Table of Contents
This lesson explores the concept of God’s greatest gift being the ability to understand His mysteries, especially as revealed through scripture over time. It examines how gifts are inherently mysterious until unwrapped, likening this to God’s promises that required patient waiting before being fulfilled, such as the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. While many missed recognizing Jesus as the gift, those who accepted Him with open hearts were blessed with deeper understanding.
The lesson emphasizes that just as the first coming of Christ was long-awaited, we now eagerly anticipate His second coming and the gift of eternal life in God’s kingdom. To be ready and avoid missing this gift when it arrives, diligent study of scripture is crucial to gain full biblical understanding of the mysteries and promises for our era. The overarching point is striving for complete comprehension of God’s unfolding plan so we can properly recognize and receive His greatest gift when revealed.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
The Greatest Gift
Gifts are very interesting, aren’t they? They allow someone to give something valuable to another. But they come with unique characteristics. That as we see them from god’s perspective, will really help us see his heart and his desire for us. And how it has evolved over time. But how it’s sometimes still stays the same.
God’s greatest gift is the ability to understand His mysteries. To comprehend this gift, we must explore God’s mysteries from the past and see how they remain relevant today.
1. Gifts are a Mystery
Gifts are inherently mysterious to the receiver. The contents remain unknown until the gift is unwrapped. There is an anticipatory period where the gift sits wrapped, its contents concealed.
As more wrapped gifts accumulate under the Christmas tree, anticipation builds about what each one contains. As Christmas draws nearer, the excitement to uncover the contents intensifies. We all know the feeling of being an impatient child, peeking at tags and shaking boxes, bursting to reveal the surprises inside. Both gift giver and receiver experience expectation – the giver awaiting the reaction when the gift is finally seen, the receiver filled with curiosity for what waits inside.
Gift (mystery) —–> Time of Waiting ——–> Opened (Revealed)
2. God’s Mystery
So let’s see what god’s mystery or god’s gift has been throughout the bible, so that we can understand how God’s gift applies to us in our time.
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Apostle Paul refers to a “secret wisdom” that has been hidden since the creation of the world, but was intended for our glory. He suggests that God has a mystery or secret plan that must be understood in order to fully receive the glory associated with it.
This secret wisdom is contained in God’s Word. There appears to be a hidden or mysterious component to Scripture that points to our future glory. Like a closed book waiting to be opened in the proper time, there are aspects of God’s promises and plans that have yet to fully come to realization.
In our time, we can seek to understand these scriptural mysteries and God’s unfolding plans. As Paul celebrates having received revelation that even worldly rulers did not possess, there is clearly meaning here for us to explore.
Let’s examine some of the mysteries contained in Scripture that speak of God’s intentions to act and fulfill His promises in the future. One passage we frequently turn to beautifully illustrates the expansive time frame of God’s faithfulness – the immense gap between the giving of a promise and its fulfillment across history.
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.
God made a promise, stating in verse 18 that He would raise up a prophet for the people, one who would come from among them. This raises some questions – who is this promised prophet, when will he come, and alongside which brothers will he be born? Many who heard Moses’ words likely wondered about and waited for this prophet.
God —–> Prophet ——> Brothers
At the time Moses spoke, it would not have been possible to know the identity of the future prophet. This promise was sealed, wrapped up, still unseen and not yet understood.
The appropriate response was to wait patiently. That’s all they could do then – wait. To understand how this promise was eventually fulfilled, we can look at some additional prophecies.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
The Lord’s Anger Against Israel 8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. 9 All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart,
Another promise that God made is, “To us a child is born.” So, what question should we be asking? Who is this child that will be born? It also states, “The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.”
This means that God intends to fulfill or actualize what He has promised. What’s recorded here is that God is a gift-giver who is excited about a wonderful gift He will give. So then, we can ask, is the child to be born God’s gift? And how long until we see the reality and unveiling of this child, this promised gift?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Another word of God was spoken through the prophet Isaiah. He said a virgin will give birth to a son, a child which by human standards is not possible. But for God, everything is possible. So God promised a child would be born.
