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Because of the prayer of Christ on the cross (Luke 23:34), and because Christ's death had to be AS it was, and WHEN it was, by God's eternal decree and purpose, (Acts 3:18; Acts 4:25-28; Acts 2:22; 1 Peter 1:18-20), God was willing to forgive Israel's murder of Christ (Acts 7:51-54) on the ground of ignorance. (Acts 3:12-17). Some of the Israelites DID repent. But the rulers and the nation as a whole would not.
Later, from the Nation Israel, God had a remnant according to the election of Grace, and "The rest were blinded." (Romans 11:5-12). Israel stumbled over the Stumbling stone. (Romans 9:32-33). "For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the END OF THE LAW for righteousness to everyone that believeth.' (Romans 10:3-4).
Israelites, with the exception of a few Hebrew Christians, are STILL blind and still ignorant of God's righteousness. But a very large percentage of the Gentiles, including millions who are church-members, are just as ignorant as were, and are, the blind Jews. They prefer to endeavour to establish their own righteousness with God, which is impossible, rather than have the righteousness of God established by Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21). This righteousness by the Faith is available for any Gentile or Jew.
Because the rulers of this world were ignorant, they crucified Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). The natural man, even though cultured and exceedingly religious, is ignorant of spiritual things. They are foolishness unto him. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14; John 3:1-13).
Spiritual things are not revealed to the wordly wise, "the wise and the prudent"; but "unto babes and sucklings." THIS is God's way, (Luke 10:21, 1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
The Divine truth of Romans 11:25-33 is so important for Christians to believe. Read very carefully Romans 11:25-26, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this Mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.'
When religious Christians are wise in their own conceits, the Holy Spirit cannot teach them this wonderful truth, which must be understood, if we are to know what God is now doing and what He will do in another age.
Why does the Holy Spirit say in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, "I would not have you ignorant"? Because He knew that religious sectarians, or denominationalists, would have their own creeds and programs, and that the truth of God concerning the Glorious Rapture of the Church would or could have no place in them.
So WHY? Why do the majority of even the most spiritual Christians NOT obey Ephesians 3:9, where we read, "And to make all men see what is the Dispensation of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God"? Because they have, more or less, of Judaism in their programs, which they cherish more than an obedience to Ephesians 3:9, most Christians will not obey Ephesians 3:9 and Ephesians 1:16-18. Now you know!
Only as we understand the first mystery of Romans 11:25-33 can we begin to understand the Mystery of Christ in Ephesians and Colossians. We must know the truth of Romans 11:30, that Gentiles received God's mercy because of NATIONAL Israel's unbelief. Salvation was sent to Gentiles, when and because of the fall of Israel. (Romans 11:11). Now here is a point that needs to be hammered home...Israel had not fallen, or been set-aside at the time Peter preached to Cornelius.
Now, if those Christians, mentioned previously, are NOT ignorant of the prayers of Ephesians 1:16-18; Ephesians 3:14-19; Ephesians 6:19-20 and Colossians 4:3-4, then they are WILLFULLY shutting out the light which comes with receiving the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation for this special Glorious Truth!
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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