Dispensational

“God’s Plan of Salvation” (II Cor. 5:19-21)

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing theirtrespasses unto them; ...we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For He hath made HIM (Christ) sin for us, who (Christ) knew no sin; (in order) that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Cor. 5:19-21)

"The Faith" - God's gift - a revelation given for the recipient to believe (vs. 19, 21).

"Personal Faith" -The recipient's response - the Affirmative: SINS forgiven. The Negative: otherwise (vs. 20).

THE OUT-FROM RESURRECTION Philippians 3:11

 1. CONCERNING OUR LORD - - HIS OUT-FROM RESURRECTION. "Declared the Son of God in power (inherent) according to the Spirit of Holiness out-from a resurrection of the dead." (Rom. 1:4) "...Neither wilt thou suffer shine Holy One to see corruption" (Psa. 16:10)

2. CONCERNING " INTERVENTION" - - THE KEY TO OUT-FROM RESURRECTION. "...the testimony of our Lord...God... hath saved us and called us with a Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but now made manifest through the intervention (to SHINE upon) of our Saviour Christ Jesus, abrogating on one hand death, bringing to light on the other life (eternal) and incorruption..." (II Tim. 1:8-10) [The words in bold are from the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, Marshall's literal English translation with the Nestle Greek text.]

"THE MYSTERY" A Corporate Body, i.e., The Body of Christ

This is a body of believers wherein Christ is the head -- the one who is all and in all. [Note in Eph. 4:6b that the Father also is in all, and in Eph. 1:13, so is the Holy Spirit!]

It is a body wherein no nation has any advantage - no religious system has any advantage and no individual, whether bond or free, has any advantage. (Col. 3:11).

This body was created, historically, post-Acts, but elected "Before the foundation (overthrow) of the world." (Eph. 1:4): a paradox - outwardly - chosen from The Revealed Plan "since or from the foundation (overthrow) of the world" (Matt. 13:35), but secretly to fulfill God's "Hidden Purpose" (Eph. 1:4). In other words, we have an election from within the elect (Eph.2:10). Hence, considering all things historically, "The Mystery" is a parenthesis in The Revealed Plan, but when seen from God's ultimate purpose (see Eph. 1:9, 10; 3:11), it is vice versa.

"THE MYSTERY" -- To His Saints Obedience is Better than Sacrifice (I Sam. 15:22)

"Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed...work out your own salvation (deliverance) with fear and trembling: For God is the one energizing in you both to will and to energize His goodwill" (Phil. 2:12, 13).

To the "right-divider" of the Mystery, there is a need "for the perfecting (complete adjustment) of the saints..." (Eph. 4:12) concerning the progressive energizing of the Holy Spirit. The words, "complete adjustment," translated "perfecting" is a translation of the Greek word, "katartismon," meaning "to mend," "to adjust,""perfect a change," and the like. Not only so, but qualified teachers (the gift of God) are also instruments of Divine use in this perfecting (Eph. 4:11).

Obedience (as opposed to disobedience, I Sam. 15:23) in all or every dispensation is always better than sacrifice. Even so, obedience in the present dispensation of "the Mystery," as an adjunct to the Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-3), is even more so.

"THE MYSTERY" Private Mail for the Saint (The Initiate) - Eph. 1:4; 3:8,9; Col. 1:25,26

There are other Greek words which also mean "a secret". However, (as will be seen), "the Mystery" meaning "a secret," is not a translation but rather a transliteration of the Greek word, "musterion" which is truly unique, that is, concerning the definition. Thus at the outset, here are a few facts which should be helpful as an overview for a complete understanding about the private mail in this context.

First and foremost, "the Mystery" (a body of many truths) is addressed to His saints (Col. 1:26) for Faith-Obedience in their walk (Eph. 2:10; Col. 2:6, 4:1-7). Hence, the response (the saint's personal faith), either yea or nay, demonstrates, "the initiate," those " chosen (elected) in Christ, before the foundation (Greek word, katabole, overthrow) of the world." (Eph.1:4). In other words, an election from within "the Elect" - - think about it!

