Month: September 2021

The Secret Things #5

Monday, September 20, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

Recalling Peter’s own admission that God had given special “wisdom” to Paul (2 Peter 3:15,16), we read Ephesians chapter 3: “[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

“[8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:….”

As per the prophetic program, the outpouring of Divine wrath should have followed Calvary and Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21,32-36; Acts 3:23; Acts 7:54-56). Yet, recall Peter’s words about Paul: “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:15). When the Lord initiated and revealed the mystery program, Paul’s ministry and message, “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” opened and thus delayed the wrath of God….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you define ‘paramours?’”

The Secret Things #4

Sunday, September 19, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

Nearing the end of his earthly sojourn, the Apostle Peter remarked as the Holy Ghost led him: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15,16). May we be extremely careful to notice these words, re-reading and re-reading and re-reading them.

Dissecting Peter’s comments, we arrive at the following simple conclusions. Firstly, according to the Holy Spirit through Peter, Divine “wisdom” was given to the Apostle Paul. (Paul’s ministry and message are not to be confounded with the ministry and message of the 12 Apostles!) Secondly, Paul had written these Divine revelations down. (They were Scripture, unveiled and accessible!) Thirdly, Peter confessed these Pauline doctrines were “hard to be understood.” (Peter had not directly received these teachings from the Lord, and Peter had not taught them to Paul either!) Lastly, men “unlearned and unstable” “wrest” these words of Paul. (Ignorant and dangerous people pervert or twist Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, to the point of destroying or ruining their souls!)

If we study church history—the last 2,000 years—we can see why all those myriads of confusing heresies (forms of false teaching) have arisen. Whether the “church fathers” of the first 1,000 years; or the denominational founders of the last 1,000 years; their fundamental problem was a failure to respect the uniqueness of Pauline revelation. To them and their billions of followers, the secret things of God revealed to and through Paul remain hidden, for, as Peter himself observed, these souls have fallen into the spiritual trap that existed in the century when Pauline revelation was first given….

The Secret Things #3

Saturday, September 18, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

We now compare two simple Bible passages. Firstly, Acts 3:19-21: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Here, the Holy Spirit is guiding the Apostle Peter to preach about that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Jesus Christ coming to Earth to found a literal, physical, visible kingdom has been God’s message and intention going all the way back to Adam (Matthew 25:34; cf. Genesis 1:26-28).

Secondly, Romans 16:25,26: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:….” Here, the Holy Spirit is guiding the Apostle Paul to preach about “the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest….” Whatever Paul’s message was, it was something God had not revealed until his ministry, and thus never to be confounded with prior Divine revelation.

The most fundamental problem with Christendom today is it repeats the doctrinal errors early Christians made. Distinguishing between the prophetic program and the mystery program is ever so critical to Bible understanding—if words mean anything, that is! As in the Apostles’ day, so Satan’s evil world system is still laboring fervently to keep God’s secret program a secret….

The Secret Things #2

Friday, September 17, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

The Holy Scriptures are a progressive revelation, a gradual unveiling of God’s mind. Of course, we need not be told He is omniscient—all-knowing. From the very beginning, He could have chosen to show us everything He knows. Then again, we could no longer carry it in a single, mobile volume. Since the Creator has steadily unfolded His will through the ages, we can see previously secret information: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Yet, there is another reason why God did not tell man everything at once. In His infinite wisdom, He kept secret an entire body of truth. The Scriptures call this the “mystery” or “hidden wisdom:” “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Had this “hidden wisdom” been known, what events God had planned long ago would not have come to pass. By withholding that knowledge, however, and then showing it later, He proved He had outwitted all opposing parties.

The Lord GOD addressed the King of Tyrus through the Prophet Ezekiel: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty…. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:12,15). Prior to this, the message to the Prince of Tyrus was, verse 3: “Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:….” The “wise” spirit operating here in both the Prince and the King is none other than Satan, whose knowledge was nevertheless limited, inferior to God’s “hidden wisdom….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What are ‘teraphim?’”

The Secret Things #1

Thursday, September 16, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

Aged and dying Moses is addressing Israel one final time. He has restated the Law for those newer generations born during the last 40 years of wilderness wanderings, as well as those no more than age 60, plus Joshua and Caleb who are older. (“Deuteronomy” means “second law.”) They know precisely what the LORD God expects of them as He brings them into the Promised Land under Joshua’s command.

Chapter 30: “[10] If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. [11] For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. [12] It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? [13] Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? [14] But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

No matter the dispensation (body of truth) or age (period during which that information is applicable), God has always revealed something intelligible for mankind to believe and obey. When He does unveil a doctrine (a teaching worthy of man’s trust), He expects man to have faith in those Divine words and act accordingly. Such is the case with Israel just prior to entering the Land of Canaan with Joshua. Yet, Moses understood God had not revealed every single detail about what He was doing in creation. These “secret things” were God’s business, and God would choose the proper time to reveal these concepts….

Co-op

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward” (Matthew 10:41 KJV).

A “co-op” is a cooperative society, business, or enterprise: people work together to achieve a desired, common end. The Lord’s ministry functions likewise….

Today’s Scripture in context: “[40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. [41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. [42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

Chapter 10 of Matthew is the first installment of the so-called “Great Commission.” The Lord Jesus Christ is sending out 12 disciples or students—the 12 “Apostles” (“sent ones;” cf. verses 5,6)—to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As His Father has sent Him to them, so He sends them to the rest of Israel; they are His representatives, like He is His Heavenly Father’s Spokesman. In closing, He reminds them that whoever receives them into their company also accepts Him and His Father.

