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"Praying . . . for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."   [Ephesians 6:18-20].

         It appears that in the very beginning part of this mystery, lies the fact that it is GOOD NEWS, the word "gospel" literally means "good news." Few seem to understand even this, let alone the deeper aspects which are "known only to the initiated."
 There has been much ranting and railing, negative condemning that doesn't have anything to do with the GOSPEL. In fact, there are two different Greek words that have been translated as "preach," one being, "kerusso" and means: to cry or proclaim. This word is used in Luke 3:3, "preaching the baptism of repentance . . . " This was the message of John the Baptist, as he came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, through whom the GOSPEL would be announced.
         Romans 2:21,"Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?" If you are preaching a certain thing, are you doing what you are crying about, what you are proclaiming? we often wonder about this when we hear so much preaching about this and that, especially when it appears to have little or nothing to do with the good news.
         Galatians 5:11, "If I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?" One might preach creed, politics, clothes-line holiness, etc. fighting this and that ism, but there is no GOOD NEWS in any such preaching. Let those who do not have any GOSPEL proclaim such things, and let those who are being initiated into the good news, faithfully declare it.
         The other Greek word for "preach" is "euaggelizo" meaning: to tell or announce good news. The prefix "eu" literally means GOOD, and "aggelizo" from the root to carry, or proclaim. There is a bringing of glad tidings, and a definite part of its mystery is how the messenger and the message become one. No wonder many cannot preach the gospel, they are not yet become good news. The more we are conformed to His image, and a partaker of His divine nature, the better the news we will have to share with others.
         We can often read in the Scripture words similar to Hosea 1:1, "The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea . . ." and as the word came to the prophets, they in turn would share it with those about them, being able to say, "Thus saith the Lord."
         Then again we read, "The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see." [ Habakkuk 1:1]. Next chapter, verse 1, "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto (literally, IN) me." Then he goes on to tell how the vision would be written upon tables, which Hebrews 8:10 indicates is "into their mind, and write them in their hearts. " Receiving this message INTO US, having it ingrained into our very being, we then actually BECOME THY MESSAGE. Some would be only a mouthpiece, to hear It and pass it on. Others shall be so processed that they will see the vision, receive it into their being, it will work in them "in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." [Revelation 10:10].
          For it must be digested, and worked out into experience with the nitty-gritty processes of every day living. But then when ANNOUNCED, it will be a sure message.
         There is a word in God's message to Paul, which bespeaks much for us even now "I have appeared unto thee for this purpose; TO MAKE THEE a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee." [Acts 26:16]. But the point is summed up in the three words, "TO MAKE THEE." This is more than just becoming a parrot to mouth the message to others, but it requires that deep in working of His truth into us, until HE DOTH MAKE US THE MESSAGE OF GOOD NEWS.
         "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ . . . Who called me by His grace, to reveal His Son IN me . . ." [Galatians 1:11-12, 12-16].
         The REVELATION of the gospel-- the only way we receive and comprehend the good news is by revelation-- divine illumination. If we hear only the words thereof after the natural, it is a "letter that killeth," but when we receive it by the Spirit, "the Spirit giveth life." [2 Corinthians 3:6]. Thus another part of the mystery of the gospel is the fact that it must needs be personally quickened by the Spirit to every individual. We are weary of just hearing words, we desire that deep inner quickening of the Spirit to cause truth to become LIFE within. And it is to be received TO MAKE THEE something-- even a messenger of that which is received.
         "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you." [1 Peter 1:25]. We are being (process) born again by the Word ( Logos ) of God. The Logos-- entire nature, will, purpose, intent, mind of God behind the Word given. Being a partaker of His will and mind, His purpose and plan, it becomes obvious that when we speak forth the message, it will embody the same.
        "Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He made to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast." [Isaiah 28:9].
         "For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (or perfect)." [Hebrews 5:13-14].
         There are mysteries which are being revealed only to those who are now being weaned away from the milk, going on to perfection, and being initiated into the deeper realities of the truth. "And this is the word (rhema, sayings, parts of speech ) by which the gospel is preached unto you." When the gospel is preached it is the bringing forth of the GOOD NEWS of the sayings of God which are to built up into the same image of the Logos of God. Beautiful are His in workings as line upon line, and precept upon precept the Word is given, received, experienced, and BECOME.
         The term "gospel" is a generality. It is manifold in its scope, but for comprehension, its ONENESS can be clarified by three divisions, though I do believe there are 12 different approaches to the Gospel, being spoken of as: the gospel of God, the gospel of Christ, the gospel of His Son, gospel of the kingdom, gospel of peace, gospel of the grace of God, etc. each of which holds within it a particular shade of meaning, but they can be summed up into three divisions, as: the gospel of the grace of God, which speaks of His character and love to us-ward; the gospel of the kingdom, which speaks of His authority and dominion; and the gospel of God, which speaks of the declaration of the prerogative of God, His total sovereignty, etc.
