The Riches of The Lord of Glory _________ Past-Tracing-Out

The faithful steward of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1 to 4), to whom the Holy Spirit has taught the truth recorded in the eleventh chapter of Romans, will understand why Paul closed the chapter with, "0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How 'UNSEARCHABLE' ('ANEXEREUNTOS') are His judgments, and His ways 'PAST-TRACING-OUT' ('ANEXICHNIASTOS')."

The Greek words in this verse translated 'UNSEARCHABLE' and 'PAST-TRACING-OUT are rather long words. The first word 'ANEXEREUNTOS' is the negative of the Greek word, in 1 Peter 1:10, translated 'SEARCHED DILIGENTLY' ('EXERUNAO'). The second word 'ANEXICHNIASTOS,' translated 'PAST-TRACING-OUT' (revised version), is the negative of 'ICHNOS' which means 'STEP' or TRACK.' This word 'ANEXICHNIASTOS' is, in Ephesians 3:8, translated UNSEARCHABLE.'. 'PAST-TRACING-OUT' is perhaps a. better translation. The Holy Spirit would have every Christian know that THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD' (Ephesians 1:11 .... 1:4 and 5), , is an unprophesied Divine program. It was 'KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN' (Romans 16:25), HID IN GOD FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD' (Ephesians 3:9), 'HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS' (Colossians 1:26). Having been God's own unrevealed SECRET, it was called THE MYSTERY.'

This 'UNPROPHESIED' Divine program is mentioned in Ephesians 1:9 as THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S WILL.' In Ephesians 3:3 Paul declared "THAT BY REVELATION HE (CHRIST) MADE KNOWN UNTO 'ME' THE MYSTERY." In 2 Timothy 1:12 we leam, in the Greek, that Paul wrote of MY DEPOSIT' ('PARATHEKE'). Because Paul received that 'DEPOSIT,' (Ephesians 3:2 ... Colossians 1:23 to 26), and because he was faithful in proclaiming it, he was THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR GENTILES' (Ephesians 3:1..... 4:1), -AN AMBASSADOR IN BONDS' (Ephesians 6:19 and 20... Colossians 4:3 and 4). Paul wrote, "WHEREIN I SUFFER TROUBLE, AS AN EVIL-DOER, UNTO BONDS." (2 Timothy 2:9).

Paul urged members of the Body of Christ to pray for open doors, open mouths and open minds and hearts for the proclamation and acceptance of this 'UNPROPHESIED,' 'PREDESTINATED,' 'ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD,' which he called THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST,' THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN'... (Ephesians 6:19 and 20 .. . Colossians 4:3 and 4... Ephesians 1:15 to 19 Romans 16:25 ...Ephesians 1:11).

' In comprehending and proclaiming this wonderful truth, God's saints are viciously opposed by the ruler of the world darkness, spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies, because Satan's principalities and powers are involved in the message and program. (Ephesians 6:12). To these principalities and powers in the heavenlies the Church is expected to make known the manifold wisdom of God. (Ephesians 3:10). But Satan, up to the present time, has been eminently successful in keeping most Christian workers from obeying Ephesians 3:9 and 10.

Of course, Christian workers should know the full meaning and truth of 1 Corinthians 2:6. .. "WE SPEAK WISDOM AMONG THEM THAT ARE PERFECT." The 'PERFECT' are Christians of 'FULL AGE,' numbered with those to whom belongs THE STRONG MEAT' (Hebrews 5:12 to 14), 'NO MORE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO' (Ephesians 4:14), 'ESTABLISHED BY THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY' (Romans 16:25), 'OF POWER AND LOVE AND A SOUND MIND' (2 Timothy 1:7). 'UNASHAMED WORKMEN, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.' (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Hidden Wisdom

Note the wisdom among them that are perfect "we speak the wisdom of God in a MYSTERY (SECRET), THE HIDDEN; which God ordained 'BEFORE THE WORLD' unto our glory. Which none of the rulers of this world knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the LORD OF GLORY." (1 Corinthians 2:7 to 8). The Lord directed Peter to tell Israel that it must have been ignorance that caused them to KILL THE PRINCE OF LIFE. (Acts 3:14 to 17). Later on, the Holy Spirit directed Peter to write that Christ's death on the cross was foreordained and planned by God before Adam sinned, before the world began. (1 Peter 1:18 to 21).

When the rulers of this world crucified THE LORD OF GLORY, when the religious leaders of Christ's own chosen nation fulfilled all the Scriptures that prophesied concerning the Saviour's once-for-all suffering on the TREE (Acts 13:29), they did nothing concerning the death of the Son of God, that God's hand and counsel had not already determined before would be done. (Acts 4:26 to 29). If you will read carefully John 12:37 to 41 and Acts 17:3, you will see that in the fulfillment of Psalm 118:22 and 23, the rejection and crucifixion of Christ was in God's Plan.... "And it is marvelous in our eyes." (Matthew 21:42). When wicked men with wicked hands put Christ to death He was delivered according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. (Acts 2:23).

