The Treasure Trove - The Treasures Of His Wisdom & Knowledge
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
November 1, 2013

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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

November 1, 2013

The Treasure Trove
The Treasures Of His Wisdom & Knowledge

Colossians 2:1-3
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Introduction:
I know for a fact there are places in Him that are hidden and are full of the treasures of His Wisdom and Knowledge.

The reason I can attest to this fact comes from my experience in researching and writing Solomon's Secret. When my interest in the Song of Solomon began, it began as a strange awareness that I knew things about the book that were extraordinary and beyond my capability of reason or conjecture. When I read its text, I found myself mysteriously drawn to committing myself to understanding it in a way no other had looked upon it throughout history. I knew that Watchman Nee had delved into it in the early 1920's, but he died before he could explore its farther reaches. Its totality eluded him. When I read his works and then began to apprehend the text itself, something was missing.

Since I was living in an area which had a theological seminary equipped with a library, I was able to research commentaries. It was then I discovered those passages which were difficult to understand were not treated in any of them. However, those passages bearing comment were similar in content to each other and contained little new information. I became aware that if I was to understand those eight chapters, I had no other source than the Spirit. It meant entering a sanctum I was unfamiliar with at that time. It became evident the Lord wanted to share with me some things about this book that were hidden and few were privy to ... it was part of His hidden Wisdom.

Although a constant purging was taking place within me spiritually, the central matter was not based on my person, so much as His desire to share what He considered His treasure. He wanted to let me view intricacies Solomon placed within its framework. The wisest man in the world was not derelict in his abilities. I was seeing what brought glory to God. I was seeing what Solomon saw when the hidden Wisdom and Knowledge of God was opened to him. I was seeing a book through the eyes of the Creator, rather than viewing it from just man's perspective. It was a volume based on three levels of understanding and the deepest level would only be revealed by the Spirit.

Sometimes, I found myself exhausted from the amount of "spiritual vision." Often, I would cry out, "Lord, I cannot take more-this is beyond me-I am not capable." Often I would weep because of my unworthiness and my need for cleansing. Glory and Holiness were all around me during these times of enlightenment. At other times, I came to a place where I did not want to leave my task, only continue to bask in what was pouring down upon me. I also knew no other person who could join me-I was alone in this pursuit. Many times, with tears streaming down my face, in front of the computer where I was writing, I would fall from my chair. I found myself flat on my face and weeping for long periods. Each revelation was precious and needed to be held and embraced and appreciated. Such was Holy.

Bits and pieces would come together, and when I discovered them, it was like finding a treasure or some lost piece of history. I found I could confide in very few people because of the holiness of that which was before me.

When I encountered an item I did not have a clue as to its meaning, I prayed and believed God to reveal it to me, no matter how long it took. His promise was true. Overcoming is a broad field.

Revelation 2:17
To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'

The Lord wants to share what is His. His desire is not to just hear us pray about what interests us, but to come into His Presence and let Him show us what interests Him. He desires to share matters and events and personal issues that capture His thinking. The Bible is alive with diffused meanings which have been placed there by His hand, and He is willing to reveal those secrets if we seek and knock. To the world they are hidden, but to those who seek His Wisdom and Knowledge, they are open and available.

Song 7:13
And at our gates are pleasant fruits,
All manner, new and old,
Which I have laid up for you, my beloved.

Hidden Treasure:
We can now see what Paul was saying. Wisdom and Knowledge are hidden treasures, and they are only attainable from the Lord. Solomon asked for both of these elements. Perhaps, he asked because His father, David, knew about the "secret place of the most High." It is the nature of the Lord to hide that which is precious in order to preserve it from the corruption of the world.

Jesus acknowledged this ...

