~~ The Mystery People ~~

There is a great group of ‘Mystery People�?mentioned all through Scripture. I wonder if you have ever focused on this and discovered or wondered who this great group of Mystery People is?

I find it greatly interesting that this great group of mystery people is mentioned so much in Scripture, and yet even today, this group of mysteries are totally down-sided and back-washed, in favor of a group of people who displeased God at all times and whom God himself gave witness to as being stiff-necked, hard-hearted and continually displeased God with their many idols and abominations. This latter group, the natural Jews, are practically worshipped by the world, especially the church people of today.

So, who is this great group of “Mystery People�? Where do they appear in Scripture? Who are they? Let’s start with this quest of the mystery people:

Isa 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Isa 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Isa 63:17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Isa 63:18 The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

Isa 63:19 We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

Notice verse 15. Someone, in prophecy, is crying out to God and asking “where are your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? (Why have we not had this yet, they are asking). Verse 16 they are declaring that God is their father, even though Abraham had no knowledge of them and Israel did not acknowledge them. So this statement makes it very clear that this is not the natural children of Abraham and Israel which is speaking and calling God their Father.

In verse 17 these mystery people claim to be the tribes of God’s inheritance. Yet they have shown that Abraham and Israel had no knowledge of them. So who are they? Then they make the astonishing statement that they, the people of his Holiness, have possessed it only a little while, for their adversaries trod down his sanctuary. Then they make the bold claim, “We are thine. You never bare rule over them, they were not called by your name�? Who are they saying were not ruled over by God and never were called by his name? They were speaking of their adversaries, who trod down God’s sanctuary. So who was that? Not called by his name? Who are they speaking of? The answer to this is very surprising. I will give the answer to this question later in the message, but for now, let’s establish some more of the mystery.

Re 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Re 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Re 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Notice in verse ten, this great group, or cloud, of people claim God as their own God.

Let’s look at something here which declares that Israel will not have God’s mercy, nor be his people and he will not be their God: Ho 1:6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

Here is the second witness of this matter:

Ho 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

Ho 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Now who is God speaking to in verse nine? It has to be the natural house of Israel, Hosea’s people. Again he told them, I will not be your God.

But now look at verse ten. Here he speaks of the ‘mystery people�? who were not his people, but now are the sons of the living God.

Now watch the Apostle to the Jews speak of this great mystery people: 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Notice he called these people a spiritual HOUSE and an HOLY PRIESTHOOD.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Now that is a lot of praise for this great group of mystery people, a CHOSEN generation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, an HOLY nation, a peculiar people. Then he establishes that even though these were not a people in time past, they are now the people of God. So if the Apostle to the Jews, Peter, told that these mystery people are now the people of God, why is it that the world, especially the church folks, claim that the natural Jews are the chosen people of God? Do they never read Scripture? Or do they just not believe what the Scripture says?

Now we must also bring in the words of the great Apostle to the Gentiles on this subject. They must all agree. Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. Ro 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Now that establishes that both Peter and Paul quoted Hosea and agreed with him on this matter of the mystery people being the true people of God. So then it is imperative that we correctly identify these mystery people in the Word of God, for they are the Chosen Holy Nation of God. We must honour this great mystery group of people, for they are the Royal Priesthood of God. Now this is some great glory!

For identification lets go back to our beginning Scripture in Isa 63:19. They say this other group were not called by His Name. So in order to be one of His chosen people, they must be called by His name. So let’s find the ones who are called by His Name.

Ac 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ac 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, Ac 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: Ac 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Now notice the exact reading of the above passage. Simeon Peter declared how God visited the Gentiles to TAKE OUT OF THEM a people for his name. Notice it does not say that the Gentiles, as such, are this great mystery people. It said God was taking a people OUT OF THE GENTILES for his name. But notice that it also said that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, AND ALL THE GENTILES, UPON WHOM MY NAME IS CALLED.

Go back to Rev. 7:9 and see that it said the great group of mystery people came out of ALL NATIONS, kindreds and tongues. So this clearly establishes that this mystery people came out of every nation and tongue on earth. So that still leaves us with a mystery. Who are these people? The answer lies in Acts 15:17. The identifying quality is having his name called upon them. Ah. So now we are getting closer to identifying this great group of mystery people, who are the Chosen Nation and Royal Priesthood of God. So since both Peter and Paul had the revelation of this great Nation of mystery people, they will also have the revelation of this identifying quality. So lets find out what they told us about this matter of becoming one of the mystery people of the living God.

First, the man with the keys to the kingdom of Christ, Peter. Peter, how does one become a member of this great group of Royal Priests?

