Jesus Christ is the beloved of his Father (Matthew 3:17), as well as of angels and saints. It is our great privilege to be accepted of God, which implies his love to us and his taking us under his care and into his family. We cannot be thus accepted of God, but in and through Jesus Christ. He loves his people for the sake of the beloved.

3. Remission of sins, and redemption through the blood of Jesus, Ephesians 1:7. No remission without redemption. It was by reason of sin that we were captivated, and we cannot be released from our captivity but by the remission of our sins. This redemption we have in Christ, and this remission through his blood. The guilt and the stain of sin could be not otherwise removed than by the blood of Jesus. All our spiritual blessings flow down to us in that stream. This great benefit, (grace) which comes freely to us, was dearly bought and paid for by our blessed Lord; and yet it is according to the riches of God's Grace. Christ's satisfaction and God's rich grace are very consistent in the great affair of man's redemption. God was satisfied by Christ as our substitute and surety; but it was rich grace that would accept of a surety, when he might have executed the severity of the law upon the transgressor, and it was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up, when nothing of that nature could have entered into our thoughts, nor have been any otherwise found out for us. In this instance he has not only manifested riches of grace, but has abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence (Ephesians 1:8), wisdom in contriving the dispensation, and prudence in executing the counsel of his will, as he has done. How illustrious have the divine wisdom and prudence rendered themselves, in so happily adjusting the matter between justice and mercy in this grand affair, in securing the honor of God and his law, at the same time that the recovery of sinners by redemption and their salvation are ascertained and made sure!

4. Another privilege which the apostle here blesses God for is divine revelation - that God has made known to us the mystery of his will (Ephesians 1:9), that is, so much of his good-will to men, which had been concealed for a long time, and is still concealed from so great a part of the world: this we owe to Christ, who, having lain in the bosom of the Father from eternity, came to declare his will to the children of men. According to his good pleasure, his secret counsels concerning man's redemption, which he had purposed, or resolved upon, merely in and from himself, and not for any thing in them. In this revelation, and in his making known to us the mystery of his will, the wisdom and the prudence of God do abundantly shine forth. It is described (Ephesians 1:13) as the word of truth, and the gospel of our salvation. Every word of it is true. It contains and instructs us in the most weighty and important truths, and it is confirmed and sealed by the very oath of God, whence we should learn to betake ourselves to it in all our searches after divine truth. It is the gospel of our salvation: it publishes the glad tidings of our redemption and salvation, and contains the offer of it: it points out the way that leads to it; and the blessed Spirit renders the reading and the ministration of it effectual to the salvation of souls. O, how ought we to prize this glorious gospel and to bless God for it! This is the light shining in a dark place, for which we have reason to be thankful, and to which we should take great heed.

5. Union in and with Christ is a great privilege, a spiritual blessing, and the foundation of many others. He gathers together in one all things in Christ, Ephesians 1:10. All the lines of divine revelation meet in Christ; all religion centers in him. Jews and Gentiles were united to each other by being both united in Christ. Things in heaven and things on earth are gathered together in him; peace made, correspondence settled, between heaven and earth, through him. The innumerable companies of angels become one with the church through Christ: this God purposed in himself, and it was his design in that dispensation which was to be accomplished by his sending Christ in the fullness of time, at the exact time that God had prefixed and settled. The end of Israel’s age of darkness which will soon give way to her coming into the light and the greatest reveal the world has ever known.

6. The eternal inheritance is the great blessing with which we are blessed in Christ: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, Ephesians 1:11. Heaven is the inheritance, eternity the happiness of which is a sufficient portion for a soul: it is conveyed in the way of an inheritance, being the gift of a Father to his children. If children, then heirs. All the blessings that we have in hand are but small if compared with the inheritance. What is laid out upon an heir in his minority is nothing to what is reserved for him when he comes to age. Saints are said to have obtained this inheritance, as they have a present right to it, and even actual possession of it, in Christ their head and representative.

7. The seal and earnest of the Spirit are of the number of these blessings. We are said to be sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13. The blessed Spirit is holy himself, and he makes us holy. He is called the Spirit of promise and the Spirit of all truth, as he is the promised Spirit. By him believers are sealed; that is, separated and set apart for God, and distinguished and marked as belonging to him. The Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, Ephesians 1:14. The earnest is part of payment, and it secures the full sum: so is the gift of the Holy Ghost; all his influences and operations, both as a sanctifier and a comforter and the revealer of all truth, are heaven begun, glory in the seed and bud. The Spirit's illumination is an earnest of everlasting light; sanctification is an earnest of perfect holiness; and his comforts are earnests of everlasting joys. He is said to be the earnest, until the salvation of the purchased possession. It may be called here the possession, because this earnest makes it as sure to the heirs as though they were already possessed of it; and it is purchased for them by the blood of Christ. The redemption of it is mentioned because it was mortgaged and forfeited by sin; and Christ restores it to us, and so is said to redeem it, in allusion to the law of redemption which leads us to our salvation. Observe, from all this, what a gracious promise that is which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him.

The apostle mentions the great end and design of God in bestowing all these spiritual privileges, that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ - we to whom the gospel was first preached, and who were first converted to the faith of Christ, and to the placing of our hope and trust in him. Note, Seniority in grace is a preferment: Who were in Christ before me, says the apostle (Rom 16:7); those who have for a longer time experienced the grace of Christ are under more special obligations to glorify God. They should be strong in faith, and more eminently glorify him; but this should be the common end of all. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of our heir-ship and of God in all that he has done for us: to the praise of his glory, Ephesians 1:14. He intends that his grace and power and other perfection should by this means become conspicuous and illustrious, and that the sons of men should magnify him.

From here we’ll move into the knowledge of Christ in whom is revealed all wisdom and true knowledge of God.

All scripture is from the KJV, Weymouth New Testament, American Standard and English Standard Versions of the Bible.