And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:9.
Many have endeavored to define the mystery which Paul here mentions. But it embraces much, and our ideas in regard to the love, the goodness, and the compassion of God are strangely limited. Because our knowledge of spiritual things has become so dwarfed and enfeebled, we have not advanced from light to greater light. The Lord has not been able to open to our understanding many precious things. In view of the losses which we have sustained by our earthliness and commonness we have much to make us humble. . . .
Since the promise given in Eden, God has revealed His mysteries through His prophets. . . . But many mysteries yet remain unrevealed. How much that is acknowledged to be truth is mysterious and unexplainable to the human mind! How dark seem the dispensations of Providence! What necessity there is for implicit faith and trust in God’s moral government! . . . “How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
We are not now sufficiently advanced in spiritual attainments to comprehend the mysteries of God. But when we shall compose the family of heaven, these mysteries will be unfolded before us. . . .
Then much will be revealed in explanation of matters upon which God now keeps silence because we have not gathered up and appreciated that which has been made known of the eternal mysteries. The ways of Providence will be made clear; the mysteries of grace through Christ will be unfolded. That which the mind cannot now grasp, which is hard to be understood, will be explained. We shall see order in that which has seemed unexplainable, wisdom in everything withheld, goodness and gracious mercy in everything imparted. Truth will be unfolded to the mind, free from obscurity, in a single line, and its brightness will be endurable. The heart will be made to sing for joy. Controversies will be forever ended, and all difficulties will be solved.
That I May Know Him p. 365
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Prayer Requests
—–I spent all of yesterday afternoon and evening with my dad at the ER. His cancer is back (doubt it ever left) and is now in more lymph nodes in his chest and the other lung. I am currently waiting for his oncologists office to call me back because they want to see him today or tomorrow. I will rest in the fact that John V has visited with him in the past and told me that he did pray the sinners prayer with him. So I thank God for that. On our way back to my dad’s place he told me that dying doesn’t bother him, he just doesn’t want to do it alone. He is concerned I will be working when that happens. I told him when it comes to that point I will be with him and not at work. Please keep my dad & my family in your prayers. I have had a lot of losses in the last few years. I know God has a purpose for it all. It still hurts the same though. Jami
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Dear Friends,
This summer we plan on getting together with Eileen and Mike at Esther’s house for a family vacation. It has been about five or six years since we were all together and we are looking forward this mini family reunion. Money is tight, so we won’t be able to do much sightseeing, but just being all together will be enough for me. All too soon it will be over and we will go our separate ways, but I’m going to enjoy it while I can.
Family getting to spend their vacation time together makes me think of a far better reunion that is soon to take place where we will never have to separate again. Are we looking forward to that glorious reunion with even more joyful anticipation than we are looking forward to our family get-together? Are we as excited as for that great event that will soon take place? Paul tells about that reunion, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1Thes 4:16,17 “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1Cor 15:51-54 What a glorious reunion that will be!
We will see our loved ones again! We will never be separated from them! We will have so much to talk about, so much to see, so much to do! Moreover, we will see those whom we have read about in the Bible! Jesus said, “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 8:11 Think of it! We will be able to hear from Abraham’s own lips the story of His experience. We will be able to listen as Joseph tells of his slavery in Egypt and how God turned his captivity into a blessing for the world. We will hear from Daniel details of his life in the courts of Babylon and of his faithfulness to God through it all. We will have fellowship with the beloved disciple, John, who was changed from a “son of thunder” to the disciple who was the most loving and kind.
Even more than all of this, we will see our Creator, our Redeemer, our Dearest Friend face to face! We will dwell with Him and fellowship with Him forevermore. With hearts filled with glorious joy, we will worship Him Who died to save us. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:1-4
That grand and glorious day is coming soon! The signs all foretell it! “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Rom 13:11,12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:10-17
Jesus says, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev 22:12-14
May we be ready for that great reunion. May we soon see Jesus coming in the clouds of Heaven to take us to our Heavenly home. May we reach out to those around us and lead them to our Dear Saviour so that they, too, will welcome our loving Creator when He comes is my prayer.
Rose