Chapter # 9 Paragraph # 4 Study # 5
April 1, 2018
Humble, Texas
(Download Audio)

• I. The First Concept: "Making Known".
  • A. The issue of "making known" is revealed by the use of the word to mean "to declare in words" so that an unknown is made known by explanation.
  • B. This is in distinction from the issue of "unveiling" as it was used in reference to the primary issue of "Justice": the wrath of God.
    • 1. As we noted, the word used in this case is a word that indicates the necessity of "backward reasoning" from an event to its cause(s).
    • 2. In Romans 1:18 Paul made the claim that it was this "unveiling", as an on-going fact, that lays the proper foundation for the understanding of the Gospel.
    • 3. But, the issue of "declarations of words" is not a matter of this "backward reasoning".
  • C. The primary reason for the distinction between methods is the requirements that consume this present time.
    • 1. This present time is not the setting for the actual experience of the "riches of the glory"; thus it is not going to be filled with events that can sponsor "backward reasoning".
      • a. This present time is filled with "contrary experiences" to what is generally perceived as "riches" of benefits because of the necessities involved in transforming "sinners" into "saints".
      • b. These "contrary experiences" negate the ability to draw legitimate conclusions from the events that take place.
      • c. Without the "words" of revelation about the invisible riches, we would have little to no knowledge of them.
    • 2. This present time is also filled with issues of "love" and "faith", neither of which are matters of visible evidences.
      • a. Beyond the very temporary manifestations of visible evidences and the exposure of very limited numbers of people, there remains only the intangibles of Love and Faith that are known only by declaration, not visible manifestation.
      • b. Thus, there is little argument from Paul that we have current unveilings of the truth about The God of Mercy.
• II. The Second Concept: the Riches Involved.
  • A. Always, "riches" are presented as "good"; never "negative" (we do not read of the "riches of His wrath").
  • B. Likewise, "riches" are always presented as "desirable for the issues of life".
    • 1. This is the issue of the "soul" and its need for rock-solid security in the face of Sin's various and deadly consequences.
    • 2. This is also the reason the adversary has always tried to make out that "riches" are rooted in material wealth so that those who pursue materialism have been seduced by a significant lie.
• III. The Third Concept: the Riches of His Glory.
  • A. The "glory" of God is His essential attributes.
  • B. The "riches of that glory" focus upon those particular attributes that swirl around "mercy" as the antithesis of "justice".
    • 1. This particular text/context is focused upon "vessels of mercy" as the recipients of the "preparation unto glory".
    • 2. Other texts/contexts of Paul's writings insert concepts like "goodness", "forebearance", "longsuffering" (Romans 2:4), "wisdom" and "knowledge" as they lead into unsearchable judgments and ways that are past finding out (Romans 11:33), "forgiveness of sins", "kindness" (Ephesians 1:7 and 2:7) and "might" as an element in the riches of God's glory (Ephesians 3:18) that is applied specifically to the strengthening of the inner man.
    • 3. The bottom line here is that there are certain aspects of the glory of God that are only known by declaration and are only experienced in any degree by faith.
      • a. These particular aspects of God's glory are "rich" (they are conducive to life).
      • b. But they are only experienced to any degree when their supportive words are "believed" and God has acted.
  • C. The "richness" of this glory is particularly related to the infinity of God and all of His glory.
    • 1. Riches as significant abundance are best perceived when that abundance is seen as unbounded.
    • 2. Riches as the root of "Life" is fundamentally imperative as the counter-balance to the infinite wrath of the Justice of God.
• IV. The Fourth Concept: Pre-preparation.
  • A. This introduces the issues involved at the roots of love and faith: just Who is going to underwrite this "Hope" and What is the foundation of that commitment?
  • B. The only legitimate object of "faith" is God, Himself (as in 1 Thessalonians 5:23) and the strength of that "faith" is in the particular "glory" of God known as "Grace".
  • C. A supporting text/context is Ephesians 2:10 where we are pointedly told that God has already decided what He will accomplish through us.
    • 1. This is not a "discouraging note" (as in "I have no say in what I will be able to achieve").
    • 2. This is an incredibly encouraging note because it enables me to "be at rest in my soul" (which is the ideal setting for true Love and Faith).