Come to Understanding

Come to Understanding

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding,

and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. — Isaiah 29:24

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense,

and caused them to understand the reading. — Nehemiah 8:8

November 14, 2007
Volume 6 Number 22

The Mystery of God

According to Paul, "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden in the "mystery of God, and of the Father, and of the Messiah:"

2 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 the Messiah;

3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. -Colossians 2

A "mystery" is that which is not known until it is revealed. It is hidden from sight until it is shown to those to whom it is uncovered. Therefore, if the "mystery of God" is revealed to us, we have access to "all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Paul explains the "mystery of godliness:"

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. -1 Timothy 3

Even though Paul writes that this mystery is "without controversy," he knew that there would be those who would try to challenge the very foundation of the faith upon which the gospel is based. By the use of philosophy and "vain deceit," some would try to use man-made religious traditions to challenge the gospel of Yahshua the Messiah (also called Jesus the Christ):

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in the Messiah.

6 As you have therefore received the Messiah Yahshua the Lord, so walk you in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoils you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Messiah. -Colossians 2

Lest we become confused about who the Messiah really is, Paul explains that all of the "fullness of the Godhead" dwells in Him:

9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. -Colossians 2

The English word "Godhead" is translated here from the Greek word yeothv (theotes), which means "the state of being God." Therefore, Paul was saying that all of the fullness of God dwells in the Messiah. Consequently, He is not lower than God, because He is God.

Paul further explains to the Philippians:

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in the Messiah Yahshua:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: -Philippians 2

Man was created by God in the image of God:

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. -Genesis 1

Yahshua, on the other hand, is the image of God:

4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. -2 Corinthians 4

He existed before anything else existed. Before He was revealed to the world as the image of the invisible God, He created all things:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. -Colossians 1

As the Word of God, He is God, who made all things:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. -John 1

Yahweh declares that He is the first and that He is also the last. He says there is no other God but Him:

4 Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I Yahweh, the first, and with the last; I am he. -Isaiah 41

6 Thus says Yahweh the King of Israel, and his redeemer Yahweh of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. -Isaiah 44

12 Listen unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. -Isaiah 48

John records that Yahshua also declares that He is the first and that He is also the last:

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. -Revelation 22

8 And to the angel of the congregation in Smyrna write; These things says the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; -Revelation 2

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: -Revelation 1

Yahweh has all the power in heaven and earth:

10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be you, Yahweh God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

11 Yours, O Yahweh, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you reign over all; and in your hand is power and might; and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. -1 Chronicles 29

Yahshua also says that all of this power is His:

18 And Yahshua came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. -Matthew 28

Paul explains that Yahshua is the "head of all principality and power:"

10 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: -Colossians 2

Yahweh declares that He is the only God. There was none before Him and there shall be none after Him:

10 You are my witnesses, says Yahweh, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. -Isaiah 43

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, -Isaiah 46

Not only does Yahweh proclaim that He is the only God, but He also says that He is the only Savior:

21 Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I Yahweh? and there is no God else besides me; a just God and a Savior; there is none besides me. -Isaiah 45

Upon the birth of Yahshua on the earth, the angel declared that He is the Savior and the Messiah:

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is the Messiah the Lord. -Luke 2

Peter also declares Him to be the Savior:

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Yahshua the Messiah. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. -2 Peter 3

How can Yahweh and Yahshua both be the first and the last, have all power, and be the only Savior? Yahshua says:

30 I and my Father are one. -John 10

If both are one and there is only one God, then both are God. Therefore, God the Savior revealed Himself as the Son of God and took on the form of a man, as the Son of man, to be the one mediator between God and man:

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man the Messiah Yahshua;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. -1 Timothy 2

Yahshua came in the name of Yahweh, as God the Savior, in the form of a man. As the Savior, His name means Yah (the short form of Yahweh) is salvation. Paul writes:

9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yahshua, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. -Romans 10

Isaiah asks:

1 Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of Yahweh revealed? -Isaiah 53

If we can believe this report, then the "Mystery of God," the "arm of Yahweh," has been revealed to us.

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Scriptures are taken from the Proper Name Version of the King James Bible.