Fellowship of the Mystery - Generational Promises
Nations Divided in the Earth after the Flood
Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Shem – 2^nd Born	Ham – 3^rd Born	Japheth - 1^st Born
Genesis 9:26 … Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.	Genesis 9:25 … Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.	Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Prophecy Begins fulfillment in Chapter 12 and is Eternal	Prophecy Fulfilled within 200 years	Prophecy begins to be fulfilled in 1500 years and lasts even today
Elam	Cush	Gomer (Germany, Crimea, Cambria,Celts)
Asshur(Assyria)	Seba	Ashkenaz(Germany, Saxons, Scandanavia)
Arphaxad	Havilah	Riphath (Carpathians)
Salah	Sabtah	Togarma (Armenia)
Eber (Hebrews)	Raamah	Magog (Georgia, Scthians)
Peleg	Sheba	Madai (Medes, Aryans, India)
Joktan	Dedan	Javan (Ionians, Greeks, Coastlands)
Almodad	Sabtecchta	Elishah (Hellas)
Sheleph	Nimrod (Babylon, Erech, Calneh, Nineveh)	Tarshisti (Spain)
Hazarmaveth	Mizram (Egypt)	Kittim(Cyprus)
Jerah	Ludim	Dodanium (Rhodes)
Hadoram	Anamim	Tubal
Uzal	Lehabim	Meshech
Diklah	Naphtuhim	Tiras (Thrace, Teutons)
Obal	Pathrusim (Pathros)
Abimael	Casluhim (Philistines)
Sheba	Philistim
Ophir	Caphtorum
Havilah	Phut (Libya)
Jobab	Canaan
Lud (Lydia)	Sidon
Aram	Heth (Hittites, Cathay)
Uz (Job)	Jebusites
Hul	Amorites
Gether	Girgashhites
Mash	Hivites
	Arkites (Phoenicians)
	Sinites (Sino, China)
	Avidities
	Zemarites
	Hamathite
Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
Ephesians 2:14 … hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Ephesians 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… Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The Tents of Shem – Because of this “Mystery” we have Fellowship

Genesis 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

Genesis 9:26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

Ephesians 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

I. Recap of Noah’s Prophecy

We can see that the prophecy of verse 25 concerning Canaan began to be fulfilled within 200 years.  We saw the prophecy concerning Shem began fulfillment in two chapters of Genesis, Covenant promise the genealogy line of Christ.  But the prophecy concerning Japheth was not seen for a period of at least 1500 years.  When did it begin?

A. When we think of the great civilizations in ancient times we think of Egypt, Assyria, and even the great kingdom of David and Solomon – These were all either Hamites or Shemites.

1. It wasn’t until the Medes and Persians (Japhethites) conquered Babylon claiming a greater

Empire for themselves, and returning Jews back to their land to rebuild city walls and the temple. (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)

2. Now Alexander the Great, a descendant of Javan, conquered Persia and went east claiming

more land for the Greeks (Japhethites) and refining the Greek language making it the most precise language for the spreading of the Gospel. (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)

3. Then we see Rome conquering the Greeks, claiming Europe, and building roads all over the empire facilitating the spreading of the Gospel.  (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)

B. Now, after Japheth is used to “Pitch the tents of Shem”, God allows Japheth into the tents

C. We see the first fulfillment of the promised Messiah from Genesis 3:15 taking on flesh, and giving His disciples and apostles the “Blueprints of His next “dwelling place”.

Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…

D. Then Jesus Christ, preparing His disciples, provided them salvation needed to begin the work:

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

E. Christ, then instructs His disciples not to head directly out to the mission field, but wait for the second experience that would empower them for the work:

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence….

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

F. In the next chapter it happened, and Peter preaches the first sermon after the baptism in the Holy Ghost starting the program and 3,000 Jews from all over the world are saved.

G. This was just as Paul taught in Romans

Romans 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles….

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

H. Israel was always to be a Light unto the Gentiles –

Isaiah 42:6  I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

I. Look which descendants of Noah’s sons are saved first: Representatives from all three Sons

1. Acts 8:26-40 –An Ethiopian eunuch saved (A Hamite)

2. Acts 9:1-19 – Saul (Apostle Paul) is saved (A Shemite)

3. Acts 10 – Cornelius of the Italian Band is saved(A Japhethite)

J. Years later it’s still happening, Japheth is being enlarged and dwelling in the “Tents of Shem”

1. Then the Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and especially the English, all had empires and

Claimed more land for the Japhethites.

2. These Europeans went to the New World and the one “superpower” still standing today, the

United States has sent more missionaries spreading revival more than any other country.

Can we see what has happened here?  Jesus Christ, of the line of Shem, swung open the flap of Shem’s tent and said all you Japhethites and Hamites come in!

