You see, the Lord Jesus used the above ‘Phrase’ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’ several times in the Gospels and into the Book of Revelation, though keep in mind, every time, very intentionally and selectively.
So what is the Lord Jesus trying to say? We know most people have ears. Then why and what did the Lord Jesus mean? Was there a Mystery behind those words? In other words were those words Prophetic?
God reveals truths at different intervals of His Calendar, truths which were once concealed (Deuteronomy 29:29) but can be only received in Faith, ‘Be it unto to me as per your Word’ never with our intellect, however pious and God fearing we are. Mysteries and Revelations cannot be understood at the face of it, for it needs to only to be accepted by faith with a counter personal revelation (if our hearts are humble, open and seeking).
The next greatest event in God’s Calender is the Rapture – Gathering of the faithful Bride of Christ, as the Lord Jesus comes with the clouds of Heaven which 1 Corinthians 15:51 calls a ‘Mystery’. In the light of this, can we expect our Great God to bring out a Revelation, unlocking this ‘Mystery’? The Lord Jesus said to His disciples are given the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:11).
Let’s step back a little and recollect that even the 12 Disciples of the Lord Jesus did not know and understand everything their Lord and Master spoke? Even when the Lord Jesus spoke plainly to them, their stuck mind came in the way.
To take the first example about the Lord Jesus trying to repeatedly tell them, “It’s time for the Son of man to be delivered into the hands of men, and after which He would die to rise again.”
Luke 9:44-45 44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.
John 20:8-9 8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
Taking another example, when the Lord said in Mark7:14-15 saying ‘Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.’ Mark 7:19 ends with brackets (Thus He declared all foods clean).
Now look closely, it is at that very time, the Lord Jesus then says in Mark 7:16 ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’
Whenever the ‘Prophetic Phrase’ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’ was spoken by the Lord Jesus, three aspects surrounded it:
- Firstly, it was a turning point in God’s calendar, for His People.
- It was spoken as a pretext to a Great Mystery which would be later unlocked.
- Lastly, even though the Lord clearly spoke those words, strangely though, we see His people still took time to fully understand it. Because in those words was a Great Mystery to be unlocked at latter point of time. In other words those words were prophetic of our Lord. (Think about it, for if our Lord quoted Prophet Isaiah’s and other Prophets words being fulfilled in His time, we err in thinking that the words of Lord Jesus would not carry prophesies to be fulfilled at latter points of time).
The Lord God intentionally put the setting of the ‘Phrase’ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’ soon after bringing out the Revelation ‘that all foods were clean’ only to know that later on He would use this same revelation to connect and open a much Bigger Truth/Mystery. Yes the same became a turning point in God’s Calendar for the Gospel to be preached to the Gentiles who were once considered unclean. However it only took an attentive and sensitive and alert ear of few Jewish Believers, who were tuned in to His Spirit to pick up the same.
Today in these Last Days, once again the Spirit of the Lord, is opening up another great secret thing of God which was hidden all this time, in the settings of the same ‘Phrase’ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’ – Yes, it is the prophetic words of the Lord Jesus to our generation upon whom the ends of the ages has come.
Mark 4:22-23
‘For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed;
nor has anything been secret,
but that it would come to light.’
‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’
The Mystery of the Rapture as in 1 Corinthians 15:51 which was once locked up, only to be opened now, true to the word of God in these last days as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:17-18. However even after it’s being opened, many would still confess – ‘NO ONE KNOWS’. Even though the Spirit of the Lord has now opened the Seals of things which were once locked, we still confess with our mouths that ‘IT IS Still SEALED’ as prophesied way back by Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 29:13 and Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 6:17. Why? That is because unfortunately over the years we are so influenced by the Teachings, Tradition and Doctrines of man (and man’s spirit has rubbed on us more than God’s).
While documenting this Book ‘THE MYSTERY UNLOCKED’ I was humbled when the Lord brought to me two Prophetical portions to this Book as below:
Isaiah 29:11-13
11 The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed,which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.”
And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”12 Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please” and he says, “I am not literate. Therefore the Lord said: “In as much as these people draw near with their mouths and honour Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men”
Jeremiah 6:17
Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
This Book ‘The Mystery Unlocked’ is as a forerunner announcing Christ Jesus – The Bridegroom’s coming (Matthew 25:6). Why? Because of God’s immense love for His people, in wanting none to perish!
If you are thinking, the Church cannot possibly expect any new Prophecy or Revelation from the Lord in these Last Days, you are mistaken. Yes of course, we not only can but we are told to be attentive and not despise it when it comes (Mark 4:22-23; John 16:12-13; Acts 2:17-21; 1Thessalonians 5:19-21; Revelation 3:22).This Mystery that is now Unlocked, is what the whole creation and even the angles longed to look into (Psalm 98; Romans 8:19-25; 1Peter 1:9-13).
I will bring another portion in the Book of Revelation, which may open your eyes as you read a portion from the Bible, where the Lord Jesus Himself is saying a faithful obedient believer who is continuing in God’s word, will know the time of His coming. We see there, It’s only an disobedient, unfaithful and complacent believer will not know the time and hour of His Bridegroom’s coming. But notice again the Lord ends with those words ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’. I would like you yourself to take time out digging into the word of God and discern for yourself as you read that portion from Revelation 3:2-6. I am in awe when I see how beautifully it ties up so well with the Lord’s another own Prophetical Parable of the 10 Virgins. When the Lord Jesus brought out that the 5 prepared Wise Virgins knew the time of His coming and saw their Bridegroom as they went with Him into the room, to have the 5 Foolish left out knowing the Door not knowing when the Lord came (as a Thief would come and go) Matthew 25:1-13. Again we see the another Scripture tying up so beautifully with the revelation which Apostle Paul got, when spoke boldly declaring the same in 1Thessalonians 5:4-5.
Beloved of Christ the Book ‘THE MYSTERY UNLOCKED’ brings our attention to many prophetic words which are being opened, unto our generation upon whom the ends of age have come. The question is, are we going to be alert, watchful and heed and discern, (not miss it this time again like our predecessors – the Jews)? Are we going to despise any new revelation (in the Err of the arrogance of our understanding of Scriptures – Romans 11:33-36) what the Lord’s Spirit may be bringing to the Church in these Last Days? Especially in the light of the next greatest even in God’s Calendar which even angels looked forward to. (1Thessalonians 19-21; 1 Peter 1:10-13).
Daniel 12:9-10
9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel,
for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.
10 Many will be purged, purified and refined,
but the wicked will act wickedly;
and none of the wicked will understand,
but those who have insight will understand.
Revelation 3:22
He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed,
which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit
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27th Feb 2012
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