This child would become the Prince of Peace and he would be born to a virgin. Does anyone remember how long it was between Isaiah’s prophecy and these words being fulfilled? It was a long time – 700 years. That is a long time to have to wait, isn’t it? A long time between knowing a virgin would give birth to a son, like a gift that has been wrapped.
Of course I know we now know who the virgin and her son were, but that is because the prophecy has already been fulfilled. From our perspective, the gift has already been opened for us. That is why we are able to know the answer.
3. God’s Mystery Revealed
Clearly at the time these words were written, the people did not know the details. So at that time it was a mystery, the gift still wrapped. But God does not intend for the gift to remain wrapped forever, does he?
He intends for the gift to eventually be opened. God knows it takes time for his words to be fulfilled and he tells us we should patiently wait for it.
2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
The verses state to write down the revelation clearly so that a herald can spread the message. Verse three indicates that the revelation awaits an appointed time and will certainly come true without delay, as God has promised.
Although the revelation awaits God’s timing, there is eager anticipation on both God’s and the people’s part. Our role is to wait patiently. However, the time will come to take action based on what has been revealed. There is an appropriate time to wait and an appropriate time to act.
This concept is important – there is a time when the weight and waiting ends. As examples, we saw the fulfillment of Isaiah 9 and Isaiah 7 in Matthew 1 when the prophesied child was born. Now is the time to spread this good news.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
God had promised a gift that believers were patiently waiting for. This gift has now arrived with the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary.
At the time, only a few select people like the Magi were blessed with knowing that the Christ had been born and welcomed him. However, when the news reached those with worldly intentions, negative rumors spread quickly. The king even issued a decree trying to suppress God’s gift from flourishing because he did not understand it.
We should strive to be more like the Magi, understanding and supporting God’s gift, rather than acting like Herod against it. Jesus was a mystery to many. As the Apostle Paul described, Jesus embodied the mysterious plan of God finally revealed.
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul shared a profound revelation he received from Jesus after a life-changing encounter. Paul poured out his heart to establish churches, beautifully illustrating his struggle to convey this message. He wanted to ensure readers were encouraged, united in love, and grasped the gifts from God – namely, the previously hidden glory now revealed through knowing Christ.
As 1 Corinthians 2 explores, this treasure of wisdom, understanding and knowledge was unavailable to those who rejected Christ. What a wonderful gift, freely given to those who accept it, like a child accepting versus rejecting a gift. The promised prophet, Jesus, was sent to all, but only received by some. Let us avoid the mistake of those who missed the gift by failing to recognize its importance. May we instead model Paul’s passion for sharing truth with open hearts ready to receive it.
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
They missed out on all of the miraculous things that Jesus had to offer – the many miracles, the understanding and richness of scripture, the wisdom and knowledge. From God’s perspective at that time, it must have been deeply disappointing that the very people He had promised these blessings to were unable to accept His Son.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
People had preconceived notions about who Jesus was based on his ordinary background. Those familiar with his family were skeptical saying “We know his family, why should we listen to him?” Others expected the Messiah to match their assumptions, thinking “I thought he would be like this or that.”
Rather than judging, we should emulate those who accepted Jesus with joy and blessing. They saw past appearances and embraced him for who he was and what he did.
There is a gift in truly understanding Jesus. When we drop our assumptions and see him clearly, it brings joy.
4. The Gift of Understanding
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Imagine the excitement of Philip, Nathaniel, Peter, and Andrew when they came to the realization of who Jesus was. They were likely overjoyed as they exclaimed, “We have found the One whom Moses wrote about in the Law, and whom the prophets also wrote about – Jesus of Nazareth!” They realized that Jesus was the gift they had been waiting for.
Like an elated child, they must have thought, “This is excellent! He is exactly what we asked for!” Because of their joy in who Jesus was, they were blessed with a deeper understanding.
Let’s follow their example.