Ac 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ac 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Ac 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Ac 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Now we find here that these Jews saw that something was wrong with their standing with God and asked Peter what to do. Peter told them they must repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then he said this promise is unto you and to everyone else also. All who are afar off can have this same gift. So this fits what Rev seven said, that this great group of people came out of every nation on earth. But the secret to getting into this great group of mystery people was to obey this message which Peter preached right here, for this is the only way given to have his name called upon you. You must be called by his name, to be in this group of chosen priests. This is really what makes them a ‘peculiar�?people. Why is it ‘peculiar�? Because the rest of the ‘church�?baptizes without calling his name upon them. Notice that about three thousand souls obeyed this message that day and became the first members of the mystery people. They were Jews. So they knew that being Jews did NOT place them into this great group of people. So they obeyed the message of Peter right then, in order to become the first members into this great Body of Christ.

Did Peter verify this as the established way of God? Yes. Read on. First lets prove that this privilege of becoming one of the mystery people was for the entire world: Ac 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Ac 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

So we are staying true to all the Scripture here, for this fits exactly what was told in Rev. seven. See that he said in every nation those who fear God and work righteousness is accepted with him. So how do we work righteousness? Let Jesus tell us: Mt 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Mt 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Mt 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Now in all honesty, you have to admit that Jesus referred right here to being baptized as fulfilling all righteousness. If not, then you have an argument with Jesus himself. Do you think that he did not know what he was speaking about?

Now back to Peter and his second witness that this baptism and filling of the Holy Ghost is the way to become a member of this mystery group of Royal Priests of the Lord.

Ac 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Ac 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ac 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Ac 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Ac 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

While Peter preached Jesus to them, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon these Gentiles and they spake with tongues as the Jews had before them. This is precisely HOW they knew they had received the Holy Ghost. But that was not the end of the matter, not one bit. See verse 48? Peter commanded (this is the NT Commandment) them to be baptized in the NAME OF THE LORD.

Now that is the only accepted means of getting into this mystery group of God’s Chosen People. Want to be a part? Then you must obey these words to get into this elite or elected group of Royal Priests to God.

Now for the final test. Did Paul agree? All Scripture must agree. So did the Apostle to the Gentiles agree with this method of being allowed into this elite group? Read on.

Ac 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Ac 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Ac 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Ac 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Ac 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Ac 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Now we see that the followers of John had to come in the same route as the Jews and those Gentiles. They had to be re-baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus and then be filled with the Holy Ghost with the same evidence as the others. They spoke in tongues and prophesied. So is there another way in? If so, I want someone to show it to me. I find no other way laid out in Scripture. These NT ministers were in total agreement that this is the right means of coming into this Royal Priesthood, this Holy Nation of God.

So then the last question we need to clarify, who is this group of mystery people who are the Chosen of God? Is it the natural Jews? Is it the Gentiles? Or is it someone else? Who?

Again the Scripture is very clear on this matter. We already covered it all. But go back and read this again: Re 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Ac 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

Now there is the full answer to who is this great group of mystery people. It is all the true Christians, who have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to us by the Apostles of Christ. It is the people, of any and all nations, who have repented of their sins, been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and have been baptized with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This is the only way into this great group of mystery people, who are the called of God, the Sons of God, the Holy Nation, the Chosen peculiar people of God, and the Royal Priesthood. It is the BRIDE OF CHRIST. By one Spirit are we ALL baptized into ONE BODY. So we are no longer different groups of people. We are all ONE body. We are all members of this one great Body of Christ. Acts 2:38 is the only way in. You must be baptized in.

So the answer to the question of who did not allow God to rule over them-- It was and is all who refuse to come into the NT Covenant and obey the doctrine of the Apostles of Christ. It was the natural old Israelites. And it is almost all of the church folks today. It is everyone who refuses the plan of salvation described in Acts by Peter and Paul, Stephen and Philip.

Back to Isa 63: 18. Who was the adversaries who trod down the sanctuary? And what or who was the sanctuary? The adversaries are all the false shepherds and false sheep who ‘claim�?to be of God, and yet they fight against the true way of salvation. The sanctuary is the people in whom is the Holy Ghost. We are the true temple of the Lord. Jesus was the first and we are part of his Body. So we, the true Christians, those who obey Acts 2:38, and are truly filled with the Holy Ghost, are this sanctuary. So the Jews or old Jerusalem, is the adversary who persecuted and killed the Christians. It was that old LAW. That is the adversary of God and his People. Anyone who denies this true message is an adversary who is trampling down the true Sanctuary of God.

By: Jo Smith ~~ December 3, 2006