Draw your attention now to verses 41 and 42. Those converts or believers who receive the Apostles are also partakers of the Apostles’ ministry. Furthermore, as the Apostles will receive a reward from God, so those who bless the Apostles will partake of the Apostles’ reward. Similarly, the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 4: “[15] Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. [16] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. [17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” As we labor in ministry with other members of the Church the Body of Christ, so we too will share in their eternal reward!

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #3

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

Jemima refers to “day.” “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:1,2; cf. Habakkuk 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). Christ’s Second Coming is like a luminous body passing through pitch-black outer space and Earth’s darkened atmosphere. Evil and nighttime are thus driven away.

Kezia points to the “cassia plant,” from whose bark cassia cinnamon was derived and long ago used as a spice and perfume. Cassia will be one of the aromatic substances used to anoint Jesus Christ as King when He returns. “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad” (Psalm 45:6-8; cf. Hebrews 1:8,9). Satan is dethroned forever, and Christ is coronated to reign in the Earth.

Kerenhappuch suggests “horn of paint/cosmetic.” This is redeemed Israel, decorated with makeup and prepared for her wedding to the Promised Land and the King! “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:7,8; cf. Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 62:1-5). The nation Israel is now made God’s earthly people!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘dropsy’ in Luke 14:2?”

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #2

Monday, September 13, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

The King James Bible is never to be viewed as a “dead book of ancient history,” something totally irrelevant to us. It is in English the very inspired and preserved words of Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Whatever information about creation recorded in it long ago points to the future of creation: by looking into the past, we can see what is to come, and what has not yet been allows us to better understand what has already been.

For instance, in the Book of James, written to the nation Israel (1:1) after our Dispensation of Grace has closed, the Holy Spirit reaches back into history and teaches them a lesson to help them better comprehend their own predicament: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:10,11). As they are suffering persecution because of Satan’s policy of evil—especially Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock (Luke 12:32), under the Antichrist—they are reminded of Job’s trial and subsequent restoration. Daniel’s 70th Week, their circumstances, is another time of tribulation or trouble. Howbeit, just as the Creator was faithful in rescuing Job, so He can be trusted to deliver Israel’s believing remnant from the Devil’s sadistic works (1 Peter 4:19)!

Of particular interest to us here is what God communicates to believing Israel through the names of the three daughters of Job, titles preserved forever in today’s Scripture: “Jemima” is Hebrew for “day,” “Kezia” means “cassia,” and “Kerenhappuch” is “horn of paint/cosmetic.” These are three significant components of end-times prophecy, as the Little Flock awaits the Lord Jesus Christ’s response to her time of great sorrow….

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #1

Sunday, September 12, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

The Book of Job opens with two separate occasions in which Satan stands before the LORD and asks if he can attack believing, prosperous Job. God grants Satan permission both times (1:6-12; 2:1-6). The first round of suffering involves Job losing his oxen and asses (donkeys) to Sabean thieves, losing his sheep to the fire of God falling from heaven, losing his camels to Chaldean thieves, and finally losing his seven sons and three daughters to a violent wind that collapses the building in which they were feasting (1:13-19). Only a few of his servants remain alive. The second phase of misery concerns Job undergoing a severe medical condition—a horrific skin disease with painful boils, among other symptoms (2:7,8).

For the next 29 chapters, Job and his three critical “friends”—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—debate as to whether his difficulties are the results of his sins. All four become increasingly aggravated and rude. Then, a fourth friend, Elihu, speaks in the following six chapters. Elihu has little spiritual insight, but it is more than they do! Finally, God—silent all this time—talks and reveals an Adversary has been working these past 35 chapters. In the end, the LORD restores Job, and he receives double what he lost (42:12)!

Originally, Job had seven sons and three daughters (1:2). As noted already, they died. Today’s Scripture—descriptive of Job’s life after his distressing trial—informs us: “He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.” Apparently, his children have been resurrected. His three daughters, now named, allow us to glimpse into Israel’s future. We see the Jewish believing remnant escaping Satanic oppression (Job’s troubles) and false teaching (his “friends”), and we behold their entrance into Kingdom glory and prosperity (his daughters). Through the eyes of faith, we now look into the ages to come….

God’s Offer to the Nations

Saturday, September 11, 2021

“…[T]hat God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s offer to all the nations of the world today.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed our nation forever. It was the worst terrorist attack in our two-century national history. Afterward, many Americans began to talk about “God Bless America” and “God Save the United States.” These phrases are not as commonplace as they used to be.

In the 20 years that have passed since that awful day, it is a sad commentary that “God” is now the least of our nation’s concerns. With the redefining of marriage, controversial political arena, moral decay, skyrocketing national debt, and the uncertainty as to what constitutes a human life and what does not, obviously, the God of the Bible has been largely pushed out… until we need His help, and then we cry out to Him. Unless we need Him, we rather not think about anything He has to say.

While many argue that God is judging America today for its sins, the Bible does not support such an idea. Certainly, God dealt with Israel in that manner—“Do good and I will bless, but disobey and I will curse” (Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapter 28)—but we have no relation to that Old Covenant of Law.

For the last 20 centuries, God has offered His grace to all the world’s nations, to have a right standing before Him by trusting Jesus Christ. People still die and go to hell, but today’s Scripture says that God is not judging nations for their sins. Through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, God offers reconciliation to sinners, whether here or around the world. However, that grace is exhaustible, and one day, it will be replaced with His wrath (Romans 2:1-16). Still, we believers are not appointed to God’s wrath; we are saved from all wrath through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The only hope for America—yea, for any nation—is faith in Jesus Christ alone!

*You can also see our 2011 Bible study commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It can be watched here or read here.