Let’s examine how Jesus blessed them, as described differently in Mark 13 compared to others. Jesus said special things to them that stood apart from what he told others.
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Eyes that can see and ears that can hear lead to understanding. The disciples were able to understand what they were witnessing – the fulfillment of prophecy.
Though there were many righteous people before them, they existed at a time when the gift was still wrapped. It was not yet time to see inside the gift. Even though previous generations desired to know what was inside, it wasn’t time yet.
The disciples lived during the time when the gift was unwrapped, making it possible for them to know what was inside. So Jesus called them blessed. But they were blessed not merely for seeing and hearing, but for understanding and believing.
5. What about Today?
So what about us today? How does this apply to us now? What is it that we should expect in our time? Hopefully, you’re thinking the return of Jesus, right?
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Jesus promised a beautiful future, didn’t he? What did he say? “I will return and take you to be where I am in the place that I am preparing.” But this promise is over 2,000 years old.
We have been waiting not just 700 years, not even double that, but almost triple – nearly 2,000 years. We’ve been eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to return, right? Our excitement for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is tremendous.
It feels almost like we are on Christmas Eve awaiting Jesus’ return. Doesn’t it? Let’s be thrilled for what Jesus has in store, but remember – when people were excited to meet the Messiah the first time, they did not recognize him and missed out on blessings.
How can we be sure it will be obvious when Christ returns? He promised it would be. How will we know for sure it has happened? Will it be clear? Let’s be those who wait patiently and prepare so we can identify and recognize when it takes place. The gift he brings this time is wonderful and we don’t want to miss it. What gift are we waiting for that Jesus will bring with him?
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift we await in these times is eternal life, as described in Revelation 21:4 – God’s kingdom coming, with no more death, mourning, crying or pain. The old order of things will pass away.
As we wait for Christ and God’s arrival, the gift to be revealed is heaven and eternal life. A key question we must ask ourselves is: will we recognize this gift when it comes and be ready for it?
That is why we study – to confidently say yes and know the mystery of God through studying scripture. We study so that even others may be blessed by our efforts to understand God’s word correctly. However, it is important that we first master scripture ourselves, with complete understanding as Apostle Paul said, before sharing teachings with others.
Let us be those with complete biblical understanding for these times.
Memorization
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Unwrapping God’s Greatest Gift: A Biblical Exploration of Mystery and Revelation
I. Introduction: The Allure of Gifts
- An exploration of the nature of gifts, highlighting their inherent mystery and the anticipation surrounding their unwrapping.
- Introduction of the central theme: God’s greatest gift is the ability to understand His mysteries, both past and present.
II. Unveiling the Mystery: God’s Hidden Wisdom
- Analysis of 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, emphasizing the concept of God’s secret wisdom, hidden since creation but intended for our glory.
- Emphasis on the importance of understanding this wisdom, which is revealed through Scripture, to receive the fullness of God’s intended glory.
III. Journey Through Time: God’s Unfolding Plan
- Examination of Deuteronomy 18:18-19, introducing the promise of a prophet like Moses and highlighting the lengthy waiting period for its fulfillment.
- Exploration of additional prophecies in Isaiah 9:6-9 and Isaiah 7:14, further elaborating on the promised prophet and emphasizing the mystery surrounding his identity and arrival.
IV. Revelation: God’s Gift Unwrapped
- Analysis of Habakkuk 2:2-3, focusing on the appointed time for the revelation and the need for patient waiting, followed by action when the time is right.
- Celebration of the fulfillment of the prophecies in Matthew 1:18-23 with the birth of Jesus, marking the unveiling of God’s gift.
- Examination of the mixed reactions to Jesus, contrasting those who recognized and embraced him with those who rejected him due to their preconceived notions.
V. The Gift of Knowing Christ: Unlocking Treasures of Wisdom
- Deeper dive into Colossians 2:1-3, revealing the profound revelation Paul received from Jesus and his passionate efforts to share it with others.