II. The Fellowship of the Mystery – Expanding on Noah’s Prophecy

A. Paul builds on Noah’s metaphor in the Book of Ephesians with three more metaphors

1. Chapter 1 – Metaphor with the church being the body of Christ- Christ is the Head

2. Chapter 2 – With the church being the building , built on Christ the Foundation

3. Chapter 5 – There is the church the bride and Christ is the Bridegroom

B. In preaching the “Unsearchable riches of Christ” -  Paul has two main objectives

1. That the readers may know Paul’s knowledge in the Mystery of Christ revealed to him

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

C. To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery:

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

D. The “Mystery” of intimacy in Paul’s first objective is brought out in the metaphors of Ephesians:

1. We can realize that we are as close to Christ as our shoulders are to our head.

2. We are built upon a strong, sturdy foundation Christ being our Chief Corner Stone

3. We will have the close intimate fellowship like in marriage with Christ as the Bridegroom

E. The “Fellowship of the mystery” in Paul’s second objective is found in a few cross-references:

1. I John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have

fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

2. I Corinthians 1: 1Co 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his

 Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. Philippians 2:1  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort

 of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

F. God also has two main objectives for Paul to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ

1. Recover fellowship with fallen creation man which that sin destroyed

a. God not only loves us

b. God desires our company.

2. The manifold wisdom of God taught to the principalities and powers in heavenly places

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

III. Mystery of Christ and the Church – God’s First Objective Fulfilled at the Rapture – Linked to Noah

A. As the time of the Days of Noah

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

B. An eternal relationship between Christ and the church is a “Mystery”

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

C. Let’s go back to the Passage that Paul quotes:

Genesis 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Genesis 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

D. To understand this Passage, we must go back to the Passage’s beginning:

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

E. To understand this Passage, we must understand a Jewish marriage

1. When a Jewish boy had his eye on a Jewish girl, he would not approach her

2. Instead, he would discuss this with his father. If the father agreed with the son, a meeting with

 the girl’s father would be arranged.

3. If both parties agree, a legal and binding espousal contract and dowry would be put together

4. The espoused boy would then add on to his father’s house a place for him and his bride.

5. When the father was satisfied with the boy’s building, the boy would go get his bride and

take her to the building he had built.  Thus the marriage is consummated.

F. This marriage ceremony Paul is what Paul is alluding to in II Corinthians:

II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

G. The Rapture Fulfills the First Part of Jesus Christ’s Promise “I will come again and receive you unto myself”:  (Remember that in Ephesians 5, the Church is called the “Bride of Christ”)

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

K. The Rapture is a Bible “Mystery”

I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

L. Includes the dead in Christ and “We which are alive”

I Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

What Is A Bible Mystery?

A Bible Mystery is a teaching that was kept secret since creation but made manifest by the Scriptures in the New Testament
Mystery	Reference
The Gentiles Called Out	Colossians 1:24-27
God’s Established Plan For Israel	Matthew 13:11
Israel Blinded So The Gentiles May Be Brought In	Romans 11:25; II Corinthians 3:13-18
The Church - One Body Of Jews And Gentiles	Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 5:30-32; Romans 16:25-26
This Salvation Program – Wisdom of God	I Corinthians 2:7
The Relation Of Christ To Men In Redemption	Colossians 2:2-3 ; 4:3
The Accomplishment Of The Incarnation Itself	I Timothy 3:16
The Development Of Evil The Antichrist	II Thessalonians 2:7-8
The mystery of Iniquity – Apostate Religion	Revelation 17:5-7
The Dispensation of the Fullness of Time	Ephesians 1:9-10
The Rapture	I Corinthians 15:51-55
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

I. Old Testament Types of the Rapture Demonstrate at what point the Rapture Occurs

Types of the Rapture Demonstrate at what point the Rapture Occurs
Enoch is translated into heaven before the flood (A Type of the Tribulation)	Genesis 5:23-24; Flood Chapter 6
Lot is rescued out of Sodom before the fire fell (A Type of the Tribulation)	Genesis 19:15; Fire Fell 19:23-24
Joseph takes a Gentile Bride Before the famine (A Type of the Tribulation)	Joseph’s Egyptian Bride, Asenath – Genesis 41:45; Famine started Genesis 41:54. (But there was bread in Egypt.
Moses takes a Gentile Bride Before the Plagues (A Type of the Tribulation)	Moses took his Midianite bride, Zaporah - Exodus 2:21-22; Plagues of Egypt begin in Chapter 7.
Each Event Happened Before The “Type” of the Tribulation

IV. First comes the Rapture – Then the Second coming

A. I Thessalonians 4 Gives us a Strong Clue as to when The Rapture Occurs:

I Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

I Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

I Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

I Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

If the Thessalonians were expecting to go through the Tribulation Period, Why would they be concerned about their friends who had died and missed the Tribulation Period?

B. II Thessalonians 2 Gives us the timing of the Rapture and the Second Coming

1. First Comes the Rapture or the “Day of Christ:

II Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Second Coming), and by our gathering together unto him (Rapture),

II Thessalonians 2:2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2. Then Comes the Antichrist during the Tribulation Period

II Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed <601> (5686), the son of perdition;

II Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

II Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

II Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

II Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

3. After That is the Second Coming

II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

II Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

II Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

 The New Jerusalem fulfills the “preparing a place for you”

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

C. Let’s go to this Beautiful marriage ceremony:

I. The Coming King

Psalm 45:1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

A. Verses 6-7 are quoted in Hebrews 1 and attribute the throne, “O God” to Christ.

Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Psalm 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Psalm 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

B. The King Greatly Desires the Beauty of the Queen – Who is the Queen?

Psalm 45:9 Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Psalm 45:10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; Psalm 45:11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. Psalm 45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

God not only created Adam so Christ could give all to save Adam, but Christ desires our fellowship.  He loves our company.  Don’t you desire the same from your Bridegroom?