Tag Archives: understanding

Mysteries of the Bible

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The Gospel, sometimes called a mystery, contains the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. In this article we will survey some of the mysteries of the Bible. Each of these could take a full article of itself, or perhaps even a book, to thoroughly explain. But for the purpose of this article some of them are covered in a summary fashion, along with a discussion about why the Bible itself is a mystery to most people.

The gospel, God’s word, the Bible, is indeed a mystery. Though the most widely distributed book in history according to guinnessworldrecords.com, its teachings are properly understood by, relatively speaking, only a handful of people. Many specific truths are revealed in the Bible, that are themselves mysteries, even though, ironically, they are explained clearly in the Bible.

Why is the most widely published Book in the world a mystery? Why are its teachings mysteries? To help us understand, let’s look at the word mystery itself, as used in the Bible, and discuss its meaning.

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How to Study and Understand the Bible (part 2)

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Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31). The “word of God” has been preserved in the Scriptures, the Holy Bible. In it are found the words, the teachings, of Jesus Christ, and the words of God sent to the prophets and others and which together make up the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Paul wrote to Timothy, “… from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:15-17). If we are to abide in God’s word, if we are to be indeed the disciples of Christ, if we desire the salvation spoken of in the Bible, we need to diligently study the Bible so we can learn of its teachings and apply them in our lives as our knowledge of God and genuine godly faith grows. The second part of the message “How to Study and Understand the Bible”, providing keys to help guide listeners to effective Bible study is posted here.

Copyright © 2025 by Messenger Church of God

Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

How to Study and Understand the Bible (part 1)

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The word disciple is often used of the followers of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. “Disciple” in English versions of the New Testament is translated from the Greek mathētḗs, which means a learner, student. “A ‘disciple’ was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher” (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Jesus commanded “Learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). The Greek word from which “Learn” is translated in this verse is in the imperative mood, the mood of command. Jesus Christ is our teacher (Matthew 10:24-25), we are commanded to learn from him, to be his students, and adherents, learning and following his teachings.
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Mysteries of the Bible

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Though the most widely distributed book in history according to guinnessworldrecords.com, the teachings of the Bible are properly understood by, relatively speaking, only a handful of people. Many specific truths are revealed in the Bible, that are themselves mysteries, even though they are explained clearly in the Bible. Why is the Bible so little understood? Is there a key — or keys — which will unlock the mysteries of the Bible?

Copyright © 2025 by Messenger Church of God

Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

cogmessenger.org

Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1

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In recent decades our country and others have sent many rockets and satellites hurtling off into space, some destined for the far reaches of the solar system. For a rocket or a space probe to reach its target it must be carefully guided. The slightest deviation from the prescribed path can cause a space probe to miss its target by millions of miles. A small deviation of a satellite from its correct altitude and attitude in space can render it useless. Very sophisticated guidance systems have hence been developed to monitor and correct the paths of rockets, space probes and satellites as they journey toward their destinations. Without the corrections made by such guidance systems, a useful space program would not be possible.

For all their complexity, however, every guidance system has three basic components. This applies even to navigational systems for ships and airplanes, or any vehicle traveling from one place to another.

Each guidance system has: (1) a reference point. In the case of satellites and space probes, or even ships traversing the ocean, the reference point is usually the sun or a star. (2) Sensors to detect any deviations from the prescribed course. (3) A means of correcting errors to get back on the proper course.

The same principles apply to each of us spiritually. We too are traveling through life with a target: The target God intends for human beings is holy, righteous character. The reference point against which we measure our progress is God. We have available sensors to alert us to where we are deviating from the prescribed path. And we have available the means of correcting our attitudes and behavior so our paths are directed toward the target.

In “Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1,” Rod Reynolds reviews how God’s guidance system provides the means of correction necessary to help us reach our God given destiny. This message contains information vital to the interests of every human being.

“Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1,” a message by Rod Reynolds, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA