The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Revelation 9:6-7,
"There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
I find twenty or so references to "mystery" in the New Testament. Mysteries are those things not known unless and until revealed by God. There are sundry mysteries we read of in the Scriptures: the identity of the seven stars and seven churches in Revelation 1:20, the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:51, the name written on the forehead of the prostitute in Revelation 17: 5, etc.
However, the great and grand mystery referenced to in many places is in reference to God's plan and agenda of the redemption of mankind and the kingdom he creates of it. Various aspects of this great mystery are referenced in a number of passages.
This morning I am reminded that we believers today participate in what has been a great mystery. The aspects of God's redemption of mankind has been revealed progressively throughout history and this creates the mystery: God just didn't reveal the whole enchilada right up front!
A great passage I like that illustrates how prophets and angels have wrestled with this mystery is found in 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."
"There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
I find twenty or so references to "mystery" in the New Testament. Mysteries are those things not known unless and until revealed by God. There are sundry mysteries we read of in the Scriptures: the identity of the seven stars and seven churches in Revelation 1:20, the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:51, the name written on the forehead of the prostitute in Revelation 17: 5, etc.
However, the great and grand mystery referenced to in many places is in reference to God's plan and agenda of the redemption of mankind and the kingdom he creates of it. Various aspects of this great mystery are referenced in a number of passages.
This morning I am reminded that we believers today participate in what has been a great mystery. The aspects of God's redemption of mankind has been revealed progressively throughout history and this creates the mystery: God just didn't reveal the whole enchilada right up front!
A great passage I like that illustrates how prophets and angels have wrestled with this mystery is found in 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."
What a grand mystery!
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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