When the Lord of Glory came down from heaven He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:11). The Holy Spirit and .God's heavenly messengers declared that Christ was bom of the virgin Mary, in fulfillment of the Scriptures, that He was bom to occupy David's throne and reign over Israel (Luke l:27'to 33), to give to Israel 'the sure mercies of David' (Acts 13:34 Luke 1:67 to 77). delivering Israel from sin. He was THE SON OF GOD!'... THE KING OF ISRAEL' (John 1:49), sent to Israel (Matthew 15:24 . . . Acts 13:23), to confirm promises to Israel recorded in the thirty-nine Books from Genesis to Malachi. (Romans 15:8). (Tie was Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, their promised Messiah. As He came to fulfill Isaiah 35:4 to 6,61; 1 to 3, Ezekiel, 34:11 to 13 and 22 to 31, He began His ministry in the midst of Israel by proclaiming the time at hand. The Kingdom of God at hand' (.Mark 1:14 and 15 ... Matthew 4:17). He went into Israel's synagogues preaching, healing all manner of disease (Matthew 4:23), in fulfillment of Isaiah 35:3 to 6, and proclaiming the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1 to 3. (Luke 4:16 to 23).

But the builders rejected the Stone (Luke 19:41 to 44). However, the Stone (Christ) assured Israel He would return in the clouds with power and great glory (Luke 21:27 to 33). He told them that when He returned to earth He would sit on the THRONE of His glory, as Judge as well as King. (Matthew 25:31 to 34). Later on we are told in Romans 11:25 to 29 that the KING will not return until this present age has run its course. After the revelation of Romans 11:25, the risen Lord, through Paul, revealed the truth of Ephesians 1:4 and 5 and 2:15, showing the difference between the PROPHESIED KINGDOM OF GOD, and THE BODY OF CHRIST.

The Tree... The Tribulation... The Throne ____The Mystery Body__

As we compare Genesis 2:21 to 24 and 5:2 with Ephesians 5:31 and 32, we will learn that the truth of Christ and the Church, was just once 'HID IN THE SCRIPTURES.' * Then as we compare Genesis 15:6 to 8 with Galatians 3:6 to 8, we will see that Galatians 2:7 was 'HID IN THE SCRIPTURES.' Then compare Deuteronomy 32:21 and Romans 10:19. There is a difference between Divine truth 'HID IN THE SCRIPTURES', and truth 'HID IN GOD FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD". (Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:26). No prophet of Israel knew or said anything concerning Christ as the Head of the Church, Which is His Body, the Filling-up of Him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:19 to 23), THE ONE NEW MAN' of Ephesians 2:15, or that members of Christ's Body would be raised up and seated in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 2:5 and 6 ... Colossians 3:1 to 3), and there blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. (Ephesians 1:3).

During this age. God, Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will, will accomplish His own 'ETERNAL PURPOSE,' not prophesied but predestinated. The prophets of Israel, before Christ came, could have SEARCHED DILIGENTLY concerning the PROPHESIED TREE, TRIBULATION AND THRONE, THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST AND THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW (1 Peter 1:10 and 11). This was confirmed by Christ in John 5:39 and Luke 24:25 to 27 and 24:46. When Paul preached to Israel 'NONE OTHER THINGS' than Divine truth concerning Christ, foretold by Moses and Israel's other prophets (Acts 26:22 and 23 and 17:3), Israel could have searched their Scriptures to leam, if Paul was telling the truth. (Acts 17:11). Peter told Israel that they had a more sure Word of Prophecy. (2 Peter 1:19). Christ on earth was confirming that Prophecy. (Romans 15:8). Compare Matthew 21:42 ... Acts 4:26 to 29 ... Isaiah 9:7 ... Acts 15:17 and 18 and Ephesians 1:11, with Romans 11:25, and you will better understand the why of Romans 11:33, "0 THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES BOTH OF THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD! HOW UNSEARCHABLE ('ANEXEREUNTOS') ARE HIS JUDGMENTS, AND HIS WAYS PAST-TRACING-OUT ('ANEXICHNIASTOS')."

All of our sins are forgiven, for Christ's sake. (Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 2:13). God in this age and dispensation of grace is reconciling all believing sinners in one Body by the cross. (Ephesians 2:15 to 18). Now we understand Ephesians 3:8 to 11; "UNTO ME (PAUL), WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS. IS THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE NATIONS THE UNSEARCHABLE ('PAST-TRACING-OUT1) RICHES OF CHRIST (THE LORD OF GLORY) AND TO MAKE ALL SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD ... TO THE INTENT THAT NOW UNTO THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN THE HEAVENLIES MIGHT BE KNOWN BY THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD, ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE WHICH HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

Will you pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation mentioned in Ephesians 1:17, and then will you do your duty as a Christian and MAKE ALL SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY?.