- Emphasis on the importance of recognizing and accepting Jesus as the ultimate gift, embodying God’s mysterious plan finally revealed.
- Exploration of Matthew 13:53-58 and John 1:11, highlighting the tragedy of those who missed God’s gift by failing to see past their assumptions and prejudices.
VI. Blessed to See and Hear: The Gift of Understanding
- Examination of John 1:45, capturing the joy of the disciples upon recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.
- Analysis of Matthew 13:16-17, highlighting the blessing bestowed upon those who truly understand Jesus, contrasting them with those who lived before his revelation.
- Emphasis on understanding and believing as crucial elements in receiving the gift of Jesus.
VII. Waiting with Anticipation: What Awaits Us Today?
- Reflection on John 14:1-3 and Jesus’ promise of his return, focusing on the lengthy waiting period and the anticipation surrounding his second coming.
- Caution against repeating the mistakes of those who missed Jesus’ first coming due to their expectations and lack of preparation.
- A call to patient waiting and preparation, ensuring readiness to recognize and receive Christ upon his return.
VIII. The Ultimate Gift: Eternal Life in Christ
- Unveiling the gift we await today: eternal life in Christ, as promised in Romans 6:23 and described in Revelation 21:4.
- Emphasis on heaven and eternal life as the ultimate gifts revealed upon Christ’s return and God’s arrival.
- A challenge to cultivate a deep understanding of Scripture to confidently recognize and embrace these gifts when they arrive.
IX. Conclusion: Embracing God’s Mystery and Revelation
- A call to become individuals with complete biblical understanding, equipped to recognize and embrace the fullness of God’s gifts in these times.
- A final encouragement to delve into the mysteries of Scripture, unlocking the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that lead to eternal life in Christ.
A Study Guide
God’s Greatest Gift: A Study Guide
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What is the main idea of the passage?
- How does the passage compare God’s gifts to physical gifts?
- What is the “secret wisdom” referred to in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8?
- What promise did God make in Deuteronomy 18:18-19, and how long did it take to be fulfilled?
- How does the passage connect Isaiah 9:6-9 and Isaiah 7:14 to the coming of Jesus?
- How does the author use Matthew 1:18-23 to illustrate God’s gift being revealed?
- According to the passage, what mistake did the people in Jesus’ hometown make?
- What is the significance of the disciples’ ability to “see” and “hear” in Matthew 13:16-17?
- What is the gift that we await in our time, and how does Romans 6:23 connect to this?
- According to the passage, what is the importance of studying scripture?
Answer Key
- The main idea of the passage is that God’s greatest gift is the ability to understand his mysteries, particularly the mystery of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life.
- The passage compares God’s gifts to physical gifts by highlighting the element of mystery and anticipation present in both. Just as a wrapped gift creates excitement and curiosity before being opened, God’s promises are often veiled in mystery and require faith and patience as we await their fulfillment.
- The “secret wisdom” referred to in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 is God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, a plan hidden until its revelation in the New Testament. This wisdom was not understood by the rulers of the age, which led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
- In Deuteronomy 18:18-19, God promised to raise up a prophet like Moses from among the Israelites. This promise was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, approximately 1500 years later.
- Isaiah 9:6-9 prophesies the birth of a child who will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 7:14 specifically foretells the virgin birth of a son named Immanuel. The passage connects these prophecies to Jesus, identifying him as the promised child and Messiah.
- Matthew 1:18-23 describes the virgin birth of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah. The author uses this event to illustrate God’s gift being revealed, highlighting the moment when the mystery surrounding the promised Messiah was unveiled.
- The people in Jesus’ hometown, familiar with his humble upbringing, failed to recognize him as the Messiah and took offense at his teachings. Their preconceived notions prevented them from seeing and accepting the gift of God in their midst.
- The disciples’ ability to “see” and “hear” in Matthew 13:16-17 signifies their spiritual understanding and acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. They were blessed to witness the fulfillment of prophecy and comprehend the significance of his teachings.