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND THE FREE WILL OF MAN

That God is sovereign is a fact beyond dispute, for the scriptures declare it in hundreds of ways. Likewise, the free moral agency of man is also declared beyond question. Consequently, the differences of Calvinism and Arminianism are varied, and both have plenty of scripture to support their views. Hence, to avoid the problem many hold that these two positions are but two lines of teaching in scripture that run side by side but never meet. Many settle the matter by Abraham's statement: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25)

"THE MYSTERY"- God's Sacred Secret To Complete the Word of God (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:25,26)

vs.25 "...I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you to fulfil the word of God; vs. 26..The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:" (Col. 1:25- 26).

Translators in the main have selected the English word, "fulfill" or its equivalent, rather than the English word, "complete" (vs. 25). According to "Webster's New World Dictionary," (1968), the English word, "fulfill," means to carry out something promised, desired, expected, predicted, etc. To say the least, The Mystery was never promised, expected, etc. Consequently, to use the English, "fulfill," is like the blind leading the blind. It is said, "translators follow translators," a form of brainwashing. A case in point: The Douay Version of the Holy Bible, (which is an English translation of the Vulgate used by Roman Catholics) uses the word, "fulfill" (1578). The King James' Version, a Protestant version (1611), also uses "fulfill" -- you be the judge!

SOME DISTINCTIVE TRUTHS OF THE MYSTERY

1. To complete the Word of God (Col. 1:25, 26).
2. It exalts the saints, and seats them with Christ in the heavenlies. (Eph. 1:20- 21; 2:6). Hence, "for our conversation is in heaven; (out) from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; ...whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil. 3:20- 21).
3. To share super-abundant riches of His grace, with kindness in the ages to come (Eph. 2:7).
4. Made complete in Christ, holy and without blame (Eph. 1:4, Col.2:10).
5. To know the love of God which passes all knowledge and understanding (Eph. 3:19; Phil. 4:7).
6. Brought into a corporate body under the Headship of Christ, where no person or nation has any advantage, for Christ is all and in all (Eph. 1:22, 23; Eph. 4:15, Col. 3:11).
7. A showcase to the hierarchy in the heavenlies (Eph. 3:10).
8. A partaker of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ (Col. 2:3).

"The Faith" - God's Gift "

So then, The Faith (cometh) out-of hearing, and the hearing through or by The Word of Christ (God)" Rom. 10:17.

The Faith is that body of truth, God-given (revealed), unto the recipient for Faith-Obedience. At the same time, the believers' response in faith-obedience demonstrates their personal faith.

FOR EXAMPLE: "By faith, Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house..." Heb. 11:7.

In other words, the faith given (revealed) of God unto Noah was saving faith unto him and his household. As you can see, Noah's faith-obedience in building the ark demonstrated his personal faith unto salvation.

Needless to say, building an ark in the context of our time saves no one. Even so, the circumstances of Noah's time, when put into today's context, demonstrate our personal faith for learning.

"THE MYSTERY (SECRET) OF CHRIST" as is NOW REVEALED - EPH. 3:4, 5 Whether one considers "Christ" in the revealed plan of God or in His hidden purpose, He -- and He alone - - arrests the attention like no other person or subject to be found in all of the scripture. Even in the secular world, among friends or foes, in the highest circles and in the lowest levels of humanity, He is. In the affirmative, in the negative, and the neutral or whatever - - He just is!

Inasmuch as we shall be observing the changing ages and dispensations in this study, we desire to share with you the two major divisions derived from God's spoken word, i.e., the revealed plan and the hidden purpose.

"Through faith we understand that the ages were framed - (marked off, prepared) by a fiat of God, so that the things (ages and dispensations) as they appear were not evolved one from the other." (Heb. 11:3 - FREE TRANSLATION).