         We are only touching upon the "whispers of the mysteries," but one thing is certain, these things are only known to the initiated, as we BECOME the reality of every part of the gospel, to share as one with our Lord Jesus Christ.
        "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for MY SAKE and the GOSPEL'S, the same shall save it." [Mark 8:35].  As long as we struggle to retain our own soulish, ego-self-life, we shall never partake of His life, nor of the glory of the GOSPEL. But the more we are willing to lay down our own self, the more we shall become one in Him, and a partaker of the Gospel, to become one in its message and outworking.
         THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GRACE OF GOD is the declaration of His character, of His love and favor, which we are to share.
         Paul speaks of "the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." [ Acts 20:24]. Certainly it was GRACE manifested in his life, as God sovereignly transformed him from a man who was breathing out threatenings and slaughterings, to one ready to give his own life for the GOOD NEWS of God's grace to others.
         It is GRACE, not works, that makes it a gospel for both the circumcision and the uncircumcision. [Galatians 2:7]. For to both realms the message is, not of works, "but FAITH which worketh by love." [Galatians 5:6 ]. And thus it becomes the "gospel of your salvation." [ Ephesians 1:13]. The good news being that it is GOD'S OPERATION IN US, and not of ourselves, not of self-effort, not of human works, but totally His in workings of grace. No wonder it is also called "the gospel of peace." [Romans 10:15].
         Remember, also, the Hebrew word for "peace" is "shalom" from the same root as given for completeness. The good news of His grace is that God shall do a complete work of  transformation which will bring us into the full image and character of our Creator. "Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us." [Isaiah 26:12]. "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." [Psalm 138:8]. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6]. All by the sovereign intervention of the grace of God.
        "For you know by experience the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He being wealthy, for your sakes became poor, in order that, as for you, by means of His poverty you might be made wealthy." [2 Corinthians 8:9, Wuest].
         Herein is the message of GRACE.  We were not able to rise up to share fellowship with Him on the basis of wealth, for we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor,  blind, and naked." [Revelation 3:17]. We have nothing to offer, all our self-righteousness being as filthy rags. So He emptied Himself, "made Himself of no reputation," [Philippians 2:7] and came down to our realm of poverty, condescending to men of low estate, to take upon Him the form of a servant, until He confessed, "I can of mine own self do nothing." [John 5:30].  Identified with our poverty, we have a point of contact with the Man of sorrows, and then He releases His grace into us, imparts of His LIFE that we might rise up and RETURN to our Father's home. Such is the good news to us!
         "Moreover God is powerful to make every grace super- abound to you in order that having an all-sufficiency in all things, you may superabound to every good work." [2 Corinthians 9:8, Wuest].
         If the grace of God manifested toward sinful man is a mystery, how much more is that mystery intensified when we BECOME so one with that grace, that we will be able to minister grace toward all mankind, as "saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau," [Obadiah 21] and reveal His grace in correction unto righteousness.
         "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." [Romans 5:20]. That is the GOOD NEWS.  While we have heard a tremendous amount of proclaiming of this and that, until the air waves are jammed, and the earth suffers with noise pollution, we have heard very little ANNOUNCING THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. But it shall be proclaimed, for God is in the process of preparing His GRACE-MESSENGERS, and the shoutings of grace have scarce begun. There is a "grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ," [1 Peter 1:13] and with His appearing unto His firstfruits, and the infusion of grace which completes their transformation, then it will be time for the messengers to fly in the midst of heaven "having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth." [Revelation 14:6].
         Hear also, the GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM, the declaration of the authority of God. Jesus went about "preaching the gospel of the kingdom." [Matthew 4:23]. Declaring the authority of God over His creation, over the traditions and creeds of men, over all the elements, over all other powers including demons. "Never man spake l like this man," [John 7:46] for He announced such good news that it overwhelmed them.
         Certainly the gospel of the kingdom is the gospel of restoration. For He has total authority over every situation, to work all things together into good, and for His praise.
         The gloriousness of this good news is that not only is the "kingdom within you," but we shall enter into that which has been within because of its outward manifestation. So shall we also enter into the kingdom. It must be both inward and outward. What is within shall burst forth and fill the earth, for "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glorify of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."  [Habakkuk2:14].
         In all phases, from the "gospel of His Son," [Romans 1:9], to that good news which "brought life and incorruption to light," [2 Timothy 1:10] the message rings out that there is One who as authority over all adversity, and shall bring victory to all men. "The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed . . ." [Revelation 5:5] and through Him we also overcome.
