Which Road?

 

Which Road?

 

I saw a “Christian” meme (because it was posted by a Christian Leader); it was a drawing of a lush green wooded area with a two lane paved winding road. The caption said: “Focus your goals and your path will be revealed automatically!”

 

My first thought was that’s not true! Many people focus on their dreams and desires and it is most often a difficult road and does not always end in success.

 

From a Biblical perspective it is actually the opposite! JESUS told us to “seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness” and our needs will be provided. JESUS also told us to avoid the easy road that leads to the wide gate of destruction; but to stay on the difficult road that leads to the narrow gate of Eternal Life!

 

JESUS told us that life as a Christian would be difficult and we would be persecuted for giving our life to Him. He also told us not to worry about what people can do to us, the worst is they can kill us, which will send us directly to The Father and earn us an Eternal reward. But to fear GOD Who Judges to eternal damnation or Eternal Life.

 

So as the Apostle Paul said to the Christians in Corinth, “Watch, stand fast in the Faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with Love!”

Also Paul told the Hebrew Christians, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed striving against sin.”

 

If you are not suffering for being a Christian, then you may be on the wrong road!

 

https://youtu.be/uLMkgyIZ0zs

The Word Of GOD Over The Name Of GOD!

 

The Word Of GOD Over The Name Of GOD!

 

Psalm 138 A Psalm of David:

I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.

I will worship toward Your Holy Temple and praise Your Name*

For Your Lovingkindness and Your Truth;

For You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name.

In the day when I cried out You answered me,

And made me bold, with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise You JEHOVAH,

When they hear the Words of Your mouth.

Yes, they shall sing of the Ways of JEHOVAH,

For great is The Glory of JEHOVAH.

Though JEHOVAH is on High,

Yet He regards the lowly;

But the proud He knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You Will Revive me;

You Will Stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies.

And Your right hand Will Save me.

JEHOVAH Will perfect (Complete) that which concerns me;

Your Mercy JEHOVAH endures Forever;

Do not forsake The Works of Your hands.”

 

How many times have I (you) read this passage of Scripture and missed the single most important understanding of Who GOD Is?!

The GOD of all creation; The GOD of Salvation; The Eternal, ever living GOD, JEHOVAH* magnifies His Word above His Name, JEHOVAH!

 

CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) – “…for You have made Your Word [even] greater than the whole of Your Reputation.”

KJV – “…for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.”

The Scriptures – “For You have made great Your Word, Your Name above all.”

NKJV – “For You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name.”

 

JEHOVAH has put His Word above His Name? Have you  thought about that? What does that mean?

 

It means that GOD’s Word has preeminence over His Name? In other words GOD’s Word should be more important to us than His Name? How So?

 

Actually by default we already give little importance to GOD’s Name! Most modern translations and modern Christianize use GOD’s titles rather than His Name.*

 

But the importance of what David is saying is not that the modern Church does not know or use GOD’s Name; it is that GOD’s Word is give more importance to GOD’s people then knowing His Name.** (Some are going to argue this point.)

 

YESHUA – JESUS is The Living Word of GOD: Genesis 1:1-4 “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth; the earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And The SPIRIT of GOD (HOLY SPIRIT) was hovering over the face of the waters. Then GOD said (YESHUA), ‘Let there be Light (YESHUA)!’ and there was Light; and GOD saw the Light that it was Good and GOD divided the Light from the darkness. And GOD Called the Light Day and the darkness He Called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” John 1:1-5, 14 “In the beginning was The Word and The Word was with GOD and The Word was GOD. He was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was Life and the Life was The Light of men. And The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it…And The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory, The Glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father, full of Grace and Truth.” Revelation 19:13 “He was clothed in a robe dipped in Blood and His Name is Called The Word of GOD.”

 

In creation the most important thing to all living beings and creatures is The Word of GOD – JESUS! If you do not want to spend eternity in The Lake of Fire and Brimstone being tormented for your sins (you go to the eternal lake of fire if you reject JESUS and there you will be eternally torment for how you lived your life, Revelation 20:7-15, 21:8).

If you want to obey and follow JESUS in this life then you have to be His disciple, going to Church and keeping The Ten Commandments will not make you a disciple of JESUS! JESUS told us how to be His disciple. But it is hard!

John 8:30-32 “As He (JESUS) spoke these Words (take the time to go back and read John 8:21-29), many believed in Him. Then JESUS said to those who believed Him, ‘If you Abide in My Word you are My disciples indeed and you shall know The Truth and The Truth shall set you free.’”