- The gift we await in our time is eternal life and the arrival of God’s kingdom. Romans 6:23 states that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” connecting the gift of salvation through Jesus to the ultimate promise of eternal life.
- Studying scripture is crucial to understanding God’s mysteries and recognizing the fulfillment of his promises. It allows us to confidently accept God’s gift of salvation and prepare for the coming of his kingdom.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Mystery: A truth or plan revealed by God that was previously hidden and requires spiritual understanding to comprehend.
- Prophecy: A divinely inspired message or prediction about future events.
- Messiah: The anointed one chosen by God to save humanity from sin. In Christianity, Jesus is recognized as the Messiah.
- Fulfillment: The realization or accomplishment of a promise or prophecy.
- Eternal Life: The gift of God that grants everlasting life in his presence, free from death, suffering, and sin.
- Revelation: The act of God revealing hidden truths or future events to humanity.
- Immanuel: A Hebrew name meaning “God with us,” used to identify Jesus as the embodiment of God’s presence among humanity.
- Magi: Wise men or astrologers who traveled from the east to worship the newborn Jesus, guided by a star.
- Herod: The king of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth, who sought to kill Jesus out of fear and jealousy.
- Disciples: The followers of Jesus who learned from him and were entrusted with spreading his message.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events:
Old Testament:
- Time of Moses (approx. 1400 BC): God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses from among the Israelites (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).
- Time of Isaiah (approx. 700 BC):Isaiah prophesies the birth of a child who will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” and will reign on David’s throne (Isaiah 9:6-9).
- Isaiah prophesies that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son named Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
New Testament:
- Around 4 BC: Jesus Christ is born to the Virgin Mary, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah (Matthew 1:18-23).
- Around 30 AD:Jesus begins his ministry, teaching and performing miracles.
- John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the one prophesied by Moses (John 1:45).
- Many reject Jesus, including people in his hometown (Matthew 13:53-58, John 1:11).
- Jesus promises his disciples that he will return and take them to be with him (John 14:1-3).
Present Day:
- Christians await the second coming of Jesus Christ, which will bring eternal life and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom (Romans 6:23, Revelation 21:4).
Cast of Characters:
1. God: The central figure, giver of the ultimate gift – understanding of his mysteries and ultimately, eternal life.
2. Moses: Old Testament prophet who received God’s promise about a future prophet like himself.
3. Isaiah: Old Testament prophet who foretold the birth of a child to a virgin, and detailed characteristics of this future king.
4. Jesus Christ: The promised Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. He brought the gift of understanding God’s plan and promised to return.
5. Apostle Paul: New Testament figure who received revelation about the mystery of God being revealed in Christ. He passionately spread this message and urged believers to seek understanding.
6. The Magi: Wise men who recognized the significance of Jesus’ birth and welcomed him, representing those who accepted the gift.
7. Herod: King who attempted to kill baby Jesus out of fear and misunderstanding, representing those who rejected the gift.
8. John the Baptist: Identified Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.
9. Philip, Nathaniel, Peter, and Andrew: Early disciples who joyfully recognized Jesus as the promised one and were blessed with deeper understanding.
10. People of Jesus’ hometown: Those who rejected Jesus due to their familiarity with his human family, missing out on the blessings he offered.
11. Christians Today: Believers who await the second coming of Christ, anticipating the ultimate gift of eternal life.
Overview
Briefing Doc: Understanding God’s Greatest Gift
Main Theme: This lesson explores the concept of God’s greatest gift to humanity, arguing that this gift is the ability to understand His mysteries, particularly the mystery of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life.
Key Ideas and Facts:
- Gifts as Mysteries: The lesson uses the analogy of wrapped gifts to explain the concept of God’s mysteries. Just as a wrapped gift’s contents are unknown until opened, God’s plans and promises are often shrouded in mystery until their appointed time of revelation.
“Gifts are inherently mysterious to the receiver. The contents remain unknown until the gift is unwrapped.”
