The Treasure Trove by C. R. Oliver (black male authors txt) 📕

The Treasure Trove

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, 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, 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

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, 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, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 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. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 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, 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

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; 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, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 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

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 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.

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.'

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,

So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

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

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