How are we to understand the Sacred Secret of God? What is this sacred secret? What is the primary teaching of the sacred secret? What are the keys to help unlock this knowledge of the sacred secret?
The primary teaching of the Sacred Secret of God is all about Christ Jesus. It was God’s righteous purpose, the focus respecting his kingdom and his promises that God himself made to bring about a restoration, an administration to collect all things together under the authority of Christ Jesus in the heavens and on the earth.
There are 7 special things or aspects that were accomplished with Jesus Christ with respects to the sacred secret of God, and there are 4 keys to help us understand these teachings of the sacred secret.
The first key is that we must love God with our whole heart whole mind and whole soul. The second key is that we are taught by his holy spirit about the sacred secrets. These truths are revealed to us by holy spirit and not men. It is a demonstration of God’s power and his willingness to communicate with us, this is so that we can build up our faith and trust in him.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16…And so, I, when I came to YOU, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to YOU. For I decided not to know anything among YOU except Jesus Christ, and him impaled. And I came to YOU in weakness and in fear and with much trembling; and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that YOUR faith might be, not in men’s wisdom, but in God’s power. Now we speak wisdom among those who are mature, but not the wisdom of this system of things nor that of the rulers of this system of things, who are to come to nothing. But we speak God’s wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory. This wisdom not one of the rulers of this system of things came to know, for if they had known it they would not have impaled the glorious Lord. But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” (1st Key) For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God. For whom among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man that is in him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God. Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit, which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit, as we combine spiritual matters with spiritual words. (2nd Key) But a physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ. (Part of the 3rd Key)
John 15:26… When the helper arrives that I will send YOU from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness about me.
John 16:7-15… Nevertheless, I am telling YOU the truth, it is for YOUR benefit I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will by no means come to YOU; but if I do go my way, I will send him to YOU. And when that one arrives, he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: in the first place, concerning sin, because they are not exercising faith in me; then concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and YOU will behold me no longer; then concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. “I have many things yet to say to YOU, but YOU are not able to bear them at present. However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming. (Part of the 2nd Key) That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to YOU. All the things that the Father has are mine. That is why I said he receives from what is mine and declares it to YOU. In a little while YOU will behold me no longer, and, again, in a little while YOU will see me.”
We should definitely appreciate the spirit of truth who is sent by Jesus Christ from the Father, it teaches all the things that we should know about this life and that which is to come.
Next the apostle Paul explains the 7 aspects that Jesus Christ accomplished as respects the sacred secrets of God.
1 Timothy 3:16…Indeed, the sacred secret of this godly devotion is admittedly great: ‘He (Jesus Christ) was made [1] manifest in flesh, [2] was declared righteous in spirit, [3] appeared to angels, [4] was preached about among nations, [5] was believed upon in [the] world, [6] was received up in glory.’
These 7 Advanced Teachings about Christ Jesus are part of the Sacred Secret. But the seventh point is brought out later on in Romans 16:27.
The next point or truth about the Sacred Secret of God is that all things whether they be in the heavens or upon the earth are all to be gathered together under the authority of Christ Jesus, there is going to be an administration at the Appointed Time to accomplish this righteous will of God. So, what is this Appointed Time, and who is this Administration?
Ephesians 1:8-14…this he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and good sense, in that he made known to us the sacred secret of his will. It is according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. Yes, in him, (This is God’s timetable and the event of his overall purpose “The Appointed Times”) in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels, that we should serve for the praise of his glory, we who have been first to hope in the Christ. But YOU also hoped in him after YOU heard the word of truth, the good news about YOUR salvation. By means of him [CHRIST] also, after YOU believed, YOU were sealed with the promised holy spirit, which is a token in advance of our inheritance, (3rd Key) for the purpose of releasing by a ransom [God’s] own possession, to his glorious praise.
How are we to understand the Appointed Times? The Greek word was used, Times (Kairos) and in Strong’s Concordance #G2540, the alternative words are as follows: opportunity, occasion, a season, it is an opportune time or something that comes to a head.
This in itself is not the only reason why we use this terminology of the appointed time, but we now need to go to Daniel 8:16-19. And the word translated for appointed time here is a Hebrew word (Moed) and according to Strong’s Concordance #H4150, it can be translated as place, or meeting, as in the appointed meeting place like the festival seasons.