John 14:6 “JESUS said to him, ‘I Am The Way, The Truth and The Life, no one comes to The Father (GOD) except through Me!’”

Luke 9:57-62 “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road that someone said to Him, ‘LORD, I will follow you wherever You go. ’And JESUS said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’

Mark 8:34-38 “When He (JESUS) had called the people to Himself with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and The Gospel’s will save it.’ Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘LORD, let me first go and bury my father.’ JESUS said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach The Kingdom of GOD.’ And another also said, ‘LORD, I will follow you but first let me go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But JESUS said to him, ‘No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of GOD.’”

Finally: Matthew 10:34-39 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and a man’s enemies will be his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who fines his live will lose it and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.’”

 

If this is what it takes to be JESUS’ disciple, how do we get there from being a sorrowful but unforgiven and unrepentant sinner? When we come to the place that we understand that we are a sinner and under GOD’s Eternal Judgment we want to be saved, whether it is a moment of desperation, tragedy or just a realization, we call out to GOD and He forgives us for being a sinner and takes away the punishment for our sins in JESUS. Then He gives us His HOLY SPIRIT to teach us how to live as a Disciple of JESUS. The HOLY SPIRIT uses GOD’s Word, The Bible to teach us all about Who GOD is (John 7:38-39, 14:25-26) and how we can serve His Will for our life (Psalm 139:15-18). The Bible is GOD’s Word – JESUS is The Word of GOD! Read The Bible, Study The Bible, Meditate The Bible, Learn The Bible and Live according to The Bible! To repent means to stop sinning and to start living according to The Bible.

 

So The Word of GOD is more important than The Name of GOD!

We can only be Saved in The Name of JESUS! (Acts 4:12)

JESUS is The Living Word of GOD!

JEHOVAH is The Father, The Son (JESUS) and The SPIRIT of GOD (The HOLY SPIRIT)!

The Bible is the written representation of GOD!

If you want to be Saved and be a Disciple of JESUS you have to know and live according to The Bible!

 

 

*GOD’s Name is not “The LORD” as translated in many modern versions of the Bible. His Name was lost by the Jews who so reverenced and feared miss using it that they stopped saying and writing it. All we have are four consonants YHWH, which are transliterated into YAHOWEH or YAHWEH, rendered in English as JEHOVAH.

GOD said to Moses, as recorded in Exodus 3:13-15 “Then Moses said to GOD, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The GOD of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His Name?” what shall I say to them?’ And GOD said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’ Moreover GOD said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: “YHWH (JEHOVAH) GOD of your fathers, The GOD of Abraham, The GOD of Isaac, and The GOD of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Memorial to all generations.”’”

Why would GOD call His Name “The LORD”, The LORD is a title, like GOD, its what He is not Who He is!

 

**Now that would seem wrong considering that GOD’s Name, His memorial Name I AM WHO I AM – YHWH includes YESHUA (JESUS); The Only Name by which We are commanded to be Saved! Also it includes “HOLY SPIRIT”, The Name of GOD’s SPIRIT that He has given to every Believer in JESUS (John 14:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)!

Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore GOD has highly exalted Him (JESUS) and given Him The Name which is above every name, that at the Name of JESUS every knee shall bow, of those in Heaven [the Heavenly host] and of those on earth [the human host] and of those under the earth [the condemned host (Jude 6)]; and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to The Glory of GOD The Father.” His Name is exalted above every name!

But 1 Corinthians 15:25-28: “He (JESUS) must reign till He (JEHOVAH The Father) has put all enemies under His (JESUS) feet; the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He (JEHOVAH) has put all things under His (JESUS) feet.’ But when He says, ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He (JEHOVAH) Who put all things under Him (JESUS) is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him (JEHOVAH), then The Son Himself will also be subject to Him Who put all things under Him, that GOD may be all in all.”

 

https://youtu.be/dc1Z1MMb07E

Are You? by Pastor Juan Rios

 

Are You?

Pastor Juan Rios’ Sunday Sermon July 6, 2025

 

Everything in The bible points to JESUS CHRIST!

“GOD’s Will” and “My Father’s Will” appear about 60 times in the Bible, mostly The New Testament.

“Do not be afraid!” is the most common statement in The Bible, about 400 times.