         Yes, the earth shall yet face her darkest night, as the cup of iniquity is brought to the full, but the good news is there is One who has total authority over it all -- He sets the bounds, He controls the interplay of good and evil, and He shall ultimately subdue all things, "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." [1 Corinthians 15:26]. What triumph, what absolute victory! This is a gospel that brings courage to press on, for the end is secure, and we "are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." [Romans 8:37].
         Furthermore, the good news of the kingdom includes the fact that while HE is LORD OF ALL, He is also "King of kings, and Lord of lords . . . " for this authority is to be shared with those who become kings and lords IN HIM. When one did ask, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" the same went on to state, "Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." [Hebrews 2:6,8]. True, at this present time "we see not vet all things put under him. BUT WE SEE JESUS . . . " For in our Lord Jesus Christ we see the total victory that shall be shared with those who believe INTO HIM. He came demonstrating the authority of the kingdom.
         Mark begins his record, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as One that had authority, and not as the scribes." Then He immediately manifested that authority, for there was a man with an unclean spirit there, and He cast out the unclean spirit, so that "they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves.  What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him." [ Mark 1:1,14-15, 22, 27].
        "O earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord." [Jeremiah 22:29].  We stand at the threshold of the time when the GOSPEL shall be declared with authority, and no man shall gainsay that good news. His elect are now being initiated into its profound truths, and they shall speak out as His voice. "For the Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son." [John 5:22]. and the Son shares His throne with those who have OVERCOME the world, for "to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne," [Rev. 3: 21] and they shall "execute the judgments written: this honour have all His saints." [Psalm 149:9].
         But do remember, the kingdom is within, before it is manifested without. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." [Proverbs 16:32]. Let the authority now be within us, to control the passions which rise up. When all the enemies within us have been subdued, then shall He commit unto us the authority to go forth and establish righteousness in the earth. "Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." [2 Corinthians 10:6]. Then, "he that overcometh . . . to him will I give power (authority) over the nations: and he shall rule (shepherd) them with a rod of iron . . . " [ Revelation 2:26-27].
         We also read, "The Son of man hath power (authority) on earth to forgive sins." [ Matthew 9:6]. Not only is it good news that HE is able to forgive us our trespasses, but HE enables us to "forgive our debtors." [Matthew 6:12]. And even more than that, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them." [John 20:23]. For no more shall we "impute their trespasses unto them, " but we will "pray in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." [ 2 Corinthians 5:19-20].
         "Now is come salvation, and the kingdom of our God, and the power (or authority) of His Christ (anointed ones)." [Revelation 12:10].
         "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." [ Isaiah 32:1-2].
         The mystery of the Gospel has not even begun to be uncovered -- our eyes are just now beginning to be anointed to see the wonder of that which He hath prepared for them that love Him. A ministry of blessing to all mankind. Such good news, "to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace." [Luke 1:79]. Indeed, this mystery of the Gospel stands out in bold relief against the negative message of doom and despair, eternal hell fires and damnation. Such a gross distortion of the GOSPEL, one can only conclude that they who are proclaiming such things have never been initiated into its secrets, and therefore are unable to ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS.
         Paul also wrote, "we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God ." [1 Thessalonians 2:2]. For the message also includes the good news concerning our God-- His total sovereignty, etc. Since more shall be said on this in the chapter on "The mystery of God," we shall be brief in present remarks. Suffice it to say, how little GOOD NEWS has been spoken of our God. Men have made a caricature of His love, of His nature, of His being. They have imagined Him to be a vengeful monster with uncontrolled passion, needing to be appeased at the expense of taking out all His wrath upon His own Son. In ignorance they have imagined all sorts of vain things, for the gospel of God has not been revealed to them.
         Many also have transferred all the power of God to Satan, so that they believe the adversary is capable of frustrating and thwarting His purpose. But praise God, there is an unfolding revelation of HIS SOVEREIGNTY, that He is truly God, and none else." He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" [Daniel 4:35].
         There is coming a revelation of His creative power  in redemption, which shall amaze all men, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans, for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." [Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified].
        Furthermore, Jesus prayed, "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that they also maybe one in Us . . , " [John 17:21] so that we shall share in the joy of ministering that creative life and peace. Then shall be fulfilled the scripture, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." [John 7:38]. Quickening streams of divine flow, to be placed in every barren desert, to bring forth life to His glory and praise.
         The mystery of the Gospel is so glorious, we have not uttered more than the first few whispers, but "lf any man will do His will, he shall know the doctrine." [John 7:17]. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning." [Hosea 6:3]. There shall be a continual unfolding of His glory, bringing life, light, and salvation, until the universe shall be made anew, greater far than before the fall, (fall or God's leading?) and our God shall be ALL IN ALL, that is, the indwelling and controlling factor of life in every one. Bless His name!

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