2/5/10
Difficult and simple
This fascinating document is a mystery. The greatest minds in the world have been working together (via the Internet) for sometime to try to decipher it; without success. It is called the Voynich manuscript and contains information on Astronomy, botany, microbiology and other topics. Written in two intertwined languages it defies understanding and even the last page which contains the key remains a complete and utter mystery. Some say it was written by Rodger Bacon, but no one really knows. The Apostle Paul refers to a mystery too, but his comments do not need explanation (someone has already translated from the original Greek language).
Ephesians 3:1-11 WEB (R)
(1) For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
(2) if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
(3) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
(4) by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
(5) which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
(6) that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
(7) of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
(8) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
(9) and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
(10) to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
(11) according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;
Paul was a nobody, but God used him greatly. Most of our New Testament was written by him, but, why? Because God wanted it that way and so it is. God also wanted those who were NOT JEWS to have a way out from sin and so Paul preaches that this "Good News" is for everyone. You don't need a secret decoder ring or a Wee gee board, just the ability to hear and respond. Not very mysterious, but sometimes things don't have to be. And am I glad, because I was never any good at crossword puzzles or scherades.