Now let’s turn our attention to the word administration. It is a Greek word (Oikonomia) and according to Strong’s Concordance #G3622, it can be rendered also as stewardship as in a management of the household affairs.
So, to sum up what is this Appointed Time, and who is this Administration? The Appointed Time has more to do with an event then an actual time, it is a meeting place, an event. The event is the Giving of Rulership over to Jesus Christ. There is an administration that is appointed with Jesus Christ to manage God’s household also. Danial 7:9-14,18, 21-27
Now turning our attention back to the 3rd Key, this has to do with understanding that we have been given the spirit of adoption. It also has to do with knowing all aspects of what and how the spirit operates in us and upon our heart, transforming our personality to like that of Christ Jesus, so that we become the holy ones of God.
The 4th Key respecting the sacred secret of God has to do with understanding the timing. When and who are these things manifested or revealed to? “It is revealed to God’s holy ones, to his apostles and prophets by spirit.” Ephesians 3:4-5
Colossians 1:25-28…I (Paul) became a minister of this (congregation = the body of Christ / his holy ones) in accordance with the stewardship from God which was given me in YOUR interest to preach the word of God fully, the sacred secret that was hidden from the past systems of things and from the past generations. But now it has been made manifest to his holy ones, (4th Key) to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches of this sacred secret among the nations. It is Christ in union with YOU, the hope of his glory. (Part of the 3rd key) He is the one we are publicizing, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man (complete and in union = PERFECT IN) Christ.
These teachings that are found in Christ Jesus is where all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge and Power of God are stored. As God’s holy ones we need to be made complete or made perfect in Christ Jesus in accurate knowledge by fully being made new with the personality or spirit of Christ Jesus. So, how is this done you may ask? Let’s review the following Scriptures and see how or if this is true.
Colossians 2:2-7…that their hearts may be comforted, that they may be harmoniously joined together in love and with a view to all the riches of the full assurance of [their] understanding, with a view to an accurate knowledge (the Greek word here used for knowledge in Strong’s Concordance #G1922 refers to discernment or recognition of the particular point) of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ. Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. This I am saying that no man may delude YOU with persuasive arguments. For though I am absent in the flesh, all the same I am with YOU in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding YOUR good order and the firmness of YOUR faith toward Christ. Therefore, as YOU have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union with him, rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith, just as YOU were taught, overflowing with [faith] in thanksgiving…
Colossians 3:1-17…If, however, YOU were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep YOUR minds fixed on the things above, not on the things upon the earth. For YOU died, and YOUR life has been hidden with the Christ in union with God. When the Christ, our life, is made manifest, then YOU also will be made manifest with him in glory. Deaden, therefore, YOUR body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of those things the wrath of God is coming. In those very things YOU, too, once walked when YOU used to live in them. But now really put them all away from YOU, wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of YOUR mouth. Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, (Part of the 3rd Key) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all things and in all. Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave YOU, so do YOU also. But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union. Also, let the peace of the Christ control in YOUR hearts, (Part of the 3rd Key) for YOU were, in fact, called to it in one body. And show yourselves thankful. Let the word of the Christ reside in YOU richly in all wisdom (part of the 3rd key) Keep on teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs with graciousness, singing in YOUR hearts to Jehovah. And whatever it is that YOU do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.
How are we made complete and perfect in union with Jesus Christ it is all tied in with the 3rd key. First, we need to let the peace of Christ control our hearts by letting his word reside in us.
Second, we need to understand that we can put on the new personality. That Jesus Christ has become the life-giving spirit for us and that is the truth.
Next we have to hold on to this knowledge or level of understanding. We need be able to grasp mentally what the spirit is saying.
1 Corinthians 15:45-50…became a life-giving spirit…
We belong to God by this one fact, we have been given this spirit of adoption. We now need to ask this question; how will this truth affect you?
Romans 8:8-10… So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God. However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with YOU, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 …For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nation’s foolishness; however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Who gets revealed this truth of the sacred secret? Once we know this truth what are we going to do with it?