 

1. Mark 3:35 ”For whoever does The will of GOD is My Brother and My Sister and My Mother.” JESUS made a True and Comprehensive statement that establishes  our relationship with GOD!

2. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the Renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that Good and Acceptable and Perfect Will of GOD.” This is why we study The Bible!

3. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 “For is The Will of GOD, your Sanctification…For GOD did not Call us to uncleanness, but to Holiness…therefore he who rejects this does not reject man but GOD Who has also given us His HOLY SPIRIT.” GOD is the Avenger!

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, in everything give Thanks; for this is The Will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you.” That we might have The Joy of GOD’s Salvation, John17:13.

5. 1 Peter 2:15-16 “For this is The Will of GOD, that by doing Good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men – as free, yet not using liberty as a clock for vice, but as bondservants of GOD.” Romans 12:21.

6. 1 Peter 4:12-19 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of CHRIST’s sufferings, that when His Glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy...Therefore let those who suffer according to The Will of GOD commit their souls to Him in doing Good, as to a Faithful Creator.” Matthew 5:10-12.

7. John 6:40 “And this is The Will of Him Who sent ME, that everyone who sees The Son and Believes in Him may have everlasting Life; and I Will raise Him up at the Last Day.” John 1:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

 

Statements:

As Christians it is possible to know GOD’s Will!

If we follow JESUS we will seek and obey GOD’s Will!

It is GOD’s Will for us to be sanctified!

It is GOD’s Will for us to rejoice, to pray and to be thankful!

It is God’s Will for us to suffer while doing Good!

It is GOD’s Will, Plan, Desire for everyone to know JESUS and receive Eternal Life.

 

Colossians 1:9-23

:9 “For this reason  we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with The Knowledge  of His Will in all Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding.” This is what establishes us in GOD’s Kingdom in the earth.

:10-12 “that you may walk worthy of The LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every Good Work and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD; strengthen with all might, according to His Glorious Power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving Thanks to The Father Who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in The Light.” This is the proof of our Salvation, Romans 8:16-17.

:13-14 “He has Delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into The Kingdom of The Son of His Love, in Whom we have Redemption through His Blood, the Forgiveness of sins.” This is our Salvation, John 1:29-34.

:15 “He is The Image of The Invisible GOD, The First Born over all creation.” John 1:1-4 He existed before creation, ordained by GOD to be born in the flesh before creation, 1 Peter 1:20.

:16-17 “for by Him all things were created…and He was before all things  and in Him all things consist.” Revelation 3:14, 4:11.

:18 “And He is The Head of The Body, The Church, Who is The Beginning, The Firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have The Preeminence.” JESUS is the only human who has died and been raised from the dead to never die, Matthew 28:5-7, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, Revelation 1:5.

:19-20 “For it Pleased The father that in Him all the fulness should dwell, and by Him to Reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made Peace through The Blood of His Cross.” This is an invitation to participate in GOD’s Eternal Kingdom, 1 Peter 1:13-19.

Four how tos:

1.      Accept Who JESUS is!

2.      Repent – stop sinning

3.      Be honest about our need – seek JESUS

4.      Live in a way that glorifies JESUS

:21-23 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has Reconciled in the body of his Flesh through death, to Present you Holy and Blameless and above all Reproach in his sight – if indeed you continue in The faith…” Be reconciled, be firm in our faith – Trusting in the Process of GOD’s Will.

Verses 4-19 are a summation of the first 7 verses we studied here.

So are you?

The Secret (Mystery) Of GOD!

 

The Secret (Mystery) Of GOD!

 

“The Secret of JEHOVAH is with those who fear Him, and He makes His Covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:14

“Surely JEHOVAH GOD does nothing , unless He reveals His Secret to His Servants the Prophets.” Amos 3:7

“Now to Him Who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of JESUS CHRIST, according to the Revelation of the Mystery kept Secret since the world began but now made manifest and by the Prophetic Scriptures made know to all nations according to the Commandment of the Everlasting GOD, for Obedience to The Faith – to GOD, alone Wise, be Glory through JESUS CHRIST forever! Amen!” Romans 16:25-27

“The mystery that has been hidden from ages and from generations but now has been revealed to His Saints. To them GOD Willed to make known what are the Riches of The Glory or This Mystery among the Gentiles: which is CHRIST in you The Hope of Glory.” Colossians 1:26-27

 

This is the secret (mystery) of GOD hidden from the beginning of creation: “CHIRST in you the Hope of Glory.” (Genesis 3:13-15) this speaks of JESUS defeating the devil, crushing his head while the devil bruises His heel. JESUS defeated the devil on the cross by obeying The Father’s Will and being The Lamb of GOD Who takes away the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21) and The Father gave us His Victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). The devil bruised JESUS’ heel on the cross but JESUS rose from the dead to Live Forever! (Romans 6:1-14)

 

Is CHRIST in you?

