This bible study was inspired after reading the anointed writings of Oliver Heywood. Because of Oliver Heywood's christian beliefs, Oliver Heywood was placed in prison for his beliefs in Jesus and the following writings came from letters written by Oliver Heywood while he was in a prison cell. For today's first hidden secret from Jesus notice the pictures above of the black dark tents of Kedar and the beautiful curtains around King Solomon's bed. Song of Solomon 1:5 says I am black, but comely (beautiful), O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar (dark), as the curtains of Solomon (note that the curtains around Solomon's bed were beautiful and glorious).
Oliver Heywood said that true saints dwell in Kedar tents through afflictions, persecutions, and many corruptions in this howling wilderness and weary pilgrimage, and are black and unlovely to look upon, but if you could open the tent door and see into the secret cabinet of a believer's heart, you would discover a treasure of the rarest graces, truths, experiences, and comforts that ever mortal eyes beheld. You would behold them as the comely beautiful curtains around Solomon's bed
Look beyond the outer appearance of christians and see the glorious treasures of Jesus and the Word of God that these blessed saints have in their hearts. True saints like the Apostle Paul, Oliver Heywood, and John Bunyan who all wrote about Jesus from prison cells might not be beautiful to the outward eye, but their inward beauty of Jesus reflected by their writings is truly glorious and spectacular to behold. The world also viewed our Lord Jesus when He walked on this earth as having no beauty, form, or comeliness. But, the inward beauty of our Lord Jesus was glorious and magnificent to behold. Isaiah 53:2 says For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He (Jesus) hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
Christians should let everyone see their inner beauty of Jesus. Notice the picture above of how the ancient tabernacle was built. The ancient tabernacle's covering was coarse and unsightly on the outside to behold but beautiful on the inside. Oliver Heywood wrote that christians are like unto the tabernacle, whose outside is like unto badgers' skins, rams' skins dyed red, and goats' hair that is coarse and unsightly to look upon. But the inside of the tabernacle is beautiful, consisting of gold, silver, precious stones, and curious workmanship.
Exodus 26:7 speaks about the outer coverings of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. Exodus 26:14 says And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
Christians have the excellent treasure of Jesus in their ordinary earthen vessel that they should display to the lost world. At present, the full glorious life of the Lord Jesus is hidden in christians that currently is not seen but exists and shines brightly. But when Jesus who is our life appears, we shall also fully appear with Jesus in glory. Colossians 3:3 says For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Get saved with Jesus and witness Jesus everywhere. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.
The next hidden secret revealed by Jesus is about the pictures above of an earthen vessel and much fine gold. Lamentations 4:2 says The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter. Lost sinners in the world mistakenly view christians that are fine gold as just earthen pitchers. Unfortunately what the world esteems great is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15 says And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Oliver Heywood said Suppose you see an earthen pot full of gold, let him that only sees the outside and knows not what is within, be asked the price thereof, possibly he will answer, not many pence, but the pot with the treasure in it may be worth many thousand pounds. A sorry canvas purse may contain a vast sum of money, nor must the whole be rated according to the poor facing, but the rich lining. Don't be discouraged if the world around you overlooks you as just an earthen vessel because christians have a treasure of fine gold that is Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:7 says But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Colossians 1:27 says To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Don't be discouraged if lost sinners in the world say that you are poor. You are fine gold with the Lord Jesus. Be encouraged and read this story from Oliver Heywood about a miser named Stigandus who was very wealthy in the world but lacked the true treasures of Jesus. The miser Stigandus, archbishop of Canterbury, lived very poorly, saying and swearing that he had nothing, no, not a penny. Yet by a key fastened about his neck, there were found great treasures after his death, which he had hid under the ground. But alas, that key would not open heavens' gates, nor would that treasure purchase glory and the infinite eternal treasure of the Lord Jesus in the heavens.
Don't be discouraged if lost sinners in the world say that you are poor. You are fine gold with the Lord Jesus. Be encouraged and read this story from Oliver Heywood about a miser named Stigandus who was very wealthy in the world but lacked the true treasures of Jesus. The miser Stigandus, archbishop of Canterbury, lived very poorly, saying and swearing that he had nothing, no, not a penny. Yet by a key fastened about his neck, there were found great treasures after his death, which he had hid under the ground. But alas, that key would not open heavens' gates, nor would that treasure purchase glory and the infinite eternal treasure of the Lord Jesus in the heavens.
But the believing soul hath his treasure above, and by faith he hath interest in the Lord Jesus, who hath indeed the Key of David, and is already entered into the holiest of all, and hath set heavens' gates wide open to His purchased and prepared ones, and who is gone to prepare a place for them. John 14:1 says Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
While christians are inwardly beautiful with Jesus, unsaved lost sinners in the world are ugly within and appear beautiful on the outside. Proverbs 26:23 describes lost sinners without Jesus who are beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross (trash). The sin on the inside of an unsaved person will eventually be exposed and seen as dross trash on the top of his silver potsherd vessel. Proverbs 26:26 says Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
While christians are inwardly beautiful with Jesus, unsaved lost sinners in the world are ugly within and appear beautiful on the outside. Proverbs 26:23 describes lost sinners without Jesus who are beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross (trash). The sin on the inside of an unsaved person will eventually be exposed and seen as dross trash on the top of his silver potsherd vessel. Proverbs 26:26 says Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
The next hidden secret revealed by Jesus is about not being lazy but diligent to make your life blessed and precious. Proverbs 12:27 says The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. The slothful man is so lazy that after he successfully hunts food, he does not cook the food but lets it sit and spoil. Oliver Heywood said that the slothful man's meat is best when it is fresh, new, and quickly used and it is a folly to keep it till it be old and good for nothing. The father and the little boy pictured above are not lazy and promptly roast a turkey they received to avoid the food from spoiling and this makes the turkey precious and a blessing. Proverbs 20:13 says Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Don't be lazy. Ephesians 5:14 says Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly (diligently), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Let's all be like King David and make haste to serve the Lord Jesus and witness Jesus everywhere. Psalm 119:59 says I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The next hidden secret revealed by Jesus is about the picture above of apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11 says A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. In other words a kind word spoken at the right time is valuable like apples of gold and beautiful like pictures of silver. Just as an expensive and beautiful piece of art, wisely spoken words are a rare and valuable treasure that can build up others, heal a hurting heart, or diffuse a volatile situation.
A kind word can save someone's life. Jesus said at John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Note that kind words from the Word of God who is Jesus give people joy, peace, and strength. Proverbs 15:23 says A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it. Proverbs 18:21 says Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The next hidden secret revealed by Jesus is about how nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This truth is found when we compare Romans 8:38 and Isaiah 54:10. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Oliver Heywood said that when the world burns up, let the christians say I have nothing of all this huge heap to lose. Let the brutish worldlings weep and wail over their fair houses, large domains, full bags, numerous cattle, and gorgeous attire. But all the christians will be exceedingly rich with the Lord Jesus and their hope and expectations will become full enjoyment for ever in the kingdom of God.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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