The Lord will lead us to a place that won’t disappoint.”
–Stephen Bly (Beneath a Dakota Cross)
“That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.”
–1 Corinthians 2:9 (Living Bible)
———————————-
“I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.”
–Daniel W. Whittle
It’s a mystery for sure. Now, I can grasp the idea of sin–crime, wrongdoing–needs to be judged and punished. I also can see that God in His love wanted to save man, yet His holiness, justice, and wrath demanded that there be justice and punishment. Because of that, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to become the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of man–to be the substitute. I see that, but I don’t understand it all. It is a mystery to me.
There is so much that is hidden from us, one reason being that we couldn’t understand it. Alistair Begg said, “The providences of God are seldom self-interpreting. We have to learn to say, ‘I do not know, but I do know that God knows.'” Mysteries are the things of the supernatural. At times we are given glimpses into the great unknown of the spirit world, and more and more we are seeing some of the mysteries of providence unfold, but not yet, not completely.
Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the mystery, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV) He also wrote to the Corinthians that “now we see in a mirror dimly…” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NKJV) John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NKJV) One day–but not now. The mystery is still there.
Think of the prophets of the Old Testament. They saw only a glimpse. Even the pseudo-prophet Balaam saw Him is a mystery, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (Numbers 24:17, NKJV) Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25, NKJV)
We are given only a glimpse of the mysteries of the spirit realm. There is a rapture that will take place–explain it completely to me, We use terms, such as we’ll be given a new body, body… what does that mean? How can the dead be raised from the dead? Sure in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it cannot be explained in human terms. How can we understand the mystery of those operations of hidden forces that “either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Vine) Explain to me “grace.” I know what it is, but I want it explained. And we dare not venture into the mystery of God, Himself. Tell me, as Whittle wrote, why God revealed His wondrous grace to me?
Yes, one day soon, the mystery will be uncovered. One day soon, I shall see Him as He is. One day soon, the mystery will be revealed–but not now. In the meantime, until I see Him face to face I will trust in Him. Then the mystery of His grace, they mystery of salvation, the mystery of the spirit world will be revealed:
“But ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.'”
–Daniel W. Whittle
———————————-
“I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.”
–Daniel W. Whittle
It’s a mystery for sure. Now, I can grasp the idea of sin–crime, wrongdoing–needs to be judged and punished. I also can see that God in His love wanted to save man, yet His holiness, justice, and wrath demanded that there be justice and punishment. Because of that, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to become the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of man–to be the substitute. I see that, but I don’t understand it all. It is a mystery to me.
There is so much that is hidden from us, one reason being that we couldn’t understand it. Alistair Begg said, “The providences of God are seldom self-interpreting. We have to learn to say, ‘I do not know, but I do know that God knows.'” Mysteries are the things of the supernatural. At times we are given glimpses into the great unknown of the spirit world, and more and more we are seeing some of the mysteries of providence unfold, but not yet, not completely.
Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the mystery, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV) He also wrote to the Corinthians that “now we see in a mirror dimly…” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NKJV) John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NKJV) One day–but not now. The mystery is still there.
Think of the prophets of the Old Testament. They saw only a glimpse. Even the pseudo-prophet Balaam saw Him is a mystery, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (Numbers 24:17, NKJV) Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25, NKJV)
We are given only a glimpse of the mysteries of the spirit realm. There is a rapture that will take place–explain it completely to me, We use terms, such as we’ll be given a new body, body… what does that mean? How can the dead be raised from the dead? Sure in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it cannot be explained in human terms. How can we understand the mystery of those operations of hidden forces that “either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Vine) Explain to me “grace.” I know what it is, but I want it explained. And we dare not venture into the mystery of God, Himself. Tell me, as Whittle wrote, why God revealed His wondrous grace to me?
Yes, one day soon, the mystery will be uncovered. One day soon, I shall see Him as He is. One day soon, the mystery will be revealed–but not now. In the meantime, until I see Him face to face I will trust in Him. Then the mystery of His grace, they mystery of salvation, the mystery of the spirit world will be revealed:
“But ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.'”
–Daniel W. Whittle