Are you revealing CHRIST in your life?

If not why are you keeping this Secret of GOD that He revealed almost 2000 years ago?

Do you not know that you are a Living Temple of GOD’s SPIRIT? (John 16:5-15; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). A temple is a place of worship and service to GOD and that is you! (2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1)

Titus 2:11-15 “…looking for the Blessed Hope and Glorious appearing of our Great GOD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST…”

1 Peter 3:13-17 “…give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for The Hope that is in you…”

 

Hebrews 11:13-16 They saw it but did not receive it, it was hidden until JESUS in the flesh revealed it, CHRIST did it all! (Galatians 3:5-14; 1 Peter 3:18-4:2)

CHRIST gave us the Commission to do the same! (Matthew 28:16-20;  Mark 16:14-18)

The Secret is out!

The Mystery is solved!

What are you doing about it?

 

https://youtu.be/wZdNpyprkC0

 

Scriptures

Go and read these Scriptures in their context, study how that applies to your life and ministry!

In Genesis 49:6 in KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “council”.***

In Job 15:8 in KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “counsel”.***

In Job 29:4 in KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “counsel”.

In Psalm 25:14 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret”.

In Psalm 64:2 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret”.

In Proverbs 3:32 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret counsel”.

In Proverbs 11:13 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secrets”.

In Proverbs 20:19 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secrets”.

In Proverbs 25:9 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret”.

In Amos 3:7 KJV, çôwd, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret”.

 

In Romans 16:25 KJV, sagaō, is translated “secret” in NKJV it is translated “secret”.

 

In Matthew 13:11 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mysteries” in NKJV it is translated “mysteries” with the note “secret or hidden truths”.

In Mark 4:11 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “secret or hidden truths”.

In Luke 8:10 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mysteries” in NKJV it is translated “mysteries” with the note “secret or hidden truths”.

In Romans 11:25 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Romans 16:25 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mysteries” in NKJV it is translated “mysteries”.

In 1 Corinthians 13:2 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mysteries” in NKJV it is translated “mysteries”.

In 1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mysteries”.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In Ephesians 1:9 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Ephesians 3:3 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Ephesians 3:4 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Ephesians 3:9 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Ephesians 5:32 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Ephesians 6:19 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Colossians 1:26 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “secret or hidden truth”.

In Colossians 1:27 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Colossians 2:2 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Colossians 4:3 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In 1 Timothy 3:9 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In Revelation 1:20 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

In Revelation 10:7 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Revelation 17:5 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery”.

In Revelation 17:7 KJV, mustēriŏn, is translated “mystery” in NKJV it is translated “mystery” with the note “hidden truth”.

 

Definitions:

*Secret(s) = (5475) used 10 times in The KJV Old Testament: Genesis 49:6; Job 15:8, 29:4;

Psalm 25:14, 64:2; Proverbs 3:32, 11:13, 20:19, 25:9; Amos 3:7. There are many

other Hebrew words used for secret in The KJV Old Testament.

çôwd = a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret:-assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel). From (3245) yâçad.

 

*Secret = (4601) used 1 time in The KJV New Testament: Romans 16:25; there are 7 other

Greek words for secret(s) in The KJV New Testament.

sagaō = to keep silent (transitive or intransitive):-keep close (secret, silent), hold peace;

from (4602) sigē = silence:-silence; from sizō.

 

**Mystery is not used in The KJV Old Testament.

 

**Mystery(ies) = (3466) used 27 times in The KJV New Testament – this is the only Greek

word used for mystery(ies) in The KJV New Testament.: Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Romans 11:25, 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7, 4:1, 13:2, 14:2, 15:51; Ephesians 1:9, 3:3-4, 9, 5:32, 6:19; Colossians 1:26-27, 2:2, 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:9, 16; Revelation 1:20, 10:7, 17:5, 7.

mustēriŏn = a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):-mystery; a derivative of muō (to shut the mouth).

 

***Council = ¹an assembly or meeting for consultation, advice or discussion; ²an official body of law makers; ³an association of persons for some common project.

