Mysteries of the Kingdom

 

“Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old” (Psalm 78:1-2).

 

In the Amplified Bible translation, a few of the lines of this Psalm are expounded upon:

 

“Listen, O my people, to my teaching; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth [and be willing to learn]. I will open my mouth in a parable [to instruct using examples];

I will utter dark and puzzling sayings of old [that contain important truth].”

(Psalm 78:1-2 AMP)

 

Hidden in these historic lines are secrets that have been kept from many.

Truths which not all of humanity throughout time have been privileged to hear or to understand. Do your ears tingle when you hear of biblical secrets?

Of mysteries which have been withheld from others? Do you want to know more?

 

Did you know there are mysteries so great,

that if all the world knew them and understood them and believed in them,

the world might be a much different sort of place?

 

Let me tell you more of these secret things,

these dark sayings of old which your ears have been opened to receive.

These words which, if you are willing to learn from them, contain important truth:

 

Did you know that this Psalm is prophetic?

 

Did you know that this prophecy has been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled even today?

Who has fulfilled these prophetic words?

And have our ears truly been opened to them?

Have we prepared our ears to listen and to learn?

Have we held tight onto these mysteries and believed in them?

 

“And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city,

He spoke by a parable” (Luke 8:4).

 

As the multitude grew, Jesus headed out to sea on a boat.

The hill by the seashore created a natural amphitheater for the crowds to listen to His words.

This was more than a wise Rabbi, more than a preacher or a prophet of God.

This was the Son of God.

The Father at that moment, watching carefully and proudly from His throne,

continued to fill His only begotten Son with His Spirit,

guiding Him and giving Him every word to speak according to His perfect will.

 

Jesus laid out for the crowds, which included those disciples who were closest to Him, mysteries, lessons, teachings, parables which most did not understand.

 

At the end of the first parable we have recored at this moment, Jesus spoke loudly to the crowd and said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9)

 

“And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’”

(Matthew 13:10)

 

These disciples had followed Jesus for quite some time

and He had continued to teach them directly, not hiding things from them.

They had learned so many great mysteries already and wondered why, all of a sudden,

these crowds were being taught in such a mysterious way.

They, too, did not quite understand what they were hearing.

They probably wondered if they were not meant to understand the lessons form their Lord.

 

Their faithful Teacher, quietly so the multitudes wouldn’t hear,

began to reveal the mystery of the prophecies they had just witnessed.

 

Matthew 13:11-15

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;

15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

 

In His perfect mercy and wisdom,

God the Father doesn’t open the eyes and ears of every man, woman, and child all at once.

The culmination of His plans require a revealing of truths to a few at a time.

 

Who knows what might happen

if the mysteries of these parables were revealed to everyone all at once.

If their eyes were opened to the truth, and later they fell away,

would God again be able to bring them back?

Who knows if the perfect moment for their eyes to see and their ears to hear

isn’t at a time yet in the future.

 

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;

17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

 

Jesus went on to expound quietly to these close few,

a deeper understanding of the parable of the seeds of the truth sown in their lives.

Some receive it easily, but do not retain it.

Some are eager, but they do not hold tight to what they have heard.

For those who have received the truth of this mystery, there is a responsibility to grow.

 

What great mystery was revealed to the crowds who did not understand?

What hidden secret was at that time opened up to the hearing of those God had called?

What well kept secret have many sought to know and understand,

but have failed to grasp because of the cares of this life, or the deception of the wicked one?

Or because they begin to seek wisdom from dark places?

 

The Mystery of the Kingdom

 

We see this in the context of the explanation which Jesus had given to His disciples:

 

Matthew 13:19…

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom…

 

These parables which Jesus spoke, which are now recorded here in Scripture for us to read,

are parables about the Kingdom of God.

They give us warnings about the dangers of our enemy

and of our self getting in the way of a relationship with God.

 

These parables teach us the joy and excitement we get

from the thought of gaining access to a future of peace and harmony,

as well as the importance of enduring to the end through trials.

There are warnings about future judgment,

and also give us hope that we have a glorious future waiting for us.

 

These are truths which have always been there,

but God waited for just the right moment for them to be revealed and explained.

It was a moment of fulfilled prophecy which so many before had waited to see happen,

but couldn’t because it wasn’t yet the time.

 

Matthew 13:34-35

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

 

Things Kept Secret From the Foundation of the World

 

What does it take to know these secrets?

Are these mysteries contained within us just waiting for us to discover them?

I assure you they are not.

We know that “The heart” of mankind “is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked” until it has been changed by God (Jeremiah 17:9).

So how do we gain access to these mysteries of the Kingdom of God?

