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Tim 3:16 (ESV) Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
NOTE: There are a
select number of mysteries in the New Testament. By definition, they are things
revealed fully in the New Testament, but only hinted at in the Old Testament.
This mystery here is the incarnation. Why? Six major clues. One, he was manifested
in the flesh, not just born but manifested, meaning he existed before he was
born. Two, he was vindicated by the Spirit. Any normal person would not require
a vindication, but the Spirit descended upon him as a dove during his public
baptism, and God spoke saying "this is my Son." Third, he was seen by
angels. That would not be important unless it was something that they were
waiting for in realization of prophecies. Fourth, he was proclaimed among the
nations. This was no simple individual, but someone the world needed to hear.
Fifth, he was believed on in the world. His message was believed. When he says
"I am the way, the truth, and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father except
through me," he states an exclusive statement that if believed is the most
important statement a person can ever hear. Sixth, as evidence of everything
else, he was taken up in glory, a term reserved for God himself. And actually
seven, the mystery of godliness is that God-likeness is defined by this person--his
name is JESUS.
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