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Worlds: The Natural and the Heavenly Realm: Accessing Heavenly What
is Truth? Many seek to understand Spiritual things using their own natural wits and understanding. Others have the wrong motives. We may look at the account of Simon the sorcerer who desired to buy spiritual knowledge for his own glory. (See Acts Chapter 8:9) The secret starts with the fact that we must approach the God of glory with humility and meekness. Ego which characterizes human stature and achievement must be set aside. As we decrease in ourselves we can increase in Godly understanding.
Searching,
knocking, and asking are the first steps to knowing God
and His mysteries. What is your motivation? God knows your heart. Our
heart must be humble and sincere. It is then that revelation and inspiration
follow. There is no shortage of so called enlightened persons who claim
to hold the key to spiritual wisdom, all the more important to knock
at the right door. Every religion and cult claims to be this door. I
discounted the validity of the Bible for a long time. Today, however,
I can declare with certainty, that this door IS found in only one place
only, The Holy Bible. The Bible is not as some would describe it, an
antique, out-dated document. The Bible has proven itself to be reliable.
It holds a perfect record of hundreds of prophecies spoken hundreds
of years beforehand that have come to pass. There is another factor
at play in our quest for understanding; to acknowledge the Holy Spirit
of the Most High God. He is The Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the
one true God and reveals Truth and Understanding possessed by Jesus
the Messiah. God the Eternal One is revealed by Jesus Christ. The pathway
that leads a seeker into the knowledge of the mysteries of God is only
through Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, and him only. Religions and Religious
organizations even those that mask themselves as Christian, will try
to present their own institution as the only true way. These only lead
a seeker into dogma and deception.
We know that the
original apostles after the resurrection of Jesus, did not so much debate
the existence of God as a philosophical notion or intellectual theory
but demonstrated God's existence by supernatural attestations. They
demonstrated the Power of God. (Read Paul's letter to Corinthians Chapter1
and 2). Yet many Christian apologists continue to strive to persuade
a materialistic, non believing world based upon arguments, logic or
intellectual proofs. First let me preface this topic by stating the principle that the natural man, a persons without the Spirit, can not, know God. They are wearing the spiritual blinders common to all humanity. However persons in this condition are totally unaware of this fact. Granted there are many fine people, of noble character and moral sensability who are yet "unredeemed." The first step to progressive revelation is to be born of God. This is a God-wrought transformation that allows them to be partakers of heavenly things and to partake of the Messiah's (Christ's) divine nature. After being spiritually renewed, they can read the word of God (scripture) with a passion, and derive understanding from it. Prior to this time there understanding of Scipture was only superficial. It was sealed to them. Their eyes have the veil of blindness removed through Christ.
There are some who will disagree with the
concept of progressive revelation. Religions wish to see the
mysteries of God (essential truths) codified and made concrete to pass
down to future generations. These understandings which we call "doctrines"
of faith can vary considerably as to the interpretation of any particular
scripture passage. The response from the doctrinal watchdogs say these
have been the teachings of the fathers and we stand upon our
doctrines. These doctrines of course, represent the codified view of
that sect whether Catholic, Protestant, or the sub sects of Protestantism
and even non Christian sects. The Bible is entirely unique. Reading it or hearing it gives us the ability to "renew our minds." We develope the mind that was in Jesus. Not only does the information found in it prove valid, but it has the power to reveal "heavenly things"- truth on a level beyond the factual or informational level. There are then two levels which experienced by those who read Scripture, informational and revelational. Believers who are Spiritually reborn, empowered by the Holy Spirit Baptism are illumined by "The Rhema Word." Rhema refers to the proceeding voice of God which enlivens the Scripture and makes it speak to the present needs of any reader. The Spirit brings life and understanding. "The letter of the Scripture, Jesus said, kills." There are many who believe the Bible is mostly a fable or make believe. They have not yet received belief and faith which are the necessary keys to wisdom. With these we know that the stories of God's supernaturral wonders are more than fables, they are assuredly true. Jesus gave this testimony about knowing God. " - I know Him, I am from Him, He sent me. -" (John 7:19.) Yet, not everyone is, persuaded by these words to know Jesus as the sent one. There are also many today remain unpersuaded that Yeshua is the one mediator between God and Man and who truly speaks for God. (1Timothy2:5) I have learned and have come to understand that God is a God of mysteries and hidden things.
The parables
taught by Yeshua (Jesus) had within them revelations of truth on multiple
levels; plain story-level truth and higher spiritual levels. There is
and always has been the matter of hidden truth or 'hidden manna.' To
Christ's disciples it was given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of
God while others received no more than a moral homily. Why is it that
God reveals himself to some and not to others? (See Matthew 13:13-14
and Luke 8:10) This question is not entirely possible for us to understand.
