The Gospel of the Glory of Christ

The Gospel of the Glory of Christ

This was the great mystery that had been revealed to Paul. What was this great mystery?

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness! He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” 1 Tim. 3:16.

The gospel is that Jesus was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and so it was God’s will that His fullness should come to dwell in Him and give Him as the head to the church, which is His body. Col. 1:18-19. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Col. 2:9-10.

The gospel gives us this possibility. Jesus has the pre-eminence—which means that all the members of His body are eminent. The intention is that we are to attain to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ. Col. 2:2-3.

It was not strange that, compared to the knowledge of Christ, Paul counted the things he had learned at Gamaliel’s feet as rubbish. Through this knowledge, Peter received faith in and partook of divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:3-4.

Only very few people have heard the gospel. They do not see the glory of Christ because the god of this world makes the visible things—the glory of the world—so attractive. The religious people of the world attempt to make their worship service as attractive as they possibly can on the outside so they can attract people to their meetings. They do not attract people with the gospel, but with entertainment. 2 Tim. 4:2-4.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:3-7.

When we proclaim the gospel, we proclaim God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ; and God’s glory will also shine from us to the degree that we have partaken of the gospel. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Therefore, it is only God who can give light, and we proclaim ourselves as servants to the same degree to those to whom God gives light. No one else can be a servant to those who are upright. 2 Cor. 6:4.

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord.” 1 Thess. 1:5-7.

The Jews who compared Jesus’ words with the words of the scribes heard this difference. Matt. 7:29. “And grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” 2 Tim. 1:9-11.

Seeing that Jesus came of the seed of David according to the flesh, nothing good dwelled in that flesh. He could not be saved from it by the law. However, when God condemned sin in the flesh, Jesus was obedient; sin was brought into death, and divine nature became His life.

In this way Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. This was a new way on which no man had gone before. They knew of the forgiveness of sins by sacrificing animals, but to put sin to death and receive divine nature instead was something new. Jesus brought this to the light through the gospel, and we who follow Jesus have received a glorious work to do among people.

Death was abolished because Jesus went this new way to the very end. Thus the resurrection of the dead was made possible by a Man, and He was the first one who did not see corruption. 1 Cor. 15:21; Acts 13:38-39.

All those who follow Jesus on this way have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. They belong to Him. They are the ones who will be quickened at His coming. 1 Cor. 15:23; Gal. 5:24. All of them have a share in God’s glory to a greater or lesser degree. 1 Cor. 15:40-49.