“ A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
“ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
Matthew 17:10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Luke 7:26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
“The mystery hidden from ages now revealed.” God chose to reveal this mystery to us. He chose to make known that which had previously been vague. I wonder if we, on the knowing side of the mystery, fully understand the magnitude of this great gift. Do we treat it as though it is something special or just a bit more information. It would appear as though we have been brought out from designed ignorance into God given wisdom in things so wonderful and blessed that our voices should ring with praise and thanksgiving to God. But reality is we don’t truly understand the ignorance others lived in so this comparison can only be a mental exercise. We live in a time where there is so much information at our finger tips. World troubles are seconds away from us knowing they happened. World accomplishments the same. It would appear we are living in a time of testing our resolve to remain true to God even though all of this bombardment of information is happening. We have been given access to God through His son. We have been given His word to better understand Him and what it means to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. Do not let the speed and influx of this world’s information take one second away from spending time with God and His word. Do not underestimate satan’s attempt at deceiving us into believing we are too busy or this other stuff is more important. We leave this world with nothing and enter into eternity with true hope, faith, and assurance of salvation through Christ and promise of life with God. Or, we spend this life totally cold or lukewarm to living for, trusting in, relying on, or clinging to Him ending in a life lived for self and no true hope. The only thing that awaits is utter torment for eternity.