No, we share God’s wisdom, which is a mystery that has been hidden until now. But before time began, God planned that this wisdom would bring us heavenly glory.
So the words spoken by the prophet came true: “I will open my mouth and tell stories. I’ll speak about things that have been hidden since the world was created.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from wise and educated people and shown them to little children.
After you’ve suffered for a little while, the God of all grace will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. He has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ.
Everyone who lives on the earth will worship the beast if their name hasn’t been written in the book of life that belongs to the Lamb, who was willing to be a sacrifice from the time the world began.
The Spirit of Christ in them was telling about the sufferings of the Messiah and the glory that would follow. They wanted to find out when and how this salvation would come.
God has saved us and called us to live a holy life. This isn’t because of anything we’ve done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus even before time began.
I want to appeal to the elders among you as someone who’s an elder himself. I also appeal to you as a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as someone who will share in the glory that’s going to be revealed.
God planned that those he already knew ahead of time would become like his Son. In that way, Christ would become the first and most honored among many brothers and sisters.
God made these plans for people to become like his Son, and he called those people to be saved. Then he made those people right with himself, and finally, he them gave his glory.
Brothers and sisters, here’s a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God, and that will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom.
And that’s how it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I didn’t use fancy words or human wisdom to preach the truth to you about God’s love.