It is strange how things work out as you study through a book, a chapter, or a verse, and you are compelled to have a sidebar and review some important issues of Bible study before getting too deep into the study itself. We completed the first two chapters of Hebrews discussing the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ over the angels.
In these two chapters some groundwork was laid that will affect the rest of the letter. The most important issue for us in this dispensation of the grace of God is that Hebrews is a book written for our learning that we might see the struggle of the Jews in the tribulation trying to stay faithful during the most difficult time in human history, not just for the Jews, but for all of mankind.
Today, I felt compelled to remind us of how wonderful it is that we are living in the most incredible time known as the Mystery (secret) when God is not imputing sin to mankind because of the finished cross work of Christ. We live in a time that has been hidden since the world began.
Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belongunto the LORD our God: but those things which arerevealed belongunto us and to our children for ever, that wemay do all the words of this law.
Moses made it clear that Israel was operating on the revealed truth of God. The whole world has been operating on the “seeing is believing” principle of life since Adam. He kept something secret from Israel and the world until it was revealed to Paul.
Romans 16:25-27: 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: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
This is a totally different message than that of John the Baptist – Matthew 3:1-2,11, and Jesus – Matthew 4:16, 23, and the apostles –Matthew 10:1-8. Peter, in his second message in Acts 3:18-21 was very clear that everyone knew of the things he was preaching.
Acts 3:18-21: But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 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.
It is imperative for us, living in the dispensation of the grace of God, the time when God is dispensing His unmerited favor upon all the world through the gospel of the cross, that all men everywhere may know of His love through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Ephesians 1:7-12, Ephesians 3:1-7, Colossians 1:25-29, and Colossians 2:1-3 all reveal that this dispensation of the mystery is different than all that came before and different from that which is come when we leave this place in the rapture of the Church Age saints.
Colossians 1:25-27: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
There was never a time in history that salvation included the indwelling of Christ through the person of the Holy Spirit…Ephesians 1:13-14! The hope of glory is a hope that only exists in this dispensation of the grace of God…Colossians 3:4…we shall appear with Him in glory!
Colossians 2:1-3: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The truth of the matter is this – The hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge and the mysteries are found in the wonderful letters of Paul to us of the Church Age. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that all scripture is inspired of God and profitable for Doctrine – Romans, the greatest book of church doctrine in our Bible, for Reproof – 1 & 2 Corinthians, two books dealing with trouble in the church, Correction – Galatians, correcting bad doctrine that had crept in through false teachers, and Instruction in Righteousness – Ephesians – 2 Thessalonians, five books written to edify every believer to grow in the grace of God afforded them through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I made mention that the word grace is not found in the synoptic gospels except Luke 2:40 speaking of the Lord himself. It is only found in John 1:14,16,17. But, in Paul’s writings grace is found in 72 verses! We are living in the time of God’s grace unlike any other time! To whom much is given, much shall be required.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Next Sunday, we will unpack Hebrews Three, and see how Christ is better than Moses. The second of the five warnings to these Jewish believers is issued in Hebrews 3:7-19 — Beware of the danger of disbelief! Please take a moment each day and read Hebrews Three in preparation for our study.