Knowing The Mystery Of God

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional Message Title: Knowing The Mystery Of God Date: Wednesday September 14, 2011 Chapters: Ezekiel 46-48, Proverbs 14, Psalm 93 Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-september-14 Hello My Friend/Guest, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” - Ephesians 1:9-14. The Gospel, which is a mystery, a mystery only revealed to those who know Christ personally as their Savior, is the mystery of God and of Christ, the will of God and of His will in saving sinners by Christ. The Gospel declares that He does all things in salvation, according to His sovereign will and pleasure; He chooses, redeems, justifies, pardons, and calls whom He pleases; and this is made known by the ministry of the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit that is sealed in those who believe in the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Those who are sealed receive more than redemption through Christ, they receive an inheritance, a possession gained through His death, which is eternal life and a part of the Kingdom of Christ. One day Israel will acknowledge their dependence upon God in the kingdom age with many offerings according to a divine plan for that period, by which perfect fellowship may be maintained. God gave Ezekiel a vision of what was to come to the Jews who chose God, they would be given an inheritance, but it will not be forced upon them, it will be received upon all who wanted to receive it. Once they receive it it was theirs forever. “Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance. But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons' for them. Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.” - Ezekiel 46:16-18. Every Jew who followed the prince received an inheritance from Him. This inheritance was not just promised to the Jews, but to all people of all nations whom have chosen to follow Him. Through Ezekiel, God confirms this. “And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions...And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekiel 47:9-13,22,23. Everyone who believes and accepts the Gospel receives an inheritance from God, we are blessed to have eternal life with Him and receive a part of the inheritance that the Jews will receive too. While we are not saved by our works, our works do help in receiving what our inheritance will be. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” - Matthew 16:27,28. Sadly, many people think they are saved and will receive a part of God's inheritance, but this is not the case. Thr truth is, unless a person personally asks Jesus to save them they will not be saved. Remember, Jesus will not force anyone to receive His gift, but all who ask for the gift will receive it. “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10. I understand that the last eight chapters of the Book of Ezekiel may have been a bit confusing, here he is talking about a future Temple with Jesus as the prince who would accept the sacrifices that are being offered for redemption. So, many of us might be wondering how can this be when Jesus was the sacrifice that saved all of us. Well, here is what I have learned, first, these visions were meant for Ezekiel to explain them to the Jews first, in which all they knew was how to give offerings to reconcile themselves with God. Second, all of these are a foreshadow of Christ dying on the cross and redeeming all who believe. Third, we are not meant to know all the mysteries of God all at once, God will reveal things a little at a time to us, the important thing to remember is that without Christ there is no redemption. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” - Ephesians 2:13-16. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, help us to remain faithful in planting Your seed of salvation to those who have not yet received Your Son, to those who have not yet confessed with their tongue that I am trusting only in Jesus Christ to save me and take me to heaven. Whenever we open our mouths, may the words be given to us so that we will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel to those who have not yet heard. We thank You for those who presently come alongside us in our mission and for those who will join us further along in our journey as they also reach out to those whom are in need of salvation. We pray for our combined labors that unbelievers will open their hearts to receive the Gospel and the promised inheritance waiting for them. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. God Bless You, I am praying for you, Christina Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be: http://www.godsprice.com Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com Visit: I'm Following Jesus