- The Mystery of the Prophet: The Old Testament promise of a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18-19) is presented as an example of God’s mystery. The lesson argues that this promise found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
“God made a promise, stating in verse 18 that He would raise up a prophet for the people, one who would come from among them. This raises some questions – who is this promised prophet, when will he come, and alongside which brothers will he be born?”
- Jesus as the Revealed Mystery: The lesson emphasizes that Jesus Christ embodies the unveiling of God’s mystery. It cites Colossians 2:1-3 to highlight this point:
“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
- The Importance of Understanding: The lesson stresses the importance of understanding God’s mysteries, particularly the mystery of Jesus, drawing a parallel between those who recognized Jesus and those who rejected him.
“Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Eyes that can see and ears that can hear lead to understanding. The disciples were able to understand what they were witnessing – the fulfillment of prophecy.”
- The Gift of Eternal Life: The lesson concludes by emphasizing that the ultimate gift we await is eternal life through Jesus Christ, as promised in John 14:1-3 and Romans 6:23. This gift is linked to the second coming of Christ, and the document encourages readers to be prepared for this event.
“The gift we await in these times is eternal life … As we wait for Christ and God’s arrival, the gift to be revealed is heaven and eternal life.”
- The Call to Study and Understand: The lesson strongly advocates for studying scripture to gain a deeper understanding of God’s mysteries, equipping individuals to recognize and embrace the ultimate gift of eternal life.
“Let us be those with complete biblical understanding for these times.”
Quotes of Note:
- “God has a mystery or secret plan that must be understood in order to fully receive the glory associated with it.”
- “This gift has now arrived with the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary”
- “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
- “The gift he brings this time is wonderful and we don’t want to miss it.”
Overall Impression: The lesson presents a theological perspective that emphasizes the progressive revelation of God’s mysteries throughout history, culminating in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. It encourages readers to engage in scripture to achieve a deeper understanding of these mysteries and be prepared for the second coming of Christ.
Q&A
Q&A: God’s Greatest Gift
1. What is God’s greatest gift?
God’s greatest gift is the ability to understand His mysteries, encompassing His plans and promises revealed throughout history and culminating in our present time. This understanding is a key to receiving the full glory God intends for us.
2. Why are God’s gifts often described as mysteries?
Just like a wrapped present, God’s gifts have an element of the unknown until they are revealed. This creates a sense of anticipation and requires patience and faith as we await their unveiling.
3. How was the mystery of the promised prophet revealed?
God’s promise to send a prophet, initially given through Moses, was gradually revealed over centuries through prophecies in Isaiah and other books. This mystery was ultimately unveiled with the birth of Jesus Christ, fulfilling the specific details foretold about his miraculous conception and mission.
4. How did people react to Jesus as the revealed gift?
While some, like the Magi and Jesus’ disciples, recognized and embraced Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, others missed the gift due to preconceived notions or skepticism. Their lack of understanding prevented them from experiencing the blessings Jesus offered.
5. What is the significance of “eyes that see and ears that hear” in relation to God’s gifts?
Jesus emphasized that true blessedness comes not just from physical sight and hearing, but from spiritual understanding and belief. Those who recognize and accept God’s revealed truths are blessed with deeper understanding and access to His gifts.
6. What is the gift we await in our time?
Today, we eagerly await the return of Jesus and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. The gift we anticipate is eternal life, as described in Revelation 21:4, characterized by God’s kingdom on earth, the absence of suffering, and the complete renewal of all things.
7. How can we prepare to receive this ultimate gift?
We can prepare by diligently studying scripture, striving for complete understanding of God’s word. This will equip us to recognize and embrace Christ’s return and the eternal life He offers, avoiding the mistake of those who missed God’s gifts in the past.
8. Why is sharing this understanding important?
Just as the Apostle Paul passionately shared his revelation about Christ, we are called to help others understand God’s mysteries. By sharing our knowledge and understanding, we can contribute to others recognizing and receiving God’s greatest gifts in their fullness.