It is in the domain of God's purposes and plan. The unbeliever must set aside unbelief before he/she can make the first step of faith. (Hebrews 11 - - if anyone would come to God they must first believe that He is, and rewards those who seek Him. -paraphrased)Thus the key to unpacking and deciphering the Word of God can not be achieved entirely by academic skills and study alone. If that were true only the bookish could know God. The Divine Spirit, Ruach ha kadesh, in Hebrew called in King James vernacular the Holy Ghost, is the one and only way to achieve valid revelations of God. The Spirit of God always reveals and glorifies Jesus. See John 16:15 - - All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." There are of course mystics from other relgions and cultures who receive spiritual revelations but these are of another spirit and do not conform to biblical truth. The Holy Spirit can truly be called the Spirit of Jesus as he is called in Acts 16:7, Phillipians 1:19.
It is my desire that this writing be a testimony
by which you may believe and then receive at least a glimpse into some
of these mysteries and from there begin to enter a deeper realm of understanding.
The insights Most of what I share was not learned from Christian church
experience before I knew God. They were drawn from my own studies and
experience. Please understand I find that these studies conform to the
entirety of Scripture. If it did not it would be of no value!
The following chapters deal with the subject
of Mysteries. You will find that the topics will appear initially to
seem familiar; such as those frequently addressed in a sermon or a Bible
study. But although the topics sound familiar, I believe there are deeper,
more profound revelations to be revealed. These topics follow no hierarchy
of order. Nor will I suggest that my thoughts on these topics are more
than a glimmer of light upon yet deeper understanding. I can do
little more than introduce the topics of God's mysteries. There are
multiple mysteries throughout the Bible. These represent but a few.
More remain to be explored and mined. Many teachers and religious authorities have provided us with their best understandings in Christian commentaries. Some commentaries date from historic writers others are more contemporary. Those who write commentaries are usually considered "theologians" and they tend to be men of letters. When we read commentaries from any teacher, expert, or authority, we tend to assume that these stand as dependable and represent fact and accuracy. But in reality, there is an alarming amount of disagreement among scholars, experts and denominational doctrine. There are other spiritual sources drawn from occultism, New Age teaching or religions of the world. Those who are caught up in these other religions and cults may never moved to study Biblical sources at all. I would not recommend that those new to the Bible read commentaries before the Word itself. Bible commentaries should never be regarded as absolute or difinitive. It is up to anyone to search out these matters with diligence always going to the Bible for the answer. Precepts grow with each believer who diligently studies the Bible and trusts it as the word of truth. It is a process that may take years. The Holy Spirit presents nuggets of understanding as we read and reread the text. Illumined insights may well be God speaking to us in the Rhema word of God. But remember the whole of scripture must bear record to it. Every important Bible truth is recorded with multiple witnesses throughout the pages. This proceeding voice of understanding is the supernatural witness which speaks to us from the Word of G-d. It is this voice that builds understanding and edifies the Body of Christ (those called to believe in him) with deeper understanding. We must understand that the divine author of the Bible knows Truth in its fullness. Many mysteries and questions are not always answered or understood and remain hidden for a season only to come to light later on. The greater part of the wisdom of God will only be fully grasped when we meet the Lord face to face in that time of perfection after we have left this world. There are mysteries and mysteries within mysteries only to be revealed in the fullness of time. Revelation on a personal level is certainly progressive and ever deepening. Some Biblical mysteries are "sealed" only to be revealed by God's Holy Spirit in God's time. Anyone can speculate on any of hundreds of questions but the result for now remains only speculation. Matters that are never discussed in the Bible must be considered of less importance than that which is described and especially when it is mentioned repeatedly. Contrary to what some may assert, not all the knowledge or answers (facts) are revealed. God has a set time prophetically, to complete his plan for The Church, for Israel and for the world. Some matters are not meant to be revealed until the end of the age! As God said to Daniel and to John in the book of Revelation, "go your way, these matters are to be 'sealed up," or these are to be revealed in a time yet to come. It is clear in reading prophetic writings that God has withheld (sealed from understanding) certain matters because it is not yet His time to make them known. The mystery of the 'Church Age' was mostly hidden to all Old Testament prophets although they were given hints that the day would come when the nations, or the gentiles would become become partakers of the inheritence of Israel's blessings. The full revelation remained a secret until it was revealed to Paul by through the resurrected Jesus. Details concerning the resurrection were not known until after the apostolic age nor was there any understanding of the first and second advent. The Messiah was to suffer and sprinkle many with his blood but the rabbis did not discern this in Jesus' day. Certain matters dealing with the end of the age are only now be unsealed from Daniel. John who, writing around 90-95 a.d., recorded his divine vision, The Revelation, was told in Revelation Chapter 10 that the things which the seventh thunder uttered were reserved to be prophesied at a future time.
EXAMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGING
FORTH REVELATION
Introduction to
Bible Mysteries
Hearing Grace
For some this Grace appears absent for many
who pick up the Scriptures to read casually, it is made available to
those who ask for it sincerely in faith. It would be presumptuous, however,
to assume that we are automatically entitled to it. It is equally presumptuous
to assume we may understand or comprehend the mystery of the Word with
only the natural mind. Again the apostle Paul reminds us, "the
letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Here is an introduction to essential
The
Power of God actualized and in operation is the missing element in institutional
Christian "religion." E
Book 1: updated: 01-24-2025 |