Luke 10:21
"I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes

Luke 18:34
34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken

Paul spoke of it as well:

Colossians 1:24-2:10
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

This passage precedes the text passage and is embellished by Colossians 2. Many matters in the treasure trove of the Lord are not revealed until their time. They are hidden away and cannot be opened until a certain period, but there are vast areas of knowledge and wisdom which are available to those who seek them. What was working mightily in Paul was the outpouring of Hidden Wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory

(I realize I write to an audience who seeks the Lord. Thousands gather to read or hear this newsletter. They have the same mind and their hearts are pliable to the Spirit. What an honor to share with you the Hidden Treasures that work mightily in me. It is to this audience I challenge to "overcome" and eat of the hidden manna. It is now time for all of us to enter the treasure room where God has hidden His manifold mysteries. You are The Church and we fellowship in the mystery, and you and I have the joy of coming against the principalities and powers with fresh ammunition and great wisdom and knowledge. This is God's intent for doing things this way and working through us in these days!)

Ephesians 3:9-12
9 And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

The great challenge to the true church is to come to terms with who we are and Who He IS!

Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God

Sometimes, the Lord hides matters from those who are seemingly the most religious and pious. The Scribes and Pharisees searched the Scriptures daily and were master teachers but were not entrant to the hidden treasure trove. Observe the following passage from Isaiah 48. The opening verses describe a nation that "uses" the name of the Lord but doesn't follow Him. Begin with verse 6 and observe how the Lord deals with them.

Isaiah 48:6-8
I have made you hear new things from this time,
Even hidden things, and you did not know them.
7 They are created now and not from the beginning;
And before this day you have not heard them,
Lest you should say, 'Of course I knew them.'
8 Surely you did not hear,
Surely you did not know;
Surely from long ago your ear was not opened.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
And were called a transgressor from the womb

Note: the Lord says He spoke of the "hidden things," but corporate Israel could not comprehend what was said because of their spiritual transgressions. So, he created some NOW things for them-stuff that would happen post haste. He didn't want them saying, "Oh yes, I searched the Scriptures and knew that," or " Oh yes, I looked into Bible numerology and discovered this secret code that told me about this," or "I saw a vision or had a dream and knew by Divine revelation about this," or "I received a word of knowledge about this matter."

Somewhere in this mix, I see the modern corporate church of which I remind those with the longest charts they might just encounter some unexpected turns in the road.

Although God dealt with Israel on a different spiritual level than other nations, His desire was/is to take His people into His hidden treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. Throughout Scripture, the prophets depended upon his sharing and the special aptitude they gained from Him. Leadership and military commanders often relied upon this "special help." So, what is wrong with us--(We no longer deem it appropriate to exhibit these insights in our churches. We display no words of knowledge, special anointing, or gifting of the Spirit)?

The wisdom literature of Proverbs might actually tell us what we must do.

Proverbs 2:1-8
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures ...

In the book of Job, there is a very long word from the Lord summarizing the hidden, but true, situation involving Job. After pointing out God's role in creation and how man finds it impossible to comprehend His tasks, He asks Job a leading question.

Job 38:36
36 Who has put wisdom in the mind?
Or who has given understanding to the heart?

Job acknowledges that only God can do this.

Hear Paul verify the source of his ministry.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

I truthfully believe pastors and teachers should not speak unless they speak from the treasury of His Wisdom and Knowledge. Our people have been deceived and robbed by those who teach from a different source.

In my own life, I know every book and every written piece for these newsletters have their origin in His treasury. When I handle the truths of God, I view them as jewels, as precious gifts of rare beauty and charm. How could anyone write or preach with less? Yet, we are subjected to messages and preachments from variant sources.

Paul was correct to complete Colossians 2:1-3 with a verse 4 warning:

'Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words ...'

The Church Deceived would be a huge title for a new work!

People have been robbed of their inheritance in the treasure trove of God's Wisdom and Knowledge. David Wilkerson was correct in fearing to address an audience that was going to hell with a 16 minute skit, followed by a 10 minute message on How to Cope.

When the Lord spoke to Samuel about the sorry estate of the priesthood, He made a declaration about The Anointed One Who would be more interested in the mind of God than His own words or thoughts.

1 Samuel 2:34-36

35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever. 36 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and say, "Please, put me in one of the priestly positions, that I may eat a piece of bread."'