Ephesians 3:1-21…On account of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of YOU, the people of the nations if, really, YOU have heard about the stewardship of the undeserved kindness of God that was given me with YOU in view, that by way of a revelation the sacred secret was made known to me, just as I wrote previously in brief. In the face of this YOU, when YOU read this, can realize the comprehension I have in the sacred secret of the Christ. In other generations this [secret] was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by spirit, (Part of the 4th Key) namely, that people of the nations should be joint heirs and fellow members of the body and partakers with us of the promise in union with Christ Jesus through the good news. I became a minister of this according to the free gift of the undeserved kindness of God that was given me according to the way his power operates. To me, a man less than the least of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness was given, that I should declare to the nations the good news about the unfathomable riches of the Christ and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things. This was to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose that he formed in connection with the Christ, Jesus our Lord, by means of whom we have this freeness of speech and an approach with confidence through our faith in him. Wherefore I ask YOU not to give up on account of these tribulations of mine in YOUR behalf, for these mean glory for YOU. On account of this I bend my knees to the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name, to the end that he may grant YOU according to the riches of his glory to be made mighty in the man YOU are inside with power through his spirit, to have the Christ dwell through YOUR faith in YOUR hearts with love; (Part of the 3rd Key) that YOU may be rooted and established on the foundation, in order that YOU may be thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge, that YOU may be filled with all the fullness that God gives. Now to the one who can, according to his power which is operating in us, do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive, to him be the glory [Our GOD] by means of the congregation and by means of Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
We who belong to Christ Jesus are his congregation. We are of his body, and this too is a part of the sacred secret of God. We’ve got to have the spirit of Christ residing in us. We now know what the truth of the sacred secrets of God is all about, and what the administration does. It makes truth known to the authorities in the heavenly places. Christ Jesus feeds us and leads us. We follow him only and he is our only leader, and not men. 1 Corinthians 1:10-15
Ephesians 5:29-32…for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation, because we are members of his body. “For this reason, a man will leave [his] father and [his] mother and he will stick to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This sacred secret is great. Now I am speaking with respect to Christ and the congregation. (4th key)
Colossians 4:3-4…at the same time praying also for us, that God may open a door of utterance to us, to speak the sacred secret about the Christ, for which, in fact, I am in prison bonds; so that I shall make it manifest as I ought to speak.
Once we know the truth of the sacred secret of God, we are to bear witness to the heavenly authorities. In the congregation of God, we are helping feed the sheep with and sharing in the truth, we are to “speak truth to one another.” Ephesians 4:25
Next, the apostle Paul explains the 7th aspect that Jesus Christ accomplished as respects the sacred secret of God. This is to promote obedience by faith. Obedience not to men, but to that of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:12-17
Romans 16:25-27…Now to him who can make YOU firm in accord with the good news I declare and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the (7th aspect) sacred secret which has been kept in silence for long-lasting times but has now been made manifest and has been made known through the prophetic scriptures among all the nations in accord with the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith; to God, wise alone, be the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Why are we being shown these things now? Time is running out. The sealing work is almost done. We, the living, must put on immortality at the blowing of the 7th trumpet. Are we ready to go? Have you set your house in order?
Revelation 1:1-3…a revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw. Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the Appointed Time is near.
Revelation 7:1-4…after this I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the sun-rising, having a seal of [the] living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57…however, this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Look! I tell YOU a sacred secret: We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, [the dead] and this which is mortal most put on immortality [the living] But when [this which is corruptible puts on incorruption and] this which is mortal puts on immortality, then the saying will take place that is written: “Death is swallowed up forever.” “Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” The sting producing death is sin, but the power for sin is the Law. But thanks to God, for he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Revelation 10:7…but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish.”
Revelation 11:15… and the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”
These truths about the sacred secret of God are a Touchstone. So, what is a Touchstone? It is a way to measure, to make sure of or verify the quality of the product or authenticity of the information that is shared. We need these truths set in stone, as it were, to help us to identify who God is using, and who the real servants of God are. So, who will not speak what is true? Matthew 7:15-23
Amos 3:7-8…for the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets. There is a lion that has roared! Who will not be afraid? The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has spoken! Who will not prophesy?
Please enjoy reading the next part of this book called “Making your Escape”
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