 

***Counsel = ¹advice; ²a plan of action; ³deliberation together; ⁴one who gives professional advice or services.

 

*Strong’s Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary

**Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament

***Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus

CHRIST In You The Hope Of Glory!

 

CHRIST In You The Hope Of Glory!

Colossians 1:27

 

“to them GOD willed to make known what are The Riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is CHRIST in you The hope of Glory! NKJV

 

“to whom ELOHIM desired to make known what are the riches of The Esteem of this secret among the nations: which is MESSIAH in you, The expectancy of Esteem!” The Scriptures

 

Both a Protestant and a MESSIANIC translation tell us that GOD has revealed to the nations of the world the mystery that was hidden in The Torah and The Prophets: The Riches of GOD’s Glory which is CHRIST in The Believer! What does that mean?

 

JESUS told us that we have to abide in Him (John 15:1-17) if we are going to do anything in GOD’s Kingdom in the earth (this is how we build up treasures in Heaven, Matthew 6:19-24).

 

JESUS told us that His Word (His spoken and written Word) is Living (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17); and that His Word must abide in us (John 8:28-31; 17:20-26)

 

John 14:15-18 JESUS said if we keep His Commandments (spoken and written) He will give us His SPIRIT – The HOLY SPIRIT! The SPIRIT of GOD Lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

 

John 1:6-16 JESUS is The Glory of the Father and we are The Glory of JESUS (John 14:23-24).

 

So The Hope of GOD’s Glory to the nations is that GOD’s SPIRIT lives in every Believer and JESUS’ Words can live (abide) in every Believer, so that every Believer can proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16:14-18; Romans 1:16-17) so that all the people in the world can know of GOD’s Love and Plans for their lives (John 3:15-17; Psalm 139:15-18).

 

CHRIST in you The Hope of Glory is the point of Salvation – you (we) are saved by JESUS’ Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension, so that His SPIRIT and Word can live in us making us Children of GOD and Servants of His Kingdom in the earth to proclaim the Good News of GOD’s Love and Salvation for every human being!

 

That is why since creation GOD has been telling us to seek Him (Deuteronomy 4:29; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 55:6; Amos 5:4-6;  Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2)

https://youtu.be/QLlkDmZQpnE

Isaiah 55:6 by Suleman Javed

 

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6"

What a powerful and urgent call from the Lord: This verse reminds us that God's grace is available now. He is near, and His arms are open wide to all who turn to Him. But there is a window of opportunity—a time to respond—before it's too late. The Spirit calls us today, not tomorrow. Let us seek Him with all our hearts, while the door of mercy is still open. Now is the day of salvation. Call upon Him, for He is ready to answer with love, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Suleman Javed

Ephesians 1:9 by Pastor Tony Kim

 

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

God’s salvation is offered only by God’s grace. This is something we need to get down. We were not worthy of it or could we attain it. God’s salvation is given us to deliver us from God’s wrath. Without God’s salvation, there is no deliverance from God’s wrath that is certain to come. God chose His plan of salvation before the foundations of the world, because He knew that giving man a free will would include sin and man would need to be saved from sin. These facts are obvious from the scriptures and expressed more clearly in chapter 2.

God’s plan for the salvation of man included both Jew and Gentiles from the beginning. The process was the Jew first, then the Gentiles, Romans 1:16. This was God’s intended method revealed in the scriptures. Paul uses the word “mystery” several times in this letter. It has two meanings from the Hellenistic Greek spoken in Paul’s day.

Something secret and known only to a select few. The mystery of many religions. As used in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Jewish Old Testament writings, 2) describes what God reveals. Daniel 2:29. The Jews used the word to describe some secret plan that God would reveal at the end of the age.

In the New Testament, the word refers to a truth formerly hidden but now made known to people-in this case, to us, meaning all believers. Revelation in the scriptures or the mysteries of God are always progressive. Look at 1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

God knew that man could not handle everything He knows at once. So he reveals things to us in a sort of “need to know” method. When we need to know the what we need to know, would be revealed to us. Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. In this case, the revelation is, God’s plan to unite things in heaven and earth in Christ.

It was God’s will from the beginning to give his people glorious privileges. The fact that Paul used the word “mystery “ in with “God’s will” reveals the certainty of the outcome of God’s plans and promises. This is the why of the use of the term “according to His good pleasure.” It pleases God to make known to us the mystery of His will.

Pastor Tony Kim