 

Revelation of the Mystery (from Jesus Christ) - words spoken

 

Since the mysteries of the Kingdom of God are not found within us,

they must be taught to us.

Where do we get this revelation from?

Is this something personal that each individual receives directly from Jesus Christ?

Does it come in dreams and visions as we lay asleep at night?

 

The Mouth of God, The Word of God, The Bible

 

God has revealed these things through His prophets as they were given visions, dreams,

words to speak that were not their own.

These words were written down, bound together so that they could be preserved and shared. The words of Jesus Christ and of His disciples have been written down, preserved, translated. So people could read these words, memorize them, absorb them and live by them.

 

Paul often wrote about the revealing of the mysteries of the things of God:

 

Colossians 1:26-28 (further reading - Colossians 2:1-3)

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

 

What message did Jesus Christ bring?

He taught people that they need to prepare for the coming Kingdom of God.

And that He came, by the will of his Father, to make that preparation possible.

He died so we could repent of our sins and prepare for a Kingdom without sin.

 

Colossians 2:1-3

1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

The truth of who Jesus Christ is, and the fact of salvation through Him.

As well as the lessons He brought, the work that He continues to do, 

in preparing of a people to enter into the literal Kingdom of God when the time is right.

A Kingdom that will be set up right here on the earth.

These things must be taught to us.

 

Romans 16:25-26

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began

26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

 

Praise given by Paul, not to himself, but praise to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

for their revealing of these mysteries to us so we might know of the Kingdom

and seek after that Kingdom with all our might.

 

The Kingdom of God and everything that it entails should be our focus.

Any other fleshly pursuit will eventually be done away with.

We seek after spiritual things, things of God.

 

Philippians 3:8-13 (14-21?)

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

 

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

 

These are mysteries of the Kingdom of God

which we would not have known unless they were revealed to us

by our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.

These revelations which have been recorded in the Bible for us to read and to hear read aloud.

 

Listening Ear (Willingness to Learn) - calling from God the Father

 

Just because words are spoken to us doesn’t mean we will take them in and accept them.

We must be called by God the Father to be able to hear these words,

and we must also ready ourselves to learn.

How can a teacher teach if the student isn’t willing to learn the lessons?

 

“Listen, O my people, to my teaching; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth [and be willing to learn]. I will open my mouth in a parable [to instruct using examples];

I will utter dark and puzzling sayings of old [that contain important truth].”

(Psalm 78:1-2 AMP)

 

Jeremiah 13:15

15 Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, For the Lord has spoken.

 

Pride inhibits our ability to learn even what truth our Creator would try and teach us.

Are we, at all times, humble enough to listen to the words of God,

and to realize we have so much yet to learn?

Do we realize that every time we open the pages of this book

that we have something more to learn?

And do we know that the things that we do understand,

the wisdom and the mysteries we have already been given,

do not come from ourselves, but are from God?

 

 

Isaiah 55:1-9 (10-13?)

1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.

 

4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people.

5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”

 

Realization that we did not save ourselves or reveal truth to ourselves.

It is a gift from God.

 

Here we see the need to be ready to learn, to unstop our ears so we can hear clearly.

 

6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

 

10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

 

More fulfilled prophecies about the source of these mysteries

and the fact that we must be willing to listen to our Great Teacher

if we want to know and to understand the ways of the coming Kingdom of God.

 

Matthew 11:28-30 (learn from Me)

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

Listening Ears and a Willingness to Learn from God are needed

in order to receive and understand the mysteries of the Kingdom.

And what a relief it is to know we have a very knowledgeable and patient Teacher

who has called us to learn and to grow.

Are we willing to listen to His words which are able to make us wise for salvation?

 

The Spirit of God (see 1 Corinthians 2)

 

It is not by our might, nor by our wisdom, nor by any amount of human effort

that the mysteries of the ages are revealed to us.

These are not things that are inherent, waiting to be woken up,

but are rather things which only God knows

and which only God can reveal to those who He chooses to reveal them.

 

This is done through His power, the Holy Spirit.

First, when we are called, God uses this power to open our minds

if we are willing and ready to learn.

At that time the word of God and the Spirit of God are not yet implanted within us.

 

Then, once we have repented of our sins and are baptized,

then it is in our hearts He places His laws, His commands, His truth, His mysteries

through this same Spirit, which He uses to dwell within us.

 

1 Corinthians 2:(1-5) 6-12 (13-16)

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

 

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

 

With this gift of God’s Holy Spirit, His very mind placed within us,

we can begin to dig deep into these mysteries.

We can finally begin to understand, at least in part, the ways of the Kingdom of God,

the greatness and peace which it will bring,

the healing that will be within its boundless boarders,

and the great love, knowledge, and understand

which God will pour out on all who are there in His Kingdom, willing to listen.