His Treasure:

Remember, Paul attested in the focal passage that wisdom and knowledge are treasures.

Colossians 2:3: 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.'

I have learned something in my years: what people treasure differs from one another and what they do with their treasures is based on their value judgments as to their worth. For instance,

Matthew 13:52
Then He said to them, 'Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.'

In my home are tokens from around the world. They are valueless to anyone who would seek to appraise them, but they mean much to me, for they represent a time in my history where and when I acquired them. On the wall, for instance, is a framed black cloth having straw pieces cut and neatly glued, forming the shape of a Sri Lankan girl strumming a native stringed instrument. It is a small picture, but it was once the only picture owned by the tea worker inyo whose home I was invited. Not knowing the custom of the country, I admired its intricate work because it represented a form of art uncharacteristic to the western motif. Upon departing, he presented it to me as a token of his esteem and because of the custom of the area. I insisted he keep it, backed up from accepting it, and explained I did not compliment it because I wanted it. Nothing would do but to take it. To me, it is a treasure and when I look upon it, I see this humble man and his family as vividly today as 30 years ago.

My household treasures are sundry. (A picture from my grandmother's house is hanging in the spare bedroom [it is well over 100 yrs old]. My wife's father's Moccasins, handmade by Potawatomi Indians, are priceless. A curio, housing objects from our missionary travels, include some small wooden boxes made by naked aborigines being evangelized.)

Each object tells its own story and calls to remembrance a place or person of interest. Imagine the treasure trove collected by the Son of God. Revelation tells us that the prayers of the saints are kept as treasures. I suspect Hebrews 11 is a glimpse into the galleries of dignitaries who are honored in greater number in the halls of heaven.

However, Wisdom and Knowledge are hidden treasures-meaning they are removed from public view and available only to those whom God opens. (I know what it is to be shown some of these treasures. I know what it is to receive from the Lord out of His treasury. I have experienced seeing things in Scripture that were put there by His hand but not understood apart from His Wisdom and Knowledge. I am not talking about "words of knowledge" which are often temporal and earth based. I am talking about the Spirit taking me into the hiding place of God's Wisdom and enlightening me from a treasure source. Once having been introduced to hidden realms, there is a desire to be nourished from none other.)

Charles Finney, in 1825, said the congregation in Boston was incapable of receiving what was revealed to him. Sometimes, it is best not to cast pearls before swine.

Do we treasure what He treasures? Is this not the real issue we face with our ambitions and worldly pursuits?

Hebrews 11:24-31
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible

Paul made sure his readers knew the source of their spiritual wisdom was a transaction from the throne

2 Corinthians 4:
6. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Jesus taught that God's intent was to gift His children with the kingdom and that included heavenly treasures. .

Luke 12:32-34
32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

The ambition of the believer should be to attain this treasure at all cost. Interestingly enough, in the light of the two passages below, it would appear God wants us not only to possess His treasures but to wear His treasures as ornaments.

Matthew 13:44-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

It is God's desire to give you the hidden things, but who among us searches Him out and seeks to drink from His supply? Notice the circuit in Matthew 13:44. The treasure came from one hidden place to another hidden place-so does the hidden treasure of wisdom and knowledge. In the parable, "a man," not a corporate body, discovered the treasure and knew its value.

The shallow base of the modern church leaves me speechless in the wake of what is truly available to those who humbly seek after Him and tread the highway of Holiness and determine to possess what He treasures.

Proverbs 2:6-8
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
8 He guards the paths of justice
And preserves the way of His saints.

Likewise, He is aware of the conditions of the masses and understands they are reluctant to know Him, for they are like those who gathered at the Mount who said to Moses, "You go."

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Micah 4:12
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD,
Nor do they understand His counsel;
For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Aside from every other consideration concerning His treasure trove, two things stand above all others. Here is what He treasures:

1 Peter 3:3-4
4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Deuteronomy 32:9 ... the LORD's portion is His people.

Until Next month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.

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