Hidden Treasures


Matt 13:1 to 3 "The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;"(KJV) Matt 13:10 to17 "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."(KJV)

The world is filled with mysteries. These are things that are not seen, have not yet been understood, or happenings beyond our reason. When Jesus preached, He also talked of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. He also promised that these would be revealed to those who would hear His voice.

When I was a child, there was an old trunk kept in the attic. I was positively curious to know what was in it. Was it valuable documents, interesting pictures, keepsakes, antiques, or maybe some lost treasure. One day, together with my sister, we opened it and looked inside. It only contained some old clothes. The mystery was solved.

A mystery is no longer a mystery when it has been revealed. A mystery is opened by revelation.

There are many closets in my house. I know what is in them. I have boxes in the basement. I know what is in most of them. But if a stranger came into my house he would not know what was in my closets or my boxes. They would be a mystery to him until he looked in them.

Jesus said, John 10:4 "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice". (KJV)

It seems that God is very interested in keeping some things a mystery to those who are not a part of His family. Jesus admonished his disciples not to cast their pearls before swine. There are those, who because of their rejection and rebellion are not eligible to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

The scriptures reveal several wonderful mysteries. The first, perhaps the foundation of comprehending all of God's mysteries is the revelation of who Jesus is. Peter was one of the first to express this conviction. Matt 16:13 to 17 "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."(KJV) Notice that everyone had opinions of who Jesus might be, but Peter had the revelation of who He really was. Jesus went on further to say that Peter would be given keys. The purpose of a key is to open something. Peter, with the revelation of who Jesus was, was given the key to open that mystery to others.

We also see reference to the mystery of iniquity. II Thes 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (KJV) The mystery of the power of sin has held multitudes in blindness and captivity. How many people simply cannot see the darkness of their sin? Along with revelation, we are given discernment to recognize and overcome the sin.

Third, there is the mystery of faith and godliness. 1 Tim 3:9 "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (KJV) It is only through revelation, by the Spirit of God that we can understand how God can reach into our hearts, wash us from our sin and cause us to be born again. 1 Tim 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (KJV)

Fourth, God has revealed to us the mystery of Christ living in us. Col 1:27 "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:"(KJV) The wonder of salvation is that God, who inhabits the universe, would choose to live in my heart.

Fifth, we can experience a revelation of God's blessings extended to us. 1 Cor 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (KJV)

We can see a few of these blessings. 1 Cor 2:7 to 16 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (KJV)

The question now is how does God reveal these things to us? First they can be seen by observation. It is amazing however, how many people cannot see, because they don't want to see, or are held in blindness by Satan's power. Rom 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (KJV)

Matt 13:13 to 17 "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." (KJV)

Second, some mysteries can be revealed by the test of experience.

11 Pet 1:7 to 8 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (KJV)

Third, there are mysteries that are revealed to us simply by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His touch of life, brings the light of God into our soul, and suddenly all the dark corners are illuminated. Matt 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.(KJV) Matt 16:17 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (KJV)

Fourth, then comes the question of how to make a practical application of the revelation that we have received. It seems that if we do nothing, the revelation can actually be taken away, and the light that we have will be turned into darkness. 1 Cor 4:1 "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." (KJV) Matt 13:12 "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (KJV)

If I know of sin in my life, and refuse to deal with it, and continue in it, I will soon lose the power to discern good from evil.

Finally, there will come a day when all mysteries will be solved. When we stand in the presence of God, face-to-face, everything will be clear.

Rev 10:7 "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." (KJV)

1 Cor 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (KJV)

There will be no misunderstandings in heaven. At last ALL shall be revealed.